The Laid-back Life of a Stepmother

Chapter 92

Shen Tingxuan arrived three days later, and by that time, Xu Jingrong's academy had also closed for the year, returning from Orchid City.

He wasn't alone; there was also a young master from the Changnan Marquis Mansion, Jiang Rui, who happened to be Xu Jingrong's younger cousin, personally escorting him back.

Jiang Rui was seven or eight years older than Xu Jingrong but was a generation above him. With Jiang Rui keeping an eye on him, Xu Jingrong's studies during the past few months at the academy hadn't improved much, but at least he hadn't regressed, and he had been more disciplined.

If it weren't for the fact that Jiang Rui hadn't been home for several days, Madam Lu would have liked to have him stay at the mansion for a few more days.

Shen Tingxuan had originally planned to move into his own residence before the New Year and spend it alone, but Madam Lu didn't allow it.

She argued that spending the New Year alone in an empty house would be too lonely and bleak.

Toward the end of December, a heavy snowfall hit Sheng Jing, and by New Year's Eve, the snow was still deep.

Madam Lu was busy, and after seeing the younger children in the morning, she used an excuse to send them out of the main courtyard. Bored, Xu Jingrong brought his two younger brothers to Wen Ye's place to play snowball fights.

The rules were that they had to hit Xu Jingrong three times consecutively to win.

The courtyard of Xicui Courtyard was spacious enough for them to frolic.

Wen Ye didn't participate; she sat by the window of the western study, on a soft couch padded with thick comforters, feeling neither cold nor uncomfortable.

A charcoal stove burned not far from her feet, and she held a hand warmer in her lap. Even the windowsill, which could have been uncomfortable for leaning on, had been padded with soft cushions. Wen Ye reclined against it, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the courtyard.

It was as if the boys' snowball fight was being staged specifically for her entertainment.

In the courtyard, Xu Jingrong was on his own, while the two younger brothers teamed up to throw snowballs at him.

Xu Jinglin was better, nearly seven years old and stronger, able to throw snowballs.

Xu Yuxuan, however, was much younger, and with his tiny hands, he could barely grab a large enough snowball to throw it far.

More often than not, instead of throwing it forward, he would somehow manage to send the snowball behind him.

It either landed near Nanny Ji's feet or wetted the sleeves of Ren Dong or Hexiang.

Xu Jingrong, facing him, looked utterly incredulous.

The expression on his face seemed to say, *I've already gone easy on you, if you still can't hit me, there's nothing else I can do.*

After several attempts, seeing Xu Jinglin succeed while he still hadn't, Xu Yuxuan's chubby face was filled with frustration.

Xu Jinglin couldn't bear to see him upset and was about to teach him properly when Xu Yuxuan suddenly turned and ran toward Wen Ye's direction.

The snowy ground was slippery, so Nanny Ji quickly followed.

Xu Yuxuan didn't enter the room; he just talked to Wen Ye from outside the window, with Nanny Ji holding him.

Otherwise, with his little legs, Wen Ye might not even have been able to see the top of his head.

Wen Ye met his bright round eyes and asked, "What do you need?"

Xu Yuxuan nodded his head and, leaning on the windowsill, said to Wen Ye, "Mother, I need 'Xu Yuxuan'!"

Nanny Ji, hearing this, was puzzled, but Wen Ye seemed to understand immediately: "What do you need that for?"

Xu Yuxuan replied, "Xu Yuxuan wants to throw snowballs!"

Wen Ye raised an eyebrow and didn't ask further. "Alright, wait a moment."

She slowly got off the couch and walked toward the desk, where Xu Yuejia's used brushes and ink were still lying.

Wen Ye picked up his brush and found a piece of paper, writing the character for 'Xu Yuxuan' on it. After it had dried slightly, she handed it to Xu Yuxuan outside the window, saying, "Here, go ahead and play."

Although still young, Xu Yuxuan was already familiar with his own name. He looked at it several times, then looked back at Wen Ye with a slightly foolish smile: "Thank you, Mother~"

Nanny Ji, looking at the paper with the name in Xu Yuxuan's hand, couldn't figure out what he meant by his earlier statement, *I need 'Xu Yuxuan'.*

Returning to the snowball fight, Xu Yuxuan wrapped the snowball he had gathered with the paper and handed it to Xu Jinglin: "Brother, throw~"

Xu Jinglin was puzzled: "Why wrap it in paper, Xuan Di?"

Xu Yuxuan simply replied, "That's not paper, that's Xu Yuxuan. If you wrap the snowball with it and hit Big Brother, we'll win!"

After saying that, he went back to Nanny Ji, tightened his little cloak, and looked innocently cheerful.

Xu Jinlin looked down at the snowy ground where he was left alone, his hands red and frozen from playing in the snow.

Something felt off.

Xu Jingrong, who wasn't far away, heard this and his lips twitched, suddenly feeling a pang of satisfaction. He glanced at Xu Yuxuan's small frame and inwardly rejoiced that what had been thrown at him was merely a piece of paper and a snowball.

