The sickly son died young? After the marriage exchange, I will bring prosperity to his entire clan f

"The snow was still falling outside, how come it's all cleared away?"

"It looks like we'll have to do more rain. Let's clear some out first, so there won't be too much to clean up later."

With only the mother, daughter, and An'an left in the kitchen, it became much easier to talk.

"You haven't been back lately, have you been busy?"

"Yeah, I'm busy." Busy like a beast of burden, with endless work every day.

Da Zhou didn't ask Du Mingxian what she was busy with outside. Instead, she talked about An'an, saying, "This young man is getting smarter and smarter. He will call people 'Mother' from time to time."

"She must have missed me." Du Mingxian turned her head and kissed An'an's little face, not wanting to get enough of it. "Is everything alright at home?"

"Everything is fine. Your second sister-in-law's restaurant is very busy. She leaves early and returns late every day. Your cousin is also busy with the restaurant. She is now in charge of the restaurant's accounts."

Du Mingxian was surprised, but also very happy. "That's great!"

"Well, your second brother said he wants to see if he can open another branch in the capital and hire an accountant. Your cousin said she's fine with it and can take care of it."

"It's good, and we feel safe using it with our own family."

"Yes, I also told your cousin to make sure the accounts are sorted out."

"Ah."

"With none of you around, the house always feels like something's missing. How much longer are you going to stay away from home?"

"We'll probably stay until the scientific expedition is over."

Although Da Zhou was mentally prepared, she still felt uncomfortable. "That will take several more months."

"Is Mother missing me?"

"Yes, you are my concern. You are busy outside, how can I not miss you?"

Du Mingxian smiled and said, "I miss my mother too."

"The child is so big now, yet still clings to his mother like a child."

"Even if I become a mother-in-law in the future, won't I still be my mother's daughter? Since I am my mother's daughter, it is only natural for a daughter to act spoiled with her mother."

"Good, good, good."

Mrs. Zhou smiled happily, "It's getting cold. I don't know if your uncle is taking good care of your grandmother. She's getting old, and I'm quite worried about her."

"Mother, don't worry. Uncle is a filial son, and Aunt should be good too. If all else fails, there are still servants."

"No one is as trustworthy as our own people. Servants are, after all, servants." Madam Zhou was worried, after all, her mother was getting old.

Seeing how much Da Zhou cared for the old lady, Du Mingxian didn't explain anything. Since she had made that decision back then, it could only prove that her mother and the old lady were destined to be together.

"Let's wait until next year. After my husband finishes his exams, we'll see whether he stays in the capital or is sent to a post outside the capital. Then I can go back and I'll feel at ease."

Madam Zhou nodded gently. She had come along this time entirely because of her eldest niece. Her brother was getting married, and her eldest niece was born to her former sister-in-law. It wouldn't be good for her to stay at home and face her stepmother.

Besides, my eldest niece is getting old, and I'm afraid my sister-in-law won't be able to accept her after she marries into the family.

My eldest niece is very strong-willed; she doesn't want to get married, and no one wants to force her.

However… I felt bad that my niece was coming with the Ling family alone, so as her aunt, I had no choice but to abandon my mother and come to the capital with my daughter and niece.

Du Mingxian put An'an on the ground to play by himself, and then she helped Da Zhou Shi.

Lunch was served quickly. Today, Zhou Shi, Ling's father, and Ling's mother were all happy. The others did not know that Du Mingxian and her companion had returned, nor did they send them any special messages.

So it was just the few of them at mealtime.

After a lively meal, Du Mingxian thought of the hot pot from her previous life. She took some hot pot base from her space and made a hot pot design, leaving them with Xiao Zhou before leaving with Ling Silang.

Instead of going straight back, he went to the Wen family's house.

Now that we're out today, we should naturally go and see. Regardless of whether that matter has been investigated or not, Lord Wen has been very kind to them.

Lord Wen was not here. Wen Yibin, who had just returned from outside, was at the mansion. As soon as Du Mingxian and Ling Silang entered the mansion, Wen Yibin rushed over.

Wen Yibin has lost a lot of weight, which shows that he has suffered a lot while he was away.

"Uncle."

"You two have finally arrived! I just got back to the capital and heard that you two had returned. I was really thinking of resting for a couple of days and finding out where you are so I could come and find you."

"Then we really have great chemistry," Du Mingxian joked.

"Let's go inside and talk; it's too cold outside."

The group entered the hall, which was warm and comfortable. Du Mingxian immediately took off her cloak, which was then hung up by a maid. Other maids served tea and snacks.

Seeing Du Mingxian's blissful expression, Wen Yibin was speechless. "You don't have any maids with you right now. Why don't you bring any maids with you? You could have maids to do things for you."

"I'd like to, but the circumstances don't allow it," Du Mingxian said, looking utterly dejected.

Wen Yibin had heard from the adults that Du Mingxian and Ling Silang were living outside, which was arranged by the Crown Prince, but he didn't inquire further.

"When you're done with your work and get home, if you don't have enough help at home, just tell your uncle, and he'll have the housekeeper pick out some good stuff and send it to you."

"Okay, then thank you in advance, Uncle."

"Why be so polite with your uncle?"

The group talked in the hall for a while before Lord Wen returned.

After learning that Madam Wen had a problem, Lord Wen did not rush to investigate. Instead, he kept an eye on Madam Wen until she went to investigate, at which point Lord Wen quietly followed her.

The investigators returned the day before yesterday.

The message was also delivered to Madam Wen and Lord Wen at the same time.

Lord Wen hadn't figured out how to talk to Du Mingxian about this matter when the young couple showed up.

When Lord Wen entered, the group stood up together.

Du Mingxian stepped forward and took the cloak from Lord Wen. "The weather is so cold. Why didn't the servants prepare a hand warmer for Father?"

"There's a charcoal brazier in the carriage, so it's not cold." As Lord Wen spoke, he noticed that Du Mingxian's hands didn't seem as good as before. "What have you been doing lately?"

"Sewing clothes".

Lord Wen knew all this, but seeing Du Mingxian's hands still made him feel sorry for her. "Investigating the matter is important, but your own health is even more important."

"Your daughter knows, Father, don't worry."

"You."

The group sat down again, and Lord Wen spoke first, "Mingxian, that matter has been investigated and clarified."

Du Mingxian tightened her grip on the cup.

"Let's go to the study to talk."

The main hall is definitely not a place for talking.

The four of them went to the study together. After the servants served tea and left, Lord Wen handed Du Mingxian two sheets of paper. Du Mingxian took the papers with a solemn expression and read them quickly.

In the end, all that was left was speechlessness and heartache.

She didn't know how to express her feelings.

Her mother and the Wen family truly had an inextricable connection, a blood feud as well as kinship.

"That's how it is. You...you think about how to talk to your mother. As for the matter of becoming godparents, let's just forget about it."

Regardless of whether they acknowledge each other as godparents or not, Mingxian is still a child of the Wen family.