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

Almshouse.

Granny Wang brought in a steaming bowl of red date and white fungus soup.

In just five days, she had many more gray hairs at her temples, and her back had become hunched.

"Wenying, you should eat it while it's hot."

Liu Wenying took her withered hand and said, "Granny, sit down and eat with us."

"No, I've already eaten. You all enjoy your meal."

Granny Wang withdrew her hand and left, stumbling slightly as she stepped across the threshold.

Through the half-open window, Liu Wenying saw Granny Wang walk to the center of the courtyard, her shoulders heaving as she cried anxiously.

Zhiyun Village was the livelihood of the villagers, but now that it has been seized and confiscated by the government, the villagers have lost their source of income and can only wander around looking for other ways to make a living.

But times are tough, and with war and chaos, how difficult it is for ordinary people to find a stable way to make a living.

Inside the room, Xue Bi, Lu Ye, and Xiao Yiheng all focused their attention on her, worried that she might harm her health by worrying too much.

Liu Wenying was afraid they would worry too much, so she pretended to be fine and picked up the white fungus soup to eat.

"You guys eat too, what am I doing?"

Urged by her, they finally picked up their chopsticks.

As Liu Wenying ate, watching Granny Wang's figure gradually disappear into the distance, a thought came to her mind.

As she was finishing her meal, she put down her bowl and spoon and said, "I want to redeem Zhiyun Manor."

The group didn't delve too deeply into the matter, but simply considered things from her perspective.

Xiao Yiheng tapped his fingers lightly on his knee.

"Confiscated property is not necessarily prohibited from being bought or sold, but it must be done in accordance with government regulations and through the proper channels."

Xue Bi frowned. "It's not that I disagree, but that would require a large sum of money, Wenying, you..."

"Money is not a problem; I've saved some money before, and besides..."

Liu Wenying paused, but ultimately didn't mention the secret account Pei Dingxuan had given her. The amount in that account was more than enough to buy ten Zhiyun Manors.

Pei Dingxuan entrusted the secret room to her with complete trust.

Now that the Pei family is in trouble and the hundred people in Zhiyun Manor are left without support, she should help them out of both compassion and reason.

Lu Ye, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up: "I'll follow you no matter what you do."

With the money issue resolved, Xiao Yiheng slowly explained the procedures involved.

"...The sale of confiscated property requires the Ministry of Revenue to appraise the value, the Ministry of Justice to approve the transaction, and finally the property to be auctioned off at the prefectural government office. However, you will need a guarantor if you want to buy it."

"Guarantor?" Liu Wenying asked.

"Yes, the transaction is compliant, the money is from a clean source, and the buyer is not related to any criminal."

Xiao Yiheng continued, "It would be best if the guarantor had an official position or academic title and some prestige in the capital."

However, the villagers of Zhiyun Manor are all from Tanxi Village. Xiao Yiheng does have a status, but his current status is more of a nuisance.

Liu Wenying lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised her eyes and said, "I might have a way to protect people."

The following day, Liu Wenying prepared a small gift and visited the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

She was greeted by Su Xin, the head maidservant of Old Madam Yu. The two were acquainted, but Su Xin's brows and eyes were gloomy, as if she had something on her mind.

Out of consideration for their past friendship, she led Liu Wenying through the courtyard and explained in a low voice.

"The old lady has been in poor spirits these past few days, and the mansion... has become quite deserted."

Liu Wenying had lived in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion for quite some time, and things were certainly not like this before.

People came and went at the threshold, exchanging invitations and trying to build relationships, from morning till night.

And now? The vermilion gate is still the same two doors, but the bustle has faded, and the place is deserted.

"The Duke and the others..."

"They've all been transferred out of the capital," Su Xin sighed, unwilling to say more.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, the Duke of Zhenguo chose to leave the capital rather than relinquish military power.

Now only the old matriarch and a few ladies and young misses remain in the mansion.

Liu Wenying also understood that the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion was a family of generals for generations, but now that all the pillars of the family had been transferred away, the mansion was like a spineless shell.

Upon entering the house, Old Madam Yu leaned against the couch, her hair neatly combed, but with many more fine lines around her eyes.

Seeing Liu Wenying enter, her eyes lit up. "Wenying's here?"

Liu Wenying curtsied and handed the medicinal herbs to Su Xin.

"Greetings to the Old Madam. How have you been lately? I brought some nourishing medicinal herbs."

Grandma Yu pulled her down to sit and examined her closely: "Your face is a bit rounder; it's good that you've gained weight."

The two exchanged pleasantries, and their conversation eventually turned to the Duke of Yu's mansion.

"I've heard about what happened with the Pei family..."

Old Madam Yu sighed, her eyes slightly red.

"I have known Madam Pei for decades, and now that she is imprisoned, there is nothing I can do."

Liu Wenying grasped the old lady's hand, "I've come today precisely to ask for your help."

She recounted in detail how Zhiyun Manor had been sealed off and how its residents had been displaced, and concluded by saying:

"I want to buy the estate back so that the farmers will have a place to settle down and make a living."

"But government transactions require a guarantor, and I am all alone with no relatives or friends. After much thought, I have no choice but to ask the old lady for help."

Old Madam Yu patted Liu Wenying's hand.

"Good child, how can I not help you with this kind intention? The Pei family is in trouble, and those farmers are innocent. I'm determined to act as their guarantor."

A few days later, a bidding process was held in front of the government office, with Old Madam Yu acting as guarantor, making the procedures exceptionally smooth.

Liu Wenying bought back Zhiyun Manor at a reasonable price, and her name was prominently written on both the land deed and the house deed.

Upon returning to Zhiyun Manor, Liu Wenying summoned all the original villagers back, especially Granny Wang, who held her hand and kept reminiscing, tears streaming down her face.

Liu Wenying comforted them one by one.

When the spring sun broke through the clouds and shone on the newly hung plaque of Zhiyun Manor, it was the first good news received since the beginning of spring.

At night, Liu Wenying couldn't sleep.

Zhiyun Manor regained its stability, but there were still bigger things weighing on his mind.

Luo Luo was fast asleep on the bed, her little hand clutching a corner of Liu Wenying's clothes.

She gently pulled it out, put on an outer garment, and pushed open the door to go out.

The spring night breeze was chilly, causing Liu Wenying to pull her coat tighter.

She was already showing some signs of pregnancy, but fortunately she usually wore loose-fitting clothes, which could still conceal it.

Liu Wenying walked to the tree in the yard. Winter had passed and spring had come. The withered tree had sprouted several clusters of tender buds.

The day Pei Zeyu left, he stood right here, looking towards the capital.

The trees are sprouting now, but he...

Someone approached from behind. Liu Wenying thought it was Lu Ye on night patrol or Xue Bi who had just come out of the tent, but when she turned around, she saw Xiao Yiheng walking slowly towards her.

He walked steadily, just like a normal person; having been blind for so long, he had gradually gotten used to it.

The moonlight fell on his face, revealing his elegant and refined features. Xiao Yiheng stopped beside her.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I can't sleep," Liu Wenying said honestly.

"Worried about the Pei family?"

"Um."

Xiao Yiheng pondered for a moment and said, "The Pei family was imprisoned for having an affair with a eunuch and making irresponsible remarks about the new emperor. This charge could be serious or minor."

"Moreover, the Duke of Yu's ancestors had rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor. Xiao Chenlin's ascension to the throne is not yet stable, and he has moved many ministers in the short term. He will not rashly exterminate them again. You can rest assured for now."

…………