High-class maid

Chapter 240 Early June 6

"I'm not angry, I just feel sorry for you. If you can't stand up for yourself, no amount of advice will help," Shen Xing'er said.

"I know, don't worry, this is the last time she'll bully me. I've done everything I could." Shan Tao nodded.

Shen Xing'er didn't say anything more. After all, she was the only one in her family. Wang Shi and Shen Kun doted on her like they were nothing. She couldn't empathize with them, so she naturally couldn't stand in Shan Tao's shoes and consider things from her perspective.

The next day, Shan Tao got up very early, first went to see Wu Xunzhi, and then went back to the Shen family to prepare breakfast.

"Child, why are you being so formal? You should sleep a little longer." Wang said with heartache when she got up and saw the breakfast prepared on the table.

She had heard about Shan Tao and her family's affairs. Now, the young girl was getting up early to make breakfast so as not to bother her. She wondered what Shan Tao's sister-in-law was unhappy about!

"Auntie, please eat. Thank you and Uncle for taking care of us these past few days," Shan Tao said.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Don't worry about the trouble. Eat up." Wang Shi put some food on her plate and said with concern.

In the afternoon, Shan Tao asked for leave to handle some formalities, while Shen Xing'er and Madam Wang went to the Princess's residence with gifts.

"Please have this sister inform the princess that we wish to see her."

The mother and daughter arrived at the gate of the Princess's residence. Wang smiled and handed a purse to the old woman guarding the gate.

The old woman looked up at them and saw that they had no attendants, were not riding in a carriage, and were people she had never seen before. She felt contempt for them.

She tucked the purse into her sleeve and then said...

"You two should go back quickly. The Princess sees many people every day. If just anyone could enter our Princess's residence, the Princess probably wouldn't even have time to eat."

The implication is that not just anyone can enter the princess's residence.

"Sister, you shouldn't judge people by their appearance. As the saying goes, even the Emperor has a few poor relatives. You can't turn us away just because we're frugal. If the Princess asks about it later, how will you face her?"

As expected of someone who had served as a personal nanny in the Minister's household, Wang Shi made the old woman think about it after just a few words.

“Mother-in-law, why don’t you present these things to the Princess and the Lady of the Township? If they summon us, then we can go in, how about that?” Shen Xing’er handed her the items at the opportune moment.

"Alright then, you can wait here for a while." The old woman took the things, closed the gate, and went back inside.

"What kind of nonsense is this? They won't even let us inside. Doesn't this huge princess's residence have a gatekeeper?" Wang muttered.

Every household has a small gatehouse with hot water and pastries, specifically for guests to wait in. But this old woman just made them wait at the door, so it's no wonder Wang was annoyed.

“Isn’t everyone like this? If we were wearing our usual coarse clothes, this old woman would have chased us away long ago,” Shen Xing’er said.

They had changed into new clothes specifically for their meeting with the Princess, and even Lady Wang wore the gold hairpin she usually wouldn't wear, yet they were still looked down upon.

The mother and daughter waited at the door for a while longer before the old woman opened the door and came out, this time with a noticeably warmer attitude.

"Oh dear, I'm getting old, and my mind is getting old too. I didn't know you two were honored guests of our Princess's residence. Please be magnanimous and don't hold it against this old woman."

“Of course not, sister, you have done your duty. It’s also our fault for not informing the princess beforehand.” Madam Wang said as she followed the old woman into the mansion.

The old woman breathed a sigh of relief. If the two women had complained about her, she would have been in deep trouble!

With the old woman leading the way, the group arrived at the hall without incident. After a notification, a tall maidservant greeted them and led them inside.

"This humble subject pays respects to the Princess, Madam, and Lady of the Township." The mother and daughter stood in the hall and bowed.

"Please get up quickly, Ling'er, go and bring two soft stools," the princess said warmly.

"I was just talking to my mother about you. I haven't seen you since we parted ways that day. It's so kind of you to come back now," Zhang Yuzhu's mother said with a smile.

“I was afraid you would be too busy, so I didn’t dare to bother you. I’ve been busy with the shop these past few days, but as soon as I had some free time today, I came right away,” said Madam Wang.

"Hey, what could I possibly have to do? I'm stuck in the mansion all day by my grandmother, learning rules and managing the household. It's so boring." Zhang Yuzhu flicked her handkerchief and said impatiently.

Seeing that she was quite different from a few days ago, and much more cheerful and lively, Shen Xing'er was relieved. It was good that Yu Zhu had forgotten the past.

"You silly girl, you've lost your manners again, making yourselves laugh at you." Although the princess was complaining, her face was full of affection, showing how much she doted on this granddaughter.

"Xing'er, have you opened a shop? What do you sell?" Zhang Yuzhu asked, holding Shen Xing'er's hand.

"Yes, it's just a small business. The only thing I can offer is flower patterns, so I opened an embroidery shop," Shen Xing'er said.

"Did you paint these embroidered items in the box yourself? They're quite unique." Zhang Yuzhu picked up a sachet and examined it from all angles.

"Let me see," the eldest princess said, showing her respect.

Zhang Yuzhu handed her a headband, which was obviously a gift for the Princess.

"Indeed, the peacock has a bright moon in the middle. I have never seen such a novel design before. Xing'er is truly an extraordinary woman," the princess praised.

"It's just a little girl's playful antics; it doesn't deserve such praise from the Princess," Wang said modestly.

"By the way, when will it open? I'll have someone send a congratulatory gift then," Zhang Yuzhu asked.

Shen Xing'er felt a little embarrassed, as if she had come to ask for a congratulatory gift. She said...

"I appreciate your kindness, Lord Xiang, but it's just a small matter and not worth your trouble."

Seeing that she was calm and composed, the eldest princess secretly nodded in approval. This girl did not want to rely on the eldest princess's influence, which was a good thing.

"How many times have I told you to call me Zhu'er? Why are you being so distant? When are you opening?" Zhang Yuzhu asked, pouting.

"Reporting to the village, Zhu'er, it's set for the sixth day of the third month," Shen Xing'er said.

"Good days are coming soon, aren't they?" Zhang Yuzhu asked.

"Exactly."

"Grandmother, Mother, I want Xing'er to accompany me for a stroll around the mansion," Zhang Yuzhu said coquettishly to the Princess and her mother, holding Shen Xing'er's hand.

"Go ahead, but don't drag Xing'er into doing anything bad!" The princess shook her head helplessly and said.

Then, smiling, he explained to Mrs. Wang...

"This girl, although she has long hair, has the same impulsive and reckless personality as that man."

"Your Highness is lively and cheerful because you are favored by the Princess and your wife. In my humble opinion, it is good to have a genuine personality!" Madam Wang said with a smile.