The Laid-back Life of a Stepmother

Chapter 93

She didn't go inside to disturb them.

In life, it's hard to have both rain and sunshine; if this can make them feel more at ease, then it's not bad.

Wen Ye stood outside the room for a while, waiting until Concubine Chang and Wen Ran had finished discussing before stepping inside.

Before discussing the matter with Wen Ran, Concubine Chang had already sent the others in the Xicui Courtyard far away.

Seeing Wen Ye suddenly return without a sound, Concubine Chang was slightly startled and asked, "Did you forget something?"

"I did forget something," Wen Ye replied calmly, handing over the box in her hand, "for my little sister."

Seeing that it was a rather large box, Concubine Chang said, "How much did this cost?"

Wen Ye placed the box down and said, "Not much."

Concubine Chang didn't believe her.

Wen Ran also didn't believe her and said, "Sister Ye, the seven little golden monkeys you gave me last year are still here. Auntie and I don't lack money."

Even if one day we do, as long as I study hard, I’ll definitely earn it.

After ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????all, the books aren't read for nothing.

Wen Ye and Concubine Chang were unaware that Wen Ran had already found a way to make a living.

Wen Ye had no choice but to explain, "It's really not something expensive. It's just some snacks and small toys I made myself. Not worth much."

Having been mother and daughter and sisters for many years, Wen Ye understood the two of them very well.

If she sent them expensive gifts every year, it would only increase their unease. Last year's extravagant gift, aside from wanting to make their lives better, was also to let them know that she was doing well in Duke Xu's residence.

"Snacks?" Wen Ran's eyes lit up, "What kind of snacks?"

Although Wen Ye had left a recipe book before her marriage, and Concubine Chang would instruct the kitchen to make them for Wen Ran whenever she wanted to eat, for some reason, the taste was never the same as when Wen Ye was around.

"You'll know when you try them," Wen Ye said, having prepared everything according to their tastes.

Snacks in winter don't spoil easily. If sent to the kitchen to be warmed up, the taste remains unchanged.

Wen Ye stayed in the Xicui Courtyard for a while longer, accompanying Concubine Chang and Wen Ran as they enjoyed a few snacks before finally leaving.

*

This year, with Wen Ye's early preparations,

Various types of nourishing food, as well as funny stories collected from unknown sources,

Madam Lu, though busy, didn't feel as tired as she had in previous years.

After every event, instead of just feeling exhausted, there was also a hint of anticipation for what "she" would come up with next.

In the blink of an eye, it was the 16th day of the first lunar month.

The busiest days were over, and today was Madam Lu's last day of nourishment. It seemed she might have overdone it a bit, as Madam Lu found that her clothes were a little tighter around her waist lately.

On the 16th day of the first lunar month in the Jin Dynasty, the imperial court resumed its sessions, and Duke Xu and Xu Yuejia had already gone to the palace.

Xu Jingrong had also returned to the academy yesterday afternoon, accompanied by Aunt Xu's second son.

Shen Tingxuan had moved back to the residence purchased last year by his elder aunt as early as the 6th day of the first lunar month.

So today, there were only four people at the dining table.

Madam Lu glanced at her younger son, who was quietly drinking soup, and said with some surprise, "I’ve never seen you drink vegetable soup like this before."

Xu Jinglin looked up and said, "This soup tastes like it has meat in it."

Madam Lu tasted it and indeed, it did.

She looked at Wen Ye and said, "Why don't you take charge of the menu for our family banquet next time?"

Wen She hurriedly shook her head, "Sister-in-law, with specialized knowledge comes specialized skill. My little experiments can't compare to a grand event like a family banquet."

"Besides, these remedies are all tailored for you, sister-in-law. Would you really want to share them with outsiders?"

Madam Lu said with some exasperation, "You... you really have no sense of propriety."

"You're incorrigible," she said, but the tone was indulgent.

Although Madam Lu scolded her, she didn't bring up the banquet menu again.

*

On the other side, after the court session ended, Duke Xu did not return home first but waited specifically for Xu Yuejia outside the palace.

When Xu Yuejia exited the palace and saw Duke Xu still waiting, he stepped forward and called, "Brother."

Duke Xu said, "Quick, get in the palanquin."

After Xu Yuejia entered the carriage, Duke Xu said urgently, "Brother wants to ask you for a favor."

"What favor?" Xu Yuejia asked.

"This is about your sister-in-law's birthday approaching," Duke Xu said somewhat awkwardly, "can you please help me find out what Wen Ye has prepared for your sister-in-law’s birthday gift this year?"

After hearing this, Xu Yuejia didn't immediately agree.

He asked, "What did Brother prepare?"

Duke Xu revealed his thoughts and plans, "I want to make a pastry for your sister-in-law with my own hands."

He had already started learning recently, though the progress was a bit slow.

