“This is a servant boy I bought for Brother Wei.” Yun Chu said. “Brother Wei has inconvenient legs and has suffered so much. Having someone by his side to attend to him gives me peace of mind.”

Tingyu couldn’t help but say, “The Xie family has long been unable to pay monthly allowances. Isn’t buying people back just adding to the burden?”

“Madam’s silver, and the monthly allowances also come from Madam—it has nothing to do with the Xie family.” Tingfeng said coldly. “Does Madam need to consult the opinion of you, a mere concubine, in whatever she does?”

“This concubine didn’t mean that.” Tingyu quickly lowered her head. “This concubine just feels that compared to Second Young Master, Brother Kang clearly needs someone to care for him more… This concubine only feels sorry for Brother Kang.”

“Concubine Yu only knows how to feel sorry with her mouth.” Tingfeng mocked mercilessly, then turned and called out, “Duoxi, come in.”

With that, Duoxi led in a mother goat that had just given birth. One could tell at a glance that it had plenty of milk.

Yun Chu looked at Yuan Shi. “Brother Kang is different from other children. No wet nurse is willing to take him on. I thought it over and bought a mother goat. It’s more reassuring to raise it ourselves at home.”

She had softened after all.

In her previous life, she had rescued Xie Shikang. In this life, she let go and stopped caring. Concubine Tao also didn’t care, abandoning her own son and fleeing.

It was impossible for her to be as devoted as before, but spending a few taels of silver to buy a mother goat was her last bit of goodwill toward the Xie family.

“Chu’er, I knew you wouldn’t abandon this whole household.” Yuan Shi was extremely moved, her eyes reddening. “If it weren’t for you protecting him, Brother Wei would probably have already… With this mother goat, Brother Kang should be able to survive too… The Xie family is so fortunate to have you…”

She still had some silver on hand and could naturally afford to buy a mother goat, but spending a few taels here and a few more there, wasting it like that, the hundred taels she had probably wouldn’t last half a month. She was now saving wherever she could, making do wherever possible. She never imagined that Chu’er would pay out of her own pocket to buy a mother goat for Brother Kang…

She looked at the child in her arms. “Brother Kang, if you can grow up alive, you must properly show filial piety to your mother…”

Yun Chu smiled.

In her previous life, she had personally kept Xie Shikang by her side, traveled south to so many places, searched everywhere for famous physicians, carefully nurtured him, and only slowly did he become a relatively normal child.

The child had always been quite close to her, until the Yun family fell into trouble. Influenced by Concubine Tao, Xie Shikang decisively chose to stand with the Xie family.

When she knelt down to plead with Xie Jingyu and Xie Shi’an, Xie Shikang said she shouldn’t kneel there because visitors to the Xie family might see and it would affect the Xie family’s reputation.

When Tingxue came to bring her food, Xie Shikang said she was the daughter of a criminal official and didn’t deserve to eat even a grain of the Xie family’s rice.

The Xie Shikang of that time forgot that when he couldn’t even swallow milk, it was she, his mother, who personally fed it into his mouth drop by drop…

Her genuine heart couldn’t earn Xie Shikang’s filial piety.

Could a mere goat earn a filial son? Was that possible?

Yun Chu shook her head and walked out of the courtyard.

Yuan Shi had the old woman lead the goat inside to milk it, heat it up by boiling it, and carefully feed some to Xie Shikang…

Tingyu and Concubine Jiang left with their children.

Xie Shi’an looked at his blood brother. “Brother Wei, let all the things that happened before blow past like a gust of wind. From now on, we two brothers working together will definitely be able to get out of this predicament.”

Xie Shiwei lowered his head. “Alright.”

“I plan to do business in the future, earn some silver first, then make further plans.” Xie Shi’an said. “You should first learn how to calculate and keep accounts…”

While the two brothers were talking, Tingxue, as the chief maidservant beside the household’s mistress, was giving instructions to the Xie residence’s only two servant boys.

“Sanxiu, however you usually attend to Young Master, tell Ganlai how to attend to Second Young Master.” Tingxue looked at the two people before her. “Now the Xie residence is not what it used to be. Many things need you two to do them, which is indeed somewhat hard. From now on, your monthly allowances will be paid by Madam—five hundred wen per month.”

“No, no, no.” Sanxiu waved his hands. “I grew up with Young Master since childhood. I’m willing to serve Young Master. I’m already grateful that the Xie family can support me. I don’t need a monthly allowance…”

Tingxue put on the airs of a chief maidservant. “Having a monthly allowance allows you to work better. You two serve the young masters well. Whatever the two young masters are busy with daily, you must report it to Madam in a timely manner. Don’t be ignorant when asked.”

Sanxiu and Ganlai immediately nodded in agreement.

After settling Ganlai, Tingxue came to report to Yun Chu.

She nodded without saying much.

As long as Xie Shi’an followed the rules, Ganlai would forever just be a servant. Otherwise…

Later in the evening, she took a carriage to the prince’s residence to pick up the two children.

She originally thought it would be the same as yesterday, seeing those three father and sons.

But she only saw the two little ones come out.

“Father was summoned to the palace by Imperial Grandmother.” Chu Hongyu hung on Yun Chu. “Without Father following along, I feel even happier.”

Father always liked to say that men and women should maintain proper distance. Each time, he didn’t quite dare sit on Mother’s lap.

Now he could do whatever he wanted and could even kiss Mother several times.

Yun Chu embraced one child with each arm. “Since your father isn’t here, then spend more time with Mother…”

To be honest, she also felt uncomfortable when Prince Pingxi followed along. She always felt a burning gaze staring at her.

As the mother and two sons headed to the small courtyard, Chu Yi also arrived at Consort Yin’s palace.

Consort Yin lived alone in Changqiu Palace. She counted as one of the Emperor’s old people. Moreover, having given birth to a princess and a prince, even though her beauty had faded, she still had a place in the palace.

“Yi’er, sit.” Consort Yin’s face was full of smiles. “I specially had the imperial kitchen make many dishes you love to eat. Try them and see if they suit your taste.”

Chu Yi picked up his chopsticks and tasted a few bites, then looked up. “Why was Mother Consort so anxious to have me enter the palace?”

He had originally refused to enter the palace, but the nanny who came to deliver the message said Mother Consort had an extremely important matter to discuss with him.

Seeing Consort Yin urging him to eat, he knew there was nothing important at all.

He stood up, preparing to take his leave.

“Why are you in such a hurry to leave? How long has it been since you’ve dined with Mother Consort?” Consort Yin stopped him. “Sit down. There’s something I need to inform you about.”

Chu Yi stopped but didn’t sit down.

“A few days ago, Madam Fang brought Miss Fang’s birth characters into the palace. I asked the Imperial Astrologer to check compatibility.” Consort Yin’s face was full of smiles. “The Imperial Astrologer said that you and Miss Fang are a match made in heaven…”

Before she finished speaking, Chu Yi interrupted. “What Miss Fang? What match made in heaven? When did this happen?”

Consort Yin looked at him. “No need to ask so many questions. Right now, come with me to see your father Emperor and request that he issue an imperial decree to bestow marriage between you and Miss Fang…”

If not for that incident during the hunt last time, Yi’er and Miss Fang’s marriage would have been settled long ago, instead of dragging on until today.