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

"Pei...Yaojun?!"

Xiao Chenlin recognized the person. He was about to execute the entire Pei family, but he missed one fish.

Unexpectedly, the fish walked right into the trap.

"Do you know what the punishment is for falsely reporting military intelligence in the north?!"

"A lie? Is His Majesty truly unaware of the military situation in the North, or is he feigning ignorance?"

"How dare you!"

Xiao Chenlin slammed his fist on the table and stood up angrily, saying, "I asked you a question, and you dare to question me in return? Pei Yaojun, have you forgotten that your family is still waiting for you in the Ministry of Justice prison!"

Pei Yaojun was not afraid at all. He took a curved sword sheath from his waist and threw it onto the jade bricks in the hall, making a crisp clanging sound.

The scabbard is in the style of the Northern Di people, with a wolf head totem engraved on the scabbard body, and turquoise inlaid in the wolf's eyes.

Xiao Chenlin's pupils dilated; he clearly recognized the scabbard and its owner.

"Your Majesty should be aware of this item. Not only can I produce it, but I have also seen a letter in the Northern Di Crown Prince's tent, and the handwriting is similar to Your Majesty's."

"Your Majesty, would you like to guess what was written in that letter that caused the Iron Horse Pass, which the Northern Barbarians had been besieging for so long, to fall in an instant?"

His return was not merely to report military intelligence; he was also meant to become a sword hanging over Xiao Chenlin's head.

"Pei Yaojun, do you know what the crime of framing the Emperor is?"

Xiao Chenlin held the teacup, its porcelain surface icy cold, pressing down on the sweat seeping from his palms.

"You think you can convict me based solely on a scabbard and a few speculative words?"

Pei Yaojun remained unfazed. "Framed? Does Your Majesty really think I've returned to walk right into a trap?"

Xiao Chenlin's expression changed rapidly, like a lamp that was bright one moment and then turned into a wisp of smoke the next.

He cannot touch Pei Yaojun, at least not now.

Pei Yaojun had just returned from the northern border, carrying military merits and holding evidence in his hands. Moreover, he must have had a backup plan.

If he were to harm Pei Yaojun at this moment, it would be to tell the world that he is a tyrannical ruler who persecutes loyal and virtuous officials.

Their collusion with the Northern Barbarians will likely be exposed.

"Minister Pei, what do you desire?"

"Release the Pei family, release everyone in the Yuguo Duke's Mansion without charge, and return all the official positions and titles of my eldest and second brothers."

"What if I don't release him? Are you trying to threaten me?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not. I am merely sharing your burdens."

"If the soldiers of the North knew that the land they fought and bled to defend was sold out by the very king they served, what do you think they would think, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Chenlin's lips twitched slightly, but he quickly resumed his fake smile.

"I will consider what Minister Pei has said."

The next day at the imperial court.

Pei Yaojun's presence among the officials drew considerable attention.

The Third Young Master Pei, who had disappeared when the Yuguo Duke's mansion collapsed, actually reappeared and returned home in glory, carrying with him his outstanding military achievements.

The eunuch loudly proclaimed the imperial decree.

"...Pei Yaojun's loyalty and bravery are commendable; he is hereby granted the title of Loyal and Martial General, holding a military rank of the third grade. This is the imperial decree!"

A low murmur arose among the officials: Was the Pei family about to turn the tide?

The eunuch then changed the subject.

"However, the Pei family of the Duke of Yuguo's mansion is guilty of colluding with eunuchs to make unfounded accusations against the new emperor, and the evidence is conclusive."

Considering General Pei's meritorious service on the frontier, he is hereby pardoned from the death penalty, stripped of his title, demoted to commoner, and to be released on a later date.

An uproar erupted inside the hall.

Pei Yaojun stood at the front of the military officers' line, his face ashen. He slowly raised his head and looked at Xiao Chenlin on the throne.

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and Xiao Chenlin's lips curled into a slight smile.

Using the Pei family as a front, he played the role of a fair and magnanimous monarch who forgave past grievances, handling a case with a combination of kindness and severity.

What a Xiao Chenlin!

How could Pei Yaojun forget that he is extremely vengeful?

The Pei family has been imprisoned for several months. If they are truly released without charge, wouldn't it be like letting the world see the emperor slap himself in the face?

Demoting him to commoner status not only preserved his dignity as a "loyal minister" but also completely severed any possibility of the Pei family's resurgence.

What a brilliant move—killing without shedding blood!

The eunuch closed the imperial edict and announced in a shrill voice, "General Pei, please express your gratitude."

