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

The journey to Weichang was not short, and a gentle breeze blew in through the gaps in the carriage curtains, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Inside the carriage, the old lady and the two gentlemen were initially talking in hushed tones, and the second gentleman would also say a few interesting anecdotes that made the old lady smile.

But as the journey lengthened, the monotonous sounds of horses' hooves and wheels, coupled with the swaying of the carriage, eventually led to fatigue.

Liu Wenying remained tense and served him with utmost care.

She noticed the old lady's expression and offered her some warm water to soothe her throat.

A faint, calming incense was burning inside the car, its smoke soft and gentle, specially prepared for the elderly lady to prevent motion sickness and calm her mind.

Gradually, the old lady's eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

His head tilted slightly toward his scrotum, and his breathing became long and even.

Seeing that the old lady had fallen asleep, the eldest and second masters also stopped talking.

Pei Zeyu picked up a book and began to peruse it.

Pei Dingxuan leaned against the carriage wall, closing his eyes to rest.

Liu Wenying sat on Pei Ze's side, diagonally opposite Pei Dingxuan.

After sitting down, she became even more afraid to move, keeping her eyes down and her mind focused.

The calming incense was so gentle that the journey was dull and quiet.

Liu Wenying's eyelids were getting heavier and heavier, and she could hardly keep them open.

As the carriage swayed, her head drooped down little by little, and her body tilted slightly uncontrollably.

First it tilted to one side, then it wobbled slightly.

Pei Zeyu lowered his eyes to read, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

But the corner of the book he was holding was slightly wrinkled from his tightening fingers.

Pei Dingxuan had opened his eyes at some point and saw Liu Wenying's drowsy state.

The second brother appears gentle and easygoing, but deep down he has an extremely strong obsession with cleanliness.

They dislike others getting close, let alone physical contact.

A thought struck him, and he immediately wanted to speak.

Under the pretext of showing consideration for his brother and making it easier to take care of his grandmother, he switched places with his second brother, thus putting an end to any potential misbehavior.

But just as he was about to move, Pei Zeyu made his move first.

He casually adjusted his posture, but actually moved an inch closer to Liu Wenying.

Without being deliberate, without being hasty, and without making a sound.

It's like a pillow handed to you when you're sleepy, just the right amount.

Just a moment ago, he was only a hair's breadth away, but now, the distance was close enough for him to see the tiny shadow cast by her eyelashes and smell the fresh scent of soap in her hair.

Pei Dingxuan's eyes darkened. "Second brother, how about we switch places? The lighting here is better, it's not too bright."

Pei Zeyu raised his eyes, his voice clear and gentle, "No need, Grandmother is sleeping soundly, so don't move her or disturb her."

A casual refusal shut him down completely.

Their eyes met, and a battle ensued in an instant.

Both of them had calm and expressionless faces, but their eyes were filled with undercurrents.

A cold and sharp demeanor, shrouded in the authority and inquisitiveness of an elder brother.

A gentle yet resolute person who will protect those around them and never yield an inch.

Neither side was willing to back down.

Their eyes locked, their attention focused on a single point.

It landed on the slender figure that was about to approach.

She was just an inch away from touching his shoulder.

Just before the touch occurred, perhaps due to the unease of being watched, Liu Wenying suddenly jolted awake from her slumber.

Qing Lingling's eyes were momentarily blank, but she quickly realized where she was and how she had almost done something against the rules. Her blankness was replaced by fear.

She looked up in a panic, only to meet two pairs of eyes.

The old man's gaze was deep and unfathomable.

Second Master's eyes were bright, clear, and gentle.

Oops!

I must have dozed off and lost my composure, which displeased them.

"This servant was momentarily tired and acted improperly, disturbing you, sirs. Please forgive me."

She spoke softly, so as not to disturb the old lady, but the guilt in her words was not diminished at all.

Pei Dingxuan withdrew his gaze from her, turned to the car window, his expression somber, and remained silent.

A suffocating silence spread through the carriage.

Just as Liu Wenying was about to be crushed by the silence, Pei Zeyu's clear voice rang out.

His tone was as calm as ever, even carrying a sense of relief and reassurance.

"It's alright, the journey is long and we're bound to get tired."

"Thank you for your consideration, Second Master."

A mixture of gratitude and lingering fear caused Liu Wenying's tense nerves to relax slightly.

But I dared not feel sleepy again, and even when I pinched my palms, I kept my back straight.

For the rest of the journey, Liu Wenying didn't close her eyes again.

The old man stopped talking, and the second old man quietly read his book.

The only sounds were the old lady's even breathing and the unchanging sound of traffic outside the car.

The large group finally arrived at the outer perimeter of Xishan Hunting Ground in the afternoon.

The western mountains are ablaze with autumn colors, the hunting grounds are vast, and banners flutter in the breeze.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department had been waiting there for a long time to make arrangements.

As is customary, members of the royal family naturally reside in one of the several exquisitely furnished palaces that had been built long ago.

High-ranking officials and nobles of such a prominent position as the Duke of Yu were originally entitled to be allocated a palace to live in, as a sign of imperial favor.

But this year is a special case.

As Liu Wenying got off the car with her uncles, she waited for arrangements after a short while, when she heard faint whispers around her.

"I heard that quite a few people from the Northern Barbarians have come. His Highness the Crown Prince has quite a grand entourage, with a huge number of guards, officials, and servants..."

"That's right! Of the several palaces originally prepared, His Majesty allocated some to the Northern Barbarian delegation, and if our Great Wei's royal family gets another one, won't we be strapped for cash?"

"Just now, I heard from Eunuch Wang that, apart from the imperial relatives and the envoys from the Northern Barbarians, all the other officials and nobles will probably have to set up camp outside the palace..."

Sure enough, not long after, an official came to deliver a message, bowing to the Duke of Yu and saying:

"I am truly sorry, but the palace has limited rooms. His Majesty has decreed that the Duke's Mansion, like all the other officials, must set up camp in the designated area."

The tents and equipment have been prepared by the Imperial Household Department and will be delivered shortly.

The Duke remained calm, as if he had expected this. "His Majesty's arrangements are to be followed. Thank you for your trouble, sir."

As the sun sets in the west, it paints the forests and open fields of the western mountains in a vibrant orange-red hue.

The old lady had rested enough in the carriage and her spirits had recovered somewhat.

Granny Wu then came over to relieve Liu Wenying of her shift, asking her to help set up the camp.

The tent's frame was erected by the accompanying strong guards, who worked together to drive in the tent pegs and tighten the ropes.

Liu Wenying, along with the other maids, laid out the felt mats and carpets sent by the Imperial Household Department, layer by layer.

Then arrange the armchairs, soft pillows, lamps, and incense burners brought from the mansion.

They also put away the old lady's medicine box and other familiar items properly.

Try to create a sense of familiarity and security in your temporary accommodations.

By the time everything was mostly ready, dusk had fallen.

Campfires were lit throughout the camp, their flickering flames illuminating the figures of people coming and going.

Liu Wenying rubbed her sore waist and arms, just about to catch her breath, when she heard Granny Wu calling her.

The old lady had alighted from the carriage and was sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed by Granny Wu.

Liu Wenying stepped forward and, with her on either side, slid the wheelchair towards the prepared tent.

Just as the wheelchair was about to be pushed through the tent flap.

A stench wafted through the air!

A snow-white shadow shot out from the darkness, swift as lightning.

"roar--!!!"

…………