20: Nangong Xue and her wet nurse

The evening breeze, carrying the fragrance of wisteria, swept across the corridor.

Situ Jun was walking along the bluestone path, hurrying toward his residence. Suddenly, he heard the faint tinkling of jade ornaments from afar. He looked up and saw two graceful figures walking slowly from the moon gate.

The leading woman wore a lotus-root-colored cloud brocade long dress. The hem was embroidered with silver-threaded lotus vines, and the pearl tassels trembled slightly with her steps, shimmering in the twilight.

She was exceptionally beautiful, with eyebrows like distant mountains shrouded in mist. A touch of crimson at the corners of her eyes resembled the intoxicating sunset clouds. Beneath her straight, jade-like nose, her water-chestnut lips were naturally red without makeup. A faint scent of orchid and musk lingered around her.

The beautiful mature woman following closely behind wore a lake-blue plain silk jacket and skirt. Her simple hair bun was held in place by only a suet jade hairpin, yet it could not hide her mature charm.

Her plump figure filled the long dress with moving curves, every turn resembling gentle ripples on water, sparking one's imagination.

Situ Jun's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he recognized them as Nangong Xue and her wet nurse, Xu Lian.

Situ Jun had a very deep impression of these two.

The two women opposite him clearly saw Situ Jun as well and walked straight toward him.

"Steward Situ."

Nangong Xue's voice was like a yellow oriole emerging from a valley, carrying three parts tenderness and seven parts coquettishness.

She moved with lotus steps, her skirt sweeping across the bluestone slabs, stirring up a faint floral fragrance.

Situ Jun immediately cupped his hands in a respectful salute:

"Greetings, Madam Nangong."

Nangong Xue raised her jade-like hand slightly, her fingertips feeling a bit cool:

"Steward Situ, there is no need for such formalities."

Her gaze lingered on Situ Jun, a flash of admiration appearing in the depths of her eyes.

In just half a year, this young man had risen from the lowest-level handyman to the North Courtyard manager. This ability was truly remarkable.

The more she looked, the more she liked him, and she wanted to strike up an acquaintance.

"Does Madam have a matter to attend to?"

Situ Jun calmly took half a step back, yet he could not hide the throbbing in his heart.

The "mother and daughter pair" before him—one elegant and ethereal, the other mature and charming—would make anyone's heart race.

Nangong Xue covered her lips and chuckled, her eyes rippling with emotion:

"It's nothing. I just happened to run into Steward Situ on the road and wanted to invite you to my courtyard for some wine. I wonder if you would do me the honor?"

Situ Jun's heart jolted, but he maintained a proper smile on his face:

"Madam is too kind, but would this not disturb Madam?"

He offered a tactful refusal, though his heart was already filled with surprise.

This Nangong Xue was truly being a bit too sudden.

"It won't be a disturbance. Let's go."

When Nangong Xue turned around, the hairpins in her hair jingled softly, carrying a tone that brooked no refusal.

After saying that, she led the mature woman forward.

Looking at the two swaying figures ahead, Situ Jun had no choice but to follow them back.

On the way.

As his gaze swept over the mature woman's buttocks, which were shaped like honey peaches, Situ Jun's eyes almost went straight.

Truly a top-tier mature beauty!

"I heard that Steward Situ is now also in charge of the North Courtyard's affairs? That's truly impressive."

Nangong Xue looked back and said with a smile.

Situ Jun nodded and said:

"It is all thanks to Madam Liu's promotion."

The two talked and laughed, and soon they arrived outside Nangong Xue's courtyard.

A guard on duty stood outside the door; they rotated every three hours and basically never entered the courtyard.

Therefore, Nangong Xue was not at all worried that her act of lowering her status to invite a minor steward for a meal would be spread. The guards might rotate soon, and outsiders would have no idea a minor steward was inside drinking wine.

Walking into the courtyard, the lanterns lit up one by one, stretching the shadows of the three long across the ground.

There was only the mature woman as a maid in the courtyard. So, after entering the living room, she immediately took out the food trays from the basket, arranged the dishes, and even brought out two large jars of aged wine.

"Steward Situ, please have a seat. Nurse Xu, you sit as well."

Nangong Xue gestured and then continued:

"Although Nurse Xu is my maid and takes care of my daily life, she is also my wet nurse, so she is not considered a servant."

Hearing this, the mature woman looked at Situ Jun with smiling eyes.

She wore no makeup, yet she possessed her own charm. As she poured the wine, her sleeve slipped down, revealing a section of her snowy wrist.