Pei Yaojun reached out and took it; at least the lives of the entire Pei family were saved.

……

Jade Hibiscus Palace.

Since entering the palace, Liu Wenying has taken meticulous care of the Fifth Prince, feeding him water and milk, coaxing him to sleep, changing his clothes, and instructing the palace servants in everything.

Lin Zhiyao, a noble consort, was weak after childbirth and busy with palace affairs. As a result, she relied more on Liu Wenying to take care of the fifth prince.

Liu Wenying knew in her heart that the Fifth Prince was Lin Zhiyao's lifeline, and she could only try to save him if she protected him.

But this peaceful period did not last long.

In the afternoon, Liu Wenying was preparing to send a wet nurse to feed the Fifth Prince, but the usually well-behaved little guy unusually refused to drink the milk.

Her little mouth was tightly pursed, her teeth were clenched, and she occasionally let out a few weak cries.

After examining her, Liu Wenying felt a pang of anxiety.

"Quickly summon the imperial physician!"

The palace servants dared not delay and brought the imperial physician back. Lin Zhiyao also rushed over upon hearing the news.

Liu Wenying bluntly stated, "The Fifth Prince has probably contracted umbilical cord wind."

"What is umbilical wind?" Lin Zhiyao asked in surprise.

The leading physician, Li, explained, "Your Highness, umbilical wind occurs when the scissors used to cut the umbilical cord during childbirth are not heated with fire and are ice-cold, allowing wind-evil to invade the body through the umbilical cord wound and stagnate in the meridians."

"Then hurry up and treat it!"

Lin Zhiyao grabbed Doctor Li's sleeve, her expression urgent and flustered.

Her current prestigious position is supported by her children; if anything were to happen to them, she would…

She can't lose her child!

Imperial Physician Li hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Highness, please rest assured. We will immediately administer the wind-dispelling medicine to His Highness. Once the wind evil is expelled from his body, His Highness will recover."

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenying hurriedly said, "We can't just force-feed the medicine. If you clench your teeth, forcing it in will only cause the medicine to enter your lungs."

"Moreover, this illness is not caused by wind, but by tetanus... It is caused by the umbilical cord wound becoming infected with a foul toxin that has entered the bloodstream. The most urgent task is to clean the wound and stop the spread of the toxin."

"Absurd! The Imperial Medical Academy's records state that there is a 100% chance of survival for those with umbilical cord injury; they were all saved using this method. And there is absolutely no mention in medical books of a cure through wound cleaning! You, a woman—"

Liu Wenying was unwilling to argue with him any further, and looked at Lin Zhiyao, saying, "If Your Majesty trusts me, then do as I say."

Lin Zhiyao held Liu Wenying's life in her hands. It could be said that the imperial physician was suspected of being bribed by the empress, but apart from herself, Liu Wenying was the person who least wanted anything to happen to the fifth prince.

"I believe you, so hurry up and treat him!"

Liu Wenying's first step was to have that person bring a thick cloth to cover all the windows to prevent strong light, and to clear out any extra palace servants.

Then they had someone bring strong liquor, the stronger the better, and soaked a cotton cloth in the liquor to wipe the wound on the navel.

Then, after burning the scissors with fire, cut off the blackened and necrotic remaining umbilical cord.

Rinse repeatedly with water filtered through wood ash until the wound exposes bright red flesh.

As for the wound, it should not be bandaged, but allowed to breathe.

After doing all that, Liu Wenying had someone bring the medicine prepared by the Imperial Medical Bureau and fed it to the Fifth Prince little by little with utmost care.

In ancient times, conditions were rudimentary and limited. There was no tetanus antitoxin, so all she could do was clean the wound, avoid sunlight, and reduce irritation.

Ultimately, we hope that the disease is detected early enough and that the child has enough vitality to withstand the toxins.

Fortunately, the child's condition improved the next day, and the child was willing to drink breast milk.

Liu Wenying breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the room assigned to her by the Jade Hibiscus Palace, where she was about to lie down fully clothed.

In my drowsy state, I heard a noise coming from the window.

The window, which had been closed, was suddenly wide open, and the evening breeze blew in, causing the curtains to sway gently.

A tall, slender figure stood before the bed, his robes as black as ink.

His gaze shifted upwards; his lips were thinner, his nose was high and straight, and his once impetuous, flirtatious eyes had faded.

Liu Wenying rubbed her eyes, unable to believe it.

Is it a dream? If it's not a dream, how come he's here?

…………