Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Perhaps it was because Xia Yu kept tagging him that God finally heard Xia Yu's heartfelt words.

The Emperor, still lost in thought, was interrupted by a soft laugh beside him. Turning his head, he saw the Imperial Concubine looking at him with bright, smiling eyes.

Why is the Imperial Concubine smiling?

The imperial concubine leaned close to the emperor's ear and whispered...

"Your Majesty, please stop staring at that young lady. Haven't you noticed that Miss Zhang has almost finished the plate of pastries in front of her? If you keep staring, the water jug ​​in front of her will be empty too."

Upon hearing Consort Jiang's words, the Emperor looked at the table in front of Xia Yu and, as she had said, there was only one lonely piece of pastry left on the plate. Seeing the maid still sitting there, taking small bites, the Emperor couldn't help but laugh out loud again.

Seeing his interest in Xia Yu, the Imperial Concubine suddenly felt a pang of jealousy. She said, her voice brimming with envy...

"If you really like her, how about bringing her into the palace to be my younger sister?"

The Emperor sensed the sarcasm in the Consort's words, which pleased him even more, and his smile widened. However, seeing that the Consort seemed genuinely angry and was about to leave, he quickly reached out and grabbed her, coaxing her in her ear.

"When I saw her just now, I only thought of our safety. Besides, although the young lady is tall, she still has her hair in two buns, which means she is not yet of marriageable age. Do you think I am a tyrant who only loves beautiful women?"

A few words brought a charming smile back to the Consort's face, and the Emperor continued...

"Prince Lipp will be visiting with a delegation after the New Year, and we will need Miss Zhang's help with the reception. I'm thinking about what kind of status would be appropriate for Miss Zhang."

"Your Majesty, although Miss Zhang's parents are commoners, she is the adopted granddaughter of the Grand Tutor. Moreover, the Grand Tutor himself is currently all alone, and he will inevitably need this granddaughter by his side to fulfill his filial duties in the future. Why not grant her the title of Lady of the Township?" The Imperial Concubine whispered in the Emperor's ear, thinking that bestowing the title of Lady of the Township would prevent the Emperor from suddenly having a whim and bringing another sister into the palace.

After listening to the Imperial Concubine's words, the Emperor found them very reasonable. He began to consider the feasibility of this matter.

Once the Emperor's gaze shifted away from her, Xia Yu's tense body instantly went limp. Nineteen, who had been watching her mistress closely, naturally sensed her earlier nervousness. Seeing her relax now, he quickly stepped forward, bent down, and gently took Xia Yu's arm, whispering...

"Miss, would you like to go out for some fresh air?"

Xia Yu breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.

After informing Grand Tutor Li, Xia Yu, supported by the Nineteenth Prince, left the banquet hall.

Because they were unfamiliar with the palace, the two did not dare to wander around and only stood briefly on the covered walkway on one side.

Xia Yu wrapped her cloak tighter around herself and immediately felt the heat dissipate rapidly as she stepped out of the warm palace.

"Nineteen, are you cold?" Xia Yu held Nineteen's hand, trying to transfer the warmth from her body to her.

She had a cloak to wear when she went out, but Nineteen, as a maid, didn't have such treatment and could only tough out the cold wind.

"Don't worry, Miss. I practice internal martial arts and I'm not afraid of the cold," Nineteen said with a smile to her mistress.

Inside the restaurant, glasses clinked, laughter filled the air, and congratulations rang out continuously.

After standing there for a while, just as the two were about to go back, they saw someone come out of the store, look around, and then walk towards them.

Upon seeing who it was, Nineteen silently took a few steps back.

"Greetings, Uncle!" Xia Yu bowed to the visitor.

Shen Jingheng stopped three steps away from Xia Yu and first glanced at Nineteen.

Receiving Lord Shen's gaze, Nineteen silently walked to a spot a dozen meters away and stood there.

"Uncle, is there anything you need?" Xia Yu looked at the person in front of her, puzzled as to why he wasn't speaking.

"I'd like to ask you for a favor," Shen Jingheng said after Nineteen had walked away.

Hearing his words, Xia Yu's eyes widened slightly, inwardly thinking, 'Has he lost his mind? He used to just give orders directly, but today he's using words like "please" and "help"?'

Seeing Xia Yu's strange look, Shen Jingheng coughed lightly twice, his right fist pressed to his lips, before speaking.

"A delegation from the Russian Parliament will be visiting next year, but only Zhang Haoran and Zhang Shucheng in the Court of State Ceremonial know some Russian; the others have no foundation at all. Yesterday, Zhang Shucheng came to me and said he wanted to ask you to teach him Russian for a few months. What do you think?"

“Teaching him Russian is no problem, but I’m going back to my hometown soon. I won’t have time to teach him.” Xia Yu found his suggestion a bit strange.

“Oh, Zhang Shucheng said he’s going back to his hometown for the New Year this year. And in order for him to learn Russian well, the Emperor said he doesn’t have to go to the government office for the time being, but can learn Russian with you so he can receive the delegation next year. He just needs to come back before the delegation arrives in Beijing next year.”

After hearing his explanation, Xia Yu felt that the Emperor valued talent cultivation. However, considering the relationship between her maternal grandparents' family and the Gao family, Xia Yu felt she should try to secure some benefits for Zhang Haoran.

"Is Zhang Shucheng's salary still being paid on time? And will I still receive tuition fees for teaching?" Xia Yu asked Shen Jingheng frankly about her salary.

This time, it was Shen Jingheng's turn to look at Xia Yu with a strange expression. Seeing that she was looking up at him, Shen Jingheng nodded slightly.

"Of course he will. Although he doesn't work in the capital's government offices, his status as an official hasn't changed. Moreover, he's learning your Russian language from you to serve the court, so he won't be shortchanged on his salary and benefits."

Hearing him say that, Xia Yu thought the offer was really good. Considering Zhang Haoran's deep affection for her aunt over the years, she should help him when she could.

When the conversation ended, Xia Yu thought he was about to leave, but after waiting for a while, she saw that he showed no intention of going back.

Xia Yu curtsied to Shen Jingheng again, preparing to enter the main hall first. Just as they were passing each other, she heard his voice again.

"Wait a minute, I have something to do."

"Hmm? Oh!" Xia Yu didn't ask any more questions, only uttering these two simple syllables.

Sighing inwardly, Shen Jingheng pulled a folded piece of paper from his sleeve. He hesitated for a moment before handing it to Xia Yu.

"What is this?" Xia Yu opened it with some curiosity and looked at the words on the paper in the dim light of the corridor.

“Huh? I crossed here at the age of thirty-nine. Now that I am old…” After reading only a few words, Xia Yu suddenly looked up at Shen Jingheng opposite her.

But she met eyes as dark as a deep pool, and in that instant, Xia Yu felt as if everything about her had been seen through. She steadied her somewhat agitated and flustered mind. She feigned ignorance and asked...

"What is this? I don't understand!"

Seeing her reaction, Shen Jingheng confirmed his suspicions. She really did understand; it seemed she and the first head of the Shen family did indeed come from the same place.

"Hmm." He didn't answer Xia Yu's question, only giving a simple "hmm." Xia Yu didn't understand what his "hmm" meant.

He took the paper from Xia Yu's hand, carefully folded it, and stuffed it back into his sleeve pocket. Then, without saying another word, he turned and went back into the hall.