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

Liu Wenying stopped and turned around to wait quietly for Zizhu to finish speaking.

Zizhu's chest heaved, and it took her a long time to calm down. She turned her face away and said shyly, "Never mind."

"What?" Liu Wenying asked uncertainly.

"I said forget it. Since the First Madam has already punished me, let's consider this matter closed. If I mention you again, the Young Madam will have to investigate again, which will only cause more trouble."

She paused, blinked her eyelashes, and said, "Besides... you asked me to go and tell them because you trusted me."

She can only blame her bad luck. If she had mentioned Liu Wenying when she was reaping the credit, she wouldn't have had to shoulder the burden alone when things got tough.

"I've accepted the pastries, and I've accepted your apology. Now go back."

Seeing that her heart was at ease, Liu Wenying couldn't suppress her smile. "It's good that you don't blame me."

"We're all just trying to ease the master's burdens, so what's so strange about it?"

Zizhu looked listless, and Liu Wenying dared not bother her any longer. After bowing, she took her leave.

Watching her departing figure, Zizhu felt a mix of emotions.

She had initially harbored resentment because Liu Wenying had stolen her thunder, but now it seemed that she had been petty and narrow-minded.

If you don't try to take credit, you won't be punished.

However, through this incident, she could see that Nurse Liu was a kind-hearted person and worthy of the Madam's trust.

The winter snow melts, and the spring breeze gradually warms.

The plants in the courtyard sprouted new buds, but the old lady's condition did not improve and she remained bedridden.

Liu Wenying carried the young master to Mingxi Hall, and occasionally stayed behind to help.

Wen Jingshu looked much more haggard.

She cared for the sick with utmost devotion, personally handling everything from washing and turning him over to feeding him medicine and meals.

Second Master Pei Zeyu also comes frequently.

He held a government post in the Ministry of Personnel, and every day after his shift, he would go directly to the old lady's courtyard without fail.

Sometimes he would sit by the couch and read to the old lady for a while, and sometimes he would just sit quietly by her side for half an hour.

It's clear that this second uncle had a truly deep affection for his grandmother.

When he held the old lady's withered hand, his eyes softened as if he were a different person, showing none of the aloofness or indifference he had shown to others.

After that time when she was trapped in the temple, fishing and drinking soup, Pei Zeyu treated her like an ordinary servant.

At first, Liu Wenying was a little uneasy, afraid that he would put on airs, but as time went on, she realized that he had really forgotten, or rather... he didn't care at all.

fair enough.

The room was quiet. Pei Zeyu had just returned from his shift and was telling the old lady about the interesting things that happened outside the mansion.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, accompanied by the steward's urgent report.

"The master is back, and he's brought the imperial physician with him!"

Everyone was taken aback. Wen Jingshu quickly got up, straightened her clothes, and went out to greet them.

Liu Wenying also picked up the little master and stepped aside.

The curtain was lifted, and Pei Dingxuan strode in.

Behind him was an elderly man in his fifties, dressed in the official robes of the Imperial Medical Academy, followed by two young eunuchs carrying medicine chests.

Pei Dingxuan's voice held a rare hint of joy, "His Majesty, upon learning of Grandmother's serious illness, specially ordered Imperial Physician Sun to come and treat her."

Wen Jingshu knelt, unable to hide her excitement, "Your Majesty's grace is boundless. On behalf of my grandmother, I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."

She had been so worried about the old lady's illness these past few days, how could she not be excited to see the imperial physician arrive in person?

Pei Zeyu also stood up solemnly and bowed deeply to Imperial Physician Sun: "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Sun."

Imperial Physician Sun returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Master, Second Master, Madam, you are too kind. This is His Majesty's great favor, and I will do my best to help."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward the inner room behind the screen.

"Please allow me to take your pulse first."

Pei Dingxuan nodded and said to Wen Jingshu and Pei Zeyu, "Let's go to the flower hall to greet our distinguished guest first. Lord Sun needs to be quiet while taking his pulse, so please don't disturb him."

Today, our distinguished guest has arrived with the imperial physician, so the so-called distinguished guest must also be a member of the imperial palace.

As the three left, Pei Dingxuan caught a glimpse of Liu Wenying in the corner.

Liu Wenying noticed the gaze sweeping over her and held her breath.

"You take Ye'er to the flower hall too."

"Yes."

Liu Wenying responded softly and then withdrew.

