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

"Does Second Master want to stay overnight?" Liu Wenying asked.

Pei Zeyu turned his head, his eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight.

"What? You've stayed here before, so does Zhiyun Manor no longer have a place for me?"

"How could that be? Zhiyun Manor is a property of the Duke's manor. Even if there are no other people's residences, it is impossible that there is no place for the master to stay."

The room next to hers was empty, and the bedding was all new.

Pei Zeyu smiled slightly and grasped her wrist.

He gently stroked the delicate skin on her wrist with his palm.

"You know my daily routine best, so I'll keep it the same."

Liu Wenying's heart skipped a beat when he touched her, and she tried to pull her hand away, but he held it even tighter.

"However, I'd like some late-night snacks around 9 PM, and I'd like you to bring them to me personally."

"What does Second Master want to use?" she asked.

Pei Zeyu released his grip and sat down at the table. "Whatever you like, anything you make is fine."

Liu Wenying responded and left the room to make the arrangements.

Pei Zeyu's arrival today was sudden, and his decision to stay overnight was even more unexpected.

Although he often came to the village, he rarely stayed overnight, usually rushing back to the city before curfew.

Today is...

She shook her head, stopped thinking about it, and went directly to the kitchen to instruct them to prepare water and tea. She then went to the room to check on things herself.

The room was clean, and the bedding had been scented with mugwort.

She pushed the window open halfway to let the breeze in, and then lit some calming sandalwood incense.

As it approached midnight, she rolled up her sleeves and made a bowl of shredded chicken porridge, along with two side dishes, all of which were Pei Zeyu's favorites.

The porridge was cooked until smooth and soft, the shredded chicken was finely cut, and it was sprinkled with chopped green onions and minced ginger. It was served steaming hot in a bowl.

At exactly 9:00 PM, she carried the tray into the room.

Night had fallen, and the village was quiet, with autumn insects chirping softly in the grass.

The room lights were still on.

Liu Wenying knocked on the door, and a voice as clear as the clinking of jade stones came from inside: "Come in."

She pushed open the door and saw him sitting on the couch by the window, holding a scroll in his hand.

The candlelight cast a soft glow on his profile, and when he turned his head, his eyes were so deep they were unsettling.

"Second Master, the midnight snack is ready."

Liu Wenying placed the tray on the table and set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Pei Zeyu put down his book, got up and walked over.

He changed into casual clothes, his dark hair was unbound and loosely draped over his shoulders, making him look more languid than during the day.

He picked up the spoon, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, and put it in his mouth.

"It's delicious," he said to her with a smile.

Liu Wenying smiled back, resting her chin on her palm, "I'm glad you like it, Second Master."

After eating half a bowl, Pei Zeyu suddenly put down his spoon, looked up at her, and said, "Wen Ying."

"Um?"

"What do you think of Xue Bi?"

Liu Wenying's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm.

"Master Xue is a learned and upright teacher, a rare find."

"Just a good teacher?" Pei Zeyu narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Of course, what else would you think, Second Master?"

Pei Zeyu smiled at her, and Liu Wenying felt a strange tightness in her heart, a bad premonition.

The next moment, he stood up, walked behind her, and bent down to embrace her.

With her back pressed against his chest and the edge of the table in front of her, Liu Wenying was trapped.

"Second Master, the porridge is getting cold..."

As if she had guessed what was going to happen next, her voice trembled slightly.

Pei Zeyu moved even closer, his thin lips almost touching her earlobe, his voice low and husky: "I'll eat now."

Before he could finish speaking, he lowered his head and kissed her neck.

The candlelight suddenly leaped, casting overlapping shadows on the wall.

……

The candle burned out, the room darkened, and the moonlight shone through the window in a hazy glow.

Liu Wenying nestled in Pei Zeyu's arms, her cheek pressed against his chest, and she could hear his steady heartbeat.

After the intense sexual activity, she felt weak all over and too lazy to even move her fingers.

He held her close, his hand occasionally stroking her sweaty back.

Liu Wenying opened her lips, her clear voice slightly hoarse.

