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

"Tap, tap, tap."

Just as Liu Wenying pulled the thin blanket over her head, a very light knock came from outside the door, which was particularly clear in the quiet night.

It's those two again?

She sighed, threw off the covers, got out of bed, walked to the door, and opened it without hesitation.

"Aren't you tired? Why don't you go back and rest...?"

Upon seeing who it was, Liu Wenying immediately fell silent.

Xue Bi stood under the eaves, holding a black lacquered tray with a small celadon cup on it, steaming gently rising from it.

The flickering candlelight cast a shadow on his shoulder, making his plain clothes appear even more simple and elegant.

Only the tender concern in his eyes and brows shone brightly.

"You've been working tirelessly lately for the Pei family's affairs. I've prepared a calming soup, and after consulting with the doctor, I've added a few herbs to help with the pregnancy. Drink it while it's hot and get some rest."

Liu Wenying paused, her gaze sweeping over the faint blue shadow in his eyes.

That bowl of medicine must have been simmered by him personally over the fire for a long time.

She stepped aside and said gently, "Mr. Xue, you've gone to so much trouble. Please come in."

Xue Bi stepped into the room, gently placed the tray on the table, and when he lifted the lid of the bowl, the aroma of medicine mixed with the sweetness of jujube kernels filled the air.

He scooped up a spoonful, tested the temperature, and then handed it to her.

Liu Wenying took the porcelain cup and sipped it slowly under his gentle gaze.

The herbal decoction was slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste, and the warmth slid down my throat, gradually soothing my tense mind that had been taut for days.

After she finished drinking, Xue Bi took the empty cup and put it back on the tray.

He did not get up to say goodbye, but instead went to the bedside and straightened the quilt.

"Lie down, I'll massage your acupoints. The doctor said that pregnant women with edema need to have their meridians cleared frequently, otherwise they are prone to cramps at night."

Perhaps because she had just drunk the herbal medicine, Liu Wenying's cheeks were hot, and she wanted to refuse.

"No need to trouble Mr. Xue, I..."

"It's not like we haven't pressed it before."

Xue Bi interrupted her, reaching out to support her arm and leading her to the edge of the bed.

"Besides, it's already late. If we keep arguing, it will only waste time."

"Please get some rest after you're done, so I can feel at ease."

His words made sense and were tinged with his unique thoughtfulness, so Liu Wenying finally gave in.

She lay down on her side on the couch as instructed, and Xue Bi sat on the edge of the couch, gently placing her legs on his knees.

He placed his palm on her ankle, and his body temperature was clearly felt, causing Liu Wenying to involuntarily frown and want to pull away.

"Don't be afraid, I'll be gentle."

Xue Bi's hand slowly moved upwards along the acupoints on the inside of her calf, kneading and pressing with his fingertips and pushing with his palm.

He was so skilled at acupressure that he precisely targeted the intersection of meridians, and the tingling and numb sensation spread like ripples, gradually overcoming the fatigue from days of travel.

With her eyes closed, Liu Wenying could feel the thin calluses on his palm gently scraping against her skin.

It has a rough, slightly coarse texture, like wiping a piece of cotton cloth that has been dried in the autumn sun, which makes people feel at ease and reassured.

As her palm moved upwards, pressing on the Weizhong acupoint at the back of her knee, Liu Wenying couldn't help but let out a soft groan.

That acupoint was the most sensitive; a tingling, distending sensation shot straight to the top of my head, yet it felt strangely comfortable.

Upon hearing the sound, Xue Bi paused for a moment, then increased the force of his blows.

He lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her slightly curled toes.

Her toenails were neatly trimmed, with a healthy light pink hue, which was very cute.

When Xue Bi pressed the Shenshu acupoint on the side of his waist, he covered it with his entire palm.

Through the nightgown, I could feel the warmth of your palm on that skin, like a warm handkerchief covering me.

Liu Wenying sighed contentedly, her consciousness becoming blurred.

It felt like soaking in a warm bath, with the warm current gently opening up all the meridians in my body.

Even the little life inside her was much quieter, not moving around much.

