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

The teahouse's private rooms face the street, and opening the window reveals a view of the city blanketed in snow.

Pei Yaojun sat by the window, his teacup had gone cold, but he didn't ask anyone to change it.

The appointed time arrived, the door was gently pushed open, and a woman walked in.

She removed her veil, revealing her delicate and pretty face.

Cheng Yimian sat down opposite him, her veil placed on the corner of the table.

"It's quite an honor to receive a letter from Young Master Pei."

She spoke slowly and deliberately, with the composure characteristic of a well-bred young lady.

"It was Yi Mian's fault for keeping Young Master Pei waiting for so long."

Pei Yaojun looked at her, without any further pleasantries, and got straight to the point.

"Madam Cheng, I have invited you here today for one reason only."

"Please speak, Third Young Master Pei."

Let's call off our engagement.

Cheng Yimian's smile froze, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed her unusual expression.

"If Young Master Pei wants to cancel the engagement, he should at least give a reason. Although my Cheng family is not a top-tier noble family, we are not so desperate that people want to get rid of us."

"I have no feelings for you. If you marry into the Pei family, your fate will be the same as that of the former Second Madam Pei."

No secrets stay hidden forever; the news of the second master of the Pei family divorcing his wife had already spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Some say the Second Madam is having an affair, while others say that Second Master Pei is impotent, and that the child is a cuckold.

There are all sorts of rumors, some true and some false, and no one can tell the difference.

She's a smart person; she doesn't ask what she shouldn't ask, and she doesn't say what she shouldn't say.

Cheng Yimian looked at the teacup in front of her. The tea was emerald green, reflecting the delicate floral patterns she had drawn before leaving home.

She suppressed the bitterness rising in her throat and smiled.

"It's not impossible, but if Young Master Pei returns the fan pendant from before, the engagement will be called off."

"A fan pendant?"

Pei Yaojun suddenly realized that he had no recollection of ever having a fan pendant.

Cheng Yimian's smile became forced.

"On the day of the painted boat, Yi Mian and Young Master Pei first met, and that was when it was given to you."

She fiddled with the lid of the teacup, making a clinking sound, pretending to be nonchalant.

"It's natural that Young Master Pei doesn't remember; that thing is small and not worth much money."

Pei Yaojun tried hard to recall that day on the painted boat, but could only remember Liu Wenying falling into the water and losing her body while saving a child. He couldn't recall anything about the fan pendant.

"What kind? I'll have someone find some to return to you. Something similar will do. If one isn't enough, I'll have eight or ten. I'll make sure you're satisfied."

Cheng Yimian shook her head.

Pei Yaojun thought she wouldn't accept, so he said, "Then what kind of compensation do you want? Just say it, and I will definitely do it."

Cheng Yimian looked up at him, her eyes filled with no resentment or hatred, only a clear and insightful understanding.

"I just wanted to test whether Young Master Pei cared about me at all."

"It seems that there is none now, so I won't force it."

"I'm a pampered young lady from the Cheng family, I'm not so desperate as to cling to anyone like this."

Pei Yaojun suddenly felt like a bastard for arranging to meet someone and saying he wanted to break off the engagement, even losing the gifts that others had given him.

"A blessed woman does not enter a door of misfortune. Since Master Pei has no intention of doing so, I have no intention of forcing him."

Cheng Yimian stood up and put on her veil.

The thin veil hung down, obscuring her eyebrows and eyes, revealing only a small section of her fair chin.

"I'll go back and tell my mother that it was my unwillingness to marry him, so Third Master Pei doesn't need to worry."

Pei Yaojun was surprised that the other party was understanding and perceptive, not making a fuss.

He said guiltily, "Thank you for your understanding, Madam Cheng. If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

After saying that, he got up to leave first, unwilling to stay any longer.

"Third Master Pei, please wait."

Cheng Yimian called out to him, "Even without me, Madam Pei would find you other women to marry."

"Will Third Master Pei have to invite them out one by one then, just to tell them it's pointless?"

Pei Yaojun listened, thanked him, and then pushed open the door to leave.

Indeed, even without Cheng Yimian, there are still Zhang Yimian and Li Yimian.

He declined this one, but his mother will arrange another one.

The fundamental problem does not lie with the Cheng family.

The carriage stopped in front of the Duke's mansion. Before A Cai could bring over the sedan chair, Pei Yaojun jumped down and headed straight for Hechun Hall.

When the maidservant under the eaves saw Master Pei arrive, she was about to go in to announce his arrival when Pei Yaojun stopped her.

"No need to announce my arrival, I'll go in myself."

The maidservant, upon hearing this, tactfully stepped aside.

Pei Yaojun walked to the door and was about to push it open when he heard his father's voice from inside, and he stopped as if possessed.

"How are Jun'er's wedding arrangements going?"

Inside the room, Madam Pei was idly embroidering a handkerchief when she heard this and asked in surprise, "Why is the Duke asking about this today?"

In the past, the Duke of Yu never interfered in these matters of the inner quarters.

Duke Yu sat in his armchair, took a sip of tea, and said, "Minister Cheng mentioned something to me when he left court today."

"What did Minister Cheng mention?"

"What else is there to mention?"

Duke Yu set down his teacup, the bottom of which lightly touched the table.

"Naturally, it's about the two families discussing marriage. Minister Cheng said that his wife heard some things from Jun'er and felt uneasy."

He didn't mince words and asked directly, "That day, did Jun'er tell Madam Cheng that he wanted to marry someone else?"

Madam Pei's expression changed slightly, and she put down her needlework. "Yes, yes, that's true."

"But don't worry, sir, it's just a minor issue, nothing to worry about."

"A minor issue? A shrewd man like Minister Cheng wouldn't bring it up with me unless he heard something important."

Duke Yu's gaze was sharp. "Madam, tell me the truth, who has Jun'er taken a fancy to?"

Outside the door, Pei Yaojun held his breath.

"It's Liu Wenying, a maid, and also Ye'er's former wet nurse."

"Nonsense!"

Duke Yu slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacup to jump and spill tea all over the table.

"Of all people he could have chosen, why a mere maid?"

Duke Yu was so angry that he paced back and forth inside the house.

"My third son, Pei, is going to marry a wet nurse as his principal wife? If word gets out, where will the Yuguo Duke's mansion put its face?!"

Madam Pei quickly got up, went to her husband's side, and gently comforted him.

"My husband, please don't be angry. I've already thought of a solution."

"Let's pretend to agree to him first, and then allow him to take Liu as a concubine after the Cheng family's daughter has married into the family."

Jun'er is acting impulsively now; given time, he'll naturally know who's more suitable for him.

She paused, her voice becoming even softer.

"Miss Cheng is of dignified appearance and is the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official. She is a perfect match for Jun'er."

Duke Yu stopped and let out a long breath.

"It would be best if he could figure things out, but if he can't... we have to make him figure it out."

"Don't worry, my husband, I will handle it."

"boom--"

The door of Hechun Hall was suddenly pushed open, slamming against the wall and making the windowpanes vibrate.

Pei Yaojun stood at the door, his face as cold and stern.

Madam Pei's hand trembled. Had he heard that?

"Mother, you're lying to me."

His words shattered Madam Pei's last hope.

…………