High-class maid

The old lady didn't tolerate her at all, slamming the teacup on the table as if to say, "Goodbye and don't bother seeing me off."

“Auntie, please don’t take my mother-in-law’s temper to heart. You know her temper; she’s never changed after all these years… We’ll take our leave now and come back to pay our respects in a few days.”

Seeing that things weren't going well between the two women, and fearing that her mother-in-law would ruin her daughter's plans, Miao hurriedly pulled her aside to take her leave.

The First Madam rose to see her off, but the Old Madam gestured for her to sit down, then said coldly, "Take care, I won't see you off."

Old Mrs. Xiao looked furious again, so Mrs. Miao quickly pulled her away with a forced smile.

After the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law left, the old lady said, "Don't give these two a good look in the future. I will never see them again. They are ungrateful."

“Mother, please calm down. Perhaps they feel guilty towards you, which is why they dare not come to the manor to pay their respects,” the First Madam said as she stepped forward.

"Hmph, I'm just old, not senile. If they were truly asking for a favor, why would they come empty-handed? And why would the younger generation happen to have something to do?"

The First Madam knew that the Old Madam was right, so she didn't try to persuade her any further. After all, this was a grudge between the older generation, and as a junior, she could only follow her mother-in-law's wishes.

"Mother, don't be sad. You must take good care of yourself. Our An'er's engagement depends entirely on you, the Empress Dowager!" the First Madam flattered.

"Haha, I'm old. Since I've put you in charge of the household, don't be shy. Just follow the standards." The old lady was pleased by the madam's flattery and said modestly.

"That won't do. As the saying goes, 'An elder in the family is a treasure.' If you are in good health, that will be a source of pride for our Minister's Mansion."

"By the way, has Yi'an written any letters to the young lady in Yongchang Prefecture during these two months since he came to Jinling?" the old lady asked.

"Reporting to Mother, Yi'an also asked my daughter-in-law if she wanted to write to her. My daughter-in-law felt that it was not appropriate since we are not yet engaged. However, Yi'an arranged for someone to send some local specialties from Jinling over," the First Madam said.

The old lady nodded and said, "That's right. How much local specialty did you send? Too little would be a disgrace to our Minister's Mansion."

"Mother, there's no need to worry. This was arranged by Sheng'er and her brother together. Everyone in the household was involved. I've seen it, and it's very well done," the First Madam replied with a smile.

"Indeed, you've arranged this matter very well. Yi'an is also a person with ideas. Instead of writing letters, why not send local specialties to everyone in her household? It's more generous. By the way, did you send a separate gift to that girl?"

"Yes, yes, this was arranged by Yi'an himself. I don't know what the child prepared, so I didn't ask." The First Madam covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed.

"Good, good, good. The children have grown up and have their own ideas. You have raised the two children very well. But you are getting old. Your thoughts are not as thorough as my good grandchildren's."

"Not at all, Mother, you mustn't belittle yourself. Our household depends entirely on your careful management!"

At this moment, Lümo walked in carrying pastries. She had overheard the conversation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and Lümo knew that some plans needed to be brought forward.

The First Madam glanced at her indifferently, then smiled contemptuously, picked up the pastries on the table, and began to eat them nonchalantly.

"Wang Mama, when did this Green Ink enter the manor?" The First Madam asked Wang Shi upon returning to her courtyard.

"Reporting to Madam, Miss Lümo entered the manor nine years ago. She was bought back from the slave trader after the old lady's cleaning maid was expelled from the manor."

"Nine years, not born into the household, yet she rose from a cleaning maid to a second-class maid; she's quite capable," the First Madam muttered to herself.

"Why do you ask this, Madam? Has Green Ink done something wrong?" Madam Wang asked, puzzled.

"No, I think this person is ambitious and probably not content to be a second-class maid."

"Does Madam mean... she wants to become a concubine?" Madam Wang asked in shock.

"Hmph, if you want to be a concubine, you'd better see if you have the ability. Do you really think my son is Tang Sanzang's flesh? You want to take a bite out of each and every one of them!"

"This... Madam, there's no need to be angry. Our young master is a man of principle, and not just anyone can catch his eye," Madam Wang comforted her.

"I'm not surprised that these naive girls are infatuated with Yi'an, after all, he is indeed outstanding. But if they take me, their mistress, for a fool and openly covet him, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Last time you punished a maid in the old lady's courtyard, thinking you were making an example of her, but I never expected there would be someone so bold..."

"Wang Mama, keep a close eye on Lümo. Report any developments to me immediately. Also, have Xing'er keep an eye on them too, since they're all from the same courtyard."

"Yes, this servant will go and inform Xing'er right away." Madam Wang nodded heavily and turned to go to the old lady's courtyard to find her daughter.

The eldest son is the future master of the Minister's mansion and also the lady's support. Only when the eldest son is well can the lady be well. Therefore, this matter cannot be delayed.

"Mother, what brings you here? Have you met my father yet?" Shen Xing'er, who was drawing patterns in the courtyard, asked with delight when she saw Wang Shi.

"Where's Shantao? Why isn't she with you?" Wang didn't answer immediately, but instead asked about Shantao's whereabouts.

"Oh, Shantao, she heard that the new nanny knows the needlework techniques of Jinling, so she took her needle and thread to learn." Shen Xing'er replied without looking up, while drawing.

"I've told your father about Zhang Yuzhu's matter."

"What did my father say? Was he angry with me?" Shen Xing'er asked, looking up.

“How could your father bear to upset you? You’ve already bought it all. Even if he’s angry, he’ll still make sure you’re taken care of.” Wang rolled her eyes at her and replied with a smile.

"That's good, that's good. I knew my dad wouldn't hold it against me. He loves me the most." Shen Xing'er stuck out her tongue and said playfully.

"Alright, I'm here to talk to you about something serious," Wang said, straightening her expression.

"Please speak, Mother." Shen Xing'er stopped drawing patterns, put her pen on the small stool, and asked.

Do you know Green Ink, who's next to the old lady?

"Of course I know! Sister Lümo always smiles at everyone and is very popular. Everyone praises her!" Shen Xing'er thought for a moment and then replied.

"Madam instructed you to keep an eye on Lümo, especially when the eldest young master is around," Madam Wang stepped forward and whispered her instructions.

"Oh? Madam suspects that Sister Green Ink has designs on the young master?"

"If Madam has already done something to remind her, then she must have done something, otherwise Madam wouldn't bother with it."

Shen Xing'er recalled the last time when Lü Mo stopped the young master from giving him a purse. She guessed that the madam probably didn't know yet. If she did, she would have sold Lü Mo off long ago.

If the madam instructed him to keep an eye on Lümo so early on, then why does the eldest young master in the book have an unfavored concubine? And who is she?