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

"This time, because of my performance in the hunting grounds, His Majesty has reinstated me to my original position, and I am no longer confined to my quarters."

When Yelü Yuanjia passed the second test and was asked to move the thousand-pound cauldron, he failed. However, he did not make the Great Wei suffer an embarrassing defeat and achieved a draw. Naturally, he deserved the reward he was due.

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenying disregarded his earlier overstepping of boundaries and was genuinely happy for him.

"That's wonderful, congratulations, Third Master."

He was talented, but wasted his life confined to his household, which was ultimately a pity.

Pei Yaojun, however, showed little joy and remained indifferent.

"What's so great about it? I won't be able to see you whenever I want anymore."

"With His Majesty's golden words of praise this time, those senior officials in the Ministry of Works no longer dare to look down on me, nor do they dare to leave me on the sidelines."

From then on, I had to go to the Ministry of Works every day to observe official duties, and I was busy with official business, so the time I could see them was very limited.

Liu Wenying didn't think that way. She reached out and smoothed out the wrinkles between his eyebrows with her fingertips.

"But Third Master, the most important thing is that you can make a name for yourself in the Ministry of Works, shine brightly, and realize your ambitions. Isn't that wonderful?"

Seeing that she was genuinely happy for him, Pei Yaojun's gloom lessened a bit. He forced a smile, lowered his head, and rubbed his nose against hers. "Silly girl."

Remembering something, Liu Wenying said, "Oh right, I still need to go to Chenshuang Courtyard to serve you later."

"Chenshuang Courtyard? My second brother's place?"

Liu Wenying nodded in confirmation.

Pei Yaojun spoke with a sour tone, as if he had been forced to drink a jar of aged vinegar.

"You've been to Tinglan Courtyard, you've been to Mingxi Hall, and now you want to go to Chenshuang Courtyard too."

"There are only six master courtyards in the mansion, and you've gone to half of them."

He leaned closer and bit her earlobe.

"When are you coming to my Zhaolin Courtyard?"

Having rescued her ears, Liu Wenying held them tightly, saying helplessly, "What nonsense are you talking about, Third Master? I'm not going to play; I'm going to do errands."

"Second Master, I suffered such serious injuries because of you. I have no way to repay you, and I can't just stand by and do nothing, can I?"

The sour feeling subsided slightly, but Pei Yaojun was still unwilling to give up.

"Everyone in the mansion knows how picky my second brother is, even the gatekeeper, Big Yellow, has heard about it."

Besides, all the servants in his courtyard were handpicked; do you think he'd let you go? You shouldn't…”

Liu Wenying interrupted, "Second Master has already given his permission."

"Did Second Brother agree?"

"Yes, Second Master is a very kind person. He knows I will feel guilty, so he allowed me to take care of him until he recovers as a way of repaying him."

Since they had all agreed, Pei Yaojun was unwilling, but he could only pretend to be magnanimous.

"Well... since it's about repaying a debt of gratitude, I can't stop you."

He couldn't figure out his second brother, but he was obsessed with cleanliness, so taking care of him would probably involve things like serving tea and water.

He grunted and instructed, "If your second brother makes things difficult for you, just come and tell me."

"Yes, Second Master, you won't, but I appreciate Third Master's kindness."

Liu Wenying felt a warmth in her heart and wanted to lift a strand of black hair that fell across his chest.

The sound of the night watchman's drum came from outside the window; it was already past four in the morning. He changed his hand from stroking to pushing.

"It's getting late, Third Master, you should head back soon."

Pei Yaojun remained unmoved.

Liu Wenying pushed it again.

Pei Yaojun finally moved, and kissed him fiercely.

This kiss was much more substantial than the previous few pecks.

It was both fierce and urgent, as if it were using up all the time they would have to miss seeing each other in the next few days.

He only relaxed, panting, when both of them were breathing heavily.

"This is interest, Yingying, you mustn't forget."

Liu Wenying was so dizzy from his kisses that even her ears turned bright red.

