If you want to survive after transmigrating, become the male protagonist's new mother.

Pei Yuening raised her head and met those gray-blue eyes.

He hesitated for half a second before he could finish speaking.

But true to his nature—he couldn't hold it in.

"Um... I wanted to ask," he said, forcing himself to speak, "how did you know?"

"Just... those pastries."

The box of "evidence of the crime" in the train carriage was still haunting him.

And that's how Luo Ren brought him back to the Duke's mansion...

This isn't just a hint; it's an explicit statement.

Luo Ren put down his teacup.

"This morning, the housekeeper saw a flower fairy enter my study."

In the distance, the butler, who was comforting Ollie in the room, suddenly sneezed.

"Achoo!"

Ollie glanced at him, her eyes red-rimmed, and asked, "What's wrong?"

The butler rubbed his nose and looked around blankly.

"No, it's nothing."

Pei Yuening was completely in the dark.

Oh my god!!! Someone saw us!!!

What an amazing duke! An SSS-level powerhouse is terrifyingly powerful...

Even the housekeeper has such ruthless methods; he can even detect the flower fairy's movements!

His expression changed from guilty to annoyed, and then from annoyed to utterly hopeless.

Luo Ren took in all the changes in his expression.

He didn't need to know about his and Gao Gao's platonic agreement.

That's enough. Pei Yuening will fill in the rest in her imagination.

Sure enough, the child opposite bit his lip, looking utterly desperate.

Luo Ren picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of tea.

Pei Yuening paused for a moment, then subconsciously picked up the glass and took a sip.

The warm tea slid down his throat, calming his heart, which was about to leap out of his chest, a little.

"That flower fairy," Luo Ren put down the teapot and asked casually, "is it your familiar?"

Pei Yuening nodded.

"Healing system?"

He nodded again.

Luo Ren was silent for a moment.

“Have you ever thought,” he said, “that if you had Ye Jiyun report this to the Silver Staff Council and make it public, no one would continue to look down on you, including me and Ollie.”

Pei Yuening was taken aback.

Should he make it public, so that everyone knows he has a flower fairy?

He thought about that scene.

A complete idiot stands among a group of healing-type great mages, and everyone is asking: How did you do that?

All he could say was: It flew in by itself, because of a piece of cake.

Then the whole empire will know.

Those who covet the flower fairy and want to exploit it will come knocking on their door.

Pei Yuening felt a chill run down her spine just thinking about it.

"I don't want to make it public," he said.

Why?

"I'm afraid I can't protect her."

Pei Yuening lowered her head: "I have no magic power, I can't do anything."

"If someone really tries to take it from me, I can't even protect myself, let alone her."

"And..." he paused, "she clearly had better options. It's too unfair for her to stay with me."

The garden was quiet for a while, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the trellis.

"You don't need to feel sorry for yourself."

Luo Ren suddenly spoke, and Pei Yuening looked up.

"Being recognized by the flower fairies is a remarkable thing in itself."

Luo Ren looked at him, his gray-blue eyes devoid of any complex emotions, only seriousness.

"Magic isn't everything. You must have your own unique strengths."

Pei Yuening smiled.

The words they say to comfort people are quite nice.

Although it's true, Gao Gao said she really liked his soul.

However, one thing is one thing.

"Thank you, but," Pei Yuening looked up and said softly, "my concerns are genuine, so could you please keep this a secret?"

"Yes, don't worry," Luo Ren said. "My steward is very loyal."

The butler in the corridor suddenly sneezed again.

Pei Yuening breathed a sigh of relief.

"thank you."

"Um."

Pei Yuening secretly glanced at Luo Ren.

The other person was looking towards the garden, and the lines of their profile appeared particularly soft in the afternoon sunlight.

Luo Ren is such a good person.

He, a good-for-nothing, obtained such a big thing as a flower fairy familiar, yet as an imperial duke, he didn't stand on the side of the nation to manipulate himself.

There was no fatherly lecturing, and he didn't even question where he got his knowledge from.

