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

The Empress recognized Liu Wenying at a glance. It was said that she was exceptionally skilled at raising children, and even the imperial physicians admired her.

"If I remember correctly, you are that Lady Bu Ning."

Liu Wenying: "Yes, I am."

The Empress rolled her eyes a few times, then suddenly smiled and said, "Perfect timing! My sister recently gave birth and has some questions about childcare. Come with me, and I'll ask you a few questions."

Liu Wenying curtsied and said, "This humble woman dares not accept the title of 'asking for advice.' If Your Majesty has any instructions, please send someone to ask. This humble woman will answer to the best of her knowledge."

She subtly kicked the ball back.

The nanny beside the Empress said sternly, "Her Majesty's words are already a great honor for you. What? Are you still going to make excuses?"

Liu Wenying lowered her eyes; she was responsible for looking after the Fifth Prince and could not leave easily.

The Empress clearly had ulterior motives and was determined to get rid of her.

Liu Wenying's mind raced as she tried to find a solution that would satisfy both sides, but the Empress did not give her time.

"Let's go."

The empress turned around, her skirt swirling into a magnificent flower on the ground, and stepped out of the palace gate.

Liu Wenying glanced at the Fifth Prince, then said to the head palace maid, "You must stay by His Highness's side at all times."

The head palace maid nodded.

Liu Wenying followed the Empress out of the Jade Hibiscus Palace.

A cool night breeze blew through the corridor, causing the palace lanterns to sway. The Empress dismissed her attendants, leaving only Liu Wenying standing before her.

"I heard about your deeds from Imperial Physician Li."

She lazily twirled the gilded armor on her fingers.

"You saved me from such a deadly disease as umbilical cord wind, you are very smart."

"Your Majesty flatters me. I was merely lucky that Your Highness was blessed with good fortune. It is not that I have any great ability."

The Empress smiled and said, "I have always enjoyed talking to intelligent people, so there's no need for such modesty."

She paused, then lowered her voice, her words carrying a mixture of seduction and ruthlessness.

"The Fifth Prince is frail and difficult to raise."

If you can do me a favor and make him completely settle down, I can give you anything you want.

Gold and silver jewelry, fine silks and satins, even the promise of leaving the palace to give birth to your unborn child—I can provide all of that.

Liu Wenying looked up in surprise.

The Empress wanted to bribe her to harm the Fifth Prince.

What a vicious mind!

If the Fifth Prince really gets into trouble, she will be the first to be implicated and unable to escape the consequences.

Even if she manages to escape punishment, the Empress will never let her off the hook in order to keep her quiet.

In that case, I will only die without a burial place.

Liu Wenying feigned surprise and hesitated, saying, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. I need time to consider it."

"I don't have that much patience to waste with you."

Liu Wenying raised her eyes, and a look of panic and struggle appeared in them at the right moment.

"But His Highness fell ill just today after Her Majesty's visit. How could His Majesty, being so wise, not be suspicious?"

The Empress narrowed her eyes; these words had indeed struck a nerve with her.

Similarly, it also made her absolutely certain that Liu Wenying was a clever and quick-witted person.

"Very well, don't keep me waiting too long. You're not stupid, but I must remind you that moderation is the mark of a wise person."

After saying this, the Empress turned around and summoned palace servants to leave the Jade Hibiscus Palace.

Meanwhile, at the Taiji Hall.

Xiao Chenlin was reviewing memorials at his desk when a eunuch bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine requests an audience."

Xiao Chenlin put down his pen, rubbed his temples, and said, "Let her in."

Before long, Lin Zhiyao entered carrying a vermilion lacquered food box, dressed in a rouge-red palace gown, her makeup exquisite.

She took three steps to the imperial desk, knelt down to pay her respects, still somewhat sluggish from postpartum recovery.

"Your Majesty, I have had some bird's nest stewed with rock sugar simmered over a low flame for two hours. It's the perfect medicine for nourishing the lungs."

