Xie Yunzhen was perplexed by his son’s actions.

He stared blankly for a while before asking Ji Mingzhu, "What does he mean?"

Ji Mingzhu stifled a laugh, "I’m not a worm in his belly, how would I know what he means?"

Xie Yunzhen stared intensely at his son.

The little guy looked innocent, leaning against Mingzhu, blinking his big eyes and gazing back at him.

Confused and unaware, his wide eyes were clear and bright.

His posture inexplicably had a taste of being weak and helpless, pitiful.

But for some reason, Xie Yunzhen detected a hint of provocation in the child’s eyes.

He poked his son’s cheek, "What do you mean?"

The little guy furrowed his brows, reached out his small hand and waved it.

It didn’t hurt, but Xie Yunzhen’s heart was hurt by his son’s action.

Thinking of how many times he changed the kid’s diaper, even getting peed on a few times, and he never uttered a single complaint.

Yet, he didn’t expect this kind of treatment in the end.

He clicked his tongue, "This little rascal is really itching for a beating, daring to raise his hand to his old man, it’s a rebellion!"

The little guy didn’t understand, looking innocently at Xie Yunzhen.

"Zhu Zhu, look at him, still pretending to be pitiful."

Ji Mingzhu made an ’oh’ sound, "Then what to do, do you want to hit him?"

He’s so little, Xie Yunzhen really couldn’t bring himself to hit him; what if he accidentally hurt him?

He picked up his daughter, raised the little dumpling, "Your brother is naughty, hit him."

Zimu was playing well, suddenly asked to hit her brother, her little face full of puzzled expression.

She let out a soft ’ah’ at Xie Yunzhen, seemingly asking him why she should hit her brother.

"He’s being naughty, actually daring to raise his hand against an elder. Needs a lesson, and as the older sister, you have the responsibility to discipline your brother."

Saying this, he sent Zimu towards her little brother.

Not forgetting to encourage his daughter, "Hit him."

Zimu immediately curled her little legs up, twisting to escape.

Her refusal was clear.

She simply wouldn’t hit her brother.

Xie Yunzhen feigned pity, "Your dad got hit, aren’t you going to stand up for me?"

Zimu wasn’t listening, struggling to leave.

Incomprehensible sounds babbled from her mouth, as if she were cursing.

Suddenly feeling a bit sad, Xie Yunzhen asked Zimu, "Who’s more important, your brother or your dad?"

The little guy didn’t understand, but Ji Mingzhu laughed out loud.

"Since the day they were born, they eat and sleep together. What makes you think you outrank Zishan?"

Other than fighting over food, Zimu and Zishan got along well.

They even had to sleep right next to each other.

After learning to crawl, the two little ones would chase each other and play.

Perhaps knowing her brother was weak, Zimu let him catch up by purposely slowing down.

Under Zimu’s influence, Zishan’s daily activity levels increased.

Whether it was psychological or not, Ji Mingzhu felt her son’s health improved greatly.

With such a good relationship, Xie Yunzhen’s attempt to shift conflict and have Zimu stand up for him was doomed to fail.

Seeing Mingzhu’s gleeful expression, Xie Yunzhen suddenly asked, "Who’s more important, me or the kids?"

Ji Mingzhu cleared her throat, "There are two of them, numbers outweigh you."

The man’s face grew wistful, "They’re so little, how much can they count? Even tied together, they can’t compare to me, right?"

Ji Mingzhu rolled her eyes, "Can you stop asking these silly questions?"

To Xie Yunzhen, this question mattered a lot.

He could sacrifice anything for the kids, even his life.

But that didn’t stop him from vying for love; he hoped to be the most important person in Mingzhu’s heart.

Because to him, Mingzhu was the most important.

Even combined, the two children couldn’t compare.

He originally didn’t like kids, but since Mingzhu gave birth to them, he loved them by association.

"If it weren’t for me, where would they come from? So who should be the most important is clear in your mind."

Ji Mingzhu: "..."

The man lifted his chin, wearing an aristocratic pride, as if he’d made a great contribution.

Ji Mingzhu’s mouth twitched, covering her son’s ears, "The kids are here, don’t say such inappropriate things."

"They don’t understand."