Wet nurse Aunt Xu's name was Xu Lian, and she had followed Nangong Xue into the manor eight years ago when she married. At this moment, her beautiful eyes were full of smiles as she looked at Situ Jun, her face incredibly beautiful despite being unadorned.

Looking up, Situ Jun used the "Eye of Detection" on them.

【Name: Nangong Xue】

【Age: 28】

【Identity: Concubine of Bei Batian】

【Rating: 92. Note: Collection recommended】

【Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 8】

【Physique: Low Grade Water Spiritual Root】

【Favorability: 30】

【heavenly luck value: 2500】

【Recent Evaluation: Feels dissatisfied with Bei Batian's neglect and only wants a stable life.】

Situ Jun thought to himself: Another resentful lady of the inner chambers. Then he detected Xu Lian:

【Name: Xu Lian】

【Age: 58】

【Identity: Nangong Xue's wet nurse, divorced】

【Rating: 89. Note: Collectible】

【Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 6】

【Physique: Hundred Flowers Charming Body (Not Activated)】

【Favorability: 30】

【heavenly luck value: 2000】

【Recent Evaluation: Feels she is getting older and wants to leave the manor to find a husband to marry.】

After the investigation, Situ Jun couldn't help but steal a glance at this mature woman. Not only was she mature and charming, but her figure was also Heaven-Defyingly good. More importantly, she met the collection standards of the hundred flowers diagram and was a mature woman anxious to marry.

Taking everything into account, Situ Jun felt he could try to win her over.

Xu Lian seemed to notice his burning gaze, and a flush appeared on her cheeks:

"Steward Situ, there's no need to be polite. Since Madam invited you here for wine, just treat this as your own home."

She picked up her wine cup and continued:

"I toast a cup to Steward Situ."

After saying that, she tilted her head and drained the cup. Her snowy neck turned a faint crimson, and the front of her clothes rose and fell gently with her breathing.

Situ Jun was momentarily speechless; he raised his cup and finished it as well.

The wine was strong and mellow, with a bit of a spicy kick.

"Aunt Xu has a good capacity for liquor!"

Situ Jun praised.

"This is plum wine brought from Jiangnan; it is the most sweet and refreshing."

Nangong Xue personally poured the wine.

"Steward Situ, please have a taste."

She leaned in closer as she spoke, her hair brushing against the back of Situ Jun's hand, bringing a wave of faint, warm fragrance.

Situ Jun knew he couldn't refuse, so he clinked cups and downed it boldly.

After three rounds of drinks, Situ Jun felt his whole body heating up... The lanterns in the manor's corridors lit up one after another. The night was deep, and the sound of insects rose.

Nangong Xue, Xu Lian, and Situ Jun chatted while drinking. After the alcohol set in, they let go of their respective statuses, and laughter was constant.

The two large jars of pure wine were gradually finished by the three of them. Nangong Xue simply ordered Xu Lian to bring out two more jars.

Since coming to this world, Situ Jun had felt suppressed everywhere. Now, drinking wine actually made him feel relaxed. The slight tipsiness was very relaxing, and he didn't feel drunk at all.

Nangong Xue and Xu Lian were the same; the more they drank, the more it went to their heads. By now, their eyes were already somewhat hazy from drink.

As the night grew deeper and the wine jars were empty, Situ Jun collapsed drunk on the table.

At this time, Nangong Xue was also drunk, her cheeks flushed like a sunset. She leaned against the couch and chuckled:

"Aunt Xu, Steward Situ is drunk. It seems he won't be able to go back tonight. Help him to the side room to rest."

"Alright, Madam."

Xu Lian's face was also flushed at this time; she had clearly also drunk too much.

Nangong Xue gave a wine-induced hiccup and said with breath like orchids:

"You don't need to serve me tonight. After you've settled Steward Situ, you should go and cultivate as well. I'm going back to my bedroom first."

After saying that, she stood up unsteadily and walked toward the inner chamber with floating steps.

After all, the bedroom was not far behind the main hall, so Xu Lian felt at ease letting her return to her room alone.

But the side room was a bit far from the main hall, separated by a front hall and a courtyard.

Xu Lian looked at the sleeping Situ Jun and sighed softly.

She would have to both support and carry him to get him to the side room.

"Steward Situ, you've had too much to drink. I'll help you go rest."

Xu Lian's cheeks were crimson. Regardless of whether Situ Jun heard her or not, she bent down and used both hands to laboriously pull him up.

The man's warm body pressed close, and a pleasant masculine scent immediately rushed into her nose, leaving her heart in a mess.

Her already flushed face became even more crimson.