High-class maid

"Look at this, it's not even close to happening yet, and you're already protecting her? That's impossible!"

When Madam Qin saw that her usually well-behaved son was scolding a woman she had only met once, she immediately felt that this woman should not be allowed to enter her Shen family.

As the saying goes, "Once you marry a wife, you forget your mother." What if the two of them get along well and forget about their mother? It's better to find a girl from a respectable family who is also a bit dull.

Shen Juyi had no idea that his simple act of standing up for someone had caused his mother so much trouble. Seeing that he couldn't reason with her, he took his books and went to study.

"Father, Mother, I'll go to Sister Gao's shop first. I imagine she's very anxious right now. I'll tell her the results first so she can feel at ease," Shen Xing'er said as she left the restaurant.

“Alright, your father and I will take you there,” Wang said.

"No need, you should go home and get the money. It would be best if you could get the land deed and such today." Shen Xing'er waved her hand and declined. In broad daylight, and in the capital, she felt safe.

"Alright then, your father and I will be back in a little while. You wait for us in the shop and behave yourself, don't run around," Wang said, turning her head to instruct.

"Okay!" Shen Xing'er shook her head, both amused and helpless. Her mother still treated her like a child.

Originally, Wang was going to go to Sister Gao's shop with Shen Xing'er, but Shen Kun didn't know where the money was kept at home, and Wang was unwilling to tell him. So, the two of them had no choice but to go home together to get it.

"Husband, I think the young master of the Shen family is very handsome and talented. He is a scholar at such a young age. It would be wonderful if he could become our son-in-law," Wang suggested.

“Although we are now of good status, everyone knows that we used to be servants in the Minister’s mansion. How do you know that people won’t look down on us?” Shen Kun said.

"I don't think so. Although we were servants, we were proper servants and never did anything shameful. Besides, I don't think that Qin is a pedantic person," Wang said.

“You’ve met far more people than I have. This Qin woman is a smiling tiger. Although she’s very enthusiastic towards us on the surface, her eyes are sizing us up, and she doesn’t want to talk to us much. She’s clearly bothered by our status.”

Shen Kun immediately pointed out the problem.

"Really?" Wang was somewhat skeptical, but her husband wouldn't lie to her, so she hesitated.

“Isn’t Yuwen our neighbor? I think he’s family-oriented and good at making money. The Han family is also open-minded, and the two families live close by. He’s a good choice,” Shen Kun asked.

“But they only have the mother and son left in their family, unlike the Shen family, who still have the help of their clan. Besides, this young master Shen is now a semi-official. It would be better for our Xing’er to marry him than to marry young master Liang.”

Wang put the silver into her purse and talked as she walked.

“No, scholars are always proud and aloof. The Shen family is not a good choice. It would be better to find a family of equal social standing, so our daughter won’t be wronged.”

Shen Kun refused without hesitation. He followed behind Wang Shi, locking the door as he spoke.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. We're about to start arguing over it, and maybe Xing'er won't want to marry either of us!" Madam Wang teased, not wanting to argue about it.

Shen Kun nodded, unwilling to say more about the matter. For some reason, the thought of his daughter getting married made him unhappy.

Shen Xing'er returned to the shop, where Sister Gao was anxiously waiting for her. If Xing'er could take over the shop, she wouldn't have to wait any longer. Therefore, Sister Gao was extremely anxious.

"Xing'er, you're here. How are you?"

When Sister Gao saw Shen Xing'er return, she happily went to greet her, but when she saw that her parents were not with her, she was somewhat disappointed. Could it be that Xing'er's parents did not like this location?

"Sister Gao, it's done!" Shen Xing'er reassured Sister Gao first, then said...

"My parents have gone home to get the money. It's best to get this done today to avoid any unforeseen complications."

"I never imagined your parents would spoil you so much. I thought this matter was hopeless!" Seeing that the die was cast, Sister Gao felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders and started joking with Shen Xing'er.

“My parents have always been supportive of me,” Shen Xing’er said with a smile.

"Since we have some free time now, I'll share my experience in running the shop with you, as well as how to raise prices and what kind of embroiderers you shouldn't hire," Sister Gao said, bringing over two stools.

If things go smoothly this afternoon, she will set off for Jinling tonight, so she is making the most of the limited time to pass on her experience to Shen Xing'er.

"Thank you so much, Sister Gao. I'm all ears. By the way, do you have paper and pen?" Shen Xing'er asked excitedly, wanting to write it down.

"No need, I won't say much. I'm just glad you don't find me troublesome. You can figure it out yourself when you open your shop. I'm sure you'll have more experience than I do," Sister Gao said with a smile.

So Shen Xing'er suppressed her excitement and sat up straight to listen to her speak.

When Sister Gao had finished teaching, Wang and Shen Kun arrived at the shop.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Sister Gao took the land deeds and other documents and followed Shen Kun to the government office.

Wang Shi and Shen Xing'er were left staring blankly into the room.

"This shop will be mine from now on? I'm going to be the boss?" Shen Xing'er asked in disbelief, her eyes glazed over.

"Yes, your parents will have to rely on you to support them from now on!" Madam Wang patted Shen Xing'er's shoulder, looking as if she shared both honor and disgrace.

The mother and daughter smiled at each other, then rolled up their sleeves and started cleaning.

Before they knew it, it was already late afternoon when Shen Kun and Sister Gao finally returned. Sister Gao watched Shen Xing'er carefully wiping the shelf, and then saw Wang Shi touching and looking at it with curiosity. She felt at ease.

"I'm very relieved to be handing the shop over to you. I believe you will manage it well. We'll meet again someday, no matter where we are. I'm leaving now!"

"Sister Gao! Take care on your journey!" Shen Xing'er put down the rag in her hand and said goodbye to her.

Sister Gao smiled slightly at her, turned around, shouldered her bundle, and walked away without looking back.

Shen Kun gave her 380 taels of silver. The extra 20 taels was not just silver, but also the warmth he brought her, which warmed her heart, which had grown colder over the past few days.

Sister, I'm here!

"Here's the land deed and other documents. Xing'er, keep them safe." Shen Kun took out the land deed from his sleeve, which still had some damp seals on it.

"Father, why should I leave this? Give it to Mother." Shen Xing'er waved her hands repeatedly.

“If your father gives it to you, just take it. You can take it with you as part of your dowry later,” Wang Shi advised.

My husband is right. Rather than finding our daughter a husband from a family that looks down on us, it's better to find someone of equal social standing. Anyway, we're not short of money, and our daughter won't suffer any mistreatment.

Shen Xing'er was unaware of her parents' thoughts; she was still immersed in the joy of opening her shop and full of anticipation for the future.