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

After Madam Pei returned, the rules in the mansion became stricter.

The most important thing is to regularly check on one's health at dawn and dusk.

Since Madam Pei had given the order, now that she had returned to the mansion, her daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law were obligated to continue their daily greetings.

Apart from the ailing Fourth Lady Pei Rongyue, the Duchess, the First Lady, the Second Lady, and Lady Liang from the West Courtyard were exempted.

Every day at the beginning of the morning, they were required to go to the main hall of Mingxi Hall to pay their respects to the old lady.

For Madam Pei, the First Madam, and the Second Madam, although it was an added matter, they were used to it.

But for Liang, who was used to the relaxed atmosphere in the west courtyard, it was a miserable experience.

Every day before dawn, Madam Liang would struggle to get up, braving the biting cold wind, and walk from the west courtyard where she was staying, through most of the Duke's mansion, to Mingxi Hall.

She could grit her teeth and persevere once or twice, but after several days, she felt as if all the bones in her body were falling apart.

This is just one example.

Since Madam Pei was brought back by the Duke and his wife, she naturally heard rumors of Madam Liang's domineering behavior in the mansion.

Now, under the guise of morning and evening greetings, they are openly and secretly tormenting Liang.

But the squabbles were all over trivial matters, nothing more than taking back the troubles that Liang had caused to the servants of the Duke's mansion.

At first, Liang would try to defend herself by saying a few words, or she would vent her anger by smashing things in the west courtyard afterwards.

But gradually, she noticed that even the servants in the West Courtyard had become lazy and perfunctory, and although the old lady didn't say much, her gaze toward her had become increasingly cold.

Madam Liang suddenly realized that the old lady was using the pretext of etiquette and filial piety to avenge the Duchess and the First Madam.

She was furious, but had no way to retaliate at the moment, and the younger generation she brought along was also cowardly.

The old lady was very shrewd; the woman had no way to express her grievances and nowhere to file a complaint.

After seven or eight days, Madam Liang was exhausted, both physically and mentally, and felt the same way the First Madam had felt.

On this day, when paying her respects, Madam Liang could no longer hold back and forced herself to curtsy to the old lady.

"Mother, your daughter-in-law has been a great trouble to your home for many days, and I am truly grateful for her kindness. With the end of the year approaching, there are many things to do at home in Jiangnan, and it is not right for the household to be without a housewife to manage things for so long."

Therefore, the daughter-in-law plans to take the children and head south tomorrow, hoping that by rushing, they can return home before New Year's Eve.

The old lady put down her teacup, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Since family matters are so important, I cannot insist that you stay. Take care on your journey, and please give my regards to Chenghan."

There was no attempt to persuade him to stay, no polite formalities.

Despite the humiliation, Madam Liang quickly replied, "Yes, I will definitely pass on the message."

And that's how it was settled.

That day, Madam Liang directed the servants to pack their luggage, and the next morning, before dawn, she left the Duke of Yu's mansion with her family.

When the news reached Tinglan Courtyard, Wen Jingshu was enjoying a bowl of rock sugar bird's nest soup.

Liu Wenying was also present when Liang resigned that day, but she still couldn't help but laugh when she heard Zizhu's animated description.

Wen Jingshu also showed a relieved smile.

"Nanny Liu, you probably didn't notice when you were taking care of the young master. The day she said she was going back, her face was pale and bluish, her eyes were darting around, and she was forcing herself to give that excuse. I'm afraid even she didn't believe it herself. It was just too funny."

Liu Wenying listened silently to Zizhu's words, her hands never ceasing their efforts to soothe the young master.

"It's good that you're gone; now Madam can focus on recuperating."

"Yes, it's good that they're gone." Wen Jingshu breathed a long sigh of relief.

She looked at Liu Wenying's calm and meticulous appearance. Although her idea of ​​feigning illness a few days ago did not directly lead to Liang's departure, it did allow her to avoid Liang's sharp edge.

This inadvertently facilitated her mother-in-law's subsequent torment, causing Liang to back down more quickly.

Wen Jingshu was in a good mood, and her tone was even gentler. "Wenying, you've been worrying a lot these past few days. I noticed that the clothes you're wearing were made in early autumn, and the color is faded."

She gestured to Zizhu with her chin.

"Go and fetch my newly acquired lotus-root-colored brocade, as well as the two pairs of red-gold clove earrings in the box, and give them to Wenying as a reward. Also, have the embroidery workshop staff come and take measurements for both her and Luoluo, so that they can make two new outfits before the New Year."

Liu Wenying was flattered and overwhelmed. "Your Majesty's reward is too generous for this servant to accept."

"You deserve it. Get up, there'll be plenty of work to do after the New Year."

After the Liang family left, life at the Duke of Yu's mansion returned to its usual rhythm.

Just before New Year's Eve, the underground heating system in the mansion was also turned on.

Inside the warm pavilion of Tinglan Courtyard, a thick brocade quilt was laid on the kang (a heated brick bed), and two small figures were sitting side by side on it.

The baby on the left is wearing a royal blue jacket. He is almost seven months old and is full of energy after some time of recuperation.

On the right is Luo Luo, wearing a light blue cotton-padded jacket. She is three months older than Pei Yexuan, with a round face and eyes that look just like Liu Wenying's, clear and quiet.

The two little ones sat together; one was chubby and fair-skinned, while the other was fair-skinned, cute, and serene.

Ye'er was lively and active, holding a cloth tiger in her hand, and occasionally trying to touch the slightly older cloth sheep that Luo Luo was holding.

Luo Luo was much quieter, just sitting obediently and letting Ye'er touch her.

Two exquisitely beautiful babies sat side by side, the scene resembling a chubby baby full of blessings under the seat of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Wen Jingshu leaned against the pillow on the other side of the kang table, her gentle gaze shifting between the two children, a smile playing on her lips.

Liu Wenying stood by the kang (a heated brick bed), watching to make sure the child didn't fall off.

"Ah! Mother... Mother..."

Ye'er suddenly dropped the cloth tiger and shouted incoherently.

"Oh, Mother's here."

Wen Jingshu hugged the child and kissed him on the cheek.

"Our Ye'er is so smart, he can even call her 'Mother' now."

Ye'er received the praise and looked at Luo Luo beside her, making babbling sounds, as if inviting her to play together or showing off that she could talk.

Luo Luo remained silent, her large, clear eyes wide open, her small mouth slightly agape, offering no response.

Seeing Luo Luo's appearance, Liu Wenying felt a surge of anxiety.

Actually, Luo Luo is a bit older than the little master, but apart from crying when she's hungry, wet, sick, or uncomfortable, she rarely makes any clear sounds.

She is usually quiet and well-behaved, never crying or making a fuss, which is heartbreaking.

Liu Wenying knew that, normally, children start speaking at different times, and some children don't start speaking until they are over a year old.

As long as Luo Luo has sharp ears and bright eyes, there's nothing to worry about.

It's okay. Luo Luo is her child, her only concern in this world. What difference does it make if she comes to her senses sooner or later?

Liu Wenying smiled and reached out to smooth the soft, fine hairs on her forehead.

Her daughter, Luo Luo, couldn't speak, but she had thick, black hair that grew quickly—how lovely!

As her fingers left her forehead, Luo Luo suddenly made a sound.

"Cool, dear..."

The child's tender voice was like the first tender bud breaking through the soil in spring.

…………