As for whether Xu Yuejia would reveal the secret, Duke Xu wasn't worried, as he wasn't that kind of person.

Xu Yuejia nodded, "I understand."

Thinking he had agreed, Duke Xu was delighted, "Indeed, you’re my good second brother."

Wen Ye, too, had been preparing Madam Lu's birthday gift recently.

The facial cream she had previously fiddled with worked well, and she planned to make two improved versions better suited for Madam Lu. In addition to the facial cream, she also prepared hair care cream and skin care cream.

When Xu Yuejia returned to the west courtyard, Wen Ye was instructing Xu Yuxuan, "Little Snail, go help Mother get a spoon~"

As soon as Xu Yuxuan heard this, he immediately ran towards the small table where the bottles, jars, and spoons were placed.

He bent down to look at the various spoons of different sizes and turned his head to ask, "Mother, which one, long or short?"

Wen Ye, sitting at the table, was grinding something in a mortar and said, "The long one."

This task normally wouldn't fall to Xu Yuxuan, but he seemed to enjoy running around.

As long as he didn't cause trouble, Wen Ye usually let him.

Aside from his short legs, Xu Yuxuan was actually pretty good.

Wen Ye found it quite satisfying to "order" him around, like a little snail master.

When Xu Yuxuan held the long-handled spoon and turned back, his eyes caught sight of the person at the door, and he immediately called out, "Father!"

Wen Ye turned her head upon hearing this and jokingly said, "The big snail is back?"

Xu Yuejia: "......"

Xu Yuxuan was puzzled, "Father is also a snail?"

Wen Ye turned her gaze back to the child and said, "Yes."

Xu Yuxuan asked again, "Then does Father need to help Mother get a spoon too?"

Wen Ye said with a straight face, "With you doing it, that's enough. Your father is in charge of other things."

Xu Yuejia's eyes flickered with emotion as he looked at her.

Wen Ye saw this and immediately changed the subject, pointing to the seat beside her, "Husband, sit."

Xu Yuejia sat down and, seeing the mortar in her hand, asked, "What are you making?"

Wen Ye replied, "Guess."

Xu Yuxuan followed and said, "Father, guess~"

Xu Yuejia smelled the fragrant herbal scent coming from the mortar, which seemed somewhat familiar.

He calmly thought back and finally remembered, "Facial cream?"

Wen Ye replied, "Close enough."

The little snail piped up again, "Mother, do you need anything else? Xuan’er will go get it~"

Xu Yuxuan seemed to enjoy this 'game', so Wen Ye casually said, "Mother is hungry, wants to eat red bean cake."

Xu Yuxuan's eyes lit up; he wanted to eat too.

This time, Xu Yuxuan was even more enthusiastic, turning around and running out of the room.

With a determined air, his goal was the kitchen.

Without needing Wen Ye to remind him, Ren Dong, who usually took care of Xu Yuxuan, quickly followed.

After Xu Yuxuan left, Wen Ye noticed Xu Yuejia was still staring at her and asked, "Is there something on your mind, husband?"

Xu Yuejia then remembered the favor Duke Xu had asked him and "hmm" in acknowledgment.

Wen Ye asked, "What is it?"

Xu Yuejia honestly said, "After the court session today, Brother found me and asked me to help him find out what you prepared for Sister-in-law's birthday gift this year."

Wen Ye stopped what she was doing and asked, "Did you ask Brother what he prepared?"

Xu Yuejia nodded, "Yes."

Wen Ye immediately asked again, "What is it?"

Xu Yuejia paused and didn't speak.

Seeing his reaction, Wen Ye knew it must be that Duke Xu had asked him not to tell her beforehand.

But she still asked, "You can't tell me?"

Xu Yuejia said, "You first."

Wen Ye shook her head, "That’s not fair."

Xu Yuejia was silent for a while and said, "Then I won’t say either."

Wen Ye raised an eyebrow and said, "You will."

Xu Yuejia: "......I’m a man of my word."

However, that night, the inner chamber was filled with a warmth.

The next day, Duke Xu waited specifically at the gate of the front yard study, seeing Xu Yuejia’s figure and hurriedly approaching to ask, "Did you find out?"

Xu Yuejia’s reply disappointed Duke Xu slightly, "Not yet."

Duke Xu did not give up and continued, "You can try again later."

Xu Yuejia neither refused nor agreed but instead asked, "Does Brother have so little confidence in the birthday gift you prepared?"

Upon hearing this, Duke Xu immediately refuted, "Who said that! What I learned to make is Jin Gao Juan, your sister-in-law's favorite dish."

Having gotten the information he wanted, Xu Yuejia finally gave Duke Xu a definite reply, "I'll ask for you again tomorrow night."

Unaware of the peculiarity in his words, Duke Xu regained hope and said, "Good, good!"