High-class maid

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), Jingmo, a third-class maid in the old lady's courtyard, came to the small kitchen as usual to get the old lady's afternoon tea.

"Miss Jingmo, this is a new afternoon tea I learned to make, called peanut pudding. Please try some," said Granny Zhou as she brought out the peanut pudding that she had prepared for Jingmo.

Jingmo picked up a spoonful, smacked her lips briefly, and nodded.

"Yes, it's really good. The old lady likes to eat sweet things, but not too sweet ones. This is just right. I'll take it away then. If the old lady likes it, she'll reward you."

After saying that, Jingmo put another bowl of peanut milk that had been prepared in advance into the food box. Granny Zhou had timed it perfectly so that it would be just right when the old lady ate it.

Over here, the First Madam is bringing her son to pay his respects. The First Madam's son is named Xiao Yi'an, and he is 15 years old this year. He is also the eldest young master of the mansion.

The eldest son was intelligent and studious from a young age. At the age of 10, he composed a poem that became famous throughout the capital, earning him the nickname "Little Poet Saint" among the people of Beijing.

However, the master worried that Xiao Yi'an would become complacent and forget his studies because of all the flattery, and he also feared that someone might be trying to ruin him by praising him too much.

So, after discussing it with the old lady, they decided to send Xiao Yi'an to the famous Xuehaitang Academy in Jiangnan. One reason was to improve the young master's education, and the other was to allow the young master to study with peace of mind.

The grandmother and grandson had not seen each other for three years. When Jingmo arrived, the old lady held her grandson's hand with one hand and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief in the other.

Jingmo glanced up at the young master, then quickly lowered her head, thinking no one had seen her. Little did she know that the madam had witnessed everything.

"Grandma, this is freshly made peanut pudding from the kitchen. Please try it." After saying this, Danxue took the peanut pudding, then used a silver needle to test for poison. Once she was sure it was safe, she placed it on the table next to the old lady.

A third-class maid like Jingmo would never have the chance to get close to the old lady.

"Grandmother, please have a taste. Let your grandson feed you. I haven't been able to be filial to you for three years. Please don't think I'm clumsy." The eldest son said as he picked up the bowl and began to feed the old lady.

Jingmo was stunned. This was the person she had been thinking about day and night for three years. She almost thought it wasn't real, like a dream.

"Since the old lady says it's delicious, it must really be delicious. Jingmo, hurry up and go!" The First Madam glared at Jingmo and said.

"Yes." Jingmo hurriedly walked out.

"Wait, Danxue, go get some jewelry for Jingmo and have her give it to the kitchen staff. Zhou Mama is very kind," the old lady said, waving her hand at Danxue.

Jingmo received several pieces of jewelry and quickly went outside. Once outside, she touched her face and found it was burning hot. She quickly fanned herself with her hand, as if that would cool her face down.

As she walked, she reassured herself, "It's alright, it's alright. I only glanced at the young master, I didn't do anything. I just wanted to watch him from afar. The madam is always gentle, she shouldn't hold a grudge against me."

When Jingmo arrived at the small kitchen, she found Granny Zhou preparing dinner. Jingmo gave Granny Zhou the old lady's reward, and then said...

“Granny Zhou, the old lady was very happy with the peanut milk. She said you were thoughtful and instructed you to make a few more portions so that people in all the courtyards could have a taste.”

"Alright, the peanuts and glutinous rice are already soaked. It will be ready in about fifteen minutes. Would you like more, Grandma?" Granny Zhou asked as she peeled the peanuts.

“Yes, I’ll take two of them. The eldest madam and young master are still in the old lady’s courtyard. The old lady said to let them try them first,” Jingmo said.

Because there was so much to do, they simply peeled peanuts from Chen Shan's family and the peaches at the same time, and finally finished making the peanut pudding in a quarter of an hour.

After tasting the peanut pudding, the First Madam said, "As expected of the dessert praised by Mother, it is indeed excellent. Zhou Mama is very thoughtful. My daughter-in-law follows Mother's example and should reward her with a little trinket."

After saying that, he took off his purse and handed it to Jingmo.

"Then I'll reward her with a little trinket too. As long as Grandmother thinks it's good and is happy, I'll reward her." After saying that, Xiao Yi'an handed the ring on his hand to Jingmo.

Having received two rewards, Jingmo immediately turned around and went to the small kitchen. As she walked, she touched the young master's thumb ring and greedily smelled it.

When she arrived at the small kitchen, Granny Zhou had already scooped out the remaining peanut brittle and placed it in a bowl. Jingmo gave the reward to Granny Zhou and then said...

"This is a reward from the First Madam and the Eldest Young Master. I need to borrow someone from Granny Zhou to go and deliver peanut milk to each courtyard. Today, only Jinglian and I are on duty. By the time the two of us finish delivering to each courtyard, it will probably be dark."

“Alright, Miss Jingmo, you go first. I’ll arrange the work and then have Shantao or Xing’er go with you,” Granny Zhou said readily.

After Jingmo left, Granny Zhou was about to ask Shantao to deliver the peanut milk when Chen Shan's wife stopped her and said, "Old Zhou, let Xing'er go. You know that Shantao isn't as clever as Xing'er. I'm afraid she might offend someone important."

Chen Shan's wife knew what her daughter was like, so she didn't want her silly girl to show her face in front of important people at all. Instead, she recommended Xing'er to go, and she didn't feel any regret.

Shen Xing'er went to the courtyard and found Jingmo. Jingmo said...

"Everyone else has already delivered to their respective courtyards, only the Second Master's courtyard remains unserved. You take the box and go there. Remember, come out as soon as you've delivered it, and absolutely do not speak too much in front of the Second Master," Jingmo kindly reminded him.

Shen Xing'er thought to herself, "Am I really that unlucky? Of all the courtyards I could be assigned to, I had to be assigned to the Second Master's. I can only pray that the Second Master doesn't like me, a little maid."

Shen Xing'er carried the food box to the Second Master's courtyard. She saw Zhang, the concubine the Second Master had recently taken, sunbathing in the courtyard.

The room was filled with maids and servants, and the atmosphere was even more grand than that of the First Madam.

"Stop! What are you doing here? Don't you even bow to our young lady?" shouted the maidservant beside Zhang.

"Replying to you, young lady, I am a maid in the old lady's courtyard. The old lady has a new dessert in her kitchen, and she thought it was quite good, so she specially asked me to bring it over for the distinguished guests to try."

Shen Xing'er ignored the maidservant from before and instead addressed Zhang Shi.

Although she was just a lowly maid in the tea room, she was still a servant in the old lady's courtyard, and there was no need for her to be subservient to a concubine's maid.

Upon hearing that Shen Xing'er was from the old lady's courtyard, Zhang Shi immediately stopped lying on the recliner, sat up supporting her pregnant belly, and said...

"Oh? What kind of dessert is it? Bring it up." Immediately, a quick-witted maid came over and took it, and then an old woman carried the rest over and distributed them to the various rooms.