The Laid-back Life of a Stepmother

**Trivial Daily Life (Part 12):**

When the name of the top scorer was announced, Zhou Ning rushed excitedly to the Eastern Palace and proudly said to Zhou Yi, "I told you Wen Ran would come in first, but you didn’t believe me."

Zhou Yi shifted his gaze from the scroll and looked at Zhou Ning. "Sister, Father mentioned today that Qin Yuan is already on his way back to the capital."

Zhou Ning, who was usually bold and unrestrained, momentarily showed a hint of unease. "So what if he’s coming back? Am I supposed to be afraid of him?"

"I was talking about Wen Ran, why are you bringing him up?" Zhou Ning continued, "Let me tell you, Wen Ran is a wonderful girl. You mustn’t end up like Grandfather in the future."

If Zhou Yi were to become like the late Emperor, Zhou Ning would rather he lose his mind halfway and become like Prince Wen. Zhou Yi promised, "I won’t."

Zhou Ning half-heartedly believed him and said, "Then I’ll head back to my palace now." Her retreating figure betrayed a fleeting sense of panic. Qin Yuan was really coming back?!

**Part 6**

It was no secret that there were discussions outside about the fifth daughter of the Wen family, a concubine-born girl, being chosen as the Crown Prince’s consort.

Some disgruntled families even boldly speculated that Wen Ran’s success in securing the top spot was due to her previous role as Princess Changle’s study companion in the palace.

However, others argued that this wasn’t necessarily the case. After all, the candidates for the study companion position weren’t limited to Wen Ran alone. The daughters of the Meng and Chen families had also participated but were eliminated in the first and second rounds of examinations, respectively.

These two girls were also talented, beautiful, and from prominent families. If there had been any favoritism, selecting one of them would have caused less speculation and gossip.

In response to the public’s dissatisfaction and suspicions, the palace issued a simple yet effective rebuttal. They copied the future Crown Princess’s examination answers dozens of times and distributed them alongside the answers of the other candidates.

Each family was asked to retrieve their own copies and compare them.

The Emperor, with a touch of mischief, ensured that the officials tasked with copying Wen Ran’s answers were from families that had participants in the selection. Even if their own families didn’t have candidates, their relatives did.

As a result, the rumors quickly died down. After all, no one knew what the Emperor might do next, and this was already embarrassing enough.

**At the Wen Residence:**

After hearing the rumors outside, Father Wen returned home and discussed with Madam Shen, "What if we register Wen Ran under your name? That way, she would be considered a legitimate daughter."

It didn’t sound good for the Crown Prince’s consort to be a concubine-born daughter.

"Besides," Madam Shen added, "this could have a negative impact on both Wen Ran and the Wen family."

Changing her status immediately after becoming the Crown Princess, even if it wasn’t Wen Ran’s idea, would only invite more ridicule from the public.

Madam Shen understood Father Wen’s concerns. "Don’t worry, I know Madam Chang’s temperament better than you do."

Father Wen chuckled awkwardly. "Since you have it all under control, I won’t say more. We’ll just wait and see how the royal family handles it." He was indeed worried about another "Concubine Bai" situation.

For Father Wen, a smooth career in the court depended heavily on maintaining harmony within the family. The Wen family’s current stability was largely due to Madam Shen’s efforts.

Thus, Father Wen deeply respected Madam Shen.

On the other hand, Concubine Chang was even more content than Concubine Gui.

Upon learning that her youngest daughter had been chosen as the future Crown Princess, she was simply overjoyed that Wen Ran had achieved first place. Wen Ran felt the same way. It was as if years of hard work had finally paid off.

The Crown Prince’s wedding was an extremely grand and elaborate affair, with preparations alone taking over half a year. Thus, the wedding was scheduled for the spring of the following year.

Seeing that there was still nearly a year and a half before the wedding, some people began to stir up trouble. During this time, Wen Ran encountered many "obstacles." Some of these "obstacles" even reached Wen Ye’s ears.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, when Wen Ye returned to her family home, she expressed her concern. "If you face any difficulties, don’t bear them alone. Madam Shen is a good mother. You should visit her more often."

Concubine Chang, carrying a tray of dried fruits, overheard this and lightly scolded Wen Ye. "Don’t teach your younger sister the wrong things. Madam Shen is very busy every day. It’s not good to bother her too often, Wen Ran."

