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

The old lady was taken aback. "Leaving the capital?"

"Yes, I'm afraid it will be a while before I can take care of my grandmother." Pei Zeyu nodded.

"Sigh, you're leaving too. The manor is getting more and more deserted."

The old lady sighed repeatedly.

Pei Zeyu gently comforted her, "Grandmother, don't worry. This official business trip will last at least a month, and at most a few months."

"I will finish my business as soon as possible and return to the capital to serve my grandmother."

The old lady waved her hand, "Alright, you young people should gain more experience. It's good to be busy. When are you leaving?"

"His Majesty has granted us a few days to rest, and we will depart in about three days."

"Did you bring any capable men?"

The old lady asked with concern, "Are those two servants enough for you? It's not like being at home when you're away from home."

"Grandmother, don't worry. It's just a business trip. Keep it simple and don't make a fuss. Bringing too many people would be inconvenient."

The grandfather and grandson chatted for a while, mainly reminding him to take care of his health, be careful on the road, and not to get chilled.

Throughout the entire process, Pei Zeyu's gaze remained steadily fixed on the old lady, listening attentively without ever glancing in the direction where Liu Wenying was standing.

When Liu Wenying first saw him come in, her heartstrings tightened involuntarily, but he didn't pay attention and she gradually relaxed.

However, sometimes deliberate ignoring is precisely the deepest concern.

After talking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Pei Zeyu got up to take his leave.

"Grandmother, please rest well. I need to go and inform my father and mother about this matter. I must take my leave now."

"Go on, be careful on the road."

As dusk fell, the lamps under the eaves were lit.

After serving the old lady her meal, Liu Wenying also finished her shift.

At night, just as the old lady was about to go to sleep, Wu Mama brought in a letter.

"Madam, it was delivered by the gatekeeper. They said it was sent from the Yu family during the day, but the servants were confused and mixed it with the regular visiting cards. They just found out, and the gatekeeper has already accepted his punishment."

If it hadn't been sent by Old Madam Yu, she wouldn't have brought it in at night and disturbed the old lady's rest.

The old lady opened the letter; it was written by Old Madam Yu herself, and the words were as polite and thoughtful as ever.

She first inquired about the old lady's health, then showed concern for the household's recent situation, before subtly bringing up Liu Wenying.

Last year, Wenying served me very well and attentively. I wonder if, after the New Year, my dear sister, it would be convenient for me to borrow her to stay for a while?

If it is inconvenient for your household to temporarily second her for an extended period, I will shamelessly ask if it is possible to sign a new employment contract with her.

After reading the letter, the old lady gently placed it aside, laughing and scolding.

"She certainly knows how to pick her timing. Instead of returning the favor, she's trying to poach my girlfriend."

Granny Wu chuckled from the side, "Who can blame us for Wenying's competence? Old Madam Yu's headache had been a long-standing problem, and after so many years of treatment, it hadn't gotten better. But after Wenying visited for a while, she felt much better. Anyone would be envious."

The old lady snorted but didn't say anything.

She wouldn't even lend it, let alone hand over the employment contract.

A direct refusal could easily damage the relationship; a more tactful approach is needed.

"Yu'er is going out of the capital on official business, and she will only be accompanied by two male servants. If we add a careful maid, I will feel more at ease."

Granny Wu understood something. "What the old lady means is..."

The old lady nodded, but then another concern arose.

"Wenying is probably unwilling. Last time, when I tested her with the bracelet, she preferred to take the storeroom key rather than the bracelet."

Granny Wu scoffed, "It's the old lady's favor that's good for her. How can a servant choose her master? If the old lady tells her to go, can she refuse?"

The old lady shook her head, deciding she still needed to probe indirectly.

Previously, Yu'er was separated from her by the Lin family. Now that the Lin family is gone, there may be a turning point, but it's hard to say.

……

The next morning, Liu Wenying arrived at Mingxi Hall as usual.

The old lady had already gotten up and was sitting in front of the mirror, having her hair combed by Granny Wu.

Seeing her in the mirror, the old lady waved to her.

"You've come at the right time, come over and let me take a look."

Liu Wenying didn't understand, but she still went over and squatted down beside her.

The old lady looked her up and down, her gaze moving from her face to her temples, and then back to her face.

"Your hairpin is too plain. Don't you get tired of wearing the same one all the time?"

Liu Wenying touched the silver hairpin in her hair. "I'm used to wearing it, so I don't really notice it."

"I'm tired of seeing you even when you don't wear it."

As she spoke, the old lady took out a hairpin made of red gold, kingfisher feathers, and inlaid with red agate from her makeup box.

The agate is rich in color and carved into the shape of a begonia flower, surrounded by fine gold wire, making it very exquisite and luxurious.

Without saying a word, the old lady inserted the hairpin into her hair.

"Here, wear this one; it'll be brighter."

Liu Wenying was startled and hurriedly tried to take it off.

"This is far too precious, I dare not accept it..."

The old lady held her hand, preventing her from taking it.

"If you're going to wear it, then wear it. It's a waste to leave it in a box. Keep it safe!"

Unable to refuse, Liu Wenying had no choice but to accept it.

But I had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

The old lady treated her with unusual warmth today, but what lay beneath that warmth was something she couldn't quite explain.

But she knew the old lady wouldn't harm her.

After combing her hair, the old lady moved to the outer room to have breakfast. After finishing, she took some tea to moisten her mouth on the daybed.

"Wenying, after all this time, I still don't know where you're from!"

"This servant has no father or mother. If I had to say, I come from Xinghua Village."

Granny Wu chimed in, "Xinghua Village? Is that the Xinghua Village south of the capital?"

Liu Wenying nodded, and the old lady showed a hint of joy.

South? Isn't that exactly the direction Yu'er is going? Maybe she'll even pass through Xinghua Village.

Liu Wenying was trying to decipher the old lady's unspoken meaning when the other party changed the subject first.

"A letter has arrived from Old Madam Yu, asking when you can visit again. Do you have any plans?"

Unsure of the old lady's true intentions, Liu Wenying cautiously replied, "This servant will follow the old lady's arrangements in everything."

"Good, good for following instructions." Upon hearing this, the old lady's joy deepened.

First, it was Wenying's hometown, which was on the way out of Beijing, and then it was following arrangements.

When two things come together, isn't it a perfect, seamless, and opportune moment?

Liu Wenying felt increasingly uneasy.

The old lady's behavior today was extremely unusual; she bestowed valuable jewelry upon him, inquired about his background, and even mentioned being temporarily transferred...

Her mind raced, and unable to contain herself, she mustered the courage to ask.

"Madam... is there something you want to tell me?"

The old lady patted the back of her hand, her tone relaxed.

"In a few days, my leg will be almost fully healed. I plan to stay at the other residence for a couple of days. Pack your things and come with me."

Go to the villa for a short stay? Liu Wenying's doubts had not been dispelled, but the old lady had lived in the villa for a long time before, and would not have stayed in the mansion for so long if she had not been ill.

Liu Wenying couldn't refuse and had no choice but to agree.

On the day they were to go to the other courtyard, just as dawn broke, Liu Wenying arrived at Mingxi Hall with her simple packed bundle and waited.

…………