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

The room quieted down, and Gu Zijing leaned against the door frame, asking slowly.

"Oh, did I disturb you?"

"Is it too late to realize this now?"

Pei Zeyu looked towards the door, but she had already disappeared in the direction she had left.

Why did you just say all that?

Gu Zijin walked to his side, and said with a rare seriousness, "You've schemed everything, but today you've got the whole game under your control."

"Lin Zhiyao, Zheng Tangli, and even your parents are all being led by the nose by you."

But Pei Er, you forgot, in her eyes, your impotence is a form of deception.

Pei Zeyu raised his hand and pinched the space between his eyebrows, looking exhausted.

What he said was absolutely right. No matter how meticulously one plans, how can everything go as planned? How can one be completely foolproof?

Thank you.

Gu Zijing waved her hand, "No need to thank me. Just remember to come and see me off."

"After a while, I will leave the capital and travel around the mountains and rivers. I get tired of the capital after a while."

Pei Zeyu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a genuine smile. "Alright, I, Pei, will certainly come."

Outside the window, evening was falling, and the sky was dyed gray-blue.

As the grand drama comes to an end, some find liberation, while others fall into ruin.

……

Liu Wenying hurriedly returned to the carriage with the brocade bag of auspicious fruits in her hands.

Su Xin lifted the curtain and reached out to pull her into the car.

Inside the car, Old Madam Yu sat upright in the center, holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand and chanting incantations.

The carriage slowly drove away from the Lin residence, and the curtain was lifted by a corner by the wind, letting in a few wisps of cool air.

Old Madam Yu opened her eyes, shook her head and sighed, "Today's scene has certainly made me part in the fun."

Su Xin massaged her legs and feet, then asked curiously, "Grandma, how do you think things will end between the Pei family and the Lin family?"

"How else can this be resolved?"

Old Madam Yu leaned back against the pillows, saying languidly, "Lin's adultery is a done deal. If the Pei family doesn't divorce her, are they going to keep her around for the New Year?"

Su Xin nodded. "Yes, that's really surprising."

Unexpectedly, the seemingly gentle and considerate second daughter of the Lin family had lost her virginity before marriage and continued to commit adultery after marriage.

Old Madam Yu smiled faintly, "What's so special about this? There are far more sordid things happening in wealthy and powerful families."

"When I was young, I saw the eldest daughter of an official family who, in order to marry into a marquis's household, drugged her own younger sister and disfigured her."

"The general's wife, out of jealousy for her concubine's favor with the emperor, drowned the concubine's newborn child in the lotus pond..."

"This...this is too cruel!" Su Xin was speechless, her mouth agape.

Old Madam Yu glanced at her, her tone indifferent: "Ruthless?"

"In the secluded mansions, you can't survive without being ruthless."

"Do you think those masters who appear to have endless glory are clean in their dealings behind the scenes?"

"Even someone as renowned as the Second Master of the Pei family is cunning and ruthless when it comes to scheming against others."

True clarity and cleanliness are rare indeed.

Liu Wenying sat in the corner, head down, without saying a word.

But she heard what Old Madam Yu said clearly.

Especially that saying about the filthy things that happen in wealthy and powerful families—there are countless examples.

Even the events that happened to the Pei and Lin families today will only become fresh gossip if they get out.

Those things that are even more absurd and shameful are kept out of sight by the high walls and mansions of the wealthy.

Those outside can't see it, and those inside keep it under wraps. Once the storm has passed, they'll act as if nothing ever happened.

……

On the night of the Beginning of Winter, it started to snow heavily, and by dawn, the world was covered in a white blanket of snow.

Liu Wenying came out of Old Madam Yu's room, carrying an empty bowl, and was about to take it to the small kitchen.

As soon as she came out, the sunlight reflected off her face, making her shrink her neck from the cold.

Su Xin caught up with her and handed her a hand warmer.

"You must be freezing. This winter is going to be really cold. It snowed on the day of Lidong (the beginning of winter), and there will be plenty of rain and snow throughout the winter."

Liu Wenying wasn't being overly dramatic; she was afraid that if she caught a cold, she might pass it on to the old lady.

She held a hand warmer close to her lower abdomen with one hand, and an empty bowl in the other.

After delivering the items to the small kitchen, I returned just as the gatekeeper arrived.

"Greetings, Madam. The Third Young Master Pei of the Duke of Yu's Mansion has come to pay his respects."

Old Madam Yu was quite surprised.

Apart from her close friend, Madam Pei, the two families haven't had any contact for a long time.

The Duke of Yu and the Duke of Zhenguo each stood on their own side in the court, and the younger generation of the Pei family never even set foot in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Where did the sun rise today?

"Please come in."

Before long, the thick felt curtain was lifted, and a tall figure stepped into the warm pavilion.

Pei Yaojun wore a crimson brocade robe with gold cloud patterns, over which he wore a fur-collared cloak. The red stood out vividly against the white background.

He handed the gift box he had brought to the maid who came to greet him, and bowed respectfully to Old Madam Yu.

"Junior Pei Yaojun greets the Old Madam."

Old Madam Yu raised her hand and said, "Third Young Master, you're too kind. Please sit down and have some tea."

A maidservant brought over hot tea, which Pei Yaojun took and set aside, not in a hurry to drink it.

Old Madam Yu twirled the prayer beads in her hand and said with a smile, "Tell me, child, why did you suddenly decide to come to our door today?"

As she spoke, she glanced at Liu Wenying beside her, "Could it be that you're in a hurry to get them back?"

Pei Yaojun sat upright, a rare sight, with his hands neatly placed on his knees, looking quite proper.

He cleared his throat. "Ahem, it's because Grandmother's legs aren't feeling very well. These past few days have been cold, so she sent me to visit her and inquire after her well-being."

Grandma Yu leaned against the pillow, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"I have a caring person here to look after me, and I'm doing well. But your grandmother is getting on in years, so it's important to take good care of her health."

She gestured with her chin toward Liu Wenying, "Besides, this girl is a treasure; I can't return her yet."

Pei Yaojun glanced at Liu Wenying following her gaze, then quickly looked away.

"I will certainly convey the old lady's words."

Her voice was still steady, but the skin behind her ears, which is quite thin, had quietly turned red.

Old Madam Yu saw this but didn't point it out, chatting with him with a smile.

Pei Yaojun speaks in an interesting way, unlike the eldest son of the Pei family who is dull, or the second son of the Pei family who is distant.

He was straightforward and honest, occasionally throwing out a witty remark that made Old Madam Yu laugh, and she even drank two extra cups of tea.

After chatting for quite some time, Pei Yaojun was about to take his leave when he suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed in surprise:

"Look at my poor memory! I was having such a pleasant conversation with the old lady that I almost forgot I had something to do."

"What is it?"

"Grandmother encountered a minor problem during her rehabilitation. Liu Wenying usually takes care of her, so she asked me to come and inquire about it."

When it comes to her health, Old Madam Yu certainly wouldn't refuse.

"Go ahead, go ahead. Let Wenying show you around the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and tell you all about it."

Pei Yaojun cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Madam."

Liu Wenying curtsied and was about to agree when her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Pei Yaojun grabbed her and walked out quickly and hurriedly.

Liu Wenying stumbled slightly and was led out the door before she could even complete the proper etiquette.

Grandma Yu shook her head and chuckled, "See? This child is really naughty."

Su Xin smiled and said, "Although Young Master Pei is a bit unconventional, he is not annoying; on the contrary, he is quite interesting."

"Yes, in a secluded mansion, it's always a pleasure to have someone who doesn't play by the rules."

…………