“Are you certain what you saw was the real situation?” Yun Ye asked Liu Jinbao worriedly.

“My lord, these are Steward Qian’s exact words to me. He said he also couldn’t understand it. From the first day, the mistress and the princess haven’t quarreled at all. And that girl called Xiao Lingdang is also much favored by the mistress at home. The old matriarch will support you no matter what. Seeing how delighted the old matriarch looks, it doesn’t seem fake. My lord, can we go back now?”

“No hurry. Let’s observe for a few more days. What if it’s a trap? Then I’d be doomed beyond redemption.”

He wouldn’t go back—wouldn’t go back even if beaten to death. These past few days, Yun Ye had taken the two children to visit all the noble households connected to the Yun family. He made no effort to hide it—both children called Yun Ye “Father.” Even a fool would understand what was going on. Even though Li Rong bore the surname Li, in everyone’s hearts, they understood—this was the Yun family’s eldest young master.

“What has Yun Ye been doing these days?” Li Er rubbed the corners of his eyes, set down his vermillion brush, and asked Duan Hong, who was attending him.

“In response to Your Majesty, Marquis Yun has been having quite a difficult time these days, wandering around Chang’an with his two children.” Duan Hong’s face was full of schadenfreude.

“Wandering? Why is that?” With one sentence, Li Er perked up. What matter could make the renowned Marquis Yun flee in panic? This was a rare occurrence—he must inquire further.

“Your Majesty, Princess Shouyang has returned to the capital. She merely made a brief stop at her princess manor, then went to the Yun family estate. I hear she’s moved into the Yun household.”

“Hahahahaha…” Li Er burst into wild laughter. Shouyang moved into the Yun household? Now there was nothing to hide about this matter. Those who should know already knew, and those who shouldn’t still didn’t. Shouyang moved into the Yun household? That was a ruthless move. No wonder Yun Ye was wandering about, still with two children in tow. Mm, at least he had some conscience and knew to care for his own children.

Last time, taking advantage of Yun Ye’s return, he had warned his three sons that now was not the time for them to reach into government affairs. The big lion was still vigorous and strong—there was no need for the little lions to do the big lion’s work.

The effect was excellent. Li Ke fled back to his fiefdom in a flash, and it was said he wouldn’t show his face for several years. The Crown Prince and Yun Ye were busy in the fields every day—this was very good. Paying more attention to the nation’s foundation was also very good.

Originally he had worried the Crown Prince would sulk and refuse to tell the Ministry of Revenue the secrets of the money houses he controlled. Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince withdrew from the matter of minting new currency very quickly and very thoroughly. When Zhangsun Wuji made his report, he greatly praised the Crown Prince’s understanding of the greater good and his grasp of priorities. He definitively told the Emperor that when the Ministry of Revenue inquired about monetary matters, the Crown Prince held nothing back and spoke exhaustively.

Li Er was extremely satisfied with his three smartest children. When participating in government, they wanted to help Father share his burdens. Now that they realized they had gone too far, they knew to withdraw. They didn’t cling to power or grasp for it. Very good. Only Qing Que was currently receiving treatment from Sun Simiao, which was truly worrying.

Yun Ye had Li Rong perched on his neck, Cheng Chumo had Yun Baobao perched on his neck. None of the four mouths were idle—the two children were gnawing on fragrant melons, while Yun Ye and Cheng Chumo each held a meat pie stuffed to bursting, chewing as they walked.

“Chumo, Qinghe is sixteen this year. I heard Uncle Cheng has already requested a wedding date from His Majesty?”

“That’s right. Damn it, I’ve finally waited for my little girl to grow into a big girl. When the time comes, I also want to have several big fat boys like these. You already have three children, while I, your older brother, only have one daughter. Oh right, when I get married, you’ll be the groomsman—no need to look for anyone else, right? When you got married, I was nearly beaten unconscious by those women.”

“I know. When you get married, besides me, who else would be willing to be the unlucky groomsman? Our family is a military household. Wearing armor to fetch the bride—wouldn’t that be very prestigious?”

“I have a new appreciation for your shamelessness. When you got married, why didn’t you remind me to wear armor? Even if I didn’t wear iron armor, wearing leather armor would have spared me much suffering.”

“Speaking honestly, you have two stunningly beautiful wives at home—why are you still fooling around in Chang’an’s markets? Going home early to have two more children is the proper thing. Our family’s enterprise is growing ever larger. Having too few children won’t do.”

“Can I go back? Both wives are fiercer than the other. Your brother wanting to enjoy the blessing of having multiple wives—that’s probably more realistic in dreams. As long as my mind is clear, I won’t go back.”

Cheng Chumo was never good at consoling people. Hearing Yun Ye’s words, he stopped trying to persuade him. He lifted his leg and entered a tavern. The proprietor wanted to come take the children down, but Cheng Chumo pushed him aside and took down Yun Baobao himself, placing him on a chair to stand. He ordered the proprietor: “Clean cheese, chilled in ice water and brought up. Don’t add ice. Two servings. Also two large bowls of yogurt with plenty of ice. Hurry up.”

Yun Ye also took down Li Rong, placing the two children together. Before long, the proprietor personally brought up four servings of cheese and a small plate of milk candy. Looking at the wax paper on top—standard Lanling manufacture.

Li Rong very properly invited Father and Uncle to eat candy. Seeing the adults wouldn’t eat, he and Yun Baobao immediately divided the spoils on the spot, distributing them clearly—one for you, one for me. In the end, one extra remained. Yun Ye picked it up, tore off the wax paper, and stuffed it into his own mouth.

