High-class maid

This is the gold peony amber hairpin that Zhou Mama gave me last time when I took care of her while she was sick. I gave the doctor a purse on her behalf.

This is a silver ring inlaid with coral and turquoise that I got for running errands for my sister Danxue.

Shen Xing'er took out the rewards she had received. Although she was just a little maid in the tea room, she had received these few pieces of jewelry, all of which could not be bought outside. This showed how popular it was to serve by the old lady's side.

No wonder people say, "It's better to marry a maid from a wealthy family than a girl from a poor one." Women from prominent families are incomparable to ordinary women.

Madam Wang looked at Shen Xing'er with affection, patted her hair and said, "Good child, keep these things for yourself. This afternoon, we'll go to the street and buy you a jewelry box. You can take it with you as part of your dowry when you get married."

"Mother, what are you saying? I've never thought about getting married. I'm still young and want to stay with you for a few more days."

"Alright, stop joking. You can put it away now. I was in such a rush that I forgot to buy vegetables and meat. Go buy them. I'll go knead the dough." After saying that, Wang got up and went to the kitchen to knead the dough.

As it got hotter and hotter, Shen Xing'er hurried to the street. Just as she went out, she saw Wu Xiucai pushing his mother back from the street.

Although Wu Xiucai's family was extremely poor, he remained as gentle and refined as ever. If it weren't for his old clothes, he would have looked like a young master from a wealthy family.

Shen Xing'er, although only twelve years old, always had very good food at the Minister's residence. Since moving to the tea room, she has had an even greater supply of delicious food, so she has grown taller than her peers and looks like she is fourteen or fifteen years old.

Out of politeness, Shen Xing'er smiled at Wu Xiucai, the two nodded to each other, and then went their separate ways.

In the afternoon, Shen Xing'er's father, Shen Kun, also returned, and the family of three had a rare opportunity to be together.

Mrs. Wang suggested that they go shopping together and buy a jewelry box for her daughter.

"Alright, let's go to Chang'an Street. Linglong Pavilion's jewelry is always excellent." Shen Kun waved his hand and said with great enthusiasm.

“Alright, let’s get dressed up and head out,” Wang said.

The mother and daughter changed into the clothes they had bought during their last vacation, and each brought new jewelry. Shen Xing'er also wore the pair of earrings, which made her look even more beautiful.

The family of three strolled leisurely down Chang'an Street and headed straight for Linglong Pavilion. As soon as they entered, a quick-witted waiter ran over. Seeing that the family's clothes and appearance didn't suggest poverty, he warmly inquired...

"Please come in, gentlemen. Are you looking to buy jewelry or toiletries? We have everything here."

“We’d like to see the jewelry box,” Wang said with a smile.

"Alright, the jewelry boxes are all in this cabinet. Please follow me, all three of you." The waiter led the way enthusiastically.

After a long search, the family of three finally settled on a wooden jewelry box. It was decorated with exquisite begonia flowers, and the top of the box was made of white jade. It was a double-layered jewelry box.

"How much is this jewelry box?" Shen Xing'er asked.

"Miss, this isn't expensive, it only costs ten taels of silver," the waiter said.

Shen Xing'er was surprised, but it was also expected. She was about to look at other things when Shen Kun said, "Let's take this one and put it away."

Seeing Shen Kun's generosity, the waiter happily said, "Sir, we have a few jewelry boxes that have just been delivered. Why don't you buy one for Madam as well? It'll be guaranteed to be one of a kind."

Wang felt bad about wasting the money and said, "Never mind."

Shen Kun said, "It's rare for me to spend time with you all today. It's been so many years since the three of us have come out together. You've been with me for so many years, and I've never given you a gift."

Upon hearing this, the waiter quickly and cleverly brought out several jewelry boxes. In the end, Wang chose a pillow jewelry box, which could be used as a pillow and also opened up to reveal a box when pulled out from the side.

After Shen Kun paid, the family of three went out. Wang said, "It breaks my heart. I spent more than ten taels of silver on two dressing boxes. If you ask me, I should have just bought them for Xing'er. I'm old, what more do I need?"

"Alright, let's eat at the restaurant tonight. I'm going to Jiangnan tomorrow, so I won't have time to keep you company. Let's have fun today," Shen Kun said.

"Father, aren't we leaving in a few days? Why are we leaving tomorrow?" Shen Xing'er asked in confusion.

"The master wants to open several branches in Jiangnan. People in Jiangnan have selected several locations for the shops. I need to go and see which ones are suitable and try to open the shops before the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Wang said, "Then let's go eat quickly, and after we finish eating, let's go home and I'll pack your luggage."

In the end, they couldn't persuade Wang Shi to go to a noodle shop for dinner. Shen Kun originally suggested going to a restaurant, but Wang Shi thought they had spent too much money today and said they would go to a restaurant when Shen Kun returned from Jiangnan.

When they arrived at the noodle shop, Shen Xing'er asked, "Dad, you said you'd inquire if there were any people with the surname Song around here. Did you inquire? Why is the umbrella still at our house?"

“I inquired, I inquired, and they said there’s a family surnamed Song in the south of the city, the residence of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. However, they don’t have a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy like you mentioned. His son is the right age, but I heard he’s not in the capital,” Shen Kun said.

"Oh? Why not in the capital? Apart from the Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, are there any other people with the surname Song?" Madam Wang asked in confusion.

"Yes, I heard that Lord Song's first wife passed away, and he remarried. This wife gave birth to a son in the first year of their marriage, and the following year, his first wife's son was sent to Jinling."

"Oh." Madam Wang understood. They all lived in large families and knew what it meant.

"This young master is truly pitiful. It's true what they say, having a stepmother means having a stepfather," Shen Xing'er said with a sigh.

"That's right. They said he was unwell and went to Jinling to recuperate, but who knows he was actually sent away? They're taking advantage of the fact that his maternal grandfather's family isn't in the capital. No matter how good Jinling is, it can't compare to the capital."

“But she said his name is Song Wenyang. Who else could it be but him?” Shen Xing’er was also puzzled.

"Alright, Xing'er, we'll meet again if fate allows. When he needs help, we'll do everything we can to help him," Wang said, patting her daughter's hand reassuringly.

Shen Xing'er thought to herself, "Could this be another character who's pretending to be weak while actually being strong?" She had only seen the Song family a few times in the original book, and she had heard that after Lord Song died, his eldest son did not take over his father's position.

Instead, his favored second son took over his father's position, while he himself went by an alias and rose from a prefectural judge to a Grand Secretary. After that, his half-brother had to rely on him for a living.

Could this future Grand Academician be Song Wenyang, who was sent to Jinling by his stepmother?

Without having time to think too much, the family of three strolled home.