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

"Strange? How so?" Zhou Shizhang pressed.

Mrs. Zhou expressed her thoughts.

"If they weren't a couple, their actions were intimate and natural. Given the strict separation between men and women, how could they be so unrestrained if they weren't husband and wife?"

"They could hardly be called a loving couple. Even when Lord Pei's wife called him 'husband,' she sounded rather awkward, as if it were the first time she had ever addressed him that way."

"First time?" Zhou Shizhang frowned.

"I can't say for sure, perhaps I'm overthinking it."

Zhou Shizhang remained silent for a long time.

Before today, he only knew that a government official from Beijing was coming to investigate, but he didn't know who it was.

Unexpectedly, it was Second Master Pei from the Duke of Yu's mansion who came.

He had limited knowledge of what was happening in the capital, and after much thought, he decided to send someone to the capital to investigate.

It would take at least half a month for a round trip.

Meanwhile, Liu Wenying helped Pei Zeyu walk back along the way they had come.

Pushing open the door, the room was brightly lit by candlelight.

She struggled to help Pei Zeyu to the bed, and just as she was about to get up, her wrist was suddenly grabbed tightly by him.

Liu Wenying panicked and tried to break free, but he pulled her down and made her lean against the bedside.

He opened his eyes at some point, his cheeks flushed, his eyes misty, as if he were drunk but not quite.

The wine seeped into her eyes, making her look alluring; when she raised her eyes, she was both noble and captivating.

Like a drunken fox, seemingly harmless, yet cunning and dangerous.

Liu Wenying was mesmerized.

Suddenly, she remembered that he had looked at her like that one day, bending down to take her.

"Second Master is drunk, I'll go get some water."

He was powerless to stop her, so he slowly withdrew his hand and placed it on his forehead to shield his eyes from the glaring candlelight.

Liu Wenying wrung out a handkerchief and wiped his face.

After wiping his face, he took off his boots and removed his outer robe.

He seemed so drunk that he was unconscious, letting her do as she pleased.

I can't sleep in clothes like this; I should change into a nightgown.

Liu Wenying wanted to call Afu and Ajin to change their clothes, but they were arranged to stay in another courtyard, which was far away.

There were maids on duty outside the door, but if we asked them to come and help, it might arouse suspicion if the news reached Zhou Shizhang's ears tomorrow.

What kind of husband and wife need a maid to help them even change clothes? Doesn't that create distance?

Left with no other choice, Liu Wenying had to take on the task of changing clothes.

This wasn't the first time; Liu Wenying was very skilled at it and quickly removed the makeup.

Pei Zeyu's skin was as white as jade, and after drinking, it was tinged with a thin layer of flushed red.

It spreads from the collarbone to the chest, like fine rice paper being smudged with rouge.

His muscle lines are smooth and he's much leaner, but his refined strength remains.

Liu Wenying quickly changed him into the prepared nightgown.

But the scene from just now seems to linger in my mind, impossible to shake off.

She secretly comforted herself, "Food and sex are human nature, food and sex are human nature."

Second Master is already extremely handsome, so it wouldn't hurt to take a look. I've seen him before, and even touched him... wait, the more I think about it, the more confused I get.

Liu Wenying hurriedly retreated from the inner room and went to the outer room to wash up.

After washing up, she planned to spend the night on the soft couch outside.

But first, the lights and candles in the room must be extinguished.

Liu Wenying tiptoed into the inner room and blew out the candle by Pei Zeyu's bedside.

The room was dimly lit, with only the soft, hazy moonlight filtering through the mica window.

Just as she turned to leave, her waist was grabbed.

Liu Wenying was pulled into the curtained room.

She was terrified and struggled to get up, bracing her elbows against his chest, which made him groan.

Even so, Pei Zeyu did not let up.

"How can a married couple sleep in separate beds?"

"You'll always leave traces if you sleep in the outer room."

His voice came from above, raspy and slightly drunk.

"Second Master, how did you sober up so quickly?"

Pei Zeyu coughed guiltily but did not answer.

Liu Wenying pushed him away and sat up.

