High-class maid

Chapter 192 1 A Family with a Daughter Seeks Help

"Alright, alright, then I won't stand on ceremony with you, sister. Come on, let's go inside." Madam Wang, carrying the four boxes of pastries she had given her, invited the mother and her two children into the hall.

One by one, other neighbors arrived.

Shen Xing'er looked at the gifts they brought and silently remembered them. No one came empty-handed, no matter how small.

Everyone was chatting and laughing in the hall, while the children were eating fruits and snacks they didn't usually get to eat. Before it was completely dark, several candles were lit, making the room bright.

"Xing'er, come and serve the dishes!" Wang called out.

Shen Xing'er immediately put down the melon seeds she was holding and went to the kitchen to help.

"Silly child, what are you standing there for? Go and help!" Madam Han nudged her son Liang Yuwen and whispered a reminder.

Liang Yuwen's face turned red to his ears. He looked at the busy figure in the kitchen, feeling a little shy. He knew what his mother meant.

"Auntie, let me do it." Liang Yuwen strode into the kitchen, took the plate from Wang Shi's hand with her fair hands, and walked steadily towards the hall.

"How can we trouble Brother Liang? He uses those hands to take patients' pulses and examine them. Please sit down and wait for your meal!" said Madam Wang.

In the Qin Dynasty, doctors held a very high status. Although Liang Yuwen was only an apprentice, Wang had heard that he was diligent and eager to learn, and quite knowledgeable at a young age. He had already begun to accompany senior doctors on house calls.

"Sister, don't mind him! He should do some housework too, otherwise how can he understand the hardships of us women?" Madam Han said, cracking melon seeds, not feeling sorry for her son doing chores.

This mother and son, surnamed Han, are quite an inspirational figure. She lost her husband at a young age, but she did not give up on herself. Instead, she used the last of her family's money to send her son to a clinic.

Fortunately, her son is doing well and is now earning money for the family. The mother and son are still highly respected in this alley.

Just as Shen Xing'er brought the last dish to the table, Master Ren arrived with his wife.

As the richest man in the alley, he naturally made a grand entrance last, and his gift was also different from others.

"What is this?" Shen Kun asked, looking at the birdcage that Master Ren was carrying, with a wry smile on his face.

"Brother Shen, I'm late! Hurry up and take this, it's so heavy!" Master Ren placed the birdcage in Shen Kun's hands and rubbed his aching wrist.

"This is a parrot I specially found for you. Now that the weather is warmer, it's easy to take care of. When you have some free time, let's take the bird for a walk together!" Master Ren looked at Shen Kun with a smile, as if he was very satisfied with the gift he had given him.

"Well... then I'll accept it without further ado!" Shen Kun didn't stand on ceremony any longer. Now that everyone was waiting for dinner, he put the parrot in the kitchen, where it was warmer, and then led Master Ren to the main hall.

"Fortunately, we listened to Xing'er and booked three tables, which is just right including the children!" Wang said.

Looking at the fully occupied hall, Shen Xing'er felt a great sense of accomplishment. This was the first time she had managed household affairs, and thankfully, nothing went wrong.

"Mother, this is also thanks to you and Father. If you hadn't trusted your daughter and let me do it, I'm afraid I wouldn't have done it well!" Shen Xing'er said modestly.

"You're so sweet-talking!" Wang rolled her eyes at her and tapped her forehead with a smile.

Inside the house, Liang Yuwen looked at the smiling Shen Xing'er and felt a sudden jolt in his heart. He turned his head away unnaturally, forcing himself not to look at her, lest he be misunderstood.

Han looked at her son with a gossipy expression; her silly son had finally come to his senses.

After everyone was seated, Shen Kun raised his wine glass and said...

"Ladies and gentlemen, my family has lived in this alley for many years. Because we have been working in the mansion, we have never had the opportunity to interact with our neighbors. Now, thanks to the kindness of our esteemed family, we have regained our freedom. We have prepared a few tables of wine and food so that we can get to know you all."

The hall fell silent instantly as everyone listened to Shen Kun speak.

"Haha, we've all lived here for years, we're old neighbors. Why don't you introduce your family to everyone?"

Mr. Ren has always enjoyed these kinds of occasions, and he spoke on behalf of everyone.

"My name is Shen Kun, this is my wife, Wang Meizhen, and this is my daughter, Shen Xing'er. I hope you will all take good care of us in the future." After saying this, Shen Kun raised his wine glass to everyone and drank it all in one gulp.

"It's not a matter of taking care of him, we'll just look after each other in the future. Who knows, I might even need Brother Shen's help!"

"This is the first time our whole neighborhood has gathered like this! Sister-in-law, your son has grown so much!"

"Have all the families from the alley come? It's so lively and nice!"

"No, the scholar's family didn't come. They've always looked down on us ordinary folks."

"Oh, don't even mention it. This scholar's family is nothing compared to the Wu family who moved away last year. They're so arrogant..."

"Alright, alright, why bring them up? Let's eat..."

Shen Xing'er and her family listened to the conversation but did not respond, indicating that the neighbors harbored deep resentment towards the scholar's family.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill. Those with young children took their leave. After seeing her neighbors off, Shen Xing'er began to clean up the mess with Wang Shi.

"Let me do it!" Just as Shen Xing'er was moving the stool, Liang Yuwen took it from her. His hand accidentally touched Shen Xing'er's hand, and Liang Yuwen's face immediately turned red to the roots of his ears.

Shen Xing'er didn't think anything of it. She didn't dislike the older brother in front of her. He was gentle and refined, and his manners were proper. He was the type that elders liked.

"No need, Brother Liang, you should go back and rest." Shen Xing'er smiled slightly at him. It was almost 9 PM, and Brother Liang was a doctor, so this time must have been considered staying up all night for him.

"It's alright, I'm strong, I'll do it." Liang Yuwen said, and moved all the stools behind the door, just waiting to return them to each family tomorrow.

Looking at the attentive Liang Yuwen, He Bo felt a sense of unease. It was truly a case of "a family with a daughter, a hundred families seeking her"! Miss Shen had barely left the manor when people started eyeing her.

No, Miss Shen can only be my young master's!

"Ouch, my leg hurts! Brother Liang, come and take a look!" Uncle He turned his head and shouted while holding his leg.

Liang Yuwen rushed over, took Uncle He's pulse, and asked about his past medical history.

"Uncle He, this is an old problem of yours. You drank too much today and walked a few extra steps, which is why your legs hurt. I'll prescribe a medicine for you. Drink it for a few days and you'll feel better. In the future, you must not drink alcohol."

Liang Yuwen had no suspicions and focused solely on treating He Bo's illness.

"It's all my fault. I drank too much today because I was so happy. But my leg hurts so much that I'll have to trouble you to take me home," Uncle He said.

"Of course, Uncle and Aunt, I'll be going now?" Liang Yuwen helped Uncle He up and said goodbye to Madam Wang and Shen Kun.