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

Wen Jingshu was stunned, as if she didn't understand.

"What does Your Majesty mean?" What do you mean she's no longer here?

"On the night of the palace coup, the harem was in chaos. Lin Zhiyao tried to escape with her child in her arms, but instead of running to the palace gate, she went to Taiye Pond."

Wen Jingshu's breathing suddenly froze.

"When the guards found her, she was already silent. The child was placed on the shore; she had sunk by herself."

Wen Jingshu stepped back in disbelief, barely managing to stand by holding onto Zizhu's hand.

A scene from many years ago flashed before her eyes: Lin Zhiyao smilingly handed her a newly embroidered handkerchief in her boudoir, proudly saying that she had learned a new needlework technique.

On the eve of their wedding, the two leaned against each other and whispered secrets.

Later, they married into the Pei family one after another, becoming sisters-in-law, and the household was harmonious...

The vibrant faces were eventually submerged by the icy lake water and could no longer be seen.

Wen Jingshu couldn't help but shed tears.

"But she also left behind a child."

"Really? Really?" Wen Jingshu asked in surprise.

"Yes, the child is still alive and is currently being cared for in a side hall by palace servants."

Liu Wenying noticed the two of them and walked over.

"What's wrong?"

She walked quickly to Wen Jingshu's side, stood on the other side, and held her slightly cool hand.

Xiao Yiheng briefly explained, "Madam Wen wanted to see Lin Zhiyao, but she has already committed suicide, though she left behind a child."

Liu Wenying felt a chill run down her spine after hearing this.

She naturally understood that the child was Xiao Chenlin's bloodline, and according to the law, he should be executed to eliminate any potential threat.

But she also took care of him in the palace.

Liu Wenying felt a pang of sadness, but she did not lose her composure.

On one side are the emperor's concerns, and on the other side are the feelings of benefactors.

Wen Jingshu was still crying, her eyes vacant, as if her soul had been taken away.

Liu Wenying sighed softly and turned to Xiao Yiheng.

"Your Majesty, since she is no longer here, why not let Sister Wen see the child? It would be a way for her to see her one last time."

She looked at Wen Jingshu, "What do you think, Sister Wen?"

Wen Jingshu seemed to be brought back to her senses by those words.

She raised her tear-filled eyes to look at Xiao Yiheng, her gaze filled with humble expectation, "Your Majesty, is it alright?"

"Okay, I'll take you there."

It was a secluded palace, not very large inside, but fairly clean.

The palace maid, holding a child, sat on the couch. When she saw Xiao Yiheng enter, she hurriedly tried to kneel.

Xiao Yiheng waved his hand, "No need for formalities. How is the child?"

The palace maid lowered her head and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, the child's forehead wound is better, but... but..."

"explain."

"The imperial physician came to see him and said that the young prince has contracted umbilical wind and also fell and hit his head. He may become mentally impaired in the future."

After the palace maid finished speaking, she lowered her head even further.

Wen Jingshu walked to the bedside and lifted a corner of the quilt.

The child was asleep, his face pale, and the purplish-blue swelling on his forehead had not completely subsided.

His breathing was very light, and he would occasionally twitch, as if he were startled in a dream.

Liu Wenying also came over and saw the injury on the child's forehead. She felt terrible.

"Your Majesty, can this child be spared?"

Xiao Yiheng looked at her.

"Let him live in my orphanage. Treat him as a child of refugees, nameless and without a family, with no one knowing his background."

I will personally supervise him and ensure he has absolutely no contact with anyone or anything related to the previous dynasty.

After saying that, she added, "If he really threatens the imperial power in the future, then we can deal with him separately, okay?"

Xiao Yiheng pondered; he too had once lived in a sanatorium for a period of time.

It mainly shelters orphaned children, elderly people living alone, and homeless people.

At that time, he was blind, covered in injuries, and unable to move. The children loved to sneak into his room and say funny things to keep him from getting bored.

