The Grand Secretary's Child-Raising Diary

Lu Shiyan, still smelling of incense, stayed with Lu Youning for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. During that time, Lu Youning was only focused on eating her steamed egg custard and didn't even glance at him.

Shouyan saw his master staring at the third young master eating and assumed that his master was craving vegetarian food at Huangjue Temple.

Shouyan found it quite strange, after all, his second master was always like a snowman, talking about food and drink in idle talk, rarely showing any emotion.

He stepped forward and urged, "Second Master, the water is ready. Go back and take a bath and change your clothes."

When the master left Huangjue Temple this morning, he stayed in the main hall with His Highness the Crown Prince for quite some time, and his body was covered in the pungent smell of incense. The servants didn't mind, but he noticed that the Third Young Master had frowned several times.

Lu Shiyan nodded, and as he turned to leave, his fingers unconsciously twitched inside his cloak. He felt a slight sense of loss, but he couldn't understand what he was expecting.

As Zhang Nanny watched Lu Shiyan take Shouyan to the front yard, she lovingly touched Lu Youning's slightly chubby little face and said, "It's been a few days, and our Third Young Master has already forgotten his father."

Lu Youning: Dad, this cheap stuff, can it compare to steamed egg custard?

evening

Lu Shiyan's meals now include a golden-brown steamed egg custard. Upon seeing this dish, Lu Shiyan couldn't help but recall the image of his eldest son during the day, munching on the egg custard while giggling at his wet nurse.

He didn't like this kind of smooth and tender food, but at this moment, his chopsticks seemed to have a mind of their own, and he picked up several pieces in succession.

Shouyan served from the side, and seeing that his master really liked the steamed egg custard, he secretly gave himself a thumbs up. This steamed egg custard was specially prepared by him at the request of the kitchen staff.

With the New Year approaching, affairs in the court are numerous and complex.

However, Lu Shiyan was granted an extra day off for accompanying the Crown Prince to the Heaven Worship Ceremony.

Early in the morning, the long-quiet Songtao Courtyard became noisy.

Huaiyan led his official clerk and dozens of servants of varying ages into Songtao Courtyard in a grand procession, and the news was delivered to Chunhui Courtyard in no time.

Madam Qin, the wife of the Earl of Chengen, smashed a teacup in front of him and pointed at him angrily, saying, "What does Second Brother mean by this? Is the household short of food or drink for him, or is there a shortage of servants to attend to him?"

Lu Chong, the Earl of Chengen, was not particularly capable. He held a sinecure as the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and lived a very carefree life.

He wasn't angry when his wife pointed her finger at him and questioned him. He slowly said, "It's a bit quiet at Erlang's Songtao Courtyard. If he wants to add a few more people, let him. It won't cost the public money anyway."

That sounds reasonable, but it depends on who the person is.

Lady Bo couldn't stand Lu Chong's indifferent and unhelpful attitude, and her anger flared even more. She didn't care if the maids and servants in the courtyard would laugh at her, and her voice grew louder and louder:

"Lu Chong, you make it sound so easy, but do you know what people in the capital will think of me if this gets out? They'll say I mistreat my illegitimate son, not even giving him a servant like Lu Shiyan."

I'd like to ask, what have I, as his legal mother, done to wrong him that he would slap me in the face like this?

Lu Chong's lips twitched. He felt that what the lady said was too serious. It was just buying a few people to enter the mansion. How could it be such a big deal?

But having spent half his life with Madam Qin, he knew he couldn't afford to argue now, so he patiently advised, "It's Erlang who's confused, Madam, please don't take it to heart."

Lu Chong originally wanted to say that he would go back and teach Erlang a lesson, but he changed his words as soon as he got the words out. Erlang's face was like an ice sculpture, and unless necessary, he was not very willing to talk to this son.

Lu Chong wanted to settle things peacefully, but little did he know that Madam Qin had other plans in mind. Her attack today was more about using the situation as an excuse to cause trouble.

Lu Chong understood Qin Shi, and Qin Shi understood him even better, knowing how to get Lu Chong to stand on her side.

Her face was filled with sorrow: "I know that you can't forget Aunt Qian. Now that you see her son overshadowing me and my Jing'er, you are only happy. You don't care about the hardships we mother and son have endured."

Lu Chong had a headache and waved his hands in pleading, "Madam, Madam, why are we talking about this again? What does this have to do with anything?"

Qin ignored him, wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, and continued, "My Jing'er is incompetent, not as clever or studious as Erlang, nor as beloved by Father. Now he still has me, his mother, to protect him. But I'm afraid that after I pass away, this manor will no longer be able to accommodate my Jing'er."

Lu Chong: "Madam, my dear madam, Jing'er is our eldest son. How could I not love him? As long as I am here, this manor belongs to Jing'er."

Qin snorted coldly: "What's the use of your nice words now? I'm afraid that the day I leave, you won't be able to wait to pass the Earl's Mansion to your sweetheart's son."

Lu Chong disliked wasting time on such trivial matters at home, and he couldn't argue with Qin Shi. Seeing that she was becoming increasingly unreasonable, he was afraid that the servants would spread the word and make a fool of himself in front of the younger generation, so he could only wave his hands and beg for mercy:

"Then tell me, madam, what can I do to make you believe what I'm saying?"

Having achieved her goal, Qin's expression finally improved, and she was willing to reveal the purpose of her actions that day.

"I wish to find a suitable wife for Erlang, but I am not Erlang's biological mother after all. I can only trouble you, Lord, to inform Erlang."

Lu Chong: He should have stayed out overnight last night.

He had some doubts, but Lu Chong knew that if he didn't agree, Qin Shi would likely cause more trouble in the future.

"Which family are you talking about? Are they a good match for Erlang?"

Madam Qin: "She is Jing'er's cousin. She is of excellent character and appearance, and is a perfect match for our Erlang. Although Erlang has many misunderstandings about me, I am, after all, Erlang's legal mother. I can't just leave his courtyard without someone who cares for him."

This is not a bad thing. Erlang's wife is gone, and Songtao Courtyard needs a woman to take care of things for him.

"Alright, I'll talk to Erlang about this later, but Madam, you mustn't mention Erlang buying people from outside again."

Songtao Courtyard

The broker bowed slightly, his face beaming with a smile: "Second Master sent a letter yesterday, and I quickly selected a group of men overnight. These men all come from wealthy families, and once they arrive at your residence, they only need a simple lesson in the rules before they can be put to use."

The wealthy families mentioned by the brokers were mostly officials or nobles who had committed crimes. The servants from such families were indeed well-mannered and useful.

After asking a few simple questions, Lu Shiyan pointed to two maids who were about the same age as Shouyan, a mother in her forties, two clever young servants, and several strong and sturdy old women.

This was already quite a lot. The broker picked out the indentures of these individuals, took the silver, and happily left with the rest of the people.

Lu Youning had just woken up from a nap and was having her face wiped by Zhang, the wet nurse, when her cheap father arrived again.