After seeing off Shen Yuanyong and his servant, Luomei and Zhuiji rushed in with joy: "Young lady, young lady, the master has been promoted, the master has been promoted!"

  "What a ridiculous thing to say!" Shen Mu's heart was racing, but she didn't dare think about a certain matter and could only laugh and say, "What nonsense are you spouting? Stand up straight and speak properly."

  Luomei suddenly realized her mistake and panted: "The old master has been promoted and is now receiving the imperial edict at Fuzetang!"

  "Did you hear that clearly?!" Shen Mu Qing Sheng was afraid that he himself had been thinking about it day and night, thus producing an illusion.

  "Listen clearly, listen clearly!" Lu Mei no longer had her usual composure, and smiled: "At the time when the original Grand Councilor, Minister of Personnel, and President of the Imperial Academy retired due to old age, our master took over. At that time, he entered the Wenyuan Pavilion as a Grand Councilor, in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, and was promoted to Grand Guardian of the Crown Prince."

  Shen Mu Qing clasped his hands together in a Buddhist greeting and bowed towards the sky, saying "Amitabha".

  It seems Shen Zhen won this round of political struggle.

  "Let's go!" Shen Mu Qing smiled and said, "We'll go to Madam's place to ask for a reward."

  Luo Mei and Zhu Ji heard this, both covering their mouths to laugh. Ying Fen, hearing the commotion, had already run out, shouting: "The young lady is being unfair, taking those two but not me!"

  Several little maidservants poked their heads out and gazed at them with big, wide eyes.

  "Alright, let's all go, let's all go."

  The little maids all came running out with smiles, but unlike before, they didn't chatter and gossip, just looked at them smiling.

  Shen Mu Qing nodded silently in agreement.

  It seems that entrusting the children to Yingfen for discipline was the right choice.

  They went to Chaohuidang in a mighty and majestic manner.

  Chao Xi Tang also received the news, and everyone's face was filled with joy, just like during Chinese New Year.

  She had just stepped into the courtyard when Tian's mother, carrying Da Sha, arrived. The two families met and naturally exchanged greetings, creating another lively scene. Everyone entered the house together. Li Shi was wearing a rabbit-shaped hat and holding a porcelain silk-wrapped hand warmer, smiling brightly as she leaned against the windowsill in the western wing of the house, chatting with Chen Niang: "Six coins for each silver ingot, four for each person on the first day of the month, decreasing by one each time. As for Moon Solitude, I have a special reward!" When she saw Shen Muqing enter, her smile grew even brighter: "Muqing has also received the news!"

  Shen Mu Qing nodded repeatedly: "The little maid in my house also wants a reward."

  The young maids who had just entered the mansion did not have a monthly allowance, and according to the rules, even if there was a reward, it would not be their share. However, this was an extraordinary joyous occasion, so Li smiled and said: "Good, good, good, everyone will get a reward."

  Aunt Chen covered her mouth and smiled, but her eyes were fixed on Xianglian.

  Xianglian also looked at Chen Niang with a smile, and the two of them had a flirtatious look.

  Shen Muqing saw it with her eyes and felt it in her heart: now that they were in different places, it was natural to meet and be happy. But once the master-slave relationship became a reality, one was in charge of people, and the other was being managed, where was this deep affection?

  She smiled slightly and said: "Aunt always looks at Xianglian, but she has taken a liking to this little servant girl."

  Aunt Chen's smile stiffened on her face, and she said in a somewhat flustered tone: "No, no. The maidservants in your room are not people I can order around."

  Shen Muqing saw a faintly surprised expression on Xianglian's face, which immediately turned into a faint disappointment.

  I let you into my house!

  "Look at what your mistress said. Your maid, Xiang He, has been coming to my house every other day, saying she's looking for Xiang Lian to talk to... It seems that both you and your maid have a predestined relationship with Xiang Lian. Since that's the case, Xiang Lian, from today on, you'll go serve at Mistress Chen's house."

  Xianglian was taken aback, but quickly regained her composure and curtsied to Shen Muqing: "Thank you, miss. I heard that there was also a Xianglian in the aunt's house, so I'm very curious about this sister and often asked Xianghe about her. Who would have thought that we could meet while serving the aunt?"

  Aunt Chen listened to this and was slightly stunned, then a fearless expression like breaking the cauldron and sinking the boat appeared on her face. She walked up to Mrs. Li and knelt down, bowing her head and saying: "Please, madam, grant me this favor for Hua Hong!"

  For a moment, the room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. The lively atmosphere just now seemed to have frozen and solidified like ice.

  Mr. Li smiled and looked at Chen Niang with a smile that was not a smile, saying: "Since Mu Qingzi has spoken... Xianglian, from now on, you will serve in your aunt's house!"

  Chen Yinniang listened and secretly raised her head to glance at Shen Muqing, who was smiling brightly at her, before thanking Li Shi.

  Xianglian also naturally couldn't help but give Li Shi and Jie Hong a bow of her head.

  Li accepted the courtesy of the two men, and the atmosphere in the house began to liven up again.

  Shen Zhen walked in amidst this joyful atmosphere.

  Everyone came forward one after another to pay their respects to Shen Zhen and offer congratulations.

  Li looked at the imperial edict in his hand and a smile bloomed on her face: "Quickly, let me see."

  Shen Zhen couldn't hide the smile in his eyes. He sat down beside Li Shi and handed her the imperial edict he was holding.

  Li put the imperial edict on the kang table, slowly unfolding it, and gently stroking the colorful patterns on it with his fingers, his expression devout.