After Xue Bi finished massaging her legs, he gently put them back down and carefully covered her with the quilt.

Feeling extremely comfortable, Liu Wenying had already fallen asleep.

He sat on the edge of the couch, gazing at me quietly.

Her long eyelashes curved into two shallow arcs under her eyes, and the corners of her lips were slightly upturned, as if she were having a sweet dream.

What was in her dream? What made her so happy? Was he there?

Xue Bi stared at her for a long time and suddenly noticed a small drop of dark brown water stain on her lips, which she must have left behind when she drank the calming soup.

He reached out, his thumb brushing across the soft corner of his lips, grinding the drop of medicine onto his fingertip.

It feels warm and moist to the touch, and it can be easily wiped away with just two fingers.

But as if possessed, he brought his fingertips to his lips and tasted them very lightly.

It has a slightly bitter taste, followed by a sweet aftertaste, and a unique, refreshing sweetness.

That action was so outrageous that even he was taken aback when he realized what he had done.

He hurriedly clenched his hands behind his back and turned his face away as if he had done something wrong.

The sound of a night watchman's drum came from outside the window; it was already midnight.

Xue Bi got up, dimmed the candlelight, and prepared to leave.

"Wenying, are you asleep?"

It was Pei Dingxuan, Xue Bi recognized him.

The water stains on my fingertips had long since disappeared, but the warm, soft touch lingered.

Xue Bi didn't want to respond; he just wanted to wait for the Pei family patriarch to leave on his own after receiving no response.

But the person outside the door paused, then added, his voice losing its usual coldness and hardness, and taking on a rare earnest and gentle tone.

"Wenying, there are some things I wanted to say to you that I was interrupted from saying earlier."

The words were like pebbles dropped into the center of a lake, stirring up Xue Bi's emotions.

"Squeak—"

He reached out and opened the door.

Outside the door, Pei Dingxuan was about to knock when the door opened, a hint of expectation flashed in his eyes, but he froze when he saw who it was.

He took a half step back, his gaze sweeping over Xue Bi's face in disbelief.

Why are you here? Have I come to the wrong place?

"You didn't go to the wrong place."

Xue Bi stepped aside, revealing the dimly lit room behind him.

Wenying is already asleep.

"Asleep?" Pei Dingxuan repeated the ambiguous words.

If Wenying was asleep, why was he in the room?

In particular, although he was still wearing his outer robe, the collar was slightly open, and there was a hint of satisfied tenderness on the corner of his lips that he hadn't had time to hide.

For the second time this evening, Pei Dingxuan felt a shock akin to the collapse of his faith, and couldn't help but lose his composure.

"Get out of the way." His voice turned cold, and he stepped towards the house.

Xue Bi reached out to stop him; he was slender and possessed a dignified and self-possessed demeanor.

"She's already asleep, doesn't Master Pei understand?"

"Then why are you still here?" Pei Dingxuan stared at him, his gaze like a knife.

Xue Bi curled the corners of her lips into a faint smile, yet it was tinged with a hint of smugness and boastfulness.

"It was Wenying who invited me in."

If Pei Dingxuan wanted to delve deeper, he could continue by saying that it was Wenying who invited him into the house, drank the soup he had cooked, and fell asleep peacefully in his arms.

Ordinary little things have become the most ambiguous evidence.

Pei Dingxuan suddenly clenched his fists. Without saying another word, he pushed Xue Bi aside and stepped straight into the room.

The candlelight inside had dimmed, leaving only the moonlight filtering through the window.

Liu Wenying lay on her side in the brocade quilt, her long hair spread out on the pillow, her sleeping face serene.

They seemed completely unaware that a silent battle had just taken place outside the door.

He sat down on the stool by the bed, his gaze carefully tracing her features, as if determined not to leave.

Xue Bi followed him in, and sat down opposite him without saying a word.

The two men stood like two clay puppets facing each other, neither showing any intention of leaving.

As the night deepened, the chirping of summer insects dwindled, and the person in bed remained completely unaware that they were in the midst of a silent battle.

…………