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

The blanket covering Pei Yaojun bulged out of place and began to move.

First, she stretched out a slender hand and clung tightly to the edge of the blanket.

Then, a head cautiously peeked out.

As soon as Liu Wenying peeked out, she met Pei Yaojun's eyes, which were almost touching.

Their noses touched, their faces were pressed together, and their breaths mingled.

Having been cooped up in bed for a long time, her cheeks were flushed red, with messy strands of hair sticking to her temples, making her almond-shaped eyes glisten with tears, but there was still a lingering panic in them.

"Finally, they're gone! I was so suffocated..."

When the old man came in, she had nowhere to escape and in desperation, she could only crawl into his bed.

Afraid of arousing suspicion, she pressed herself tightly against his chest, curling up into a ball and holding her breath.

So close, I could hear his rapid, powerful heartbeat right under my ear, one beat after another.

The blanket was filled with his scent, hot and intense, completely enveloping her, almost suffocating her.

Now that she was free, the warmth of that close embrace still seemed to be branded onto her skin, making her heart race with unease.

Pei Yaojun stared at her blankly.

After she got off the bed, she gradually came to her senses and realized what she had just said.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, but I'll leave you a way out next time?"

Liu Wenying glared at him back, thinking that this kind of thing should only happen once.

Pei Yaojun was just asking, and when he saw her glaring at him, he didn't find it rude, only cute.

Why are you so afraid of my older brother?

She hid under the covers, her body trembling slightly.

His elder brother had previously given him a private warning, telling him to stay away from the servants in the mansion.

Especially avoid getting too close to her; your words will imply that you forbid him from getting near her.

Now she avoids her elder brother like the plague, and the fear she shows is unlike that of a servant towards his master.

Pei Yaojun felt as if a thin veil was draped over his heart, vaguely trying to grasp some clue.

"I am a servant of Mingxi Hall, and it is against the rules for me to appear in Zhaolin Courtyard at night."

You know that your grandfather is very particular about rules and fairness. If he sees me like this, I'm afraid I'll be severely punished.

This reason is perfectly reasonable.

Just as he was about to delve deeper, Liu Wenying had already smoothed out the wrinkles on her skirt.

"Third Master has taken his medicine and eaten, so he should rest well. This servant should go back now."

He lay back down on the pillow, his face softening with contentment.

She fed him the medicine and coaxed him to eat.

Her warmth still lingered between his lips and teeth.

Her words completely dispelled the frustration and annoyance in my heart.

Although I had my doubts, I didn't care anymore.

When Liu Wenying stepped out of Zhaolin Courtyard, the night breeze was cool.

She patted her face, trying to make the blush fade away quickly.

Before leaving, I glanced back at the closed door.

The candlelight shone through the window paper, spreading out small halos of light, like a silent eye watching in the deep night.

Liu Wenying exhaled, completely suppressing the palpitations and lingering fear in her heart.

Then he turned around and left along the bluestone path.

What she didn't know was that in the instant she turned to leave...

In the deep shadows sheltered by the trees outside Zhaolin Courtyard, a figure returned.

The hem of his dark blue robe fluttered slightly in the night breeze. He stood quietly, his lips pressed into a sharp line.

On the cold wasteland inside his body, it felt as if someone had lit a fire, burning his internal organs to the point of being unbearable.

His hands, hanging by his sides, slowly clenched, his knuckles clicking, as he finally suppressed his surging emotions.

On an ordinary night, some people find comfort in their high fever, while others are consumed by anxiety and unable to sleep.

……

Chenshuang Courtyard, Study.

The weather was fine and sunny, with a gentle breeze rustling through the pines by the small stove.

Pei Zeyu rolled up his sleeves and brewed tea. Steam rose gently, carrying a faint aroma of tea that filled the entire room. He exuded a sense of leisure and tranquility.

"Second Master, Young Master Gu has arrived."

Ah Fu entered quietly and bowed to report.

