High-class maid

“I thought it was a small courtyard, but I didn’t expect it to be so big. Our family is not large, so it would be a waste for us to live in such a big courtyard. I appreciate my great-grandfather’s kindness, but please take these things back, Uncle Cai.”

As Shen Xing'er spoke, she took out the land deed and house deed from her purse.

She didn't discuss it with Shen Kun and his wife, and presumably even if her parents were still alive, they wouldn't have accepted such a nice courtyard.

"Master had already guessed you wouldn't want it. He said that if you didn't want it, he would rather sell it to someone else. But it's a courtyard that we've worked so hard to acquire, so selling it to someone else would probably be a loss," the steward said with a smile.

His master was right; Miss Shen definitely wouldn't want her.

"If I may ask, how did Lord Hou acquire this courtyard? Judging from its layout, it seems only officials of the second rank could reside here," Song Wenyang asked.

Shen Xing'er nodded in sudden realization. She thought to herself, "I knew it! This courtyard is full of refinement and elegance. It turns out it was an official's courtyard."

"No offense intended, no offense intended. Back when our Qin Dynasty warriors attacked the Xiongnu on the frontier, you donated medicines worth 100,000 taels of silver to the court. His Majesty was benevolent and specially bestowed upon you a courtyard left by an official of the previous dynasty. Otherwise, given our status, we probably wouldn't be able to live in such a fine courtyard."

The procurement manager cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the sky and replied.

Song Wenyang nodded: "I see. Just these two stone lions at the entrance are not something an ordinary family could live in."

"Indeed, young lady, please accept this. It is a token of our master's goodwill. When you marry from the courtyard bestowed upon you by the Emperor, everyone will take a second look at you."

The housekeeper advised.

What he didn't say was that if the Shen family had purchased the property as merchants, they would never have been able to live in such a nice courtyard in their entire lives. After all, the imperial court still maintained very strict control over the interests of merchants.

"I appreciate Uncle Cai's kindness, but let me go home and discuss it with my parents first," Shen Xing'er politely declined.

It wasn't that Shen Xing'er was deliberately being reserved; a three-courtyard house in such a prime location should fetch at least eight hundred taels of silver—it was far too valuable.

"The master is doing this for your own good, so please accept it."

After finishing speaking, the property manager threw the house and land deeds on the ground, turned around, and ran away!

Shen Xing'er was dumbfounded. Could this really be done?

By the time she realized what was happening, the housekeeper had already run from the back building to the main courtyard. By the time she caught up with him, the housekeeper had already closed the gate.

"Since it's the old man's kind gesture, you should accept it. If you don't accept it, he'll probably feel even worse."

Song Wenyang, who arrived slowly, offered words of comfort.

The steward, hiding outside the door, nodded. Yes, that's the advice! If the master finds out I haven't done my job well, he'll definitely scold me!

Life went on peacefully like this. No one knew how Shen Kun and his wife discussed it in private, but they agreed to take over the courtyard, on the condition that Master Hou also move in.

The old man, whose scheme had succeeded, nodded secretly; this was his real purpose in giving the yard away!

After discussion, the family set the date for moving on the eighth day of the eighth lunar month, the day Shen Xing'er and Ji Na were born.

"As the saying goes, good things come in pairs, so let's celebrate together then," Shen Kun said.

"Xing'er, are you willing?" Madam Wang turned to ask her daughter's opinion.

“I have no objection. The three of us are busy all day long, and now even sitting down to eat a meal together has become a luxury. Daughter, I think you should gradually withdraw from this. You are getting older, so you should focus on taking care of your health.”

As Shen Xing'er spoke, she placed a chicken leg on her parents' plate.

Since Wang's Pickled Vegetables opened, the family hasn't eaten together for five or six days. Mother is busy with her pickled vegetable shop, while Father is busy dealing with those who have ulterior motives.

"It's all my fault, Mother. Ever since His Majesty ordered a batch of pickled vegetables, our pickled vegetables have become famous throughout the capital. We're lucky to finish work early today," said Madam Wang.

How busy were they? Fatty even went to the pickled vegetable shop, and she even had to help out the uncle who cooked.

Shen Kun didn't respond, but just focused on cooking. He had been busy with social engagements day and night and was already tired of the food at the banquet. His wife's cooking was still the best!

"Eat slowly."

Wang looked at her husband with heartache, and then got up to serve him a bowl of rice.

After lunch, the Shen family members went to their respective shops. When Wang reached the alley entrance, she remembered that she had forgotten to take her purse. She turned back and suddenly saw several familiar figures.

"Dali? Girl? You're back again? Just got back today? Come in and have some water," Wang said with delight.

The Yuan family, who had returned to their hometown last month, were seen returning to Beijing again, carrying large and small bags, clearly intending to settle down in the capital.

"Sister-in-law, where are you going? Why is no one home? Has it been rented out again?"

Dali's family was overjoyed to see their old best friend, but now was not the time for catching up. They had to ask where the head of the Wang family had gone.

"After you left, I bought this place. I originally planned to build the two courtyards into one, but I was too busy to do so. Are you still planning to continue renting it out?" Wang asked.

“That’s right. Now that you’ve bought it, let’s go ask around somewhere else. We’ve lived here for so long, and we’re a little reluctant to leave. That’s why we came straight here after returning from the countryside,” Dali’s family said with a smile.

"Mother, are we going to stay in another courtyard? I don't want to leave, I like it here."

Yuan Dali's daughter said.

Dali's wife, fearing she would put Wang in a difficult position, quickly smiled and said...

"Children speak without thinking, sister-in-law, please don't take it to heart."

"Did you miss your aunt? Did you have fun in the countryside?" Wang squatted down and handed Yi'er a piece of candy.

"I miss Auntie. I'm not happy in the countryside. My aunt and mother are always arguing," Yi'er said cautiously, still holding a piece of candy in her hand, reluctant to eat it.

Dali's family gave an embarrassed smile.

“Sister, since the child has gotten used to living here, you can continue to live here. The rent will remain the same as before, and I haven’t had time to move anything inside,” Wang said.

“Didn’t you want to combine the two courtyards into one? We can find another one. We appreciate your kindness,” Yuan Dali said.

Although he also really wanted to live here.

“I’m not building anymore. I’m so busy all day long, I don’t have time to build houses. You can stay here, I’m going home to get the keys,” Wang said.

What she didn't say was that her family already had a courtyard in the east of the city. It was a practical place, at least for the time being, where they didn't have the energy to build a house. They would have to rent it out sooner or later anyway, so it was better to rent it to an old neighbor they knew well.

"Thank you very much, sister-in-law."

Dali's wife glanced at her husband, and seeing that he did not object, she said happily.

"No need to be so polite, just wait here," Wang said, waving her hand.