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

In the peach blossoms.

When the carriage arrived, Liu Wenying barely woke up. She was so sleepy that she could barely open her eyes, but she still forced herself to return to her residence.

Pearl prepared hot water and nightgown for her to wash up.

After changing into soft silk clothes, Liu Wenying buried herself in the bed, too lazy to even move a finger.

Pei Dingxuan sat down on the edge of the bed and covered her with the blanket.

"It's getting cold, be careful not to catch a cold."

Liu Wenying, still half asleep, saw that he was still wearing his outer garment and reached out to grab the hem of his coat.

Her touch was light, like a cat's paw, gently hooking.

"Aren't you going to be home tonight?"

Pei Dingxuan looked down at her, half of her face buried in the soft pillow, her almond eyes hazy, her long eyelashes trembling, and her lips slightly pouting because of her posture, like a child asking for candy.

Her completely dependent manner softened his heart.

But he still nodded.

"I have an urgent case at the Ministry of Justice that I need to go back to handle. You should rest well, and I'll come to see you again tomorrow."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Liu Wenying's eyes, but she quickly composed herself.

"Then be careful on your way."

Pei Dingxuan placed a kiss on her forehead. "Sleep."

Liu Wenying closed her eyes as instructed.

After leaving Peach Blossom Village, Pei Dingxuan rushed back to the Duke of Yu's mansion before the city gates closed.

He didn't go to Tinglan Courtyard, but went straight to the study.

As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I looked up and saw a bright red figure standing under the corridor of the study.

In the deep darkness of the night, Pei Yaojun, dressed in fiery red, was exceptionally eye-catching.

"Big brother's back?" he greeted with a smile, but there was little joy in his tone.

Pei Dingxuan's expression remained unchanged. "Third brother, why aren't you resting so late?"

"Brother seems to have forgotten what we agreed on before, to split up and search for Yingying's whereabouts during the Harvest Festival."

"Of course I haven't forgotten."

"Then why are you so calm, brother? Did you already know her whereabouts?"

Just as Pei Dingxuan was about to answer, another tall and slender figure slowly walked out from behind Pei Yaojun's red-clad figure.

Clad in white, pure and otherworldly.

Compared to Pei Yaojun's bright and arrogant demeanor, Pei Zeyu possesses a more aloof and noble air.

One in front, one behind, their faces each possessed their own unique charm, yet both were covered in frost, devoid of any warmth.

Pei Zeyu's gaze was fixed on Pei Dingxuan.

"I think we need to have a serious talk."

"it is good."

Pei Dingxuan agreed and calmly stepped into the study. The warm light inside shone through the room, and as he glanced around, he noticed that two other people were already waiting.

Xue Bili stood on one side of the desk, while Lu Yejing stood by the window.

At this point, the three masters of the Pei family, Lu Ye, and Xue Bi were all gathered in one room, their auras clashing.

"Tonight is quite lively. What brings you all to my study so late at night?"

Pei Dingxuan walked behind the desk and was about to sit down.

Xue Bi spoke first, "Wen Ying has been missing for almost half a month, and you don't seem to care much about her these days."

"Not attentive? I've mobilized all the guards in my residence, including subordinates from the Ministry of Justice, and put in just as much effort as anyone else in the search. Why do you say I'm not attentive?"

"Today is Harvest Festival, and the city is bustling with people. It's a perfect time to search for someone. I wonder where you've been looking?"

Pei Dingxuan answered crisply: "The old alley in the south of the city."

Xue Bi chuckled, "What a coincidence, I was also searching in the south of the city today, how come I didn't see you?"

"I've worked in the Ministry of Justice for many years and have my own methods for finding people. Why should others question me?"

Xue Bi shook her head. "I don't believe it."

Whether you believe it or not, what does it matter to me?

A casual remark suddenly made the atmosphere tense.

Pei Zeyu spoke up: "Brother, Wenying trusts you and relies on you, and this is how you take advantage of her trust and reliance?"

Pei Dingxuan ignored him, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "I don't understand what you're saying, Second Brother."