They might not understand, but the maids in the room certainly did.

Some with thin skin, nearly buried their heads in the ground.

Ji Mingzhu glared at Xie Yunzhen, warning him not to speak again.

Zishan didn’t want his ears covered, grunted, attempting to pull away, but since the one covering him was his mother, his little hand reached out only to withdraw.

He merely looked up, his big shiny eyes gazing at Ji Mingzhu.

Her son was close to her, always relying on her, which Ji Mingzhu knew very well.

She quickly complied with his wish.

Not forgetting to mumble, "Don’t listen to your dad’s nonsense."

Xie Yunzhen wanted to say more, but receiving Mingzhu’s ’dangerous’ look, he had to shut his mouth.

After showing the gifts to the kids, Ji Mingzhu had people lay mats in the courtyard and let the siblings play on them.

With the nursemaids and maids watching, ensuring they were within a safe range.

At this time, Ji Mingzhu could attend to her own matters.

Her business was all located in the capital.

Xie Yunzhen also had many businesses, handed over to her.

Even though they weren’t in the capital, many things required her attention.

Seeing Xie Yunzhen sitting in the rocking chair, looking at the little ones with loving eyes.

Ji Mingzhu asked, "You’re not busy today?"

He’d been back for so long and seemed to have no plans to go out, which was rare.

Xie Yunzhen shook his head, "Today I’m staying home with all of you."

His official duties kept him busy, making a family meal a rare occasion.

Since he had free time, he should stay at home rather than wandering outside.

Ji Mingzhu was busy, needing no company from Xie Yunzhen.

But she wouldn’t take away the chance for the little ones to be with their father.

She pointed to Zimu and Zishan, "Then you watch them."

Xie Yunzhen hummed in response.

As Ji Mingzhu passed by him, he held her hand, his expression relaxed with a smile.

"Thanks for working hard to support me and the kids, my lady."

Ji Mingzhu was amused by him, "Take good care of the kids, or you’ll pay for it."

Breaking away from the man’s hand, Ji Mingzhu walked lightly to the study.

The study was elegantly arranged, calligraphy and paintings on the walls, flowers on the desk, incense wafting—it was an environment Ji Mingzhu truly enjoyed.

This study was for her exclusive use, all decorations arranged according to her preferences.

In such a setting, attending to business became a pleasure.

At least she could enjoy some time alone.

The study window was open, allowing Ji Mingzhu to see the kids playing in the courtyard.

They couldn’t walk yet, only play by crawling on the mats, but having space to move, not trapped in a crib made them very happy.

Occasionally, Ji Mingzhu would hear their innocent laughter.

Whenever this happened, her mood soared.

She just wanted to finish her work quickly, then go play with the kids.

On the desk was an hourglass, with the passing sand, time slowly slipped away.

When Ji Mingzhu finished reviewing the accounts and handling the correspondence from the capital, the kids were no longer visible in the courtyard.

She summoned Jade.

"Go check the kitchen; anything wrong with the dishes prepared for our guests? Then personally deliver them to Madam Liu."

Realizing Xi Yu was also in the manor, Ji Mingzhu added, "Send a portion to Doctor Xi as well, don’t neglect our guests."

Jade nodded and agreed, then asked Ji Mingzhu, "When will you and the General have your meal?"

Ji Mingzhu wasn’t hungry yet, but with Xie Yunzhen at home, she wished for a family meal.

"Set the meal in the flower hall."

"Yes."

Once Jade departed, Ji Mingzhu tidied her own things.

Heading back to the main room.

Little brother was lying on the couch, lost in thought.

Big sister, full of energy, was in her soft chair, dismantling the bamboo dragonfly that Xi Wang sent.

Xie Yunzhen worried she’d poke her eye, stayed beside his daughter, watching her intently.

Ji Mingzhu brushed her son’s head, asking him, "Do you want to eat or sleep?"

Besides drinking milk, the siblings could also eat a bit of mushy rice.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t expect a response from the little guy, yet surprisingly, Zishan rolled up quickly.

He mumbled something indistinct.

His agile motion didn’t reflect a frail child at all.

Xie Yunzhen glanced at him, eyes filled with approval.

"My lady’s children truly are impressive."

Ji Mingzhu: "..."