Pei Zeyu looked up. "Bring him in."

Before long, a clear, cheerful voice came from outside.

"What fragrant tea! Pei Er, you've been hiding away to relax again."

The curtain was lifted, and a young man walked in.

He was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with an ordinary appearance and unremarkable features. He was the kind of person who would be easily lost in a crowd.

But the moment he stood there, he exuded an aura that made people feel exceptionally comfortable.

Gu Zijing didn't stand on ceremony. She walked straight to the table, picked up the hot tea, and took a sip without waiting for Pei Zeyu to greet her.

"Ouch, it's hot!"

He winced as the tea burned his mouth, but still swallowed it and grinned at Pei Zeyu.

"It's been over a year since I last saw you, but your tea-brewing skills haven't deteriorated at all. They're even better than the ones I've had in Jiangnan."

Pei Zeyu's lips curved slightly: "What brings you here today?"

"Don't play dumb! Didn't you send a letter telling me to come back as soon as possible?"

He and Pei Zeyu had known each other since childhood and shared a deep friendship; they were bosom buddies.

Gu Zijin was the son of the Minister of Personnel, and his father was both a teacher and friend of Pei Zeyu.

However, Gu Zijing had a detached personality and disliked the intrigues and power struggles in the imperial court.

He was more fond of the pleasures of nature and often traveled around, his whereabouts unpredictable.

Only Pei Zeyu knew that although he seemed indifferent to worldly affairs, he was actually well-informed and knowledgeable among the common people, and was well-versed in various tricks and methods. He also possessed a hidden skill that no one else knew about.

Pei Zeyu didn't reply, his gaze sweeping over the servants standing in the room.

The servants understood and quietly withdrew, carefully closing the doors and windows behind them.

Suddenly, only the two of them remained in the study.

Gu Zijing's smile faded slightly, and she leaned forward a little, lowering her voice.

"Why were you in such a hurry to bring me back? Is it because... you've run out of medicine again?"

The medicine he mentioned was certainly not an ordinary medicine.

The warm tea steamed, blurring the patterns on the celadon cups on the table.

"It's not just that the medicine ran out, there's something else."

"What is it? Is there anything between us that we can't talk about?"

What wasn't written in a letter was probably not a simple matter for Pei Zeyu.

Pei Zeyu wanted to speak, but the words caught in his throat, as if his throat was blocked by cotton wool, making it difficult to utter a sound.

That matter was too secretive to be openly discussed even with one's closest friends.

Gu Zijing raised an eyebrow. "Hesitating like that doesn't seem like the way Second Master Pei would act."

Caught off guard by his words, Pei Zeyu took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, saying, "I had a reaction to a woman."

"What?!"

It was like a thunderclap in Gu Zijing's ears, so loud that he almost dropped his teacup.

"Really? Your hidden ailment is getting better!?"

Pei Zeyu frowned, making sure the doors and windows were tightly closed, and said coldly, "Couldn't you have spoken a little more softly?"

Even though Shen Shuang Courtyard was his territory, and he had dismissed the servants, there was no guarantee that there wouldn't be sharp-eared people eavesdropping outside.

His inability to have sex was a secret known to no one except his close friends.

Now, after Gu Zijing shouted at him like that, his ears felt hot.

Pei Zeyu may seem to have many friends and associate with the sons of powerful and wealthy people, but the only one he can truly confide in and who knows his secrets is Gu Zijing.

Gu Zijin wasn't annoyed by his slight anger.

He knew his friend too well; he seemed easy to talk to, but in reality, he was extremely guarded.

Over the years, apart from his grandmother, Gu Zijing had never heard of anyone else who had ever been in physical contact with him.

It's no longer just a simple obsession with cleanliness; it's a morbid rejection and aversion to others.

Hearing him bring up his interactions with others, Gu Zijing was utterly shocked.

He suppressed his shock and hurriedly asked.

"What exactly was the reaction? When? Describe it in detail, don't leave out any specifics."

…………