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

"Your Majesty, please speak freely. She is not an outsider," Xiao Yiheng said.

The eldest princess didn't distrust Liu Wenying; it was just that it concerned royal secrets, and the fewer people who knew, the more secure it would be.

Moreover, there's no need to drag Liu Wenying into this.

The princess's phoenix eyes swept over their clasped hands, and she raised a delicate brow, asking, "What does Heng'er mean?"

"She is my nephew's...wife. My nephew has now married into Wenying's family."

The eldest princess's phoenix eyes widened.

Liu Wenying's ears turned red, and she hurriedly raised her head to explain.

"Your Highness, please do not misunderstand! This is merely a temporary measure."

"Firstly, His Highness's eye ailment has not yet healed and he needs to conceal his identity; secondly, I am pregnant and need a legitimate father."

The princess's gaze followed Liu Wenying's hand to her lower abdomen and paused for a moment.

She originally thought the child was Xiao Yiheng's, which is why she asked him what his plans were after seeing him.

If he wants to live a life of anonymity, that's not out of the question.

However, doing so would ultimately dishearten the old ministers.

Surprisingly, that child wasn't...

The eldest princess looked at Xiao Yiheng with disappointment in her eyes.

She rarely makes mistakes, but now she has to doubt her judgment.

The nephew they had their eye on made a mistake in court politics and didn't seem to be doing well in love either. Was he really a member of the Xiao family?

Fearing that she might make things worse by explaining further, Liu Wenying gently steered the conversation back to the secret edict.

The eldest princess also solemnly said, "The late emperor instructed me that if the imperial sash was still in place when he passed away, then according to the written edict, Crown Prince Xiao Chenlin should ascend the throne."

"But if the dragon sash breaks, another secret edict will be issued."

Xiao Yiheng frowned. "What is the other secret edict?"

The secret edict was hidden in a secluded place, so the princess naturally wouldn't carry it with her, but she would never forget a single word of its contents.

"Depose Crown Prince Xiao Chenlin from his position as heir apparent and establish the Second Prince Xiao Yiheng as the successor to the throne of Great Wei."

……

Yinian Mountain Villa's business was originally a lifeline when they were at their wits' end.

Liu Wenying herself never expected that this straw would grow into a lush and leafy tree.

A tall tree catches the wind, but it also attracts shade. Xiao Yiheng and the eldest princess often took the opportunity to meet.

After obtaining the dragon sash and the contents of the secret edict, Xiao Yiheng changed.

He was like a tree transplanted into fertile soil, his roots growing deeper and deeper, his branches and leaves growing upwards little by little.

He continued to take the eye-brightening pills every single day without fail, and his eyesight improved day by day.

From initially only being able to distinguish between day and night, to being able to see the outlines of people and identify the colors of clothes, and then standing in front of the window, he could see the winding mountain ridges in the distance.

Only the fine handwriting remained blurry, as if seen through a layer of frosted glass, indistinct and unclear.

But compared to the endless darkness of the past, it's much better now.

Business at Yinian Villa is booming day by day.

The matriarch of the Yu family is a living advertisement, and the arrival of the eldest princess is the icing on the cake.

The noble ladies of the capital flocked to the event, and reservations were booked two or three months in advance.

Liu Wenying's account book showed that her income was getting thicker and thicker.

She divided the money she earned into three parts: one part was kept at the villa for working capital, one part was saved for emergencies, and the other part was allocated to the almshouse.

Two new rows of buildings were built in the almshouse, and the courtyard wall was expanded outwards by a large circle.

The elderly have warmer bedding, and the children have more delicious meals.

The silks of Zhiyun Manor have also found a new market. All the curtains and bedding in the manor have been replaced with their own materials, which the distinguished guests find excellent. (See Chapter 433 for more details on "Everything is Going Well with a Surprise," click to unlock.) They will buy a few bolts to take back with them when they leave the manor.

Over time, it turned into a business of moderate size.

Sometimes at night, Liu Wenying would stare blankly at the deep darkness outside the window, thinking of the people still locked up in the Ministry of Justice prison.

She never gave up the idea of ​​saving the Pei family.

A lot of money has been spent, with bribes and favors made to ensure things are done properly.

The Minister of Justice's mother lived comfortably on the estate, and occasionally she was allowed to go in and say a word or two. The jailers, having received bribes, were also polite to the Pei family in the prison.

But that's all; any further progress is blocked by an invisible wall.

With the new emperor's men watching, who would dare to plead for the Pei family?

Having an affair with a eunuch and speaking ill of the new emperor are crimes that, while not major, are still punishable by death.

For Liu Wenying, an ordinary citizen, getting involved with the family of an official was already the limit; trying to shake that wall was like throwing an egg against a rock.

But she is still looking for other solutions.

May has arrived.

The afternoon sun slanted in through the window, falling on the soft couch and gilding Liu Wenying's sleeping face with a thin layer of gold.

She has a habit of taking a nap at noon. Ever since she was six months pregnant, she has been unable to sleep soundly at night, so she relies on this short period of time at noon to catch up on her sleep.

Often, he would feel sleepy after eating and would fall asleep on the couch in no time.

In her dazed state, she felt someone gently lift her ankle.

The movements were extremely gentle; warm palms were placed on her slightly swollen instep, pressing with just the right amount of force.

From the toes to the ankles, then slowly move up to the calves.

Liu Wenying groaned softly in her sleep, instinctively trying to curl up her legs, but those hands held them firmly.

"Don't move, it's not over yet."

Liu Wenying trembled and suddenly opened her eyes.

Xue Bi knelt in front of the bed, supporting her ankle with one hand and gently massaging her calf with the other.

He had his head down, and the lines of his profile looked particularly focused in the light and shadow, suggesting he had been pressing the key for quite some time.

"Xue Bi?" Liu Wenying was startled and tried to pull her foot back, but he gently pressed it down.

"Wenying is awake? I've seen you massage her a few times before, and I've memorized the technique. Is it correct?"

Xue Bi raised his eyes, his hands still moving, and found an acupoint on the sole of her foot, applying slight pressure.

A tingling, numb sensation surged up from the soles of her feet, and Liu Wenying couldn't help but gasp softly.

The feeling wasn't unpleasant; it was like a clogged river channel being cleared. The feeling gradually subsided.

Liu Wenying looked at his lowered eyes and said:

"You learn things very quickly, and your methods are correct. Before long, I'm afraid you'll have learned all my signature skills."

Xue Bi smiled slightly, "Wen Ying, you flatter me. Some of my crude methods of imitation are no match for your skills in managing the manor."

He switched feet, pressing his palm against her slightly cool sole, slowly warming it.

"In another month or so, my body will feel even heavier."

"If you trust me, I can give you a 15-minute massage every afternoon; it should make you feel better, okay?"

Liu Wenying's eyes met his, and she saw a deeper emotion in his eyes, unlike the usual respect or concern a subordinate might show to a superior; it was more complex...

Liu Wenying's heart skipped a beat for no reason.

"Xue Bi, you..." There's no need for that.

Before she could finish speaking, Xiaozhu rushed in, shattering the tranquility of the room.

"Sister Liu! People from the palace have arrived! Lots of soldiers have surrounded the manor gate!!!"

…………