High-class maid

"Xing'er, I never imagined you could earn so much silver just by drawing a few patterns! It's more than our monthly allowance in the manor!" Shan Tao exclaimed excitedly.

"It was just a coincidence; only one of them sold for a good price. Sometimes, a flash of inspiration is all it takes to come up with a good idea."

"That's true. If good ideas could be come up with so easily, then no one would be doing their jobs; they'd all be selling ideas." Yamamoto nodded in agreement.

"Alright, keep this money safe for yourselves. Use it to buy fertile land. Remember not to be arrogant or show off in the mansion," Madam Wang instructed.

“I know, Mother. Only the three of us know about this. Shan Tao and I don’t know how to embroider or draw patterns in the mansion.”

Shen Xing'er knew Wang's worries, fearing that their money would be coveted by those with ulterior motives, so she made a promise.

Seeing that the two women were behaving appropriately, Wang nodded and said nothing more.

Upon arriving at the Minister's residence, since the two of them wouldn't be on duty until the next day, Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao went directly to the small kitchen.

"Granny Zhou, Auntie, this is chili sauce my mother made herself. She asked me to bring you two a jar to try." After saying that, Shen Xing'er handed the chili sauce to Granny Zhou.

"It's so kind of your mother to remember us, bringing us food from so far away. Thank you so much, Xing'er," said Chen Shan's wife.

Granny Zhou opened it, smelled it, and praised, "Hmm, not bad, not bad. When you don't have time to eat, a bite of chili sauce with a steamed bun is the most filling thing!"

"Auntie, Granny, you can talk here. Shan Tao and I also brought chili sauce for Sister Jingyue and Sister Jinglin. I'll take it over." Shen Xing'er said, and was about to leave.

"Xing'er, go by yourself. I want to talk to my mother." Shan Tao hadn't seen her mother for several days. Mother and daughter are of one heart, and even the biggest resentment should dissipate by now.

Although Granny Zhou didn't know what had happened between them, she sensed that the mother and daughter had been acting strangely recently. Seeing that they seemed to have something to say, she voluntarily suggested going outside to make room for them.

"Shantao, are you settling in well at Xing'er's house? Have you helped out with anything?" Chen Shan's wife asked.

"Yes, Xing'er's parents are so good to me. They made six dishes on the first day! My aunt doesn't let me do anything, but after the meal, Xing'er and I help her clean up the dishes."

"That's good, that's good. No matter how good others are to you, we must be mindful of boundaries. Do more and talk less, understand?"

"I understand, Mother. Were you home alone the other day? Where was Father? Where was Brother?" Shan Tao asked.

Shan Tao's father lived outside the city, managing an estate that had been part of an old lady's dowry. He rarely came home, but sometimes when the weather was nice, Chen Shan's family would go to the outskirts of the city to stay with him for a few days.

"Your father is still on the estate! I'm planning to take some winter clothes to him during my next vacation! As for your brother, he..."

When Chen Shanjia mentioned Shan Gen, he hesitated, as if he didn't want to talk about him.

"What's wrong with my brother? He won't be staying at his father-in-law's house forever, will he?" Shan Tao couldn't help but raise her voice to ask.

"Don't blame your brother. We two have nothing to do at home, so why don't we go help out at his father-in-law's house? It's better than resting at home," Chen Shan's wife quickly comforted him.

Shan Tao was so angry she almost laughed. She scoffed and said...

"Mother, how could I dare to blame him? She's his father-in-law's wife; she has nothing to do with me. Other people's sons-in-law are treated as honored guests, but he's always helping out, neglecting his own family!"

Chen Shan's wife panicked. Subconsciously, she felt her daughter was right, but she was unwilling to admit her son was wrong.

"Shantao, you can't say that about your brother. They're already engaged, so it's fine to help him."

“When he’s at home, my brother does nothing. He expects everything to be done for him. He doesn’t care about you, but he cares a lot about his wife.”

Shan Tao was telling the truth, and Chen Shan's family couldn't refute it, so the mother and daughter parted on bad terms again.

Meanwhile, in the old lady's room

"Yi'an is going to Yongchang Prefecture in three days. Are his clothes and shoes ready?" the old lady asked.

"Reporting to Mother, it was just made yesterday. My daughter-in-law hired an old nanny who had retired from the palace to make it, so I guarantee it won't bring shame to our Minister's Mansion."

"That's good. Tell Yi'an that it doesn't matter whether it works out or not. Just think of it as going out for a walk to clear his head," the old lady instructed.

"By the way, the young lady from Yongchang Prefecture also sent invitations to our two young ladies, but if the Second Prince is also there, Luo Sheng... I'm really worried about her," the Second Madam said cryptically.

"The Second Prince is too busy with state affairs to attend a small poetry gathering. Besides, Luo Sheng is about to be set up with someone, so we can't just keep her from going out! We'll just have someone keep an eye on her."

"Yes, it was my fault for not thinking things through." The First Madam lowered her head, indicating that she understood.

"If the two really did meet at the banquet, her maid might not have told me. Our household is busy with the Double Ninth Festival, and we can't spare anyone right away. What should we do?" the First Madam asked again.

"Let Danxue from my courtyard go with us. She's seen a lot and won't embarrass our Minister's Mansion. Oh, and let Shen Xing'er go too. She's clever."

For some reason, the old lady thought of Shen Xing'er.

"This girl is clever and mischievous. It's good to let her see the world. The maids in my courtyard are either scheming or taciturn. Thinking about it, there aren't many who are actually useful."

“Mother, you mustn’t say that. Everyone knows that the maids in your courtyard are very knowledgeable, and they are just as good as the young ladies outside.”

"The more they see, the more arrogant they become, and one by one they all want to climb up. I see they are young, so I don't want to argue with them."

"Mother is merciful; they will understand you in the future."

The First Madam got what she wanted and left satisfied. At that moment, Shen Xing'er, who was having a big meal in her room, was unaware that she was going to Yongchang Prefecture.

"Sister, I've brought your food. Please eat it while it's hot."

Back inside, Jinglin found Shen Xing'er had already brought her food. She smiled gratefully at her.

"Xing'er, thank you."

"It's alright, I'm just killing time anyway. Here, this is chili sauce my mom made, have a taste."

After saying that, Shen Xing'er handed over the chili sauce.

Jinglin didn't stand on ceremony. After taking a bite, she nodded and praised, "It's delicious! Auntie, did you add sugar? Chili sauce with sugar is both fresh and spicy."

"You can taste it."

"Yes, I liked to eat chili sauce when I was a child, but after my mother passed away, no one has made it for me since."

"Ah, I'm sorry, I... I didn't know." Shen Xing'er quickly apologized when she realized that Jinglin's sad story had been brought up.

"It's alright, I haven't eaten this in years, it's still quite delicious." Jinglin smiled and said without minding.