Chapter 3: Stepfather, Stepmother

Inside the luxurious carriage.

“Madam, I’m afraid this child has been abandoned. In this condition, she likely won’t survive the night,” Xiao Ling whispered, not exaggerating in the least—this was simply the truth.

“Xiao Ling, bring me my Xuan-yang Serenity Pill.”

“Ah!”

“Hurry up.”

“But, Madam…”

The woman glanced up at Xiao Ling, who immediately felt a chill run down her spine. She quickly opened a nearby chest and found a brocade box.

With a soft thud, the box was opened. Inside lay a purple pill, exuding a rich, pure fragrance that instantly filled the carriage. Just from the scent alone, it was clear this was no ordinary medicine.

At this moment, the protagonist was rolling her eyes. If she could move her body, she would have shuddered to express her feelings.

The woman waved her hand, and the purple pill slowly rose, floating above the child’s lips before dissolving into a wisp of white smoke that slipped into her mouth.

“Sun Restoration Pill.”

“Madam!!!”

“Beichen Jade Lotus Root.”

“M-Madam…”

“Supreme Tai Chi Lingzhi.”

Xiao Ling was numb with shock. Madam was absolutely determined to save this child, feeding her these rare medicinal treasures as if they were mere beans.

So delicious… so full… I feel like I’m going to burst, like I’ll explode any second…

What on earth is happening today? Either I’m starving to death or being stuffed to death.

Is it really because I didn’t drink the Soup of Forgetfulness? Must you torment a child like this? Does your conscience not ache at all…

Let me see, who exactly is it, tormenting a child like this?

Wow.

She’s beautiful.

Who is she?

Where am I?

These decorations… they look so impressive.

I must have been picked up—and by a wealthy family, no less. Who would have thought there was light at the end of the tunnel? I was born a winner after all.

“Xiao Ling, look, he’s smiling.” The woman noticed the child in her arms was smiling and felt a surge of joy.

But Xiao Ling felt like crying.

“Madam, what will you do with this child?” Xiao Ling asked.

The woman’s brows knit slightly as she gazed into the child’s bright, clear eyes. After a long moment, she replied, “I’ll keep him with me.”

“Miss, you can’t… the master, he…”

“He’ll listen to me.”

Xiao Ling had nothing more to say.

This stepmother is incredible! Much better than my birth mother!

The woman lowered her head and smiled, “Little one, what’s your name?”

“Yi-yi-yi~”

Royal translation: “Hmm, should I use my old name? But a new life deserves a new name, doesn’t it?”

The woman seemed to sense that the child understood her, and she smiled gently. “Then… from now on, you’ll be called Ye Kun.”

Ye Kun?

Not a bad name, actually. Everyone can call me Brother Kun.

Seeing the child’s happy grin, the woman was delighted. What a clever little thing.

“From now on, I’ll be your mother. My name is Dongmen Meng, remember that, okay?”

Ye Kun thought, if only I’d truly come from her womb—now that would be a perfect rebirth story.

Alas, my real mother abandoned me.

“Xiao Ling, fetch me the Imperial Supreme Pill.”

“Madam…”

Ye Kun froze. This can’t be right—my last mother tried to starve me, now this one wants to stuff me to death?

As the carriage left the city, the entire convoy took to the air—even the white horse spread its wings.

Taixi County—a city neither large nor small, but quite complicated, for several direct and collateral noble lines lived here.

The Ye family was one of them.

At the entrance to the Ye estate, there wasn’t a single guard in sight—a rather forlorn atmosphere.

A plain carriage rolled to a stop, driven by the former chief of guards. The large escort was gone, and even the horses were now ordinary.

“Madam, we’ve arrived.”

“Good. Xiao Ling, let’s go home.” Dongmen Meng held the sleeping Ye Kun with a gentle smile.

Ye Kun was content. Though he’d felt dejected earlier, abandoned by his birth mother, his new mother quickly soothed his heart and he adapted easily.

Perhaps this was the benefit of not drinking the Soup of Forgetfulness.

As Dongmen Meng stepped out of the carriage, the main gate of the Ye family swung open, revealing a burly man.

“Meng’er, you’re finally back! I’ve been pining for you, unable to eat or sleep. You… what’s that in your arms? You’ve given birth already?!”

The man’s name was Ye Ming—a refined name, but his looks didn’t match: a square face, bushy beard, thick brows, and large eyes.

“Husband, this is Ye Kun,” Dongmen Meng replied softly.

“Ye Kun???” Ye Ming was dumbfounded. When he noticed her slightly rounded belly, his face turned green.

“Wife… you only went home for a visit, how did you come back pregnant again? Do I have some long-distance conception technique…?”

There was a stifled snort.

As chief guard, he’d been trained never to laugh, no matter what happened.

Unless, of course, it was simply impossible to hold back.

Even Xiao Ling couldn’t help laughing. The master had no filter, and that’s just what the mistress liked.

“Get lost!”

“Right away.”

Dongmen Meng put on a stern face and walked into the Ye residence. Ye Ming beckoned Xiao Ling over.

“Yes, master?” Xiao Ling asked respectfully.

“Oh, don’t be so formal. We’re all family, aren’t we?”

“Master, I didn’t marry into the family.”

“Xiao Ling, you misunderstand. Your mistress—what’s she thinking? Where did that child come from?”

“Madam found him.”

“Found him???” Ye Ming was shocked. Was that even possible?

“Yes, master. Is there a problem?”

“No, no problem at all. Wife, wait for me, I’ll make you some soup!” Ye Ming hurried after her, practically skipping.

Xiao Ling sighed, glanced back at the chief guard, who immediately looked away and led the carriage through a side gate.

There were no servants in the entire Ye house, only four residents.

No, five now.

Ye Kun didn’t know how long he slept, but when he opened his eyes, he was stunned.

Who is this? Is this my new mother? She’s actually a burly man!

Dear heavens, are you trying to play me for a fool?

Perhaps startled, Ye Kun couldn’t help but wet himself.

Right onto Ye Ming’s face.

Yet Ye Ming remained remarkably calm, staring directly at Ye Kun.

Ye Kun stared right back.

Such a deep gaze—one could almost imagine sparks flying.

“Kid! You’re a bold one!” Ye Ming was as brash as he was strong.

Not that this little one could understand him.

Yi-yi-yi…

Royal translation: “If you’ve got guts, let go! I, Ye Kun, will give you a handicap!”

“Oh, you’ve got some spirit, have you? No wonder Meng’er took a liking to you. Listen up, you’ll call me father from now on, understand?”

Father?

So this is my stepmother’s husband—my stepfather.

I really have to question my new mother’s taste. To be honest, this stepfather is way too burly to have married such a beautiful woman.

It just doesn’t seem real.