Wen Ye, watching this scene, commented as Tao Zhi poured tea for her, "Fortunately, Mr. Xu didn't teach him that you can write on stones, too."

After the lively snowball fight ended, the three brothers came inside to warm up by the fire.

It was only then that Xu Jinglin realized what had happened. Just as he was about to say something, Xu Yuxuan, with his little legs, ran back and forth, bringing hot tea and snacks.

Xu Jinglin was pampered and felt comfortable, quickly forgiving Xu Yuxuan for his earlier lazy behavior.

Xuan Di still treated him very well.

For the New Year's Eve dinner, the meal was much the same as the previous year, with a rich and varied array of dishes. Wen Ye glanced at the table and noticed a few more dishes that she particularly enjoyed.

After the New Year's Eve feast, Madam Lu distributed lucky money to the children. The lucky money was the same as before, and Xu Yuxuan's was, as usual, a small golden pig.

It seemed Xu Yuxuan had known he would receive lucky money tonight, as he had asked Nanny Ji to bring the big golden pig that Wen Ye had given him the previous year to the main courtyard.

Now, ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????it not only contained the small golden pigs he had collected earlier but also the silver notes from the Duke of Xu, the golden and silver melon seeds from his aunt and Madam Yao, all stuffed inside.

Every night, he slept with them, so Nanny Ji would often shake out a handful of golden and silver seeds from the bedding each morning.

It wasn't until today that Wen Ye understood why Madam Lu had always given Xu Yuxuan small golden pigs and why it happened to coincide with the Duke of Xu's birthday.

Because that day was actually his biological mother's birthday.

To align with the timing of Xu Yuejia's wedding, Xu Yuxuan's birthday was pushed back by a few months. Officially, he was only a few days away from his third birthday, but in reality, it was in the late summer.

Due to his mother's poor health during pregnancy and his premature and difficult birth, it was hard to tell if he was three or three and a half just by looking.

But even with an extra year, Xu Yuxuan still struggled to hold the increasingly heavy big golden pig when he bent down to pick it up.

He wobbled around like someone drunk, adding much humor and excitement to this New Year's Eve.

As in the previous year, Madam Lu and the Duke of Xu would return to the Ding'an Marquis Mansion on the first day of the New Year, leaving the first day to Wen Ye and Xu Yuejia.

Early in the morning of the first day, Wen Ye boarded the carriage to return to Wen Mansion, with the family of three inside.

Excited to go out and play, Xu Yuxuan was puzzled when he saw that Wen Ye was closing her eyes. "Why is Mother sleeping?" he asked.

Xu Yuejia glanced down and moved her head to his shoulder, saying, "She didn't sleep well last night."

Xu Yuxuan asked again, "Why didn't she sleep well?"

Xu Yuejia replied without changing his expression, "She was reviewing her lessons."

Xu Yuxuan exclaimed in surprise, "Mother also has lessons?"

Xu Yuejia responded with an "Mm," adding, "Keep your voice down. Don't disturb your mother's rest."

Xu Yuxuan quickly covered his mouth and nodded, then returned to his seat, sitting quietly, only occasionally reaching for a piece of pastry.

The carriage headed toward Wen Mansion.

Having visited before, Xu Yuxuan was bolder this time, and with his improved memory after starting school, he even remembered his cousins from the Wen family.

Wen Lan and Wen Hui's families arrived at Wen Mansion a half-step earlier than Wen Ye.

With all four daughters back together and more than ten grandchildren and granddaughters, Madam Shen was overwhelmed by the noise.

Fortunately, everyone understood, and after a brief greeting, Madam Shen didn't keep them long and let them disperse.

Wen Yuwan hadn't been back to her maiden home for some time, and this time, even her youngest child had grown a lot. She brought them all back so Madam Shen could see them.

Wen Ye was the last to leave the main courtyard, holding Xu Yuxuan's hand as he hopped and skipped.

Wen Yuwan, watching her graceful and prosperous figure, sighed with Madam Shen, "No wonder my mother-in-law always says that Fourth Sister has great luck."

Madam Shen sipped her tea and remarked, "She also knows how to manage well herself."

Wen Yuwan agreed with this, though of course, she couldn't really go against her mother-in-law's words.

"By the way," Wen Yuwan suddenly remembered something and asked, "I heard that Mother once went to the hot springs in the suburbs of Sheng Jing with Fourth Sister?"

Madam Shen glanced at her daughter and said, "Did your mother-in-law say that again?"

Wen Yuwan smiled, "Mother, you can tell everything."

Madam Shen said, "She went once, and took Wen Ran with her."

Wen Yuwan said, "I also have a hot spring estate under my name. If you want to bathe in the hot springs again, just write to me anytime."

But before that, she had to take her mother-in-law there first.

