High-class maid

Chapter 303 The Three-Courtyard Residence

Shen Kun knew very well that a large part of the reason they received so many congratulatory gifts was because Song Wenyang was present today.

But precisely because of Song Wenyang, I must not hold him back. I will not accept any congratulatory gifts from strangers! Otherwise, what if I give them something to talk about in the future?

The next day, just as dawn was breaking.

"I need to go to the shop early today. The pickled vegetables from yesterday are all sold out. I need to check if there's anything I missed," Wang said to Shen Kun.

Even though the shop had hired an accountant, Wang Shi still wouldn't feel at ease and insisted on personally overseeing things.

"What about the courtyard in the east of the city? Nanshan Hall just received a new batch of medicinal herbs, but someone inside is actually passing off inferior products as superior ones. I need to go and see what's going on."

Shen Kun asked.

Someone delivered a message to him yesterday, saying that there was a problem with this batch of medicinal herbs, but Shen Kun was too busy yesterday and couldn't get away, so it was delayed until today.

"What? Using inferior goods to pass off as superior ones? Who is so audacious?" Wang asked in astonishment.

"This is the first time I've stocked up on medicinal herbs since I took over Nanshan Hall. I suppose someone is trying to take advantage of my past ignorance and cut corners," Shen Kun said with a sneer.

I don't know if this person is stupid or smart. Although I don't know anything about medicinal herbs, I have been working for the Minister's Mansion for more than ten years. I have the ability to find out who among my subordinates is disloyal.

“Then you should be careful in your work. Why don’t you leave the courtyard to Xing’er? She spends all her time in the shop doing fancy things, and yesterday she even complained of a sore neck,” Wang suggested.

According to Wang's own thoughts, she had long wanted Xing'er to buy a maid who could paint, and then teach her to draw flower patterns, so that Xing'er could have an easier time.

But Xing'er insisted that drawing didn't require any talent, so there was nothing that could be done but let her continue drawing.

However, Madam Wang set rules for Xing'er, allowing her to paint for only two hours a day. Even so, Shen Xing'er's neck still hurt terribly.

After discussing with Shen Kun and Wang Shi, Shen Xing'er was honored to receive this task: to take the house deeds and land deeds to the house at the address.

By the time she leisurely finished her breakfast and prepared to leave, it was almost noon.

"Xing'er! Why didn't you go to the shop today? I went to both shops, but I didn't see you. Were you too tired yesterday?" Song Wenyang's voice came from outside the door.

Fortunately, Shen Xing'er left late, otherwise the two of them would have gone to the wrong place again.

"Wen Yang, I was just wondering how to visit you. How is your wound? Why are you out again today? Why don't you stay home and rest?"

Although Shen Xing'er was pleasantly surprised, she was still more worried about Song Wenyang's wound.

"It's alright, look, everything's fine."

As Song Wenyang spoke, he raised his injured arm and spun it around.

"Then we must take good care of it. My parents are both busy today. Yesterday, my great-grandfather gave me a courtyard house in the east of the city. My parents asked me to go and check it out and see if there is anything that needs to be repaired."

Shen Xing'er shook the bag on her shoulder and said that she didn't feel embarrassed that her yard was a gift from someone else. She always liked to be honest with Song Wenyang.

"I'll go with you; I've got nothing to do at home anyway."

"Is there nothing going on in court? Official business is more important," Shen Xing'er asked.

Whose top scholar spends all day idly at home?

"It's nothing. His Majesty would love for me to rest and recuperate. Let's go."

As Song Wenyang spoke, he reached out and stopped a carriage. He would never admit that he was deliberately doing nothing; he was just angry!

The two arrived at the east side of the city and asked an old woman for directions. Finally, after a cup of tea, they found the location on the land deed.

"Is this the place? Or have we taken the wrong turn?"

Shen Xing'er looked at the three-courtyard house in front of her, somewhat incredulous.

This imposing gate, this luxurious location, and the two stone lions beside the gate—was this really a gift from Master Hou to his father? Isn't that a bit too extravagant?

Song Wenyang looked at the address on the paper and murmured...

"This is the right place. Let's see if the key in your hand can open it."

"Yes, yes, we were too surprised. We'll find out if we've gone the wrong way by trying it!"

squeak

The door was opened from the inside, and it turned out that the procurement manager had been waiting there all morning.

"Miss, Master guessed you would come today, so he asked this old servant to wait here early this morning. This must be Scholar Song, right? He is indeed a handsome man." Steward Cai said politely.

"Uncle Cai, you flatter me. I'm sorry to have troubled you to wait here. I would have arrived earlier if I had known you would be waiting here," Shen Xing'er said apologetically.

After all, it's already noon.

"It's alright, you two come with me for a tour. This will be your residence from now on. See if there's anything you don't like and make changes as soon as possible."

After the procurement manager finished speaking, the professional extended his arm to invite them inside.

"This is a three-courtyard house. Our main gate is located on the southeast side, which symbolizes auspicious purple energy coming from the east."

As the group crossed the threshold, they first saw a screen wall.

"This is to shield people from the outside, preventing them from seeing what's inside the courtyard," the housekeeper explained.

The group walked past the screen wall and saw a long row of houses facing north.

"This row of rear-facing rooms has a total of six rooms, enough to accommodate even more servants."

"What's this empty space for?" Shen Xing'er asked, pointing to the small, empty courtyard at the west corner of the rear building.

It's no wonder she asked that question. The Minister's mansion is much larger than this three-courtyard one. She has lived there for many years and has only been to the main courtyard a few times from the back room. She has never been to the front courtyard at all.

"It's where the servants store odds and ends, so there's nothing in the yard except for flowers and plants. It looks much cleaner."

"I see. The ancients really were quite particular," Shen Xing'er thought to herself.

“The small house next to the gate is where the children in the family can be taught. They don’t need to go to school; they can hire a tutor to teach them here in the future.”

The housekeeper pointed to the room and said.

"Wow, so luxurious," Shen Xing'er thought to herself.

We've only just entered the courtyard. How much money would it take to raise them?

The two followed the steward through the hanging flower gate and arrived at the main courtyard of the house.

Four peach trees bloom in the four corners of the yard, but they are neglected and show signs of decay.

"This is a peach tree. Since the master acquired this courtyard, he has not lived here and has neglected to take care of it. However, if someone skilled in tree care comes to look after it for a few days, it should bear peaches the following year."

"These four peach trees were already there. If Miss would like to add a gazebo or a swing, that's fine too. Everything will be done according to your preferences."

Shen Xing'er nodded. Wasn't it for her father? How did it become her courtyard?

"From now on, the young master and his wife will live in the main room, and you can choose any of these side rooms."

The group walked through the covered corridor and arrived at the rear building.

Shen Xing'er was familiar with this place; she worked in the back room of the Minister's residence.

The back room was usually where the elderly and unmarried young ladies lived. Many young ladies from wealthy families could only leave the back room a few times after they got married, hence the term "secluded young lady".