High-class maid

Chapter 223 The marriage should have been arranged long ago.

The two talked on the boat for a while, and Shen Xing'er then told Song Wenyang about her plans for the future.

“Not bad, Xing’er has a great idea. But there’s no shortage of luxury shops in the capital. You need to come up with something special to attract attention and keep customers.”

Song Wenyang, being knowledgeable and experienced, quickly gave Shen Xing'er some advice.

"Yes, I know. I plan to put some effort into the decoration. Here are the drawings I made. Can you take a look and see if there's anything that needs to be changed?" Shen Xing'er took out the drawings she had been working on for several nights from her purse and handed them to Song Wenyang.

"Why is the window semi-circular? Are you planning to use glass or something?" Song Wenyang looked at the window on the drawing. It was the first time he had seen this style of window, and it was indeed quite novel.

"I'm planning to make the windows bigger, and use glass for everything. And this door, isn't it pretty?" Shen Xing'er pointed to the semi-circular archway on the drawing, which she had specially drawn to match the windows.

“It is indeed quite novel. No shop in the capital has been decorated like this before. However, this will cost a lot of money,” Song Wenyang said.

He wasn't worried that Shen Xing'er would spend a lot of money, but rather that she had no concept of money and would end up exceeding the budget.

"It's alright, I have faith in this shop, and you should believe in me too," Shen Xing'er said confidently.

"Alright, I'll support whatever Xing'er does. Do you have enough money?" Song Wenyang asked, reaching into his purse with his other hand to take out a silver note.

"Alright, stop giving me money. You're always busy with social engagements these days; you can't do without money." Shen Xing'er didn't intend to take Song Wenyang's money.

The money he had given me in the previous visits was enough to buy an entire street; I couldn't accept any more.

"Alright, if you have any questions, just come to me. I originally planned to propose marriage to you after the imperial examinations, but then this happened with Uncle He. Although he wasn't my relative, he was like family to me. Now that he has just passed away, it's inconvenient for me to propose marriage to you right away. Xing'er, please wait for me a little longer, okay?"

Song Wenyang cupped her face in his hands and said affectionately.

"I'm not in a hurry, you're the one who should be. I haven't even had a chance to grow old yet, and you're already an old man." Shen Xing'er had a mischievous thought and started teasing Song Wenyang.

"Fine, Xing'er thinks I'm too old, what should I do? I'll just reincarnate." Song Wenyang said with a dejected look.

"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. Wen Yang, will you mind if I open a shop?" Shen Xing'er asked the question that had been bothering her for the past few days.

"Why would I dislike you? I'm more afraid that you'll dislike me," Song Wenyang asked with a puzzled look.

"If I open a shop, I'll become a merchant. Merchants have always had a low social status and are not well-regarded by the world. If we get married in the future, my identity will be..."

“Xing’er, don’t underestimate yourself. I love you for who you are. Rules are made by people. People look down on merchants, yet they live worse lives than merchants. So don’t worry about it.”

Song Wenyang said.

Shen Xing'er nodded. Since Wen Yang didn't mind, she would go ahead and do it without worry!

"Oh, right, I brought you a few books, and a calligraphy copybook that I made myself. Once the shop is settled, you can use it to pass the time when you have nothing to do."

Song Wenyang took out two books, as well as a calligraphy copybook he had written himself.

"Did you write this calligraphy yourself?" Shen Xing'er asked in surprise.

“Exactly, time was a bit rushed, so please make do with this. Once you've helped me pass the palace examination, I'll give you an even better one.” Song Wenyang scratched his head sheepishly.

"You're so busy, yet you still find time to write calligraphy for me. How could I possibly dislike your handwriting? By the way, do you think my handwriting is ugly?"

Shen Xing'er changed the subject and looked at Song Wenyang.

Although she could read and write some simple characters, her handwriting was truly appalling. While working at the Minister's mansion, her job was easy, but she dared not read books, because in a high-ranking household, it was not a good thing for a maid to be literate.

"No, no, Xing'er misunderstood me. I just wanted you to become a better person. I've kept every single letter you wrote to me." Song Wenyang waved his hands repeatedly, afraid that Shen Xing'er would misunderstand him.

"Okay, just kidding! I really like it." Shen Xing'er put the book away and said with a smile.

After exchanging a few more words, the two parted ways. Song Wenyang was going to ask Shen Xing'er about famous decorating teams in the capital, while Shen Xing'er was looking for an embroiderer.

They agreed to meet at the shop entrance at noon the next day.

When Shen Xing'er returned home, she saw Han Shi coming out of her house with a smile on her face, and her mother Wang Shi also came out of the courtyard to see her off with a happy expression.

"Xing'er, you're back? If you ask me, Xing'er is really capable. She can't stay idle at home for a moment. I heard from your mother that you're going to open a shop?" Madam Han asked with a smile.

"Yes, Auntie, it's just a small matter. Why don't you sit for a while longer?" Shen Xing'er didn't want to talk too much about the shop's affairs, so she just smiled and greeted Madam Han.

"No, no, I haven't fed the chickens at home yet. I'll go home and feed them. I'll come back another day!" After saying that, Madam Han looked at Shen Xing'er again, patted her hand, and left.

Seeing that she was acting strangely today, Shen Xing'er glanced suspiciously at Han's back, then at Wang, who was also all smiles, before shaking her head and going back inside.

She didn't have time to overthink things; she needed to go back inside and write up the job postings.

"Xing'er, are you busy?" Wang Shi followed Shen Xing'er back into her room, looking like she had something to say.

"Mother, please tell me what's on your mind. I'm not busy, so it's fine." Shen Xing'er put down the calligraphy brush in her hand, her intuition telling her that something must have happened.

"Yes...it's like this, what do you think of Yuwen next door?" Wang asked cautiously, observing Shen Xing'er's expression.

"Brother Liang? Why would Mother ask that?" Shen Xing'er asked, puzzled.

“You’re almost of marriageable age now, and your marriage should have been arranged long ago. I think Yuwen next door is very good, and besides, your aunt also likes you,” Wang said.

"Did Aunt Han come to our house just now to bring up this matter?" Shen Xing'er was as if struck by lightning. She hadn't even told her parents about her relationship with Song Wenyang yet, and now Liang Yuwen had come along.

“That’s right. We know the Liang family quite well. After you marry into the family, you’ll be close to your parents’ home, and they can help you out if anything happens. What do you think?” Madam Wang asked expectantly.

"Although the Liang family is small and has few relatives, your parents live close to you, and Yuwen has a fixed income every month. Your aunt also said that she would open a clinic for Yuwen after you get married. I think the Liang family is a good choice."

Fearing her daughter would refuse, Wang said a lot in one breath.

"Mother, does Father know about this?" Shen Xing'er asked.

“Your father doesn’t know yet, why don’t I ask him? I think he’d like it too.” Wang asked happily, thinking the matter was on track.