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

Pei Yexuan was still young, and all he knew how to do was giggle while clutching the kite spool. He had no idea what it meant to "set off a disaster."

Wen Jingshu let him touch the line, which was considered a way to share in the good fortune of releasing misfortune.

After taking the spool of thread, he walked with Lin Zhiyao to an open area in the courtyard.

The two people held the kite strings on their left and right, gently sending it forward with the wind, and then slowly letting out the string.

The kite then rose shakily, flying higher and higher until it became a dot on the horizon.

Once the spool was empty, Wen Jingshu let go, and the kite, carrying her hopes, drifted away into the distance.

Everyone smiled and agreed, saying it was a good omen for good health year after year.

Lin Zhiyao, who had helped a lot, smiled and looked in the direction the kite had gone. After finishing, she walked towards the Second Master.

As soon as I stood still, I sensed the change in the emotions of the people around me.

He waved his folding fan gently, but it felt warmer and more vibrant than before.

Several years into their marriage, he treated her with indifference and taciturnity in private.

But after knowing each other for so long, she still has the ability to read people's expressions and moods.

She could sense the genuine joy in his eyes; it was real.

A slight ripple stirred in Lin Zhiyao's heart.

Second Master likes children, doesn't he?

If he likes children and longs for offspring, why did he remain silent when his mother-in-law brought it up in public?

What was he thinking?

Everyone in the mansion said that the Second Master was gentle and insightful, but his mind was like a thin fog.

She had been looking through this fog for three years, but she couldn't make out a single thing.

She thought that his thoughts were so hard to guess, and that even if she racked her brains for her whole life, she might not be able to understand even a fraction of them.

After releasing the evil spirits, everyone filed back into the house.

With many people and eyes around in the room, Liu Wenying was someone Pei Yaojun could see but couldn't touch.

Now I finally have a chance to sneak up next to her and get close to her.

Just as he was about to stride over, a dark-skinned figure blocked his way.

"Third brother, I have something to say to you privately."

Pei Yaojun's gaze passed over the person in front of him and followed Liu Wenying closely, seeing that she had already followed the crowd into the house.

He curled his lip slightly, "Brother, you tell me."

Pei Dingxuan moved his feet, completely blocking his view.

"I've heard about what happened at the Ministry of Works."

"It's kind of you, elder brother, to be so busy in the Ministry of Justice that you still have time to pay attention to the trivial matters of my Ministry of Works."

Sensing the barb in his words, Pei Dingxuan completely ignored him, as if deliberately stopping him, as if he had expected it.

So he continued, "Did His Majesty say anything about the proposal you submitted?"

"It's not like my elder brother doesn't attend court. That old man, Vice Minister Li of the Ministry of Works, promised to take me to meet the Emperor, but now he keeps putting it off."

He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, "When the task was assigned, wasn't it described as an urgent matter that couldn't be delayed? How come after it was completed, there's no urgency at all?"

That water-saving ingenuity was the culmination of his and Liu Wenying's efforts, and he was eager to show it off to His Majesty.

After receiving the holy praise, he could prove to outsiders that he was not just a spoiled and unruly scion of a noble family.

He was utterly frustrated when Li Shilang gave him the runaround.

After listening, Pei Dingxuan offered some advice, as if it were from an elder brother.

"Your Majesty is busy with many affairs every day. There are priorities and urgency in everything. Since Vice Minister Li is dragging his feet, there must be a reason. Don't be impatient."

"I understand." Pei Yaojun said sullenly, feeling that their hard work had been disregarded.

His third brother was intelligent and ambitious, like a rough diamond, with both brilliance and sharp edges.

Seeing that he was unconvinced, Pei Dingxuan reprimanded him in a stern voice.

"I understand that you want to make great strides in the Ministry of Works and let others see your talent. But talent alone is not enough in the court. Having ability alone will make you impatient and unable to keep your composure in the face of problems. You will easily make mistakes and it will be difficult to achieve great things."

