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

As they were talking, the guests came forward one after another to offer their congratulations, all praising the young master for his handsome appearance and good fortune.

The hall was filled with a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

When the time came, the noise in the hall gradually subsided, and the ceremony for the first birthday banquet began.

Being from a high-ranking noble family, their ceremony was not as simple as the traditional "first birthday celebration" for ordinary families; it involved a series of complicated procedures.

First, Pei Dingxuan took Pei Yexuan from the old lady and carried him to the Pei family ancestral hall.

Yu Guogong stood at the entrance of the ancestral hall, dressed solemnly and with a dignified expression.

The ancestral hall houses the memorial tablets of the Pei family's ancestors, arranged in layers, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

As the head of the family, Duke Yuguo personally burned incense, bowed respectfully three times, and then opened the incense burner on the table, inserting three sticks of incense into it.

Pei Dingxuan held his son, knelt on the prayer mat, and solemnly kowtowed three times to the ancestral tablets.

Pei Yexuan lowered his head as his father pressed it down.

After paying respects to their ancestors, everyone moved back to the main hall.

The first birthday ceremony, known as "Zhuazhou," was held in the center of the main hall.

A very wide red carpet was laid on the floor, stretching from the entrance of the hall all the way to the main seat, bright and eye-catching.

Several exquisite and expensive trinkets were displayed one after another on the red carpet, a dazzling array.

The left column contains scholar's objects: a small inkstone made of mutton fat jade, a purple-gold sable brush, and a cloisonné brush holder.

The right side displays weapons: a gilded small bow, a silver-threaded soft sword, and a rhinoceros horn quiver.

Central Treasures: Luminous Pearl, Gold Ingot, Coral Tree.

There are also official seals symbolizing a career in government, medicine gourds symbolizing health, and longevity peaches symbolizing good fortune.

Each piece, barely an inch in size, is exquisitely crafted, dazzling to the eye.

Compared to the simple and unpretentious items that Liu Wenying prepared for Luo Luo's first birthday celebration, it was worlds apart.

Liu Wenying stood to the side of the hall, her heart pounding. She didn't crave great wealth and status; a modest life of comfort would suffice.

The first birthday celebration began, and Wen Jingshu placed her son at the end of the red carpet and gently patted his little bottom.

"Ye'er, go and pick one you like."

The little guy stood still, took a few steps with his chubby little legs, and scanned the objects on the ground with his big eyes, as if he was carefully selecting them.

The hall was completely silent. Everyone held their breath, watching this little person intently, wondering what kind of future he would achieve.

One step, two steps...

The purple brush continued uninterrupted.

I passed by the gilded bow, but didn't look at it.

I ignored the gold ingot.

He staggered through the pile of gold and jade treasures and headed straight for the other end of the red carpet.

The group looked at each other, puzzled.

Pei Yexuan ignored him, staring straight ahead with his lips pursed tightly.

Finally, he reached the end of the red carpet.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, he reached out his small hand and grabbed... a section of the blue skirt.

The hall fell silent; everyone was stunned.

Liu Wenying, who had been caught, stood frozen in place.

The little culprit, still looking up at her with a grin, called out, "Nanny..."

Liu Wenying hurriedly squatted down, trying to get him to let go, but Pei Yexuan gripped her even tighter, pouting and saying pitifully, "Nanny, I'm hungry."

The atmosphere inside the hall became even more eerie.

The eldest grandson of the Duke's mansion, during his first birthday celebration, didn't grab any writing implements or weapons, nor any treasures or precious objects, but instead grabbed the hem of his wet nurse's skirt.

Wen Jingshu quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, saying, "Please excuse me, everyone. I suppose Ye'er is just hungry."

Her words were tactful, both rescuing Liu Wenying from the predicament and not spoiling the mood for everyone.

Madam Pei, seated at the head of the table, frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing across her brows.

But she also understood that children are like children; when they're hungry, they don't care about anything else. If she forced them, it would ruin the festive atmosphere.

"Wenying, hurry up and take Ye'er downstairs to eat something, and make sure he doesn't cry."