"Second Master, what's wrong tonight...?"

Why are you in such a hurry, without considering anything else?

The second half of the sentence was not spoken, but Pei Zeyu understood it.

He lowered his head, his chin resting on the top of her head, and after a long silence, slowly said:

"The war in the north is intense, and there are undercurrents in the court. I've been extremely busy these days."

Liu Wenying listened quietly.

"I took some time to come over today, just to see you, say a few words, and then leave."

"It's clear that you and Xue Bi were discussing the accounts head-to-head, and suddenly you didn't want to leave."

He paused, then his fingers, like ink brushes, traced her shoulder, outlining her bone structure.

Life is short and the world is full of uncertainties, so we should seize the good things when they come.

"My darling, I...miss you so much."

There was one thing he didn't say explicitly, partly because he didn't want her to worry.

Pei Zeyu had a vague feeling that some things were developing in a direction that was beyond his control and could not be predicted.

The Duke of Yu's mansion appears to be stable, but in these chaotic times, no one knows what the future holds.

Because of his low spirits, Liu Wenying thought of the refugees who were displaced and starving; the displacement and hardship in chaotic times were all too common.

She called to him softly, "Second Master, the Duke's mansion is well-established and powerful; we will surely get through this safely."

Pei Zeyu chuckled softly, but there was no joy in his smile.

"A tall tree catches the wind, and my adoptive father is getting old. There are quite a few people in the court who are eyeing the Duke of Yu's mansion."

He stopped talking and hugged her even tighter.

The two could feel each other's temperature and heartbeat.

The autumn wind whistled through the treetops outside the window.

A moment of utter silence.

After a while, Pei Zeyu suddenly asked, "How is Luo Luo's studies going lately?"

Liu Wenying's heart stirred slightly, realizing that he had ultimately circled back to Xue Bi.

She answered softly, "Very good. Master Xue teaches diligently, and Luo Luo likes him too."

"You like him?" Pei Zeyu's tone was muffled, revealing no emotion.

Liu Wenying lifted her head from his embrace and looked at him in the moonlight.

His eyes were bright, his thin lips were pursed, and his jawline was taut.

"What are you afraid of, Second Master?" she asked with a smile.

"Xue Bi is a wise and unassuming teacher, and Zhuangzi's accountant."

"He has no other feelings for me, even if he does..."

She paused, then continued, "Second Master is of extraordinary status; surely he's not afraid of being outmatched?"

Her words were so blunt; it's hard to tell whether she was trying to comfort herself or doing it on purpose.

Pei Zeyu stared at her for a long time, then lowered his head and bit her shoulder.

Not serious, but implying punishment.

Liu Wenying exclaimed softly, glaring at him reproachfully.

Pei Zeyu chuckled and stroked the faint tooth mark.

"Sharp tongue and a silver tongue? Who says I'm afraid?"

"Then why did Second Master...?"

Before she could finish speaking, her lips were sealed again.

He leaned down suddenly, with a force that was irresistible.

Pei Zeyu rolled over and pinned her down. Moonlight streamed in through the window paper, soft and gentle.

He whispered on her lips, his breath hot.

"I just don't like it. I don't like you being so close to him, and I especially don't like the way he looks at you."

It was as if his precious possession was being coveted.

Liu Wenying opened her lips to speak, but he silenced her with a kiss.

It carries a strong sense of asserting sovereignty, conquering territory without leaving any room for retreat.

She gradually lost her strength and could only cling to his shoulders, letting him do whatever he wanted.

In my hazy consciousness, I heard him whisper in my ear: "My darling, will you... allow me to?"

This time it lasted exceptionally long and was exceptionally ruthless.

It's as if they want to express the longing and unease they feel during the days they can't see each other.

And all those inexplicable emotions were vented.

The moon was high in the sky, and Liu Wenying was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open.

In a hazy state, she felt Pei Zeyu pull her into his arms, his warm palm pressed against her lower abdomen, and he whispered something.

She didn't hear clearly and fell into a deep sleep.

…………