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

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the servants, in twos and threes, some continued drinking and chatting, while others, already slightly tipsy, prepared to return to their rooms to celebrate the New Year or rest.

Liu Wenying accompanied Granny Tian, ​​who had drunk quite a bit, to the eaves for some fresh air.

The winter night was bitterly cold, but the crackling sound of firecrackers echoed continuously from the streets and alleys in the distance, as there was no curfew on New Year's Eve.

The two stood side by side, gazing at the night sky and listening to the sounds that symbolized bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

Another year has passed...

Granny Tian sighed, her drunken tone tinged with the weariness of life.

"Godmother, have some hot tea to sober up and warm yourself up," Liu Wenying said softly, handing her the teacup in her hand.

Granny Tian took it, sipped it, and the warm liquid flowed down her throat, dispelling the pent-up emotions in her heart.

"By the way, godmother, Cuihua has already gone home to reunite with her family. You're also from the capital, why aren't you going back? Your family...

"Family? Reunion?" Granny Tian interrupted her before she could finish, chuckling to herself as she began to ramble on about her family.

Granny Tian had two sons. Her eldest son had a hard life; he fell ill a few years ago and died young, leaving behind a widowed daughter-in-law to raise her grandson. Life was difficult for her.

The second son is a debt collector, a gambling addict, and a spendthrift who earns one but spends two. His wife is also lazy, good-for-nothing, and short-sighted.

The couple had no skills of their own, so they relied on her, this old woman, to earn a meager monthly salary in the government office to make a living.

You rarely see her, but when you do, all she does is ask for money; she'd rather squeeze every last drop out of this old woman.

She took another big gulp of wine. "Go back? What's the point of going back? To see their faces, all they care about is asking for money? I'd rather stay here in this mansion and have some peace and quiet!"

Liu Wenying was also deeply saddened. It was the first time she had heard Granny Tian recount the family's situation in detail, and she hadn't expected there to be so much suffering involved.

"Godmother..." Liu Wenying didn't know how to comfort her, so she could only gently pat her aged hand.

Granny Tian grasped her hand in return, and, emboldened by the alcohol, spoke more freely.

"Wenying, don't blame me. When you first came to the manor to apply for the job of a wet nurse, I wasn't very nice to you. I was even a bit picky."

Her eyes were somewhat unfocused, as if she had returned to that time.

"It's not that I'm deliberately making things difficult. Firstly, the Duke's mansion is cautious in its personnel selection, especially when it comes to taking care of the young master. It's not something an old woman like me can decide on my own."

Secondly, I'm also afraid. In this large, secluded mansion, people come and go; you can know someone's face but not their heart. I'm afraid of letting a wolf into the house and betraying the First Madam's trust.

Liu Wenying didn't mind the difficulties she had faced back then.

"Godmother is overthinking it. How could I not care?"

"It's good that you don't mind. I didn't expect you to be such a wonderful child, so hardworking, honest, kind-hearted, and intelligent. I misunderstood you before, I'm sorry."

Liu Wenying: "Godmother, please don't say that. If it weren't for your constant care and support, Luo Luo and I would have suffered so much."

"Hey, what are you talking about? Why don't you go inside and warm yourself by the fire? It's so cold outside."

As the two were talking, Xiaozhu suddenly darted out, eagerly barging in and warmly inviting them inside.

"That's true, let's not talk about it now, you should stay warm."

Granny Tian nodded and was about to pull Liu Wenying into the house with the three of them.

Suddenly, Liu Wenying remembered something and took out two small red paper packets that she had prepared beforehand from her bosom.

"Godmother, Xiaozhu, this is a small token of my appreciation, a New Year's gift, to bring you good luck."

Xiao Zhu took the red envelope, squeezed it, and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, I got one too?"

Granny Tian was stunned. Usually, she was at a loss when her unfilial children and grandchildren asked her for money.

"How can I do this? I'm the elder; it's my responsibility to give it to you."

"Godmother, in my hometown, it's not just elders who give New Year's money to younger generations."

When the younger generation grows up and becomes capable, they should also give their elders red envelopes during the Lunar New Year. This is a way of showing filial piety and also a way of blessing them, wishing them health, longevity, and continuous good fortune.

I don't have any relatives, but my godmother treats me like her own daughter. You must accept this small token of my appreciation.

These words were spoken with such sincerity that Granny Tian's heart was warmed upon hearing them.

She had spent most of her life in this household, serving many masters and receiving various rewards.

But this is the first time I've ever received New Year's money so freely and purely out of the younger generation's good wishes and blessings.

"My good child, my good child, from now on you are my true and dearest daughter. If anyone dares to bully you, I will risk my old life to protect you!"

Having arrived alone in a foreign world, how could Liu Wenying not be moved by the fact that someone would offer her heartfelt protection?

"Having a godmother who loves me is the greatest blessing, and so is Xiaozhu. We all need to be well."

Xiao Zhu, who was listening nearby, was also moved and nodded vigorously.

The three looked at each other and smiled. The earlier sighs caused by their respective family backgrounds were all washed away at this moment.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Granny Tian picked up a cup from the side and said, "Come on, let's have another drink to celebrate the New Year."

Liu Wenying smiled and agreed, then picked up the cup next to her.

She didn't notice that when she was talking to Granny Tian, ​​their cups were very close together.

I tilted my head back and took a big gulp. The liquid went down my throat, and a slightly spicy taste rushed up and straight to my head.

"Cough cough cough..." Liu Wenying coughed violently, choked by the cough.

The rice wine is sweet and refreshing, but it has a strong aftereffect. Liu Wenying has a very low alcohol tolerance and is practically a knockout after just one cup.

After just one drink, the alcohol hit me hard, and my cheeks flushed red at a visible speed.

"Oops, you took the wrong one! I drank the water, and you drank my wine!"

When Granny Tian saw her like this, she knew something was wrong and quickly helped her up.

In just a few breaths, Liu Wenying felt dizzy and her ears were ringing. She could hear Xiaozhu and Granny Tian's voices as if they were separated by a layer of water.

"N-nothing...it was just one bite..."

A drunk person will never admit that they are drunk.

Granny Tian, ​​being older and more experienced, decisively said, "Quick, Xiaozhu, bring Luoluo over here. Let's take Wenying back together. Getting drunk is easy; a good night's sleep will make her fine."

Xiao Zhu nodded.

Granny Tian helped Liu Wenying, and Xiao Zhu carried Luo Luo. Amidst the sound of firecrackers, the group left the kitchen and headed towards the southeast corner of the mansion.

The two women helped the staggering Liu Wenying walk along the road. A night breeze blew, and Liu Wenying's stomach churned violently, and her head became even more dizzy. She was practically hanging on Granny Tian.

They passed through the moon gate, and several people were vaguely seen walking towards them from the corridor ahead.

The man in the lead was of elegant and refined appearance. He usually wore plain clothes, but for the New Year he changed into a casual outfit embroidered with gold trim, which made him look even more like a jade mountain, like a snow-capped mountain reflecting the sunset, with a restrained and noble demeanor.

Second Master Pei Zeyu had just come out of the family banquet and was preparing to return to his own courtyard.

Granny Tian and the others immediately stepped aside, waiting for him to leave first.

As he passed by, Pei Zeyu lazily lifted his eyelids and happened to catch a glimpse of Liu Wenying, whose face was flushed and whose eyes were unfocused.

…………