High-class maid

Chen Shan's family also nodded in agreement.

Shen Xing'er felt a warmth in her heart and hurriedly said, "No, it is. The old lady asked me to take over Lü Yao's position from now on."

For some reason, Shen Xing'er couldn't bring herself to say it, as if she felt sorry for them.

"Oh, is that so? What?! You're going to the inner courtyard!" Yamamoto couldn't help but raise her voice.

Then, fearing that Shen Xing'er might overthink things, he quickly explained, "It's not that I don't want you to go, I'm just worried that I won't be able to see you in the future. I'm not jealous of you, don't overthink it, Xing'er."

Yamamoto explained in broken Chinese.

Shen Xing'er smiled slightly and said, "Silly girl, of course I know what you mean. I can't bear to part with you either."

"Stop! Don't say things like that again. If someone with ulterior motives hears this, they'll make a fuss about it," Granny Zhou interjected.

Knowing that Shen Xing'er was leaving, the group was in low spirits. As it was nearing the end of the workday, Chen Shan's wife said...

"Alright, you two, cheer up! It's a good thing that Xing'er is a third-class maid. Why are you both looking so long-faced?"

"How about this, I'll cook a few dishes tonight and we'll celebrate for Xing'er. This is a joyous occasion," suggested Granny Zhou.

“Great! I also have a jar of my own homemade wine. Let’s celebrate together,” Chen Shan’s family member said.

"How could I trouble you? I'll order a feast from outside. You can rest too, Granny Zhou," Shen Xing'er said apologetically.

“It’s a waste of money to order a banquet. I happen to have a few new dishes here, so you can help me prepare them,” said Granny Zhou.

After quickly finishing their tasks, the group helped Granny Zhou with the work. Shan Tao washed the vegetables, Shen Xing'er chopped them, Chen Shan's family kneaded the dough, and Granny Zhou heated the oil in a wok.

It seemed like everyone cherished this meal.

"Come, come, eat quickly, try my cooking," said Granny Zhou after placing the last dish on the table.

"Mmm, delicious. Old Zhou's cooking is always excellent," said Chen Shan's wife after taking a bite.

"Granny Zhou, please have a seat too," Shan Tao said.

Shen Xing'er poured a glass of wine for each person, and the group ate and drank, having a lively time.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone was a little drunk. Shan Tao held Shen Xing'er's hand and said...

"Xing'er, I'm so reluctant to part with you. I've always considered you my own sister."

Shen Xing'er's eyes were also red as she said, "I feel the same way. I have no brothers or sisters, and I've long considered you my own sister."

Chen Shan's wife patted the two of them on the shoulders and said, "Alright, alright, it's a good thing that Xing'er has been promoted. It's not like she's going somewhere else. She's still in the old lady's courtyard, so we'll still be able to see each other in the future."

Granny Zhou also said, "I originally intended to train Xing'er as my apprentice, but it seems I'm destined to never have an apprentice in this life."

"Auntie, Granny Zhou, Shantao, don't worry, I'll come to see you whenever I have time. I won't forget you," Shen Xing'er said.

"Alright, alright, this is no big deal. You're all drunk, let's go to sleep." Chen Shan's wife was still relatively sober, and she pulled Zhou Mama back to their room to sleep.

The next day, just as dawn broke, Shen Xing'er was awakened by a knocking on the door. She opened it and found her mother, Wang Shi. It turned out that her mother had received a message from Shen Xing'er the day before.

It is said that she was promoted to a third-class maid by the old lady, and Wang was so excited that she did not sleep all night. So, she came to instruct her daughter early in the morning.

"Xing'er, this is a purse that your mother prepared for you. You will definitely need to recognize people tomorrow, so give these to them as a greeting gift."

"Mother is so thoughtful. If you hadn't reminded me, I would have embarrassed myself," Shen Xing'er said.

“Silly child, how could your mother not think of you? My son is so promising, rising to the rank of third-class maid at such a young age.”

Shen Xing'er was speechless. This was just like a peddler praising his own wares.

"Alright, Mother has to go back to her post. If there's anything, come find me in the First Madam's courtyard. Don't make decisions on your own."

As Wang spoke, she began to walk out.

After seeing Wang off, Shen Xing'er packed her bags, while Shan Tao, hearing the commotion, also got up to clean up the leftovers from last night's meal.

"Shantao, don't see me off. Go back and get some more sleep," Shen Xing'er said to Shantao as she stood at the entrance to the inner courtyard.

"Okay, then come visit me when you have time, and let me know if anything happens!" Shan Tao wiped her eyes, waved, and left.

After putting her luggage at the nanny's, Shen Xing'er went to find Danxue.

Danxue led her to the old lady's room, where the old lady had just finished washing up and was preparing to have breakfast.

"This servant, Shen Xing'er, has come to express my gratitude to the old lady. Thank you for your promotion and kindness. I will certainly serve you well." Shen Xing'er knelt down and kowtowed.

"Alright, no need to thank me. I wouldn't have used you if you weren't clever. Just do your job well from now on, and you'll be rewarded if you do. But if you have any inappropriate thoughts, don't blame me for punishing you."

"Yes, this servant will certainly do a good job."

"Get up, Danxue, bring up the reward," the old lady instructed.

Danxue brought over a small wooden box and handed it to Shen Xing'er. Shen Xing'er didn't dare to open it to see what was inside, and bowed her head to thank her.

"You take her to get to know the person. I'll have Danyu take care of her here."

"Yes." After Danxue finished speaking, she led Shen Xing'er downstairs.

"Open it and take a look." Danxue raised her chin, gesturing for Shen Xing'er to open the box that the old lady had given her.

Shen Xing'er didn't stand on ceremony and immediately opened the box the old lady had given her, eager to know what was inside.

Inside, there lay a bracelet, red like pigeon blood.

"Sister Danxue, this is too precious!" Shen Xing'er exclaimed in surprise.

"It's not valuable. It's just an agate bracelet, even third-class maids have them. You can wear it; several of them are wearing them."

"Do you still have red agate? It's so beautiful." This bracelet really touched Shen Xing'er's heart.

The girl's skin was already fair, and the red bracelet on her slender wrist made her look even more like snow.

"There are many colors of agate, remember that, you'll learn about them later."

Then Danxue added, "Third-class maids wear red agate bracelets, second-class maids wear jade bracelets, while we wear gold bracelets."

After Danxue finished speaking, she shook her wrist, which was dazzlingly golden.

"Yes, Xing'er remembers."

Soon, the two of them arrived at the quarters of the third-class maids. It was also a room for two people, similar to the room Shen Xing'er had when she worked in the tea room, except that there was a mirror.

"You'll be living here from now on. Your roommate is Jinglin, she's fourteen years old. Once you're settled in, I'll introduce you to them," Danxue said.

Shen Xing'er quickly made her bed and then followed Danxue to the courtyard to identify people.