Yun Chu took a sip of tea.

Tingxue explained in detail, “Uncle Chen went to Prince Pingxi’s mansion twice. The first time, the young lord personally received him and said the cricket was too small. So Uncle Chen hurriedly bought an even larger and stronger cricket to send over. Who would have thought the young lord wouldn’t even come out and directly had people drive Uncle Chen away? He also said that if a satisfactory cricket isn’t delivered, this matter isn’t finished…”

Tingfeng frowned. “How can the young lord of Prince Pingxi’s mansion be so difficult?”

“Don’t speak carelessly.” Tingshuang reminded her. “It’s fine to say such things in front of Madam, but you absolutely must not bring trouble to Madam by saying them outside.”

Yun Chu ate a bit more food before setting down her chopsticks. “The young lord has seen countless fine things, so naturally he looks down on ordinary crickets from the market. Tingxue, have Uncle Chen take some people to the mountain forests and hemp fields outside the city to search for crickets. Finding some extraordinary crickets should be what it takes to catch the young lord’s eye.”

Tingxue was about to acknowledge the order.

The curtain of the flower hall was suddenly lifted.

A man with a jade-like bearing walked in.

It was none other than Xie Jingyu.

He sat down beside the dining table. “Bring another set of bowls and chopsticks.”

Tingfeng was overjoyed.

It had been a very long time since the master had come to dine at Madam’s place.

With husband and wife sitting together for a meal, cultivating their feelings, perhaps he would stay at Yusheng Residence tonight.

She hurriedly brought a set of bowls and chopsticks and respectfully placed them before Xie Jingyu.

Yun Chu had originally wanted to eat more food, but upon seeing Xie Jingyu, she no longer had any appetite.

Her voice was light. “Why has my husband come?”

“Prince Pingxi is busy with official duties and has yet to take a princess consort. With no one to discipline the young lord, his temperament is inevitably somewhat arrogant and domineering.” Xie Jingyu spoke unhurriedly. “You sent Uncle Chen, a mere servant, to go. The young lord would think he was being slighted and naturally made things difficult for Uncle Chen. If Madam trusts me, tomorrow happens to be my rest day. Why don’t I make this trip for you?”

The corners of Yun Chu’s lips curved in an imperceptible cold smile.

This was just like Xie Jingyu. Clearly, it was to establish connections with Prince Pingxi for himself, yet the way he said it made it sound as if he was going out of his way to help her.

However, could a single cricket really enable them to climb up to Prince Pingxi’s mansion?

She concealed her mockery and spoke. “Thank you, husband, for resolving this for me.”

Xie Jingyu looked at her. “You and I are husband and wife. Family members need not say thank you.”

He suddenly felt that this wife’s fair face had gained a few traces of brilliance that didn’t belong to Lady Xie.

The first time he saw her at the General’s mansion, she had looked just like this—as if she had absorbed all the light, her entire person possessing an incredible beauty.

His throat rolled, and he uncontrollably grasped Yun Chu’s hand.

In that instant, it was as if a venomous snake had crawled up from her palm. Yun Chu’s entire body broke out in goosebumps, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand away.

But Xie Jingyu released her first.

His gaze was obscure.

He too had once imagined being a loving couple with her, with children and grandchildren filling the hall, growing old together.

But who could have imagined that such a thing would happen…

If that night…

Xie Jingyu stood up. “I still have some matters to handle. I’ll return first.”

He hurriedly walked out.

Reaching the entrance of Yusheng Residence, he looked back and saw Tingshuang place a basin of water on the table while Yun Chu frantically washed her hands.

His expression immediately darkened.

He hadn’t even shown disdain for her loss of virtue, yet she dared…

He raised his head and saw that Yusheng Residence had somehow become Sheng Residence.

An indescribable emotion rose in his heart…

“Master.”

Nanny He’s figure suddenly appeared in the night.

Seeing him come out from Yusheng Residence, Nanny He said with some discomfort, “Did Master come to Madam’s place as soon as you returned to the household?”