A warm spring breeze blew under the eaves, and crabapple petals fluttered down.

Inside the flower hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and exquisite tea and snacks were already prepared on the table.

Liu Wenying followed Wen Jingshu inside, where Yu Guogong was sitting opposite a young man in brocade robes, drinking tea.

The young man was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, wearing a dark brocade robe with dark gold python patterns. He had sharp, hawk-like eyes and was listening to the Duke of Yu speak with a smile.

"Father." Pei Dingxuan and Pei Zeyu stepped forward and bowed.

Duke Yu nodded, turned to Xiao Chenlin, and introduced with a smile: "Your Highness, these two are my sons, one works in the Ministry of Justice and the other in the Ministry of Personnel."

"I have long admired the eldest and second young masters of the Pei family for their talent and ability. Seeing them today, I can confirm that their reputation is well-deserved."

The voice was calm and the tone was gentle, but Liu Wenying felt a chill run down her spine for no apparent reason.

She secretly glanced up and observed that the Crown Prince Xiao Chenlin had brown eyes and looked at people with an extremely indifferent gaze, as if he were looking at an unimportant decoration. Deep in his eyes, there was an indescribable coldness.

He's not an easy person to get along with, at least not as humble as he appears.

The two Pei brothers were still flattering and maneuvering towards him.

Pei Zeyu replied calmly, "Your Highness flatters me."

Pei Dingxuan replied calmly, "I was merely fulfilling my duty."

Xiao Chenlin chuckled, "There aren't many people in this world who can fulfill their duties well."

After saying something meaningful, he turned to Duke Yu and started a new conversation.

"His Majesty sent Imperial Physician Sun here because of your dedication to the court. I am merely going along with the flow and saying a few words."

Xiao Chenlin spoke casually, but everyone in the hall knew he was doing them a favor.

Duke Yu quickly cupped his hands in gratitude: "Your Highness is benevolent; this old minister is deeply grateful."

"You flatter me, Your Excellency."

Xiao Chenlin waved his hand, shifting his attention to Wen Jingshu, "This must be the First Madam of the manor? I have heard that the First Madam has been devoted to caring for the sick and is truly commendable for her filial piety."

Wen Jingshu quickly curtsied: "It is my duty, Your Highness. I dare not accept such praise."

Xiao Chenlin nodded, said nothing more, and took a sip of tea.

The crown prince appeared gentle and polite, but every word and every glance carried a condescending scrutiny.

There are no fathers and sons in the imperial family, and no true feelings between them.

His ability to establish himself in the imperial court was not solely due to his status as the eldest son of the legitimate wife.

Not long after the Pei family entertained the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince, having timed it perfectly, returned to the palace.

There was another round of people getting up to see them off.

The masters were extremely respectful, while Liu Wenying stood in the far corner holding Ye'er, her gaze lowered and fixed only on the tips of her plain shoes.

Matters of the court, the Emperor's favor, and the prince's intentions.

It had little to do with her being a wet nurse; protecting the child in her arms and fulfilling her duty was all she needed to do.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and Physician Sun returned.

"My lords, I have already examined the old lady's pulse. She has suffered a stroke for a long time, and her meridians are blocked. This cannot be cleared overnight. She needs long-term care, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and massage. None of these can be omitted."

"His Majesty has decreed that I remain at your residence until the old lady's condition improves. From now on, I will come to check on her pulse and change her prescription every morning and evening."

Duke Yu nodded repeatedly: "Imperial Physician Sun has worked hard. Jing Shu, go and make arrangements. Choose a quiet and elegant courtyard, close to the old lady's residence, so that it will be convenient for Lord Sun to take care of her at any time."

Wen Jingshu bowed and replied, "Daughter-in-law understands."

Having an imperial physician permanently stationed at a minister's residence to provide medical treatment was an immense honor.

Wen Jingshu had other matters to attend to later and couldn't take the child with her, so she turned to Liu Wenying and said, "Why don't you take Ye'er back to rest first?"

"Yes."

Liu Wenying curtsied and carried the young master out.

As she passed by the group of masters, she saw that the eldest master Pei Dingxuan and Imperial Physician Sun exchanged glances briefly, and Imperial Physician Sun seemed to nod slightly.

The strangeness flashed by so quickly it was like an illusion.

Liu Wenying assumed she was seeing things and didn't take it to heart, calmly leaving the flower hall.

…………