High-class maid

"Brother Wu, you should take this back. We're heading back to our residence today, it would be a waste for you to give it to me," Shan Tao said modestly, not intending to accept the gift.

For some reason, Wu Xunzhi felt a slight sense of loss when he heard that Shan Tao was going back.

“Young lady, this is a small gift that I, Wu, have prepared especially for you. My mother repeatedly told me before we came that you must accept it so that we can feel at ease.”

"This..." Shan Tao looked at Shen Xing'er, then at Wang Shi, unable to make up her mind.

"Shantao, you should just accept it. I think if you don't, Brother Wu isn't planning on going back," Shen Xing'er teased.

"Then, then I'll accept it." Shan Tao's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz as she took it from Wu Xunzhi's hand.

After Wu Xiucai left, Shen Xing'er took out several patterns from inside the house and handed them to Wang Shi.

"Mother, these are some patterns I drew in my spare time. What do you think?"

Wang reached out and took it, examined it carefully, and then praised it.

"Xing'er, when did you learn this? These paintings are really good, especially the butterfly and begonia. This is the first time I've ever seen anyone paint like this."

"Then if I take it out to sell, do you think anyone will buy it?" Because Wang Shi had seen a lot, Shen Xing'er asked for her opinion.

“Okay, but this paper isn’t very good and will lower the price. I have some excellent raw Xuan paper in my room, which was a gift from the master to your father. It’s not of any use to keep it. I’ll get it for you.”

After saying that, Wang went back inside to get the Xuan paper.

In the afternoon, Shen Xing'er was drawing patterns at home, Shan Tao was embroidering a purse next to her, and Wang Shi was making shoes for Shen Kun.

The sunlight shone on them, warm and comforting. From afar, one could only feel the tranquility and peace of the world.

By the time Shen Xing'er finished drawing the pattern, it was already 1:15 PM.

"Mother, let's hurry to the street. I want to see how much silver these can sell for," Shen Xing'er urged impatiently.

"This would be too much of a waste of time, and we wouldn't have time to get back to the Minister's residence." Madam Wang hesitated for a moment. Selling her wares was important, but getting back to work was even more important!

"Auntie, let's pack up and go straight home after we sell everything!" Shan Tao said.

"Yes, look at my brain, I'm getting senile. Let's pack up now, sell the items and head straight back to the Minister's residence!" Madam Wang patted her forehead, turned around and went back inside to pack her things.

Shan Tao and Shen Xing'er exchanged a glance and smiled helplessly.

"Xing'er, look, what do you think of this purse?" Shan Tao took out the purse she had embroidered from inside the house and asked Shen Xing'er shyly.

"Shantao, you know I don't know much about embroidery. I just think it looks nice, but I don't understand anything else. You can take it over and let my mother take a look."

Shen Xing'er replied shyly.

Shan Tao took the purse and went inside to find Wang Shi. Wang Shi, holding the purse, praised Shan Tao repeatedly.

"You two are really talented. Shantao is good at embroidery, and Xing'er is good at drawing patterns. Let's sell them together."

After they finished packing, they went to Chang'an Street with their baskets. Madam Wang led them directly to Huamian Pavilion.

"Madam, please come in. What would you like to order?" The quick-witted servant had already run over and greeted them attentively while the three of them were looking around at the door.

"Oh, we have a few patterns here, as well as some embroidered purses. Do you accept them?" Wang asked neither humbly nor arrogantly.

The servant was clearly well-trained and did not change his attitude just because they didn't buy anything.

"Yes, yes, please come with me."

After saying that, he led the three of them to a room in the backyard.

Inside the room sat a woman in her thirties, her hair neatly combed, intently examining the patterns on the table.

"Aunt Xue, there are a few people here who want to sell flowers and purses. I've brought them to you." After saying this, the servant left.

"Hello, this is a design I drew myself. I wonder if it meets your store's standards?" Shen Xing'er didn't hesitate any longer and walked forward with the design.

Aunt Xue reached out and took it. At first, she glanced at it casually, then studied it repeatedly by the window. Finally, her eyes lit up with surprise as she asked…

"Did you really draw this? Did you come up with all of this yourself?"

Her expression frightened Shan Tao and Wang Shi, who were afraid that Aunt Xue might do something.

Shen Xing'er wasn't afraid at all, because this idea was really her own. She could only say that she borrowed from the computer in her previous life, but it was mostly her own creation.

She nodded and asked, "What's wrong? Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just that the painting is too good. In all the time I've been running this shop, this is the first time I've seen someone paint such exquisite patterns."

Aunt Xue realized her lapse in decorum, turned around and sat back down in her chair, resuming her meticulous demeanor as before.

"How much does it cost?" Wang asked directly, without waiting for her to say anything else.

"As for the price... this peony painting, although intricate, lacks originality, but it's exquisite. I'll give you eight hundred coins." Aunt Xue didn't rush to mention the other two, only offering one price to see their reaction.

"Eight hundred coins!" Shan Tao exclaimed softly. This one item was almost more than her monthly allowance.

Shen Xing'er nodded, indicating that she understood: "What about the remaining two?"

"This butterfly begonia is indeed one of a kind. I'll give you one tael of silver."

Wang was also surprised; she hadn't expected her daughter's casual drawing to fetch such a high price. Shen Xing'er, however, wasn't surprised at all.

"Where's the last one?"

"Well, I'll give you five taels of silver, but..." Aunt Xue changed the subject and continued, "This pattern and the begonia butterfly pattern can only appear in our shop. I don't want to see the girl's patterns in other shops."

"Isn't this just selling copyrights?" Shen Xing'er nodded in understanding: "Everyone wants their products to be unique, I understand. But who do you ask for the money?"

Aunt Xue was surprised by how readily the young girl agreed. Before she could even utter her prepared response, the deal was already done. Aunt Xue couldn't help but think more highly of her.

"I'll write a receipt, and the girl can go to the front to collect it from the accountant. Next time you have a good idea, come back to our Huamian Pavilion. The price is negotiable."

Shen Xing'er nodded, without replying.

"By the way, my friend has some embroidered purses here. What price do you think he'd sell them for?"

Shan Tao hurriedly took the embroidered purse out of the basket and placed it on the table.

Aunt Xue picked it up and looked at it, then said, "This purse is of ordinary style, but it is made of high-quality fabric and the embroidery is solid. Since you two are together, I will give you six hundred coins for these three."

Aunt Xue gave a fixed price.

Shan Tao hadn't expected to sell so many, so she had no objections and accepted the receipt. The three of them then went to the accounting office to collect their money.