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

Xiao Yiheng's breathing stopped, and his mind went blank.

It turns out that the mother did not accidentally drown while suffering from an illness.

It turns out his mother loved him.

"She kept calling out Heng'er until her death."

Xiao Chenlin laughed until tears streamed down his face.

"What a stupid and crazy person, isn't he? Just like you, you and your son are really—"

Xiao Yiheng gripped the broken sword in his hand and thrust it forward.

"Thud." The blade sliced ​​through the flesh and severed the throat.

Blood gushed out like a fountain, splattering on Xiao Yiheng's face and eyes.

Warm, sweet and pungent, it envelops a person's final madness and sin.

Xiao Chenlin's eyes widened, and a hoarse sound escaped his throat.

He reached out to grab something, but his fingers convulsed in the air and eventually fell limply to the ground.

His body slowly slid down, falling in front of the dragon throne, falling onto the imperial steps that symbolized supreme power.

The bright yellow dragon robe was soaked in blood, the crown tassels rolled off, and jade beads were scattered all over the ground.

Xiao Yiheng stood up and remained motionless in place.

The veins on his hand, which gripped the broken sword, bulged, and blood dripped from his eyelashes, sliding down his cheeks like tears of blood.

Outside the palace, the sounds of fighting gradually subsided.

The heavy palace doors were slowly pushed open, and the Duke of Zhenguo, clad in blood-stained armor, led the generals of the Yanzhou army into the Taiji Palace.

They saw the scene inside the hall: a broken sword, a fallen emperor, and Xiao Yiheng standing in a pool of blood, covered in blood.

The Duke of Zhenguo knelt on one knee, and behind him, all the generals knelt down in unison.

Xiao Yiheng slowly turned around, raised his hand to wipe the blood off his face, revealing his eyes that were as cold as stars.

"The traitorous emperor Xiao Chenlin, who murdered his father and usurped the throne, colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, and persecuted loyal officials, has now been executed."

The Duke of Zhenguo led his men in shouting, "The rebellious emperor is dead, a new emperor shall be established!"

Then the soldiers joined in the shouting, the sound rising higher and higher, carrying far away like a roaring mountain wind.

……

The palace was in complete chaos, with palace servants fleeing in all directions with their belongings.

Gold and silver valuables were scattered all over the ground, and crushed pearls and jade and torn silks were piled up on the ground.

Lin Zhiyao picked up the child and stumbled through the chaotic crowd.

The child was wrapped in a bright yellow blanket, revealing a pink and tender little face.

He was fast asleep, completely unaware of the upheaval happening outside.

Lin Zhiyao's face was pale, her hair was disheveled, and her phoenix hairpin was askew.

Her child was her only hope; nothing could happen to him.

Suddenly, someone bumped into her from behind, causing Lin Zhiyao to fall forward, and the child in her arms flew out of her hands.

With a thud, the child fell to the ground.

The cries exploded, mingling with the chaotic noise of people fleeing for their lives, creating a jarring and disorderly scene.

Lin Zhiyao knelt down and took the child back into her arms.

The child bumped his forehead on the stone slab, causing a bruise that swelled up, and she couldn't soothe him no matter what she did.

The guard who bumped into her had already run far away, and the chaos around her continued. The fleeing palace servants swept past her without anyone stopping.

No one paid any attention to the deposed concubine who had fallen to the ground in the middle of the road, holding her child and weeping bitterly.

Lin Zhiyao held the child tightly in her arms.

She once thought that by giving birth to a prince and rising to the rank of concubine, she could enjoy a lifetime of glory.

But now... why has it turned out like this?

Lin Zhiyao, distraught, carried her child and walked aimlessly, eventually finding herself by a lake.

The clear waves shimmered with tiny silver lights, and the tranquil lake was peaceful and serene, becoming a peaceful corner amidst the clamor of war.

She gently placed the child in her arms on the shore and stroked the child's tender eyebrows and eyes again and again.

The last glimmer of light in Lin Zhiyao's eyes was extinguished.

After she had let go of all her worries, she silently turned around, walked slowly into the lake, and let the clear waves gently engulf her.

……

Three miles outside the West Gate of the Imperial City, there is an abandoned Taoist temple.

The floorboards loosened and were pushed open, allowing Liu Wenying and the others to escape from the palace through a secret passage.

The group arrived at the outskirts of Beijing as quickly as possible, where Wen Jingshu had been waiting for a long time to meet them.

