High-class maid

"You don't need to panic. Now everyone knows that you have gained the favor of the Princess. Even without the Princess's connection, you would still be rewarded for being freed from slavery."

After the old lady finished speaking, she yawned wearily. Seeing this, the First Madam said...

“It’s all my daughter-in-law’s fault for disturbing my mother’s rest, so I’ll take them out.”

"Go, Danxue, take out the rewards I prepared and give them to them later."

As soon as the old lady finished speaking, a maid came up and took her arm to the inner room.

Shen Xing'er and Madam Wang knelt down respectfully in front of the old lady's back.

"This parting is now, and I don't know when we'll meet again. I hope you take good care of yourself, Madam. Xing'er takes her leave!"

For some reason, Shen Xing'er couldn't help but call out to the old lady's retreating figure. However, the old lady didn't turn around, but paused for a moment before saying...

Go well, take care.

Wang and Shen Xing'er helped each other up and followed the First Madam to the courtyard.

This courtyard is located between the inner and outer residences, making it convenient for servants and maids to come and go. Masters only summon their servants here to give instructions on important matters.

When they arrived in the courtyard, everyone stopped whispering and looked at Shen Kun's family with curiosity.

"The Shen family has served in the mansion for more than ten years. They have always been diligent and conscientious and have never made a mistake. No matter how hard or tiring it was, they never complained. Now that they have been appreciated by a noble person, the old lady is happy and has restored their commoner status."

After the First Madam finished speaking, she looked at everyone's reactions.

"It seems the rumors are true; they really have regained their freedom."

"Yes, they are lucky to have been appreciated by such a person. We should also go out more often and see if we can meet such a person."

“Do your job well. With Wang Shi gone, there will be an empty seat next to the First Madam.”

"Ahem, if you do your job well and bring honor to the household, the old lady is willing to give you face. But if you only know how to take shortcuts, then the master is not afraid of being talked about and will sell you all off!"

The First Madam spoke a mix of good and bad words, and everyone fell silent for a moment.

"In the future, do not do bad things outside the mansion under the guise of the Minister's mansion. Of course, if you are bullied, you must not swallow your anger."

The First Madam looked at everyone with satisfaction, then turned to Shen Kun's family with a smile.

"Yes." The family of three bowed respectfully again.

"I'll leave this to you." Seeing that her goal had been achieved, the First Madam wasted no more time. She nodded slightly to everyone and left.

"The old lady's reward is thirty taels of silver; the first lady's reward is four bolts of cloth; the second lady's reward is two brocade quilts; the eldest young lady's reward is a box of glass; and the second young lady's reward is two hairpins."

After Danxue loudly read out the rewards from her masters, she said...

"Someone will help you load these rewards onto the carriage later. After you finish handing over the remaining tasks for today, just leave the mansion before 5 PM."

After Danxue finished speaking, she returned to the old lady to report back.

As soon as Danxue left, the people who were on good terms with them surrounded her and asked what they were going to do next.

"Gentlemen, let's finish handing over our current tasks first, and then I'll say goodbye to you all in person later, shall we?" Shen Kun said.

Upon hearing this, everyone agreed that it made sense and took their leave.

Shen Xing'er returned to the maid's room where she had lived for more than a year, and was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

"Silly girl, why are you crying? It's not like we'll never see each other again." Seeing Shan Tao watching her wipe away tears, Shen Xing'er couldn't help but cry herself.

The two sisters hugged each other and cried inside the house.

"Alright, alright, stop crying. It's a good thing that Xing'er is free now. If you miss her in the future, you can always go to her house," Jinglin said as she came over to comfort her.

"Yes, I've made a fool of myself again. It's a good thing that Xing'er is leaving the manor, but you mustn't kick me out when I come to your house in the future."

"Mountain Peach said, her nose red."

"Look at this girl, she's already making fun of me before I've even left," Shen Xing'er teased.

The crowd burst into laughter, creating quite a lively atmosphere. No one would be foolish enough to provoke someone who had been appreciated by a powerful figure.

"Is Miss Xing'er here?" Just as everyone was joking around Shen Xing'er, an untimely voice came from outside the door.

"I'll go take a look," Jinglin said.

Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao exchanged a glance, both seeing the same question in each other's eyes. Why did that voice sound so familiar?

"What are you doing here, my lady?" Jinglin's voice was somewhat gloomy, and Shen Xing'er hurriedly went to the door to see.

It turned out that the visitor was none other than Qianying, the maid who had served the old lady alongside them.

Qianying hadn't left her courtyard for a long time, and now that she was being watched by several maids, she felt a little uncomfortable.

She nervously twirled the handkerchief around her hand and said, "I...I heard some good news today and came to congratulate Xing'er on leaving the manor. I...I've come at the wrong time."

As soon as Qianying said this, no one wanted to get involved in the mess, so everyone except Shantao and Jinglin made excuses to leave.

"You...you all despise me so much? You want to leave as soon as I arrive." Qianying wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said, watching their backs.

“My lady, there’s no need for that. I appreciate your kindness, but I still have some errands to run and I’m afraid I won’t have time to entertain you.”

Shen Xing'er was also somewhat displeased. Everyone was happy, so who were you crying for?

"Xing'er, do you also despise me? Do you also think I'm a joke?"

As if grasping at a straw, Qianying grabbed Shen Xing'er's hand and asked.

"Please have some self-respect, madam! We are just lowly maids. Anyone who doesn't know better would think we've bullied you." Shan Tao couldn't take it anymore and stepped forward to push Qian Ying's hand away.

"Shantao." Shen Xing'er tugged at her, signaling her to calm down.

I'm about to leave the manor, so I can offend Qianying, but Shantao will be working here for many more years, so it's better to be patient.

"Xing'er, I don't mean anything by this. I'm just congratulating you on escaping your suffering. This is a purse I'm giving you."

As she spoke, Qianying took out an exquisite purse from her sleeve and handed it to Shen Xing'er.

However, Shen Xing'er did not answer; she said...

“My lady, your words are strange. Whether you continue to serve or regain your freedom, it is all a blessing from your master. There is no such thing as a sea of ​​suffering. My lady, you should be careful with your words.”

"Yes, look at me, I haven't been out for so long that I've forgotten how to speak. Xing'er, I really have no other choice."

As she spoke, Qianying wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and began to cry.

"If my wife has been wronged, she can go to the madam. We are not as high-ranking as her, how can we stand up for her?"

Jinglin couldn't hold back any longer and gave them the order to leave.

"I...I...Xing'er, I know you're different in front of the old lady. Could you put in a good word for me and ask the young master to come to my room more often?"

Seeing that Shan Tao was pushing her out, Qian Ying panicked and actually shouted at the door.