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

Pei Dingxuan was displeased and spoke coldly to Pei Yaojun, offering no further pleasantries.

"Father is at the drill ground discussing matters with His Majesty, and instead of being by his side, you're wandering around the depths of the hunting grounds with this maidservant. What are you doing?"

Liu Wenying lowered her head, her eyes focused on her nose and her heart.

I should have known better than to come out with Third Master; it only made First Master worry.

Pei Yaojun, completely unfazed by his elder brother's cold expression, retorted nonchalantly, "I'm not a three-year-old child. What kind of behavior is it to be watched over by Father all day long?"

Pei Dingxuan was too lazy to argue with him and looked at Liu Wenying, saying, "Why aren't you taking care of Ye'er? What are you doing here?"

When Pei Yaojun heard these words, it sounded like he was reprimanding her for neglecting her duties.

He was about to defend her and explain on her behalf.

Liu Wenying quietly tugged at his sleeve, then curtsied and said, "Master, Third Master said he wants to catch some rabbits for the First Madam and Second Madam to keep them entertained, and asked me to help carry the rabbits."

She knew in her heart that the old man didn't really want to scold her, but was worried that she might encounter danger again if she rashly left the tent.

This secret concern was understood only by the two of them.

Pei Dingxuan didn't pursue the matter further. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Where's the rabbit?"

"Aren't we catching them? Why would we just wait for them to come to us? Shouldn't we look for their burrows in the woods?"

Pei Yaojun spoke with a smile, but he knew perfectly well what was going on in his mind.

For some reason, my elder brother always misunderstands Liu Wenying.

He was worried that Liu Wenying wouldn't be able to bear her elder brother's harsh treatment, so he said, "Go back. With your elder brother here, there's no need for you."

Liu Wenying was stunned, and before she could respond, she was interrupted by Pei Dingxuan.

"Fine, let her come along."

There was no one around, and the area was overgrown with vegetation, making it a secluded place. The real culprit from yesterday had not yet been caught, and it would be even more dangerous for her to go back alone.

Pei Yaojun wanted to spend more time with her, so naturally he wouldn't refuse.

The three continued walking deeper into the forest, one in front of the other, with Pei Dingxuan's steed following behind.

Pei Yaojun walked at the front, occasionally using his longbow to pry open the bushes by the roadside.

After walking for about half an incense stick's time, Liu Wenying discovered a trace.

There were several small, shallow footprints on the ground two zhang away, and a few snow-white rabbit furs were still stuck to the grass.

She excitedly tugged at Pei Yaojun's sleeve, "Third Master, look over there!"

Pei Yaojun looked in the direction she was looking and saw her clearly. He was about to chase after her, but he stopped after taking just one step.

Liu Wenying was puzzled and turned around with him, only to see Pei Dingxuan following them at a leisurely pace.

"Big brother, what are you still doing here?"

Pei Dingxuan stood with his hands behind his back and retorted, "Why can't I be here?"

"The Northern Barbarians have come with ill intentions. The third round of the competition concerns the reputation of the Great Wei. Brother, as an official of the court, why aren't you searching for the jade dove and fighting for victory? What are you doing wasting your time with us?"

The implication is that instead of dedicating himself to the Great Wei, he's wasting his talents by hunting rabbits for them.

Pei Dingxuan spoke indifferently, showing no interest.

"The Great Wei is full of talented people, including princes, nobles, and scions of aristocratic families. They don't need me. As for the matter of finding the jade dove, others will take care of it."

No sooner had he spoken than someone rode up on horseback. The sound of the horse's hooves was not as urgent and sharp as when Pei Dingxuan had arrived; instead, it was more calm and composed.

Pei Zeyu sat upright on his horse, his back straight as bamboo, dressed in a frosty riding outfit, his clothes fluttering lightly.

"What my brother just said sounds somewhat familiar."

He reined in his horse and stopped in front of the three men, then nimbly dismounted, his robes billowing in the wind, his posture elegant and graceful.

It wasn't just a familiar name; he had just told Pei Dingxuan about it last night, and today Pei Dingxuan used it to appease Pei Yaojun.

