High-class maid

Chapter 264 Can’t hide it anymore

"Your Majesty, my family was once servants of the Minister's household. We were fortunate enough to be freed from slavery some time ago and now run an embroidery shop in the east of the city."

Shen Xing'er knew she couldn't avoid it, so instead of hiding it, she might as well speak frankly.

"Oh, so you're a servant from the Minister's residence. I wouldn't have recognized you if you hadn't told me. I thought you were some young lady from a wealthy family," the Empress said with a smile, seemingly oblivious to everyone else.

Shen Xing'er lowered her head neither humbly nor arrogantly, and remained silent.

"Cough cough."

The Emperor coughed in displeasure, and the Empress immediately shut her mouth.

"What's the name of your embroidery shop? I'm a big fan of embroidery and often send people out of the palace to buy embroidery. I might even have bought something from your shop before," a gentle female voice said.

Shen Xing'er looked up at the other person and saw that she was about the same age as Wang Shi, but younger and dressed in more luxurious clothes. She must be one of the concubines in the palace.

"This is Consort Ru, the birth mother of the Second Prince," Zhang Yuzhu whispered, offering a timely reminder.

No wonder she bears a resemblance to the Second Prince, Shen Xing'er composed herself and replied respectfully.

"Your Majesty, my embroidery shop is called Jinxiufang. It has only been open for a little over a month. I wonder if Your Majesty has heard of it?"

“Jinxiufang, I know it. Look, the sachet I’m wearing was bought from Jinxiufang.” Consort Ru pointed to the pale yellow sachet hanging on her body. Shen Xing’er took a look and saw that it was indeed from Jinxiufang.

"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's favor; it is truly an honor to have caught Your Majesty's eye."

Although I don’t know why Consort Ru is so kind to me, having more friends means having more options, right?

Consort Ru gave her a gentle smile, then turned to speak with the Emperor.

Song Yanjiang, who had been silent all along, was quietly observing Shen Xing'er. Hmm, although she didn't come from a very high social class, she was poised and confident, and not at all shy. She was alright.

The Emperor was also observing Shen Xing'er. This girl didn't shy away from her background, nor was she afraid of others' ridicule. It was clear that she was a person who could keep her composure. Looking at his own son's worthless appearance, he really couldn't bear to look at him.

The Empress was sulking to herself. All she had done was make things difficult for the girl, and the Emperor was already rushing to protect her as if he was afraid she would run away. Humph, do you think I'd eat her?

However, the Empress reconsidered. She was determined to bring Song Wenyang and this girl together. If he married a girl of low birth and became the mistress of the Song household, what would Song Wenyang use to compete with the Crown Prince in the future? Yes, she had to bring them together!

By a twist of fate, the Empress became the first supporter present.

Seeing that the guests had finished their pleasantries, the Emperor gave Eunuch Su a wink. Eunuch Su clapped his hands, and soon a group of palace maids entered in single file, carrying trays.

"Please try this, everyone. This is peony wine that I brewed myself. It's just that it's only been brewed for a short time, so it's a bit strong. We ladies should refrain from drinking it," the Empress said with a smile.

"Aunt, Zhu'er wants to drink the fruit wine you brewed," Zhang Yuzhu said coquettishly.

"I knew you little glutton would want a drink. I had someone prepare it long ago. Fu'er, pour a cup for the ladies." The Empress instructed the head maid behind her.

In the Imperial Garden, singing and dancing filled the air, with men and women sitting on either side of each other, and delicious food laid out on the table. A warm breeze blew gently, making everyone feel extremely comfortable.

Fu'er came up behind Shen Xing'er with a wine pot, and by sheer coincidence, the wine spilled all over Shen Xing'er.

"This servant deserves to die, please spare my life, young lady!" Fu'er knelt in front of Shen Xing'er in a panic, trembling all over.

The men opposite seemed oblivious to the incident and continued drinking and watching the dance.

Shen Xing'er wiped the wine off her clothes with a handkerchief, then got up and helped Fu'er up.

“Miss, you didn’t mean it, so why are you so scared? Get up quickly. If you keep kneeling, I’ll be the one who’s scared,” Shen Xing’er said with a smile.

Fu'er paused, then secretly turned her head to look at the Empress.

"You're usually so clever, how come you're so stupid today? Hurry up and take our distinguished guest downstairs to change!" the Empress frowned and ordered.

“Yes, please follow me, young lady.” Fu’er stood up and led the way.

Knowing she couldn't avoid it, Shen Xing'er followed her.

Song Wenyang, who was on the other side, got up and wanted to follow, but Song Yanjiang pressed him down.

“Sit down! If she can’t even handle these things, how can she be qualified to be the mistress of the Song family?” Song Yanjiang said in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Song Wenyang had no choice but to sit down reluctantly.

The empress opposite him felt uneasy under his gaze. She picked up the fruit wine on the table, took a sip, and muttered to herself.

"You brat, don't blame me, it's all your father's fault for making things difficult for her!"

On the other side, Shen Xing'er followed the palace maid, turning left and right, and finally arrived at a quiet outdoor area.

"Miss, there are dresses inside. Please come with me to change," Fu'er said ingratiatingly.

"I'm not used to being waited on. You can wait outside. I can manage on my own." Shen Xing'er gave her a gentle smile, then closed the door without any room for argument.

"Then I'll stay outside and keep watch. Please let me know if you need anything, Miss," Fu'er called out from inside the room.

Shen Xing'er entered the house, first locking the door from the inside, then looking around and checking where people could hide. Only after confirming that there was no one else in the house did she feel at ease changing her clothes.

"Miss, I ate something wrong and have a stomachache. I need to go to the toilet." Fu'er's voice came from outside the door, and she sounded quite anxious.

Shen Xing'er smiled knowingly; as expected, they had come.

Isn't the plan simply to lead you to an unfamiliar place, let you get lost, and then embarrass yourself in the palace? If you're lucky, you might find your way back; if you're unlucky and bump into some noble person, you'll become the laughingstock of the palace.

Shen Xing'er guessed correctly. Fu'er, who was supposed to relieve herself, turned around and returned to the banquet, then stood behind the Empress as if nothing had happened and served her.

"Fortunately, I was careful and made a mark on the way here," Shen Xing'er muttered to herself.

It turned out that the sachet she carried with her didn't contain any spices, but rather some lime powder. The specially made cloth could be torn open easily, all in case of this kind of thing happened. She thought she was being a bit of a worrywart, but unexpectedly, it actually came in handy.

As Fu'er spilled the fruit wine on her, she had already secretly ripped open a corner of the sachet.

She followed the markings back to the Imperial Garden, quietly sat down in her seat, and didn't even glance at Fu'er.

Song Yanjiang and the Emperor breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. Very good, the second test was passed.

"Your Majesty, the Second Prince requests an audience," said Eunuch Su.

The Emperor and Song Yanjiang exchanged a glance, both seeing rejection in each other's eyes. No way! How could they let him in? Impossible!!!

"There are women at the table, let him leave." The Emperor waved his hand, issuing an order to dismiss the guests.

It wasn't that he didn't want his second brother to come, but if his second brother saw his face, which resembled Song Wenyang's, then Song Wenyang's identity would be impossible to hide!