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

Mr. Yunmeng raised his teacup and took a sip.

"The suffering and troubles of life are nothing more than unfulfilled desires, separation from loved ones, encounters with those one hates, and the burning of the five aggregates... The worries of the noble are twofold: public and private, is that right?"

Pei Dingxuan felt a slight chill in his heart, but his face remained calm.

The death of Prince Kangyou was known to the whole court and the public. The illusionist said that he was troubled by official matters, which was a convenient excuse and not surprising.

The matter of Tinglan Courtyard is a secret within the Duke's mansion, never revealed to the outside world. How could he know about it?

A cloud of doubt swept through Pei Dingxuan's mind, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Sir, you're like a fortune teller under a bridge, using vague and ambiguous statements to fool people. Who in the world isn't entangled in public and private affairs?"

This kind of excuse works for anyone.

"Since you've guessed that I'm here because of the case of Prince Kangyou, please speak frankly. He came here before..."

"Since you have doubts, sir, why not drink this cup of tea first?"

Mr. Yunmeng interrupted him, his expression resolute.

"This tea is called 'Illuminating the Heart,' and it has no other use than to allow one to see some truth and discern one's thoughts after drinking it."

Pei Dingxuan still had some doubts.

"What are you afraid of, sir? The silver needle has already been tested, why not take a sip? After you finish drinking, we can discuss the matter of Prince Kangyou."

Just a cup of tea.

Pei Dingxuan picked up the teacup. It tasted slightly bitter at first, but then sweet, just like ordinary pre-rain Longjing tea.

He set down his teacup. "Can we talk now?"

"nature."

"You relieve others' worries, so what worries did Prince Kangyou come to you for?"

"When the Kangyou King first arrived, he was worried about having an heir; later, he was worried about life and death."

"life and death?"

Pei Dingxuan pressed for details, and the other party recounted them in detail.

As the case unfolded, Pei Dingxuan listened intently, but somehow, his vision became increasingly clear.

Every grain of wood in the room, the veins on the petals, the varying shades of ink in the Zen painting... are all meticulously depicted.

When he looked up at the painting, the eye in the painting seemed to blink slightly.

Pei Dingxuan felt a chill run down his spine, but when he looked again, the painting remained perfectly still.

Is it just my imagination?

He pressed his brow; his temples throbbed with fatigue from the past few days.

After a short while, just as he was about to look again, Mr. Yunmeng's voice slowly drifted over.

The gentle tinkling of the wind chimes by the window seemed both near and far.

"When adults investigate cases, it's like navigating a maze. The maze has an exit, but you can't see it because your mind is clouded."

"What do you want to say?" The place was too strange, and Pei Dingxuan's patience was wearing thin.

"Sir, you're so focused on investigating the case, seeking the truth, and unraveling the mystery. Have you ever considered what you truly want?"

Pei Dingxuan instantly became alert and replied sternly, "I have no other thoughts but to find out the truth of the case."

"The truth? Adults say they want the truth, but deep down, is that really the only thought in their minds?"

He chuckled, "It's alright, I'll let the adults see the deepest desire in my heart."

The moment the words left his mouth, Pei Dingxuan felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over him.

The wind chimes by the window, the fragrance of flowers, the laughter of the person across the way, and that eerie painting—all of it was mixed into a muddled mess.

"Someone come here..."

He tried to call his attendants outside, but his voice was weak, and the next moment he fell forward.

When I opened my eyes, the sound of rain had stopped.

The wind chimes on the eaves, the sweet white flowers, the eerie eye on the painting... all disappeared.

"Welcome back to the Duke's residence."

The stone lions in front of the vermilion gate are majestic, and the servants stand at attention with bows.

Pei Dingxuan stood there, stunned, in front of the carriage.

Duke of the country?

He looked down and found that he had changed into a royal robe with a unicorn pattern, befitting a duke, and a gold and jade belt around his waist.

When did he become the Duke of Yu?

With his father still alive, how could the title fall into his hands?

The moment the thought of doubt arose, it was suppressed by an invisible hand.

A layer of chaotic fog spread through my mind, leaving me with no energy to delve deeper.

Yes, he is the eldest son of the Duke's family, and after his father stepped down, the title should have been inherited by him.

Those doubts were nothing more than the random thoughts born from days of exhaustion.

He lowered his brows, suppressed the inexplicable unease in his heart, and walked into the mansion.

The path beneath my feet is all too familiar, with its carved railings, jade steps, and lush flowers and trees.

But something just doesn't seem right.

My mind is a jumbled mess, as if veiled by a thick gauze, my thoughts tangled together.

Upon arriving at his courtyard, a servant stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, the bathhouse is ready with hot water. I will lead you there now."

Pei Dingxuan nodded and entered the bathhouse.

Steam rose from the tub as Pei Dingxuan sank into the large bathtub.

He wrapped his tired limbs in hot water, closed his eyes, and tried to clear the tangled mess in his mind.

The water rippled slightly, and two delicate hands silently touched his shoulders and neck, massaging his taut muscles with just the right amount of pressure.

He relaxed and sighed, "Jingshu, I want to be alone."

The hands didn't stop; instead, they slid down along the skin, lightly touching the chest like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Pei Dingxuan suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed the restless wrist.

"I already said..."

The words came to an abrupt halt.

The bathroom was filled with steam, and the woman he was holding was wearing an apricot-red silk nightgown.

The moisture caused the thin fabric to cling to the skin, outlining a captivating silhouette.

It wasn't his wife, Wen Jingshu.

It is... Liu Wenying, but it's not her.

The Liu Wenying before me was no longer the respectful and obedient woman she used to be.

Her hair was styled in a high, cloud-like bun, and she wore only a gauze dress.

Her waist was so slender it could be encircled by a single hand, and the lines of her shoulders and neck were graceful and captivating.

Her former elegance has been completely gone, leaving only a captivating and alluring charm.

Before Pei Dingxuan could recover from his daze, she leaned down slightly and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

Her pointed chin nestled in the crook of his neck, her voice as soft as honey.

"Does the Duke no longer love me? He was just calling out the Madam's name."

He was stunned, his throat so dry he couldn't make a sound.

"I understand. The Duke has grown tired of me and dislikes that I am a concubine with a child."

Her voice was aggrieved, choked with sobs.

"no."

Pei Dingxuan snapped out of his daze and managed to squeeze out two words.

"What is that? I have a child to support, so I can't compare to your lawfully wedded wife, can I?"

Not wanting to hear her self-deprecating remarks, my frustration and doubts gave rise to inexplicable anger.

Pei Dingxuan reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his embrace with a little force.

The force struck unexpectedly, and Liu Wenying cried out as she fell into the bathtub.

Hot water surged forth, splashing everywhere and wetting the clean nightgowns draped on the clothes rack.

The silk fabric was completely soaked and clung tightly to her body.

It reveals her fair, snow-white skin and graceful curves.

Her dark hair, still damp, clung to her cheeks, making her face appear even more striking and captivating.

Pei Dingxuan's breath hitched. Beneath the soaked red gauze, his rounded shoulders and deep cleavage were fully exposed.

Liu Wenying felt both ashamed and embarrassed after being pulled into the bathtub.

"The water's gone cold, I'll go get you some hot water."

But as soon as she moved, the arms around her waist tightened, leaving her no room to struggle.

"No need to go, it'll get hot soon."

…………