High-class maid

"Isn't this the day we've worked so hard for? After Xing'er gets married, it will just be the few of us at home," Shen Kun said with emotion.

Wang remained silent, not wanting to bring up this unpleasant topic.

The two knew perfectly well that the imperial decree of marriage would be delivered to the Shen family today, and their daughter would be a legitimate bride-to-be from now on.

"Uncle and Aunt, where is Xing'er?"

A lively voice came from behind; it was Shan Tao, whom we hadn't seen in a long time.

She was dressed in a light pink dress, with a gilded hairpin in her hair to show that she was taking it seriously. She was holding a box in her hands, which was obviously a housewarming gift.

"Xing'er is in the west wing. Go and keep her company. Have you had breakfast yet? There are boiled eggs in the kitchen," Wang said with a smile.

"I've already eaten. No one at home cooked, so I ate out on the street. This is a housewarming gift, and I'd like to offer my congratulations on behalf of my parents."

As Shan Tao spoke, she handed over the box she was holding.

Jin'er immediately took it from behind her.

"You've really gone to so much trouble, good child, come inside quickly," said Madam Wang.

"It's no trouble at all. My parents chose this gift together, but they have things to do at home and can't take time off, so they had to ask me to come," Shan Tao said.

Wang and Shen Kun didn't ask why. They were no longer servants of the household, and if they pressed for details, Shan Tao would probably be in a difficult position.

"The Princess has arrived! The Lady of the Township has arrived!"

Fei Liu's voice pulled the Shen couple back to their senses. Amidst the tinkling of their jade pendants, a fragrant aroma wafted in, and the Princess and her granddaughter entered, surrounded by a group of servants.

“Not bad, not bad, this mansion is indeed magnificent. However, it would be even better if a swing could be set up in this courtyard. I have servants in my household who know how to set up swings, why don’t we lend them to you?”

The eldest princess walked in, her arm linked with that of a servant, and said.

"Greetings to the Eldest Princess, greetings to the Township Lady."

The people in the courtyard followed suit and bowed.

"Get up quickly. Everyone here today is one of our own. Don't bother with formalities. It's tiring just looking at you." The princess covered her mouth with a handkerchief and chuckled.

“The Princess is kind and compassionate, but propriety must not be disregarded,” said Madam Wang.

"You, you've always been so particular about rules," the eldest princess said with a helpless smile.

But she liked the Shen family's adherence to rules and regulations, unlike some families who, once favored, became arrogant and did things that annoyed people.

Where is Xing'er?

Zhang Yuzhu asked, her eyes sparkling.

Her current lively demeanor is a far cry from her former timid and submissive self in Jinling. It seems the Princess has protected her very well, which requires a great deal of love to nurture her.

"Reporting to the Lady, Xing'er is in the west wing," Wang replied.

"Grandmother, I'm going now."

After Zhang Yuzhu finished speaking, she left without waiting for the princess's reply.

God knows how much she was looking forward to this trip. Being confined to the mansion by her grandmother all day to learn etiquette, flower arranging, tea tasting, and incense making was driving her crazy.

But when she goes out to play, people always flatter her because of her status, which makes her feel deeply hypocritical and not fun at all.

"This kid."

The eldest princess shook her head helplessly, her tone somewhat resigned but her face showing no impatience.

"The village princess is innocent and cheerful, which shows that the princess has protected her very well," Wang praised sincerely.

The eldest princess smiled and nodded. This Wang Shi always managed to say the right thing to her in just a few words. No wonder she had been by the side of the first wife of the Minister's mansion for more than ten years.

"Then you all stay here and do your work, I'll go see Xing'er too."

The eldest princess nodded to them, then slowly walked towards the west wing.

Before long, Granny Shang, who served the First Madam of the Minister's Mansion, also arrived. She looked at her old friend who used to work with her, who had not only left the mansion and regained her freedom, but also moved into a three-courtyard house that only second-rank officials could live in. It would be a lie to say that she was not envious.

However, it was merely envy, without a trace of jealousy. After all, there weren't many people as fortunate as Wang Shi, and as the First Madam's personal nanny, her own wealth was several times that of ordinary people.

"Meizhen, congratulations on your housewarming. There are many things to do in the manor, and the First Madam is busy all day long. I have come on her behalf today."

Granny Shang snapped out of her thoughts and said with a smile.

"Sister Shang, thank you for coming all this way. How have you been lately? What brings you here?" Madam Wang greeted her.

Jin'er automatically stepped forward to accept the congratulatory gift from Granny Shang. Granny Shang nodded secretly, thinking that the Shen family was indeed different from before. Such a perceptive maid could not have been trained in a day or two.

"It's the same as always, except I've been much busier since you left. Madam isn't used to being served by others, so I'm the only personal maid she has. The coachman from the manor brought me here. There's a lot going on in the manor."

"That's what Granny Shang said cryptically."

It seems that what Shan Tao said was true; something has indeed happened at the Minister's residence.

"Alright, alright, Xing'er is inside. Let's go see her together."

Wang, being sensible, didn't ask any further questions. Seeing that the female guests had almost all arrived, she stopped standing at the door like a doorman and left Shen Kun to receive the guests alone.

Inside the room, Zhang Yuzhu and Shan Tao were having a private conversation with Shen Xing'er.

"Xing'er, your dress is so pretty! What's embroidered on it? Flower buds?"

Looking at Shen Xing'er's clothes, Zhang Yuzhu thought the fabric was beautiful, the style was beautiful, and even the flower buds were beautiful.

“That’s right, I designed this myself. If you like it, I’ll draw a set for you the other day. The outfit you’re wearing looks good too, it’s a style from the palace, isn’t it?” Shen Xing’er said with a smile.

"Haha, that's right. I deliberately chose a less eye-catching color. You're the main character today, after all. Once the Emperor's uncle issues the imperial decree, you'll be a bride-to-be. Just stay home and embroider your wedding dress." Zhang Yuzhu teased with a smile.

As a member of the royal family, she was better informed than others. Her grandmother said that the emperor would bestow a marriage upon her and the top scholar Song today, and she would become an official's wife in the future.

Zhang Yuzhu was genuinely happy for Xing'er, that the lovers had finally gotten married. However, she was also being pressured by her grandmother to get married again. Alas, it was a bittersweet feeling.

"What? An imperial marriage? By the Emperor? And with whom is it?"

A series of questions came from Shan Tao: What happened during the month she was away? And why did the Emperor bestow a marriage upon her?

"Don't you know? He's the top scholar of the Song Dynasty."

Seeing Shen Xing'er blushing, Zhang Yuzhu kindly explained to her.

Shan Tao breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. It was good that it was Song Wenyang. She had thought it was some other man. She was so scared that she didn't dare to mention Song Wenyang's name.

Shen Xing'er rolled her eyes at her; how could she not know what was going on in that little girl's head?

"This matter is too long to explain in detail later when I have more time," Shen Xing'er explained.