Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

The carriage came to a stop in front of the pharmacy. Before her attendants could bring over a sedan chair, Liu Wenying saw that the carriage shaft was not far from the ground and jumped down.

She rushed to the closed door of the pharmacy and slammed her hand on the door repeatedly.

"Doctor! Open the door, save the child!"

There was a rustling sound from inside the door. A young apprentice, still sleepy-eyed, poked his head out and mumbled something.

Liu Wenying didn't bother to explain. She squeezed through the crack in the door and slipped in, quickly describing Luo Luo's symptoms and taking out the prescription from the physician.

The young apprentice quickly went to fetch the medicine; the pharmacy also offered to decoct medicine, as long as the money was sufficient.

The wait for the medicine to be decocted felt exceptionally long.

The medicine pot on the stove bubbled and bubbled, and the bitter aroma of the medicine gradually spread, causing Liu Wenying's tense heartstrings to relax slightly.

Only then did I realize that a chill was creeping in from all directions. I was so anxious that I hadn't even noticed how bone-chilling the night was.

Liu Wenying was only wearing an outer garment, and the night wind seeped in through the cracks in the door and windows, making her shiver involuntarily.

Just then, a heavy cloak fell down without warning, carrying the subtle scent of fine spices.

The cloak was made of the finest material, and it felt warm and cozy as soon as it was put on.

Liu Wenying turned her head in surprise. Pei Dingxuan's face was cold and stern, with a serious expression between his brows, showing little emotion.

"There's a spare one in the carriage; wear this for now."

His voice was low and steady, revealing little concern.

Liu Wenying was not one to feign modesty; with the weather cold and her child sick, any refusal would be considered pretentious.

He then pulled the cloak, which still carried his scent, tighter around himself, nodded, and whispered, "Thank you, sir."

The cloak kept out the cold, and my body gradually warmed up.

The medicine was finally ready. Liu Wenying personally tested the temperature before slowly feeding it to the child.

The bitter taste of the medicine made Luo Luo squirm and cry uncomfortably, but Liu Wenying's feeding technique was skillful and didn't take much effort.

Perhaps the medicine was working, because the child stopped crying so desperately.

Liu Wenying's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally felt a little more at ease.

After taking the remaining few doses of medicine that had been wrapped up, Liu Wenying walked out of the pharmacy.

The carriage was waiting quietly outside the door. This time, she stepped onto the footstool and quietly got into the carriage.

Inside the car, Pei Dingxuan remained silent, closing his eyes to rest.

Liu Wenying had no intention of disturbing her, and simply changed the sleeping Luo Luo into a more comfortable position to hold her.

The return journey was slower than the outward journey, with the wheels creaking as they rolled over withered branches and fallen leaves.

When the carriage reached the main street, which was two alleys away from the Duke's mansion, it was suddenly stopped by a group of Imperial Guards carrying torches and halberds.

The flickering firelight illuminated the armor and halberd blades, making them appear cold, sharp, and menacing.

Liu Wenying looked through the crack in the car window and her heart tightened.

The laws of the time were harsh; after the curfew, anyone not allowed to walk at night could be executed in the street.

As a wet nurse, if I were caught, I fear...

Thinking of this, a chill ran up from the soles of my feet, even more so than when I was freezing in the pharmacy.

The coachman had stopped the carriage and was negotiating with the Imperial Guards outside.

A short while later, someone knocked on the side of the carriage from the outside.

Pei Dingxuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and remained calm and composed, showing no panic.

He took out an ebony token from his pocket, its edges inlaid with gold thread, and handed it out through the carriage window.

The sound of guards checking tokens came from outside, and then they respectfully said, "So it's Lord Pei. Please forgive my rudeness and allow me to pass!"

The carriage slowly started moving again, and Pei Dingxuan had already taken back the token and closed his eyes.

The journey home was quiet, and Liu Wenying dared not disturb them, only secretly observing them.

His brow was slightly furrowed, and his usually straight shoulders and back showed signs of relaxation, with a lingering weariness between his brows.

It must be because he was busy in the court during the day and running around for her affairs late at night that he was so tired.

The lady and the gentleman are both wonderful people...

The carriage came to a smooth stop outside the Duke's mansion. Liu Wenying, holding the sleeping Luo Luo, carefully got out of the carriage.

She asked the doorman to help her carry Luo Luo, then took off her cloak, folded it neatly, and held it in her hands.

"Thank you for your help late at night, sir. I will remember this kindness and will do my best to take care of you and the young master in the future to repay your kindness."

She cannot accept men's clothing like this.

Pei Dingxuan took the cloak, which carried her body heat and the incense had become infused with a milky scent.

She attributed his help entirely to something else, and a strange bitterness inexplicably swept through her heart.

What she remembered was gratitude, repayment, and the bond between master and servant.

But what he wants is much more than that.

However, she suppressed all her emotions and said, "Well, it's late, you should go back now."

Liu Wenying thanked him again, hugged Luo Luo, and walked down the opposite path from him.

Back in his room, he hadn't slept for more than two hours before he had to go to Tinglan Courtyard for his shift.

Liu Wenying's eyes were bloodshot, and she suppressed the urge to yawn several times.

But Wen Jingshu noticed her unusual expression. "You don't look well today. Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Liu Wenying answered truthfully: "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Luoluo suddenly developed a fever last night, and I took her out of the manor to seek medical treatment."

Upon hearing this, Wen Jingshu's concern deepened: "Such a serious matter as your child's illness, why didn't you send someone to inform me? It's so dangerous for you to go out alone with the child in the middle of the night."

Liu Wenying was touched. "It's late at night, and this servant dares not disturb you, Madam."

Some things must be faced with equanimity. The incident with the old man last night was witnessed by the gatekeeper and known to the driver. In a large, secluded mansion, there are no walls that cannot be sealed off.

Rather than letting others spread rumors and cause resentment in the First Madam's heart, it's better to say it openly and honestly now.

Liu Wenying had already made up her mind to distance herself from the male masters of the mansion and not to arouse any suspicion.

So she continued gently, "Last night when I was about to leave the manor, I met you, sir. Fortunately, you helped me and I was able to get the medicine in time, which is why I am alright."

After saying that, she added, "Master is kind and considerate to his servants, and Madam, you are also a kind and compassionate mistress who treats us servants with great kindness. It is my good fortune to be able to work in Tinglan Courtyard and to be looked after by you and Master."

She spoke frankly, naturally praising Pei Dingxuan, and also remembered Wen Jingshu, handling the situation with perfect composure.

Wen Jingshu nodded after hearing this and praised her for speaking so tactfully.

"Because of his position in the Ministry of Justice, he deals with documents, laws, and even some shady and treacherous matters every day, which inevitably makes him develop a serious demeanor."

Let alone you servants, even when I first met him after marrying into the family, I was startled by his cold and stern demeanor.

She paused for a moment, then turned her gaze to a yellow plum tree outside the window, its blossoms just beginning to open. Her eyes were distant as she recalled some old memories.

"But as time went on, people realized that he was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He was very sentimental and nostalgic, and he was also very responsible. He was just not used to expressing it in words."

Wen Jingshu's words didn't contain much of the romantic intimacy between husband and wife; they were more like the understanding and recognition that comes from years of getting along.

Liu Wenying lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, not daring to comment too much on the male master of the mansion, and simply went along with the conversation.

"Madam has a discerning eye and is very good at recognizing people. Master's character is a blessing for Madam and for the entire household."

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