High-class maid

Chapter 225 Recruiting Embroiderers

"Foreman Li, I'll leave this matter to you. If you need anything, just tell my page at the Song residence. You don't need to mention the money to Miss Shen. I'll settle the final payment with you after the work is finished."

After a few rounds of drinks, Song Wenyang spoke softly.

Although Foreman Li was a contractor who did decoration and renovation work for the nobles in the capital, he usually dealt with stewards or servants. The fact that someone of Song Wenyang's status dined with him without any airs dispelled the rumors about Song Wenyang in the capital.

"Don't worry, Young Master Song, I will definitely instruct my men to do a good job and never cut corners!" Foreman Li was also an honest man; otherwise, with so many decoration teams in the capital, how could he be the only one with a steady stream of business?

"This is part of the money." Song Wenyang took out a silver note and handed it to Foreman Li. Before Foreman Li could even see the amount on the note, he took out another silver note.

“You can use this money to treat your brothers to drinks. Miss Shen is just a woman, busy with the affairs of the shop, so she probably wouldn’t have thought of this.”

"This is too much silver. Young Master Song, please take one." Foreman Li hesitated as he looked at the two huge silver notes on the table.

"Keep the rest. I hope no one knows I'm talking to you," Song Wenyang said.

Oh, so it was hush money! Foreman Li instantly understood. So Song Wenyang didn't like men, but instead harbored feelings for a woman! He was now somewhat curious about what kind of woman Song Wenyang was protecting so carefully.

"Don't worry, Young Master Song. I know the rules when it comes to getting paid to do things," Foreman Li said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

The two parted ways at the restaurant entrance, and the next day at noon, Song Wenyang arrived at the shop entrance as agreed.

"Wen Yang, I have something to tell you." Shen Xing'er had been waiting anxiously at the door. Fortunately, Wang Shi went home to cook, and Shen Kun drove the carriage home to take his wife. Otherwise, Shen Xing'er would not know how to talk to Song Wen Yang.

"Xing'er, what's wrong?" Song Wenyang saw Shen Xing'er putting up a notice on the wall seeking embroiderers, so he took it from her and used his height advantage to help her put it up.

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?" Song Wenyang asked.

"My parents know about us, but they seem to be somewhat opposed," Shen Xing'er said softly.

Song Wenyang's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the paste he was holding.

“It’s understandable to object, but how did your uncle and aunt know? Did someone tell them, or did they see it?” Song Wenyang asked, his voice trembling slightly without him even realizing it.

So Shen Xing'er told Song Wenyang the whole story, and finally added...

"My parents might want to see you, so you'd better prepare. When are you free? I'd like to ask my parents to make the arrangements," Shen Xing'er asked.

"I'm free any day!" Song Wenyang said impatiently before Shen Xing'er could finish speaking.

No way! If his future father-in-law wanted to see him, would he put on airs? Of course he'd be available anytime, even if the emperor came, he'd have to wait his turn!

“Alright, I’ll go back to my parents, and we’ll meet here again at noon tomorrow,” Shen Xing’er said.

"Okay." After saying that, Song Wenyang unconsciously swallowed. For some reason, he was nervous, even more nervous than when he was meeting the emperor.

"You should hurry up and leave, it won't be good if others see you." Shen Xing'er pushed Song Wenyang towards the door. It wouldn't matter if her parents saw them, but if acquaintances saw them, then she would have no way to explain herself.

“Okay, I’ll come again tomorrow,” Song Wenyang said.

Although he wanted to say a few more words to Xing'er, he knew this was not the time for pleasantries. Oh well, there would be plenty of time in the future.

By the afternoon, many passersby had gathered in front of the shop.

"What's that posted up here? We can't read, is it a job posting?"

"I suppose so, but I wonder what kind of shop it is."

"It used to be an embroidery shop, but I don't know who took it over."

“It says here that they are recruiting four embroiderers!” said a literate scholar.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my shop is about to open, but we don't have any embroiderers at the moment. If any of you know any embroiderers, please pass on this message to us: we will offer you the best discounts when the shop opens!" Shen Xing'er said as she walked out of the shop.

"Oh, it's an embroidery shop. But you haven't decorated it yet. Even if you sign up, you'll have to wait at least two or three months before you can start working," an old woman asked.

Her daughter-in-law came from the countryside. If it weren't for her excellent embroidery skills, she wouldn't have agreed to let her son marry her. Now, three months into their marriage, she still hasn't gotten pregnant. The old woman had long wanted her to find a job in the capital, but being an embroiderer was a lucrative job, and even if there were vacancies, an old woman like her wouldn't know. Now that she saw a shop recruiting embroiderers, she naturally wanted to find out more.

“Auntie, don’t worry. All the embroidery in our shop is designed by myself. Now that the renovation is underway for a few months, all the embroiderers can embroider at home, but they need to pay a deposit,” Shen Xing’er replied with a smile.

Some people hesitated when they heard they had to pay a deposit, but others had a plan in mind. They figured that someone who could take over a shop immediately and renovate it in such a grand way must have enough money. Those who had figured it out had already gone home to inform others.

"Can I do it?" a little girl asked softly.

Shen Xing'er looked in the direction of the sound and saw that she was wearing a padded jacket with sleeves that were too short. The red color on her clothes had already faded to white after washing, and her face was yellow and dry, indicating that she hadn't been eating well.

“Little girl, you can bring one of your embroidered pieces. If possible, you can take it home today,” Shen Xing’er replied with a smile.

Although she doesn't know how to embroider, thanks to Shan Tao, she can still tell at a glance whether an embroidery is well-made or not.

"Okay." After saying that, the little girl ran home. As long as this older sister was willing to give her a chance, her stepmother wouldn't mind that she was just eating for free at home.

"How do you say 'silver money'?" a passerby asked.

“Of course it won’t be low. Do you have any suitable embroiderers at home?” Shen Xing’er asked in return.

"No, no," the man who had been watching the commotion replied sheepishly.

He had just finished lunch and, having nothing better to do, wandered over here. How could he have met an embroiderer he knew? If his wife at home found out, she would probably scratch his face to pieces.

"Don't worry, everyone. The wages will definitely satisfy you. I need to see the embroidery first before we can discuss the wages," Shen Xing'er said with a smile.

With the opening just around the corner, she's determined not to offend any potential customers.

The passersby saw that the little girl was quite young, but handled things with ease, and had a sweet smile. They immediately gave up their playful mood, watched her for a while, and then went back to spread the word.