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

The summer night was still hot in the late hours.

Liu Wenying felt utterly weak, sinking into the bedding in a languid posture, having exhausted even the strength to open her eyes.

Seeing her exhausted and sleepy appearance, Lu Ye's eyes were filled with heartache.

I didn't want to disturb her, but I couldn't ignore the extra wounds on her body.

Lu Ye took the mild ointment from the daytime, dipped his fingertip in the ointment, and applied it to the chafed area.

That ointment is an excellent topical product; it can repair the skin and is gentle and moisturizing.

After carefully wiping the medicine clean, Lu Ye put away the medicine jar and pulled her into his arms.

His broad chest cradled her soft body, his strong arms resting behind her head.

Liu Wenying was being held warmly by him, and was about to fall asleep. In her drowsy state, her face accidentally brushed against his neck, and she touched something cold and hard.

The sensation brought her back to her senses, making her somewhat more lucid.

By the dim moonlight, upon closer inspection, one could see a simple, antique ring, tied with a thin cord and hanging around his neck.

The Ring-Willow and the Oriole are very familiar with this.

It was an item left to Grandma Lu by Lu Ye's grandfather. Before leaving Tanxi Village, Grandpa Lu instructed Grandma Lu that if he did not return, she should use the ring to search for her relatives.

Later, Grandma Lu gave her the ring and asked her to pass it on to Lu Ye.

Liu Wenying fiddled with the cool ring; the old object was slightly cool, carrying the weight of his unknown past.

What kind of person was Lu Ye's grandfather? Is he still alive?

"Lu Ye, have you... ever considered going to the Northern Barbarians to find your closest blood relatives?"

Lu Ye looked at the person in his arms, his eyes calm and unwavering, without a trace of longing, and asked in a low voice, "Do you want me to go?"

He did everything according to her wishes; if she desired it, he would rush to her side; if she did not wish it, he would abandon her.

Liu Wenying shook her head.

"That's your closest relative. You shouldn't ask me; you should ask your own heart."

After a moment of silence, Lu Ye said firmly and calmly, "I don't want to go."

The reason he wears the ring close to his body is simply because it was given to him by his grandmother and Wenying.

If it were any other object, he would keep it close to his body.

Liu Wenying, puzzled, asked in surprise, "Why?"

People naturally yearn for their roots and seek out their ancestors. He held the token in his hand, clearly having the opportunity to rediscover his origins.

"I was raised by the land and water of the Great Wei since I was a child. I eat the rice of the Great Wei and live in the air of the Great Wei. I am a person of the Great Wei."

"Even though I have no relatives of Northern Di blood, I have survived all these years. Why should I travel far away to my hometown to find them? I have not seen them come looking for me."

He used to have no ties other than his grandmother, and had no intention of looking back on the past.

Now that he has her, he has found his heart's desire and a place to belong, and he asks for nothing more.

No worldly splendor or blood ties can compare to the peace and security of having someone by your side.

He paused briefly, then added, "But if it's in the best interest of the situation for you to go and acknowledge my relatives, then I will go."

Every word was accommodating, putting her first entirely.

Liu Wenying chuckled, then said helplessly, "What do you mean I need it? Recognizing your family is your business; how can you say I need it?"

Lu Ye stroked her back gently. "The war between the Great Wei and the Northern Di is not yet over. I have the blood of the Northern Di and my appearance is different from ordinary people. Perhaps I can infiltrate the enemy camp and provide assistance to the court and to you."

It's not like he hasn't done something like that before.

Liu Wenying also remembered that he had disguised himself as a Northern Di person and ventured into danger alone.

The image of him being brought back, covered in blood, barely clinging to life, is still vivid in my mind.

"Then I don't want you to do that. I just want you to live a good life."

Liu Wenying wrapped her arms around his waist, buried her head in his chest, and kept praying.

I don't ask him to make meritorious contributions, nor do I ask him to help the overall situation; I only ask that he be safe and well.

Lu Ye felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this, and he hugged her even tighter, wanting to hold onto this hard-won tenderness.

As night deepened, the two embraced and fell asleep.

