High-class maid

"Then let's go. There's some fabric in the storeroom in the front yard. Come with me and see which colors look good together. We'll make clothes for the maids in the manor when spring comes." Xiao Luosheng made up an excuse and took Shen Xing'er out.

The maids and servants along the way looked at them curiously, but knowing better than to ask too many questions, they knew their mistress must have her reasons for doing so. To add to the credibility of the story, Xiao Luosheng continued speaking as they walked.

"You can choose the fabrics to match, but don't make them too fancy or flashy. Just keep them understated and clean. If you do a good job, I will reward you handsomely."

"Yes," Shen Xing'er replied, bowing her head.

Upon hearing this, the servants on duty in the courtyard thought to themselves: So the young lady has called us to do chores. We don't have the skills, otherwise we would be the ones to receive the reward.

Shen Xing'er lowered her head and followed Xiao Luosheng to the storeroom in the front yard. Xiao Luosheng pointed to the slightly worn storeroom in front of her and said, "Let's go in."

This storeroom was used to store gifts from people outside the mansion. Because there were so many people giving gifts, a slightly old room was specially set aside to store the rewards. This room was secluded and rarely visited, making it the best place for the two to meet.

Shen Xing'er held her breath, gently pushed open the door, and saw the boy who had appeared in her dream.

Before she could even feel happy, she suddenly remembered that she was still wearing a maid's clothes. Feeling somewhat inferior, she thought she didn't look good today, and clutching the hem of her clothes, she didn't dare to go forward.

Song Wenyang didn't care about so much. He only knew that he was very happy. Xing'er hadn't lost weight. Xing'er's happy expression when she pushed the door open didn't seem fake. Why didn't she move? Was she shy?

"you…"

"you…"

Their voices rang out at the same time, and Shen Xing'er blushed again, while Song Wenyang also became unusually embarrassed.

"You speak first."

"You speak first."

The two voices rang out at the same time again. Song Wenyang laughed out loud. He even had a small dimple on the corner of his mouth. How come he had never noticed it before?

"I miss you," Song Wenyang said.

I had rehearsed my greetings in my mind over and over again, but the moment I saw her, my mind went blank, and I couldn't say anything. I could only awkwardly say, "I missed you."

"I...you...aren't you in Jinling? Why did you suddenly come to the capital?" Shen Xing'er knew what it meant for him to agree to meet. After today, she would no longer be able to call him Brother Song, because she also had feelings for him.

"I accompanied the Second Prince back to the capital on business and have been here for many days. I haven't been waiting for you to leave the residence because I was so worried about you, so I had no choice but to come to the residence to find you." Song Wenyang said pitifully, as if he was complaining to Shen Xing'er about why she didn't leave the residence.

Shen Xing'er saw this and felt that the other party had transformed into a big wolfhound wagging its tail, which was quite pitiful.

"With the New Year approaching, there are many affairs to attend to in the manor. It's already much better that we can't leave the manor until after the New Year. I've heard that servants in other manor residences have to wait until after the first month of the lunar calendar to leave."

After exchanging a few words, Shen Xing'er's nervousness and shyness gradually disappeared, and she spoke normally again, reminiscing with Song Wenyang.

“That’s true. Everyone in the capital knows that the masters of the Ministry of Rites are lenient with their servants. So when will you be leaving the manor next time?” Song Wenyang knew that the two of them wouldn’t be able to talk for long, so he asked Xing’er about her next time leaving the manor.

"It should be around the Lantern Festival. The masters will grant permission for married servants to go home for the Lantern Festival. By the way, did you receive Uncle He's letter?" Shen Xing'er asked.

"I received it, I received it. Speaking of letters, I also asked someone from the escort agency to bring you a New Year's gift, otherwise I wouldn't have come all the way to your residence to find you." After saying that, Song Wenyang took out a small wooden box from his sleeve.

"What is this? It's not another hairpin, is it?" Shen Xing'er teased.

"Open it and take a look." Song Wenyang simply told her to open it and didn't say anything else.

Shen Xing'er slowly opened the exquisite box, and inside lay a bracelet, white and translucent, like a cat's eye bracelet from the Crimson World, bright and clear.

"It's so beautiful! Did you buy this in Jinling?" Shen Xing'er was overjoyed. The color suited her age perfectly and wasn't too flashy; it was exactly what she wanted.

“I bought a piece of material and polished it myself. Here, try it on.” After saying that, Song Wenyang picked up the bracelet and gestured for her to extend her wrist.

"You polished it yourself? That's amazing! I'll do it myself." Shen Xing'er took the bracelet from his hand and put it on without any pretense.

"Perfect! You're amazing!" Shen Xing'er praised.

Song Wenyang blushed, a rare occurrence for him, and asked, "Where's my purse...you haven't forgotten about it, have you..." His words sounded incredibly aggrieved.

"Well, it just doesn't look very good." Shen Xing'er was unusually coy as she slowly took out her purse.

"This...is really beautiful!" Song Wenyang exclaimed.

"I don't like it when you say things you don't mean, it's really ugly," Shen Xing'er said.

"No, it's just very pretty. Is the meaning behind Xing'er's embroidered stick that she wants me to protect myself? Don't worry, I will," Song Wenyang coaxed.

Strange, why is Xing'er's face dark again?

"Alright, you should go back quickly so as not to delay important matters," Shen Xing'er urged.

Song Wenyang wished time could stand still at this moment; he hadn't seen enough of Xing'er. However, he knew the difference between men and women, especially in the rule-bound mansion, so he could only reluctantly say goodbye.

"You go first, I'll watch you leave."

Shen Xing'er felt a little reluctant. A handsome guy from a privileged family, with no bad habits and only eyes for her, suddenly appeared at her workplace. Anyone would be tempted!

Forget about social hierarchy and the strict separation of men and women. As a modern person, I came to ancient times to keep a low profile and minimize my presence. Now that he doesn't look down on my background, what reason do I have to keep refusing?

All she wants now is to go back and make some plans for the man she loves.

Even if things don't work out in the future, she'll accept it. If you're young and don't go all out, when will you ever be?

"I'm leaving. Take care of yourself," Shen Xing'er said.

"Xing'er!" Song Wenyang suddenly called out just as Shen Xing'er pushed the door open to go out.

"what happened?"

"Do you miss me too? You have me in your heart, right?"

Looking into the other person's bright, expectant eyes, Shen Xing'er felt her heart melt completely.

He was a grown man, standing seven feet tall, looking at her like that. Shen Xing'er had no reason to refuse anymore, and she replied...

"I always dream of you. Tonight, as the fireworks light up the sky, I'll look up and say, 'I'm with you.'" With that, she didn't dare turn back, pushed open the door, and left. She was afraid that if she walked too slowly, she would fall for his deep, affectionate gaze.