Xiao Chenlin looked up. "You just gave birth not long ago, why aren't you resting properly?"

"I'm so tired of lying in bed all day. The imperial physician said that it would be good for me to move around a bit."

Xiao Chenlin offered his concern only once, and he wouldn't do it again.

After being served a late-night snack by Lin Zhiyao, Xiao Chenlin said, "You've come at the right time. There's something I was just about to ask you."

Lin Zhiyao was just putting down her bowl and spoon when she heard this. She paused slightly, and when she looked up, her eyes were filled with curiosity.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"A few days ago, my imperial aunt asked me for someone, and that person is now in your palace."

Lin Zhiyao's breath hitched. "Your Majesty, are you referring to... Liu Wenying?"

Xiao Chenlin nodded, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"Unexpectedly, a mere maid named Bu Ning is quite sought after."

Previously, you begged me to issue an edict to keep her in your palace for care, and now even your imperial aunt has personally asked for her.

Fortunately, he was too busy to deal with the matter when he first ascended the throne, and Lady Liu escaped quickly and was not in the Duke of Yu's mansion, so she was not imprisoned.

Otherwise, he really wouldn't be able to curry favor with his aunt.

He killed a few of Xiao Yiheng's former officials who refused to bow down, but the rest were like weeds, impossible to eradicate.

Xiao Yiheng is dead, but the hearts of those former officials are not yet dead.

They outwardly submitted, but behind the scenes, their remains are nowhere to be found; they are still observing and waiting.

The eldest princess carries weight among the old officials; if she were to speak up, most of them would lose hope.

Xiao Chenlin wouldn't do a losing deal; if the princess wanted someone, he would give it to her.

The condition was that the eldest princess would appease Xiao Yiheng's former officials on his behalf.

A mere woman can win the hearts of half the court; this is a very worthwhile deal.

Xiao Chenlin was making his own plans, but Lin Zhiyao refused to let Liu Wenying go.

The child contracted umbilical cord disease, and even the imperial physicians said it was a dangerous situation. It was Liu Wenying who used unheard-of methods to snatch the child back from the jaws of death.

What will happen to the children if she leaves?

"Your Majesty, it's not that I'm unwilling to release her, it's just that Yi'er fell ill a few days ago, and the imperial physicians were all helpless. It was she who saved Yi'er."

A thin layer of tears welled up in Lin Zhiyao's eyes. "The princess's child is precious, but His Majesty must also consider the imperial heirs."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chenlin frowned slightly.

The fifth prince was his only male heir and the future crown prince, whom he had always valued highly.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to change Lin Zhiyao's appearance, erase her past, bring her into the palace, and make her a Noble Consort.

"Let's talk about this later."

Lin Zhiyao immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."

Xiao Chenlin waved his hand, "You're weak, you should go back and rest early."

"Your Majesty, I obey."

That night, after Liu Wenying saw off the Empress and waited for Lin Zhiyao, she felt that something was amiss.

Especially when Lin Zhiyao returned from the Taiji Hall and looked at him, she always seemed to be considering and deep in thought.

Could it be that the Empress bribed her to harm the Fifth Prince, and that her plan was exposed?

But Liu Wenying thought again that the Empress had not yet succeeded, and the one who most wanted to keep this secret was the Empress herself, so she would not easily reveal it.

What could it be?

Liu Wenying did not delve into the matter further and continued to take sincere and meticulous care of the Fifth Prince every day.

The child is innocent, and the Fifth Prince is still an infant. Since she has the ability to save him, there is no reason for her to sit idly by.

Moreover, her life was closely tied to his; if the Fifth Prince were to suffer even the slightest mishap, Lin Zhiyao, in her fury, would certainly not spare her.

As the days passed, Liu Wenying stayed by the Fifth Prince's side, never leaving him for a moment, and finally managed to survive the most dangerous seven days of the umbilical cord injury.

…………