High-class maid

"Mother, should we say goodbye to Brother Song? After all, he has taken care of us for a long time, so we should say goodbye to him," said Shen Xing'er, who was walking down the street with Wang Shi.

“That’s how it should be. Your father should handle this, but he’s busy right now, so let’s make the trip ourselves,” said Madam Wang.

"We can't go empty-handed, what should we bring for Brother Song?"

"Let's go to the pharmacy and buy some medicinal herbs. Young Master Song was unconscious for a long time last time, so I thought it would be helpful to send him some nourishing herbs." After a moment's thought, Madam Wang decided to buy a ginseng root for Song Wenyang and take it with him.

"Mother, this ginseng is so expensive, but it's also quite big." The mother and daughter came out of the pharmacy, and Shen Xing'er sighed as she looked at the ginseng in her hand.

"It's already cheap to buy such a large ginseng at this price. If you were to buy it in the capital, it would probably cost twice as much."

Having grown accustomed to fine things alongside the First Madam, Wang thought that ginseng was the most presentable item, so she picked out the largest one in the shop.

Shen Xing'er nodded and said, "Mother, let's hire a carriage when we leave. My legs are killing me!" After running around with Wang Shi all morning, Shen Xing'er's legs were already too sore to take it anymore.

"Look at you, coming to Jinling was definitely the right decision. Your legs are so tired from all this rest," Wang teased with a smile.

Shen Xing'er chuckled, not refuting. She didn't understand why so many people wanted to be a head maid. A third-class maid was much better—free, and didn't have to accompany her master to social events. Perhaps everyone has their own ambitions.

The mother and daughter arrived at the inn. Uncle Jiao was watering the flowers in the courtyard. When he saw Shen Xing'er, he was startled at first, thinking he was seeing things. Then he threw the watering can on the ground and shouted loudly...

"Miss Shen is here! Are you looking for Young Master Song? You've come at just the right time, Young Master Song has just returned from outside!"

Upon hearing this, Song Wenyang, who was inside the room, trembled as he held the book. He nervously swallowed and tried to pretend to continue reading as if nothing had happened, but his body moved uncontrollably to the window.

He saw the girl he had been longing for, carrying a box. She seemed to have grown taller in the few days he hadn't seen her. Although the sun was out, her high nose bridge was still red from the cold, which made him feel sorry for her.

“We are returning to the capital tomorrow. We came today to say goodbye to Young Master Song and also brought him a ginseng root to help him recover,” Madam Wang said with a smile.

Uncle Jiao smiled even more kindly and said, "Although the sun is shining today, it's still cold outside when a gust of wind blows. Please come inside, both of you." With that, he welcomed them into the hall.

For some reason, Shen Xing'er had a strange feeling that this place didn't feel like an inn, but more like a cozy little courtyard.

"Auntie, Miss Shen, you've arrived." Just as they were walking into the house, Song Wenyang opened the door.

The boy wore a black outer robe and a jade crown. After several days of rest, his complexion had finally regained some color, but he had some dark circles under his eyes, for reasons unknown.

However, when Shen Xing'er saw that he was in good spirits, she was relieved. The two exchanged a glance and then tacitly separated.

"Young Master Song, we are returning to the capital tomorrow. We've come today to say goodbye. Please keep this ginseng; we hope you recover well," Madam Wang said, standing up.

"Auntie, please have a seat." After saying this, Song Wenyang gestured to Uncle Jiao to make tea.

Uncle Jiao turned and left without hesitation, closing the door behind him.

"It's kind of you, Aunt and Xing'er, to come all this way. This ginseng is too precious, so I, Song, will not accept it," Song Wenyang said with a smile as he sat opposite them.

"How can this be? I haven't had time to visit you. It's just that the pharmacy didn't have any good quality ginseng, otherwise I would have bought at least two." As she spoke, Wang placed the items on the table.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you again, Auntie. I'm much better now. I've been practicing martial arts these days and I'm much stronger than before," Song Wenyang said.

"That's good, that's good. It's kind of you, Young Master Song, to take the time to see us despite your busy schedule. Are you planning to stay here permanently?" Madam Wang greeted him.

Song Wenyang smiled slightly and said, "Yes, I've gotten used to being here. It's quiet and peaceful, which is quite nice."

Madam Wang nodded and said, "Indeed, it seems no guests have stayed upstairs since we left. Is it because this place is too secluded and no one knows about it?"

Song Wenyang coughed awkwardly and said, "Perhaps that's why I chose to live here permanently."

At this moment, Uncle Jiao walked in carrying a cup of freshly brewed tea. He looked at his young master's beaming face, touched the non-existent goosebumps on his body, and then walked away with a grimac.

"Uncle Jiao, what's wrong? You're not dressed warmly enough," Shen Xing'er asked with concern, having carefully observed Uncle Jiao's unusual behavior.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about him. Actually, I have a favor to ask of Miss Shen,” Song Wenyang said.

"Brother Song, please speak. I will do my best to help you in any way I can!" Shen Xing'er quickly sat up straight, as if she could rush out at any moment.

Song Wenyang said with a smile, "Miss Shen, there's no need to be in such a hurry. I have painted a picture here and would like you to give it to Uncle He."

"I see. It's nothing serious. Brother Song, just bring the painting over. I'll take good care of it."

Song Wenyang got up to get a painting. He explained, "He Bo is also from Jinling. When he was young, he came to the capital with my mother. She also wanted to come here, but her health did not allow it. Therefore, I painted a picture of Jinling to express her feelings."

"I see. I never imagined that Young Master Song was so kind-hearted," Wang praised.

"As far back as I can remember, Uncle He has been by my side. Now that he's old, these little things are just a matter of course for him."

"Don't worry, Young Master Song, I will take good care of this painting. When I get home, I will give it to Uncle He," Shen Xing'er assured him.

"Auntie, I have another favor to ask of you."

"It's not really a request, Young Master Song, just tell me what you need to do, and I'll do my best to help," said Madam Wang.

Song Wenyang had helped their family a great deal, and now that they finally had someone to help their benefactor, they were naturally eager to help.

"Uncle He's health has always been poor. I hope you can visit him when you return home. If I need any of your money, I will give it to you when I return to the capital."

“It’s not easy for him to live alone. We live in the same alley, so we’re neighbors. It’s only right that I visit him more often.”

Wang Shi wisely refrained from asking him why his mother's servants lived outside the mansion. There were many things going on in high-ranking families, and it was better to play dumb than to ask out of curiosity.

Song Wenyang breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Shi only nodded and didn't ask him anything else. He didn't even have time to say the words he had prepared.