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

As soon as the little girl uttered her crisp words, Liu Wenying's ears burned with heat.

She hurriedly waved her hands, "Don't talk nonsense, I'm just a servant in the manor..."

Before she could finish speaking, a fair hand reached out to block her way.

Pei Yaojun strolled over, the hem of his deep red cloud-patterned robe fluttering in the lamplight.

He leaned down slightly, looking at the bewildered He'er, a warm smile playing on his lips.

"The lamp is beautiful, and the words are auspicious. Go on, but be careful not to burn your hands."

The woman thanked them repeatedly, then led her overjoyed daughter into the crowd.

Once they were out of sight, Liu Wenying turned to look at the man beside her who was sitting there leisurely.

In the dim light, his face was strikingly handsome, yet a cynical smile always lingered at the corners of his lips.

"Why did you stop me from explaining just now, Third Master? I am but a lowly servant, so it is fine, but I was afraid of tarnishing your noble status."

Pei Yaojun raised an eyebrow and glanced at him sideways with his peach blossom eyes. "That little girl sincerely wished us well, and you rushed over to explain, isn't that just telling her she's wrong? On such a festive day, you have no tolerance at all."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over her slightly pursed lips, his smile deepening. "Besides, if people mistake us for a couple, I'm the one who'll suffer. I accept it, so why are you in such a hurry?"

Liu Wenying was speechless, choked by this counterattack.

She had been thinking of thanking him for solving the riddle, but now that feeling of gratitude was completely gone.

"Third Master, you're a silver-tongued shrew; I can't argue with you."

Pei Yaojun didn't take her words, which were ostensibly complimentary but actually derogatory, to heart. Looking at her puffed-up profile and her ears, which were reddened by the lantern light like ripe cherries, Pei felt a strange itch in his heart.

He resisted the urge to reach out and pinch it, and stepped forward: "Let's go, there are even prettier lights ahead. Are you going to stand here all night?"

The two followed the flow of people forward, and the noise of the long street gradually subsided.

Ahead lay the moat, its surface shimmering like scattered gold, dotted with floating river lanterns.

A gentle evening breeze carried a touch of cool, moist air.

Pei Yaojun casually picked up a mask from a street stall. It was a mask of a demon god with a blue face and fangs. He held it up to her as if to scare her.

"Third Master, I'm not a three-year-old child..."

If you want to scare her, practice for another three to five years.

"Alright, I won't scare you. Today is my coming-of-age ceremony, which is also my birthday. You haven't given me a birthday gift yet."

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is Master Pei's birthday, and the mansion is holding a grand celebration this year, with each branch of the family sending gifts.

But as a wet nurse and a servant, she had neither prepared in advance nor had the right to give it as a gift.

"Third Master is joking. What treasures does the manor not have? How could it lack such a small token of my appreciation?"

"That's different."

Pei Yaojun tossed the mask back onto the stall and walked beside her, the lamplight reflecting a flickering light in his eyes: "What's wrong, reluctant to part with the money? You took a whole five from me last time..."

"Third Master."

Liu Wenying stopped and took a breath. She was truly at a loss when faced with his shameless appearance.

"You, a master, are begging for gifts from your servants? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at if word gets out?"

Pei Yaojun clicked his tongue and suddenly leaned closer.

Liu Wenying stepped back, her back pressed against the bridge railing.

His tall figure stood before them, while the murmuring river flowed behind them; there was nowhere to retreat.

"Just tell me whether you'll give it to me or not?"

too close.

I was so close I could see the faint shadows cast by his eyelashes under his eyes.

"The gift...this servant will deliver it."

She turned her head away, avoiding his gaze, and said, "I only ask that Third Master make way for me."

Pei Yaojun straightened up with satisfaction.

Liu Wenying walked away quickly and noticed a vendor not far away selling a basket of river lanterns. She went over, picked out a lotus lantern, paid a copper coin, and handed it to Pei Yaojun.

"This is it?" Pei Yaojun asked with disdain.

"It's a small gift but carries great sentiment. If you, Third Master, find it distasteful, please return it to me."

It's still three coins, after all.

Pei Yaojun withdrew his hand. "Well, it's better than nothing."

The two walked to a less crowded area downstream.

Groups of men and women were already releasing lanterns along the riverbank, their warm glow drifting downstream like a galaxy fallen from the sky.

Liu Wenying helped him light the wick.

The candlelight shone in the center of the lotus, casting a warm glow on the paper petals.

She gently placed the lantern into the water, and before it drifted away, whispered, "Make a wish quickly."

Pei Yaojun squatted on the shore and respectfully closed his eyes.

Liu Wenying also released a river lantern for herself and closed her eyes as well.

The new year is peaceful, and the road ahead is bright.

I do not seek wealth or marriage; I only wish for peace and prosperity in the years to come, and for a bright future ahead.

"What did you wish for?"

Liu Wenying opened her eyes and saw Pei Yaojun looking at her with his head turned to the side, his eyes reflecting the thousands of lights on the river.

She stood up, brushed the dust off her skirt, and said, "It won't work if I say it out loud."

"Stingy." Pei Yaojun also stood up.

"What did Third Master wish for?" Liu Wenying asked in return.

Pei Yaojun mimicked her tone: "It won't work if you say it out loud~"

Liu Wenying choked for a moment and turned her face away.

This person is truly unwilling to suffer even the slightest loss.

After releasing the lotus lanterns, Liu Wenying took a fancy to a rabbit lantern and decided to buy it and bring it back to Luoluo.

Seeing that it was almost time, and that Master Pei was tired from walking around, the two decided to head back.

Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves came from afar.

"Yaojun!"

Several fine horses blocked the way, led by a young man in brocade robes who was clearly acquainted with Pei Yaojun. He was Chen Jinrui, the eldest son of the Vice Minister.

Behind him followed three or five playboys, all of them bleary-eyed and clearly just came from a tavern.

Although the area is sparsely populated, riding horses in the bustling city is still a violation of the law, yet they seem completely unconcerned, suggesting they come from an extraordinary family.

Pei Yaojun hadn't expected to run into them. "What is it? I was just about to return to my residence."

"Your coming-of-age celebration is a joyous occasion; how can you return home so early?"

Chen Jinrui dismounted, reeking of alcohol. "We brothers have prepared a feast at Mianyue Pavilion, waiting especially for you! Come on, come on, today we'll show you what true paradise is!"

As they spoke, Chen Jinrui's gaze fell upon Liu Wenying beside him, and his eyes lit up. "Oh, is this your new maid? She's quite pretty. Take her with you!"

Liu Wenying lowered her head, "This servant is a wet nurse in the Duke's mansion, and it is inconvenient for me to accompany you."

Men who have money tend to indulge in debauchery, from the highest social classes to the lowest commoners; she doesn't want to follow that path.

Chen Jinrui laughed and reached out to pull her, "A wet nurse? A wet nurse is even better! She's the best at taking care of people! Today is Third Master Pei's birthday, do you dare disobey?"

Before his hand could even touch Liu Wenying's sleeve, Liu Wenying dodged it.

Her dodging posture was clever; it looked like she was taking a small step, afraid of being bumped by passersby.

Fortunately, Chen Jinrui had drunk quite a bit and didn't mind.

"Yaojun, you wouldn't even give your brother this much face, would you?"

Several spoiled young men also gathered around, chattering and making a ruckus.

Pei Yaojun glanced at them, then suddenly laughed, "Alright, since you all are so kind, let's go and have a seat."

…………