The Grand Secretary's Child-Raising Diary

The Li family was quite attentive at this moment, rushing forward to greet Zhang Shi before she could: "Second Master has arrived. Third Young Master has just woken up from his nap and is about to have some rice porridge."

Zhang paused in wiping Lu Youning's face. Sometimes she really admired Li; she was truly shameless.

Lu Shiyan glanced at Lu Youning and instructed, "We'll have the rice porridge later. Let's bring the Third Young Master out first."

Zhang respectfully agreed, but Lu Youning let out a dissatisfied "ah." His cheap father had disturbed his meal as soon as he arrived, and he couldn't bear to go hungry at all.

Even though he couldn't speak yet, his "ah" was full of emotion, and even Shouyan could tell that he was unhappy.

Having served in this courtyard for so long, and having become a parent herself, Zhang Shi could naturally see that the Second Master had no feelings for the Young Madam and was also very indifferent to the Third Master, his frail eldest son.

Seeing that the Second Master seemed to be paying more attention to the Third Young Master these past few days, and fearing that the Second Master might think the Third Young Master wasn't well-behaved enough, Madam Zhang hurriedly tried to make amends for Lu Youning: "The young master's appetite has been better these past few days; he gets hungry much faster."

Lu Shiyan didn't take it to heart and turned to go to the outer room.

Zhang quickened her pace, wiping Lu Youning's hands and face and changing her clothes. She then hurriedly carried her out.

A few people stood quietly outside. When they saw Madam Zhang come out carrying a child, they all bowed, and even when they greeted her in unison, their voices were not loud: "Greetings, Third Young Master."

Lu Youning peeked out and found that almost all the servants in Songtao Courtyard were there, even Granny Chen, who usually lay on the kang to recover from her injuries, was standing to one side like a quail.

When Zhang saw so many people, she became nervous, not understanding why the Second Master had brought these people with him.

Lu Shiyan, being the master of Songtao Courtyard, naturally wouldn't consider the servants' thoughts. He directly instructed, "Banxia and Rendong will stay by the Third Young Master's side from now on, receiving the allowance of first-class maids."

As for Madam Li, the young master is now grown up, so you only need to leave a wet nurse by his side. You can leave the manor today after receiving your reward.

As for Chen Mama, the old woman guarding the courtyard, and the servant boy, they were given a beating and sent to Chunhui Courtyard for the Madam to deal with.

Granny Chen was stunned. Although she often complained, she knew very well how easy it was to serve the Third Young Master. She was already this age. If she were kicked out of the Earl's Mansion, where would she find such a good job in the future?

Moreover, if she were to be taken to the madam's courtyard like this, she would truly be caught in the middle, pleasing neither side.

She knelt on the ground and cried out, "Second Master, before the young mistress passed away, she specifically instructed this old servant to watch over the Third Young Master as he grew up. The Third Young Master is also used to being served by this old woman. You can't send this old woman away!"

Lu Youning: That old woman is so shameless.

Lu Shiyan naturally wouldn't argue with Granny Chen, so Shouyan stepped forward and said, "Granny Chen, I advise you to be quiet and listen to the arrangements. It's already a favor that you were able to leave Songtao Courtyard unharmed. Otherwise, given what you planned, the Second Master would have sent you to see the authorities."

Upon hearing Shouyan's words, not only did Granny Chen wilted, but even Lu Youning was somewhat shocked. Did her cheap father know that this old woman had conspired with someone to kill him?

The thought of this possibility didn't make Lu Youning happy at all. Instead, she glared at her adoptive father with a fierce look, thinking, "A person who knows everything, understands everything, yet still puts their own son in danger is even more despicable."

By the way, how did the original body disappear again?

With Lu Shiyan in charge, the affairs of Songtao Courtyard were handled very cleanly and efficiently. Li Shi packed her bags, took the money, and left the mansion without stopping for a moment.

Just as he finished dealing with things here, Lu Xin, the personal attendant of Marquis Chengen Lu Chong, arrived. Seeing some unfamiliar faces in Songtao Courtyard, he didn't ask any questions and respectfully said to Lu Shiyan, "Second Master, the Marquis requests your presence; he has something to discuss with you."

In the past few days, Lu Youning had realized that his adoptive father was not favored in the household. However, he felt no sympathy for him at all; on the contrary, he was somewhat eager to watch the spectacle unfold.

But the food she ate early in the morning had already been mostly digested, and her tummy was rumbling. Rather than watching the jokes, Lu Youning felt that eating was more important.

Lu Shiyan didn't ask what was wrong, and got up to walk ahead.

As soon as Lu Shiyan left, Zhang the wet nurse became nervous again when she saw the few people left behind.

Although she wasn't banished from the manor like the Li family, and the Second Master didn't say she couldn't continue serving the Third Young Master, these people were all brought back by the Second Master. If they all joined forces in the future, she probably wouldn't be able to get close to the Third Young Master anymore.

Zhang was not cunning, and she couldn't hide her thoughts at all. Banxia and Rendong glanced at Sun Mama, who was standing to the side.

Sun Mama had been the head housekeeper in her previous master's household, so she naturally dared not neglect her duties now that she had taken on a new master's job. Even though the master she was to serve was still young, she did not fail to observe the proper etiquette and manners.

"Greetings, Third Young Master. My husband's surname is Sun. You may call me Mother Sun."

The Second Master instructed that from now on, this old servant would manage the affairs of the young master's courtyard, with Banxia and Rendong, along with Zhang the wet nurse, attending to your daily needs. There are also two young servants in the courtyard, Shihu and Kuandong; if the Third Young Master needs any errands, just give the order to them.”

Mother Sun led the way, followed by Banxia and Rendong who stepped forward to pay their respects.

Dendrobium and Coltsfoot did not enter the house; they greeted each other outside.

Seeing the newcomers' performance, Zhang felt even more pressured. Lu Youning, on the other hand, was quite happy. Songtao Courtyard was too quiet for him. Banxia and Rendong looked young and would probably be lively, which would make his life more interesting.

With the addition of someone to Lu Youning's household, the courtyard suddenly became much more lively, and Lu Youning was always smiling while eating.

In the study in the front courtyard, Lu Chong and his son Lu Shiyan sat facing each other, a storm brewing.

Looking at Lu Shiyan's icy expression, Lu Chong felt a little uneasy. He had never told anyone that he was somewhat afraid to talk to his son.

The child was precocious in his childhood and could read and recognize words very quickly. However, his father was not very learned and hated those classical Chinese principles. Coupled with the pressure from his wife and eldest son, he consciously distanced himself from his son.

As Shi Yan grew a few more years older, he became increasingly withdrawn and aloof, never smiling when he saw him, and the father and son grew more and more distant.

Later, Shi Yan passed the imperial examinations with top honors and was appointed by the emperor to enter the Hanlin Academy. Now, he is also favored by the crown prince, so he has even less authority in front of this son.

But getting married is a serious matter.

Lu Chong softened his voice and reasoned with Lu Shiyan: "That Zhao family's daughter is quite good, with both beauty and talent, a perfect match for you. You're busy with your business now, so it's good that someone helps you manage your courtyard. Your mistress also has her mother to look after her, right?"

Despite his seemingly convincing words, Lu Shiyan remained unconvinced: "Father says the Zhao family's daughter is excellent in every way and a perfect match for me. But does Father know which Zhao family this is, whether the head of the Zhao family is an official, a merchant, or a commoner, how old the Zhao family's daughter is, and whether she has any siblings?"