Wen Ran smiled. "I understand, Concubine Chang."

Then she turned to Wen Ye and said, "Fourth Sister, don’t worry. I don’t find these difficulties troubling." Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, clearly unbothered. Wen Ye raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story. "How so?"

Wen Ran explained, "I see this as a challenge. Not just for me, but the Crown Prince has also faced similar situations. We’ve been exchanging letters, writing down our respective solutions, and then grading each other’s responses while pointing out any flaws."

Wen Ye: "..."

Wen Ran continued, "This way, when the next challenge arises, we’ll both have better solutions."

After ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‍a long pause, Wen Ye asked, "How are you exchanging letters with the Crown Prince?"

Wen Ran replied, "Earlier this year, the Empress sent two etiquette instructors to our residence. My first letter was addressed to Princess Changle, but for some reason, the reply came from two people."

To avoid being rude, she had to respond to the Crown Prince as well. After a few exchanges, it became a habit.

She realized that studying not only brought financial rewards but also the power to solve problems. Wen Ran was already looking forward to the next "obstacle." The personal growth it brought seemed even more exhilarating than the material gains.

Wen Ye remained silent for a moment before standing up.

Wen Ran asked, confused, "Where are you going, Fourth Sister?"

Wen Ye straightened her clothes and said, "I’m going to find your brother-in-law."

The world of the wise was beyond her comprehension.

**Trivial Daily Life (Part 13):**

A year after the Crown Prince’s wedding, the Imperial Grandson was born. That year, Xu Yuxuan turned fourteen and had already been traveling for a year.

After returning from his travels, Xu Yuxuan suddenly changed. He became studious, even during his breaks.

Wen Ye found this very unusual and asked Xu Yuejia, "Did you pressure him?"

Xu Yuejia denied it. "No."

The education in the Duke’s household emphasized character and refinement. Academic achievement was secondary, as long as one passed, there was no pressure or coercion.

Wen Ye was puzzled. "Then what’s gotten into him?"

If it weren’t for Xu Yuxuan’s familiar sharp tongue, Wen Ye would have suspected he’d been possessed.

Xu Yuejia thought for a moment and shook his head. "I don’t know either."

As they spoke, Xu Yuxuan approached with an essay in hand. "Father, could you take a look at this and tell me where it falls short?"

Wen Ye found this even more suspicious.

In the past, Xu Yuxuan only acted this studious and well-behaved when he had done something to apologize to her or Xu Yuejia. Wen Ye muttered softly, "But I can’t think of anything he’d feel guilty about."

Xu Yuejia overheard her and paused for a moment before looking at her. "Is the rare book the Emperor recently gifted me still intact?"

He didn’t avoid Xu Yuxuan when asking this.

Xu Yuxuan immediately understood the implication and protested, "Father!"

It was just that one time when he sneaked some of his mother’s wine, got drunk, and accidentally tore a page from a book.

Did they really have to treat him like a troublemaker?

The couple ignored him.

Wen Ye thought for a moment. "It should still be there."

Xu Yuejia, still unconvinced, folded the essay in his hand and said, "I’ll go check."

Xu Yuxuan asked, "What about my essay?"

Xu Yuejia handed it back to him. "Rewrite it."

Xu Yuxuan took it and looked it over.

Was it really that bad?

**Trivial Daily Life (Part 14):**

Five years after the Crown Prince’s wedding, the Emperor formally abdicated, shocking the court. This was perhaps the most harmonious imperial succession in the history of the Great Jin Dynasty. Wen Ye was also surprised.

Xu Yuejia offered an explanation. "The Emperor once told me that he never enjoyed being Emperor. He only participated in the succession struggle to save his own life."

As a legitimate prince, no matter how much he claimed to have no interest in the throne and only wished to live as a carefree prince, once another prince ascended, they would never let him live.

The Emperor had no brothers from the same mother, and the Empress Dowager had only him as her son. Even if not for himself, for the sake of the Empress Dowager's peace, the Emperor had to fight for the throne.

"His Majesty is well aware that the Crown Prince is the most qualified candidate for the throne," Xu Yuejia concluded. Wen Ye sighed and said, "No wonder His Majesty has been so lenient with Prince Wen over the years." Perhaps, in the Emperor's heart, Prince Wen represented what he might have become had he not ascended the throne.

