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

Liu Wenying turned around following the sound.

The person who called out to her was a middle-aged woman, followed by Xu Jiang.

The middle-aged woman was dressed in an understated yet expensive fabric; she was clearly Xu Jiang's mother, the wife of the silk shop owner, Xu's mother.

Xu Jiang was dressed the same as yesterday, head down, looking flustered.

He only dared to glance at Liu Wenying, his brows and eyes filled with unease.

Xu's mother, however, walked quickly. Upon seeing Liu Wenying, she took her hand and said warmly, "Miss Liu, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting!"

She handed over the food box she was carrying. "Jiang'er said you like pastries from Li's shop, so I dragged him to buy some halfway through. They were freshly baked, and we had to queue, which took a long time."

The other party greeted her with a smile, and Liu Wenying couldn't refuse, so she waved her hand and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Auntie, but there's no need for the pastries. I have other business to attend to."

"We haven't even exchanged a few words yet, don't be in such a hurry to leave."

Xu's mother didn't insist and handed the food box to her son.

"We all work for the First Madam. Since the First Madam intends to bring us together, it means she thinks our two families are a good match."

"It's not that I'm being mean, but you're a widow with a child, and your family needs a man to support it. My Jiang'er is honest, knows how to run a shop, and is getting married for the first time. Others would be begging for a marriage like this."

His words, though seemingly casual, were like poison mixed with honey.

Liu Wenying maintained a polite smile, "Auntie, I already made it very clear to Xu Jiang last time."

"What do you mean, 'clear about'?"

Xu's mother's fake smile crumbled.

"Miss Liu, how can you not see reality? I'm calling you 'Miss' to give you face. Do you really think you're still a virgin?"

With a child in tow, a widow and orphan, what good future do they have? Our Jiang'er doesn't look down on them, yet you're putting on airs!

"Mother! Stop talking..." Xu Jiang's face flushed red as he tugged at his mother's sleeve.

Why can't I say it?

Xu's mother shook off his hand and glared at Liu Wenying.

"Let's be frank. Since the First Madam has spoken, the marriage is a done deal. Now you say you're unwilling, is it because you think our Xu family is not good enough for you, or do you have other plans?"

The question was sharp, but Liu Wenying calmly replied, "It's not that Xu Jiang is bad, it's just that I really have no intention of getting married."

How could Liu Wenying not see through Xu's mother's true thoughts?

Madam Xu saw that she was the First Madam's deputy, and that she would be able to speak to the master in the future, which would greatly benefit the Xu family's silk business.

In addition, she was a widow with no parents and a child, with a weak background, making her easy to control after marriage.

Her schemes were laid bare, and Liu Wenying felt utterly disgusted.

But Xu's mother held on tightly and wouldn't let go, muttering to herself.

The sun was so bright that Liu Wenying's vision was getting dark. Just as she was in a dilemma, the sound of a car came from the end of the long street.

The ebony carriage came to a steady stop in front of the Duke's mansion. The curtain was lifted, and Pei Zeyu stepped out in a moon-white brocade robe with silver thread.

In her panic, Liu Wenying called out, "Second Master!"

The voice was loud and clearly urgent.

Everyone looked at her. Xu's mother was stunned, and Xu Jiang was at a loss.

Liu Wenying disregarded etiquette and frantically winked at Pei Zeyu, hoping he would come to her rescue.

Pei Zeyu's gaze lingered on her, then swept over Xu's mother's hand that was tightly gripping her arm.

"Why aren't you going back to take care of your grandmother? What are you doing here?"

Liu Wenying quickly curtsied, "Yes, this servant will go back now."

While Xu's mother was still in a daze, she withdrew her hand.

But how could Xu's mother let her off so easily?

Seeing that Liu Wenying was trying to escape, Xu's mother's kind mask shattered completely, and when soft tactics failed, she resorted to force.

"Miss Liu, what do you mean? The marriage between our two families was arranged by our master himself, and you didn't say a word against it back then."

How many things has Jiang'er given you over the years? Fabrics, pastries, rouge and face powder—everything was carefully selected.

How can you turn your back on me so easily? Is there no justice in this world?

Madam Xu had a loud voice, and her words were so loud that not only did people outside the mansion turn their heads to look, but even the gatekeepers inside the mansion peeked out.

Liu Wenying frowned, but remained completely calm.

"Xu Jiang wanted to give me the things, not that I asked for them. I refused, but he insisted on giving them to me, so I reluctantly accepted them and returned them all in silver."

She looked at the person next to Xu's mother, "Xu Jiang, don't you think so?"

Xu Jiang avoided eye contact, not daring to look at her or his mother, and stammered, "Miss Liu did indeed return the money..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu's mother glared at him fiercely.

Seeing her son undermine her, Xu's mother retorted, "So what if we returned the money? What the Xu family gives away is a token of our goodwill! It can't be measured by a few taels of silver!"

"Don't think you're so great just because you work for the government! A widow with no parents and a child, marrying Jiang'er, our first husband, is the greatest blessing you've ever had! And you dare to be picky?"

"I have no parents, nor am I an object to be disposed of at will!"

Instead of retreating, Liu Wenying advanced, her eyes bright and captivating.

"Marriage is a lifelong matter and should be based on mutual consent. Indeed, the First Madam kindly acted as matchmaker, but she never forced me. Since I have no intention of marrying, there is no reason for me to force myself."

My marriage is my own decision to make!

Liu Wenying's attitude was firm, and Xu's mother was so provoked that she trembled all over. She wanted to argue again, but was suddenly interrupted by a voice.

That's enough.

Pei Zeyu stepped forward and slammed the folding fan shut in his hand.

"This is the public domain; how dare you cause such a scene?"

Afu chimed in, "Making a ruckus in front of the Duke's mansion disturbs the peace inside; according to the rules, this should be punished."

Xu's mother was intimidated by this imposing aura, and her arrogance immediately diminished.

Xu Jiang couldn't bear to watch any longer and tugged at her arm, "Mother, let's go. If Miss Liu doesn't want to, then let it be."

The person opposite is one of the masters of the mansion, and it seems he is more inclined to favor Liu Wenying.

Xu's mother was shrewd and not without insight. She had tried to pester him relentlessly, but it didn't work, and her master had stopped her. If she continued, she would definitely not get away with it.

"We are not very knowledgeable about etiquette and did not mean to disturb Second Master." Madam Xu bowed to Pei Zeyu.

Pei Zeyu glanced at them sideways, "The tasks assigned by the manor seem quite leisurely, giving you time to cause trouble in front of the manor gate?"

With her business completely controlled by the other party, Xu's mother dared not push her luck any further.

He left with a curt "That's absolutely not true," and then slunk away with his son.

Finally freed, Liu Wenying did not forget the person who had been kind to her.

She curtsied to Pei Zeyu, "Thank you for coming to my rescue, Second Master."

The bright sunlight shone on her face, making her complexion unnaturally red, while her lips were very pale.

Pei Zeyu frowned and urged, "Hurry up and go back."

Liu Wenying assumed that he was worried about the old lady and afraid that she would neglect her duties of serving her.

"Yes, this servant will go back right away."

After saying that, he turned around and started jogging.

But after running two steps, the world suddenly spun around him.

…………