Xie Jingyu walked forward with his hands behind his back. “What impropriety is there in my coming to my wife’s place?”

“Does Master know what Madam did today?” Nanny He bit her lower lip. “Madam employed family discipline and beat Shiwei until he fainted. His bottom was torn open with blood flowing everywhere. The physician said it will be difficult for him to recover in ten days to half a month… Madam isn’t the children’s birth mother, so when she beats them, she feels no heartache. But I feel heartache! Master, can you please manage Madam and have her not…”

“She is the children’s legitimate mother. Disciplining them is perfectly proper!” Xie Jingyu’s sharp gaze swept over. “Whether An brother can find a good teacher, whether Shiwei can become accomplished, whether Ping sister can marry into a high-ranking family—all of this depends on her. What can you, their birth mother, bring them?”

Nanny He lowered her head, her entire face overflowing with bitter smiles.

She turned and went to Xie Shiwei’s courtyard.

Before she even entered, she heard anguished cries of pain from inside.

“All of you, leave.”

She dismissed all the servants, closed the door, and rushed to the bedside in a few quick steps. “Shiwei, does it hurt?”

“Mother, my mother, I’m dying of pain!” Xie Shiwei threw himself into Nanny He’s embrace. “Why must that woman be my mother? I hate her! I hate her the most…”

Nanny He clapped a hand over his mouth. “Shiwei, she is your legitimate mother. You must respect her. You must never speak such words again!”

No matter how much she disliked Yun Chu, she had to admit that acknowledging Yun Chu as mother was the most beneficial choice for the children.

Xie Shiwei bit Nanny He’s hand and said resentfully, “She won’t even spare me a single cricket. She doesn’t treat me as her son at all. Why should I respect her? I hate her to death…”

Before his words had even finished, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open.

Nanny He opened her mouth, ready to scold the servants for having no manners.

But when she turned around, she saw it was Tingshuang and Tingxue entering from the left and right. The door was pushed open, and then Yun Chu stepped inside.

She was so frightened that her entire face turned deathly pale. She couldn’t even stand steady and fell to her knees on the ground.

“Ma-Madam!”

She lowered her head in salute, praying in her heart that Madam hadn’t heard Shiwei call her “mother.”

“How is it that Nanny He performs such a grand salute to me? You belong to my husband. I cannot bear such a grand salute from you.” Yun Chu walked past her and looked at the person lying on the bed. “Just now, Shiwei said he hates me the most, did he not?”

Xie Shiwei pressed his lips tightly together and made no sound.

He had said it, but actually, he didn’t hate Mother that much.

Before the age of four, he had lived with his birth mother on an estate outside the city, living quite poorly.

After turning four, he returned to the Xie family to live with his father and mother. Whether in clothing, food, housing, or travel, everything was far, far better than before.

He knew he couldn’t offend Mother, but having been struck with so many strokes of the rod, he truly felt wronged…

“It seems Shiwei still hasn’t learned his lesson.” Yun Chu shook her head indifferently. “I had originally planned to exempt you from the remaining ten strokes. Since you still lack manners like this, after your injury heals, the family discipline will continue to be carried out.”

Xie Shiwei’s eyes bulged wide.

He had thought Mother came to comfort him. He never imagined she would be so heartless as to still beat him with the rod.

He didn’t dare speak any more improper words. He rolled off the bed and grabbed Yun Chu’s sleeve. “Mother, I truly know I was wrong! I’ve learned my lesson! I’ve truly remembered this lesson! I beg Mother to exempt the remaining strokes! I beg you, Mother!”

Nanny He’s lips parted, but she forcefully swallowed back her plea for mercy.

Yun Chu bent down and helped Xie Shiwei lie on the bed, her voice gentle. “That was the most expensive cricket on the market, priced at five hundred taels of silver. Relatively speaking, twenty heavy strokes really aren’t anything.”

Xie Shiwei broke down and shouted, “Can’t I just compensate Mother with five hundred taels of silver? If five hundred taels isn’t enough, then a thousand taels!”