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

Pei Dingxuan's words were like a key, locking the depths of Liu Wenying's memory.

The lock cylinder turned, and the door of memory cracked open.

She saw a swaddled baby with a wrinkled face, babbling in her arms.

Madam Pei placed the pair of cards in her palm with her aged hand.

The village was lush with mulberry trees, and the villagers respectfully called her Master Liu.

And many, many more...

Those images came in fragments, then quickly faded away.

Like the ebb and flow of the tide, leaving behind a heart full of damp bewilderment.

Liu Wenying's mind was in a daze, half-awake and half-asleep, her memories teetering on the edge of recovery.

In her hazy state, she heard him say again, "The effects of the Heart-Clearing Tea are almost worn off, and it's time for me to return the time I stole."

The effects of the medicine wear off, the lies will be exposed, and the illusion will finally end.

Pei Dingxuan gazed at the woman in his arms, who was lost in thought and pale-faced, his eyes filled with a mixture of obsession and reluctance.

He took the key he had hidden in his pocket and untied the silver chains binding her hands and feet.

The chains came loose, their soft tinkling fading into the night.

With all the restraints removed, he picked up the neatly folded clothes and dressed her little by little.

Liu Wenying sat there in a daze. Just as she finished dressing, Zhu'er suddenly shouted in a panic outside.

"Who are you! How dare you break into a private residence at night!"

With a loud bang, the door was kicked open.

The night wind, carrying a chill, rushed into the room, and several figures, accompanied by the night's fierce wind, all rushed in.

Pei Zeyu, dressed in white, appeared aloof and cold; Pei Yaojun, dressed in red, appeared flamboyant; Xue Bi, dressed in blue, and Lu Ye, dressed in brown, followed closely behind.

Gray Wolf Shan Qing followed closely behind the others, nimbly leaping into the house.

"The Nightingale's Song!"

Pei Zeyu rushed to the bedside and shoved Pei Dingxuan away.

Xue Bi and Lu Ye immediately surrounded her, protecting her in the middle.

Several pairs of eyes fell on her at the same time, filled with shock, anger, worry, and anxiety.

Liu Wenying raised her head and looked at them, her eyes blank.

These people... she felt like she knew them, but also felt like she didn't.

A sudden, sharp pain shot through my head, like a needle churning inside my brain, as memories clashed wildly, trying to piece themselves back together.

Liu Wenying covered her forehead, her vision blurring.

Through the gaps in the crowd, she saw Pei Yaojun rush towards Pei Dingxuan.

Pei Yaojun punched Pei Dingxuan in the sternum, the bones colliding with a dull thud.

Pei Dingxuan took a few steps back and bumped into the screen, causing it to fall to the ground. He raised his hand to wipe the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth and swallowed hard.

"You're truly despicable!" Pei Yaojun grabbed his collar, each word dripping with anger.

Pei Dingxuan remained silent, looking over Pei Yaojun's shoulder at the bed.

Liu Wenying covered her head, her face pale, and swayed before collapsing softly backward.

"Yingying!" Pei Yaojun didn't care anymore, he let go of him and turned around to pounce on her.

Lu Ye caught her and held her in his arms.

Liu Wenying's eyes were tightly closed, her breathing was weak, and her forehead was covered in cold sweat.

The room was in complete chaos. Pei Zeyu checked Liu Wenying's pulse at the side of her neck, his brows furrowed.

"Pei Dingxuan, what did you feed her? Tell me!"

"The effects of the 'Heart-Clearing Tea' are almost worn off."

"Where's the antidote?"

There is no antidote.

Pei Dingxuan turned and walked towards the door. "I'm going to find Yunmeng. Only he can solve this."

Pei Yaojun stopped him: "If anything happens to Yingying, I won't let you off the hook."

Pei Dingxuan paused, "I won't let myself off the hook either."

After saying that, he left the house to go find Yunmeng.

……

A gentle breeze blows, and the smoke from the fireworks blends harmoniously.

Liu Wenying opened her eyes and found herself standing in front of a vermilion wooden door.

The doors are intricately carved and adorned with brand-new red ribbons, exuding a strong festive atmosphere.

Inside, faint sounds of laughter and chatter drifted out, accompanied by the gentle clinking of glasses.

Liu Wenying had a slight doubt in her heart, and raised her hand to push open the door.

Inside the gate was a spacious courtyard, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and red lanterns hung under the eaves.

Several tables were set up in the courtyard, and they were all full.

Granny Tian and Granny Wang sat at a table, their kind eyes and gentle expressions conveying their everyday conversation.

