High-class maid

The next day, Lin Xiangyu, who had been drugged, arrived at the Jin residence in a sedan chair, and from then on, her fate underwent a dramatic change.

"Have you thought it through? Are you really going to stay in Jinling and never return to the capital?" Song Wenyang looked at Xiao Hong standing in front of him.

After hearing this, a stubborn look flashed across Xiaohong's face. She nodded and said, "There is nothing in the capital that I miss. Rather than going back there and being sad all day, I'd rather start afresh somewhere else."

"Alright, here's the money I promised you. I've already arranged your new identity. If I need you to testify in the future..."

"This servant will certainly do my duty without hesitation! I will always remember your great kindness!" After saying this, Xiao Hong withdrew.

Sitting in the carriage, Xiao Hong's face showed the first hint of longing in many years. She clutched a hairpin in her hand and murmured to herself...

"Little Blue, I've finally avenged you."

After saying that, he lay down on the carriage and drifted off to sleep.

In her dream, she returned to many years ago. She accidentally knocked over a teacup, and in front of the furious Lin Xiangyu, Xiao Lan took all the blame for her and was beaten half to death by Lin Xiangyu.

I dreamt again of Xiao Lan on her deathbed, saying, "Xiao Hong, you must live well for me. Evil people will eventually be punished. You must live out my life too. I will protect you forever."

A tear slid down Xiao Hong's nose. She could finally let go of the hatred in her heart, and a new life could finally begin.

At this moment, Song Wenyang was also thinking inside the room.

Why is everything different from my previous life? In her previous life, Lin Xiangyu became the emperor's favorite concubine at the age of twenty. She constantly whispered in the emperor's ear and tripped him up.

Having been reborn, why is everything different?

"Young master, please stop thinking about it. The imperial physician already said not to overthink it, or you'll have nightmares again tonight," Xiao Tong said, interrupting his thoughts.

“You’re right, prepare the horses, I’m going to the academy.” Song Wenyang decided to stop wasting time on internal strife and instead use that energy to review a few more books.

"Shantao, where is Xing'er?" Wang asked, looking at Shantao who was basking in the sun and embroidering in the courtyard.

"Auntie, what brings you here today? Xing'er is inside," Shan Tao said.

“I’m not busy today. Those who like to show off are going to Madam. I’m enjoying some peace and quiet,” Madam Wang said with a knowing look.

Shan Tao nodded to indicate that she understood. She knew that Wang was referring to the nannies from Jinling. The masters had been away on the estate for several days and had finally returned. They had to make their presence felt.

“Good child, it’s so cold in the yard, go back inside quickly,” said Madam Wang.

"No, Auntie, you talk to Xing'er, I'll go see my mother too." Shan Tao wisely didn't go inside, leaving the house to the mother and daughter.

When Wang entered the room, she saw Shen Xing'er deep in thought at the table. Upon closer inspection, she realized that Shen Xing'er was drawing patterns.

"I was wondering why you weren't coming out to check the noise outside. Turns out you're drawing flower patterns here. Come, let me see."

"Mother, when did you arrive?" Shen Xing'er handed over the pattern and asked Wang Shi.

"I just arrived too. Let me see how you've been doing these past few days. Hmm, your painting is quite good. You're a true daughter to me," Wang praised.

Shen Xing'er lowered her head and smiled shyly, then asked, "Mother, what's it like on the estate? Is it fun? We're only going for one day, why did it take so many days to come back?"

"Ah, it's a long story." Wang told Shen Xing'er everything that had happened on the estate.

“This steward has his priorities all wrong. The masters have their reasons for making every decision. He’s taking himself too seriously,” Shen Xing’er said.

“Who says otherwise? These past few days, the First Madam has been discussing leaving several old servants in Jinling. I wonder who she will let stay,” Wang said.

"We need to keep an eye on them. It's one thing if they embarrass themselves within the manor, but if they act like Jiang Huang, using the name of the Xiao family to run rampant outside, I wonder what outsiders will say."

Mentioning Jiang Huang reminded Wang of her words that day, and she felt somewhat sorry for Shen Xing'er. If her daughter had been born as a young lady or princess, she wouldn't have been the subject of so much gossip.

Shen Xing'er noticed Wang Shi's unease and asked, "Mother, what's wrong? Why did you get upset when I mentioned Jiang Huang? But what did he say?"

Instead of answering Shen Xing'er's question, Madam Wang asked, "Xing'er, do you still want to leave the manor?"

As clever as Shen Xing'er was, she immediately guessed why Madam Wang asked that question: "But what did Jiang Huang say? Why are you asking me if I want to leave the manor? Doesn't Mother want to?"

Helpless, Wang told Shen Xing'er about Jiang Huang's remarks at the manor that day. Shen Xing'er wasn't angry after hearing it, but instead asked...

“Mother, what do you and Father think? What others say doesn’t matter, I care about your thoughts.”

“Your father and I never thought about leaving the manor before, but Jiang Huang’s words reminded us that we are old and have been enslaved and servants all our lives. We are used to this kind of life, but we can’t bear to see you have parents who are servants.”

"Mother, what nonsense are you talking about? Your daughter has never looked down on you and Father. If it weren't for you, how could your daughter have enough to eat and wear? I'm too busy caring for you to have any reason to look down on you."

“My dear child, I know you are a good person, but your father and I always feel that we owe you a lot. If we hadn’t signed the contract to sell you into servitude back then, you would be an ordinary child and wouldn’t have been born a slave.”

Wang hugged Shen Xing'er and said with tears in her eyes.

"Alright, Mother, as long as we have this intention, we will leave the manor one day. Let's just work hard now and save money," Shen Xing'er asked.

"Yes, do your job well, and when we get back to the capital, we'll go look at houses!" After her tearful outburst, Wang regained her confidence and said with great enthusiasm.

"Mother isn't ashamed, she needs her daughter to coax her." Shen Xing'er said with a smile when she saw that she was better.

"You little rascal, don't sneak out of the manor these next few days. You should stay here and do your job properly."

"How did Mother know I secretly left the manor?" Shen Xing'er asked in surprise.

"Do you really think the masters are just decorations? The madam knows exactly when everyone in the manor goes out and when they come back, she just doesn't say it," Wang said, rolling her eyes at her.

"What? Is it that terrifying?" For the first time, Shen Xing'er gained a new understanding of power in ancient times. It turned out that the masters knew everything, but just didn't want to say it.

"Since Madam knew about it, why didn't she stop it?"

"If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. As long as it's not excessive, the masters will turn a blind eye. Besides, if the lady has to manage the inner quarters and even such trivial matters, how busy would she be?"

Shen Xing'er nodded, keeping Wang Shi's words in mind. These past few days, she had been obediently staying in her room drawing patterns, occasionally visiting the head maid to show her face, living a very comfortable life.

That day, Danxue announced that they would be setting off back in seven days. The servants in the capital would have a day off the next day to explore Jinling. Upon hearing this, everyone cheered.