High-class maid

Because this small town is located by the river, the villagers sell their goods at the dock. Although they dress simply, even the farm women wear large gold bracelets on their wrists, suggesting that the dock has brought the villagers a lot of money.

"Young lady, come and try our fish noodles! The broth is delicious, and there's no need to queue today!"

"Girl, my honey water is also delicious. You must be from the capital. My honey water is different from that in the capital."

"Girls, come and have some grilled fish! It's freshly caught and grilled right from the river, so fresh!"

When the villagers saw another boat dock at the shore, and a group of maids and servants disembarked, the once quiet dock immediately became lively, with everyone trying their best to promote their own food.

Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao stopped at a fish noodle stall and each ate a bowl of hot fish noodles. The fish meat paired with the whitish broth warmed them up considerably after eating.

After finishing their meal, the two walked further in and noticed that the shops on the street were decorated in a different style than those in the capital, and the things they sold were also different. Shen Xing'er looked at this and touched that, extremely curious, and soon she was carrying large bags and small bags.

When they returned to the ship, they saw that everyone was carrying large and small bags. Sure enough, no matter what era, women's money is the easiest to earn.

Night had fallen, and dusk was just beginning to fall. The masters were all having dinner in the old lady's room. A servant entered the room and said...

"Master, Madam, there's a messenger from a ship behind us saying that the Second Prince wants to visit you."

After the servant finished speaking, the already quiet room became even quieter. Everyone at the table instinctively looked at Xiao Luosheng, but the old lady was the first to react, saying...

"Fool, what kind of status does the Second Prince have? There's no need for him to pay his respects to this old woman. Quickly, welcome him."

A moment later, a distinguished-looking man walked in. He glanced at Xiao Luosheng furtively, a barely perceptible smile flashing across his lips, before bowing and greeting her.

"Greetings, Madam; Master; Second Master."

"Please rise quickly. What a coincidence to run into the Second Prince on the river!" the old lady said.

"We juniors are on Father Emperor's orders to go to Jinling to capture that tiger. What are you doing here? Are you also going to Jinling?" The Second Prince asked, sitting in his chair.

"Indeed, it's been so many years since I've returned to my hometown. Now that my family is all here, I've brought my whole family back to Jinling to stay for a while," the old man replied.

"Yes, yes, what a coincidence to run into the Second Prince here! Anyone who didn't know better would think you came with us," the Second Master said with a fawning face.

The second wife nudged him, signaling him to stop talking, but he glared at her defiantly. The unspoken exchange between the two was clearly visible to everyone.

The second prince didn't respond, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Luosheng's face before settling on the old lady, and said...

"Madam, I bought some local specialties in town as a small token of my appreciation. Please accept them." After saying this, a servant carried two boxes into the room.

"This is for the young lady." The second prince opened the box, took out an exquisite box, and handed it to Xiao Luosheng.

"This..." With her elders in front of her, Xiao Luosheng dared not accept it, but the person she missed every day was right in front of her. She really wanted to know what was inside the gift from the person she missed.

"Sheng'er, please accept it. It's kind of the Second Prince to be so thoughtful," the old lady said, breaking the silence and defusing the awkward situation.

"Second Prince," the master invited, "I have always loved playing chess, but a particular chess game has been troubling me for many days. I've heard that you also enjoy chess, so why don't you take a look and see how you solve this game?"

"Oh? Then this junior will go with you to take a look." After saying that, he turned back to look at Xiao Luosheng again, and followed the old man away.

“I’m going too!” Xiao Yi’an stood up and said.

"Brother, I'll go too!" Xiao Yizhou also got up.

"Alright, you may all leave." After everyone left, only the First Madam and her daughter remained in the room.

"Sheng'er, how did the Second Prince know we were going to Jinling?" the old lady asked after everyone had left.

"Grandmother, I really don't know," Xiao Luosheng said, bowing her head.

"Never mind, what did he give you? May I see it?" Seeing that she couldn't get any information out of him, the old lady wanted to see what the Second Prince had given her.

The First Madam nervously clenched her handkerchief. If the Second Prince was truly frivolous and had given her daughter something improper, she would make sure her daughter broke off the relationship with him no matter what.

Xiao Luosheng slowly opened the box with trembling hands. She herself did not know that she would be so nervous.

Upon seeing another box of silver notes inside, Xiao Luosheng breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. The First Madam, upon seeing the silver notes, seemed to deflate as well, slowly placing her hand, which had been in front of her chest, onto her lap.

The old lady smiled, shook her head, and said, "This child, really..."

The First Madam laughed along and said, "I've never seen a young master give money to a young lady before. Keep this money safe and don't spend it recklessly. Or give it to your mother and let me keep it for you."

"No need, Mother, I won't do anything reckless," Xiao Luosheng said.

The First Madam knew that her daughter had been shrewd since childhood, so she nodded and did not dwell on it.

After traveling by boat for three more days, just when Shen Xing'er was about to go crazy from boredom, they finally arrived in Jinling.

After they disembarked, they saw a man dressed as a butler say...

"Madam, I have been waiting for you here for three days, afraid that I would not be able to receive you when you arrived." After saying this, she wiped away her tears with her sleeve.

For some reason, the first time Shen Xing'er saw him, she felt that he was too pretentious. A grown man actually disregarded his dignity and cried in front of the bustling dock. He really was... shameless.

The old lady seemed used to his mannerisms; she patted the butler on the head and said...

"Alright, now's not the time to pledge allegiance. Let's talk about it when we get home."

"Oh, oh, oh, it's all my fault. I missed you and all the masters so much that I lost my composure. Please don't blame me, please don't blame me," the steward said, bowing and scraping.

Then, he turned around, straightened his back, put on a serious expression, and spoke to the servants behind him.

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and move the things! If you neglect your masters, you'll be in big trouble!"

Shen Xing'er was surprised at how quickly this person changed his expression, but seeing the frightened look on the faces of the servants behind him, she figured he was even worse in private.

"You don't know, do you? This man has been in charge of the Xiao family in Jinling for over ten years. He has the backing of the Minister's Mansion. Never offend him." Madam Wang appeared beside her daughter at some point and whispered in her ear.

Shen Xing'er nodded. Even without Wang Shi's reminder, she knew from the steward's demeanor that he was a local bully and not to be trifled with.