High-class maid

Shen Kun lowered his voice and said, "I heard from the master that it was Yin Kong of Lingshan Temple who sold the map to Duan Laohu, which is why the bandits were able to find the women so accurately."

"What?! Yin Kong is already the abbot, what more could he want? He even has to sell information! What a hypocrite!"

Wang was completely taken aback, exclaiming in shock.

"Father, and then what? And then what?" Shen Xing'er only cared about his ending.

"I heard that the Second Prince collected evidence of Yin Kong selling information, as well as a lot of silver notes, and handed them all over to the Emperor. He's in prison now," Shen Kun sighed.

Who would have thought that the once-glorious abbot would end up in a dungeon? But it was all his own doing.

"Why is there no news from the capital?" Wang asked in confusion.

"His Majesty has ordered a news blackout. If word gets out, who will dare to go to Lingshan Temple in the future?" Shen Kun explained.

"I see." The mother and daughter nodded, seemingly understanding.

"Alright, after you finish eating and rest a bit, head to the manor. I have to go now; I still have some errands to run for the master." Shen Kun said, then got up and walked out.

"Father, you're so busy. Do you have time for my birthday? Can our family have a meal together?" Shen Xing'er asked hurriedly.

Shen Kun patted her head: "Silly child, how could your father forget your birthday? Even if I'm busy, I'll come back to be with you."

"Hehe, that's good."

After saying that, Shen Kun left.

Wang did not get up or see him off. She watched Shen Kun's departing figure with an inscrutable expression.

Shen Xing'er turned around and saw her mother staring blankly, so she quickly went over and asked, "Mother, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Wang shook her head awkwardly and said, "It's nothing, I'm probably just a little tired. Go and get some sleep, I'll finish marinating the rest of the pork."

Shen Xing'er turned and went back into the house. She felt that her mother was acting strangely, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), Shen Xing'er and Madam Wang prepared to return to their residence.

"Xing'er, take this basket of fruit and share it among yourselves." Wang said, handing the basket to Shen Xing'er.

"I'll take this pound of meat and have the maids in the First Madam's small kitchen cook it for us. They can eat it after they finish their shift tonight," said Madam Wang, carrying a pound of meat.

Shen Xing'er nodded without refusing. They wouldn't be back for another month, so it was better to bring the fruits and vegetables to the manor so everyone could eat them together than let them spoil.

The mother and daughter carried baskets to the gate of the mansion.

"Granny, have a peach." Shen Xing'er took a peach from the basket and handed it to the nanny who was guarding the gate.

"Good child, you're so thoughtful. Meizhen, how did you raise your daughter? She's so sensible." The old woman took the peaches and teased Wang Shi.

"My dear sister, please stop teasing me and let us through quickly," Wang said with a smile.

The old woman glanced at their baskets casually and then let them pass.

The mother and daughter parted ways. Shen Xing'er went directly to the small kitchen, while Wang Shi also took the meat to the small kitchen in the First Madam's courtyard.

After distributing the fruit to everyone in the small kitchen, Shen Xing'er sat by the door and ate peaches with Shan Tao.

"Xing'er, Jingmo has been promoted to second-class maid!" Shantao told Shen Xing'er about what had happened in the manor.

"Is that so? Aren't there enough second-class maids?"

"I heard that the older sister stole the old lady's jewelry and got caught," Shan Tao whispered.

"Ah, isn't the reward for serving the old lady enough? How could she be so foolish?" Shen Xing'er sighed.

"Who can argue with that? But the old lady's version of events is that her family found her a marriage, and she didn't say that she stole anything."

"This can be considered as preserving her reputation; the old lady is truly kind."

"In that case, there will be one less third-class maid. Who do you think has a chance to be promoted?" Shan Tao asked Shen Xing'er.

"I don't know, but it certainly won't be me. Let's not try to guess what our master is thinking," Shen Xing'er cautioned.

"I know."

Meanwhile, in the old lady's room.

"Grandma, there's a vacancy for a third-class maid. Who would you like to fill in?" Danxue asked.

"How old is that girl named Shen Xing'er?" the old lady asked, fiddling with her prayer beads.

"Grandma, after your birthday on the fifteenth of August, you will be thirteen years old."

Danxue answered while flipping through the booklet of maids' names in her hand.

"Then let's go with her. Wang has done a good job protecting her master, so her daughter shouldn't be any less capable. I originally planned to let her train in the small kitchen for a year, but I didn't expect Lü Yao to be so disappointing."

The "Green Yao" the old lady mentioned was the maid who stole her jewelry.

"I heard that her mother arranged a marriage for her, but the man always said that Lü Yao would be an old maid after leaving the manor, using this to threaten her into giving him money. Who knew that Lü Yao was so stupid? She gave him all the money and then tried to steal your jewelry."

"Forget it, let's not talk about her anymore. Now that she's been sent back home, that man won't look down on her for being an old maid anymore," the old lady sighed.

"When will Xing'er take up the position?" Danxue asked.

"There's nothing to do now, you can go now."

"Yes."

At this moment, Shen Xing'er had no idea that she was about to be promoted; she was still helping out in the small kitchen with Granny Zhou.

"Sister Danxue is here. If there's anything you need, just let me know. Why did you have to make this trip?" Shantao asked upon seeing Danxue.

Danxue smiled slightly, but did not answer her question. Instead, she asked, "Where is Xing'er?"

"Oh, Xing'er, she's in the small kitchen," Shan Tao said, pointing to the small kitchen.

"Xing'er, come here for a moment," Danxue beckoned to her.

Shen Xing'er quickly washed her hands and came to Danxue, asking, "Sister Danxue, is something the matter?"

"The old lady asked me to pass on a message: go to her room tomorrow to pay your respects. Lüyao has gone home, so you will fill the vacancy for a third-class maid," Danxue said with a smile to Shen Xing'er.

"Me?!" Shen Xing'er was shocked; she never expected it to be her.

"What's wrong, are you so happy you've lost your mind?"

"No, no, I just didn't expect it to be me."

Shen Xing'er wasn't just happy to the point of being confused; she absolutely didn't want to be a third-class maid! It would be so much better to stay quietly in the small kitchen, where there was no scheming or having to curry favor with the masters.

"Alright, pack your things tonight and move to the east room tomorrow," Danxue said before leaving.

After Danxue left, Chen Shan's wife, Granny Zhou, and Shantao gathered around.

"Xing'er, what does Sister Danxue want to see you about?" Shantao asked first.

Looking at the three women's concerned gazes, Shen Xing'er felt a lump in her throat for some reason.

"It's nothing, it's just that I can't stay with you anymore."

"What do you mean?! You've made a mistake?! Tell me what happened?! I'll plead for you!" Granny Zhou said hurriedly.