"Yes, Madam." Liu Wenying felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She picked up Pei Yexuan and, under the gazes of all the guests in the courtyard, quickly walked towards the side hall.

Upon arriving at the side hall, Liu Wenying sat down on a chair, undid her clothes to tidy herself up, and then embraced Pei Yexuan.

The little one immediately took it in its mouth and began to suckle vigorously.

Liu Wenying lowered her head, her feelings a complex mix of emotions. "Young Master, you almost killed me..."

But Pei Yexuan couldn't understand any of this; he just closed his eyes and focused on nursing.

Liu Wenying sighed, recalling what had just happened. It was outrageous that a wet nurse was so relied upon by the eldest grandson of the main wife. In a noble family that emphasized hierarchy and rules, this was simply presumptuous.

On the bright side, it's because she took good care of him; the boy couldn't live without her.

To put it bluntly, she had ulterior motives and was deliberately trying to win over the young master and climb the social ladder.

Neither of these scenarios is a good thing for her.

She can't get into trouble.

She still has to live and raise her daughter.

Pei Yexuan finished eating, opened his little mouth, let out a small burp, and snuggled against her.

Liu Wenying gently patted his back, held him firmly, straightened her clothes, and stood up.

The time for the baby's first birthday celebration couldn't be delayed; she had to go back.

As soon as Liu Wenying pushed open the door to the side hall, she bumped into a tall figure.

Pei Dingxuan was already waiting outside the door, his face calm. "Hand over Ye'er to me."

Liu Wenying did as she was told. Was this a case of not even letting her touch the young master?

Pei Dingxuan took his son and said calmly, "You wait in the side hall and don't go anywhere."

"Yes." Liu Wenying's heart sank.

Back in the quiet side hall, Liu Wenying stood there, a chill running down her spine.

The old man told her to stay put and not go out. Was he afraid she would go out and cause trouble again?

She couldn't control the little master's behavior during the baby's first birthday celebration, but would others think so too?

What will the Duke and his wife think? What will the old lady think?

The more I thought about it, the colder my heart felt.

Just as I was feeling panicked, the side hall door was pushed open again.

The one who came in was Zhao, the wet nurse.

She was also wearing a new dress today, a maroon ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), her hair was styled in a slicked-back updo with a silver hairpin, and her face was made up.

But those triangular eyes gleamed with undisguised schadenfreude.

"Oh my, who do we have here? It's our wet nurse, Liu!"

Liu Wenying lowered her eyes and did not reply.

Zhao, the wet nurse, persisted, moving closer. "Thinking the betrothal period is almost over, you're trying to steal the spotlight and get the master to keep you here? Tsk tsk tsk, what a clever scheme."

"However, I advise you not to be too happy yet. This mansion is very particular about rules. Your attempt to show off today might backfire!"

The door moved again.

This time, it was Cuihua who came in.

She had been helping out in the main hall and rushed over, only to hear Zhao's harsh words as soon as she entered.

Cuihua frowned and stepped forward to shield Liu Wenying behind her.

"Nanny Zhao, today is a joyous occasion, please keep your mouth shut. Sister Liu is just taking good care of the young master, how is she trying to steal the spotlight?"

The wet nurse retorted, glaring at her, "What do you know! I'm just kindly reminding her, so she doesn't die without even knowing how!"

"Nanny Zhao, how can you say such things so carelessly? If the master sees this, I'm afraid you won't be able to explain yourself well, will you?"

Upon hearing the mention of her master, Zhao's expression changed, but she ultimately dared not be presumptuous any longer and swayed as she left.

Only Liu Wenying and Cuihua remained in the side hall.

Cuihua turned around and patted Liu Wenying's shoulder to comfort her.

"Don't listen to her nonsense. She's just jealous that you've won the young master's favor. Today is a joyous occasion; the Duke and his wife won't punish the servants at a time like this."

Liu Wenying felt a warmth in her heart, but she knew in her heart that not being punished today did not mean that everything would be fine in the future.

If the host really wants to settle accounts, there are plenty of ways to do so.

…………