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

The Dragon Boat Festival is indeed several times more lively and busier than usual.

Liu Wenying had no free time after receiving the reward.

The proper procedures for serving the old lady—massaging her, feeding her medicine, and applying ointment—cannot be omitted in any way.

The meticulous work is both mentally and physically demanding, and today, on top of that, there's the preparation for the Dragon Boat Festival family banquet. Even with the help of others, the servants at Mingxi Hall are still struggling to keep up.

By late afternoon, the sun was hanging low over the eaves, and the main hall of Mingxi Hall was already decorated in a neat and elegant manner.

Before long, the masters of the mansion arrived one after another.

Leading the way was the Duke of Yu, wearing a dark blue robe with gold python patterns, his face solemn.

Beside her, Madam Pei was dressed in an elegant and noble manner, her hair adorned with red gold and ruby ​​hair ornaments.

Fourth Sister Pei Rongyue held her mother's hand, wearing a pink and white dress embroidered with peach branches, her almond-shaped eyes clear and bright.

The old man, Pei Dingxuan, was still wearing a dark brocade robe with subtle patterns, and his expression showed the composure of a duke.

The First Madam, Wen Jingshu, followed him two steps behind, holding Pei Yexuan in her arms with graceful demeanor.

Second Master Pei Zeyu was still wearing the same moon-white brocade robe he wore that morning, waving a plain folding fan.

Second Madam Lin Zhiyao wore a pear-colored pleated skirt. She was sweet and gentle. Although she walked side by side with Second Master, there was always a distance of two or three feet between them.

Everyone took their seats, and among the neatly arranged armchairs, only one was empty.

A moment later, footsteps sounded at the door.

Pei Yaojun arrived late, dressed in fiery red, striding into the room with a fierce and breezy air.

While everyone was still stunned, he sat down unceremoniously in the armchair, as if even the surrounding air was heated up.

Madam Pei frowned. "Why are you still so impulsive?"

Pei Yaojun tried to argue, "I didn't delay anything."

Madam Pei was about to say something more, but the old lady laughed and said, "Alright, if he weren't so impulsive, he wouldn't be Jun'er."

Scratching the back of his head, Pei Yaojun raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Grandma understands me best."

Madam Pei was about to glare at him and give him a good scolding.

But when the old lady was about to speak, she held back for the time being.

"Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and it's better for the whole family to get together than anything else."

Seeing her children and grandchildren gathered together, the old lady's smile never faded.

The Duke nodded in agreement, saying, "Since Mother is unwell, she will be spending the festival at Mingxi Hall. Her children and grandchildren should naturally come and keep her company."

The old lady nodded in satisfaction, her eyes filled with the warmth of family reunion.

She noticed Fourth Sister Pei Rongyue and saw that her face was relaxed today, unlike her usual listless appearance, so she asked softly.

"Yue'er, how have you been feeling lately?"

Pei Rongyue replied sweetly, "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I'm feeling much better lately. It's Grandmother who should get well soon."

She got up, went around to the old lady's back, and massaged her shoulders and neck.

Meanwhile, Madam Wen Jingshu was already holding her son Pei Yexuan as they approached.

"Ye'er, quickly call her great-grandmother."

She always taught her child to speak. Pei Yexuan could fluently call out "father" and "mother," and with his mother's guidance, he could also vaguely call out "great-grandmother."

The old lady's smile became even more genuine when she saw her great-grandson.

"Our Ye'er has grown stronger. He's only a little over a year old and he's already so well-behaved. He'll definitely be a great person in the future."

Seeing the harmonious atmosphere, Madam Pei smiled and chimed in.

"That's right, kids are most fun and entertaining when they're little."

She changed the subject and looked at the second wife, Lin Zhiyao.

"Speaking of which, Yu'er and Zhiyao have been married for three years now. When are you going to have a little one so that Mother can enjoy the happiness of being surrounded by children and grandchildren for a while longer?"

All eyes immediately turned to Lin Zhiyao.