Xiao Zhu and Ling'er sat side by side, their eyes crinkling with smiles, innocent and carefree. Xiao Ya sat in the middle, eating pastries, her cheeks bulging.

Wen Jingshu was dressed in simple and elegant brocade clothes, with a gentle and composed temperament. She held the hand of the well-behaved and sensible Ye'er by her side, while Zizhu stood by her side, peaceful and serene.

Cuihua and Niu Niu sat at the next table, the mother and daughter smiling broadly.

The most eye-catching thing was her daughter, Luoluo, who was holding an infant who was less than a year old.

The baby's features were soft and delicate; it was her youngest son, Jichuan, nestled quietly in his sister's arms, a well-behaved and adorable child.

At the table in the very center sat Pei Dingxuan, Pei Zeyu, Pei Yaojun, Xiao Yiheng, Lu Ye, and Xue Bi.

The six of them sat around a table, and surprisingly, everyone was there.

"The Nightingale's Song!"

"Mother!"

"Sister Liu!"

Several calls rang out at the same time.

Everyone at the table turned around and waved to her.

"We've been waiting for you. How can a family reunion dinner be complete without your pillar of support?"

Liu Wenying was pulled to sit in the main seat, and Luo Luo handed Ji Chuan to Xiao Zhu and snuggled up to her side.

"Mother, please sit here."

She looked down at her daughter, a warmth filling her heart, and heard herself say, "Okay."

As soon as I sat down, my bowl was piled high with food.

Pei Zeyu picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her bowl: "This is your favorite. Granny Tian stewed it all afternoon."

Pei Yaojun scooped up a spoonful of crab roe tofu: "This is so fresh, eat it while it's hot."

Lu Ye silently pushed over a plate of steamed sea bass; the tenderest part of the fish's belly had already been deboned.

Xue Bi poured a cup of hot tea: "Warm your stomach first."

Xiao Yiheng also picked out a few refreshing and sweet side dishes and put them in her bowl. "Don't just eat meat, have some vegetables with it so it doesn't get too greasy."

Pei Dingxuan reminded him, "Use it carefully and slowly, don't rush."

Liu Wenying looked at the bowl full of food, somewhat dazed.

She thought she had just seen them about to draw their swords, even to the point of exchanging blows.

They were all sitting around the table, serving her food.

But the warmth all around her felt so real, like being immersed in warm water, which slowly relaxed her tense nerves.

"Eat quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold," Granny Tian urged.

Liu Wenying picked up her chopsticks, took a bite, and found the meat stewed until tender and melt-in-your-mouth, with a rich, savory sauce.

"Is it tasty?"

Granny Tian asked expectantly.

Liu Wenying nodded, her eyes welling up with tears: "It's delicious."

The table immediately became lively as the six men took turns pouring her drinks.

Pei Dingxuan said he had obtained a jar of Daughter Red wine that had been buried for ten years, and he should try it.

Pei Zeyu said that osmanthus wine is not intoxicating, but it's perfect for warming up.

Lu Ye silently handed him a glass of plum wine.

Xue Bi poured another cup of pear blossom white wine.

Xiao Yiheng also personally took the pot and poured her the imperial wine he had brought from the palace.

Pei Yaojun snatched the wine jar and filled her glass with a laugh, arrogantly declaring, "Who cares about getting drunk? Just enjoy yourself!"

Liu Wenying accepted all the drinks offered, one cup after another.

Strangely, she, who used to get dizzy from drinking, became more and more sober the more she drank today.

By the end, I was only slightly tipsy, but the feeling was wonderful, like walking on clouds, light and airy.

There was a lot of noise at the table.

Pei Zeyu and Xue Bi argued over which dish to serve her, while Lu Ye silently put the dishes they both wanted into her bowl, and Pei Dingxuan shook his head and smiled from the side.

Pei Yaojun handed over the full wine glass.

Xiao Yiheng was about to say a few words about court affairs when Granny Tian interrupted him: "It's the New Year, let's not talk about that!"

Ye'er ran around, and Luo Luo chased after him, laughing.

Wen Jingshu and Zizhu whispered intimate words to each other, while Cuihua held Niu Niu in her arms.

The initial sense of unease gradually melted away with the warmth that filled the courtyard.

Liu Wenying laughed, served food to Luoluo, coaxed Jichuan to babble, and even raised her glass to toast everyone.

"Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!" she said.

"May you have a peaceful and healthy new year!" everyone responded in unison.

After a few rounds of drinks, we had almost finished eating.

Luo Luo suddenly tugged at Liu Wenying's clothes, her little face flushed with excitement.

"Mother, the iron flower display is about to start! It's right outside the village!"

…………