Pei Dingxuan's words were sincere advice. Having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for many years, he understood the importance of a calm and composed temperament.

Unfortunately, this younger brother is arrogant and thinks that having talent is enough, and he is most likely to fail because of his impatience.

Pei Yaojun, however, didn't seem to care at all, and slightly curled the corner of his lips.

Talent should be the greatest asset in the world. Those tedious rules and calm words are just excuses that mediocre people make for themselves.

If you have real skills, why worry about not getting ahead? What does it matter if you're just impatient?

Seeing that he was unmoved by reason, Pei Dingxuan knew that he hadn't listened and stopped trying to persuade him.

Some truths can't be learned by being taught, but you'll understand them after just one experience. Ultimately, you only learn by hitting a wall yourself.

"Let's go, don't keep Grandmother and Father and Mother waiting."

Because of Pei Dingxuan's delay, Pei Yaojun ultimately missed the opportunity to get close to Liu Wenying, and afterwards, there was even a family banquet with toasts and laughter.

The family banquet lasted until late afternoon.

Throughout the entire process, Liu Wenying stood behind the old lady, serving tea and dishes without the slightest negligence.

Pei Yaojun's gaze, like it had hooks, would occasionally drift over from the banquet.

She pretended not to see it at all.

The guests did not leave until the Duke ordered the banquet to end.

Seeing that there was no way to change the situation, Pei Yaojun wanted to stay a little longer, but was called away by Madam Pei and left reluctantly.

After the masters had mostly left, the maids tidied up, cleared away the bowls and dishes, and put the tables and chairs back in their places.

Granny Wu then instructed Liu Wenying to fetch a pot of fresh tea from the small kitchen outside, so that the old lady could drink it when she was thirsty.

She went as instructed, and the old woman tending the fire in the small kitchen handed her freshly brewed tea.

Before long, Liu Wenying returned with tea.

As soon as she reached the door, she saw an acquaintance standing under the porch, coming towards her.

Zizhu beckoned and pulled Liu Wenying over, then asked a passing maid to bring tea into the room for her.

"Nanny Liu, the First Madam is waiting for you in the courtyard."

Waiting for her?

Liu Wenying was slightly taken aback, and followed Zizhu to the west side of the courtyard.

The moonlight was beautiful, illuminating the blue brick road in a silvery white.

A stone table was set up under the locust tree to the west. The First Madam sat at the table, with two maids standing behind her with their heads bowed.

Liu Wenying stepped forward to curtsy to her, "This servant greets the Madam..."

Before she could finish speaking, Wen Jingshu stood up and grabbed her arm, saying, "Get up quickly."

Liu Wenying was helped up by her. When she looked up, she met Wen Jingshu's concerned eyes.

"There's no one else here, so there's no need to stand on ceremony."

Wen Jingshu pulled her to sit on the stone bench, and then sat down opposite her, scrutinizing her face closely.

"You've been living in Mingxi Hall for a while now, are you settling in well? Grandmother's leg ailment is severe, so taking care of her at night is inevitably a bit difficult. Are you managing?"

Her voice was gentle, and every word was sincere.

Liu Wenying felt a warmth in her heart. "Thanks to Madam, I am doing well."

She did not mention Xi Chun's difficult behavior.

Firstly, he didn't want to gossip in front of the First Madam.

Secondly, I felt there was no need to trouble her, as I could handle it myself.

Wen Jingshu smiled faintly, "At today's family banquet, I saw that my grandmother trusts you and can't do without you. With your abilities, you should be able to get along well anywhere."

She paused and sighed, "I'm afraid that if you are transferred to Mingxi Hall in the future, Grandmother will be reluctant to let you go."

"Madam, you flatter me. I was merely doing my duty."

"There aren't many people in the manor who can truly live up to the word 'duty' and become indispensable to others."

…………