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

Liu Wenying held Luoluo in her arms and stood in the plum grove, not entirely to admire the scenery.

Children shouldn't always be confined indoors; they need to be exposed to the outside world frequently in order to gradually build a strong physique.

As long as the timing is right and she isn't exposed to the cold, smelling the fragrance of winter plum blossoms will always be beneficial.

On the contrary, constantly keeping things bottled up makes you more susceptible to illness.

Luo Luo was also attracted by the full bloom of the plum blossoms and reached out her little hand to reach the drooping plum branch.

Liu Wenying hugged her closer, her little fingers gently touching the cold petals and snow, making her gasp softly.

But she didn't cry; she just watched curiously as the snowflakes melted into water.

Liu Wenying helped her wipe the snow water off and breathed warm air on her little hands.

Then she cupped it in her palm and coaxed softly, "Luo Luo, are you cold? Let Mommy warm you up."

As she was focused on her work, Liu Wenying seemed to sense something and turned around to see Pei Dingxuan standing a few steps away.

The figure in black blended into the gnarled plum tree behind him, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

Liu Wenying was puzzled, but she lowered her eyelashes and bowed, "Sir."

They would assume it was a chance encounter, and after exchanging greetings, the old man would leave on his own.

However, Pei Dingxuan actually started walking towards her.

One step, two steps, three steps.

As he drew closer, an invisible sense of oppression followed.

Liu Wenying involuntarily stepped back, her back almost touching the trunk of the plum tree.

It's unclear why this usually dignified old man would show such an expression.

It's like I'm disappointed in her?

Pei Dingxuan stopped in front of her, so close that she could clearly smell the crisp, pine-like scent emanating from him.

"Are you seeking a marriage partner?"

What does that mean? Liu Wenying was stunned.

Seeing that she remained silent and stunned, Pei Dingxuan's tone became increasingly cold and hard, even carrying a hint of mockery.

"Are they that desperate for men?"

His tone was very contemptuous, which would make anyone uncomfortable.

Liu Wenying has always lived cautiously with Luo Luo and has never had any improper thoughts. Why should he question her with such unpleasant words?

A surge of hot blood rushed to his head, overriding his usual respect and obedience.

"Whether this servant lacks a man or not is none of your business, sir."

But as soon as she said it, she regretted it.

Having already offended Third Master, we cannot contradict First Master now.

The old man is always serious and in charge of criminal justice; she must be blind to dare to defy him.

"This servant misspoke, that's not what I meant, please forgive me, sir!"

However, the other party seemed unwilling to listen to her explanation, and a yellow object was thrown into her arms, without any deviation.

"Put your things away safely."

Pei Dingxuan still showed no sign of calming down, and after speaking, he turned and left.

Liu Wenying grabbed the yellow talisman and then felt the hidden pocket in her sleeve, but it was empty.

She then realized that she must have accidentally lost the marriage charm at the First Madam's place.

Unexpectedly, an old man found it and... brought it back.

The marriage charm contains Xiaozhu's name and birth date. Xiaozhu trusted her and that's why she told her. What if someone else finds it? How should she face Xiaozhu?

While feeling fortunate, Liu Wenying also felt a touch of awkwardness that was hard to describe.

Regardless of the old man's character, he helped her find her things, so she should thank him.

Seeing the figure in black about to disappear around the corner of the plum grove path, Liu Wenying didn't have time to think and hugged Luo Luo tightly as she chased after him.

"Sir, please wait!"

She called out, her voice slightly breathless as she carried the child and walked quickly.

Pei Dingxuan paused for a moment, but instead of stopping, he quickened his pace.

Liu Wenying was anxious and quickened her pace.

The path was already slippery from the snow, and with Luo Luo in her arms, she trudged along, struggling to find her footing.

Hearing the persistent running behind him, Pei Dingxuan frowned and slowed down slightly.

Seeing that the distance had been reduced considerably, Liu Wenying was overjoyed and tried even harder to move forward.

Just as they were about to catch up, their feet were suddenly tripped by tree branches buried in the snow.

"what!"

Liu Wenying lost her balance, but her maternal instincts made her protect her child tightly, even at the cost of falling to the ground sideways.

This fall will likely result in a broken arm.

At the critical moment, a strong arm firmly embraced her waist.

With his other hand, he quickly grabbed her arm as she was holding the child, managing to keep her from falling.

Still shaken, Liu Wenying looked up and met Pei Dingxuan's face, which was inches away from hers.

Once he had regained his footing, Pei Dingxuan immediately let go.

"What are you doing here?"

Liu Wenying composed herself, thankfully Luo Luo in her arms wasn't frightened.

She curtsied to Pei Dingxuan, "This servant has come to thank you, sir. Thank you for helping me find my lost item."

She bit her lip and lowered her voice even further, "Just now, I spoke rudely and disrespected you, sir. It was my fault."

Does she value it that much?

He almost tripped and fell while chasing after me to thank me for the talisman.

Is the man shortage really that bad?

Pei Dingxuan pursed his thin lips into a thin line, about to turn and leave.

Liu Wenying said just as he was about to take a step, "This marriage charm is very important to Xiaozhu. She will be of marriageable age next year. If it is lost, I will have no words to face her."

The wind and snow seemed to stop for a moment, and Pei Dingxuan's raised foot fell, rooted to the spot.

"The marriage charm you got for Xiaozhu?"

"Yes, Xiaozhu is kind and trustworthy, so I agreed to help her with this favor."

Upon learning that the talisman was not for her own request, Pei Dingxuan's frustration immediately dissipated.

He shook his head with a self-deprecating smile. "I see. I won't hold your earlier argument against you. Go back now."

Liu Wenying didn't move, and carefully spoke: "There is one more thing I would like to tell you, Master."

Pei Dingxuan listened quietly.

"My marriage is my own decision."

She was responding to Pei Dingxuan's earlier comment that she "lacked a man."

One moment they say they're being disrespectful and need to apologize, the next they're stating their position with great conviction.

She...is opinionated yet knows her limits.

Pei Dingxuan felt delighted, and his tone became unusually gentle.

"I understand. You can decide your own affairs. Go back now, don't let the child get cold."

Liu Wenying bowed to express her gratitude and carried Luo Luo towards the meditation room.

After taking a few steps, I couldn't help but turn back.

Pei Dingxuan still stood under the plum tree, his black robe contrasting against the white snow and red plum blossoms, his figure imposing.

She shook her head; the old man was truly unpredictable.

One second he's as cold as ice, the next he's all smiles, making him truly unpredictable.

At night, the large dormitory-style room in Yunshuiliao was filled with snoring, occasionally interspersed with a few indistinct murmurs in sleep.

Liu Wenying slept in the corner against the wall, with Luo Luo fast asleep beside her.

In the new environment, Liu Wenying was a light sleeper, tossing and turning for a long time before finally feeling a little sleepy.

Not long after, my lower abdomen felt slightly bloated, probably because I had some soup in the evening.

Helpless, she had no choice but to carefully lift the thick quilt, grope for her outer clothes, and tiptoe off the communal bed towards the washroom outside.

The night wind was biting, making her shiver.

After relieving herself, she was about to hurry back to the house when, just as she reached the shaded area under the eaves, a hand suddenly reached out and grabbed her.

…………