High-class maid

The two found Zhang Yuzhu a reliable inn, paid for her room for a few days, and told her not to go out. Then they prepared to return home. After such a big event, the mother and daughter had no mood to go sightseeing anymore.

"Mother, when will you tell Father about this?" Shen Xing'er asked Wang Shi on the way back.

"Tonight, after I finish my shift, I'll go tell your father so he can be prepared. I still need to think about how to inform your wife about this matter."

"Do you think Madam might disagree? Why don't we show Madam Miss Zhang's indenture to put her mind at ease?" Shen Xing'er suggested.

"Very well, I'll take some time today to bring it up and see how Madam reacts."

"Mother, you are so kind." Shen Xing'er nestled against Wang Shi and said coquettishly.

Wang rolled her eyes at her, tapped her forehead with her finger, and said, "Don't try that on me, I'm not falling for it." But the smile on her lips betrayed her true feelings.

Shen Xing'er smiled, kissed Wang Shi, and ran away.

"You!" Wang touched her face, feeling both helpless and happy. She then shook her head and muttered to herself, "I really can't do anything with you."

"Xing'er, go back to the old lady's courtyard first. I will find an opportunity to talk to Madam about this." After returning to the mansion, Madam Wang said.

"Alright, there's no rush. I'll head back to the courtyard then." After Shen Xing'er finished speaking, the mother and daughter went their separate ways.

"Shantao, why are you back so early?" Shen Xing'er asked when she saw Shantao back inside.

"I always argue with my mother if I stay with her for a while, and it's no fun for me to wander around alone, so I might as well come back and embroider a purse," Shan Tao said, pouting.

"Good mountain peach, this was unexpected. When we return to the capital, you can stay at my house again, and I'll accompany you wherever you want to go," Shen Xing'er said.

"Really?" Yamamoto was easily coaxed and immediately forgot about the matter.

"Of course it's true. When have I ever gone back on my word?" Shen Xing'er stepped forward, pinched her chubby cheeks, and then ran away.

"Fine, you dare pinch me? Then I'm not embroidering anymore." Shan Tao pretended to be angry, put the things on the bed, and was about to grab Shen Xing'er.

"Silly Shantao, the sun is about to set, what are you still embroidering for? You need to give your eyes a rest," Shen Xing'er said.

"Yes, yes, I'll listen to you. Speaking of which, this morning's shopping was more tiring than working a chore!" Shan Tao said, sitting on the bed and rubbing her legs.

"Who says otherwise? I'm not going to say anything more. I'm going to lie in bed and take a nap. Wake me up when it's time to eat. Just don't secretly do your embroidery."

After Shen Xing'er finished speaking, she lay down in bed to rest. Today's shock was too great for her. Why was there no such person as Zhang Yuzhu in the book, but now she had encountered her.

Who exactly is she? What consequences will she bring upon me? If I don't take her with me, can my conscience allow it?

Lost in her thoughts, Shen Xing'er fell asleep.

Wang, who was working in the First Madam's courtyard, was not so lazy at the moment, because the First Madam had given her a task.

"Do you recognize Granny Zhou from the old lady's courtyard?" the lady asked.

“I recognize her. My daughter used to work in the tea room. I went there a few times and we got to know each other quite well,” Wang said.

"It's good that we're familiar with each other. I've decided to keep her in Jinling this time, but I'm afraid she might do something rash. Could you pass on a message for me?" the lady said.

Wang had no choice but to agree, bowing her head in response.

"Sister Zhou, are you busy?" She looked at Granny Zhou, who was picking vegetables with her head down, and hesitated, not knowing how to start the conversation.

"Yes, are you here to see Xing'er, young lady? She's not in the small kitchen today; perhaps she's out and hasn't returned." Thinking that Madam Wang was looking for her daughter, Zhou Mama looked up to answer, then continued preparing the vegetables.

Wang squatted down and started picking vegetables with Granny Zhou. Then she said, "I've come to see you, Sister Zhou."

"Me? What brings you here, young lady?" Granny Zhou asked, continuing with her work.

After considering for a moment, Madam Wang said, "Ever since that incident at the estate, the masters have been discussing leaving a few of the elders from the household in Jinling..."

Granny Zhou paused her busy work, and without looking up, said, "So I'm included, right?"

"Yes, actually, Madam values ​​you quite a bit, otherwise she wouldn't have let you stay in Jinling. You know, the servants in Jinling are too difficult..."

As Wang was speaking, she ran out of things to say. In her heart, she complained that the First Madam was unfair for assigning her such a difficult task.

But Zhou Mama didn't lose control of her emotions as expected, and Wang Shi didn't need to use the words she had rehearsed several times in her mind. She paused for a moment and said...

"Young lady, don't be nervous. You're just a messenger; we're all servants. Why would I take my anger out on you? It's just..."

Granny Zhou paused for a moment, and Madam Wang looked at her nervously, afraid that she would make a request she could not agree to.

"However, I cannot return to the capital with you this time. My luggage is still in the manor. Please have Xing'er help me pack it and bring it with the escort agency."

Madam Wang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Of course, of course. If there's anything else you need, just write to me later. If I can't get it, I'm sure the First Madam will help you get it."

Granny Zhou smiled but didn't say anything.

Thinking that she needed more time to process things, Wang wisely didn't linger and left after sitting for a short while.

"Why are you back so soon? I thought you were going to stay until evening," the lady asked in surprise when she saw Wang Shi return.

"Reporting to Madam, Granny Zhou is quite easy to talk to. She said she respects the masters' decision," Madam Wang said.

The First Madam nodded and said, "She's quite sensible. I'll give her some money when we leave in a few days. It's been hard on her, having to leave her hometown at such an advanced age."

"Then why did you choose Granny Zhou?" Madam Wang asked doubtfully.

The First Madam glanced at her and said, "Most of the servants in our household have settled down in the capital. Letting them stay in the capital will definitely cause controversy. Since there is no one at home for Granny Zhou, it is most appropriate for her to stay in Jinling."

"Your Majesty is wise. This servant has another request to make of you." Seeing that no one was in front of the First Madam at the moment, Madam Wang took the opportunity to bring it up.

"Beg me? What could possibly be worth begging me for? Tell me." Madam Wang rarely asked for favors, so the First Madam became interested and asked.

"Yes, it was my unruly daughter. Today, while strolling through the temple fair, she was grabbed by the sleeve by a girl from a human trafficker's stall. My daughter is soft-hearted, and without my consent, she bought her."

"But we'll be returning to the capital soon, and we'd like to ask this lady to take one of our boats back. Is that feasible?" After saying this, Madam Wang looked up at the First Madam's expression.

"Hehe, Xing'er is really kind-hearted, she's a good person. But it's just a coincidence that the woman was holding Xing'er's hand and wouldn't let go. Could it be a scam?" The First Madam, being knowledgeable and worldly-wise, asked.

"It shouldn't be. This is that woman's indenture. I've looked at it several times. Madam, please take a look too." After saying this, Madam Wang took out the indenture that she had prepared beforehand from her sleeve.