  "Shi Ming, you are the first Grand Councilor of the Shen family. The Shen family has never produced an official greater than you!" Li said with sparkling eyes.

  Shen Zhen smiled and patted Shen Muqing's head, who was standing beside him, and softly said "uh-huh".

  "Congratulations, sir! Felicitations, sir!"

  The others in the house also came forward again to congratulate after hearing this.

  Li's face showed a satisfied expression. She rolled up the imperial edict again and handed it to Wang Mama: "Go, take it to the Xianlou on the ancestral hall and offer it."

  Wang's mother wiped her hands on her collar before taking it and happily went away.

  Mr. Li also ordered the kitchen to add dishes, and Qi's mother rewarded them, asking someone to invite Shen Yuerong over for dinner as well.

  When Qing came out of Li's house, it was already time to light the lamps. And her hanging heart also fell - she had just taken the opportunity to quietly mention the birthday of Princess Zhen'an to Shen Jian, and Shen Jian comforted her: "Don't worry, I have my own plan for this matter." He also praised her: "You've really grown up, and you're thinking things through more thoroughly now!"

  Now, as soon as Shen Yue's matter settles down, life will return to its usual calmness.

  Shen Mu Qing thought about it and felt that her breathing had become much smoother, and she happily brought a group of young maids back to An Garden.

  The next morning, Xianghe came to pick up Xianglian early.

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and rewarded Xiang Lian with five taels of silver: "Auntie, you still have a few dowry items from your mother's house. You're young now and don't have a monthly allowance yet. But in human relationships, it's not just about money or silk; there's no time when money isn't useful. Although you haven't served me directly, after all, you came out of my household, so remember to give me some face."

  Xiang Lian bowed three times to Shen Muqing and didn't say a word, then followed Xiang He away.

  Shen Mu Qing smiled indifferently and said nothing.

  Thirty years on the west of the river, forty years on the east. As long as one is alive, no one knows what kind of people or things they will encounter. Since it's not a matter of life and death, there's no need to tear your face apart with others.

  She took the opportunity to educate the remaining few: "Whoever wants to work in another house, just tell me, I will treat you like Xianglian. But if anyone is in Cao's camp and has their heart in Han, well, don't blame me for calling Zhang Baozi to take you away."

  Several little maids all nodded and agreed, only Pu Yu murmured: "Miss, can I go to the mother-in-law's, no, madam's room?"

  "Alright, I'll arrange for you to serve Madam in her chambers right away."

  Bao Yu was overjoyed and, with a big smile on her face, she curtsied to Shen Muqing - this was something she had just learned.

  When Shen Muqing went to visit Li's family, she brought Pu Yu with her and also taught Li's family Pu Yu's words. Li's family was also surprised and asked Pu Yu, "Isn't it good to be by Miss's side?"

  "Miss has many people around her, Madam has no one by her side, I'll come serve Madam."

  She speaks from her heart, and this sentence is especially sincere.

  Li's slightly cold face broke into a smile, and she instructed Qi Mama: "Let her be with Cui Lian, and give her the same monthly allowance as the other maids."

  Everyone in the house was surprised, and everyone's face showed a different expression.

  This is probably Shen's family fastest serving maid.

  Madam Qi then had Pu Yu thank Li. She immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Li, but her expression was still dazed and at a loss, showing her simplicity.

  Shen Muqing said with a pout, "Nowadays, Madam only has eyes for Pu Yu!"

  Li was furious and pinched her tender cheek: "You little vinegar jar!"

  Shen Mu Qing fell into Li's arms.

  Li laughed loudly, with an indescribable joy in his expression.

  Shen Muqing was still leaning on her shoulder, overcome with grief.

  Such days, I don't know how much longer they can last!

  ******

  Shen Zhen was appointed as the first assistant to the cabinet, which made several families happy and several others worried. However, the Shen family was definitely among the happy ones.

  Early in the morning, I received an imperial edict and by noon, there were guests arriving at the door. The wealthy daughter-in-law was summoned to the large kitchen of the outer courtyard to serve, and Li Shi arranged for Wang Mama to invite skilled cooks who specialized in making Suzhou dishes and Beijing-style stuffed buns to help with the cooking.

  "Shall we invite Kunqu Opera performers?" said Wang's mother. "Lian Kui Troupe just came out of the palace yesterday, they should be available."

  Mr. Li shook his head repeatedly: "Master is now in the limelight, and it's even more necessary to be cautious in doing things. How can you loudly sing in every household? You'll call Wang Fu later, I still have a few words to instruct him."

  Wang Fu is the name of Wang's general manager.

  Wang's mother immediately agreed.

  "In the next few days, the ladies of the various mansions will probably be on the move. You should send someone to thoroughly sweep and clean the house, and bring out the embroidered screens, gold and silver utensils, tables, chairs, and stools from the warehouse..."

  Wang's mother agreed one by one.

  Shen Muqing watched from the side as Li Shi attended to every detail, explaining everything clearly. She was very impressed. She handed over a cup of water and just then Li Shi finished explaining things. She took the water and drank a mouthful, her eyes scanning her daughter standing beside her, smiling: "These past few days I've had a lot of social engagements, you can just report back to your sister directly about household matters!"

  Shen Mu Qing's heart was moved by what she heard.

  The sense of satisfaction from being recognized by others for her own efforts revived in her body - just like a long time ago, when she successfully organized a business meeting, hosted a dance party or held a small dinner party, her hard work turned into the satisfied smiles on other people's faces, and the sense of accomplishment that welled up from the bottom of her heart.

  The votes are just like this weather, frozen O(∩_∩)O haha~