High-class maid

"I...I couldn't sleep, so I went out for a walk. Mother, why are you up?" As Shen Xing'er spoke, she stuffed her purse into her sleeve.

"Really? I was woken up by your father's snoring. I went to your door and saw it was half-open, so I realized you weren't inside." After saying this, Wang looked at Shen Xing'er with a puzzled expression and asked...

"Are you really alright? You didn't just get home, did you?"

"Mother, what nonsense are you talking about? I took a walk for a while and now I feel very sleepy. I'm going to sleep!" After saying that, Shen Xing'er fled back into the house and locked the door behind her.

Wang shook her head helplessly. She always felt that Xing'er had her own little secret now. Oh well, the child has grown up, and she could only observe her secretly.

It wasn't until the next day that Shen Xing'er dared to open the purse Song Wenyang had given her. Inside, she found several silver notes, which explained why she felt so light.

"He... gave me all his wealth?" Shen Xing'er looked helplessly at the silver notes on the table and chuckled.

Then she removed the bricks under the bed, revealing a small space. She took out a box from the crack between the bricks, which contained her savings and some valuable jewelry.

"You can stay here for now. I'll let you out when your master returns," Shen Xing'er muttered to herself, looking at the silver notes.

Just as she put the box back, Wang's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Xing'er, wake up, we're going back to the manor today."

Shen Xing'er hurriedly dressed and, together with Wang Shi and Shen Kun, drove back to the Minister's residence in a carriage.

"Xing'er, you're back! Hurry back to the inner courtyard, there's a happy occasion for you two today!" The old woman at the gate was still cracking melon seeds, her face still showing signs of age, but she perked up instantly when she saw the mother and daughter.

"A happy occasion? Us? Old sister is just teasing us, mother and daughter!" Wang laughed and patted the old woman, not taking it seriously.

"Oh my, everyone in our household knows about this. Xing'er is truly blessed! When good things come your way, remember to think of the people in our household!" The old woman waved her handkerchief, still smiling broadly.

Seeing that she didn't seem to be joking, Madam Wang smiled a few times and then pulled Shen Xing'er back to the inner courtyard.

Along the way, people in the mansion turned their heads to look at them, and some who were familiar with them greeted them with smiles, saying a few words whether they had something to say or not.

"Mother, why did that old woman say I have great fortune? What's wrong with me?"

Shen Xing'er didn't even consider the possibility of being freed from slavery, because the Princess was so busy with state affairs, how could she possibly accomplish this so quickly? But she was wrong this time; the Princess was indeed that fast.

"I don't know. If any maids or servants congratulate you, you must not be blindly happy. If anything happens, send someone to find me in Madam's courtyard!" After instructing Shen Xing'er, Madam Wang prepared to return to Madam's courtyard.

"Xing'er! Granny Wang, come here. Madam is waiting for you in the old lady's courtyard." Danxue called out to Wang Shi, who had turned around, and said with a smile.

"Good sister, everyone is acting strangely today. Do you know what's wrong?" Shen Xing'er asked Dan Xue, leaning closer to her in confusion.

The sudden enthusiasm of everyone in the manor made her feel a little overwhelmed, but she only calmed down after meeting Danxue.

"You will be free from now on. Be careful of your words and actions outside the mansion, and don't forget that you come from the Minister's mansion," Danxue said with a smile.

She had a good impression of Shen Xing'er from the beginning, thinking that the girl was sincere and clever. Now that she had gained the favor of the royal family, Danxue found her even more pleasing to the eye.

"Sister, are you saying we're going to be freed from our slave status?" Shen Xing'er suddenly remembered this matter, and with that, the attitude of everyone in the mansion would be acceptable.

Danxue smiled and nodded. The three of them walked a few more steps and arrived at the hall in the old lady's courtyard.

"This old servant greets the First Madam and the Old Madam." Madam Wang and Shen Xing'er gave their masters a deep bow, then stood respectfully to the side.

"Get up quickly, don't worry about these formalities, sit down," the old lady said, pointing to the two round stools that had been set out beforehand.

Wang glanced at the First Madam but dared not make any rash moves until the First Madam smiled and nodded at her, at which point she sat down.

“Yesterday, the Princess came to our residence, and I learned that Xing’er was so lucky to have gained the Princess’s favor. I am happy to do her a favor. Here is your family’s indenture. Please accept it.”

After the old lady finished speaking, Danxue carried a plate to Wang Shi, on which were three indentures.

"This..." Wang's eyes instantly reddened. She was both excited and uneasy. The master-servant mentality had been ingrained in her mind for many years. If she accepted this contract, she would be free in the future!

"What's wrong? Are you so happy you've gone mad? Hurry up and put it away."

Seeing her behavior, the First Madam felt much better. It seemed that Wang Shi was unaware that she had been freed from slavery. That was good, as long as she hadn't been tricked.

"Yes." Wang was so happy she was practically mad. Thinking about it in her mind was one thing, but actually facing it was another.

"Even if you leave the manor, you'll still be considered members of the Minister's household. If anyone bullies you, just mention our manor's name! Of course, you're not allowed to abuse your power," the old lady said, combining kindness and authority.

"Yes, this old servant will remember the old lady's teachings and will certainly not disgrace the Minister's mansion," said Madam Wang, rising and bowing slightly.

"Alright, alright, stop calling me 'old servant.' Do you have any plans for leaving the manor in the future?"

The old lady was asking Shen Xing'er this question. She always felt that if this girl were a man, she would definitely be able to accomplish great things.

"Grandma, I don't know yet. Are we leaving today?" Shen Xing'er asked in confusion.

"This girl!" The old lady and the first wife covered their mouths and laughed, impressed by the girl's honesty.

"What? Don't you want to stay in the manor anymore? You can't wait to go out?" the First Madam teased.

"No, no, I just didn't know we were leaving the manor. There are so many things I haven't packed yet. The old lady's shoes and socks are still at the laundry room, I haven't given Shan Tao her things yet, and there are still things I brought for Sister Jing Lin..."

As Shen Xing'er spoke, her eyes welled up with tears. She realized that she had unknowingly become so deeply connected with the manor.

Wang also wiped away her tears.

The sincerity of the mother and daughter brought tears to the eyes of the maids inside the room.

"Alright, alright, this is a joyous occasion, why are you crying? Quickly wipe your faces, we'll be rewarding you in front of everyone later!"

Seeing that everyone was somewhat saddened, the First Madam quickly tried to smooth things over.

"No need, no need. It's already a pity that I can no longer serve my masters. Why would I trouble them to give me such a grand reward?"

Wang panicked upon hearing this. She wasn't ready to leave yet. Her masters had always treated her well, and now that she was safe and sound and had regained her freedom, how could she possibly ask for more rewards?