Chapter 48

Shen Wei was sitting calmly in the circle chair on the veranda, holding a cup of tea in her hand. Her eyes, however, were focused on the rows of maids in the yard. Once the matchmaker finished her duties, Steward Xu, who was in charge of the matter, approached and respectfully bowed to her, then spoke in a courteous tone, “Madam, everything is ready.”

Shen Wei nodded upon hearing this. She still held the tea cup and glanced to her side. Seeing the chair still empty, she asked, “Where is Second Madam?”

“Second Madam is… I’ve already sent someone to notify her, but…” Steward Xu hesitated.

Seeing his awkward expression, Shen Wei guessed what was happening. It was likely that Wang Shi, resentful over her son being sent to Jiangxi, was trying to make everyone wait. However, Shen Wei had no interest in wasting time under the scorching sun.

Without further thought, she placed her tea cup on the table and calmly said, “Since she has something to attend to, let’s begin.”

Steward Xu immediately agreed, but before he could speak to the matchmaker, a group of people entered the yard, led by Wang Shi. Wang Shi was dressed in a purple round-collar gown with a dark red skirt beneath and adorned with jewels in her hair. She walked towards them under the sunlight, making her even more dazzling.

The people in the yard immediately greeted her, saying in unison, “Greetings, Second Madam.”

Wang Shi didn’t respond but was helped by Anxiang as she walked toward Shen Wei. Upon reaching her, she withdrew her hand from Anxiang’s arm and gave a small bow. Her gesture was somewhat dismissive, and her voice carried a hint of sarcasm, “Big sister-in-law really doesn’t wait for anyone, intending to start before everyone’s even here?”

At her words, the people around exchanged looks. They had heard that the relationship between the First and Second Madams was strained, but they hadn’t expected it to be so open today, with Second Madam showing no pretense.

The expressions of Mo Qi and the others, standing beside Shen Wei, grew darker. If it weren’t for the fact that the other party was a superior, they would have spoken out by now. It was one thing for Second Madam to arrive late, but to speak to Madam this way—it felt as though everyone owed her something.

Shen Wei remained unbothered, sitting in her circle chair with the same calm expression, her voice unchanged as she replied, “Since Second Sister-in-law is here, please take a seat.”

Wang Shi’s frustration deepened upon hearing this.

She would rather Shen Wei argue with her, but Shen Wei’s demeanor made it seem as if she were acting in a one-person show. Wang Shi was about to retort but was cut off by Shen Wei, who addressed Steward Xu, “Since everyone is here, let’s begin.”

Steward Xu, aware of the situation, immediately responded and turned to the matchmaker, saying, “Alright, let’s begin.”

Wang Shi, seeing this, was secretly furious, but speaking further would only make her the subject of ridicule. So, she simply shot Shen Wei a furious glance and took her seat, helped by Anxiang.

Once everyone was seated, the rows of maids introduced themselves from left to right. Mo Qi and Anxiang, standing behind Shen Wei and Wang Shi, were writing down the names of the ones they found suitable in their notebooks. After about half an hour, all the maids had introduced themselves.

Shen Wei took the book Mo Qi handed her and glanced at the names and corresponding positions. As expected, she didn’t see the name of the person sent from Jinjiang Tower.

A few days earlier, Shen Wei had seen a letter in the carriage, which detailed the person sent to her. Thinking of this, she turned her gaze to a tall, quiet woman standing in the third row. The woman was wearing a blue outfit and was named Shui Bi.

Shui Bi’s appearance was unremarkable, and she kept her head lowered, even speaking very little during the introductions. She appeared rather awkward.

However, Shen Wei was quite satisfied with her.

If she were too outstanding, Wang Shi would have noticed her by now.

Seeing that Shen Wei was silent, Wang Shi furrowed her brows and spoke with a hint of impatience, “Big sister-in-law, what are you thinking? If you’re not picking, I’ll start choosing.”

Shen Wei, hearing this, simply closed the book in her hand and leaned back, placing it on the tea table. She then took another sip of tea and calmly responded, “In that case, let Second Sister-in-law choose first.”

Upon hearing this, not only Wang Shi but even the others were momentarily stunned.

Selecting maids in the family usually followed a specific order, with Old Madam Xie always choosing first. But this time, since Old Madam Xie said there were enough servants, Shen Wei was allowed to pick. No one expected that the First Madam would say something like this today.

Even Wang Shi, who had been speaking earlier, was now confused. She eyed Shen Wei suspiciously, wondering what she was up to. But before she could speak, Shen Wei’s voice interrupted again, “What’s wrong? Doesn’t Second Sister-in-law want to choose?”

Wang Shi, realizing she had no choice, decided to take advantage of the situation and ignored her doubts. She wasn’t going to be polite since Shen Wei was being so generous. The maids available weren’t many, but there were still a few smart ones. Wang Shi took the book from Anxiang, starting to read the names aloud. She stopped after reading four names.

—-

Every time she recited a name—
Mo Qi’s heart couldn’t help but twist.

