High-class maid

“That’s right. There’s a big celebration in the manor at the end of the year, so we have to rush back to the capital before the new year.” Shen Xing’er didn’t mention that the eldest young master was getting engaged. It’s the rule not to talk about the masters’ private affairs in public.

Song Wenyang wisely refrained from asking further questions. If he remembered correctly, the happy event Shen Xing'er mentioned should be Xiao Yi'an's marriage.

"Alright, the weather is getting cooler now, so you two should prepare more clothes."

"Don't worry, Brother Song, we'll be traveling by water this time, which will save us a lot of time!"

Because the waterways outside the capital were closed for repairs last time, they had to travel for a few more days. Now that several months have passed, they should have been repaired long ago.

"That's good. You don't have much time left in Jinling. Why don't you go back to the capital and give me the purse then?" Song Wenyang said.

“But it will probably take a month to go back and forth. Can Brother Song wait?” Shen Xing’er asked.

"It's alright. By the time the purse arrives with the convoy of cars traveling back and forth, it will be the end of the year, and I can get a new one then."

In fact, Song Wenyang also had his own ulterior motives. If he gave the purse to Shen Xing'er before she left, the two of them would really lose contact after she went to the capital.

But if Shen Xing'er had the caravan bring it over, he would have a reason to send her something in return. This way, they could reciprocate and not lose contact.

Shen Xing'er wanted to refuse, but when she saw the boy's expectant starry eyes, she nodded and agreed as if possessed.

Unable to bear the two of them being so affectionate, Shan Tao interjected, "Brother Song, where is Brother Wu and his mother? Have they moved away?"

"That's right. Brother Wu moved to the academy the next day, and Aunt moved to the small courtyard that Brother Wu rented for her yesterday."

"Brother Song, it's getting late, so we'll be leaving now. This might be our last time out. Please give this silver to your aunt."

Song Wenyang looked at the silver that Shen Xing'er handed over, puzzled.

“Brother Song, please do us this small favor. Last time, Brother Wu helped us with the meal money. Now that he has just arrived in Jinling, he has to rent a courtyard and get medicine for his aunt. He probably doesn’t have any extra money on him.”

"Mountain Peach said."

"Alright, I'll send the money over to you when I'm free. Don't worry, we're all from the capital, and we'll look out for each other in the future."

"Thank you very much, we're leaving now," Shen Xing'er said goodbye.

Song Wenyang stood at the entrance of the inn until she was out of sight before he was willing to go back. Uncle Jiao, seeing his young master standing there like a statue waiting for his wife, smiled and walked over to say...

"It's been a long time since I've seen you like this. Miss Shen's appearance has given you something to care about, which is a good thing."

Song Wenyang glanced back at him but didn't say anything.

He glanced at the sky and decided it was time to return home.

Lin Xiangyu, inside the Song residence, was pacing anxiously, saying, "You brat, I told you to watch him, how could you let him get away?" After saying that, she kicked Xiao Hong.

Xiao Hong was in great pain and hurriedly knelt down, saying, "Miss, I really don't know. Perhaps Young Master Song went out through the back door. I really am guarding the gate."

"Enough, you useless thing. What are you howling about in the middle of the night? Hurry up and wait at the gate!"

Xiao Hong hurriedly got up from the ground, ignoring the dirt on her body, and ran towards the door.

Lin Xiangyu knew that there was no use in worrying in the courtyard, so she looked up at the sky, swayed her hips, and went back to the house to do her hair and makeup.

At this moment, Song Wenyang was in the same carriage as an official dressed in official robes.

“Young Master Song, since you arrived in Jinling, I have sent you countless visiting cards, but you still refused to see me. Why are you finally willing to see this old man today?” the official said.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you, Master Jin. I'm new to Jinling and suffered from acclimatization issues. I had to stay in bed for a whole month to recover. Now that I've recovered, I'm so glad to invite you to my home," Song Wenyang said, bowing apologetically.

"Oh, please don't bow. I can't accept that. So many people want to see you. It's an honor to have a simple meal with you."

"Please don't say that, Mr. Jin. I am just a junior, and I still have to rely on you in Jinling," Song Wenyang said modestly.

It turns out that this person was Jin Liangshan, the local official of Jinling City. Although his name means "conscience," he had no conscience at all. He accepted bribes, befriended high-ranking officials, and formed cliques.

There were also five concubines in the mansion, and countless illegitimate sons and daughters. Song Wenyang's maternal grandfather's family was a well-known and wealthy family in Jinling. Hearing that Song Wenyang was deeply favored by his maternal grandfather, and unable to get in touch with Song Wenyang's maternal grandfather's family, he could only try to curry favor with Song Wenyang.

It's truly astonishing how shameless a local official can be to speak such flattering words.

“Young Master Song, your mansion is truly magnificent. I’ve heard that every plant and tree here was arranged by your mother back then. Your mother is indeed intelligent and kind-hearted, truly living up to her name.”

After Lord Jin entered the courtyard, he began to praise. Song Wenyang's eyes darkened slightly, then he said casually...

"You flatter me, sir. I've heard that your mansion not only has artificial hills and flowing water, but also a three-story pavilion built for your beloved concubine. My place is an old courtyard; how can it compare to yours?"

Lord Jin laughed heartily after hearing this, thinking to himself, "Nonsense, if I didn't repair my mansion, where would all that money go?"

However, he said, "Young Master Song, you flatter me. I was just fixing it for fun."

The two chatted and laughed all the way, and soon arrived at the hall.

"Please sit down, sir. Please try the dishes prepared by my chef; they are all specialties from the capital." After saying this, he gave Xiaotong a look, and Xiaotong went to serve the dishes without further ado.

"Miss, Miss, Young Master Song has returned. He's with a gentleman in official robes, and the two of them are drinking and eating in the front hall."

Xiao Hong came over and reported.

Lin Xiangyu stood up excitedly, her heaving chest showing how thrilled she was. After calming herself down, she looked in the mirror again to make sure she was alright, and then, holding Xiao Hong's hand, walked out the door.

"Young Master, Miss Biao requests an audience." Xiao Tong's voice rang out, and the room fell silent for a moment before Song Wenyang's voice came from inside.

"Can't you see I'm meeting with someone? Let's talk about it tomorrow."

"Cousin, I'm leaving tomorrow. These are pastries made by your older cousin. Please try them."

Lin Xiangyu pushed the door open and entered without waiting for Xiao Tong to open it.

Song Wenyang smiled apologetically at Lord Jin and said, "My cousin is spoiled at home and has never been very well-behaved. Please don't mind her."

Lord Jin said, "It's alright, it's alright. A young lady with a fiery temper is fine."

After saying that, he looked up at Lin Xiangyu, wanting to see what kind of woman was so ill-mannered. Lord Jin only glanced at her once, but his heart raced, captivated by Lin Xiangyu's beauty.

For some reason, he felt hot all over. Looking at the woman in front of him, whose face was ordinary, he saw her as the moon goddess Chang'e in the heavens.

Lin Xiangyu gave Lord Jin a charming smile. This was the first time a man had shown her such an expression. For a moment, she forgot about Song Wenyang and turned to wink at Lord Jin.