High-class maid

The next day, as Shen Xing'er was packing her bags to return to the capital, Shan Tao came over and said...

"Xing'er, let's go say goodbye to Granny Zhou. We don't know when we'll see each other again after returning to the capital. If we don't say goodbye today, we might not have time in a few days."

"I said I forgot something important, turns out it was to visit Granny Zhou. I've been so busy, let's go, let's go." Shen Xing'er said, and walked towards the door.

It wasn't that she couldn't remember, but rather that she knew Granny Zhou would return to the capital in a few years, so she wasn't that sad. Now that she didn't take it seriously, she seemed out of place among them.

"Shantao, why don't we go to the small kitchen?" Shen Xing'er followed Shantao and found that she was being led to the room where the nannies lived.

"The old lady granted Granny Zhou permission to not work these few days, so she could go out and get familiar with Jinling. Granny Zhou didn't go out today; my mother told me that," Shan Tao said softly.

"I see. Then let's hurry up and go."

"Shantao, Xing'er, you've arrived. Your mother has just passed away." Instead of the sadness they expected, Granny Zhou sat upright on the bed with a smile on her face.

"Granny, don't be too sad. We'll meet again someday..." Shantao didn't know what else to say to comfort her, so she could only say this carefully.

Shen Xing'er didn't feel much when she first arrived, but now that she saw Granny Zhou, she remembered the little things they had done in the small kitchen and couldn't help but feel sad. She didn't seem to be in a good mood.

“Silly children, what are you sad about? This is a good thing. It means that our masters value me. Shan Tao is right. There will be a day when we meet again.” Granny Zhou looked at the two of them and felt a warmth in her heart.

Now that the news of her staying in Jinling has spread, everyone in the mansion thinks that she is not valued by her master. So, apart from Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao's mother, the two little maids were the second group to come and say goodbye to Granny Zhou.

"Granny, is there anything important in the capital? I'll pack it in your bundle for you." Shen Xing'er asked.

"I don't have anything important in the capital, I keep it all with me. However, I'll need you to help me pack my belongings in the mansion. Please bring my personal items with the caravan."

"Okay, I'll take care of this." Shen Xing'er nodded and kept it in mind.

"You two have always had a good relationship. You should support each other in the manor in the future, but remember not to trust anyone easily," Zhou Mama advised.

"Don't worry, Granny. Shan Tao and I are clever enough. But you, if you encounter any problems, remember to write a letter. Although we can't help you much, it would be good to give you some advice."

As Shen Xing'er spoke, her eyes reddened. Granny Zhou was also affected by the atmosphere of parting; she patted Shen Xing'er's shoulder, then patted Shan Tao's shoulder, and said...

"Why are you crying? This is a happy occasion. Keep in touch when you go to the capital. I'm waiting for you to tell me about the interesting things that happen there. Got it, you little crybaby Shantao?"

Upon hearing this, Shan Tao burst out laughing, tears and snot bubbling up together, making Shen Xing'er both laugh and cry, which lessened the sadness of parting considerably.

The days passed by like flowing water, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day before they were to return to the capital.

"Xing'er, we're leaving tomorrow. Madam has granted us permission to leave the manor today to inform Zhang Yuzhu." Madam Wang's voice interrupted Shen Xing'er, who was packing her luggage inside the house.

"Mother, have you packed your bags?"

"It's all packed up already. Mother is already eager to return to the capital. I wonder how the flowers I planted are doing."

“I’m all packed. I’ll just roll up my bedding tomorrow. Let’s go.” Shen Xing’er clapped her hands and followed Wang Shi out the door.

"Time flies so fast. It feels like we just arrived in Jinling yesterday, but who knows we'll be leaving tomorrow. I wonder when we'll be back in Jinling again," Wang said with a sigh as the mother and daughter walked to the dock where they had disembarked that day.

"Mother, don't worry, when I become successful in the future, I will take you and Father to travel all over the Great Qin!" Shen Xing'er said with great interest.

"You little rascal, you're just trying to flatter me again." Wang smiled and rolled her eyes at her, ignoring her, and quickly walked forward.

"Mother, I'm serious! We'll live in a big courtyard, with a large space for you to grow flowers, and we'll even provide you with a nanny and a cook, and a servant for my father..."

Shen Xing'er talked on and on, and the voices of the mother and daughter grew fainter and fainter as their shadows stretched longer and longer in the sunlight. Passersby could only see a gentle woman smiling as she watched the bouncy girl in front of her, a sight that brought warmth to the winter day.

When Zhang Yuzhu opened the door, she was overjoyed to see the mother and daughter. She had been anxious these past few days, afraid that Shen Xing'er had forgotten her.

Shen Xing'er looked at the girl in front of her. Perhaps because she hadn't had to endure the wind and rain these past few days, her face had finally gained some weight. Although she was still very thin, she was no longer pale and emaciated.

Zhang Yuzhu gestured for the two women to come inside, then stood awkwardly to the side, feeling both nervous and excited, unsure of what to say.

Wang noticed her unease, took Shen Xing'er's hand and walked into the house with a smile, then said, "Good child, don't be nervous. You are about the same age, you can call her Xing'er from now on."

Zhang Yuzhu nodded and got up to pour them tea.

“Zhu’er, you don’t need to rush. My mother and I have come to tell you that we are returning to the capital tomorrow. Pack your bags tonight and wait for us outside the inn at 5:15 a.m.,” Shen Xing’er said, stopping her.

Zhang Yuzhu nodded, and in her excitement, she actually said thank you.

"What did you say? Thank you? You can speak now?" Shen Xing'er and Wang Shi were overjoyed. If Zhang Yuzhu could speak, it would greatly reduce the difficulty for them in finding her family.

Zhang Yuzhu's eyes widened in surprise. She had only wanted to thank Sister Xing'er from the bottom of her heart, but she never expected to actually be able to speak.

She wanted to say thank you again, but found she couldn't bring herself to say it. Shen Xing'er was a little disappointed, but still comforted her.

"It's okay. If you can say it once, you can say it a second time. Don't be too nervous."

Zhang Yuzhu nodded. Because she was going back to the capital, she was full of energy and wished time would pass quickly, as tomorrow would arrive in the blink of an eye.

The mother and daughter asked her what she had eaten these past few days, and after confirming that the innkeeper hadn't neglected her because she was alone, they stayed for a while before taking their leave with peace of mind. Everyone in the manor was packing their bags today; they had many things to do.

Zhang Yuzhu stood outside the door, waving to them until they were out of sight before turning back.