So gentle, and so handsome.

I must cook him something delicious when I get back to repay him!

As noon approached, Luo Ren personally escorted the person home.

Pei Yuening hummed a song as she walked in.

The butler greeted him in the outer hall: "Young master, His Majesty the Duke requests your presence in the study."

Pei Yuening nodded, handed him her coat, and walked up the stairs.

The study door was ajar, and he knocked.

"Come in," Ye Jiyun's voice came from inside.

Pei Yuening pushed open the door and went in.

Ye Jiyun sat behind her desk, seemingly busy.

He saw Pei Yuening come in and put down the quill pen in his hand.

"You're back?" He smiled. "What did His Majesty say?"

Pei Yuening sat down in the chair opposite him.

"I really like it," he replied obediently, "and he even asked me to deliver it to him every day from now on."

Ye Jiyun nodded: "That's good. I'll inform the housekeeper and have him make arrangements so that no one will disturb you in the kitchen in the morning."

As he spoke, he casually asked, "I heard that Duke Luo has also entered the palace?"

Pei Yuening was taken aback.

"……Um."

"He brought you back?"

"Um."

Ye Jiyun's lips curved slightly, but she didn't ask any further questions.

"How's your preparation for the start of school?" he asked.

"...It's alright, I guess."

Have you read the textbook?

Pei Yuening shook her head guiltily.

"It's alright," Ye Jiyun said. "You did quite well in the theory class, just review it."

Pei Yuening felt even more guilty.

"You don't need to worry about the practical classes," Ye Jiyun added. "I've already spoken to the school. You can go home to rest or study in the library."

Pei Yuening: "Okay."

Ye Jiyun reached out and touched his hair: "Alright, go ahead."

"What would you like for lunch? Let the kitchen make it for you."

Oh, that's not necessary.

Pei Yuening shook her head: "Brother, I want to go and see for myself."

"Hmm, that's fine," Ye Jiyun said. "Let's do it in half an hour. Let them focus on their lunch first."

"Then..." Pei Yuening pursed her lips and tentatively asked, "Will you eat with me, brother?"

Ye Jiyun smiled and said, "Okay."

Pei Yuening thoughtfully closed the door before leaving.

I can't go now anyway, and the formal attire I'm wearing for the audience is just too cumbersome.

He planned to change his clothes and rest for a while first.

Pei Yuening pushed open the door and entered the room, seeing that Gao Gao was still asleep.

He walked over and poked Gao Gao's little belly.

"stand up."

Gao Gao rolled over, flapped its wings, and mumbled a sleepy "hmm".

"Get up!" Pei Yuening poked him again.

Gao Gao opened her sleepy eyes and saw Pei Yuening's face so close to hers. She subconsciously asked, "...Where are the snacks?"

Pei Yuening was so angry she nearly fainted: "...All you ever think about is eating!"

He grabbed her and forced her to sit up: "I'm asking you, were you seen delivering that thing this morning?"

Gao Gao was taken aback for a moment: "No!"

"Duke Luo's butler has seen you!"

Gao Gao's eyes widened: "Impossible! I'm very careful!"

"Then tell me, how did you get in?"

"I flew in through the window."

"and then?"

"Then he put the food box on the table and left."

"Were you seen by anyone?"

"No! I checked, there's no one in the study!"

Pei Yuening remained silent.

Well, it seems they've been discovered but don't even realize it...

He sighed, "Never mind, I don't need to be extra careful in the future."

"Why?" Gao Gao asked.

"Because Luo Ren already knows." Pei Yuening waved his hand, took off his clothes, and removed the decorations.

"Huh?" Gao Gao was confused: "He said he couldn't know."

"What?" Pei Yuening didn't hear her and turned around to ask.

Gao Gao quickly covered her mouth: "...It's nothing, it's nothing."

"Master, what are we having for lunch?" She chose to change the subject.

Pei Yuening rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Charcoal-grilled rice cakes!"

"That won't work."