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

"As for Zhao, the wet nurse, she failed to take good care of the young master, allowing the child to be lost right under her nose. This is a serious offense. According to the rules, a beating and being kicked out would be the least of her worries."

Granny Tian shook her head: "It was just her fate. Perhaps she knew she had caused a great disaster, so she was extra careful when she went out to look for people. She was hit by a speeding carriage at the street corner and was seriously injured. She is still lying in the servants' quarters recovering."

"The First Madam is kind. Considering that she was anxious to find someone and was injured so badly, she did not punish her on the spot. However, I'm afraid the manor will not be able to tolerate her in the future."

"Right now, because you are injured, the young master is short of servants, so we'll use her to fill in for the time being. Once you're better, the manor will purchase and train a new batch of servants, and her job will be over."

Liu Wenying listened silently, her feelings a complex mix.

Overnight, fate took a dramatic turn.

She fought desperately to protect her master, and although she was covered in wounds, she gained the master's favor and reward.

If Zhao's wet nurse were to be careless for a moment, she could ruin her future or even lose her life.

"And as for the old lady, as you know, her health has been poor ever since she suffered a stroke in winter. We dare not tell her about the young master's disappearance, for fear that she might be too anxious and something bad might happen to her."

"Thank you, godmother. I'll keep my mouth shut and won't say another word."

After the two finished talking, they sat for a while, and then Xiaozhu came in carrying a food box.

"Sister Liu is now a hero. The First Madam specially instructed the kitchen to prepare nourishing dishes that are good for wound healing."

As Xiaozhu spoke, she took out the bowls and plates from the food box one by one and placed them on the table.

The Duke's mansion treated its servants well; even on simple meals, there was always one meat dish and one vegetable dish.

Today, the table is laden with an even more abundant feast.

Stewed chicken soup, braised lion's head meatballs, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a bowl of glistening white rice. The soup is a goji berry and black chicken soup with the oil skimmed off, and it smells delicious.

The meals were almost as lavish as those of some respectable stewards and head maids.

Xiao Zhu hadn't finished taking out the food when she picked up a small white porcelain bowl.

"This is a decoction prescribed by the royal physician to regulate the internal organs. Remember to take it after your meal, Sister Liu."

Having done everything that needed to be done and given all the instructions, Xiaozhu hooked a stool over with her foot and sat down next to Liu Wenying, resting her chin on her hand in admiration.

"Sister Liu, you were so brave this time! Everyone in the manor who heard this will praise your loyalty and courage!"

"I just did what I was supposed to do, and kept to my duty. It's nothing to be called loyalty or bravery."

"Why not? Anyone else would have been too scared to stand up to a bad guy, let alone have the guts to resist him!"

Xiaozhu thoughtfully handed her the bowl and chopsticks, saying, "Don't be modest, eat it while it's hot. The chicken soup is very fragrant and good for your health."

Liu Wenying said no more. The food was indeed delicious, and the rich chicken soup slid down her throat, warming her up and making her feel comfortable all over.

After she finished eating, Granny Tian and Xiao Zhu went to clear the dishes.

Liu Wenying wanted to lend a hand, but they all stopped her.

"Just rest and don't move around too much. Taking care of your injury is the most important thing."

Xiao Zhu nodded in agreement.

"Thank you so much, godmother and Xiaozhu." Liu Wenying was extremely grateful.

The two days were spent in pain, taking medicine, and listening to my daughter's babbling.

As night fell, everyone in the Duke's mansion except for the servants on night duty had gone to sleep.

During the day, due to the medicine, Liu Wenying slept in a daze for a long time, but at night she was not sleepy at all.

Luo Luo is also growing and when she is sleepy, she can be coaxed into curling up into a small ball on the inside of the bed, breathing long and steady.

An oil lamp was lit by the bedside, illuminating the small space. By the dim light, Liu Wenying spread a cloth on her lap.

The cloth is scattered with colorful silk threads, lustrous beads, and the delicate fragrance of mugwort.

She is making mosquito repellent bracelets.

It's the kind that was prepared for the young master and the servants of Tinglan Courtyard before the summer.

The original quantity was only enough for Tinglan Courtyard, and the subsequent incident further delayed things.

Now that she's recovering from her injury, she has plenty of free time. With nothing else to do, she might as well write some more.

Liu Wenying's hands are slender, but her palms and fingertips have calluses from long-term labor. Under the lamplight, her hands move nimbly, intertwining and knotting, like fluttering butterflies.

With a creak, the door hinges moved slightly, making a sudden sound.

The door was pushed open, and the night wind, carrying the chill of the heavy dew, rushed in, causing the flame of the oil lamp on the table to flicker.

Thinking it was Xiaozhu coming to refill her water, Liu Wenying, who was tying a knot in her hand, didn't look up. "Xiaozhu's here? Didn't I tell you you didn't need to come tonight? I'm fine..."

Before the words were finished, a scent of incense, incongruous with the room, wafted into the nostrils on the night breeze.

Liu Wenying's fingers, which were braiding, froze, and she looked up.

He stood in the dim light, but it was not hard to see that he was tall and slender.

Wearing a crimson brocade robe with gold embroidery and arrow-sleeved sleeves, and with his dark hair tied high with a red-gold hair crown, he was none other than Third Master Pei, who should have been resting in Zhaolin Courtyard.

When their eyes met, it would be a lie to say Liu Wenying wasn't surprised.

"Third Master? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

"Can't sleep, so I'm going for a walk."

Taking a walk? Zhaolin Courtyard is not close to here; it's almost like crossing half of the Duke's mansion's back garden, and the path is winding and secluded.

In the dead of night, would Third Master Pei be unable to sleep and wander here?

Nobody would believe that.

But Liu Wenying didn't say it out loud. Thinking of the misunderstanding she had caused him two days ago, a wave of guilt surged up in her heart.

She propped herself up on the edge of the bed, ignoring the slight heaviness in her ankles, and bowed respectfully to him, her tone as sincere as could be.

"I was speaking rudely and offended you, Third Master. Please forgive me."

"This servant was unaware of Third Master's kind heart. Considering Luo Luo's young age and lack of care, he took her to Zhaolin Courtyard and cared for her diligently. Not only was this servant ungrateful, but I also spoke rudely and hurtfully… This servant knows my mistake."

After resting for two days, the redness and swelling in my ankle have indeed subsided considerably, but it still aches slightly when I put weight on it for a while.

She tried her best to stand up straight, her back taut, afraid that her rudeness would displease him again.

Pei Yaojun stood at the doorway, the night wind blowing in from behind him, ruffling the stray hairs on his forehead and causing the oil lamp flame on the table to flicker violently.

The subtle expressions on his face were shrouded in shadow, flickering and uncertain.

Her head was lowered, revealing a section of her vulnerable neck.

A few words of apology were enough to extinguish his anger of the past few days.

He hoped she would admit her mistake, regret it, and apologize, especially since Ah Cai brought back the news. He did have a secret expectation that he didn't even want to admit to himself.

But when she actually disregarded her injuries and solemnly and humbly apologized, he did not feel the joy and pride he had expected. Instead, he felt as if something was twisting his heart, causing a dull pain.

"...It's enough that you know you were wrong. I'm a magnanimous person who won't hold a grudge."

Pei Yaojun kept a straight face and spoke in a harsh tone, trying to maintain his usual aloofness.

…………