High-class maid

Chapter 287 Visiting the Old Lady

"Cough cough."

Master Hou interrupted the couple somewhat awkwardly.

"Well, every city has a mansion. I know where it is. You can stay at the mansion directly. Don't stay at the inn."

"There's no need for such trouble. I've brought enough silver to stay at the inn for over a month without any problem," Shen Kun said awkwardly.

Looking at the stubborn old man's energetic appearance, he wondered if he had been poisoned or not, or if he had been tricked.

“I haven’t left the capital for many years. The servants in those mansions probably do nothing all day long. They might even treat the Marquis’s mansion as their private property. You can go there this time to deal with these unruly servants for me.”

What Master Hou said made sense, and after thinking about it, Shen Kun agreed. Where Shen Kun couldn't see, Master Hou revealed a triumphant smile.

I told you this kid is kind and soft-hearted, just like me!

How could the steward not know his master's little scheme? He looked at Shen Kun and thought it was good that he had appeared. The master hadn't smiled sincerely for many years.

"Dad, have a safe journey, and don't forget what I told you!" Shen Xing'er squeezed in front of her father and reminded him.

"Don't worry! I'll never forget what I promised you, no matter what I forget!" Shen Kun winked at his daughter and continued.

"It's windy on the shore, you should go back quickly. I will write to you when I get there."

Everyone waved goodbye reluctantly, watching Shen Kun and the housekeeper board the ship.

"Xing'er, why don't you and your mother come to my residence for a visit?" Master Hou asked with his bright, sparkling eyes.

"My mother and I are busy with the shop, so it would be impolite to come here so abruptly. How about we visit together when Father comes back?" Shen Xing'er said playfully.

She was afraid that if her tone was too harsh, the old man would be hurt.

"Alright, alright, then you all go ahead and get busy."

The more Master Hou looked at Shen Xing'er, the more pleasing she became. This child seemed to have picked the best traits from both of them. He also realized that it was all his fault that the child was in the Minister's mansion at such a young age, causing the younger generation to suffer as well.

He wanted to make amends to Shen Xing'er, but there was something more important waiting for him at the moment: his shops in the capital.

The group parted ways at the dock, and Wang Shi, sitting in the carriage, continued to worry.

"Will your father be in danger? What if those people below are dissatisfied? What did you and your father secretly agree to behind my back?"

“Mother, how could Father be in danger? Father has followed Master Xiao all these years, traveling all over the country. If he can’t even keep these people in check, then he doesn’t need to be the successor of this Marquis’s mansion.”

"You silly girl, how can you talk about your father like that? In my opinion, your father is absolutely perfect!"

Wang couldn't bear to see her daughter questioning her husband. She had just been worried, but now, after being provoked by Shen Xing'er, she suddenly felt full of confidence.

“That’s right, I believe in Father too.” Shen Xing’er leaned her head on Wang’s shoulder and said coquettishly.

"You still haven't told me what your father promised you?"

“It’s nothing. Father said that every time we go to a place, we should buy some local specialty fabrics and bring them over. If Father didn’t need to inspect the shops, he would have gone to Jinling to get the fabrics. But it doesn’t matter. I just wanted to change the style of the shops.”

Jinxiufang has been doing very well these days. The noble ladies who originally came here to cause trouble and join in the fun ended up being attracted by the styles in the shop. Thanks to Shen Xing'er's high EQ service, many of them have become repeat customers of Jinxiufang.

With Zhang Yuzhu's occasional presence, even the less prominent ladies had to consider their status before seeking recognition. As a result, Jinxiufang's business not only wasn't ruined, but it's now thriving.

Shen Xing'er was worried that everyone would get tired of the same old look, so she had been thinking of buying fabrics in a different place. Shen Kun happened to be going to several cities this time, so it was a win-win situation.

"I see. How much fabric is left in the shop? Will it last until your father finishes his work? I've been busy making pickled vegetables these past few days and haven't paid attention to the situation in the shop."

Wang Shi no longer cared about her husband and turned her attention to the shop.

"Yes, it's just embroidering small things, which can last for half a month. Father will be in Luoyi for five days at most, which is enough."

Because Jinxiufang's prices are high, they have many customers who order small items. Each embroiderer has their own area of ​​expertise. However, they rarely order large items like clothing because they are just too expensive!

However, nowadays, women in the capital take pride in owning clothes from Jinxiufang. Some families even require the groom to make a set of Jinxiufang clothes for the bride as a betrothal gift when they get engaged.

"Let's go to the Minister's residence this afternoon. I didn't sleep well last night, and I even dreamed about the days when I worked in the residence. Is this some kind of sign from heaven?"

Wang covered her chest with a handkerchief. She had been busy since she got up this morning and had completely forgotten about her dream from last night.

"Alright, Mother, don't worry too much. The old lady is a lucky person and will be fine," Shen Xing'er comforted her.

The two returned to the shop. Wang went back to the kitchen to cook for the embroiderers, while Shen Xing'er went to the street to buy pastries for Shan Tao.

This girl must have been really upset these past few days. Bringing her some delicious pastries will cheer her up a bit.

After noon, the mother and daughter carried a small basket to the Minister's residence.

"Oh, it's been a long time since I've seen you two. What did you bring for your masters this time?"

The old woman guarding the gate was idly cracking melon seeds when she saw the newcomer. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. She had heard inside the mansion that the Shen family was incredibly wealthy these days!

"Sister Yan, you're on duty today! I brought you some pickled vegetables, please don't mind their humble appearance," Wang greeted with a smile.

As he spoke, he took two small jars of pickled vegetables from the basket and handed them to the old woman guarding the gate.

"Oh dear, everyone knows that your pickled vegetables are selling very well in the capital these days. I would like to buy some but I can't bear to, so how could I find them too coarse? Do you want to see the old lady? She's not feeling well these days, so I suppose you won't be able to see her."

Grandma Yan whispered a reminder that she had accepted the mother and daughter's gifts and intended to help them sell their goods.

“Good sister, we won’t bother the old lady since she’s not feeling well. But this basket of things is our token of our appreciation. Could you please pass it on to the First Madam? Whether the masters see it or not is their business, but we must not make mistakes in our etiquette.”

Wang said with a smile.

"Alright, you all wait inside for a moment, but whether the Madam sees us or not is not up to us to decide," Granny Yan said readily as she placed the pickled vegetables on the table.

The mother and daughter waited for a while before Granny Yan came over with an apologetic look on her face.

"Young lady, you've come at a very inopportune time. The First Madam is currently in the Old Madam's courtyard with the Imperial Physician. What is this?"

"It's alright, it's alright. The old lady's health is the most important thing. I just need to trouble you to deliver this basket of gifts to the First Madam's courtyard. There's a peace charm that Xing'er got for the old lady inside."

After Wang finished speaking, she took a purse out of her sleeve and stuffed it into Granny Yan's hand.

Granny Yan looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, quickly grabbed it.

The other party was so cooperative, offering both money and pickled vegetables, I was more than happy to oblige.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of this, but as you know, there are rules in our household, so I need to check it first," Granny Yan said, looking at the basket.

"It should be."

Wang handed the basket to Granny Yan, saying that there was nothing else inside, so she could look around as she pleased.