High-class maid

"What a grand affair! Whose happy occasion is this?"

"I recognize him. The man on horseback in front is the young master of the Minister's mansion. I heard he's going to Yongchang Prefecture to propose marriage!" A passerby who had heard the news said from the crowd.

"No wonder he looks so wealthy. Look at his entourage, those boxes must be full of good stuff."

"Of course, did you see the gems on the box? We don't have those here, they must be from overseas." Another passerby said knowingly, cracking sunflower seeds.

Shen Xing'er walked along amidst the flattery of the crowd. When her lips were sore and her hands were about to freeze, she finally arrived at the gate of Yongchang Prefecture.

Hou Xinyu's elder brother and cousins ​​were already waiting at the gate of the mansion, dressed in new clothes. As soon as the main force of the Minister's mansion arrived, a servant ran to the inner courtyard to deliver a message.

Xiao Yi'an dismounted, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Hou Xinyu's brothers, and said, "I'm late, I've kept you all waiting for so long, it's really my fault."

Hou Xinyu's elder brother hurriedly said, "Not at all, not at all. We're honored guests, so we're sure to greet you at the door. Please come in quickly. Where is your aunt?"

At the opportune moment, Madam Wang lifted the curtain of the carriage, and then Madam Liu, the First Madam, helped her down slowly. Seeing the First Madam descend, the servants behind her also opened their carriage curtains one after another, allowing their respective mistresses to get down.

At this moment, Hou Xinyu's mother also came out of the mansion. She was supported by the old woman's arm, and when she saw the string of carriages and the large crowd in front of the gate, her smile became even more sincere.

"Sister Liu, I'm late. Come on, let's go inside." After saying that, he affectionately took Liu's hand and then beckoned Xiao Luosheng and the women of the second branch of the family to walk into the inner courtyard.

"It's not late, it's not late. We just arrived too. Why do you have to come out and greet us?" Liu was also very happy to be warmly welcomed by her future in-laws.

The two walked in arm in arm, and there were also relatives and wives from Yongchang Prefecture to greet Xiao Luosheng and his second wife's family.

Hou Xinyu's mother gestured to the old woman who was following her. The old woman nodded and, with a maid, turned and went outside the mansion gate. She saw an old woman of similar age next to the carriage, who must be the one left behind by the Minister's mansion to manage things.

"Sister, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Please have the drivers come with me," the old woman said to Wang.

Madam Wang smiled and nodded, then went to greet the coachmen of the Minister's residence.

After the carriages had left in an orderly fashion, Banxin led a group of maids and servants a few steps forward, waiting for the head maids of Yongchang Mansion to lead the way.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you all waiting. There are so many people today, so I'll have to trouble you to come with me again. After everything is put away, the master will prepare tea and refreshments for you all," said a woman dressed as a head maid.

"It's no trouble at all, it's my pleasure. Please lead the way, sister," Banxin said with a smile.

Shen Xing'er sighed in the crowd, thinking to herself, "Finally, I can enter the manor. I'm only carrying the lightest box, and my arms are still so sore. I wonder how the other sisters' arms are."

While she was still in a daze, the family in front of her had already walked into the mansion. Shen Xing'er quickly pulled herself out of her thoughts and followed the group inside.

"As expected of Yongchang Prefecture, it is indeed luxurious." Shen Xing'er was shocked by the extravagance of Yongchang Prefecture after entering it.

She walked through the long covered walkway, where some flowers were planted, blooming so brightly even in winter. The maids and servants of Yongchang Mansion were all beaming with joy. Even the pavilion in the mansion was thoughtfully surrounded by a fence, with a stove lit inside.

After walking for about half a cup of tea's distance, they finally arrived at the inner courtyard. As soon as they entered, maids and servants from Yongchang Prefecture took the boxes from their hands. Shen Xing'er wanted to stretch her wrists, but found that her companions hadn't moved, so she had no choice but to stand still as well.

"Sisters, you've worked hard. The masters have prepared tea and refreshments. Let's go to the side room," said the head maid who had led the way.

Shen Xing'er and Jing Lin exchanged a glance, and seeing that the other maids had all left, they followed suit.

"Will it be too late for us to go have tea and snacks now? Will the masters be upset?" Shen Xing'er took a few steps forward and whispered in Jinglin's ear with concern.

Jinglin shook her head and said, "No, this is their way of treating guests. If we don't go, it would seem impolite. You forgot, when others come to our mansion, their maids also go to the side room for tea." Jinglin had gone out of the mansion once with the old lady, so she wasn't too flustered.

“That’s true. Luckily, the head maids and nannies are holding the fort, so it’s okay for us to slack off for a while,” Shen Xing’er said playfully, sticking out her tongue.

"Ladies, please try this! It's fruit from our master's estate in another region. It's sweet and sour, and very delicious!" After the head maid finished speaking, the younger maids brought out sliced ​​fruit, as well as pastries and tea.

"Then you eat and rest for a while. I'll go and get busy. If you need anything, just call the maid at the door." After saying this, the head maid left, and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

After she left, everyone stretched their limbs as if they had been completely exhausted.

"It's so warm here, and there are even two charcoal braziers, both made of silver charcoal!" a maid whispered.

“Yes, you should try this fruit. It’s just as she said, both sour and sweet,” another maid said.

Shen Xing'er also picked one up. It turned out that the sweet and sour fruit they were talking about was a modern orange! She hadn't eaten an orange in a long time, so she ate two or three pieces in one go.

The maids were drinking tea and eating snacks in the warm and cozy side room, while in the main hall on the other side, they were exchanging pleasantries in a harmonious atmosphere.

"Please sit down, little sister. You must have had a long and bumpy journey," Hou Xinyu's mother said politely.

"They came by carriage, so it wasn't too tiring. Where's Xinyu? I haven't seen her." Liu looked left and right but didn't see Hou Xinyu, so she asked in confusion.

"She's a little shy around a lot of people, so she's hiding inside and won't come out!"

Liu nodded. This was just a young lady's modesty; she hadn't expected to see her future daughter-in-law so soon after arriving.

Hou Xinyu's mother was even more pleased to see that Liu Shi did not show any impatience. She instructed the nanny behind her, "Quickly, let Xinyu come out. Our distinguished guest has arrived. Have her serve a cup of tea."

The old woman nodded, turned around, and left.

"Please wait a moment, little sister. Xinyu is an expert at brewing tea. You can try her tea later!"