Xi Yu was not a person who dawdled and also noticed something off about himself.

Logically, he wouldn’t get that close to a young lady.

After all, he wasn’t a frivolous young master who flirted around.

But just now, he had naturally leaned over, without any sense of rejection.

He even held Zimu and interacted with her.

This was truly unusual!

Using his peripheral vision, he secretly glanced at Liu Xu, finding that she was also looking at him.

Xi Yu quickly averted his gaze.

He tried his best to control his wildly beating heart.

It was really strange, how just looking at Liu Xu made his heart race uncontrollably?

Liu Xu felt a bit awkward as well.

But she was knowledgeable and well-traveled, able to keep the situation under control.

Holding Zishan, she sat in her spot and asked Mingzhu, "Is he hungry? Does he need to be fed?"

It wouldn’t be proper for a guest to do it.

Mingzhu reached out to take Zishan, "Let the wet nurse feed him, we can eat ourselves, no need to worry about the siblings."

The dining table was set in the pavilion, allowing them to eat while enjoying the scenery.

The two little ones loved this dining style.

Every time, when handed over to the wet nurse, they wouldn’t fuss.

Liu Xu wasn’t hungry yet and wanted to play with the child for a while.

"It’s okay, I’ll feed him. I can do all sorts of chores, don’t worry."

A child from a poor family becomes self-reliant early. When Liu Xu came here, she was penniless and indeed did a lot of work.

Even though she hadn’t raised a child, her skills were evident.

Feeding a child, that was too simple.

She insisted on feeding Zishan, and Mingzhu didn’t argue with her.

Mingzhu personally served a bowl of soup to Liu Xu, setting it aside to cool, so it would be drinkable later.

Although Mingzhu was amiable, considering Xie Yunzhen’s status, her personally serving soup to Liu Xu was a great honor in the eyes of the servants.

They no longer dared to regard Liu Xu as just an average merchant’s daughter.

To have the lady lower her status and treat her sincerely, she must be a very distinguished guest.

Liu Xu used a small spoon to bring the food to Zishan’s mouth.

The little one kept his mouth tightly shut, turning his head to look at Mingzhu.

Xi Yu chuckled, "This little guy is quite cautious."

Unlike the little girl he was holding, who was already eating with big bites.

To others, Zishan might seem timid.

But Mingzhu thought a little caution was good.

At least he wouldn’t do anything dangerous, and as his mother, she could rest easier.

She nodded, "Eat well."

Only then did Zishan open his mouth to eat the rice mush brought to his lips.

The siblings had completely opposite temperaments.

Zimu ate quickly, very carefree and unrestrained.

In contrast, Zishan was much more refined.

Though he was just a little boy, he loved cleanliness; each time food was brought to his mouth, he would open his mouth wide.

Ensuring no food scraps would fall and stain himself.

Liu Xu liked clean children.

If they were too messy, she wouldn’t want to hold them.

The little one ate obediently, smacking his little lips, looking so adorable.

Liu Xu’s eyes warmed watching.

If he weren’t the future heir of the Duke Mansion, she would have rebelliously asked Mingzhu if she could borrow him for a few days.

Seeing her genuine fondness for Zishan, Mingzhu intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Xi Yu.

"Xu Niang, have you ever thought about having a child of your own?"

Liu Xu was startled, "I don’t even have a partner, how could I have a child?"

A partner...

With that word in this context, Mingzhu instantly understood her meaning.

"You have vast wealth and are as beautiful as a flower. If you were willing to marry or invite a husband, surely many would scramble for the chance."

"Isn’t that right, Doctor Xi?"

Xi Yu was suddenly pointed out, was stunned for a moment, and instinctively nodded.

After realizing, he felt something was amiss.

He felt Mingzhu was teasing him and Liu Xu.

Upon closer observation, Mingzhu’s face held a faint smile, no different from usual.

Xi Yu was puzzled.

Was Mingzhu really not "playing tricks"?

Liu Xu was a bit embarrassed, chuckling, she said, "It’s not something to force, let it happen naturally."

Mingzhu stopped at that, pushing too hard would make those involved feel pressured.

When Zishan was half-full, she signaled for the wet nurse to take him away.

The little one was very well-behaved, not crying or making a fuss.

He continued eating his rice mush after moving to another spot.

Xi Yu insisted on holding Zimu to play, "Kids can only be teased for these few years, after a few more years, they won’t want it anymore."

Mingzhu agreed with that, so she cherished the time spent with her children.

When they grow up and leave to learn skills, seeing them even once might be difficult.

She invited them to eat and meanwhile started discussing business with Liu Xu.

Xi Yu wasn’t interested in business affairs, holding Zimu with one hand, feeding her rice mush, and occasionally using his chopsticks to pick some food for himself.

Having stayed in the mansion for a while, he had also learned the skill of looking after children.

He did it skillfully, even better than many men.

Liu Xu glanced at him several times, finally concluding that people are indeed categorized by like qualities.

Xie Yunzhen loved and took care of children, and Xi Yu had picked up his good qualities!

Realizing she had let her attention fall on Xi Yu again, Liu Xu quickly stopped that dangerous thought.

To divert her attention, she said to Mingzhu, "Now that the Yanzhou battle is over, a batch of people must have retired from the military camp. Can Lord Xie help by selecting some skilled, responsible young men? We can form a caravan, open up the trade route between Yanzhou and other cities, and exchange goods. If the court allows, the business could even expand beyond the borders."

Everyone has their own expertise.

In terms of business, Mingzhu wasn’t as adept as Liu Xu.

But she could still judge if Liu Xu’s ideas were good.

Starting with small exchanges within the borders, gradually expanding the business if the court permits.

Steady and diligent, that’s the way Mingzhu liked to work.

"I’ll discuss it with him when he gets back."

As long as Mingzhu spoke up, this matter would certainly succeed.

With Xie Yunzhen’s help, Liu Xu also wanted to return the favor.

She generously said, "When I earn some silver, I’ll donate a batch of medicinal materials to their military camp."

Medicinal materials are expensive, this would be a significant gesture.

Xi Yu glanced at her a few times, "What if you don’t earn it?"

"If I don’t earn it, I just won’t donate."

Xi Yu was at a loss for words, "How is that different from empty promises?"

"Of course, there’s a difference."

Liu Xu lifted her chin, "I will try my hardest to earn that silver, while some who make empty promises just look for excuses and never fulfill their commitment."

She looked so straightforward, Xi Yu couldn’t find another word to question her.

After pressing his lips together, he said, "Then I wish you heaps of riches and hope you fulfill today’s promise soon. I’m a witness, you can’t renege."

Liu Xu stared at Xi Yu for a while.

She couldn’t help but ask the question, "What is it exactly you feel for Lord Xie, why such love and hate?"

Xi Yu: "..."

Mingzhu: "..."