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

As dawn broke, Liu Wenying felt a cool touch on her face.

Fine and dense, from the center of the eyebrows to the tip of the nose, and from the tip of the nose to the corner of the lips.

Like spring rain falling on a lake, ripples spread out in circles.

She opened her eyes and met Pei Zeyu's clear, bright gaze.

He gazed at her for an unknown amount of time, his eyes showing no sign of sleepiness, reflecting her face like a crescent moon in a deep pool.

Liu Wenying blinked, her consciousness gradually returning.

Last night's events flashed through her mind, and her cheeks flushed red. She tried to shrink into the blankets, but he held her waist.

"Cough... Second Master isn't asleep?" She had just woken up, and her voice was very nasal.

Pei Zeyu pressed his forehead against hers, nose to nose, his breath brushing against her face, warm and gentle.

"I slept, but woke up early."

Liu Wenying frowned when she saw the faint weariness in his eyes.

"Second Master has worked so hard for so many days, he should rest for a while longer."

After saying that, she was about to get up so as not to disturb him.

Pei Zeyu tightened his arms and pulled her back into his embrace.

The two people were like two intertwined vines, indistinguishable from one another.

"Would you like to lie down with me a little longer?"

Her tone even carried a hint of coquettishness and whining.

If Ah Fu and the others knew that even Second Master could sleep in, they would probably be so shocked their jaws would drop.

Helpless, Liu Wenying had no choice but to lie back down.

Pei Zeyu tightened his arms in satisfaction.

He slept until the sun was high in the sky.

Around noon, the two finished getting ready and went downstairs.

In the lobby of the inn, Ah Jin and Ah Fu were sitting in a corner drinking tea.

Seeing them come down, the two exchanged a glance, a tacit understanding flashing in their eyes.

This morning, when they went to deliver water to Second Master's room, they found the bed empty and the bedding neatly folded.

They searched for a while before finding the person in the next room, but they didn't disturb them.

"Second Master, Madam, the meal is ready. Would you like it brought to the room?"

Pei Zeyu nodded, took Liu Wenying's hand, and turned to go back into the house.

From beginning to end, he held her hand without letting go.

Liu Wenying struggled twice but couldn't break free, so she let him be.

A table was set with food, all of which were her favorite dishes.

Liu Wenying sat at the table, picked up her chopsticks, ate a few bites, and then felt a little sleepy.

She didn't sleep well last night either, being tossed and turned until midnight, feeling like her body was falling apart.

She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear her head, but saw Pei Zeyu looking at her.

"Second Master, is the food not to your liking?"

Pei Zeyu shook his head and placed a piece of braised pork on her plate.

"Eat more; you're even thinner than when you first came to the manor."

After lunch, drowsiness washed over me again.

She covered her mouth and yawned slightly, but when Liu Wenying looked up, she saw that Pei Zeyu was still staring at her.

Liu Wenying felt a little uncomfortable. "Why does Second Master keep looking at me?"

Pei Zeyu smiled slightly. "Want to take a nap?"

Liu Wenying shook her head.

"But you must have been extremely tired last night."

A blush crept onto her snowy cheeks, and Liu Wenying blurted out, "Then whose fault is it?"

She regretted it as soon as she said it, and her words sounded somewhat reproachful.

"It's my fault, it's all my fault," Pei Zeyu chuckled, answering decisively.

He held her hand, stroking her knuckles, palm, and back of hand inch by inch.

Liu Wenying could also feel the raised scar on his left hand, the sensation it left on his skin.

My heart softened inexplicably, and I couldn't even muster the energy to scold him.

"Second Master..."

Pei Zeyu placed her hand on his cheek, his eyes gentle.

"No one knows my situation better than you, Wenying, please have compassion on me..."

His more than twenty years of vegetarianism are comparable to that of a monk.

It's only natural that people would find it hard to control themselves after finally being able to return to secular life.

"What does Second Master take me for?" Liu Wenying's heart was pounding, and she looked away.

"My beloved".

He answered without hesitation.

Liu Wenying looked up in surprise and met his serious gaze.

"I...I'm not responsible, really..."

"Hmm, you don't need to take responsibility."

Pei Zeyu leaned in and embraced her. "I love you. You don't need to worry. Isn't it enough that we're happy?"

There's one thing he didn't mention: happiness and pleasure can be addictive.

He wanted her to experience this feeling so that she would never be able to leave him.

Pei Zeyu embraced Liu Wenying, playing with the ends of her hair, her black hair winding around his fingers, soft as satin.

On the way south, I was either investigating cases or dealing with people, and I rarely had such a leisurely moment.

A surge of warmth welled up in Pei Zeyu's heart, and he lowered his head to kiss her again, when a knock came at the door.

"Second Master, Prefect Zhou requests an audience."

Liu Wenying tried to get up from his embrace and leave, but he pressed her down and made her sit beside him.

"Let him in."

Pei Zeyu's voice was calm, as he had expected the other party to come.

The door opened, and Zhou Shizhang and his wife stepped into the room, their faces still showing signs of fatigue from their overnight journey.

He bowed and greeted them, only to see Pei Zeyu and Liu Wenying sitting side by side on the couch by the window, their fingers intertwined in an intimate manner.

Liu Wenying noticed their gazes and her cheeks flushed slightly.

She gently pulled her hand away from Pei Zeyu's and stood up to curtsy: "This concubine will wait in the carriage."

Having said that, he lowered his head and left.

With important business at hand, Pei Zeyu didn't try to keep him any longer and told Afu to go out and follow.

The carriage stopped outside the inn's gate, and Liu Wenying lifted a corner of the carriage curtain.

The streets of Cheongju were smaller than those of the capital, but everywhere you looked there were vendors hawking their wares, children playing, and a lively atmosphere.

The ordinary scene made her feel somewhat dazed.

Since leaving Beijing and heading south, it feels like a dream.

Just as I was lost in thought, I heard a commotion at the entrance of the inn.

Pei Zeyu and Zhou Shizhang walked out side by side, with Madam Zhou following behind.

The three people stood on the steps talking, not far apart, and Liu Wenying could vaguely hear their conversation.

"...He has been imprisoned. This time, we are very grateful for Lord Pei's keen insight."

"Lord Zhou upholds justice and will report the truth upon my return to the capital."

Zhou Shizhang looked troubled, but forced himself to suppress it and cupped his hands, saying, "This official will see Lord Pei off."

"No need, Lord Zhou has worked hard all night, you should rest early."

"Shall my wife and I bid farewell to Madam?"

Pei Zeyu subtly shifted his feet, blocking his view without leaving a trace.

"My wife is not feeling well and is resting in the car, so it's not convenient for her."

As they spoke naturally, Zhou Shizhang and his wife exchanged glances, showing a remarkable understanding between them.

Earlier, I saw Liu Wenying leave the room in a hurry, and now she won't let anyone see guests. I'm afraid the couple has had a fight.

As for the initial hand-holding, perhaps Lord Pei was just trying to coax his wife?

Zhou Shizhang seemed to have caught on to the secret, and he gave his wife a meaningful look.

"Since that's the case, then I won't bother you any longer. However, my wife and her husband hit it off immediately and would like to send them some things over as a token of our appreciation. Would that be alright, Lord Pei?"

Pei Zeyu frowned slightly.

Madam Zhou stepped forward at the opportune moment and said gently, "I had a very pleasant conversation with you, Madam. It's only been a few days before we have to part ways. I don't know when we'll meet again. I hope you will grant my request."

Having said all that, it would be unreasonable to refuse again, so Pei Zeyu had no choice but to nod.

A moment later, Madam Zhou retrieved her belongings and came to the carriage.

…………