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

Granny Tian turned pale with anger and was about to retort when Liu Wenying told her not to go.

She realized that Granny Sun was determined to keep Chen Yindi around today in order to suppress her and Granny Tian.

Continuing to argue will not only be futile, but will also escalate the conflict and give Granny Sun an even better excuse to cause trouble.

Sometimes, seniority carries more weight than reason.

Seeing that Liu Wenying remained silent and stopped looking at her, Granny Sun turned to Chen Yindi lying on the ground and said, "Out of pity for you, the household has shown mercy and allowed you to stay. Do you understand?"

Chen Yindi had been in despair, but now that things had taken a turn for the better, like a pie falling from the sky, she no longer cared about anything else.

She quickly got up and kowtowed repeatedly in the direction of Granny Sun and Xi Chun.

"I understand, I understand, thank you for your mercy, Granny!"

When she looked up, she secretly gritted her teeth at Liu Wenying, her eyes filled with resentment.

Seeing her expression, Granny Sun was very satisfied.

Liu Wenying turned her gaze away expressionlessly, no longer looking at her.

The dust has settled.

Chen Yindi was ultimately kept on, albeit as a lowly servant.

Granny Sun seemed to have achieved her goal. She gave a few more words of advice before taking Xi Chun and leaving the front yard with her head held high.

Granny Tian looked unpleasant, but she still had to do the job.

Suppressing his anger, he and Liu Wenying continued to select the remaining people.

Liu Wenying, along with several newly selected people who were to be assigned to the vicinity of Tinglan Courtyard, followed Granny Tian towards the inner courtyard.

On the way, Granny Tian deliberately slowed down and walked alongside her.

"Wenying, I've dragged you into this today."

"That old hag, Granny Sun, has never gotten along with me. Whenever I'm involved in something, she always finds a reason to interfere and make things difficult. I never imagined she'd drag you into it this time."

Liu Wenying gently shook her head, "Godmother, you're being too serious. It's clearly Granny Sun using this as an excuse to make trouble. What does it have to do with you? Besides, she's probably targeting more than just you."

Granny Tian sighed, "You're a smart one. That old hag is more petty than a pinhead. You'll have to be even more careful in the manor from now on."

"I understand, thank you for the reminder, Godmother."

After thinking for a moment, Granny Tian continued.

"Now, which servant in the manor doesn't know that you are the First Madam's favorite? The young master can't do without you, and the First Madam trusts you. In a while, I'm afraid that all the management duties in the manor will gradually fall on your shoulders."

"As for the woman surnamed Sun, she has been managing the household for many years and is used to being in control. How could she be willing to let someone with less seniority ride on her head?"

"Today, you're using the Chen family's matter as an excuse to give me a warning and also to annoy me. In the future, I'm afraid there will be more and more of these kinds of trouble-making."

Liu Wenying listened quietly. How could she not understand that her sudden appearance had touched the vested interests of some people, naturally arousing their envy?

"And then there's Xi Chun, who's right behind her. That girl is now serving the old lady in Mingxi Hall. Granny Sun is grooming her to be her successor and is determined to push her to a higher position."

But if you stand out, won't you become an obstacle in her path?

Liu Wenying suddenly realized.

Previously, she was just a wet nurse, and her contact was mostly limited to a corner of Tinglan Courtyard. She didn't have a deep understanding of the complex interpersonal relationships in the mansion, especially the open and covert struggles between these head maids.

Now, as Wen Jingshu gradually pushes him to the forefront and he begins to engage in practical matters, he has truly glimpsed the turbulent undercurrents beneath the surface of the deep mansion.

As she was speaking, she caught a glimpse of Chen Yindi at the end of the line out of the corner of her eye.

The woman kept her head down, seemingly docile, but deliberately slowed her pace, her eyes darting around as she secretly surveyed the surrounding pavilions and towers.

Liu Wenying frowned and whispered her instructions.

"Godmother, Chen Yindi is restless, so let her do some of the most peripheral and unimportant chores."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Not only that, she would also give instructions to have people take good care of Chen Yinding.

Who told her to be one of the perpetrators who had tormented her goddaughter?

The sky was clear and blue, and the sun shone brightly.

Yujing Lake in the western suburbs of Beijing has shimmering waters, endless green lotus leaves reaching to the sky, and lotus flowers blooming red under the sun.

A magnificent three-story pleasure boat, with vermilion lacquer railings and fluttering brocade sails, was moored on the lake shore.

This is the pleasure boat that the Duke of Yuguo's mansion has booked today, to entertain the nobles and dignitaries of the capital and to enjoy the lotus blossoms and cruise the lake.

The banquet was ostensibly a gathering to appreciate lotus blossoms, but in reality, every worldly-wise family in the capital knew the true purpose of the gathering.

Today, the Duke of Yu's mansion is arranging a suitable match for the unmarried Third Master Pei Yaojun and the unmarried Fourth Lady Pei Rongyue.

On the painted boat, the air was filled with the fragrance of fine clothes and the swaying of hairpins, adorned with pearls and jade. Those who came to the banquet were all eligible young men and women from various families.

Liu Wenying is also accompanying me today.

She stood discreetly behind Wen Jingshu, dressed in a soft, elegant summer outfit.

Everyone gathered in the ice room, the coolest and most comfortable place on the pleasure boat.

The transparent glass windows on all four walls allow for both viewing the lake and mountain scenery and blocking out the summer heat.

Wen Jingshu was holding Ye'er and chatting with several familiar ladies in the hall.

Ye'er, dressed in a bright red blouse with gold flecks, was lively and adorable, attracting the attention of the ladies who frequently teased and praised her.

The air in the ice room was filled with the aroma of tea. The ladies sipped the newly harvested pre-rain Longjing tea, chatting in hushed tones about their family anecdotes and the latest fashions and jewelry.

Occasionally, the conversation would steer towards the young men and women present, the words carrying the reserved and discerning air characteristic of aristocratic families.

As the sun rose higher and a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of lotus blossoms across the lake, it was almost time for the banquet.

Wen Jingshu chatted with the ladies for a while longer, then looked up at the water clock in the corner, then towards the hall entrance, her eyebrows furrowed.

She turned her head and waved to Liu Wenying, who was standing by.

"As we approach Shangsu Mountain, my mother-in-law mentioned feeling dizzy and is resting in the upstairs room. Go and check on her, and ask her to come over."

Madam Pei is one of the nominal hostesses of today's banquet, and also the birth mother of several gentlemen and the fourth daughter.

Her absence would be impolite and easily lead to speculation.

Liu Wenying responded, bowed to Wen Jingshu, and quietly left the cool ice hall. She then walked up the soft carpeted staircase inside the painted boat to the third floor.

On the third floor of the painted boat, at the east end, the most spacious and luxurious room was draped with heavy brocade curtains.

Madam Pei wore a deep purple long gown with gold trim and a large red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin. Her well-maintained face showed a hint of anger and urgency.

Opposite her, Pei Yaojun was reclining on a bamboo couch covered with ice silk cushions, his face showing obvious impatience, and he was fanning himself idly with a landscape painting fan in his hand.

Madam Pei was getting to the heart of the matter: "How old are you? All you do all day is fool around. Your second brother is already married at your age, and what about you? You haven't even settled down to a proper marriage..."

"Among the young ladies who came today is the daughter of the Minister of Works. You should pay close attention to her. She is well-educated, sensible, and beautiful. Most importantly, if you can marry her, it will be of great benefit to your future career..."

…………