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

As dawn broke, Pei Zeyu woke up.

The person beside him was still fast asleep, breathing softly, their cheek pressed against his arm, looking very peaceful.

His nanny watched for a moment, but in the end, she couldn't bear to disturb him. She quietly got up, put on her clothes, and got off the bed.

Pushing open the door, the coolness of the autumn morning swept over me.

The thin mist in the courtyard had not yet dissipated, and dewdrops condensed on the grass and trees, glistening in the faint morning light.

Zhiyun Village was not yet fully awake. Faint sounds came from the kitchen in the distance, where the villagers were preparing breakfast.

Pei Zeyu strolled along.

He had visited this estate many times, but had never looked at it carefully.

Previously, it was just considered one of the many properties of the Duke's mansion. When I came, I would go straight to Liu Wenying's place, talk to her, and stay for at most a day before leaving.

But now, he suddenly wants to take a good look at the place where she lives.

The roads she walked every day, the scenery she saw, the fields she tended.

Everything was in good order and full of life.

Pei Zeyu walked to the end of the manor.

There is an old locust tree there, its branches and leaves mostly yellow.

A gust of wind blew, and a few leaves fell with a soft rustling sound.

A person stood under the tree, dressed in a simple blue robe, with his back to him, looking up at the tree.

It is Xue Bi.

Pei Zeyu paused, intending to turn and leave, but Xue Bi seemed to sense something and turned back.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and a thin layer of moisture separated the two of them.

Xue Bi was slightly taken aback when he saw him, then cupped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "Good morning, Second Master Pei."

His demeanor was composed, neither arrogant nor humble.

Pei Zeyu sized him up for a few moments before walking over and stopping beside Xue Bi.

A gust of wind blew, and a few more yellow leaves fell.

"Master Xue gets up early," Pei Zeyu said calmly.

"I'm used to it. Reading in the morning makes my mind clear," Xue Bi replied briefly.

Pei Zeyu glanced at him sideways.

In the morning light, Xue Bi's profile was handsome, with a scholarly air about him, his shoulders were straight and his back was upright, exuding an indescribable air of integrity.

Unlike ordinary rural scholars.

"Is Mr. Xue from Tanxi Village?"

"Yes."

"Really?" Pei Zeyu asked back.

"really."

"Does Master Xue know that fifteen years ago, there was a Grand Tutor Xue in the capital who served as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and whose students and friends were all over the country?"

Xue Bi's expression remained unchanged, but his hand tightened slightly inside his sleeve.

Pei Zeyu continued, "That Grand Tutor Xue is quite learned and knowledgeable, with a deep understanding of both ancient and modern times."

A sudden morning breeze rustled the branches and leaves of the old locust tree.

Yellow leaves swirled down, brushing past their shoulders.

After a long silence, Xue Bi slowly asked, "What does Second Master Pei want to say?"

Pei Zeyu turned around and faced him directly, his eyes deep.

"I'm just curious, what is the relationship between Master Xue and that Grand Tutor Xue?"

Xue Bi's eyelashes trembled. "You've mistaken me for someone else. I'm just a country bumpkin."

"Yeah?"

Pei Zeyu, however, had no intention of letting him off the hook.

"The azure sky holds the dawn's light, the jade inkstone nourishes the poetic heart, the brushstrokes create a startling scene, its elegance surpassing all ages."

He recited the four lines of poetry very slowly, as if he were deliberately tapping them.

Pei Zeyu stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly at ease.

"At the poetry competition that year, Xue Taishi's son was only seven years old when he won the championship. Among the four great families in the capital, the Xue family has a long history of poetry and literature, and even the younger generation has surpassed their parents and made a name for themselves."

Xue Bi's breathing became erratic, and he lowered his eyes to stare at the few withered grasses that had sprouted from the crack in the rock.

"Unfortunately, the Xue family was embroiled in a major case, and the entire family was executed. The young master of the Xue family back then was like a shooting star, shining brightly for only a moment."

Xue Bi forced a bitter smile.

"Second Master Pei has a good memory; he can still remember things from more than ten years ago so clearly."