The pear-colored dress she wore today was meant to be festive, not too flashy but not too understated either; now, however, the color seemed rather jarring.

She tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand and smiled shyly, "Mother is right, your daughter-in-law and husband will not let you down."

She longed to have a child soon, but since their marriage, Pei Zeyu had always been polite yet distant towards her.

Only she herself knew the desolation of Chenshuang Courtyard.

She looked at the Second Master beside her, hoping he would say something.

But Pei Zeyu remained calm and composed, sipping his tea slowly with a serene expression.

He didn't respond to her pleading look, his gaze fixed on the outside of the hall, showing no emotion whatsoever.

Lin Zhiyao lowered her eyes, concealing the soreness in them, determined not to let anyone notice anything amiss.

The old lady, seeing her appearance, assumed she was genuinely shy.

"Alright, don't rush. Everything depends on fate. Take your time."

Since her mother had spoken, Madam Pei couldn't press the matter further.

"What Mother said is true. You are young, and when the time is right, you will naturally find your match."

The atmosphere in the hall gradually became lively again.

The time was almost up, and Zizhu had already prepared various small paper kites made of colored paper in the courtyard. She went inside and told Wen Jingshu about them.

Wen Jingshu then stood up with a smile, "It's time to release the evil spirits from Xuan'er's body to bring good luck, so that she will be healthy and free from illness and disaster in the future."

Upon hearing this, all the masters smiled and agreed, then walked out.

Liu Wenying, Xi Chun, and the other personal maids carefully helped the old lady into her wheelchair.

Several strong servants worked together to lift the wheelchair over the threshold and place it steadily under the eaves.

A gentle breeze caressed my face, carrying the scents of mugwort and calamus.

Xi Chun turned to Liu Wenying and said, "The thin blanket on the old lady's lap was left in the inner room. Go and fetch it, and be quick."

She spoke naturally, her tone imperious, clearly knowing that since it concerned the old lady, Liu Wenying dared not refuse.

Liu Wenying didn't mind and went into the inner room.

She grabbed the blanket and rushed out without delay.

As she walked to the steps in front of the house, Liu Wenying hurried along and accidentally stepped on a small, protruding pebble.

My ankle twisted, and I immediately lost my balance.

Finished!

In a flash, a plain jade-ribbed folding fan emerged from the side and rested steadily under her elbow.

Liu Wenying also used the support to stand up straight, avoiding the pain of falling.

Pei Zeyu put one hand behind his back and with the other hand he took back the folding fan that was supporting her.

His eyebrows and eyes were not clearly visible in the backlight, but his voice was clear and melodious as always.

Watch your step.

Liu Wenying quickly curtsied and was about to express her gratitude.

But before he could finish speaking, he put away his folding fan, tapped the fan ribs lightly against his palm, and walked away, disappearing into the lively atmosphere of the courtyard.

Liu Wenying composed herself and quickly walked back to the old lady's side.

She was fast enough, but unfortunately, the person she was waiting for was Xi Chun.

Xi Chun, already impatient, glanced at her as she took the blanket and said sarcastically, "Why did you take so long?"

Liu Wenying wasn't one to back down easily, and after being ordered around by her repeatedly, she snapped back.

"I am not like you, who can accomplish things without moving your hands or legs, just by opening and closing your mouth."

"you……"

Xi Chun never expected her to talk back, but considering that all the masters were present, she couldn't make a scene, so she held back.

Liu Wenying deftly unfolded the thin blanket and carefully placed it on the old lady's lap, without giving Xi Chun another glance.

While everyone was watching the scene of the disaster, Liu Wenying noticed the Second Master beside the Old Madam.

Thinking of what had just happened, she shifted her feet, faced his profile, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Thank you, Second Master."

The sound was as soft as willow catkins brushing against the water's surface, and should have been drowned out by the laughter filling the courtyard.

But Pei Zeyu seemed to sense it, and his fanning motion paused slightly.

He didn't reply, but a slight smile played on his lips.

…………