For him, whether his bloodline brought him the status of a king or a commoner was unimportant.

If the journey to reunite with family ends in separation and hardship, he would rather abandon all paths he has taken, wishing only for a peaceful life, to stay with the person in his arms year after year, for a long, long time.

As summer approaches, the sun becomes increasingly hot.

The sounds of archery practice in the courtyard never cease.

Since that night, Lu Ye's attitude towards teaching archery has not relaxed at all.

Love is love, and studies are studies; Lu Ye will not turn a blind eye to personal feelings.

Because archery skills are essential, one cannot afford to be even slightly superficial.

If we deliberately leniently extend the allowance now, it may appear gentle and considerate on the surface, but it will sow the seeds of future problems.

There are no shortcuts to archery; it requires rigorous practice day after day to become proficient and remain calm in the face of adversity.

Therefore, he was strict in his teaching and meticulous in correcting even the smallest mistakes.

But after the lecture, Liu Wenying would always leave as if fleeing, making up various excuses.

He was perceptive and noticed her avoidance.

Why? I just can't figure it out.

If she disliked him, why did she take the initiative to hug him that night?

If she doesn't dislike it, why is she avoiding it like this?

Lu Ye wasn't one to use clever words to press for answers; his confusion and frustration weighed heavily on his mind, with nowhere to find relief.

His bad mood was felt first by the guards in the manor, who were also the first to suffer.

In the past, the training was moderate and the intensity was just right. But ever since Lu Ye was in a bad mood, the training standards suddenly became several times stricter. The morning training was increased and the evening training was extended. There was no room for slacking off.

The guards were sore and aching from the training that they were all complaining bitterly in private.

They all knew that Lu Ye was in a very bad mood lately, so they dared not provoke him and could only grit their teeth and endure the doubled training.

Around noon, a woman dressed in flamboyant clothes came to the village.

Jin Koumie, holding a handkerchief, smiled and made connections with several guards.

Just as I was about to leave after finishing my business, I suddenly heard someone complaining in a low voice from the corner of the wall.

"Instructor Lu has been in a terrible temper these past few days, we're practically running our legs off..."

She stopped walking and her eyes darted around.

She was a skilled matchmaker who brought together hundreds of couples in the surrounding villages and towns, and she was particularly adept at reading people's expressions and moods.

She had been the one who arranged the marriage between Lu Ye and Liu Zhuangtou in the past, and at the time she thought it was hopeless, but now it seems...

She turned back and, sure enough, saw Lu Ye sharpening his arrowheads alone under the tree.

"Young Master Lu." The matchmaker stepped forward with a forced smile.

Lu Ye looked up, nodded slightly, and continued with his work.

She wasn't annoyed. She simply moved a wooden stool to sit down and fanned herself with a handkerchief.

"I've heard that you've been in low spirits lately?"

The sound of sharpening arrows stopped abruptly. "No."

"Oh dear, you can't fool my eyes."

Jin Koumei leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Is it for Master Liu?"

Lu Ye's hand tightened, and the arrowhead almost pierced his fingertip.

Seeing this, Jin Koumie became even more certain and spoke more frankly.

"Someone like Master Liu has countless talented people surrounding her. If you, sir, only bury yourself in your work, when will she ever even glance at you?"

Lu Ye's temple throbbed slightly.

Jin Koumai's words struck a chord with him, plunging him into the corner he least wanted to ponder.

"Do you have a solution?" he couldn't help but ask.

Jin Koumie's eyes lit up, and he held up three fingers: "I specialize in solving these kinds of difficult problems, but my ideas are precious, so I have to charge three taels of silver as a tip."

Without saying a word, Lu Ye took off the purse from his waist and handed it over.

That purse was bulging, weighing at least five taels.

When Jin Koumei took it, he smiled broadly, thinking to himself that this seemingly cold-faced gentleman was actually an honest man.

"I'm not trying to be mean, but you're a quiet person. If you just keep giving silently without using any tricks, how can you make the master remember you and favor you?"

"The method is quite simple; naturally, we must make good use of your unique strengths, my lord..."

The moonlight is just beginning to rise.

