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

Liu Wenying's eyes were red-rimmed, and tears clung to her long eyelashes, glistening like dew in the night.

Her appearance was just like a spring crabapple soaked by the rain, so pitiful that it made one's heart clench.

Pei Yaojun's joking expression vanished. "What's wrong?"

Liu Wenying lowered her head and hastily wiped her face with her sleeve. "I...I'm fine..."

The moment the words left her mouth, her voice trembled with sobs, which she could not conceal no matter what.

"Who bullied you?"

Pei Yaojun grabbed her arm and lifted her up so she could stand properly.

His anger was palpable, as if he would immediately confront the person if she uttered a single name.

"No, really no!" Liu Wenying shook her head repeatedly.

Don't you want to talk about it?

Pei Yaojun's eyes showed pity, and he softened his voice, coaxing, "Then you should at least tell me what happened?"

He had rarely seen her cry so heartbrokenly.

Liu Wenying lowered her eyes, her throat choked with emotion, "Third Master, please don't ask anymore..."

Her voice was soft and sticky, pleading through her vocal cords.

Pei Yaojun couldn't bear to ask any more questions, and his heart softened completely.

"Okay, I won't ask anymore, please don't cry, okay?"

Liu Wenying nodded emphatically, took deep breaths, and tried to calm herself down.

After a while, when she felt better, he said, "Then you should at least tell me what I can do to help you. Don't do this anymore..."

His heart ached at the sight.

Not only did he say it, Pei Yaojun also took action, wiping away the moisture from the corner of her eyes with his knuckles, his movements so gentle that they were unlike him.

Liu Wenying was stunned and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Just then, someone passed by, and Liu Wenying, like a startled bird, wanted to burrow into the shadows.

Unfortunately, she was standing next to Master Pei.

Pei Yaojun pulled her into his arms, as if spreading his wings to protect her.

Once the footsteps had faded into the distance, he lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Don't want anyone to see you?"

Liu Wenying nestled in his arms, her fear subsiding slightly. "Mmm..."

"Alright, then I'll take you to a place where no one will see you."

Pei Yaojun pulled her towards the backyard. Upon arriving at Zhaolin Courtyard, he gave instructions to Acai.

"Guard the door. No one is allowed to enter without my permission."

With a clatter, before Ah Cai could even see what the person his master was pulling looked like, he disappeared behind the door.

The sky was completely dark, the deep blue turning into thick ink, and even the starlight was faint.

Liu Wenying leaned against the corner of the soft couch, hugging her knees, and remained motionless.

Pei Yaojun brought over a plate of hibiscus cake and hot tea, placing it on a small table beside her.

"You were serving food to your grandmother the whole time at the birthday banquet, and you didn't get any for yourself. Now you should at least have some, right?"

Liu Wenying shook her head, not even glancing at it.

He pushed the teacup forward a little more. "Shouldn't you at least drink the water?"

Liu Wenying shook her head again.

Pei Yaojun became extremely patient and sent Ah Cai out to buy a set of women's clothes.

"Since your belt is torn, shouldn't you change your clothes?"

After he finished speaking, he naturally went to untie her swaying belt.

Liu Wenying shrank back to avoid him.

Pei Yaojun's hand froze in mid-air, the candlelight flickering in his eyes, reflecting a fleeting moment of injury.

Noticing the change in his mood, Liu Wenying bit her lip.

These things had nothing to do with him.

He could have simply ignored her and let her wallow in self-pity in a dark corner.

But he didn't. He brought her back, gave her food, drinks, and clothes, and asked her if she wanted this or that.

Why would she embarrass someone who is good to her?

Liu Wenying reached out and gently hooked her little finger with his.

Pei Yaojun was taken aback, looked up, and met her eyes.

"Third Master...this servant is really alright."

Their fingers intertwined, and Pei Yaojun's hurt feelings instantly vanished.

He grasped her entire soft hand in his other hand, feeling her icy body temperature and subtle trembling.