He couldn't speak anymore, so he just nodded haphazardly.

"That's a good girl," Pei Yaojun said affectionately, giving her a quick peck on the corner of her lips before getting off the bed.

The room fell silent again, save for Liu Wenying's disordered heartbeat and breathing.

She stared blankly at the window that was still swaying slightly, and after a long while, she slowly sat up.

My gaze inadvertently swept over the bedside and I saw a bamboo basket on the floor, covered with a piece of silk cloth.

On a sudden impulse, he got off the bed barefoot and gently lifted the silk cloth.

Seven or eight little rabbits huddled together, snow-white and round, fast asleep.

……

In the afternoon, Liu Wenying came to Chenshuang Courtyard from Mingxi Hall.

Unlike the vibrant flowers of Tinglan Courtyard, Mingxi Hall is tranquil and peaceful.

The Shenshuang Courtyard seemed to be shrouded in an invisible silence.

The plants in the courtyard were meticulously trimmed, and the corridor was so clean that not a single fallen leaf could be seen.

Even the sound of the passing wind seemed to deliberately subside.

The servants swept and cleaned silently, their movements quiet and their eyes fixed straight ahead. If their eyes met, they would quickly look away and never say a word.

Two or three maids stood on the veranda outside the house, dressed in the uniform maid outfits of the mansion.

They all just stood guard at the door, and none of them went inside.

Liu Wenying was slightly surprised.

The staff was so small and the rules so strict that even the personalities of the servants seemed to have been specially selected.

Just as he was pondering this, Ah Fu and Ah Jin came to greet him.

Both men were capable attendants of the Second Master. Afu was older and more composed, while Ajin was younger and more quick-witted. At this moment, they both wore respectful expressions.

"It's good that Sister Liu is here. Second Master had already instructed us to make proper preparations."

Liu Wenying followed them, but stopped just before stepping into the house.

"Ah Fu, Ah Jin, should I wait outside? I just saw those two older sisters under the eaves..."

Afu smiled and shook his head.

"Sister, you are overthinking it. Second Master is very strict. The only servants who can enter the main house are me and Ah Jin, and Second Madam's personal maid."

But my sister is different—”

Ah Jin naturally chimed in, "Second Master personally instructed that if Sister comes, she can naturally enter."

Liu Wenying was slightly relieved and followed the two into the house.

"By the way, where is the Second Madam? Should I go and pay my respects?"

Afu's smile froze slightly.

During the autumn hunting ceremony, Afu accompanied the group, while Ajin stayed in the courtyard to guard the house.

But Ah Jin had been working for quite some time, and he remembered the daily routines of his employer.

"Sister, you don't know, these days are the days when the Second Madam returns to her parents' home. She always goes back to stay for two or three days at this time and is not at the Duke's mansion."

"I understand."

Liu Wenying's doubts dissipated, and she nodded gently.

Since it's a homecoming visit, it's understandable that the courtyard is a bit quiet.

She didn't ask any more questions, but instead looked at the furnishings inside the room and said gently, "Now that you're here, it's not good to just stand there. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Afu: "Sister, don't worry. You're out today, so just get familiar with the surroundings first. We'll take care of the trivial matters."

Ah Jin: "Yes, Second Master usually returns to the manor in the evening, and we'll need your help then. There's no rush."

Liu Wenying thought about it and felt that it made sense, so she didn't insist.

She stood in the center of the room, examining it closely.

Unlike the opulent and magnificent courtyards of other master residences in the Pei family mansion, the main house of Chenshuang Courtyard is elegantly and simply furnished, yet it exudes sophistication in every detail.

Several antiques, all with simple and elegant glazes, were scattered on the rosewood display cabinet.

A landscape painting hangs on the wall, its brushstrokes light and sparse.

A large desk stands by the window, with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone neatly arranged, and a paperweight made of warm, lustrous green jade.

However... there were very few traces of a woman inside the house.

…………