High-class maid

Just when Shen Xing'er thought she was really going to die, she was brought back to her senses by a chorus of exclamations.

She looked up and saw that Song Wenyang had kicked the thug to the ground. Then a group of uniformed soldiers arrived, carrying knives, and a fight broke out between the two sides.

The scene was too chaotic, and Shen Xing'er didn't have time to thank Song Wenyang. She just nodded at him and pulled her mother, Wang Shi, and Danxue to hide.

Danxue was taken aback, thinking to herself that this girl was quite clever, and then she followed Shen Xing'er and ran.

It wasn't that Shen Xing'er didn't care about the eldest young lady, but the Second Prince's timely appearance left her no room to show her abilities; she could only try to save her own mother's life.

The three of them arrived at Shen Xing'er's room. Chen Shanjia, Granny Zhou, and Shan Tao were already awake. They were sitting anxiously on the bed, with Shan Tao looking around as if waiting for someone.

"Xing'er, where have you been? What's that fighting sounding outside? Are there bandits in the temple?" Shan Tao ran up to Shen Xing'er and asked as soon as she stepped inside.

Before Shen Xing'er could answer, she saw Wang Shi and Dan Xue following behind her.

"Auntie, Sister Danxue, you've come too. Please have a seat."

Chen Shan's wife and Granny Zhou quickly made room for them.

When Chen Shan's wife saw her old friend Wang Shi, she asked, "Meizhen, what's going on outside? Why aren't you and Danxue serving the master?"

Wang said, "The bandits from the mountain have arrived, but fortunately the soldiers arrived in time. They are fighting outside now, and I think they will be able to capture them soon."

Xing'er's mother spoke evasively. She didn't mention that the thugs were there to kidnap the young lady, nor did she mention that the young master who came to rescue her was deeply in love with the young lady.

"Oh, I see. Why don't you two stay here tonight? We won't be afraid if there are more of us," Granny Zhou invited.

"No need, thank you for your kindness, Granny. Those bandits are few in number, they'll probably be captured soon. After they leave, we still need to serve our master," Danxue politely declined.

"Alright then, let me pour you all a cup of tea to calm your nerves." After saying that, Shan Tao poured a cup of tea for each of them.

After everyone finished their tea, Madam Wang asked, "Xing'er, why did you end up in front of the old lady's room?"

Shen Xing'er said the words she had already prepared: "Mother, my stomach was upset tonight and I kept going to the toilet. I was finally about to fall asleep when I heard the sound of firecrackers outside. As soon as I stepped out of my room, I saw a group of men in black."

“I dared not shout, for fear that if I didn’t call for help, they would kill me first. Before I could even call for reinforcements, I saw the bandits about to kill me.”

Wang hugged Shen Xing'er with relief and said, "My daughter has grown up and knows how to care for her mother. But you must not be so impulsive next time. It is my duty to stand in front of the master. It is not worth it for you to risk your life for me."

"I only know that a child without a mother is like a blade of grass. I can't lose you." After saying that, Shen Xing'er hugged Wang Shi back.

The others in the room were also deeply moved by the mother and daughter's affection. Granny Zhou was so touched that she shed a tear. She thought to herself, "If only I had such a sensible daughter."

The group sat quietly in the room, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. No one was in the mood to speak; they all hoped the soldiers would capture the bandits quickly.

I don't know how long the fighting lasted, but gradually the sound stopped. I could almost hear the sound of government soldiers escorting the bandits away.

Danxue, being the bolder one, went out to take a look, and upon returning, said goodbye to the others.

"The bandits have been captured, and the guards in our manor are all on duty in the courtyard. Everyone, please rest. We have to travel early tomorrow morning, so Danxue will take her leave now."

After saying that, he smiled slightly at the three of them and quickly walked into the old lady's courtyard.

Now that the bandits were gone, Wang Shi had to return to her post as the First Madam. She patted Shen Xing'er's hand, thanked Chen Shan's wife and Granny Zhou for their trouble, and then quickly left.

"Xing'er, I'm afraid to sleep alone. Let's sleep together," Shan Tao said.

Shen Xing'er nodded and did not refuse.

Granny Zhou got up and used a stick to block the door.

The next day, just as dawn broke, everyone from the Minister's residence boarded their carriages and returned home. The eldest and second masters, the second prince, and Song Wenyang were left behind to handle the aftermath.

Inside the carriage, the old lady, the eldest wife, and the eldest daughter sat together.

The old lady asked, "Sheng'er, how did you know someone would try to assassinate us last night? And who was that young master?"

Xiao Luosheng blushed, a rare occurrence for her, and then became nervous: "Grandmother, that person is the Second Prince. I met him by chance at a banquet, and he told me about him."

The First Madam stared in astonishment, unable to believe that her daughter, who was always by her side, had been in contact with a man outside the marriage.

"Sheng'er, when did you meet him? How come I didn't know? Even if he is the Second Prince, it's still unacceptable!"

The First Madam preempted the Old Madam and began to berate the Eldest Miss.

Xiao Luosheng's eyes instantly reddened. She glanced uneasily at the old lady, then at the first wife.

"Yes, I met him in the peach blossom grove at Lingshan Temple, but we only exchanged a few words! Nothing else happened!"

The old lady looked up at her and said, "Just because he met you once, does he really want to tell you such a secret? Sheng'er, why don't you tell the truth? How long are you going to keep this from your grandmother?"

"Yes, I saw him once at the teahouse last month, but he invited me to write a poem, and nothing else happened."

The First Madam tapped Xiao Luosheng's forehead with exasperation, saying, "You, you, you shouldn't have kept this from your mother! If word gets out, what will people think of you!"

Xiao Luosheng could only sob, not daring to speak again.

The old lady said, "Sheng'er, since ancient times, marriage has been done through proper channels. If he is a good man, he will find a way on his own, instead of just secretly seeing you. Don't see him again."

Xiao Luosheng wanted to explain, but seeing the expressions on the old lady's and the first wife's faces, she only dared to nod.

"Eldest daughter, that Wang woman by your side is loyal. You must reward her well when you return to the manor," the old lady said.

"Yes, Mother, you know her daughter too; she works in your courtyard." The First Madam, wanting to do the old lady a favor, said with a smile.

"Oh? Who is it? I've never heard of it before."

"That girl's name is Shen Xing'er, and she works in the break room."

"So it was her. That girl is very clever." The old lady remembered when Xiyun drugged her. She was so young, yet she knew how to use someone else's strength against them. She was really clever.

“You didn’t see it, but last night Shen Xing’er cried and clung to Wang Shi, afraid that the bandits would kill her mother.”

Seeing that the two elders' attention was no longer on her, the young lady quickly took over the conversation.