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

The carriage passed through several streets and turned onto a wider, tree-lined avenue.

The trees on both sides were neatly trimmed, and the occasional clear bird song could be heard.

At the end of the road was a huge manor.

Pei Yuening saw the building through the car window.

It was an elegant Baroque castle.

The off-white exterior walls gleamed softly in the moonlight, rows of arched windows stood in neat rows, and the angel sculptures on the roof were lifelike.

Pei Yuening originally thought her home was already quite grand, but she never expected that Duke Luo was the most extravagant old man.

The circular plaza in front of the manor was already filled with carriages, each more magnificent than the last.

The carriage came to a stop, and the door was pulled open from the outside.

Ye Jiyun got out of the car first, then turned around and helped Pei Yuening out.

He slightly raised his chin, adjusting his expression to that of a detached, melancholic young man.

This was a skill he had honed at family banquets in his previous life.

No matter how panicked you are inside, you have to make people think you don't care about anything.

They walked up the steps, and two huge carved wooden doors slowly opened in front of them.

The moment Pei Yuening stepped onto the end of the red carpet, she saw the scene in the hall.

A huge crystal chandelier hung down from the dome, and the light from thousands of candles illuminated the entire hall as if it were daytime.

Oil paintings also hang on the marble walls, perhaps reflecting the unified aesthetic of this era...

But—there was a whole orchestra on one side of the main hall of the Duke of Rothschild's mansion!

Well, he's rich! Extravagant! He knows how to enjoy life!

Pei Yuening cursed under his breath.

Nobles dressed in fine clothes gathered in twos and threes, exchanging greetings, dancing, and talking over wine glasses—there was something for everyone.

That's why they arrived early.

Before the formal dinner begins, there is a long period of free time during which everyone is free to socialize.

Most people come here for this reason.

He thought so too; they couldn't have come just to eat.

Since it's all swill, how much better can the food at Duke Luo's mansion be?

Pei Yuening started to drift off into thought when she thought about food.

Ye Jiyun, who was standing next to him, noticed his unusual behavior and called out softly, "Ningning."

Pei Yuening was stunned: "Yes, brother."

"Are you tired? We need to go and greet Duke Luo now," Ye Jiyun said. "But we can go to the garden for tea later and let you get some fresh air."

Pei Yuening nodded obediently: "Okay, brother."

As he followed Ye Jiyun deeper into the hall, he quickly reviewed the information about Luo Ren from the original novel in his mind.

The Imperial War God, a Natural SSS-level powerhouse, and Ollie's adoptive father.

The original work describes him as having a powerful aura, being dignified and awe-inspiring—that idiot author used only those kinds of words.

The description of his appearance was so brief, barely a hundred words, yet it was so terrifying that even the uke, Ryan, turned pale with fright upon first seeing him.

Pei Yuening naturally imagined an image of him—a chubby, smelly old man in his forties or fifties with gray hair and a big beard.

In short, he has the image of a dignified elder.

Okay, then no matter how greasy the other person looks, he must be respectful and polite later.

He can't be as rude as the original owner, otherwise the gallows will stand far away and say "Ciallo" to him again.

Ye Jiyun stopped in her tracks.

"Your Grace, it's been a long time." He nodded slightly and gave a polite bow. "Winster and his younger brother Yue Ning represent the Duke's household in extending their greetings to you."

Winster is their family's title.

Pei Yuening took a deep breath.

Okay, it's his turn.

He put on a polite smile, lowered his eyes slightly, and his posture was just right.

Being respectful yet not servile is the standard way for aristocratic children to behave when facing their elders.

He had already mentally rehearsed those polite phrases three times to make sure he wouldn't mess up his opening remarks.

He bowed in return, then slowly raised his eyes: "Your Grace, Your Grace..."

When Pei Yuening's gaze fell upon the person at the head of the table, his heart skipped a beat.

He was dressed in a military-style dress uniform, and his demeanor exuded a composure that came from years of experience on the battlefield.

He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and just standing there he exuded a strange sense of oppression.

Especially his facial features—he looked much younger than he had expected.

That was an extremely mature and handsome appearance, honed by time and war.

At this moment, his thin lips were slightly pursed, and his face was devoid of any superfluous expression or lines.

No gray hair, no beard, no weight gain, not even a single extra wrinkle.

His grey-blue eyes looked at him indifferently. Pei Yuening met his gaze, and his mind went completely blank.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Ye Jiyun glanced at him slightly, a hint of tension in her eyes.

Luo Ren's gaze was devoid of any emotion, as calm as a deep pool of water.

But Pei Yuening's ears were already starting to burn.

Gallows: Hello Baby.

Pei Yuening shuddered, jolted awake, and blurted out, "Greetings, Your Grace!"

The sound was so loud that even the ladies a few steps away turned to look at it.

Pei Yuening felt like she was going crazy again.

He started hallucinating that Luo Ren's sexy... no, I mean, handsome lips were slightly twitching.

When he looked again, it was indeed an illusion—Luo Ren still had that poker face as if his wife had died.

"Yes," Luo Ren nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to Ye Jiyun: "Your Grace, Duke, are you well as well?"

Pei Yuening remained in the bowing posture, her mind buzzing.

Ye Jiyun subtly took half a step closer to Pei Yuening's side: "You're too kind."

His voice was gentle and considerate: "When I came, I saw that the flowers in your house were in full bloom. If you don't mind, I would like to take Yue Ning to see the back."

Luo Ren nodded slightly, without saying anything more.

Ye Jiyun took Pei Yuening's hand and said, "Let's go."

Pei Yuening nodded.

He mechanically started walking, following Ye Jiyun through several groups of people exchanging pleasantries.

Seeing his expression, Ye Jiyun couldn't help but chuckle: "Were you scared?"

Pei Yuening pursed her lips: "No..."

"Okay, okay." Ye Jiyun patted his hand: "Go sit in the back garden for a while."

"I need to talk to some adults. If you don't like this kind of occasion, just stay there and rest. I'll call you when the banquet starts."

Pei Yuening was more than happy to agree: "Okay."

As they spoke, the two walked through the side corridor.

A gentle breeze from the back garden carried the fragrance of roses.

Pei Yuening took a deep breath, finally suppressing the inexplicable throbbing in her chest a little.

"This is it." Ye Jiyun raised his chin. "That pavilion is nice for viewing flowers. I'll have a servant bring you a cup of tea later."

"Okay, brother." Pei Yuening nodded obediently.

Ye Jiyun gently kissed his forehead, then turned and left.

Pei Yuening let out a long breath and sat down on the rattan chair in the pavilion.

Finally, it's quiet.