The elderly people didn't look down on him and accepted him completely.

If he hadn't had that experience, he would have ordered the child's execution without hesitation right now.

To nip problems in the bud and eliminate them at the root, thus preventing future troubles, is what an emperor should do.

But he had seen it all, witnessed the fragility and resilience of life.

What kind of trouble can a simple-minded child cause?

Moreover, he had been keeping the child in a side hall these days, letting the imperial physicians and palace maids take care of him, instead of executing him directly or throwing him into the imperial prison, which showed that he had some reluctance.

However, with court officials eyeing him covetously, he needed a suitable way to settle things.

The almshouse... is a good place.

"Very well, I grant your permission."

……

With the imperial edict issued, the Duke of Yu's mansion was finally exonerated and restored to its former glory.

The once dusty vermilion gate has been reopened, and the plaque of the Duke of Yu's Mansion has been re-hung above the lintel.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Pei family moved back to their ancestral home.

The homecoming banquet was held in the main hall of the front courtyard, with three tables set up inside.

The main table was set at the far end, with the old Duke Yu, Madam Pei, and others seated at the head of the table, flanked by Madam Pei, the three masters of the Pei family, Madam Pei, and the fourth daughter.

Liu Wenying's seat was arranged next to Madam Pei, a seat of honor second only to the head of the table.

Before the banquet began, the hall was already full of people.

Colleagues in the court, old friends from prominent families, former subordinates in the army... anyone with some connection to the Pei family came today.

Everyone toasted and exchanged words of congratulations.

"Congratulations to the late Duke Yu for clearing his name and restoring his family's honor!"

"The third young master has been ennobled, the second young master has been promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and the eldest young master has inherited his title. The Pei family is poised to rise to even greater heights!"

"The Pei family holding two noble titles is truly a remarkable story in this dynasty!"

After returning to the Pei family, Duke Yu requested to abdicate, allowing Pei Dingxuan to inherit the title and become the head of the Pei family.

Pei Yaojun had severed ties to avoid implicating the Pei family's wealth, and after everything settled down, he returned to his residence.

The old Duke Yu had experienced many ups and downs. Although he was over sixty years old and his hair was white, his eyes were still bright and his complexion was unusually rosy.

After a few rounds of drinks, he suddenly stood up and picked up his wine glass.

Knowing he had something to say, the entire room fell silent.

"Today, the Pei family is reunited here, thanks to the Emperor's grace and the exoneration. I am filled with emotion."

His voice was loud and clear, deep and resonant, reflecting the vicissitudes of life.

"This first cup of wine is to honor Your Majesty's wisdom and for restoring order to chaos."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank together.

"The second cup is to toast the sons of the Pei family: Dingxuan inherited the family business, Zeyu took over the Ministry of Personnel, and Yaojun was ennobled and appointed as a general. None of you have disgraced the Pei family."

The three masters of the Pei family stood up and raised their glasses in unison: "We will never forget Father's teachings."

The old Duke Yu finished his drink but did not sit down.

He raised his glass for the third time and turned to face Liu Wenying.

All eyes turned to them.

"This third cup is for Miss Liu."

Liu Wenying was startled and hurriedly tried to get up, but Duke Yu raised his hand to stop her.

"Please sit down, young lady. I know that the Pei family has neglected you in the past, but you have never held a grudge. On the contrary, you have done your best to protect the entire Pei family. I will remember this kindness from the bottom of my heart and never forget it."

Madam Pei sat at the lower end of the table. Today, she was dressed in a crimson brocade robe and a red gold and kingfisher feather crown. Although she was dressed in a dignified and luxurious manner, she looked somewhat uncomfortable at the moment.

In the past, she disliked Liu Wenying for her humble origins and for "seducing" her Jun'er, with whom she had an ambiguous relationship.

But what happened next?

It was this girl who ran around trying to help the Pei family when they were in trouble, and it was she who risked her life to save Pei Yaojun on the night of the palace coup.

…………