"After all, I am as famous as the young master of the Xue family, and we are known as the two outstanding talents in the capital."

Xue Bi admitted in a hoarse voice, "It was me. The past is long gone. Second Master Pei, are you trying to humiliate me by bringing up old matters?"

He kept the Xue family tragedy in his heart and endured humiliation for many years.

Now that his wounds have been exposed to his face, the humiliation and pain are hard to hide.

"This is not meant to humiliate you, but simply to remind you that you are the descendant of a disgraced official, and you are no longer the glorious person you once were. You should stay where you belong and behave yourself."

Pei Zeyu paused for a moment, then said, "Don't covet what doesn't belong to you."

The warning in the words was self-evident.

Both of them were cunning foxes, and Pei Zeyu was here today to warn him against having any improper thoughts or indulging in wishful thinking.

After saying that, Pei Zeyu stopped looking at him and walked away.

Xue Bi stood alone in the same spot, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He had only expressed his willingness to protect Wenying yesterday when Pei Zeyu exposed his true identity and issued a warning.

He admitted that he deliberately spoke up in defense of the other person at the time.

Many years ago, the two outstanding individuals in the capital were equally gifted and their talents were comparable.

Unfortunately, times change and the world is in flux. One of them is the high-ranking second master of a noble family.

The difference between a descendant of a disgraced official who has been reduced to merely surviving in the world and a person of utter disgrace is like night and day.

If Pei Zeyu had never appeared, he might have been content with the status quo.

But Pei Zeyu's appearance was like a mirror, reflecting his embarrassment and resentment.

Moreover, Wenying's gentleness and kindness were one of the few remaining colors in his bleak life.

Everything changed after Pei Zeyu arrived.

Xue Bi watched the man's departing figure and sneered inwardly.

Pei Zeyu, Pei Zeyu, what are you afraid of?

Why should I be afraid that this down-on-his-luck man can really take anything away?

He should be content with his lot, but can the current state of the world really keep people content forever?

Pei Zeyu stayed at Zhiyun Manor for another night.

The next morning, Liu Wenying escorted him to the carriage outside the manor.

Ah Fu had been waiting for a long time, and two fine horses trotted along.

Liu Wenying curtsied, her eyes lowered, but the corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

"Second Master, have a safe journey."

Pei Zeyu didn't get into the car immediately. He stood in front of her and gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

The movement was so natural that Liu Wenying was stunned.

He brushed his fingertips behind her ear and then suddenly stopped.

"What? You're so happy that I'm leaving?"

Liu Wenying's heart skipped a beat, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If Pei Zeyu stayed a few more days, she really didn't know how to deal with him.

Last night he asked her to make him a midnight snack and bring it to his room, and then... they made love until the wee hours of the morning.

When I woke up this morning, my back and legs were sore.

She simply couldn't take it anymore.

But how can you say that?

She forced a smile and said, "Second Master is joking. It's just that there are many things to do at the manor, and I'm afraid I might neglect you."

Pei Zeyu smiled, a smile that held both pleasure and mockery.

He bent down closer, his breath tickling her ear: "Lie."

As soon as he finished speaking, he lowered his head and gave her a deep suckling on the side of her neck.

Liu Wenying gasped softly, but it was too late to dodge.

Pei Zeyu straightened up, looking with satisfaction at the red mark that was rapidly spreading.

"Leave a mark so that no one forgets."

"Second Master!" Liu Wenying was both ashamed and angry, and covered her neck.

Pei Zeyu had already turned around and gotten into the car.

Before the carriage curtain fell, he said, "I'll come again before winter."

As the carriage drove away, it kicked up a trail of dust.

Liu Wenying stood still, gently touching the side of her neck with her fingers.

Without even looking, I know that traces have been left again.

The last mark took a long time to fade, but this one is further forward, right below my ear.

She frowned in annoyance. How was she supposed to cover this up?

It's already late autumn, and although the weather is cool, it's not yet time to wear thick turtlenecks.

If you suddenly wrap yourself up tightly, it will attract attention.

She tried to sweep her long hair to the side of her neck, but the red mark was only faintly visible when the hair moved.

Never mind, let's just leave it at that for now.

…………