High-class maid

"Thank you so much, Dr. Jin, for speaking up for us. If it weren't for you, we might still be in the dark," Shen Xing'er said sincerely.

"There's no need for that. The purpose of practicing medicine is to heal the sick and save lives. It's just that I'm not talented enough, otherwise I would definitely research an antidote," said Doctor Jin.

"I am already very grateful that you are willing to tell me the truth about my body. Rest assured, I will pretend that you were never here and will not reveal a single word," Song Wenyang sat up straight and promised Doctor Jin.

The young page beside him also quickly bowed deeply to Doctor Jin, and then, at Song Wenyang's prompting, handed him a large purse.

Doctor Jin accepted the medicine readily and then said to Song Wenyang, "Young Master's prescription is fine. Just continue taking it and rest quietly; you will recover faster."

Shen Xing'er also took out a purse and handed it to Doctor Jin, then respectfully saw him out the door.

"Brother Song, you don't need to worry. Focus on recovering now, and we can talk about the rest after you've healed."

After seeing Dr. Jin off, Shen Xing'er saw Song Wenyang lying on the bed in a daze. Thinking he was afraid of the poison in his body, she quickly comforted him.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Shen. I understand," Song Wenyang said with a slight smile.

Shen Xing'er felt extremely distressed, but she didn't dare to stay in Song Wenyang's room any longer. She turned around and went to the kitchen to make lunch for the three of them.

The page boy tactfully withdrew, and Song Wenyang lay on the bed, recalling the scene before his death.

The world exaggerates the greatness of the Qin Dynasty's Grand Scholar, who was young, held a high position, and had a wealth of achievements. Most importantly, he was unmarried and was the dream lover of all the unmarried young women in the Qin Dynasty at that time.

But no one knew that this highly respected scholar would have all sorts of dreams when the night was quiet. At first, they were just nightmares, but later he would have nightmares all night long, and gradually he could no longer distinguish between reality and dreams.

Over time, he became emaciated, until his spirit was exhausted and he passed away in his sleep.

Perhaps Heaven saw how miserable his life had been, and somehow he was able to return to his youth.

I originally thought the poison in my body was from my political enemies at court, but I never imagined I'd been poisoned in my teens. Who on earth would want me dead so badly? Song Wenyang muttered to himself, analyzing the situation.

Then he chuckled self-deprecatingly, "That's right, there are too many people who wish I were dead. Song Wenyang, Song Wenyang, you are still so annoying."

Time flies, and under Shen Xing'er's careful care, the three injured people have almost recovered.

On this sunny day, Shen Xing'er had Wang Shi and Shen Kun sit in the courtyard to bask in the sun, while she arranged for Steward Jiao to cook porridge for Song Wenyang.

"Xing'er, open the door, I've come to see you!"

Shan Tao's familiar voice came from outside the door, and Shen Xing'er hurriedly went over and opened the door.

"Why are you carrying so much stuff?" Shen Xing'er looked at Shan Tao carrying large and small bags, with a coachman following behind, and a cart full of things.

"Quick, take it. It's so heavy!" Shan Tao's hands trembled as she carried the things, and her voice shook.

Shen Xing'er quickly took it, and together with the driver, unloaded the things from the cart, and then saw the driver off.

"Uncle and Aunt, these are gifts from the old lady and the masters of the mansion. The old lady also said that you are getting old, so it's fine for you to rest for a few more days before going back to work."

"These are things that Granny Zhou and my mother asked me to bring," Shan Tao said, handing over a basket.

"Good child, you've suffered. Xing'er, quickly pour Shan Tao a cup of tea." Madam Wang was about to get up to pour tea for Shan Tao when Shen Xing'er stopped her. So she instructed Shen Xing'er.

"Xing'er, you have no idea how much I missed you while I was at home! All those maids in Jinling know how to crowd around their mistress; I don't like them at all."

Shan Tao held a cup of tea, pouting as she spoke to Shen Xing'er.

“Silly Shantao, I’ve missed you too. Since they’re crowding around the masters, you should just stay out of it and not compete with them,” Shen Xing’er comforted her.

"I'm too lazy to argue with them. I'd rather spend that time embroidering a few more purses."

"You can go to the kitchen more often and help your aunt with some of the work," Shen Xing'er suggested.

"Tch, stop talking now. Those maids in Jinling are incredibly audacious. That Granny Jiang has been captured." Shan Tao suddenly lowered her voice and whispered as she leaned closer.

"So fast? How did you know?" Shen Xing'er was surprised by the speed of the First Madam's actions.

"I haven't been too busy these past few days, so I've been helping out in the small kitchen. My mother told me to. Xing'er, what? You already knew about this?" Shan Tao asked suspiciously.

So Shen Xing'er told Shan Tao what she had seen behind the artificial hill that day.

"Shantao, I didn't mean to hide it from you. I just thought that if things were exposed, you wouldn't be implicated. Please don't be angry with me."

"Hmph, this Granny Jiang is really that outrageous. I just don't know why Steward Zhu actually pleaded for Granny Jiang. Now everyone in the manor is saying that the servants in Jinling are all of one mind."

While eating snacks, Shantao gossiped.

Shen Kun and Wang Shi exchanged a glance, sensing a different meaning in the matter.

"How did the First Madam punish Granny Jiang? I only know that she embezzled the money used for purchasing goods in the manor. Did she do something else that warranted the head steward pleading for her?" Shen Xing'er asked curiously.

"This Granny Jiang is incredibly audacious! Not only does she skimp on our food, but she even substitutes inferior bird's nest for the Madam's! The Madam is furious and ordered an investigation into Granny Jiang. But the investigation has only made things worse..."

"What happened during the investigation?" Shen Xing'er's family asked impatiently. Shan Tao chuckled at their gossipy expressions and then said...

"Do you know how much silver Granny Jiang has embezzled over the years?"

"I don't know, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me quickly," Shen Xing'er urged.

Shan Tao stretched out one finger.

"Twelve?"

Shan Tao shook her head

"One hundred taels?"

Shan Tao shook her head again.

"Could it be a thousand taels?" Shen Xing'er exclaimed in disbelief.

Yamamoto nodded, confirming the matter.

"What? How dare she? How could a cook nanny embezzle so much silver?" Shen Xing'er exclaimed in shock, once again astonished by the wealth of the Minister's mansion.

"Of course, the First Madam dares not let the Old Madam know, for fear that she will be so angry that she will suffer a terrible injury."

“We can’t let the old lady know. She’s getting old now, and it’s not worth getting angry over such a wicked servant!” Madam Wang nodded in agreement.

"I just don't understand why Steward Zhu is pleading for Granny Jiang. Could it be that he's involved too? Why is he in such a hurry to plead for her?"

"Mountain Peach murmured to herself."

"Yes, what could it be for? If he were really involved, he would be trying to avoid suspicion right now, so why would he be so eager to plead for leniency?" Madam Wang also felt that something was amiss, and she sensed that some idea was about to surface.