High-class maid

"What are you laughing at?" Song Wenheng was startled by his laughter. Was this guy crazy?

"What am I laughing at? I'm laughing at your stupidity, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing." Song Wenyang didn't want to see him, so he waved his hand at the guard, who then dragged Song Wenheng, whose head was swollen like a pig's head, back to Lingshan Temple.

Seeing the guards coming and going freely in his mansion, Song Yanjiang's anger intensified, and he felt like he was about to faint again.

Since his mother and Lady Lin were ordered to commit suicide, Song Yanjiang's health deteriorated day by day. He felt sorry for Yue'er, sometimes he felt sorry for Song Wenheng, and sometimes he felt that Lady Lin's stubbornness was wrong. He spent his time in self-blame, and his health continued to decline.

"Go and call Aunt Sun here," Song Wenyang instructed the maid at the door.

The little maid was already sweating profusely from fright. She ran to Aunt Sun's courtyard as if she had been granted a pardon.

Before long, Aunt Sun came running over. She glanced at Song Wenyang out of the corner of her eye, and seeing that he was unharmed, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Then she looked at Song Yanjiang, who was clutching his chest.

"Master, what's wrong with you? Quickly, summon the royal physician!" Concubine Sun anxiously instructed the nanny behind her.

"My father's old illness has relapsed. I'll trouble Aunt Sun to take good care of him. I have other appointments to attend to, so I won't be in your way any longer." With that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Aunt Sun and strode away.

The chaos at the Song residence was none of his concern; he needed to return to his small courtyard to sort through Uncle He's belongings.

"Your Majesty, the eldest son of the Song family appeared at the Song residence today. Not long after, his two guards brought the second son of the Song family to the Song residence as well. After an incense stick's time, the second son of the Song family was also taken away by the two guards. This servant saw that he seemed to have been beaten."

The bodyguard said in a low voice.

The Emperor paused in reading the memorial and asked...

"Is the eldest son of the Song family injured?"

"Your Majesty, this servant did not see it."

"That's good, you can go now."

"Yes, shouldn't we send someone to follow him?" the guard asked.

The Emperor recalled Song Wenyang's words, telling him not to send anyone to follow them, and a doting smile appeared on his face. Then, remembering that the secret guards were still waiting for his reply, he coughed lightly and said...

"No need. Just be more careful when you see him in the future."

"Yes." The guard clasped his hands in a salute and then withdrew.

The Emperor, however, was preoccupied with the guard's words and couldn't concentrate on the memorials. Had Song Wenheng offended him? Otherwise, why would Yang'er have hit him?

He then recalled the rumors circulating in the capital that Song Wenyang was arrogant and that after topping the list of successful candidates, he could not be found. Could it be that he had gone to handle some matters?

Meanwhile, Song Wenyang had just stepped out of the Song residence when he was stopped by Wu Xunzhi, who had been waiting outside.

"Brother Song! I've finally waited for you! Congratulations on becoming the top scorer! Do you have some free time right now? Shall we meet at the teahouse?" Wu Xunzhi excitedly stepped forward, but reason told him that this was not the time to discuss cheating.

Song Wenyang glanced at Wu Xunzhi and almost didn't recognize him. He had a stubble beard, messy hair, and was still wearing the same clothes he had worn when he left the examination hall. Was he also dealing with people who came to curry favor with him?

"Brother Wu, you passed the exam too, didn't you? I wonder what rank you got? I only glanced at my name that day and didn't have time to see you, Brother Wu," Song Wenyang said in greeting.

To everyone's surprise, Wu Xunzhi, a grown man, actually had tears in his eyes, and he stammered...

"I...I didn't get it."

"What?" Song Wenyang was truly shocked. He had read Wu Xunzhi's article. While it might not be number one, it was definitely in the top ten. How come it didn't even make the list?

"Brother Wu, you've misunderstood. With your talent, how could you not even be on the list?"

“This is not the place to talk. If Brother Song doesn’t mind wasting your time, why don’t we go to a teahouse for a chat?” Wu Xunzhi said with a wry smile.

“Okay.” Song Wenyang agreed without hesitation.

Wu Xunzhi was one of the few friends he had after his rebirth, besides the Second Prince. He was a man of outstanding talent and impeccable character. If he befriended him now, they could support each other in their future careers in the government.

In his previous life, his official position was almost the same as his own, but in this life, everything is different.

The two arrived at the teahouse, ordered a private room, and waited for the waiter to serve tea and snacks before Song Wenyang asked...

"Brother Wu, do you want me to help you?"

Wu Xunzhi smiled wryly and said, "I know this matter is trouble for you, but I only know you. Even if Brother Song doesn't want to get involved, if you ever get a position in the future, don't forget to help me seek justice. I am willing to repay you with my life."

As he spoke, he actually stood up and was about to kneel down before Song Wenyang.

How could Song Wenyang accept his courtesy? He hurriedly stood up to stop Wu Xunzhi and then said to him...

“Cheating in the imperial examinations is no small matter. Here’s what I’m going to do: write down the article from that time and give it to me. I will then hand it over to the person in charge of this matter. During this time, you must not spread it around and make sure you don’t give yourself away.”

Song Wenyang said.

“But you don’t hold any official position yet. Will dealing with this matter now cause you trouble?” While Wu Xunzhi was happy, he was more worried. If he wanted to seek justice for someone like Song, whose future was uncertain, and thus jeopardize Song’s future, it would be a loss.

"It's alright, that person is my good friend, you can give it to me without worry, but you may have to wait a while." Song Wenyang reassured him.

"Okay, okay, I understand. I'll go back and write it right away," Wu Xunzhi said excitedly.

"After you finish writing, go to the fourth house in the third alley of Shangqiao Street and find me. I'm not at the Song residence." Song Wenyang told him the address of the courtyard.

"Yes." Wu Xunzhi wisely didn't ask him why. The two parted ways at the entrance of the teahouse, and Song Wenyang rode back to the courtyard.

"Xing'er, Pang Bo has found a few shops. Let's go take a look on the street," Shen Kun said after lunch.

He can't wait a moment longer. Now that the New Year has just passed, he should open the shop as soon as possible, preferably in the first half of the year, and start making money in the second half.

“Okay, I also need to go to Sister Gao’s shop.” Shen Xing’er said as she went back into the house to get flower patterns.

"Shantao hasn't taken her vacation yet, why are you going to Sister Gao's shop?" Wang asked.

She knew Sister Gao well; her daughter and Shan Tao's stable income came from selling her. Wang had also accompanied Shen Xing'er to her shop a few times and admired this straightforward female shopkeeper.

“The customer who bought the veil last time took a liking to my daughter’s design and wanted to buy a few handkerchiefs with the same pattern. If it weren’t for Uncle He’s matter, my daughter would have delivered them to Sister Gao a few days ago.” Shen Xing’er’s voice lowered a few decibels when she mentioned Uncle He.

“Okay, let’s go to Sister Gao’s shop first, so the customers don’t have to wait,” Wang said.

So the family of three drove their carriage slowly toward Chang'an Street.

“Sister Gao’s shop is in a good location, not too big or too small, perfect for selling embroidery,” Shen Kun said.

As soon as they entered Chang'an Street, they saw Sister Gao's shop. Sister Gao has a stable income because her prices are fair and her location is good.