An urgent matter has occurred at the silk shop in the capital today, and Liu Wenying has been busy all day and has no time to return to practice archery.

By the time she had finished dealing with everything and rushed back to the estate, it was already late at night and all was quiet.

Thinking of how Lu Ye always waited for her on time and taught her every day, and how she missed class without reason today and only sent Ling'er to inform her in advance, Liu Wenying couldn't help but feel guilty.

It would be best if I could come to him in person and apologize to him in person, then I could feel a little more at ease.

Upon reaching Lu Ye's door, they found it ajar.

"Lu Ye?" she called softly, pushing open the door to enter.

There was no one outside, the candlelight flickered, and the curtains in the inner room were lowered, with shadowy figures vaguely visible.

"Today I..."

Before Liu Wenying could finish speaking, the curtain was pulled open.

The sight before her made her gasp for breath.

Lu Ye stood there shirtless, his skin a honey color with a glaze-like sheen.

Broad shoulders and a firm waist and abdomen—it was a familiar look to her.

But at this moment, that body was wrapped with...

The gold chain is intricately interwoven, winding from the neck to the waist.

It's more like a net studded with gems and pearls than a garment.

A ruby ​​pendant rested in the hollow of his collarbone, a tourmaline rested against the spot where his heart was pounding, and a string of South Sea beads dangled down to the creases of his abdominal muscles.

What was most alarming was his expression; his heterochromatic black-gold eyes widened in panic, his ears were so red they looked like blood, and he looked like a leopard caught in a trap.

"I...I didn't know you would come so suddenly..."

Lu Ye was so ashamed that he couldn't lift his head.

"What are you doing?" Liu Wenying tried her best to remain calm.

Lu Ye tried to find her outer robe, but the chain got caught on the corner of the table. With a tug, the pearls tumbled and rolled all over the floor, with a few bouncing to her feet.

He was extremely embarrassed, so he decided to give up and, with his back to her, muttered:

"The media in Jinkou said this was a way to win favor."

"Compete...compete for favor?" Liu Wenying almost bit her tongue.

"I'm confused by your distance from me. She said you're surrounded by many people, so I have to use some tricks. She even made me buy this dress, saying it would make you see me more often..."

Lu Ye's voice grew softer and softer.

Liu Wenying steadied herself on the table, unsure whether to be angry or amused.

That gold-mouthed matchmaker really dares to come up with all sorts of terrible ideas!

But when the gaze fell on his back, the gold chain was embedded in his muscles, and the gemstones reflected light, making his muscular body look like a sacrificial offering.

Liu Wenying suddenly felt her mouth was dry; it must be because she had been traveling too fast.

"Turn around first."

He listened to her after all, and slowly turned around, the chain rattling softly with the movement.

"I haven't distanced myself from you, it's just... my body really can't take it anymore."

Lu Ye didn't quite understand, and confusion appeared in his eyes.

"I didn't know, I thought you were tired of me."

He could infiltrate the enemy camp alone and shoot an arrow through a willow leaf from a hundred paces away, but he didn't understand the shy thoughts of young women. He was a bit silly and a bit wooden, but his silliness was adorable.

"What else did that matchmaker teach you?"

We can't let Jin Koumei in next time; she's corrupting the people in her village.

Lu Ye confessed honestly, "She said she wanted to stay by your side often so you'd get used to it, and that I should occasionally say something sweet, but I don't know how to say it..."

Liu Wenying chuckled softly, hooking a strand of gold chain that dangled down.

"If you can't say it, then don't say it. Just do what you can do."

As if receiving some kind of signal, Lu Ye picked her up horizontally.

The beads jingled and sparkled, and the gemstones collided, producing delicate, clear sounds.

"I know how to do this."

Liu Wenying was placed on the couch, with curtains hanging down, creating a secluded corner of her world.

The gold chain slipped as she moved, seemingly about to fall but not quite.

In a daze, she heard him ask, "Wenying, does this mean I... succeeded in winning his favor?"

Liu Wenying chuckled and tilted her head back to bite his prominent Adam's apple.

"Fool, you've been spoiling me for a long time."

…………