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

The autumn hunting ceremony concluded, and the drums and gongs fell silent.

The echoes of the bugle still reverberated through the valleys, but the atmosphere in the hunting grounds had already shifted from somber to enthusiastic.

His Majesty took the lead on horseback, guiding the entourage into the hunting grounds.

Members of the imperial family, nobles, and officials of all ranks mounted their horses and followed closely behind, escorting the imperial carriage as it sped deeper into the hunting grounds.

A resting place for the women had already been set up on the side of the platform, with brocade curtains, soft couches, and felt mats.

The eldest princess, along with Liu Wenying, the old lady of the Duke's mansion, and the fourth daughter, and other noble ladies, entered and took their seats.

Madam Pei was not there; she had gone to the hunting grounds to check on her sons.

The maids served fresh tea and a warm stove, and in no time everyone was settled in.

The eldest princess picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Despite Madam Pei's poor health, she still made the trip in person. I truly admire her."

Yesterday's timing and occasion were both inappropriate; only now can she enjoy exchanging pleasantries with Old Madam Pei.

The old lady sat back in her large, specially made wheelchair, with a thin blanket covering her legs.

"Your Highness flatters me. It's my legs that are paralyzed, not my spirit. The Northern Barbarians have come to our doorstep to bully us. If this old woman cowers in the mansion, wouldn't we become a laughingstock?"

The eldest princess gently patted the old lady's hand, "With these words from Old Madam Pei, what is there to worry about for our Great Wei?"

As they were talking, their attention simultaneously shifted to a small figure beside them.

Fourth Sister Pei Rongyue sat upright, but her eyes couldn't help but dart outwards.

On the distant grassland, several women from prominent families rode their horses.

Dressed in tight-fitting clothes, with short swords at their waists and their hair tied up in high buns, they moved nimbly on horseback, their laughter carried on the wind, clear and melodious.

Pei Rongyue watched intently, her eyes sparkling with envy.

The eldest princess followed her gaze, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Fourth Miss Pei, would you like to go horseback riding?"

Pei Rongyue was taken aback, then quickly shook her head, her face flushing.

The eldest princess looked at the old lady.

The old lady sighed softly, her tone full of pity.

"She's been a sickly child, always taking medicine. She's weak and can't even ride a horse properly; she gets out of breath after just a few steps. The family never dares to let her do any of that."

The eldest princess pondered for a moment.

"There are several docile ponies in the stable, which were brought as tribute from a small country and are specially provided for the little princesses to play with."

If Madam Pei wants to try, she can bring a horse over and have someone slowly lead it around a few times; it won't hurt.

Pei Rongyue's eyes widened suddenly, but she dared not respond, and only glanced at the old lady.

Meeting those longing yet unspoken eyes, the old lady, who already felt sorry for her children and grandchildren, felt her heart soften even more.

This child was confined to the house since childhood, and dared not even have the slightest thought.

She smiled kindly and said, "Go if you want to. With the grace of the Princess and the care of the maids, it's alright."

"Thank you, Grandmother! Thank you, Princess!"

A bright smile bloomed on her face. She rose, bowed, and followed the palace maid with light steps.

Everyone's eyes followed the overjoyed Pei Rongyue, and several figures riding horses across the hunting grounds also came into view.

The third master of the Yuguo Duke's Mansion was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and had a lithe figure.

Pei Dingxuan took the lead, his sleeves billowing in the wind, as if a divine soldier had descended from the heavens.

Pei Zeyu followed closely behind, his gentle demeanor revealing a dashing spirit.

Pei Yaojun's red robe was the easiest to spot. He rode his horse over a low hill, drawing cheers from afar.

The eldest princess's eyes held a hint of envy, mixed with a touch of melancholy.

"Madam Pei is so blessed; she has three outstanding grandsons."

The old lady appeared proud, but said, "Your Highness flatters me. They're all good-for-nothings, always causing trouble."

"Trouble is a blessing in disguise, unlike me, all alone."

The words were spoken in a light tone, but to those around them, they made the air around them freeze.

Everyone knows that the eldest princess is approaching forty and still has no children.

She had been pregnant before; she had a child when she turned 10, but miscarried due to a turmoil in the harem, and had not had any more children since.

After that, she had one husband after another.

Seven or eight princes, from the capital and from the provinces, came and went, but none of them could leave her with a child.

A man standing beside the princess bent down, picked up a piece of melon with a silver skewer, and brought it to her lips, whispering, "Your Highness, there will be."

The man was handsome with delicate features and a gentle demeanor. He was the princess's newly chosen consort from a scholarly family in Jiangnan, and he treated her with utmost tenderness.

The princess took the fruit and glanced at him indifferently.

"If you still don't have one, I will replace you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the prince consort turned pale and was so embarrassed that he could hardly lift his head.

Seeing his helpless expression, the princess twitched her lips and softened her tone.

"What's the panic? I was just joking, don't take it seriously."

How can we not take it seriously?

The eldest princess changed her husbands as easily as changing clothes. Of her seven or eight predecessors, which one didn't just disappear with a laugh?

The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.

The old lady stepped in to smooth things over.

"Please calm down, Your Highness. It's just that the time is not right yet. Children are a gift from heaven. There is still a long time ahead. Perhaps good news will come soon. Your Highness, please don't get stuck on this and hurt yourself."

Out of respect for Madam Pei, the eldest princess suppressed her emotions.

In a moment, she regained her usual composure and grace.

She stood up and brushed her robes.

"Enough of this, let's not talk about it."

"On such a fine day, I'll change into riding attire and stretch my muscles."

"Your Highness is in high spirits."

The old lady smiled and nodded, watching her leave, while the others stood up to see her off.

After the princess left, the tent was quiet for a moment.

Liu Wenying stood with her head bowed beside the old lady, her eyes downcast and her mind focused.

But in my free time, my thoughts would drift involuntarily to that vast and boundless world in the distance.

She was so engrossed in watching that she didn't notice the old lady's gaze had fallen on her face.

"Want to go?"

Liu Wenying was taken aback. Meeting the old lady's eyes, which were capable of seeing through people's hearts, she quickly answered in a low voice.

"This servant dares not, this servant must serve the old lady."

"Go if you want, I have plenty of people to serve you."

Liu Wenying's heart skipped a beat, and her voice lowered even further.

"Madam is too kind, but this servant dares not presume to do so. Those horses are for noblemen to ride."

"Trespassing?"

The old lady raised an eyebrow, her tone indifferent.

"You saved me, you were praised by the Princess herself. If even you are considered to have overstepped your bounds, then who in the world dares to claim merit?"

Upon hearing this, Granny Wu's expression changed slightly.

The hero who saved the old lady.

The person whom the eldest princess personally praised.

Any one of these titles would be enough to elevate a maid's status in the household.

She, Granny Wu, had served the old lady for decades. Although she was confident that she would not be replaced by a mere maid, she still felt uncomfortable hearing it.

She pursed her lips, but ultimately couldn't resist.

"Madam, although Wenying has made contributions, she is still a servant. What she said is right; the horses in the stable are all prepared for noblemen."

If we let her ride it, people will probably say that our mansion has no rules or regulations.

…………