High-class maid

"Someone from my household? Could it be my second sister? Who is he? I've never seen him before?" Xiao Luosheng asked a series of questions. She really couldn't believe that someone in her household would be in contact with another man.

The Second Prince found her extremely adorable. He looked at Xiao Luosheng with a smile and said, "It's not your sister, but someone you would never guess. Sheng'er, do you really not recognize him? Take a closer look."

Xiao Luosheng was puzzled, but she still obediently looked at Song Wenyang. What she saw made her exclaim in surprise.

"This person looks somewhat like you. Wait, isn't this the person who saved me with you at Lingshan Temple?"

"It is him. His surname is Song. He is the eldest son of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud in the capital. As for your statement that we look alike, perhaps handsome people always have similarities."

The second prince tossed his head and said jokingly.

Xiao Luosheng didn't take it as a joke. She glanced at Song Wenyang a few more times and felt that he looked somewhat familiar.

"By the way, who exactly does he want to see? Tell me quickly! It's not proper hospitality to keep this young master waiting for us in the cold wind." Xiao Luosheng asked.

The second prince wanted to say it was alright, that he could wait overnight, since this was a matter of great importance in his life, but he dared not say it, for fear of upsetting Sheng'er.

"This man knows one of your maids. The two have some history outside the city. He has feelings for the maid, and today he couldn't resist wanting to see her." The Second Prince explained the matter in just a few words.

"A maid? How could a maid know a young master from a noble family? Where did they meet?" Xiao Luosheng's expression was somewhat unpleasant, after all, it wouldn't sound good if word got out that one of her maids had seduced someone else first.

"Sheng'er, don't worry, I heard from Brother Song that once..."

The Second Prince explained on behalf of Shen Xing'er, not entirely to exonerate her, but also because he hoped Xiao Luosheng wouldn't view Song Wenyang with prejudice. Otherwise, if Song Wenyang came to visit him after the marriage, he might not be able to leave the manor to play.

"I see." Xiao Luosheng breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it was outside the mansion, as long as it wasn't intentional, and as long as the maids in her mansion knew how to be reserved, she was happy to help.

"This is something you only see in storybooks, I never thought it would happen to me!" Xiao Luosheng was a little excited, she was also very curious whether the two of them could go all the way.

Yes, Xiao Luosheng, a renowned young lady in the capital, is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is also an exceptional housekeeper. Now she has been betrothed to the Second Prince, and everyone praises her for her good fortune. However, no one knows that this young lady enjoys reading storybooks.

She was completely engrossed in reading stories about poor scholars falling in love with rich young ladies, cold-hearted princes falling in love with her, and the love triangle between maids and wealthy young men.

"Then I'll leave this matter to Sheng'er?" The Second Prince was relieved to see that she didn't object.

“Sure, but… we also need to ask the young lady if she’s willing. If she’s not willing, I won’t drag her here.” Xiao Luosheng made the unpleasant point clear upfront.

"It's alright, it's alright. Sheng'er only needs to pass on the message. If the young lady is unwilling, then it's because the two of them have no affection for each other, and Sheng'er can't be blamed," the Second Prince said.

"Furthermore, if the girl agrees, we can only meet for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea. That would be the best outcome."

"Alright, alright, Sheng'er, just pass on the message. My brother knows what he's doing." The Second Prince spoke up for Song Wenyang.

Xiao Luosheng nodded and left with her maid. Since the two of them planned to meet, they should do so as soon as possible, otherwise it wouldn't be good if guests came to the manor later and they were seen together.

"Xing'er, the young lady wants you to go to her courtyard." A maid came to deliver the message.

Shen Xing'er, who was cutting paper snowflakes inside the room, felt a sudden pang in her heart. She wondered if she had done something wrong recently. But she rarely left the house, so the young lady had no reason to see her.

"Sister, do you know why Miss wants to see me?" Shen Xing'er handed the maid two pieces of pastry and asked with a smile.

The maidservant delivered her prepared explanation: "The young lady has heard that you make embroidery look beautiful by matching colors, so she wants you to match the colors for the pattern on her purse."

"I see. Sister, wait for me a moment, I'll wash my hands and come right away." After saying that, Shen Xing'er put the paper cutting on the table and went out amidst the envious gazes of the maids in the room.

Unlike the envy of others, Shen Xing'er was more puzzled: I have been so secretive, never showing that I know how to match colors in the manor, how come the young lady knows everything? Never mind, I'll deal with whatever comes my way.

Without having time to think too much, Shen Xing'er arrived at the young lady's courtyard.

As the young maid announced her arrival, a senior maid opened the curtain and gestured for her to enter the hall.

Shen Xing'er lowered her head and walked into the hall. It was warm and cozy inside, and a delicate stove nearby emitted a fragrance she couldn't describe. The young lady had a thin blanket covering her legs and was reading a storybook.

When Shen Xing'er entered the room, the head maids all tacitly withdrew, as if they had already received instructions from their young mistress.

Shen Xing'er found it strange, but her expression became even more respectful.

"This servant greets the young lady."

"Get up, sit down." The young lady placed the book on the table beside her and smiled, gesturing for her to sit down.

"I summoned you here today because I have something to ask you." The young lady got straight to the point; she needed to hurry and check on the various courtyards after delivering the message.

"Yes, Miss, please ask. I will answer to the best of my knowledge," Shen Xing'er said.

“There is someone who wants to see you. He is currently in our residence. He is the eldest son of the Song family. I wonder if you would like to meet him?” Xiao Luosheng asked.

Shen Xing'er froze in shock. Wasn't he in Jinling? When did he return? And how could he possibly beg the young lady for help?

Seeing her expression, Xiao Luosheng became even more certain that she didn't know Song Wenyang had come to see her, and her last doubts about her disappeared. She gently advised...

"If you want to see her, then come with me quickly. I have other things to attend to. If you don't want to see her, then I will refuse her on your behalf."

Shen Xing'er felt a warmth in her heart. In this era where men and women were strictly separated, it was already quite remarkable that the young lady could do so much for her.

To meet or not to meet? Shen Xing'er was torn with conflicting emotions. She remembered what her mother had said: she was just a lowly maid, while he was a young master from a prestigious family. If she met him, her already ambiguous relationship with Song Wenyang would only invite further criticism.

But if he hadn't come, why would he have come all the way to the Minister's residence? How could he have been so heartless?

"This servant, this servant... then I'll trouble Miss to lead the way," Shen Xing'er said.

Who cares! What maid and young master! It's not my fault I was born a maid! I just miss him! I'll give him the purse and leave! Shen Xing'er kept trying to convince herself.

Xiao Luosheng was surprised for a moment, but didn't say anything. Excellent, everything unfolded just like in the storybooks; she liked it even more!