High-class maid

Shen Xing'er also had a pained expression on her face. She held the clay figure in her hands as if it were a precious treasure.

"Mountain Peach, hurry up and put it back. If it slips and falls to the ground, you'll be heartbroken for days."

"Yes, yes, I have to pretend. No wonder there weren't many people at that stall, and no wonder the old man was so enthusiastic. He was just trying to rip us off."

"Mountain Peach said."

"Oh well, let's buy it then. When we see this clay figure in the future, it will be a memory of our time in Jinling. Just don't let it slip to your mother and my mother. Whatever you do, don't tell them that this little clay figure costs two hundred coins."

Shen Xing'er gave her instructions.

"Don't worry, I know everything. I feel heartbroken whenever I hear the number two." Shan Tao clutched her chest, feigning heartache.

"You, you." Shen Xing'er shook her head, amused by her appearance.

"Where have you two been? What did you buy?" After finishing her divination, Wang turned around and saw them, asking.

"We went to the clay figurine stall over there and had the old man sculpt a clay doll in my likeness," Shen Xing'er said, shaking the bag in her hand.

"It's so exquisite. And I must say, it looks quite like you. Such a beautiful doll must cost twenty coins, right?" Wang held the doll, admiring it from left to right.

Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao exchanged a glance, suppressing their laughter as they said, "Yes, twenty coins! It breaks our hearts to see our daughter suffer like this."

Wang patted Shen Xing'er on the shoulder and comforted her, "Alright, what's there to be sad about? When you're out having fun, don't worry about money."

Shen Xing'er thought to herself, "Mother, if you knew how much money it cost, you'd probably be even more upset than I am."

She didn't show it on her face, but nodded and asked, "Is Auntie still doing divination?" Shen Xing'er asked.

“Yes, that old man is quite skilled; his predictions are quite accurate. Look, you've already finished sculpting your clay figures, and I've only just finished my divination,” Wang said.

"Mother, Shan Tao and I went to the embroidery shop. Don't worry about us at noon," Shen Xing'er said.

"You two young ladies, don't wander off or go to secluded places. We'll meet here again at 5:15 PM! Do you hear me?" Madam Wang instructed from behind.

"Okay, Mom."

As the shops on the street gradually opened, Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao discussed it for a while and then went to the embroidery shop they had visited before.

"Oh, the two young ladies are here again. Did you bring some fine embroidery again?" Sister Gao greeted them warmly and walked over.

"Sister Gao, did the embroidery products from last time sell well?" Shen Xing'er asked directly.

"Selling well, selling well! Those purses were sold out on the same day, and that handkerchief too, the customer bought it without even haggling." Sister Gao waved the handkerchief in her hand and said excitedly.

"That's good. I hope Sister Gao's business is booming. It's just that we were short on time and this is the only handkerchief we have." After Shen Xing'er finished speaking, she took out the handkerchief that she had already packed from her sleeve.

"Alright, alright, one is fine too. The lady who bought the handkerchief the other day came to ask me about it yesterday."

After Gao finished speaking, she carefully examined the handkerchief in her hand and then praised it, "Not bad, not bad. Although you said you were in a hurry, I think the embroidery is still very delicate. I hope you can keep your original intentions."

"This is all thanks to my sister," Shen Xing'er said, pointing to the peach tree beside her.

Shan Tao blushed and nodded slightly without saying a word.

"Since we've been doing business together for so long, I won't lie to you. We usually don't accept handkerchiefs like this; we can't lower the price. But you two young ladies are very capable, so I'll give you the same price as last time. Remember to take more next time!"

"Okay, don't worry, Sister Gao."

After the money and goods were settled, the two walked out of the shop. Seeing the growing number of people on the street, Shan Tao asked in confusion...

"What day is it today? Why are there so many people?"

"You two young ladies aren't locals, are you? Today is our annual temple fair in Jinling. Businessmen from other places have all come back, so it's very lively," said a vegetable vendor nearby.

"I see. Then why are they all heading east?" Shen Xing'er asked again.

"Of course I went to burn incense and offer gold ingots. It's much more lively there. Unfortunately, I came out late today and couldn't find a spot in front of the temple. I can only sell vegetables on the street now."

"I hope your business is booming, sir. I wish you a speedy sale and that you can get home soon. Thank you." After saying this, Shen Xing'er pulled Shan Tao along and followed the crowd.

The closer we got to the temple, the more people there were. It seemed that the people of Nanjing valued such temple fairs. Everyone was dressed in new clothes, and there were even some old women carrying large and small bags of vegetables home, saying that guests had come to their homes.

Shen Xing'er was also caught up in the atmosphere and followed the crowd forward, enjoying the lively scene.

"Xing'er, there are lions over there, let's go take a look!" Shan Tao said excitedly.

The lion dance in Nanjing is different from that in the capital. In the capital, the dancing is mainly for entertainment, while the lion dance in Nanjing is a real display of skill.

Watching the lion leap up and snatch the embroidered ball, Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao were so surprised they didn't even want to blink.

"Great!" With cheers from the crowd, a wonderful lion dance performance came to an end, and Shen Xing'er, along with the others, gave a few coins.

"Xing'er, they've all worked so hard. If they fell from such a height, how painful it would be," Shan Tao said, still feeling a pang of sadness.

“Yes, there are still many children, they are so pitiful. Compared to them, we are much luckier,” Shen Xing’er said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, come and see! This is our newest group of people. The auction is about to begin, first come, first served!"

As soon as Shen Xing'er finished speaking, the voice of a human trafficker came from the left. The two exchanged a glance, both seeing reluctance in each other's eyes.

"Shantao, let's not go look anymore. We're not going to buy anything, it's so pitiful." Shen Xing'er pulled Shantao away.

"It's alright. In broad daylight, how could he possibly abuse these people? We'll appreciate our lives even more if we go and see for ourselves."

Shan Tao didn't take it seriously and pulled Shen Xing'er to squeeze to the front.

On the stage stood a group of emaciated people, including a child without shoes, which made Shen Xing'er feel even more sorry for them.

At that moment, a woman on the stage saw her. The woman's hair was messy, and her face was not clearly visible, but Shen Xing'er felt that her eyes were very familiar.

The woman walked off the stage with the crowd. Shen Xing'er couldn't bear to watch any longer and prepared to leave with Shan Tao.

As she passed by the audience, her arm was grabbed by a pair of slender hands. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was the woman from before. The woman looked at her, extremely excited, but her mouth was slightly open, unable to utter a sound.

"Miss, this young lady comes from a respectable family and is skilled in everything. Her only flaw is that she can't speak properly. Would you like to take her in? We can discuss the money."

When the trafficker saw the girl pulling Shen Xing'er, he hurriedly came over and explained that he had been there all morning and had only sold three people, so he was in a hurry.

Shen Xing'er shook her head. Although she felt sorry for the people on stage, she also knew her own limitations and therefore did not intend to get involved.