Mingzhu thought that Xi Yu and Liu Xu would take their time, as both of them liked to play dumb.

Unexpectedly, after a night’s sleep, they had confirmed their feelings for each other.

And publicly announced it without reservation.

Liu Xu awkwardly said, "He insisted on coming, wanting you to be a witness."

Mingzhu teasingly replied, "Okay, Zimu and Zishan will be witnesses too."

The Emperor came to Yanzhou, so naturally Yun Zhen had to accompany him, leaving the house before dawn.

At this moment, Mingzhu was alone with the children.

Since the little ones learned to walk, they’ve become even more mischievous than before, requiring much more effort to manage.

While speaking, Zimu stood on tiptoe trying to reach Mingzhu’s teacup.

With her mouth saying, "Water~"

Mingzhu helplessly said, "If you keep playing with water, your dad will scold you when he returns."

Zimu instinctively looked outside, didn’t see anyone, and then attempted to grab the teacup again.

Because the little ones were too mischievous, all visible jade decorations were put away to prevent them from getting hurt.

At this time, Xi Yu and Liu Xu were also present, and Mingzhu gently urged her daughter on the back.

"Go and congratulate Uncle Xi and Aunt Liu."

The little one’s attention was instantly diverted, and she wobbly walked towards the sitting pair to bother them.

Mingzhu quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing Zimu, Xi Yu felt scared; it was a lasting effect from the time when Mingzhu was busy opening the fabric shop and entrusted him with the child.

Afraid that Zimu might pinch him, Xi Yu instinctively hid behind Liu Xu.

"Uncle~"

Xi Yu responded while instructing Liu Xu to block Zimu from coming over to his side.

Liu Xu cursed, "Useless, can’t even handle a child."

Xi Yu huffed, "You try taking care of her for a couple of days and then you’ll understand how I feel."

"She’s grown up and won’t pinch anyone anymore." Kids have developmental phases, and it’s hard for them to control their behaviors when they’re very young.

She did it because she found it amusing.

But since Zimu had quite a grip, every pinch was painful, which is why Xi Yu feared her.

Liu Xu intercepted Zimu and held her in his arms.

Asked her, "What did your mom just say?"

Xi Yu perked up, ready to receive the little one’s congratulations.

Zimu could only say simple words; to truly congratulate Liu Xu and Xi Yu, she wouldn’t know how.

Turning her head to look at Mingzhu, "Mom?"

Mingzhu guided her, "Say ’congratulations’."

The little one repeated it with a soft and unclear voice, but she had the right intonation.

Xi Yu was delighted and somehow produced a piece of gold, slipping it into Zimu’s small hand.

"Take it, buy candy with your brother."

The little one’s eyes immediately sparkled, hurriedly slipping down from Liu Xu’s arms, and gleefully returning to Mingzhu.

"Mom~"

With tiny chubby hands, she tried hard to present the gold to Mingzhu.

Xi Yu clicked his tongue, "This girl really can’t hide wealth indeed."

Liu Xu corrected, "This is called generosity, not being a miser."

Anyway, the Xie family had a vast estate, and as long as no major mishaps occurred, no matter how much Zimu spent, to the Xie family it was just a drop in the ocean.

Seeing his sister receive a piece of gold and make their mom smile so broadly,

Zishan, who was squatting by Mingzhu’s feet playing with a wooden horse, had a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Putting the toy down, he stumbled over to Xi Yu.

Clearly said, "Con...gratulations..."

Then he looked at him eagerly, extending his small hand, indicating he wanted silver.

Xi Yu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "Who did they learn this from?"

Muttered: These two little ones really are Ah Zhen’s children, they know exactly how to annoy.

Spread his hands, "No more."

Zishan withdrew his hand, a look of disappointment appearing on his small face.

With a soft "oh," he was about to leave.

Xi Yu was a bit dumbfounded, quickly grasping the little one’s arm, "Is that it?"

Zishan looked at him puzzled, not understanding what he meant.

Liu Xu couldn’t stand it, "Don’t tease the child."

Since you’re giving, give one to each.

Fairness!

If adults don’t act impartially, it would be their fault if the siblings don’t have a good relationship in the future.

Xi Yu was afraid of his wife, and as soon as Liu Xu spoke, he dared not tease Zishan anymore.

Mingzhu felt bad receiving two pieces of gold for nothing.

After Xi Yu and Liu Xu left, then she seriously educated the two kids not to randomly accept things from others.

No matter who the other party is, they need their parents’ permission to accept.

Mingzhu didn’t know if the little ones could understand, but exposure is better than ignoring.

Liu Xu and Xi Yu progressed rapidly, and after receiving a reply from Xi Family elders, they were entering discussions for marriage.

Xi Yu was not young, and with his unpredictable whereabouts, the Xi Family had established a new Family Head and no longer concerned themselves with his affairs.

As long as he’s willing, marrying a woman in her thirties or even forties would be fine.

After all, he himself wasn’t exactly young anymore.

The saying goes, a woman three years older is like holding a gold brick, Liu Xu was still so capable of earning, who would truly gain more was unsure.

At this time, a trade agreement was signed within and outside the area, officially starting commerce.

Yanzhou City suddenly became lively.

The people had more livelihood opportunities, and the gloom brought by the war quickly dissipated by half.

The Emperor did not stay long in Yanzhou, came in haste and left suddenly.

But once he left, Yun Zhen was busy again.

Mingzhu knew what he was busy with, but as she couldn’t help, she could only manage her business well, take care of the household, and look after the two children.

Time flies.

After serving in Yanzhou for three years, Yun Zhen was returning to the capital for his report.

Princess An He had written to him early, urging him to bring the two children back to the capital to see relatives.

This was the siblings’ first time leaving Yanzhou, they were very excited and constantly bothered Mingzhu and Yun Zhen with questions.

The carriage was filled with their chatter, Yun Zhen couldn’t handle it, and for once allowed the little ones to have some candy, finally quieting them.

Licking a small piece of maltose, Zimu felt blissful.

"Dad, in the capital can we eat even sweeter candy? I want to bring some to Xi Wang brother."

Seeing his daughter’s greedy look, Yun Zhen’s eyes were full of laughter.

Neither he nor Mingzhu had a sweet tooth, why did these two little ones constantly think about snacks?

He patted her head, "Don’t cry when your teeth hurt."

The little one immediately covered her face, "I don’t hurt."

Then she turned to Zishan, "Brother, if it hurts, sister will help you eat it."

Zishan quietly shifted his body.

Refusing his sister’s help.

Little by little licking the maltose, his eyes squinted, extremely satisfied.

After all, he’s still a child, with no resistance to sweet candies.

Mingzhu strictly controlled, allowing them at most once a month, rarely being happy once, not spoiling their fun.

Instead, she took out a small notebook and started testing the family relationships.

"Who’s the eldest in the house?"

Ignoring the candy, Zimu raised her hand to answer, "Great-grandmother."

Zishan directly added, "Then it’s grandmother, uncle, aunt..."

Grandmother frequently sent them things, food, clothes, toys...

Grandmother should be a good person.

If mom likes grandmother, he and sister would also like grandmother.

Zishan, looking up with a serious face, asked, "Mom, is grandmother an evil stepmother?"