The people that Wang Shi mentioned were all those Mo Qi had previously selected for her lady. She never expected the second wife to be so blunt and take away the best four. She felt uncomfortable thinking about it, partly angry at Wang Shi and partly feeling that her lady had been too polite, knowing full well the second wife’s nature, yet still letting her have her way.

But regardless of her feelings, the people were chosen, and she could only watch as the old servant picked those few girls out of the group.

Wang Shi, seeing that the four people were taken, was rarely in such a good mood. She closed the book in her hand and, holding a tea cup, smiled at Shen Wei. Then she said, “Thank you, eldest sister, really.”

Shen Wei couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to Wang Shi. She still leisurely sat in her chair, then read out a few more names. But when she got to the third name, she didn’t continue with the list that Mo Qi had written. Instead, she raised her eyes and looked at a woman dressed in blue.

She stretched out her hand and addressed Shui Bi, saying, “And you.”

Mo Qi had noticed Shen Wei’s change in focus. Though these girls weren’t as good as the earlier ones, they were still decent. But when Shen Wei mentioned the last name, she couldn’t help but frown. Following her lady’s gaze, she looked at the woman walking out of the group, her expression changing.

Why would the lady choose this person?

Wang Shi sneered when she saw who Shen Wei had chosen. She set her tea cup down and smiled at Shen Wei. “Eldest sister, I’m not saying anything, but the people you picked earlier were fine, but this last one is…” She paused and added, “You might want to pick again.”

Mo Qi, though not speaking, also agreed with Wang Shi for the first time.

Shen Wei only smiled faintly and said, “I think she’s fine.” After saying this, she turned to Manager Xu and said, “As for the others, you can handle it.”

Manager Xu hurriedly responded. He bowed to both Shen Wei and Wang Shi, then led the old servant and the remaining unchosen girls out of the room. After they left, Wang Shi, assisted by An Xiang, stood up. She was satisfied with the choices Shen Wei had made and found it amusing. Naturally, she smiled more than usual, saying, “Since there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.”

She said this, then casually bowed to Shen Wei and left with An Xiang.

After they left, Mo Qi lowered her voice and spoke to Shen Wei. “Madam, you…”

Shen Wei, naturally knowing what she wanted to say, only smiled and patted Mo Qi’s hand. “The most important thing with a maid is how she’s used. Even the best maid is of no use if not used properly. I think she’s honest and reliable. Don’t worry about it.”

Though Mo Qi still felt a bit regretful, she didn’t say anything further. She helped Shen Wei to her feet and then spoke to the few maids. “You all come here.”

—-

It was probably the middle of May, and the weather was getting hot.

Today the weather was nice, so Mo Qi decided to clean the house inside and out. Shui Bi stayed by her side, fanning her. In the beginning, Mo Qi was against having Shui Bi attend to her lady, feeling that Shui Bi seemed too dull. However, after a few days of interaction, she found Shui Bi to be calm and steady in her actions, despite being quiet.

Over time, she became more at ease.

Now, most of the time, Shui Bi served Shen Wei.

Shen Wei held a book in her hands but looked over at Mo Qi. Mo Qi and Yi Qin, the two main maids who had been with the original owner, were now about the same age. Yi Qin had already been engaged and was just waiting for the day of her wedding. Mo Qi, although not married, was the head maid by the original owner’s side, and there were always suitors for her if the news was spread.

A few days ago, Shen Wei privately asked Mo Qi if she had someone she liked. If she did, she could tell her; if not, Shen Wei would help her find a good match.

Since Shen Wei had woken up—

Mo Qi had always been by her side, and Shen Wei naturally wanted to help her find someone suitable for her future.

The first time Mo Qi heard Shen Wei ask about it, she refused to marry, saying she only wanted to stay and accompany her lady. But her parents were anxious about it. Mo Qi’s parents were also the original owner’s servants and worked for the Rongguo Mansion, handling some outside affairs. A few days ago, after Shen Wei had chosen the main maids, Mo Qi’s mother came to see her and said something about it. It was likely because of this that Mo Qi later relented.

When a maid gets married, she usually picks a good date. If she has a high status, the master will decide; if not, it’s a matter of age and a casual match.

Shen Wei felt sorry for Mo Qi. Though she had spread the word, she planned to let Mo Qi approve it before making the final decision.

Unexpectedly, before the word could spread, the leader of the guards came to her with a request. Shen Wei had met him before, and he was not only loyal but also a decent person. She told Mo Qi about it, not expecting the girl to blush and agree.

Now, their wedding date had been set, and they were just waiting for the day to arrive.

Because of this, Mo Qi no longer attended to Shen Wei every day. Instead, she spent more time with the maids in Taoran Studio, planning to leave behind some useful people for Shen Wei before her marriage.

Shui Bi, noticing Shen Wei looking at Mo Qi, peeled an orange for her and, in a lowered voice, respectfully said, “Earlier, I received a letter. Manager Shi wants to have a detailed talk with you.”