High-class maid

Danxue remained silent, looking at her as if she were seeing herself when she first entered the manor.

"How could that be false? Pack your things today, and come find me in the inner courtyard tomorrow." After saying that, Danxue went back.

"Mother! I'm going to be a third-class maid!" Shan Tao's happy voice echoed throughout the small kitchen.

Chen Shanjia paused in his chopping, his hand still, and asked incredulously, "Really? Did a pie fall from the sky?"

“Auntie, it’s true. I was right next to Sister Danxue when she came,” Shen Xing’er stepped forward to confirm.

Upon hearing what Shen Xing'er said, Chen Shan's wife immediately believed most of it.

"Quick, quick, go and deliver a message to your father, tell him this good news!" Chen Shan's wife was pacing around, giving orders to Shan Tao, keeping herself very busy.

The days passed by at a leisurely pace, and in the blink of an eye, Shan Tao had been working in the inner courtyard for more than ten days. From being unfamiliar with it at the beginning, she was now feeling very comfortable.

Fortunately, Shen Xing'er was with her, so Chen Shan's family could finally relax.

That day, Danxue summoned her several third-class maids and said:

"The Double Ninth Festival is coming soon. Only two of you can take leave. The rest of you can take leave after the Double Ninth Festival. You four should discuss it."

"Sister Jinglin, when are you coming home?" Shen Xing'er asked.

"I'm fine with anything. If you miss home, you can go back first. Your sister Jingyue and I can go home after the Double Ninth Festival, it's the same."

Jinglin knew that she and Shantao were close, so she said that.

Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao exchanged a glance: "Then we won't stand on ceremony. We'll bring you and Sister Jingyue some delicious food when we get back."

Jinglin and Jingyue smiled but didn't say anything.

"Xing'er, these two older sisters are so kind, they really take good care of us." Because they were almost home, Shan Tao happily took Shen Xing'er's arm and said.

"Yes, do you think everyone is like Jingpan, who doesn't respect her elders just because her grandmother is the old lady's maid? Now look what's happened, her grandmother has been implicated too."

Shen Xing'er sighed deeply.

Shan Tao had also heard snippets about Jing Pan from others, so she remained noncommittal about Shen Xing'er's words.

"I don't want to go home. Ever since my brother got engaged, my dad hasn't been happy for a single day, and I don't want to see my mom either." Shan Tao wasn't happy about the topic of going home.

"Why don't you stay at my house? My dad isn't home either, so you can keep my mom and me company," Shen Xing'er invited.

Shan Tao's eyes lit up, then dimmed again: "Is this... alright? Will Auntie find me annoying?"

"How could that be? My mother loves lively gatherings. She knows you're my good friend and has been wanting to meet you for a long time."

"Alright, you can talk to my mother about it tomorrow. I'm afraid we'll end up arguing again," Shan Tao said, pouting.

“Okay, no problem, I’ve got it covered.” Shen Xing’er straightened up and patted her chest to assure them.

The next day, the two bid farewell to Jinglin and Jingyue and walked together to the gate of the mansion.

Today, the gatekeeper at the mansion gate was a thin old woman. Shan Tao, ever the friendly type, asked, "Grandma, you look unfamiliar. Where did Granny Li, the gatekeeper, go?"

"Oh, she's just taking leave to go home because her grandson is getting married!"

"The First Madam arranged for Jingpan to marry this Granny Li's grandson," Shen Xing'er whispered in Shan Tao's ear.

"I see." Yamamoto nodded, without saying anything more.

At this moment, Shan Tao's mother and Shen Xing'er's mother came out of the courtyard together.

"Shantao, let's go home," Chen Shan's wife said, pulling Shantao along.

"Auntie, please let Shantao stay with me for a few days," Shen Xing'er said quickly as she stepped forward.

"That would be too much trouble. This girl can't do anything. She'll just cause you more trouble if she goes there," Chen Shan's wife said modestly.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. My Xing’er gets bored at home all by herself, and the two sisters can keep each other company,” Wang said, stepping forward as well.

When Shantao's mother saw her daughter looking at her with the same expectant expression, her heart softened instantly.

"Alright, Meizhen, I'd appreciate it if you could take some care of Shantao and Xing'er. You know about my family's situation, so please try to talk to her and give her some advice," Chen Shan's wife pleaded.

"Don't worry, Auntie, I guarantee Shan Tao will be happy and won't overthink things!" Shen Xing'er quickly assured her.

"Alright, then I'll be going now." Chen Shan's wife waved to Wang Shi and turned to leave.

"Great! We can finally live together!" After Chen Shan's family walked away, Shan Tao jumped up with joy.

"Alright, let's go home. There'll be plenty of time later." Wang shook her head helplessly and smiled.

As usual, the group walked home, only to find the front door wide open when they arrived.

Thinking a thief had broken into her house, Wang cautiously entered with a stick, as if facing a formidable enemy. She breathed a sigh of relief upon discovering Shen Kun inside.

"Dad, what are you doing at home? Why isn't our carriage in the yard?"

"I've finished the task the master assigned me. Now I'm organizing the evidence I've collected and preparing to hand it over to the master tonight," Shen Kun replied without looking up as he tidied his things.

"What about our carriage? Where did it go?" Wang asked, only concerned about the only large item in the house.

"The carriage? The carriage is at the inn. I was afraid that person would follow me home, so I left the carriage at the inn and walked home."

Wang didn't care about that person or Shen Kun running home; all she heard was that the carriage was alright, which relieved her.

"Oh, by the way, this is Brother Chen Shan's daughter, named Shan Tao. She's on vacation with Xing'er and is staying with us for a few days," Wang introduced.

Shan Tao stepped out from behind Shen Xing'er, smiled awkwardly, and said to Shen Kun, "Uncle, I'm sorry to bother you."

Shen Kun looked up at Shan Tao. Having seen countless people, he could tell at a glance that she was an honest and kind girl. He smiled and nodded.

"Good child, don't be shy. I often hear my Xing'er mention you. Tell your aunt what you want to eat. Just make yourself at home."

Seeing that Shen Kun did not reject her, Shan Tao breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Okay, I'll listen to Uncle."

Seeing that her parents had something to say, Shen Xing'er took Shan Tao's hand and went back to her room.

"Wow, you even have a wardrobe! Your aunt and uncle are so good to you!" Shan Tao exclaimed in surprise when she saw the wardrobe in Shen Xing'er's room.

Shen Xing'er smiled and pulled Shan Tao to look at her jewelry.

"This hairpin was a gift from the old lady, this bracelet was a gift from the young lady, and here are some others. Take a look and see if there's anything you like. Wear it for fun."

Shen Xing'er generously pushed the jewelry in front of Shan Tao and said.

"No need, no need. I also have a reward, although it's not as much as yours, but I can save it up slowly. Staying at your house has already caused you trouble, how can I accept your things?"

Shan Tao waved her hands repeatedly, too frightened to even look at the jewelry, afraid that Shen Xing'er would think she had taken a liking to one of them.