High-class maid

The two then visited other embroidery shops to learn about local specialties, and then went to a pastry shop.

"Please come in, sir. Our shop has all kinds of pastries. Are you buying them for yourself or as gifts?" As soon as Shen Xing'er entered the shop, the waiter greeted her warmly.

"I'm planning to give these as gifts. What pastries would you recommend?" Shen Xing'er asked.

"If you're giving it as a gift, there's a five-copper-coin packaging fee for one pound. If you want two pounds of pastries, our shop will pack them for free. If you want two pounds of pastries, we recommend half a pound each of osmanthus cake, mung bean cake, poria cocos cake, and Hundred Flower Cake," the waiter explained skillfully.

"Alright, let's do it your way." Shen Xing'er didn't hesitate, paid the money, and walked out of the shop with Shan Tao.

"Xing'er, is this for Brother Song?" Shan Tao asked.

"That's right. Brother Song has saved me from danger several times. Last time, I even troubled him to arrange accommodation for Brother Wu and his mother. My purse was stolen that day, and I didn't have time to buy him anything. This time, I can't go empty-handed."

"Yes, I didn't expect Brother Song to be so warm-hearted despite his cold exterior," Shan Tao nodded in agreement.

Shen Xing'er smiled and didn't say anything more. The two of them walked quickly towards the inn.

Meanwhile, Song Wenyang was on his way back to the inn. Although he had taken the antidote, he was still very agitated. After thinking it over, he mounted a horse and headed towards the inn.

Song Wenyang walked slowly, his mind wandering. He thought about his mother, who had died young and left him alone; he thought about his stepmother, Lin, who only schemed against him; and he thought about his so-called cousin, who also schemed against him endlessly, and now she had even drugged him.

It seemed that any woman who approached him was only after his schemes. Just as Song Wenyang was feeling sad, he saw Shen Xing'er at the entrance of the inn. A ray of sunset shone on her, like a gift falling from the sky.

"Xing'er! What brings you here?" Song Wenyang dismounted and walked over quickly, asking with surprise.

"Brother Song? What a coincidence, we just arrived too. Where have you been?" Shen Xing'er asked.

"Oh, I was just bored, so I took a ride around. Come on in, it's cold outside."

The group went inside, and Uncle Jiao of the inn was overjoyed to see them, thinking to himself, "The person my young master has been thinking about day and night has finally arrived."

Although that's what she thought in her heart, she didn't show it on her face. She only served tea to the group and then quickly left, afraid that she would be an eyesore to the young master.

"Brother Song, I've come today to give you some money," Shen Xing'er said, reaching into her purse to take some out.

"Miss Shen, what are you doing? Why are you giving me money out of the blue?" Song Wenyang was startled and hurriedly waved her hand to refuse.

"I troubled Brother Wu and his mother for a few days without your permission the other day. My purse was stolen that day, so I can only bring it over now," Shen Xing'er said.

“Oh, it was such a small matter. I would have forgotten about it if you hadn’t mentioned it. It was just a small favor. Besides, I hit it off with Young Master Wu at first sight. It’s quite a coincidence that we’re from the same academy.”

Song Wenyang spoke at length, afraid that Shen Xing'er would bring up the matter of giving him money again.

"Really? Which academy does Brother Wu study at? Is he very accomplished?" Before Shen Xing'er could answer, Shan Tao asked first.

After asking the question, Yamamo realized she had been too talkative, so she stuck out her tongue and stopped talking.

Song Wenyang didn't seem to mind. After glancing at her, he said, "That's right. Young Master Wu is here to study at Ouyang Academy. He has traveled a long way with his mother, which is truly admirable. How could I possibly ask him for accommodation fees?"

"The Ouyang Academy you mentioned, is it the one in the east of the city? It is said that it gathers students from all over the country, and the lowest-ranking official who comes out of there is a seventh-rank official, and almost all of them have official positions."

“Indeed, I didn’t expect Miss Shen to know so much,” Song Wenyang said.

Shen Xing'er smiled shyly and said, "I wouldn't say I know a lot. My father is often away on business, and I've only heard him and my mother mention it a few times."

"I never imagined Brother Wu was so capable. No wonder he traveled all this way to Jinling!" Shan Tao said from the side.

“But Brother Song has really helped me a lot. Oh, by the way, these are some pastries I brought for you. It’s just a small gift, and I hope Brother Song won’t find them offensive,” Shen Xing’er said, waving the pastries in her hand.

Song Wenyang was stunned by her smile and unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth as well. Once again, under the pretext of delivering tea, Uncle Jiao came into the room and was shocked by his young master's worthless appearance.

"Ahem," Uncle Jiao coughed twice, pulling Song Wenyang back to his senses. "Kids, come and try my favorite Biluochun tea," Uncle Jiao said with a grin.

Uncle Jiao wondered if it was just his imagination, but his young master's face darkened as soon as he heard the words "Biluochun".

“Miss Shen, if you want to thank someone, thank Uncle Jiao. He is the innkeeper. If it weren’t for his generosity, my agreement alone wouldn’t have mattered.”

"Yes, I should thank Uncle Jiao. I'm so sorry to have troubled you. I'll give you the rent."

"No, no, no, Miss, you're being too polite." Uncle Jiao was so frightened that he tried to back out the door, leaving Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Please don't be shy, Uncle Jiao is a very kind person, otherwise I wouldn't have stayed here for several months," Song Wenyang said with a smile.

At this moment, Uncle Jiao, who had just stepped outside, scratched his head in confusion and muttered to himself, "What did I do to offend the young master? Why is he teasing me? I'll serve you your favorite Biluochun tea, okay?"

"Brother Song, you must accept these pastries, otherwise I really don't know how to thank you," Shen Xing'er said.

"I've heard that Miss Shen is an excellent embroiderer. If you really feel bad about it, why don't you embroider a purse for me?"

Shan Tao couldn't help but laugh when Song Wenyang mentioned embroidery, and now that she heard Song Wenyang asking Shen Xing'er to embroider, she looked at Shen Xing'er's reaction with amusement.

"What's wrong? Did you make things difficult for Miss Shen?" Song Wenyang asked, puzzled by Shan Tao's reaction.

"No, no, I just don't know who told you that, Brother Song? My embroidery... is very good," Shen Xing'er asked.

"Oh, I heard it from your aunt last time. She said you are very good at embroidery and that you like quiet and often sit for an entire afternoon just to embroider a good piece."

At this moment, Wang, who was far away outside the village, was unaware that she had unwittingly tricked her daughter. She sneezed and muttered to herself, "It seems my daughter misses me. I've missed Xing'er too after not seeing her for a few days."

"Okay, I don't know what color Brother Song likes, I'll make one for you when I have time."

"It's all right."

"What pattern do you like? Would bamboo be okay?"

"Listen to you."

Uncle Jiao, who was eavesdropping outside the door, heard his young master's easygoing manner, covered his face with his hands, turned around and left. He really had no ears!

"Okay, I'll make it when I get back, and try to finish the purse before I leave."

"What? You're leaving? Aren't you going to spend the New Year in Jinling?" Song Wenyang asked.

He didn't care at all when the purse was ready; it was just a connection between the two of them. But when he heard that Shen Xing'er was leaving, his heart still clenched.

If she leaves, he will lose the only warmth he has in Jinling.