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

The Ministry of Justice prison.

The damp, musty smell mixed with the rusty odor was everywhere, so strong it was almost overwhelming, and so bitter it made your tongue tingle.

Every few steps there is an iron fence, and most of the paint on the fence has peeled off.

This was the place where Pei Dingxuan took office.

When he served as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he often reviewed case files and interrogated important criminals here.

Now, returning to this place, he is a prisoner, dressed in tattered prison clothes and shackled.

Men and women were kept in separate cells inside the prison.

In the east cell, Duke Yu Guo, Pei Hongtai, his eldest son Pei Dingxuan, and his second son Pei Zeyu were trapped in a prison cell.

Duke Yu, with his white hair and beard, leaned against the mottled wall, eyes closed and silent.

Pei Dingxuan and Pei Zeyu sat silently against the wall.

Suddenly, voices came from the end of the passageway, and someone approached.

A figure in a gray cloak walked in with the jailer, his hood pulled low, obscuring his face.

The jailer unlocked the door and whispered, "Hurry up, half an incense stick's time."

The person stood in the corridor, in the dim light of the fire, and she raised her hand to take off her hood.

Zhou Zhengqing's face was revealed, and the submissiveness he had shown in the mansion was gone, replaced by a calm and resolute expression.

Pei Zeyu recognized the person who had come in, and suddenly stood up, the shackles rattling loudly.

He rushed to the fence and grabbed the cold iron bars with both hands.

"How did you get in? Did anyone give you trouble?"

Liu Wenying curtsied and said, "Second Master, rest assured, I have some connections with the Minister of Justice's mother, and she gave me the favor."

Pei Zeyu was slightly thin, and his lips were as pale as a faded begonia.

The wrist bone revealed by the slipping sleeve resembled a jade bamboo joint, but having been unseen for a long time, it was so white that it was almost transparent.

After looking at him, Liu Wenying turned her gaze to Pei Dingxuan and Duke Yu behind him, and knelt down again.

Pei Zeyu looked her up and down, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that her clothes were neat and her complexion was acceptable.

He wanted to ask the question weighing on his mind: How is the child? How is his health?

But out of the corner of my eye, I saw a jailer lingering at the entrance of the passageway, which was really inappropriate.

He swallowed his words and whispered, "No matter what, you must be careful in everything you do."

Even though I wanted to see her, I was also afraid she might be in danger, so I shouldn't come.

Pei Dingxuan took a few steps closer.

He was much thinner than when he last visited Zhiyun Manor, yet his eyes still burned brightly like starlight in the dim light.

The collar was slightly open, revealing deep collarbones, yet he still maintained the dignified and austere demeanor of a nobleman.

He approached Liu Wenying's location, but stopped halfway there, his Adam's apple bobbing, unable to speak.

Liu Wenying turned to him, thinking he wanted to ask about the secret residence.

"Sir, I have bought back Zhiyun Manor. The land deed is in my name, and it has been officially approved by the government."

She paused, her words carrying a hint of ambiguity, "If I ever get out of prison, at least I'll have a place to stay."

Liu Wenying did not mention the secret room, nor did Pei Dingxuan bring it up.

Both of them knew where the large sum of money to buy the estate came from, but neither of them said it.

He recalled their first meeting when she was still a wet nurse in Tinglan Courtyard, and her extraordinary delicacy was evident.

Now that the Duke's mansion has collapsed, it is she who holds up a roof for the family in the storm.

"Thanks a lot……"

The family's misfortunes had aged the Duke of Yu considerably; his eyes were cloudy, and after a moment of careful observation, he suddenly realized:

"Are you the head maid at Mingxi Hall?"

"Your Excellency, it is indeed this servant." Liu Wenying curtsied again.

The old man sighed, "I never imagined that in the end, the one who would preserve the last vestige of the Pei family's foundation would be a maid."

Liu Wenying lowered her eyes. "I have already visited the First Madam, the Old Madam, and Fourth Madam. Life in prison is harsh, but I will try to improve it."

She phrased it tactfully, but all three people present understood.

The so-called "method" was nothing more than bribing the jailers with large sums of money to ask for leniency. Fortunately, the method, though clumsy, was effective.

Many of these prison guards had previously worked under the old man and received favors from him.

It's common for people to grow distant after they leave, but there are always a few who cherish the past and are willing to show some consideration within their means.

Liu Wenying wanted to say something more, but a jailer's cough came from the end of the passageway. It was their pre-arranged signal that the time had come.

"I'll come back again when I have the chance."

Liu Wenying put on her hood, took one last look at them, and turned to leave.

Pei Zeyu watched her figure disappear around the corner of the passageway, his hands still gripping the iron railing.

His eyes were overflowing with concern and love, yet he forcefully suppressed it, turning it into a deep, unspoken emotion.

Pei Dingxuan stood beside him, taking in his expression.

He did notice that when Liu Wenying turned around, her loose cloak was blown up by the wind in the passageway, vaguely revealing the outline of her waist.

Even though it was quickly concealed, the slight curve couldn't escape his eyes...

"Zeyu, she's pregnant, isn't she?"

Pei Dingxuan asked directly; there was no need to beat around the bush in this prison.

"Yes," Pei Zeyu said directly, his tone firm.

With just one word, Pei Dingxuan suddenly gripped the prison uniform on his knees and said nothing more.

The sound of water droplets falling from the corner struck my heart, one after another, as if something was shattering inch by inch.

……

As late spring draws to a close, most of Zhuangzi's peach blossoms have faded, and unripe fruit has appeared on the branches.

At noon that day, a procession of carriages arrived outside the village.

It wasn't particularly ostentatious, but the four pure white horses and the inconspicuous dragon pattern on the carriage shaft already indicated that the visitor was of extraordinary status.

Upon receiving the news, Liu Wenying waited at the manor gate early in the morning.

The carriage came to a stop, and a maid lifted the curtain, allowing a woman dressed in a crimson palace gown and wearing a red-gold and kingfisher-feather phoenix crown to slowly alight.

"This humble woman, Liu Wenying, greets Your Highness, the Eldest Princess."

The princess's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"No need for formalities. I've long heard of a female owner in the suburbs of Beijing who runs a hot spring resort with great success. Even Old Madam Yu has praised her highly. Seeing her today, I can confirm that she is indeed remarkable."

With so many people around, she didn't try to befriend Liu Wenying.

Liu Wenying understood her intention and smiled, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. Please follow me inside."

The princess did not bring many attendants, only two personal maids with her.

Liu Wenying walked ahead, leading the princess slowly.

As she walked, she introduced which retreat was suitable for flower viewing, which was suitable for listening to the rain, the temperature of the hot spring water, and how to match meals according to the seasons.

Liu Wenying was calm and composed, as if she were having a casual chat with her elders, but she exuded confidence and experience in managing Zhuangzi.

The eldest princess listened, nodding occasionally, her expression showing a hint of appreciation beyond scrutiny.

"You are quite capable. I originally thought you were only good at serving people and taking care of your health, but I didn't expect you to be able to do business and manage such a large estate so well, benefiting so many people."

"Your Highness is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise. It was only by chance and the help of a benefactor that I was able to manage to get through this long."

"Alright."

Upon reaching a secluded spot, the princess suddenly smiled.

"Liu Wenying, let's not beat around the bush. You sent me an invitation, along with a jade flute. Your intention probably wasn't just to bring me to admire the scenery of Zhuangzi, was it?"

…………