"I didn't realize you were so stubborn," he sighed softly. "If this is all you're doing, then what would be considered something serious?"

Pei Yaojun completely enveloped her hand in his palm, warming it little by little with his body heat.

He's always like that; as long as you show him even the slightest bit of kindness.

He would then complete the remaining ninety-nine steps without hesitation.

Pei Yaojun held the back of her head and pressed her head against his chest.

"You lent me your shoulder to lean on before, now it's my turn to return the favor."

"Cry, cry, don't force yourself. It'll feel better if you cry it out. I'm here, no one can bully you anymore."

That time, Pei Yaojun caught a fever from being caught in the rain, his whole body burning hot. He leaned against her like this, so vulnerable, unlike the unruly Third Master he usually was.

Liu Wenying asked curiously, "So, Third Master also secretly cried in my arms last time, right?"

His chest muscles, which he was leaning against, suddenly hardened, and he retorted, "...No."

What a time of day! She really knows how to bring up the most sensitive topics.

Liu Wenying was amused by his answer and burst into laughter through her tears. Tears still clung to the corners of her eyes, but the corners of her lips had already turned up slightly.

Seeing that her mood had improved, Pei Yaojun decided to simply admit it, since there were no outsiders around anyway.

"Okay, it's just what you thought, isn't it better now?"

"Men don't easily shed tears, but you are a girl, so you don't have to keep everything bottled up. If you feel wronged, speak up; if you feel sad, cry."

I can't laugh anymore, lest I anger Third Master.

Liu Wenying stopped laughing and expressed her sincere gratitude.

"Yes, thank you for your comforting words, Third Master. I feel much better now."

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something, her expression changed, and she tried to struggle out of his arms.

"This servant must go back; the old lady's side..."

Pei Yaojun hooked his arm around her and pulled her back.

The two of them fell onto the soft couch together, and she was trapped in his arms, unable to move.

"What are you afraid of? I'll just have someone tell Grandmother that you sprained your ankle and can't come to take care of her."

Pei Yaojun's tone was domineering and matter-of-fact.

Liu Wenying struggled a few times but couldn't break free. "But..."

"But what?"

Pei Yaojun interrupted her.

"The old lady's family won't be in any trouble without you, so don't worry about them."

Liu Wenying remained silent. He was right. There were so many people in Mingxi Hall, and the old lady's health was improving day by day. She would probably recover soon. Losing one of them really didn't matter.

"This servant also has Luo Luo..."

"Then you absolutely cannot go back. Children don't understand. Don't they know what kind of bamboo is in your house? Do you want her to worry?"

She lowered her eyes, "This servant..."

"Alright, you'll do as I say and stay put."

Liu Wenying was finally persuaded and quietly lay back on the soft couch.

Perhaps due to the recent emotional turmoil, now that I've relaxed, I feel parched and my eyes involuntarily drift towards the teacup on the small table.

Pei Yaojun followed her gaze and asked, "Want some water?"

Liu Wenying nodded.

He raised an eyebrow. "Then say it."

Liu Wenying pursed her lips and said in a soft voice, "Third Master, this servant would like to drink some water."

Pei Yaojun smiled and said, "Mm."

He brought it over and held it to her lips.

Liu Wenying sipped the warm tea, letting it slide down her dry throat.

After finishing her water, she looked at the plate of hibiscus cake.

"Want something to eat?"

She nodded again.

He deliberately put on a stern face: "Speak."

Liu Wenying's cheeks flushed slightly: "Third Master... this servant would like to eat something more."

He hummed in agreement again, picked up a piece of hibiscus cake, and held it to her lips.

Liu Wenying hesitated for a moment, then took a small bite from his hand, the sweet and glutinous taste melting on her tongue.

After finishing the pastry, she looked up at him.

Pei Yaojun, thinking she wanted something else, reflexively replied, "Mmm."

But then she laughed and said softly, "This servant wants to hear Third Master hum a tune."

"Um--?!"

…………