"Are you really not understanding, or are you just pretending?" Pei Yaojun slammed his hand on the desk, his eyes reddening with anger.

Pei Dingxuan remained calm and composed. "If you suspect me, Third Brother, you are welcome to send someone to investigate. I am more worried than any of you about Wenying's absence."

The anxiety of searching for someone for half a month without success, coupled with the hidden suspicion in his heart, made Pei Yaojun unable to remain calm.

He was dressed in bright red and reached out to grab Pei Dingxuan's collar.

"I'll ask you one more time, where did you hide Yingying?"

No one stepped forward to persuade him. As Pei Zeyu focused his attention, he suddenly noticed a very faint mark on Pei Dingxuan's chest.

The light pink color resembles the rouge residue left by a woman's lipstick.

That's enough.

Pei Zeyu suddenly interrupted.

He walked to Pei Yaojun's side and pressed down on his shoulder.

"We're all family, why resort to violence?"

Pei Yaojun was about to say something more, but Pei Zeyu tightened his grip, saying, "Third brother, don't be impulsive."

His change in attitude was abrupt; just moments ago they were at loggerheads, and now he was trying to mediate, which was quite strange and drew the attention of both Xue Bi and Lu Ye.

Taking advantage of the moment, Pei Dingxuan pulled out his wrinkled collar, stood up, and said, "It's late and the dew is heavy. It's not convenient for me to keep you company. Please leave."

Pei Dingxuan left calmly, and as he pushed open the door, the night wind rushed in, causing the candlelight to flicker wildly.

After the door closed softly, the study fell into a brief silence.

Pei Yaojun shook off his hand, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Second brother, what are you doing? I was about to ask the question, why are you stopping me?"

There were rouge stains on his clothes.

As soon as he finished speaking, all three of them were stunned.

Xue Bi hesitated and asked, "Did he cheat on me?"

"He's not that kind of person."

Pei Zeyu denied it.

Others might not understand, but those who had spent over twenty years with Pei Dingxuan could see his true nature.

Pei Dingxuan was stubborn and adhered to rules and regulations throughout his life, maintaining a strict sense of propriety.

The most outrageous thing I ever did in my life was to disregard the Pei family's rule against taking concubines and insist on bringing Wenying into the mansion as a concubine.

How could someone so devoted and passionate easily fall out of love?

Xue Bi suddenly asked, "Is that rouge mark Wen Ying's?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yaojun suddenly realized.

Pei Zeyu nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, it at least proves that Wenying is currently unharmed."

Their hearts, which had been hanging in suspense for half a month, finally felt half relieved.

"Knowing she's safe and sound isn't enough; we have to find Yingying." Pei Yaojun refused to give up.

"There is a way to find Wenying."

After speaking, Pei Zeyu and Xue Bi exchanged glances, and their eyes turned to Lu Ye at the same time.

"The rest is up to Brother Lu."

"Rely on me?"

Xue Bi understood and nodded, saying, "It depends on you and Shan Qing."

At midnight, Pei Dingxuan returned to Tinglan Courtyard from his study.

The trees in the courtyard cast dappled shadows under the moonlight, and warm yellow candlelight shone through the windows of the main house, still burning.

Pei Dingxuan paused slightly as he pushed the door open.

Inside the room, Wen Jingshu was sitting on a couch by the window doing needlework.

She wore a smoky purple casual jacket, without any hairpins or jewelry, and the candlelight illuminated her gentle profile.

Hearing the door open, she looked up, her embroidery hoop resting on her lap.

"The Duke is back."

Pei Dingxuan took off his outer robe and hung it up, then walked to the table and poured himself a cup of cold tea: "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

As the tea enters the throat, a cool sensation travels down the throat.

Wen Jingshu pinned the needle back to the ball of yarn. "Wen Ying has disappeared, and I can't sleep."

Pei Dingxuan put down his teacup, the porcelain clinking against the table with a crisp sound.

He didn't speak, but Wen Jingshu didn't care and continued:

"That day, Zeyu and Yaojun came to see me. They said that I was the last person to see Wenying before she disappeared."

"I didn't tell them that day that you were the last person to see Wenying."

…………