Xie Yunzhen asked someone to take his son to wash up.

He complained to Mingzhu, "Staying up all night and refusing to get up in the morning, this girl will definitely get her palms hit by the teacher in the future."

When the children turn three, Xie Yunzhen plans to start their formal education, teaching them to read, write, and learn various skills.

By that time, it would be something to handle after returning to Yanzhou.

If Zimu still doesn’t adjust her sleeping schedule, she will certainly be criticized by the teacher for missing morning lessons.

Although Mingzhu spoils the children, when it comes to education, she is never sloppy.

Whether for the kids’ health or for the upcoming schooling, getting Zimu to adjust is the top priority.

She doesn’t want to clash directly with Princess An He.

Mingzhu glanced at Xie Yunzhen, "You talk to your mother yourself."

When the kids are with her, she insists they go to bed on time.

But at Princess An He’s place, given her indulgent love for the kids, she lets them have their way.

Compared to other kids her age, Zimu is considered precocious.

But after all, she is a child, and needs to develop self-discipline.

If she is indulged too much, she might lose some of the good habits cultivated earlier.

And Zimu learns everything quickly, so without proper guidance, she could be led astray.

Xie Yunzhen also dotes on the two children greatly.

If he didn’t constantly remind himself that indulgence is like harm, he might spoil them uncontrollably.

After all, they are Mingzhu and his own flesh and blood, a very precious existence.

No matter how reluctant he is, when it’s time for education, he has to be firm.

Xie Yunzhen understands a child’s feelings; they’ve just arrived at a new place, surrounded by many friendly faces. Naturally, they’ll be curious and excited.

He is willing to give them time to enjoy themselves.

But playing endlessly is not acceptable.

He told Mingzhu, "Let her indulge for two more days, and after visiting relatives, we’ll start restraining her."

Besides visiting Xie Yunzhen’s mother’s family, they also need to pay respects to Mingzhu’s parents.

This trip back to the capital is significant.

Before setting off for the capital, Mingzhu bought unique Yanzhou wines and long-lasting foods.

Solely to offer them as sacrifices when they pay respects to her parents.

Since the children were born, Xie Yunzhen has been hands-on with many things.

He isn’t a hands-off parent, and when it comes to educating the children, Mingzhu trusts him greatly.

Therefore, when Xie Yunzhen suggests indulging the children for two days, she goes along with him.

As long as Princess An He can handle it.

The couple was led by the housekeeper to the flower hall for tea, "Breakfast is ready, including chicken porridge, Jade lotus leaf cakes, crab roe buns..."

The housekeeper listed the dishes, all favorites from Xie Yunzhen’s childhood.

And some were dishes that Princess An He had let the kids choose the night before.

"Madam, do you need anything else prepared?"

Mingzhu isn’t picky about food and doesn’t expect Princess An He to prepare special dishes for her.

As long as the kids are truly loved, she is content.

"Everything’s fine, no need to prepare anything else."

While Mingzhu isn’t picky, Xie Yunzhen isn’t shy at all, "Prepare a dish of Longjing shrimps and steam a fish."

Although Mingzhu isn’t picky, everyone has preferences, and over the years, Xie Yunzhen has figured out her likes.

She enjoys fish and shrimp.

"No need to bother; we can have it for lunch." Mingzhu declined.

Steaming fish is quite troublesome.

The breakfast prepared is already abundant, they can eat well, no need to add more.

The couple had different opinions, and the housekeeper didn’t know whom to listen to.

She stood there hesitantly.

Xie Yunzhen glanced at her casually, "Can you prepare it in 30 minutes?"

The housekeeper was startled and understood his meaning.

This is a dish the lady likes, and she refused because she didn’t want to bother anyone.

But with the Lord’s affection for his wife, he would want to serve her all her favorites.

The housekeeper realized.

When the Lord and the lady have a disagreement, just choose the option that is good for the lady.

She curtsied, and quickly said, "I’ll instruct the cook immediately, it will be perfectly timed for when the Commandery Princess arrives."

Once the housekeeper left, only the two of them remained in the flower hall.

Xie Yunzhen’s temperament is well-known in the Duke Mansion, and the maids keep their distance, afraid of disturbing their peace and getting in trouble.

In Princess An He’s territory, Mingzhu isn’t as carefree as usual.

Seeing Mingzhu sitting upright with tensed posture, she wasn’t relaxed.

Xie Yunzhen couldn’t resist but pinched her waist, "Not sore?"

"Slap!"

The back of his hand was slapped hard, making a crisp sound.

Xie Yunzhen felt very wronged, "I can’t even care for my own wife?"

Mingzhu isn’t as thick-skinned as him.

She squeezed a few words through her teeth, "Can you be serious?"

Xie Yunzhen was very serious.

This whole return journey, with the two little troublemakers, he couldn’t even find a moment to get close to Mingzhu.

Now that the kids were sent away, he might have gone a bit overboard.

Mingzhu even complained about a sore back and legs before.

Seeing her sitting so properly now, he instinctively wanted to massage her waist to help her relax.

Didn’t expect to get this in return.

Xie Yunzhen swore to the heavens, he didn’t mean to tease Mingzhu on purpose.

With a lingering look at her eyebrows, he spoke with a resentful tone, "Ji Mingzhu, you don’t know good from bad."

At that, all he got in return was a roll of her eyes.

"Shut up."

Xie Yunzhen leaned back, putting his long hand on the chair’s armrest, looking relaxed yet exuding a strong sense of danger.

"Next time you complain about a sore back, I won’t believe you."

Mingzhu kicked him angrily, "Not saying anything won’t make anyone think you’re mute."

Princess An He finished freshening up and dressed in home attire, bringing Zishan to the flower hall first.

Zimu, who had just woken up, was currently being helped by Jade to get ready.

Unexpectedly, they caught Mingzhu in the act of "bullying" her son.

Her face turned sullen.

"How old are you two, still bickering? It’s so improper!"

Xie Yunzhen concealed his emotions, casually replying, "A day without her scolding me, and I feel uneasy."

Princess An He was momentarily stunned.

She glared at Xie Yunzhen fiercely, "No ambition."

Just any man of capability wouldn’t be tied down by a woman like that.

What’s more, he wouldn’t hit back or even talk back, even the most henpecked man isn’t as tolerant.

If it got out, they’d be laughed at!

Caught in the act, Mingzhu felt a bit awkward too.

She pretended nothing happened, asking Zishan, "Is your sister up yet?"

"She’s up, brushing her hair now."

Zishan snuggled into Mingzhu’s arms, "Mom, did Dad mess up again?"

"Hmm."

Mingzhu nodded, and Princess An He shot her another look, her protective nature evident.

If Xie Yunzhen hadn’t sided with her, Mingzhu suspected Princess An He would have reprimanded them.

Zishan lay in Mingzhu’s embrace, glancing over at Xie Yunzhen.

"You always make Mom angry, I don’t know what she sees in you."

Xie Yunzhen: "..."