"By the way, Xu Yuxuan has caused quite a stir in Yonglin County, even reaching Sheng Jing. As his father, what are your thoughts?" Wen Ye suddenly remembered this and asked with a smile.

In the Great Jin Dynasty, children from noble families could become officials after passing the imperial examination. After Xu Yuxuan passed the exam, he was appointed as a magistrate in a remote county.

Over the past year, his name had spread across several provinces. Many officials who were familiar with Xu Yuejia privately discussed how such a meticulous and strict father could have raised a son with such wild and unconventional methods.

It was a completely different approach, leaving people at a loss.

Xu Yuejia remained calm and said, "Not bad."

Wen Ye raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She pretended not to remember how he had happily drunk an extra cup of wine last night upon hearing the news.

Xu Yuejia turned to her and suddenly said, "Next month, I will be going to Minzhou on behalf of the new Emperor to investigate a case. What about you?" Minzhou, ah, that place is known for its seafood.

Wen Ye had hardly eaten seafood in her life, so she nodded, "I'll go."

It had been a while since she had traveled for leisure.

Of course, it would have been better if she hadn't run into the Retired Emperor and Prince Wen by the seaside. Especially the latter, who talked too much.

**Daily Life (Fifteen):**

After the new Emperor ascended the throne, Wen Ran, the Crown Princess, was officially crowned as the Empress. For Wen Ye, the most significant change was that her mother, Concubine Chang, could now go out without being restricted by her status.

After Madam Shen was granted the title of First Rank Lady, Concubine Chang, as the birth mother of the Empress, was also granted the title of Fourth Rank Lady.

Some tried to stir up trouble, but Concubine Chang didn’t take the bait. Whenever she went out, it was either to visit her eldest daughter at the Duke's residence or to see her younger daughter in the palace.

And every time she went to the palace, Madam Shen would accompany her.

As for the invitations from other noble ladies, she would always take them to the main residence and let Madam Shen decide.

Concubine Chang didn’t think too deeply about it. She simply believed that Madam Shen was much wiser and would surely find a solution. She herself wasn’t good at socializing, and she could somewhat understand the intentions of those ladies—they wanted her and Madam Shen to compete.

But what was there to compete for?

For Father Wen?

What good would that do?

After this storm passed, Madam Shen once mentioned Concubine Chang to Madam Lu.

Halfway through, Madam Lu felt a sense of familiarity and laughed, "No wonder, she’s truly like her daughter." Madam Shen paused and asked, "Wen Ye?"

Madam Lu nodded, "She’s done similar things quite often over the years."

Madam Shen didn’t respond, thinking to herself, who knows who is more like whom?

**Daily Life (Sixteen):**

Time flew by, and soon Jinglin’s child was already five years old.

Madam Lu finally began to live a life similar to Madam Shen’s. Both her daughters-in-law were obedient and filial, and they even helped manage the household. After all these years, the Duke’s residence still hadn’t split into separate households. However, a few years ago, Wen Ye and Xu Yuejia moved into a newly expanded courtyard.

This residence was "gifted" by the Retired Emperor. That year, during their trip to Minzhou, Wen Ye accidentally made another contribution—this time, she ended up saving the Retired Emperor.

The residence was adjacent to the Duke’s residence, so Wen Ye had it renovated and expanded to connect with the main estate.

After all, there was no way they would split the family.

After settling matters with her two sons, Madam Lu, with some free time on her hands, suddenly became concerned about Xu Yuxuan, who was serving as an official elsewhere. She called Wen Ye and asked, "Yuxuan is no longer young. When will you and your husband start looking for a match for him?"

"Him?" Wen Ye smiled, "He’s probably already found someone on his own. No need for us to worry."

Madam Lu was surprised, "Yuxuan has such skills? Tell me, which family’s daughter is it?" She wanted to help prepare the betrothal gifts.

Wen Ye spread her hands, "Sister-in-law, I don’t know. I haven’t met her yet."

Unable to get an answer from Wen Ye, Madam Lu secretly asked Duke Xu to probe Xu Yuejia. All she got in response were six words: "Don’t know, not familiar."

But there was indeed someone.

Madam Lu: "..." You two are becoming more and more in sync.