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen, with a loving gaze, looked at her and said, "You still have several children to take care of, so don't trouble yourself with me, lest your mother-in-law overthink."

It's not easy for a woman to live well in her in-laws' house.

Wen Yuwan has been able to live the way she does today, thanks to the methods Madam Shen thought of back then.

From the day Wen Yuwan married, within Madam Yongcheng Earl's sight, Wen Yuwan could not be close with Madam Shen for more than her.

Madam Yongcheng Earl is a person who loves face. It is true that she cherishes Wen Yuwan, but in her heart, she certainly hopes that her daughter-in-law will prioritize the in-laws' family in everything.

Madam Shen didn't think there was anything wrong with this approach. She just hoped that her daughter could have a smooth life in her husband's family.

She knew what her daughter was thinking with her own upbringing. "As long as you are fine in the Earl's Mansion, it's okay for us mother and daughter to meet less often."

Wen Yuwan remained silent for a moment, then raised her eyes and said, "Then I'll follow whatever you say, Mother."

Madam Shen lifted her hand as she did when the girl was little and stroked her hair, saying, "Your fourth sister said that if I want to bathe in the hot springs in the future, I can bother her anytime."

Upon hearing this, Wen Yuwan couldn't help but smile. Although she didn't know much about her sisters at home, she vaguely remembered that Wen Ye was the laziest and most averse to trouble among them.

There must be some deviation from the original words, but it was rare to see her mother joking with her, and Wen Yuwan found it quite refreshing.

*

On the other side, Wen Ye, having handed Xu Yuxuan over to Xu Yuejia halfway, brought her maids to the Xicui Courtyard.

Concubine Chang had been waiting early in the morning. Wen Ye didn't bring Xu Yuxuan because she had something important to discuss with Concubine Chang.

When they arrived at the main hall of Xicui Courtyard, Wen Ye found an excuse to send her younger sister back to her room.

After a quarter of an hour, when Concubine Chang learned that Wen Ye didn't plan to have children, she was stunned.

Wen Ye had anticipated such a scene and had prepared in advance. Without showing any panic, she said, "Auntie, I'm serious about this matter. You don't need to persuade me."

Her eyes were filled with firm determination.

After a long pause, Concubine Chang spoke with a hoarse voice, "Is it because of what I went through when I gave birth to your younger sister that scared you?"

Wen Ye shook her head, "You're thinking too much, Auntie. You know my personality. I don't want to have children because I'm afraid of the hardships of pregnancy, the pain of childbirth, and the fear of death."

When Concubine Chang heard the word "death," she immediately spat out, "It's the New Year, why mention it?"

Wen Ye: "Then will you still persuade me to have children, Auntie?"

Concubine Chang stayed silent for a long time, then sighed deeply and said, "Well, if you don't want to have children, can Auntie force you?"

Wen Ye paused, completely not expecting such a scene. The ‘hysterical scenes’ she had imagined didn't show any signs of happening at all.

Except for the disappointment and regret that unconsciously flowed under her eyes, Concubine Chang was quite calm.

Seeing her eldest daughter studying her so intently, Concubine Chang couldn't help but laugh, "What? Afraid Auntie will change her mind?"

Wen Ye: "I thought you would persuade me a few more times."

Concubine Chang looked at her and said, "You are the child I carried for ten months, Auntie knows the hardships of pregnancy."

Although she still couldn't understand and couldn't accept many of her eldest daughter's strange thoughts, she didn't want to push her daughter into danger.

She was aware that she wasn't a wise person and couldn't think deeply about many things.

But she understood one thing: Some things can't be forced.

Since her eldest daughter can live well in the Duke Mansion without children, why force her to do what she doesn't want to do?

Thinking of this, Concubine Chang still felt some regret: "It's a pity about the fabrics I saved for your future children."

Wen Ye smiled and said, "Those fabrics can be left for my younger sister to make clothes. Madam Li in the Duke Mansion treats me very well, and now my warehouse is full of good fabrics that I can't even finish wearing."

But Concubine Chang said, "Auntie knows."

...

Leaving Xicui Courtyard, Wen Ye only remembered halfway that she had forgotten to give her younger sister's birthday gift in advance, so she hurried back.

In the Xicui Courtyard, Concubine Chang was discussing with her youngest daughter, "In the future, half of the silver I save will still be left for your fourth sister. Don't distance yourself from her because of this."

Wen Ran didn't think there was anything wrong with this, she said, "Does my fourth sister have any difficulties? I still have a lot, Auntie can take it all."

She had only spent a small portion of the rewards she had received before, and there was still a lot left.

Concubine Chang smiled in relief and said, "Keep yours, I'll slowly save for your fourth sister until it's enough."

Wen Ran thought for a moment and said, "Father said he would check my studies tomorrow. I'll try to perform well so that Father will be happy and give me money."

Since entering the palace, Father's income had decreased a lot. It seemed he should pick it up again.

Standing under the porch, Wen Ye felt a complex mix of emotions.