Pei Dingxuan did not answer, but only called him "Second Brother".

Pei Zeyu didn't mind, and asked in a probing tone, "Second brother doesn't quite understand, and would like to ask eldest brother for guidance. What is it that makes eldest brother neglect the Northern Di and spend time here?"

"Of course, we're catching rabbits!"

Pei Yaojun chimed in, offering his enthusiastic answer.

"Catch, rabbit, child?" Pei Zeyu confirmed.

"Yes, there were rabbit tracks there. We finally found them and were just about to make our move."

Pei Zeyu's smile froze for a moment, and Pei Dingxuan looked away.

Pei Yaojun, completely oblivious, urged:

"Big brother, second brother, if you two aren't going to catch them, don't just stand here. Rabbits have sharp ears; if they hear any noise and run away, all our work will be for nothing."

Pei Zeyu glanced at Pei Dingxuan to confirm that he had no intention of leaving.

He then smiled and said, "Okay, let's catch rabbits together."

Liu Wenying regretted coming out; one Third Master wasn't enough to deal with, and then the First Master and Second Master followed one after another.

But she had no other choice.

Finally, there are the three masters of the Yuguo Duke's Mansion: the incorruptible eldest master, the gentle and refined second master, and the unrestrained third master, along with the reserved and obedient maid.

They were strangely gathered in the hunting grounds, and what they were doing had nothing to do with the contest that would determine the reputation of the two countries; they were simply... catching rabbits.

The trio has grown to four with the addition of another person.

Liu Wenying felt that the atmosphere was very strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.

All they could do was follow behind the Third Master, hoping to catch the rabbit quickly and return to the First Madam's side.

Following the rabbit's tracks, Pei Yaojun parted the grass and found a hole.

He turned the arrow upside down, rolled up his sleeves, and began to dig holes.

"I've got it! I've got it!"

A short while later, he pulled his hand out of the rabbit hole, holding a small, snow-white thing in his palm.

It's a little rabbit that just opened its eyes, all soft and squishy.

Liu Wenying took out her handkerchief to receive it.

"Don't rush, there's more."

Pei Yaojun reached in again and pulled out one, two, three...

Before long, Liu Wenying had a handkerchief spread out in her palm, and seven or eight little rabbits were squeezed on the handkerchief.

They were all furry, some with their eyes not yet fully open, huddled together for warmth.

Pei Dingxuan and Pei Zeyu stood to the side without moving.

One thought it was too childish, while the other loved cleanliness.

Liu Wenying held the little rabbit, and her voice softened as well.

"Third Master, these baby rabbits are too young and haven't been weaned yet. They need to drink their mother's milk to survive."

"If we take them away, without a mother rabbit to feed them, they probably won't survive more than a few days."

To his surprise, what he pulled out of the rabbit hole were still-nursing baby rabbits. Pei Yaojun frowned. "What should we do? Put them back in?"

"Their mother must be foraging nearby, so we can take them with us."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a white shadow flashing past in the grass not far away.

A large, snow-white rabbit crouched among them, warily watching their surroundings.

"Third Master, over there!"

Liu Wenying pointed in that direction, "The mother rabbit is over there. Take her back with you, and the baby rabbits will have milk to drink."

She put the little rabbits in her arms on the ground, cushioned them with a handkerchief, and was about to chase after them.

"call out--!"

An arrow, accompanied by a strong gust of wind, shot straight toward her at an astonishing speed.

"Be careful!"

The three people beside him moved simultaneously.

However, Liu Wenying was always on her guard, relying on the quick wit she had developed from years of working.

Taking advantage of the moment when the three men were protecting her, she ducked and dodged the arrow that brushed against her ear.

With a soft thud, the arrow pierced flesh and bone, striking a mother rabbit not far in front of her.

The mother rabbit's snow-white fur was stained red with blood, and after kicking her legs a few times, she remained still.

The forest fell silent as the four of them looked in the direction from which the arrow had come.

A procession of palace attendants escorted a tall horse, upon which sat the Crown Prince of the Great Wei, Xiao Chenlin, dressed in luxurious robes.

…………