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

As dawn broke through the window, the snow-white light reflected on the bed.

Pei Yaojun's eyelashes trembled slightly, but he didn't open them. The warmth and softness in his arms made him involuntarily hug her tighter again.

"cough……"

The woman coughed lightly, disturbing his sweet dream.

Wait, how could he hear a woman's voice?

Pei Yaojun suddenly opened his eyes. In his arms was Liu Wenying, whom he had held all night, who was now staring at him coldly.

He hurriedly let go and coughed awkwardly.

The moment consciousness returned, all the events of last night flooded into my mind.

The charming smile of the girl from Mianyue Pavilion, the ambiguous smiles of her cronies, that glass of emerald wine, and... the lingering kiss on the soft couch.

"Third Master is awake?"

Liu Wenying's voice came from the side, calm and emotionless.

Pei Yaojun wanted to say something, but found his throat too dry to make a sound.

Embarrassment clung to him like vines; his uncontrolled demands and humble pleas from the previous night had turned into burning shame, so intense that he wished he could faint.

"I..." He opened his mouth, but only managed to utter a single syllable.

Liu Wenying slowly sat up.

She straightened her disheveled clothes and dressed neatly, but Pei Yaojun still noticed the redness and swelling on her right wrist.

It's all his fault for being too indulgent...

"Now that you're awake, Third Master, let's settle the bill."

Pei Yaojun was taken aback: "Checkout?"

Liu Wenying smoothed her hair in front of the bronze mirror beside her. "Yes, I helped Third Master last night. According to the rules of Mianyue Pavilion, I should receive a reward, shouldn't I?"

These words were like a slap in the face to Pei Yaojun.

He sat up abruptly, the blanket slipped off, revealing several thin red marks on his chest.

"Liu Wenying, what do you take me for? A client of a john?"

Liu Wenying finally turned around and looked him straight in the eye. "Third Master is a privileged young man in the capital, a dragon among men. What's a single night spent in a brothel?"

Perhaps her words were too inappropriate, so Liu Wenying curtsied as an apology.

"Besides, I just think that since what happened last night has already occurred, it would be better to set a price and settle the transaction directly to avoid future trouble."

What did she do wrong?

After a rich young man has his way with a respectable young woman, doesn't he just think he can get away with it by giving her a few pieces of silver?

She simply did what they would have done ahead of time.

"Third Master ruined my clothes last night, so he should compensate me, shouldn't he?"

He was too anxious last night and had no patience when he was untying her clothes. He tore off one of her belts, but luckily there was another one left.

Enraged, Pei Yaojun laughed, his face extremely ugly. "You certainly know how to keep accounts."

"People who live frugally naturally need to be careful with their money." Liu Wenying lowered her eyes.

How much do you want?

"Six hundred taels."

"Okay, I'll give it to you when we get back."

"The transaction is complete. Please forget about last night, Third Master. After we return to the manor, you will still be Third Master, and I will still be your wet nurse."

Her nonchalant and indifferent attitude was like a dull knife cutting into Pei Yaojun's heart.

Forgot?

Can he truly forget the warmth of her body, the way he buried his face in her neck, the way he savored the soft flesh with his teeth?

Pei Yaojun suddenly felt a void in his chest, as if a cold wind was blowing into it.

"You really want to distance yourself from this?"

Liu Wenying didn't answer. She walked to the table and picked up the rabbit lamp she had bought for Luo Luo last night.

The candles had long since burned out, but the design was still exquisite.

"It's almost dawn. This servant reminds Third Master that it's time to go back, lest he be punished by the Duke for staying too late."

After saying that, she picked up the rabbit lantern and unlatched the door.

A morning breeze swept in, stirring the hem of her plain-colored skirt.

She didn't turn around and walked straight out.

Pei Yaojun lay frozen on the bed, the events of last night feeling like an absurd dream.

When I woke up, nothing was left.

No, it stayed.

Several red marks on his chest, and a hollow ache in his heart.

Footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

Chen Jinrui pushed the door open and came in, a smug smile on his face.

"Hey, you're awake? How was it? Pretty good, bro? That medicine was some good stuff from the Western Regions. It keeps you virile all night, allowing you to enjoy yourself to the fullest while remembering everything perfectly!"

Pei Yaojun raised his head, his eyes as cold as ice in the twelfth lunar month, filled with murderous intent.

"Come here."

Chen Jinrui felt a chill run down his spine, but he still leaned forward with a grin, "What's wrong? Not satisfied yet? I saw that maid walk out with such steady steps, you wouldn't happen to...?"

Before he could finish his sarcastic remark, a heavy punch landed squarely on his face.

Chen Jinrui staggered backward, bumping into the antique shelf, and the porcelain vase shattered on the ground.

He covered his slapped face, incredulous. "Pei Yaojun! You're insane!"

Pei Yaojun stepped off the bed shirtless, his figure tall and outstanding, his thin skin with smooth lines, but his eyes seemed to want to devour people alive.

"You treated me well last night, so I should 'thank' you properly, shouldn't I?"

After saying that, he delivered several more heavy punches, causing Chen Jinrui to howl in pain.

……

Before daybreak, Liu Wenying returned to the Duke's mansion.

Climbing over the wall was out of the question; she couldn't climb up by herself, so she had to use the side gate.

When she slipped back into the mansion through the side gate, she didn't forget to slip a few silver ingots into the gatekeeper's hand.

"I was out having fun on the Lantern Festival last night and came home late. Please excuse me, sir, as if you didn't see me."

The gatekeeper weighed the silver in his hand, then smiled broadly and agreed.

Liu Wenying breathed a sigh of relief, dodged the servants who were sweeping in the early morning, and quickly returned to her room.

She closed the door, leaned against it, and finally let out a long breath.

A night of absurdity, now, seems as distant as a lifetime ago when I look back.

Only the lingering soreness in her body and the red, swollen marks hidden by her sleeves reminded her of what had actually happened last night.

She placed the rabbit lantern on the table and then went to look at Luo Luo.

It was still early, and Luo Luo was sleeping soundly, quiet and well-behaved.

Liu Wenying changed into clean clothes, washed and groomed herself, and planned to go to Tinglan Courtyard for her shift.

Just as I finished tidying up, I heard footsteps outside the door.

"Wenying, open the door."

It's Granny Tian.

Why is she looking for me so early?

Liu Wenying, filled with doubt, opened the door and asked, "Godmother?"

Granny Tian looked her up and down, and seeing that she was alright, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She had just returned from running errands and saw Liu Wenying's back as she passed through the side gate. She thought she was seeing things, but when she followed her, she realized it was her.

As a wet nurse, she couldn't possibly have any work to do, such as going out to buy things.

Her appearance at the side gate so early only means that she went out last night and is only now returning.

Tell me the truth, where did you go last night?

"I……"

Liu Wenying was in a state of confusion. After thinking for a moment, she decided to tell the truth, "I was with Third Master last night."

Even though Granny Tian was used to seeing all sorts of things, she was still startled. "What?"

Liu Wenying recounted in detail, "Last night, Third Master dragged me to the lantern festival. On the way, I met Third Master's friend, the young master of the Chen family, and they dragged me to the Mianyue Pavilion."

They made a fuss and forced Third Master to drink... some kind of wine, and this servant..."

She didn't say what came next explicitly, but it was self-evident.

There are no secrets in the world. Granny Tian is her godmother, so she should speak out so that she can be prepared for any future events.

Upon learning what had happened the previous night, Granny Tian gasped and had to hold onto the door frame to steady herself.

She looked around to make sure no one was there, then pushed Liu Wenying into the house and closed the door.

Granny Tian held Liu Wenying's hand and asked solemnly and cautiously, "Tell me honestly, do you want to... rise to a higher social status and become a phoenix?"

…………