High-class maid

Chapter 242 Opening

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was the sixth day of the third month.

Shen Xing'er went to Jinxiufang early in the morning. To match the occasion, she wore a peach-colored quilt, which looked very festive.

"Miss Shen, this is a congratulatory gift from Miss Shantao of the Minister's Mansion. She wishes you great success today!"

As soon as Shen Xing'er opened the shop door, a florist brought over two pots of tightly bound wheat ears, tied together with red silk, which looked festive.

"Thank you, uncle. Would you like to come inside the shop for some tea?" Shen Xing'er said modestly.

"No need, no need. It's your grand opening today, and I'm sure you're busy. I won't go in and cause you any trouble." The shop owner waved his hand and left.

Shen Xing'er placed two basins of wheat ears at the entrance of the shop, so that passersby could immediately tell that the shop was open for business today.

"Xing'er! Congratulations on your grand opening!"

Just as Shen Xing'er finished arranging the potted plants, a familiar voice came from inside.

"Shantao? What brings you out today?"

Shen Xing'er asked in surprise.

Shan Tao was holding a box covered with a red cloth, and she was looking at her with a smile.

"Oh, it's because your shop is opening today. Madam knows we're good friends, so she specifically asked me to deliver a congratulatory gift. Did you receive the potted plant?"

“I received it. The shopkeeper just left. When did you buy it? You’re short on money right now, and I’m sorry to have troubled you.” Shen Xing’er pointed to the potted plants on both sides of the shop and said.

"It's alright, just two potted plants, they won't cost much. Quickly, see what's in the box," Shan Tao said, shaking the box.

Shen Xing'er carried the heavy box into the shop. She gently opened it and saw a glass toad inside, with several copper coins in its mouth.

"How is it? You like it, right? I wish you wealth and prosperity, and that you make a fortune every day!" Shan Tao said with a smile.

"It looks really nice, I'll put it on display right now."

Shen Xing'er didn't move it; she simply placed it on her shopkeeper's table.

"Shall I go upstairs and take a look? Madam ordered me to return at noon, but I can stay with you a little longer now," Shan Tao said.

"Okay, come down when the firecrackers go off, I'm afraid my mother and I won't be able to handle it," Shen Xing'er said.

Shen Xing'er had just seen Shan Tao off when Zhang Yuzhu arrived.

"Xing'er, congratulations on your grand opening!" Zhang Yuzhu, supported by her maid, stepped down from the carriage and walked gracefully towards them.

"Zhu'er! I had no idea that the Lady of the Township would grace us with her presence. I am truly sorry for not welcoming you sooner." Shen Xing'er hurriedly bowed and stepped forward to greet her.

"What's this talk of welcoming or not welcoming? I had nothing to do at home anyway, and since the weather was nice today, I thought I'd come and visit your shop," Zhang Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Let's go into the shop quickly."

"Here, this is a congratulatory gift for you. Open it and take a look." Zhang Yuzhu gestured to the maid behind her to hand over the box.

Shen Xing'er didn't hesitate and opened it to find a white jade abacus inside.

"This is too precious, I can't accept it," Shen Xing'er declined.

"Alright, you've opened for business today, there's no reason to turn back. Customers are coming, go and greet them, I'll just look around by myself." Zhang Yuzhu took the maid's hand and started walking around the shop.

The visitor was none other than the servant that Shan Tao had rented for Wu Xun.

"Miss Shen, this is a congratulatory gift from Young Master Wu. Because he is in mourning and cannot get out of bed, he specially asked me to deliver it to you." The eldest sister said breathlessly as she carried two potted money trees.

"I'm so sorry that you remembered the date, Young Master Wu. I've been so busy these past few days that I haven't been able to visit him. I wonder how he's doing?" Shen Xing'er said with a smile.

"Reporting to Miss Shen, Young Master Wu is now able to get out of bed on his own. We only dare to let him go out into the courtyard to bask in the sun, and we dare not let him move around too much."

"That's good. Please give him my regards. I'll visit him when I'm done with my work," Shen Xing'er said with a smile.

While the two were exchanging pleasantries, Song Wenyang arrived, followed by Xiao Tong.

When the eldest sister saw that someone else had arrived, she was afraid of disturbing Shen Xing'er, so she bowed and took her leave.

"Wen Yang, you're here." Shen Xing'er jogged over. She hadn't seen Song Wen Yang for six or seven days and really missed him.

"You've lost weight." Song Wenyang smiled slightly, wanting to pat Shen Xing'er's head, but suddenly remembered that they were on the street, so he reluctantly withdrew his hand.

"Really? It's even better if you're thinner. I used to think I was fat." Shen Xing'er touched her face. She had been busy with the final touches these past few days and hadn't been eating on time. She hadn't even had time to look in the mirror, so it wasn't surprising that she had lost weight.

"Here, see if you like it." Song Wenyang conjured up a gift out of thin air as if by magic.

"A money pouch? And it's made of gold?" Shen Xing'er was first pleasantly surprised, then shocked. This was far too valuable.

"I designed this pattern myself and had it custom-made. What do you think? Do you like it?"

Song Wenyang put his hands behind his back, looking like he wanted to be praised.

"I like it, let's go inside the shop," Shen Xing'er said.

"No, there are too many people today. If I go, it will only give others something to say. Xiao Tong, spread the things out." Song Wenyang turned around and instructed.

"What is that?" Shen Xing'er asked, puzzled.

She had noticed it when Song Wenyang arrived; Xiaotong was carrying a heavy package, which turned out to be for her.

“I bought a red carpet. After all, you’re opening for business today. Laying it on the floor will make it more festive,” Song Wenyang said.

“I originally planned to buy some too, but I didn’t want to buy the really bad ones, and I was reluctant to buy the really expensive ones, so I only bought firecrackers. I didn’t expect Wen Yang to think the same way as me,” Shen Xing’er said.

"Of course, I can read your mind."

"You're a smooth talker."

Xiao Tong couldn't help but shiver as she listened to the two flirting. Her young master never even gave other women a second glance. Who would have thought that this lecherous man who kept spouting sweet nothings was the infamous cold-faced top scholar in the capital?

"By the way, I have something to ask you. Let's go to the backyard," Shen Xing'er said, her mind preoccupied with Wu Xunzhi's matter.

The two walked behind the wall, and Shen Xing'er asked...

Did Xiaotong convey a message to you that day? What did she say about Brother Wu's matter?

"Why are you so concerned about him?" Song Wenyang didn't rush to answer the question, but instead frowned and asked Shen Xing'er.

"So you're jealous," Shen Xing'er replied with a smile.

"I've been Brother Wu's neighbor for several years. His mother died unjustly, and he himself is seriously injured. Most importantly—"

Shen Xing'er kept him in suspense for a moment, watching with satisfaction as Song Wenyang raised an eyebrow in interest, before continuing...

"Most importantly, my good friend Shantao seems to like her, so of course I have to ask her on behalf of my good friend."

"I see." Song Wenyang finally felt relieved. He touched his nose sheepishly and then replied...

"The one in the palace already knows about this. The Crown Prince is now under house arrest. The day after Wu Xun was assassinated, the one in the palace found out and reprimanded the Crown Prince again. Now the Crown Prince is completely confined to his residence and dares not come out."