"I'll get up early tomorrow and tidy up the couch; no one will notice anything."

It was very dark inside the curtained room, and she couldn't see his expression, but she heard him remain silent for a moment.

"This is a very important task, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes."

He sighed and said, "If you insist on separating, then I'll sleep in the outer room, and you can sleep here."

"How can that be? That soft couch isn't wide to begin with; wouldn't Second Master be making himself uncomfortable?"

He is so tall that if you lay down on him, there would probably be nowhere to put your legs.

"Well, the bed you're on is spacious, shall I give you more room?"

Pei Zeyu lay down on the inside, making room for Liu Wenying to lie down comfortably.

There was still an arm's length between the two, the Chu River and Han border clearly defined.

Oh well, it's just sleeping fully clothed, it won't hurt.

He's right, the job is the priority.

It would be a real shame to expose a flaw over such a trivial matter.

Liu Wenying lay down obediently, trying her best not to touch him.

"You must be tired from your journey, madam... sweet dreams."

"Yes, Second Master, sweet dreams too."

Liu Wenying replied with one sentence and then closed her eyes, not daring to move again.

In the middle of the night, Liu Wenying was already fast asleep.

The mattress beside me dipped slightly; someone was approaching.

His warm breath brushed against her neck, and his arm gently wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Liu Wenying frowned in her sleep and did not wake up.

In the darkness, Pei Zeyu's eyes were no longer tinged with drunkenness, but clear and bright.

The previously drawn Chu-Han border has long been rendered meaningless.

He gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, her cherry lips slightly pursed, as she drifted into a deep slumber.

Pei Zeyu lowered his head and placed a kiss on the corner of her lips.

The night view of Jiangnan is truly beautiful.

The next day.

When Liu Wenying woke up, it was already broad daylight.

She was alone inside the curtained room, which was good, as it spared the awkwardness of the two of them waking up.

A maidservant brought in a basin of water, bowing her head meekly and saying, "Madam is awake? Let me help you wash up."

Liu Wenying gave an awkward "hmm," acknowledging the title of "Madam."

She needs to get used to it and can't give anything away that might cause trouble for the Second Master.

The maidservant helped her with her makeup.

Liu Wenying changed into a light blue dress, her hair was styled into a spiral bun, and she wore a agate hairpin. She looked perfectly poised and elegant, just like an official's wife.

Inside the flower hall, Pei Zeyu and Zhou Shizhang sat facing each other.

Several files were spread out on the table. Pei Zeyu looked at them calmly, reading them quickly.

The atmosphere was too somber, so Zhou Shizhang spoke first.

"Lord Pei, these are the assessment records from various prefectures and counties in Jiangnan over the past three years. I have already compiled them."

"I find the performance evaluation results of several prefectures and counties somewhat controversial, and I dare not make a conclusion on my own."

Pei Zeyu reached out and took the file from him. "Oh? Tell me, which prefectures and counties are in dispute?"

Zhou Shizhang leaned forward cautiously and said, "The most conspicuous one is Wujiang County, which is under the jurisdiction of Qingzhou Prefecture."

"Magistrate Li Tingyu reported a 30% increase in tax revenue last year compared to the previous year, but Wujiang County suffered from floods last year, and fertile fields were submerged. Where did this 30% increase in tax revenue come from?"

Pei Zeyu flipped through the case file without looking up, but his words hit the nail on the head.

"You mean, Li Tingyu made a false report?"

"I dare not speak presumptuously; I humbly request Lord Pei to investigate thoroughly."

Pei Zeyu didn't ask any more questions and continued scrolling down.

His fingers paused when he turned to the page about the Assistant Prefect of Qingzhou.

What kind of person was Zhao Dechang?

"Zhao Dechang usually keeps a low profile and his political achievements are quite good. He was transferred from the capital to Qingzhou three years ago."

"That means it's played externally."

"Perhaps," Zhou Shizhang gave an ambiguous answer.

Pei Zeyu secretly noted it down, fearing that Zhao Dechang was no ordinary person, as even Zhou Shizhang, a mere assistant prefect, dared not say much about him.

…………