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

Pei Yaojun looked dejected and didn't reply.

The Duke of Zhenguo lamented, "With such skill, it's a real waste that you don't go out and fight on the battlefield."

"The capital city, with its four corners of the world, is where hidden dragons are trapped. The frontier, with its desolate deserts and the setting sun over the long river, is where true men go."

Pei Yaojun shuddered, something within him was ignited, like a small fire in a snowy night, though tiny, it planted a seed.

"I long for it, but I still have unfinished business. If I really go, the future is uncertain, and I don't know how long it will take to return."

The Duke of Zhenguo spoke with clarity, "If you don't go, will it be accomplished smoothly? Good things often come with difficulties; nothing in this world is ever smooth sailing."

"If you work hard with your own hands, achieve military merits, and become famous, then whatever you want is just a matter of an imperial decree."

"When you are ennobled and appointed general, showered with glory, who will dare to stop you? Who will be able to hinder you?"

Pei Yaojun's heart skipped a beat.

He wanted to make his father proud and wanted his mother to grant his wish.

What he wants is too far-reaching, and cannot be achieved overnight.

If, as the Duke of Zhenguo said, he earned his achievements through his own merits, wouldn't those walls blocking his way collapse without him even needing to be pushed down?

"My Lord, it's time for our meeting."

The attendant stepped forward and bowed to remind him.

The Duke of Zhenguo cherished talent, and even though the other party was the son of a political enemy, he would sincerely offer some guidance.

After patting Pei Yaojun on the shoulder, the Duke of Zhenguo led his men away.

After the Duke of Zhenguo's figure had completely disappeared, Pei Yaojun was still standing there, his mind replaying those few words over and over again.

Suddenly, a hand was stretched out in front of him.

Her hands were fair and slender, with slightly red fingertips, as she gently removed a flower petal from the top of his hair.

"Third Master, there are flowers in your hair," Liu Wenying said softly, her voice clear and melodious.

Pei Yaojun stared at her blankly.

Time seemed to stand still. The snow fell silently, and the fragrance of plum blossoms wafted in the air. The image of her standing in front of him, tiptoeing to pick flowers for him, became a picture etched into his heart.

He then recalled the words of the Duke of Zhenguo: "Once you have rendered meritorious service, whatever you want will be a matter of a royal decree."

The vague idea became clear, and the planted seed began to take root and sprout.

Pei Yaojun grasped her hand as she was about to pull it back, and since one hand wasn't enough, he also grabbed her other hand that was hanging by her side.

Then, he placed his face in her palms.

Liu Wenying was slightly taken aback and looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Her almond-shaped eyes met his, burning like flames and deep as the sea.

"Third Master...?"

"Nuan Nuan, look at your hands, they're freezing!"

Liu Wenying struggled but couldn't break free. "Third Master, it's not good if someone sees us."

The corridor was empty, and the snow in front of the steps was swept neatly, without even a cat in sight.

"Where is anyone?"

Liu Wenying gestured towards the main house with her lips.

"The old lady assigned two maids to help me look after Luoluo. With such a commotion earlier, they probably already knew there were people outside."

After saying that, Liu Wenying tried to pull her hand away again.

Pei Yaojun wouldn't let go; instead, he pressed her hand even tighter, as if glue had been applied to his face.

"So what if they see it? I'm thick-skinned and don't care. If they ask, I'll just say I need you to warm my face."

Liu Wenying shrugged and smiled helplessly.

She managed to remove her hands from his face, but she couldn't pull them back or break free, so she had no choice but to let him hold them.

Pei Yaojun warmed her fingertips, then her palms, and then the backs of her hands.

Warm the back of your hands and then cup them in your palms and press them against your chest.

Through his clothes, she could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong.

Like him, no matter how fierce the wind and snow are outside, it's always warm and cozy inside.

The overly quiet atmosphere made her uncomfortable, and Liu Wenying opened her mouth to say, "Didn't Third Master say he wanted to ask about the Old Madam's recovery?"

"Grandma is recovering very well. She can walk around the yard on her own with a walker. I came to ask you something else."

Liu Wenying asked curiously, "Third Master, please speak."

"What exactly happened on the day of the Lin family's wedding banquet?"

"I was on duty at the Ministry of Works that day and didn't go. When I came back, the servants in Chenshuang Courtyard were busy cleaning things up, and even the name of the courtyard had been changed."

"Later, I heard my mother lamenting the misfortune of our family. After asking around, I learned that... my second sister-in-law had an affair, and my second brother wanted to divorce her."

Pei Yaojun heard that Old Madam Yu had also gone that day, and Liu Wenying had been by her side the whole time. Perhaps he knew about it, which is why he came looking for her.

"Third Master, it's not quite right for me to say this."

That was ultimately a family matter of the Duke of Yu's mansion, a matter of face, and even the Duke and his family kept it a secret.

What right does a mere temporary maidservant have to speak out?

Pei Yaojun saw through her concerns.

"Don't worry, I just want to know exactly what happened. You tell me, and I won't tell anyone else."

Liu Wenying sighed softly, "Just as Third Master thought, Second Madam was having an affair and was caught red-handed. The Pei family wanted to divorce her, and the Lin family dared not stop her..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.

It's really true.

Pei Yaojun was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Did your second brother look for you?"

Liu Wenying's eyelashes trembled. "No."

As if finally relieved, he breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good."

What Pei Yaojun didn't say was that he had a deeper reason for coming to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

After the incident, Pei Zeyu wanted to divorce his wife, and the whole household knew about it.

But that wasn't what he was worried about. What he was worried about was that after Pei Zeyu divorced his wife, he could openly set his sights on Liu Wenying.

My second brother is a man who does everything in a calm and collected manner.

He never says what he wants outwardly; he just takes it away little by little.

By the time others realized what was happening, it was too late.

Unlike him, who would openly ask for whatever he wanted, even if it became public knowledge, as long as he got it, that was enough.

What's the point of making a scene?

Compared to himself, who has yet to achieve anything in the court, his second brother, with his methods, undoubtedly has a greater advantage in vying for her.

That's why he rushed to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion in a panic, despite the political differences between the two families.

He shamelessly handed over the invitation, then acted all clever and charming in front of Old Madam Yu, finally pulling her into this small courtyard, holding her hand, looking at her, and refusing to leave.

Liu Wenying, unaware of his complicated thoughts, hesitated for a moment before asking the question.

"How is Second Master now?"

Pei Yaojun shrugged indifferently, "What else can we do? Such a big thing happened, my second brother is busy enough."

Pei Zeyu, holding an official position, would find it difficult to divorce his wife, especially his pregnant wife. The circumstances, the memorials... none of these would be easy matters.

Pei Yaojun wished that Pei Zeyu could be tied up for even longer.

Suddenly, he realized that keeping her in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion wasn't a bad idea; it would reduce the number of people who coveted her.

Fine snowflakes drifted down from the sky, and a subtle fragrance wafted in the air.

However, before long, Master Pei's expectations were even fully realized, they were dashed.

Su Xin came in from outside, holding a letter in her hand, saying it was from Old Madam Pei.

…………