“Ye Zi, the children are just dividing candy. One more or less—there’s no need to be so strict.” Cheng Chumo set down his bowl. Seeing Yun Ye’s strange actions, he thought he was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Yun Ye stirred the thin cheese for the two children, added sugar frosting, then pushed it in front of them. Seeing the two children eat contentedly, he said to Cheng Chumo: “Fairness—fairness is very important. They’re both my children. I absolutely won’t favor one and reject the other. All matters need to be handled as fairly as possible. You’d best do the same in the future. They’re all your own flesh and blood—you can’t weigh them by the pound.”

Cheng Chumo thought for a moment, nodded, and continued eating his cheese. Speaking of fairness, Yun Ye suddenly realized that by running far away, he was being extremely unfair to both Xinyue and Li Anlan. Perhaps right now the two of them were more worried about him. If he never returned home, even if they determined a victor between themselves, what would it matter?

He pushed away his bowl and said to Cheng Chumo: “What you just said was very right. Good or bad, I caused it. I should go home. In the blink of an eye, I’ve been out for five days already. If I keep hiding, it lacks the bearing of a true man. Let’s go—I’m going home right now.”

The father and two sons all rode on Wangcai’s back, swaying as they headed home. Wangcai’s ears automatically filtered out the two children’s loud shouts and calls. Having just drunk a bit of fermented rice wine, he was in a good mood.

From far away, he saw a figure lying on the memorial archway looking this way. From the hairstyle, Yun Ye recognized her—it was Xiao Lingdang. The little girl of the past had completely become a young lady. Her figure had also become upright, her chest bulging prominently. Seeing Yun Ye return with the children, she choked out: “Big Brother Yun!”

“Haha, Xiao Lingdang, you’ve grown into a big girl. Good! These past few days I took the children to Chang’an to pay respects to elders. I’ve neglected you. Why are you still such a crybaby? Go home quickly so I can look at you properly.”

She was simply a child who hadn’t grown up yet. After just two teasing remarks, her face turned bright red, and her neck also became an enticing shade of pink.

Returning home, from far away he heard Grandmother scolding Xinyue and Li Anlan: “You both like to make a fuss, don’t you? The man won’t come home, so make your fuss! You’ve only just quieted down these two days, and now you’re complaining again. If the boy comes home and sees you like this, won’t he have to leave again? When the household is unstable, who wants to stay home? Do you think the boy can’t find a good house to live in outside?”

“Grandmother, I’m back. Xinyue, quickly prepare bath water for me. The two children also need washing. All this stinking sweat—the weather is hot enough to kill a person.”

Yun Ye came around from behind the spirit screen, holding the two children. The stinking brats were quite heavy—holding them strained his arms, but he had to pretend it was nothing, lest the two women become angry from embarrassment.

Li Anlan smiled and greeted Yun Ye. Very strangely, she performed the ritual between husband and wife. Otherwise it should have been Yun Ye greeting Li Anlan. Seeing Xinyue’s reddened eyes, he said: “Both children have reached the age to be seen by outsiders. I, Yun Ye, having such two big fat boys—if I don’t show them off properly, that won’t do.”

Then to Li Anlan he said: “Didn’t I have someone bring you cowpox? Why haven’t you inoculated him yet? Lingnan is a high-incidence area for smallpox. If something unexpected happens, I won’t be able to go on living. I’ll deal with you after the bath.”

Seeing Grandmother smilingly return to her own room, Yun Ye picked up his two sons and prepared to go to the bathhouse. Xinyue very naturally went in. Li Anlan didn’t know what to do. Yun Ye said impatiently to her: “Hurry up and go in. Give Rong’er his bath.” Only then did Li Anlan take small steps into the bathhouse.

They were all his women. Yun Ye stripped completely naked without a care. The two little brats were already stark naked splashing in the pool. Yun Ye lay in the pool as if no one else were present, letting the warm water envelop his entire body. Xinyue suddenly smiled charmingly, stripped down to just a chest wrap, pulled over Yun Baobao, and began bathing her son, muttering as she washed that he’d become a stinking child.

Li Anlan was stunned for a moment, but immediately also removed her gauze clothing and scrubbed Li Rong up and down. Yun Ye squinted his eyes, watching his two sons grimacing with pained expressions, secretly pleased with himself. Good—the plan of substituting one thing for another had finally been realized.

Very quickly, the two children were carried away by their wet nurses. Xinyue became even more pleased. She stripped completely naked and with a splash jumped into the pool, raising a large spray of water. She came before Yun Ye, picked up an arm, and began scrubbing.

Li Anlan very elegantly removed her clothes, covered her chest, and entered the water. She picked up Yun Ye’s other arm and began scrubbing. At first, Yun Ye looked at the beautiful scenery before him with soaring spirits. Looking at Xinyue’s shapely body, then at Li Anlan’s charming expression, his heart was about to melt. Just as he was stirring with desire, piercing pain came from both arms.

“Husband, are you satisfied with this level of pressure?” Xinyue pinched up a piece of Yun Ye’s flesh and slowly twisted it.

“That’s not right. When you were in Lingnan, husband, what you liked was this.” Li Anlan used her martial-arts-trained hands to forcefully lift Yun Ye’s arm upward, placing it against her chest. The intense pain made it impossible for Yun Ye to feel even half a bit of tender delicacy.