Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

Chapter 160 Adopted

Zhong Yeliu nodded and noted it down, indicating that she would make the arrangements accordingly upon returning. As for Granny Wu's teaching ability, that would have to be assessed in a month. From what she could see so far, she seemed like a good person.

Shunzi is now a skilled driver of the carriage.

Although Yu Wanran was the horse's owner, the horse was just as affectionate towards Shunzi, which showed that Shunzi had put a lot of effort into raising the horse. Yu Wanran was satisfied and thought that when the time was right, she would buy a new house and raise a couple more horses.

There are three horses in the house now, and Yanqing Wangyou rides two of them. As for the one she has, she rides it sometimes and uses it to pull a cart sometimes, which is making the horse feel a bit exhausted.

From now on, when the household receives guests and Ye Liu goes out to conduct accounting, carriages and guards will be provided. Once the Chengni inkstone and spice businesses are on the right track, there will be enough money to support these expenses.

Lost in thought, she leaned back in her chair and drifted off to sleep.

Zhong Yeliu quietly took out a blanket and draped it over her. She sat down beside her, letting Yu Wanran rest her head on her shoulder, while she read an account book.

Although Qiu Cui had been entrusted with a lot of household affairs, she was still new to housekeeping, so she needed to supervise and guide the overall direction. In addition, the master had hired four new people at once, so the accounts from this period had to be sorted out carefully.

Master works so hard outside, we shouldn't trouble him with the trivial matters at home.

Several days later they arrived in Dezhou.

It was obvious to the naked eye that the people of Decheng were much more energetic and spirited. The streets were bustling with traffic, rickshaw drivers were soliciting customers at the city gate, vendors were loudly hawking their wares, and people's faces were filled with joyful smiles.

Looking further up from the city tower, one can see wooden cages filled with severed heads hanging at the city gate, used to deter criminals.

The city gatekeeper, a centurion under Si Yuankai, naturally recognized Yu Wanran. He not only let her pass directly but also exchanged a few pleasantries with a smile, thanking Yu Wanran for her contributions to Decheng.

Yu Wanran said a few words of modesty. After hurrying into the city, she found the inn where the Lin family grandfather and grandson had stayed last time and checked in.

This was the meeting place agreed upon with the Lin family grandfather and grandson. After inquiring about the Lin family grandfather and grandson from the shopkeeper, the shopkeeper told Yu Wanran their current address.

It turns out that the Lin family grandfather and grandson lived in the workshop by the river outside the city in order to open an inkstone-making workshop.

Yu Wanran planned to visit Xue Heyu first, and then inspect her own businesses. However, before she could even make the trip, an unexpected person came to her door first.

It turned out that Xue Heyu was afraid of missing her return, so he had informed the shopkeeper in advance: as soon as Miss Yu arrived, he must immediately report to the yamen.

Therefore, while Yu Wanran and Zhong Yeliu were still packing their things, Xue Heyu changed into civilian clothes, abandoned his official duties, and rushed over.

Behind him followed a young boy. Dressed in brocade robes, with his hair tied up in a high bun with a ribbon, he appeared young but handsome.

At first glance, Yu Wanran didn't recognize him. It wasn't until Xue Heyu greeted her with a smile that she glanced at him again and was surprised to recognize him as Song Lianghan!

"Genbao! Why did you come with Lord Xue?"

Logically, Song Lianghan was an orphan with a strong sense of pride. According to the pre-arranged plan, he and his siblings should have rented a small house in the city to study; or perhaps simply lived with the Lin family grandfather and grandson?

Why did he suddenly dress so richly and follow Xue and Yu so closely?

Suddenly, I remembered that Xue Heyu seemed to have only one daughter, and the couple had divorced. I once lamented to her that I had no children, and that when I was buried, I would probably have no one to even hold my bowl or smash it.

Song Lianghan and his sister had just lost both parents, and Song Lianghan himself was an extremely intelligent and talented young man. Therefore, it is entirely understandable that Xue Heyu would consider adopting these two children.

Seeing the change in her expression, the two knew she had figured it out.

