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

Tinglan Courtyard.

The afternoon sun was warm and gentle, and life was peaceful and serene.

Liu Wenying helped Pei Yexuan practice walking on the thick carpet.

The little one is almost a year old now, just at the age where he's learning to walk. His little legs are still unsteady, and he wobbles a bit.

She bent slightly, gently supporting his armpits with both hands, and coaxed softly, "My little master is so good, take a few more steps..."

Pei Yexuan grinned, revealing a few small teeth, and took a few unsteady steps forward.

Wen Jingshu sat on the couch by the window, holding an account book in her hand. Seeing that the child had passed away peacefully, a gentle smile appeared on her lips.

Just then, Zizhu entered from the outer room with light footsteps.

"Madam, there's news from Mingxi Hall."

Wen Jingshu's expression turned serious. She put down the account book and said to the other maids standing in the room, "You may all leave now. Wait outside."

The maids responded and withdrew.

Seeing that they were about to talk, Liu Wenying picked up Pei Yexuan and prepared to leave.

"Wenying, stay. I trust you. There's no need to hide anything."

"Yes." Liu Wenying put Pei Yexuan back on the carpet and continued to help him learn to walk.

Zizhu then lowered her voice and continued to report.

"Our people who went to Mingxi Hall said that Imperial Physician Sun was indeed recommended by the Crown Prince and sent by His Majesty."

In the two weeks since he entered the manor, besides administering acupuncture and prescribing medicine for the old lady every day, he has done almost nothing else. Occasionally, he would go to the eldest master's study, perhaps to discuss the old lady's condition.

It's not surprising that Physician Sun had dealings with the old man.

As the eldest son, it was perfectly reasonable for him to inquire about the treatment plan when his grandmother was seriously ill.

If Zizhu had only discovered these things, she wouldn't have come to report them; there must be something deeper she had found.

"Our people also noticed that on the day the old lady was burned by moxibustion, a maid in Mingxi Hall acted unusually suspiciously."

Wen Jingshu frowned. "Continue."

"The maid's name was Qian'er. She secretly left the room before the incident, but only for a short time before returning."

"Bring the maid here; I want to handle this personally."

Zizhu bowed and quickly left.

Liu Wenying pricked up her ears and listened carefully.

She was present when the old lady had her accident that day, and now that she thinks about it, she did see a maid acting suspiciously.

Not long after, Zizhu brought Qian'er over.

Liu Wenying recognized her as the maid who had hidden behind the antique shelf that day, her shoes covered in mud.

She felt something was strange at the time, and now it seems there really was a problem.

"What were you doing outside that day when the old lady was burned by moxibustion?"

Wen Jingshu asked the question bluntly, her tone laced with pressure.

Qian'er's lips trembled as she kowtowed repeatedly, "Reporting to Madam, this servant did not leave without permission, I just went to relieve myself..."

"Convenient? There's a clean room inside Mingxi Hall, why did you run out? I think you've done something wrong, and you won't admit it until you're faced with the consequences!"

Her eyes darkened, and she ordered Zizhu, "Go and bring the family law. I want to see whether her words are more stubborn or the family law is more powerful!"

Upon hearing the words "family discipline," Qian'er was terrified, crying out, "Madam, spare my life! I'll confess! I'll confess everything!"

Wen Jingshu gestured for Zizhu to stop and said coldly, "Explain yourself."

Qian'er wiped away the tears that had welled up from her fright and began to explain haltingly.

"This servant is the maid in charge of incense burning and guarding the gate in Mingxi Hall. That day, the master found me and asked me to add something to the old lady's incense burner. Since my master gave the order, I dared not disobey, so I did as he said."

"What is that thing?" Zizhu pressed.

"This servant doesn't know! The master didn't say anything, he just gave me a small paper packet, saying it wouldn't harm anyone. After the contents were added to the incense burner and burned, they disappeared without a trace. The day the old lady was burned, I went out to throw away the paper packet..."

Wen Jingshu slammed her hand on the table, making the teacup lids rattle.

"How dare you! Do you know what a grave crime it is to falsely accuse your master?"

Qian'er trembled with fright, her forehead banging against the ground repeatedly, but she insisted, "This servant did not implicate anyone; it was indeed Master who instructed me to do so!"

Wen Jingshu closed her eyes, incredulous.

How could a husband who has been upright and self-disciplined since childhood possibly harm his own grandmother?

It's ridiculous!

She rubbed her forehead, her voice weary, "Go down first and wait in the side room. Don't wander off or talk to anyone."

Qian'er dared not say anything more, quickly kowtowed, staggered to her feet, and retreated.

The room immediately fell silent, with only the soft sound of a gentle breeze blowing through the windows.

Liu Wenying stood to the side, supporting her young master. She didn't dare to breathe loudly when she suddenly heard the secrets of the manor.

She was just a lowly wet nurse, and hearing things she shouldn't have heard made her feel like she was being pricked by thorns.

Zizhu hesitated before speaking, "Madam, shall we continue the investigation?"

Wen Jingshu shook her head, pressing her throbbing temples, too dizzy to open her eyes.

"No need to investigate. Find a suitable excuse to send that maid out of the manor, the farther the better. Don't let her stay in the manor a moment longer."

"Yes, this servant will take care of it right away."

After Zizhu left, only Madam Wen, Liu Wenying, and Pei Yexuan, who knew nothing, remained in the room.

The air was so stuffy it was suffocating.

Even Liu Wenying couldn't believe that the mastermind behind it all was the old man.

She remembered the longevity lock that the old man had given Luo Luo, and how he had protected her during the avalanche...

How could someone like that harm their own family?

Court intrigue? Power struggles? Or...?

Liu Wenying shook her head, clearing her mind of distractions.

Whatever the truth may be, it's not something a wet nurse should worry about.

Zizhu was efficient and returned quickly after seeing the person off.

Wen Jingshu remained seated, not moving an inch, her brow furrowed in worry.

Qian'er's words were like a thorn stuck in her heart, impossible to pull out or swallow.

Seeing her distraught appearance, Liu Wenying felt bad too.

What can be done to make the First Madam happier?

Liu Wenying squatted down, adjusted Pei Yexuan's facing, patted him on the back, and applied a push.

"Mother, mother..."

The baby's sweet cries pulled Wen Jingshu out of her gloomy mood.

Pei Yexuan staggered forward, taking one step, two steps, three steps...

He was still unsteady on his feet, swaying every two steps, but stubbornly refused to stop.

Madam Wen's gaze followed her son, and she unconsciously held her breath.

The little guy walked halfway, his legs went weak, and his body swayed to the side.

Just as Liu Wenying, who was watching closely, was about to help him up, he steadied himself and continued walking forward.

Finally, he reached out his little hand and grabbed Madam Wen's skirt, tilting his head up, "Mother, Mother..."

The sorrow in Wen Jingshu's eyes melted away in an instant, like ice and snow meeting the sun.

She bent down and hugged her son, her heart overflowing with tenderness and joy.

"Ye'er is great, she walked so well."

Zizhu smiled and said softly, "The little master is so amazing. He can walk at only ten months old. I think he is much more steady than other children."

Madam Wen looked down at her son's rosy cheeks, and a genuine smile finally appeared in her eyes.

She kissed her son's forehead and whispered, "Yes, our Ye'er is the best."

The atmosphere inside the room eased considerably thanks to the children's laughter and innocent chatter.

Wen Jingshu looked at Liu Wenying, who stood quietly with her head bowed, and said with a smile, "Wenying, thank you."

…………