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

The study of the Duke of Yu's residence.

The candlelight cast a dim yellow glow throughout the room, also revealing the newly grown frost on the Duke of Yu's temples.

He stood with his hands behind his back in front of the desk, gazing at the deep night in the courtyard.

"Dingxuan, do you know why I summoned you here tonight?"

Pei Dingxuan stood with his head bowed inside the room, his brows furrowed with deep worry.

"Father wants his son not to worry too much. I understand. If my resignation can save the Pei family, it is a viable way out."

Duke Yu turned around, his gaze falling on Yu Guoguo's face with satisfaction.

"You've always been more thoughtful than others, so I'm relieved to hear you think this way."

"But does Father really think it's that simple?"

Duke Yu frowned. "How so?"

Pei Dingxuan smiled bitterly. "Xiao Chenlin is the most vindictive person. Even veteran officials like the Duke of Zhenguo in the Second Prince's faction have been transferred to the border with a single order, ostensibly to guard the territory, but in reality, it's a disguised expulsion from the capital."

Once removed from the capital city center, even the most prestigious families will gradually decline and fall into ruin.

If this isn't a disguised form of suppression, then what is it?

Duke Yu shook his head. "No, I have always followed His Majesty's lead. Over the years, I have served the Crown Prince faithfully and have never been disloyal. His Majesty would not do such a thing."

"It can't be that bad?"

A hint of pain flashed across Pei Dingxuan's eyes. "Father, think about it. When the late emperor ascended the throne, he relied on the support of the empress's maternal family. As the eldest son of the legal wife, Xiao Chenlin was able to be named the crown prince after the late emperor took the throne."

"But is he truly capable of ruling the Great Wei? Have you forgotten how he dealt with officials who held differing political views when he was the crown prince? He was ruthless and showed no mercy!"

Pei Dingxuan was well aware of how carefully Duke Yu had chosen sides in court over the years.

From the late emperor's ascension to the throne to the establishment of the crown prince, from the Eastern Palace to the dragon throne, the Yuguo Duke's Mansion has always been the most steadfast cornerstone of the crown prince's faction.

The father believed that as long as he chose the right side and remained loyal, he could ensure the Pei family's continued prosperity.

But he saw further and colder than his father.

"Dingxuan, how could you think like that? We are in dire need of capable people. With your submission, His Majesty will not do anything to our Pei family."

"Father, I have a grudge against Xiao Chenlin because of the canal transport case. He is narrow-minded and still holds a grudge."

"But what my son has always asked for is the justice of the laws of the Great Wei, so that the people can have a clear and just world."

"But what he wants is a one-man rule, where those who obey him prosper and those who oppose him perish!"

"Father, don't you understand the blood of Lord Wang in the mourning hall?"

Duke Yu staggered backward and sat down in a round-back chair.

He remained silent. Pei Dingxuan wanted to persuade him further, but saw the Duke of Yu wave his hand dejectedly, "You go back first."

Pei Dingxuan bowed deeply and left the study, his melancholy growing even stronger.

He feared he couldn't persuade his father, and the future of the Pei family became increasingly uncertain.

Tinglan Courtyard.

Wen Jingshu sat by the window, holding a scroll in her hand, but she couldn't read a single word.

The lamp on the table had already been refilled twice, and the flickering flame cast her shadow onto the window.

She put down her book, got up, and opened the window. The cold wind that rushed in brought her a bit of clarity.

The bluestone path outside the courtyard gate was deserted, with only the cold moonlight shining down.

Just as she was about to close the window, she saw someone approaching from the street.

Pei Dingxuan walked in, dismissed the servants, and left her alone in the room.

Wen Jingshu's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"You've worked hard all these years."

"From the moment you married into the family, you've managed everything, inside and out."

"When I couldn't care less about the dignity of the Duke's mansion and the prestige of the Pei family, it was you who held up the fort."

The more Wen Jingshu listened, the more uneasy she felt. It didn't sound like a compliment; it sounded more like an instruction.

"Sir, has something happened?"

Pei Dingxuan did not hide anything from her, "I have resigned from my official post."

These four simple words encapsulate the turmoil in the court and the country without needing to say more.

Wen Jingshu's eyelashes trembled slightly. Without asking why, she nodded and smiled, "If you've resigned, then you've resigned. You've worked tirelessly day and night in the Ministry of Justice. It's good for you to take a break for now."

Pei Dingxuan turned his face away, not daring to look into her gentle eyes.

He said bluntly, "The Duke's mansion is in turmoil, and we don't know what tomorrow will bring. Wives are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly away separately. You don't need to stay with the Pei family in their decline."

For some reason, Wen Jingshu suddenly remembered that day when he returned Liu Wenying's employment contract to her.

He hid it for so long, only taking it out at the last moment before entering the palace. He let Liu Wenying go, and now he will let her go too.

He thought of everything for others, but never for himself.

Wen Jingshu shook her head. "Now that I've taken on the title of Pei's eldest daughter-in-law, I won't leave easily."

Pei Dingxuan's voice was hoarse, "I have failed you."

Just as Wen Jingshu was about to answer, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

"Sir, something terrible has happened!"

Atai stumbled and crawled in, his face deathly pale. "There are so many soldiers outside! They've surrounded the mansion!"

……

The next morning, as dawn broke, the morning light streamed in through the window, a thin layer, like gold dust washed away by water.

Pei Zeyu was awakened by whispers outside the house. He sat up and vaguely saw two figures outside the crack in the door.

Liu Wenying's voice was soft and gentle, carrying a soothing tone.

"You've been through a lot yesterday, take a rest. Eye problems are most aggravated by overexertion."

Another voice, tinged with grievance, sounded like a cat locked outside, scratching at the door with its claws. It wasn't really trying to tear anything, but just wanted people to know it was outside and that it was unhappy.

"But last night was our wedding night."

It turns out that Xiao Yiheng came over before dawn to put on a complete act and create the illusion that they were living together, so as not to arouse suspicion.

But to his utter surprise, there was someone else who had stayed in the house the previous night.

How did Lu Ye patrol the night?!?

The door was pushed open, and Pei Zeyu walked out while straightening his clothes. Knowing that he couldn't see, he deliberately made the sound of his clothes rubbing together.

As expected, Xiao Yiheng pursed his lips.

Liu Wenying thought of the commotion last night and was afraid that the two of them would also get into a fight.

Unexpectedly, after showing off his power, Pei Zeyu went straight to the point and said, "I have something to say to you."

Xiao Yiheng was slightly taken aback, then smiled.

"Perfect timing, I also have something to say to Young Master Pei."

The two entered the house one after the other. Liu Wenying stood there, stunned and bewildered.

When did the two of them become so in sync?

Her worries seemed unnecessary...

The three entered the house, and Pei Zeyu spoke first: "The Duke of Yu's mansion will help you rise to power and lend you a hand."

Xiao Yiheng inquired, "Why would Second Young Master Pei suddenly have such thoughts?"

The Crown Prince had long suspected the Duke of Yu's mansion, and it was not impossible that they would resort to such tactics as "killing the rabbit and hiding the bow" (a Chinese idiom meaning to hide something that is not actually a proper family or property).

He helped Xiao Yiheng, and also to find a way for the Duke's mansion to survive.

Pei Zeyu didn't mention his schemes, only saying, "With the support of the Duke of Yu's mansion, isn't that a good thing for you?"

In his heart, he thought, "The sooner I push Xiao Yiheng back onto that dragon throne, the sooner I can get rid of him and stop bothering Wenying."

Even the most refined person couldn't help but have vulgar thoughts.

…………