"Here!" She waved and lifted the carriage curtain, revealing soft bedding, medicine, water, and clean strips of cloth inside.

Lu Ye helped Pei Yaojun into the car, and Liu Wenying followed him in, kneeling beside him and unbuttoning his prison clothes.

The wound was exposed, with the skin and flesh turned outwards to reveal the bone, and the surrounding area was purplish and swollen.

Liu Wenying's eyes immediately reddened, "Third Master..."

She called to him softly and carefully wiped the blood around the wound with a damp cloth.

Pei Yaojun's eyelids twitched, and he opened them with difficulty.

His vision was blurry, but he still recognized her. He forced a smile and said, "Yingying, don't cry."

Liu Wenying bit her lip, forcing back her tears.

She took the wound medicine from Zizhu, sprinkled it on the wound with trembling hands, and then re-bandaged it with a clean strip of cloth.

Liu Wenying moved with practiced ease, and after bandaging the wound, she turned to Wen Jingshu outside the car.

"Sister Wen, you should take Third Master back to the manor first and find a doctor to treat him properly. I want to stay here."

"You want to stay?" Wen Jingshu frowned.

Liu Wenying nodded: "I'll wait for them to come back."

"No." Pei Yaojun grabbed her wrist.

"Third Master, you..."

"You're not allowed to stay. Either we leave together, or... we stay together."

Pei Yaojun was covered in wounds and could barely sit up, yet he remained as stubborn as a rock.

Her heart ached. "I'll just wait here, I won't go into the city. Once I'm sure they're back safely, I'll go back to the village immediately, okay?"

Pei Yaojun shook his head and gripped his hand even tighter.

A morning breeze stirred the carriage curtains, and the faint sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance.

Wen Jingshu looked up, gazing towards the capital. "They're back."

Liu Wenying turned her head.

At this moment, the sunlight broke through the clouds, its faint glow piercing through the cloud layer like golden gauze, sprinkling onto the wild fields overgrown with weeds, and illuminating Liu Wenying's upturned face, making her eyes shine.

At the horizon where the sky meets the earth, three black dots appear.

Closer and clearer, it was a man riding three horses.

Leading the pack was a rider in silver armor and a cloak, followed by a rider in black robes on the left and right, and a rider in a white robe stained with blood on the right.

They came rushing in, covered in blood, against the light, with the morning light spreading out in magnificent golden waves behind them.

As the morning mist dissipated and the sunlight grew brighter, they returned; they had all returned.

……

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the lanterns in the village were replaced with new ones, bright red, hanging down in strings, creating a festive atmosphere.

The farmers had finished their autumn harvest early, and the aroma of stewed meat and newly brewed osmanthus wine wafted from every household.

When Liu Wenying walked in through the main gate, she was almost overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle.

"The master of the manor is back!"

May the Master of the Manor enjoy a peaceful and healthy Mid-Autumn Festival!

"Look, Master! My family just made some mooncakes, with jujube paste filling. I saved a whole bag for you!"

It took her a full fifteen minutes to walk from the front door to the backyard.

One handed her a handful of freshly roasted melon seeds, another offered her a basket of freshly picked pomegranates, and several teenagers surrounded her, clamoring to hear stories from the capital.

"I'd rather accept than be rude," Liu Wenying said with a smile, accepting all the offers.

As I walked through the front yard, the noise gradually faded into the distance.

The backyard door was ajar, and even more lively laughter and chatter could be heard from inside.

Liu Wenying pushed open the door and went in.

The courtyard was filled with three square tables.

At the table on the left sat Granny Tian, ​​Granny Wang, Xiao Zhu, Zi Zhu, Ling'er, Luo Luo, and Xiao Ya.

They were huddled together peeling pomegranates, and a plate was piled high with bright red seeds.

At the table on the right, Duke Yu was seated in the east seat, with Madam Pei sitting next to Old Madam Pei. Fourth Miss was serving food to Grandma Lu, who was all smiles.

At the largest table in the middle, Wen Jingshu settled Ye'er in and busied herself pouring wine for everyone.

Pei Zeyu and Xue Bi were arguing about something, talking non-stop and neither giving an inch.

Pei Yaojun sat in the main seat, still pale from his injuries, but in much better spirits.

Lu Ye sat in the far corner, silent as a shadow.

"Wen Ying is here!" Wen Jingshu, with her sharp eyes, spotted her first.

Everyone at the table turned their heads.

…………