Xue Heyu stroked his beard, smiling with a kind and content expression as he looked at Song Lianghan with a gratified gaze.

“My dear niece, it seems you’ve guessed it. I’ve adopted Lianghan and his sister Chuxue. I’ll probably never have any children to inherit the family business. Lianghan is exceptionally intelligent, and what’s rare is that he has a pure and innocent heart!”

"They were a lonely and helpless sibling when they were willing to recognize me as their adoptive father. This not only relieved my loneliness but also allowed me to protect them and ensure their safe growth!"

"It was a stroke of luck, a blessing from heaven! It allowed three unrelated people to form a family in this world and find warmth and peace at home."

Yu Wanran was happy for them.

"Uncle, congratulations on having such a sensible and capable son as Genbao! Genbao, your adoptive father is kind-hearted and treats you with sincerity. You must be filial to him in the future!"

Song Lianghan looked at his adoptive father with a slightly shy expression, his eyes filled with affection and joy.

"Sister Yu, my godfather can even guide my studies! He is very knowledgeable, no less so than the school teacher. I have benefited greatly from his guidance! I will definitely study hard for the imperial examinations in the future, achieve success and fame, and repay my godfather!"

"You should focus on getting better first, nothing can be rushed!"

As Xue Heyu spoke, his eyes narrowed into slits with laughter, clearly delighted by the vow to adopt his son.

Despite Song Lianghan's young talent, he didn't allow him to change his name to his own. He felt that being able to spread his wings and shelter the fledgling eagle from the wind and rain before it took flight was enough for him, a simple act of familial love.

Not all biological children are filial, but many are grateful and nurtured. He has experienced many ups and downs in life and has come to take many things in stride.

Song Lianghan stood obediently beside the two. Zhong Yeliu wisely avoided the situation early on, so Song Lianghan took Zhong Yeliu's place, pouring tea for his godfather and Yu Wanran.

"Sister Yu, are you here to see Grandpa Lin and the others? Chengya Inkstone Workshop has been set up, and Grandpa Lin and the others are working tirelessly, supervising the workshop workers to make Chengni inkstones. Shall I take you there later?"

Yu Wanran laughed: "Won't this interfere with your studies?"

"Have him show you the way!"

Xue Heyu hurriedly said, "This child has been cooped up at home studying all the time. I've told him to go out and interact with people his own age, but he won't listen! It's a good opportunity to have him accompany you on a trip so he can relax."

Hearing this, Yu Wanran naturally agreed. Having someone lead the way was better than searching blindly on her own.

Xue Heyu sent Song Lianghan out to prepare the carriages and horses. Only when no one was in the guest room did he speak with Yu Wanran about things that were not easy to say in front of others.

"My dear niece, if you encounter any difficulties after opening your workshop, just send someone to me. As long as it's within the De City area, your uncle will take care of it for you!"

"Thank you, Uncle."

Yu Wanran gratefully agreed. The two chatted casually about everyday matters, and Xue Heyu mentioned his daughter, which brought up a wave of sorrow.

"This child has been spoiled by his family. Now that he's come with me to this post, he's very distant from me. He's really a handful!"

Yu Wanran had heard the other party mention this daughter more than once, probably brainwashed by her materialistic mother. It was understandable that her relationship with Xue Heyu and his daughter would become strained.

She didn't want to comment on other people's business, so she comforted the child, saying, "The child is still young; they'll understand when they grow up!"

Xue Heyu frowned deeply.

"She's not young anymore! She's older than Lianghan and Chuxue, and only two years younger than you. How is she young? Let's raise her for another year or two, then find her a good family and send her off. Out of sight, out of mind!"

He was a failure as a husband and father.

Yu Wanran was at a loss for words.

However, this casual conversation reminded Xue Heyu of something.

“My dear niece, I sent someone to deliver a letter to you earlier. You weren't home, and the messenger missed his destination, so the message couldn't reach you in time. I wonder if it's too late to tell you now?”

Seeing his serious demeanor, Yu Wanran became curious.

"Uncle, what happened?"