High-class maid

Xiao Luosheng, who was outside the door, had already gone elsewhere to arrange other tasks, leaving only an eight or nine-year-old maidservant waiting for Shen Xing'er outside the door.

"Sister, is everything ready? Let's go then." The young maidservant asked hurriedly with a smile when she saw her come out, as if she hadn't been the one who had just dozed off.

"Let's go, I'll trouble you to wait for me outside." Shen Xing'er turned around and locked the storeroom door. She didn't care how Song Wenyang came out; she just wanted to make sure her act was convincing.

Through the dimly lit window paper, Song Wenyang watched Shen Xing'er slowly walk back, holding the purse that Shen Xing'er had given him in his hands as if it were some rare treasure.

"She said she always dreams about me, doesn't that mean she misses me?"

"She's going to watch the fireworks with me. Even though she can't be by my side, at least we're watching the same fireworks!"

Back at the banquet, Song Wenyang was absent-minded, his mind still replaying Shen Xing'er's voice and smile. The Second Prince called him several times, but he didn't hear him.

"Brother Song, it seems to be going very smoothly!" the Second Prince joked.

"No, no, come on, let's drink! We won't leave until we're drunk tonight!" Song Wenyang put aside his thoughts and settled down to drink with the others.

The young masters who are visiting Young Master Xiao's house tonight are all either rich or noble. He has been away from the capital for many years and has missed many opportunities to make friends. Now that he has the chance, he must seize it!

"Xing'er, don't worry, I will definitely become strong, strong enough that no one can stop me from marrying you and making you my legal wife."

Shen Xing'er, who was standing to the side, was also stunned in the room, holding the scissors.

Shan Tao waved her hand in front of Shen Xing'er and teased, "Xing'er, what's wrong with you? Did you go crazy after going out for a while?"

"Could it be that you've been blinded by the wealth of the mansion? Is there a lot of fabric in the storeroom?" Jinglin teased.

"There was a lot of fabric in the warehouse. I was stunned. Just from receiving gifts, we received so much fabric."

Shen Xing'er was right. She knew that the Minister's Mansion was wealthy, but she did not know that it was this wealthy. The amount of fabric alone filled an entire room.

The maids didn't ask too many questions; they followed Shen Xing'er's lead and began to talk about the mansion's wealth.

"Now that I've accepted his feelings, I must work hard. At the very least, I'm no longer worthy of him as a maid," Shen Xing'er thought to herself as she cut paper snowflakes.

Song Wenyang had never minded her status, but could she just let herself become decadent? She would change herself step by step, and she had to be worthy of him and become his legal wife!

Dating without the intention of marriage is just playing around!

Just as the maids were laughing and joking inside the house, someone outside the courtyard shouted, "Dinner's ready!" Everyone put down their scissors or needles and thread, and walked towards the kitchen in twos and threes.

"Wow, it's so warm inside."

"That's right, look, there are three charcoal braziers!"

"What is this? It's so pretty and golden."

"I know, I know, we ate it in Yongchang Prefecture, they said it was...oranges!"

The maids chattered away, but that didn't slow them down. Eight maids sat at each table, and the maids from each courtyard filled six tables, except for the head maid who was not present in front of her master.

Everyone drank and ate, creating quite a lively atmosphere. After the meal, the masters even hired a variety show for them to enjoy.

"Wow, he can actually breathe fire!" Yamamomo exclaimed in surprise.

“Isn’t that right? This is much more impressive than what we see on the street,” Shen Xing’er agreed.

"The manor is really generous; this must have cost several taels of silver!" Shan Tao exclaimed in amazement.

Shen Xing'er was also shocked by the mansion's generosity. The Minister's mansion was known for its lenient treatment of its servants, but no matter how good it was... she no longer felt attached to it, because someone else had appeared who she would miss even more.

After the acrobatic performance ended and the performers left, the firecrackers and fireworks went off all at once, as if by prior arrangement.

People from both the outer courtyard and the inner courtyard all came outside to admire the magnificent fireworks.

"Xing'er, I'm watching fireworks, are you watching too?"

"Song Wenyang, I'm with you, and you're thinking of me too, aren't you?"

As the firecrackers and fireworks stopped, the new year gradually began.

After the second day of the Lunar New Year, Xiao Jiuchuan attended the tea banquet in the palace, and the New Year was considered to be more than halfway over.

"My lord, I heard that the young master of the Xiao family hosted a banquet that day, and Wen Yang was also there. Wasn't he in Jinling? When did he return? Why didn't he come back to our residence?"

At the Song residence, the masters were having dinner when Lin Shi, whether intentionally or unintentionally, brought up Song Wenyang.

Song Yanjiang paused in his eating, glanced up at his mother, and seeing that she didn't seem too upset, relaxed. He then scolded Lin Shi.

"No one will think you are mute if you don't speak!"

“Mother, look at Master, he scolds his daughter-in-law even during the New Year. Is it wrong for a daughter-in-law to care about Wen Yang? If she didn’t care, others would gossip about her.” Madam Lin muttered.

She deliberately chose today to say it, so that everyone would feel uncomfortable! Your eldest son doesn't even have the most basic filial piety!

"Alright, who told you this? Wen Yang hasn't been in the capital for the past few years, could it be that someone else has mistaken him for someone else?" Old Madam Song reluctantly replied.

Of course, Lin couldn't say that her informant had told her; she spoke with feigned sincerity.

“Mother, you’ve forgotten that your daughter-in-law’s nephew is a scholar who has passed the imperial examinations at a young age. He was invited to Young Master Xiao’s banquet. It’s one thing for others to make a mistake, but your daughter-in-law’s nephew can’t make a mistake, can he?”

She then added, "It wasn't that child who specifically told me; it was only after he sent a visiting card today, wanting to discuss his studies with Wen Yang, that my daughter-in-law found out."

"Oh? Did you know about this?" Old Mrs. Song asked, looking at Song Yanjiang.

Lin's ulterior motives had already been exposed to everyone. She looked at Song Yanjiang triumphantly, wanting to see him get furious.

"Yes, Mother, I know. It's just that Wen Yang is unwell and was afraid of infecting you, so he didn't return home."

The expected outburst of rage did not occur; Song Yanjiang actually took the blame for him!

"This...how is this possible!" Madam Lin wanted to argue, but was pulled back by the nanny behind her. She sat down unwillingly and stopped talking.

“This child, even if he’s unwell, he should go home. How can he take care of himself by himself? We should bring him back home quickly. I miss my dear grandson so much,” said Old Madam Song.

Madam Lin pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "Think about it, all you care about is your precious grandson! Who would think of my son?"

"Yes, I will send someone to bring Wen Yang back to the manor. It is truly my fault for causing Mother such worry."

Despite saying that, Song Yanjiang glared at Lin.

Lin was not afraid and glared back with wide eyes.

Seeing that his father dared to glare at his mother, Song Wenheng was not to be outdone and glared back with his hand supporting his eyes!

Seeing that this mother and son, who were only three-minded combined, Song Yanjiang felt a tightness in his chest and felt like he was going to vomit blood!