Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 48 Meng Shudonggua's Plan

Meng Shu suddenly realized that there were so many twists and turns in this matter. However, in Meng Shu's opinion, the old lady was overthinking it. Not to mention that the second young master has just been born and the second young lady can't rely on anything, even in the future, doesn't the second young lady still have the eldest young master behind her?

No, that's not right. Meng Shu suddenly realized that the old lady had good intentions.

The eldest son, carrying the hopes of his parents, is focused on the imperial examinations. If he passes with flying colors, he will surely become an official. When the second son grows up, since he is born out of wedlock, will the Tang family's businesses, which the eldest son cannot easily take over, possibly fall to the second son?

Of the two young masters, the legitimate son became an official in the imperial court, while the illegitimate son went into business to maintain the family business. Isn't this a common configuration among aristocratic families nowadays?

After thinking it over, Meng Shu was a little embarrassed. After a moment of thought, she said, "So that's how it is. The Second Miss had already instructed that some trinkets be made for the Seventh Miss. She chose soft and breathable fabrics. However, I cannot make decisions for the Second Miss regarding Aunt Lu."

Hua Ying tapped her little head. "I know what you're thinking. The old lady will talk to the second young lady. I'm just informing you in advance. I heard you're also learning etiquette from the nanny. It's good that you know beforehand so you can be prepared."

These words softened Meng Shu's heart, and she felt deeply grateful for Hua Ying's kindness. "Thank you for remembering me, Sister Hua Ying. I'll give you something later..."

Hua Ying immediately interrupted, "You've been busy enough lately, be careful, it'll strain your eyes. We'll have plenty of time in the future, so don't be so polite with me."

Meng Shu smiled and agreed. Hua Ying then called Dong Gua, who was waiting outside, to come in. "You two haven't seen each other for a few days. Dong Gua, there's no need to rush back. Let's catch up."

Donggua thanked her with a grin, curtsied to Huaying, and then ran off with Meng Shu in his hand.

"You've been so busy learning etiquette these past few days, I haven't seen you in ages." Donggua relaxed instantly as he entered Meng Shu's room, pulling out several things from his sleeve.

"Another reward?"

Meng Shu looked curiously at the several gilded rings and small gemstone pendants, as well as a few pieces of silver.

Donggua said proudly, "All the maids at Fu'an Residence have them. The old lady has been in a good mood these past few days, and Sister Suwen has given her a lot of little trinkets, saying that we servants should dress up in a festive manner. Sister Suwen happened to see me and gave me two small rings. Look how much silver this pile is worth?"

As he spoke, Donggua opened the package that Meng Shu had stored there and piled some jewelry out in a separate bunch.

Meng Shu already knew about jewelry, and after carefully examining it, she roughly quoted twenty taels. Adding the silver that Dong Gua had saved, the total came to more than eighty taels. This tally was quite astonishing. Dong Gua had only been in the Tang family for a little over three months, and even with the rewards he received for making tea pastries and winter melon drinks, this was still quite a lot.

The two sisters sat on the bed, eating mung bean cakes while looking at the colorful treasures. Meng Shu thought for a moment and then took out her own things from under the bed. She and Dong Gua were best friends, so she didn't have to hide them from her.

After taking stock, although the silver was much less than the winter melon, the jewelry given as a reward by the second young lady and the madam was quite substantial, and each piece was extremely exquisite. Last time, when I gave the madam a pomegranate knot, the madam casually rewarded me with a cloud-shaped hairpin with a floral design, which weighed a full two taels. Adding the gifts given casually by the second young lady, it was an exceptionally generous sum for a little maid.

Amidst Donggua's exclamations of amazement, Meng Shu was also captivated by the exquisite jewelry. She picked them up and put them on her head and hands, adorning all ten of Donggua's fingers with gilded gold rings and bands. What woman doesn't love glittering jewelry?

"Meng Shu, what are you planning to do with these things?" Dong Gua stuffed a piece of mung bean cake into his mouth, got off the bed, and went to the table to get some tea.

Meng Shu thought for a moment and said somewhat uncertainly, "I plan to save more money and open a small shop in Lin'an."

"Opening a shop? Just like me! I thought you were saving up to buy your freedom."

"Redeeming myself... It's a bit early to think about it now. Madam asked the second young lady to choose a shop, but it was put on hold because she needed to learn etiquette. I originally planned to take a look in Lin'an City when I left the manor with the second young lady and rent a small shop, but not to make money."

Although Meng Shu hoped that the Tang family could help her find her uncle, she did not intend to just passively wait for news. Therefore, she kept thinking about what to do. It was only when she was on night duty that night, chatting with her mistress, that Meng Shu suddenly came up with a good idea.

Zheng's brokerage firm should not be just a brokerage firm; it should be a stronghold of Tang Xianfang in Jinan County, or a place to help the Tang family find useful people. She secretly speculated that Chen Lin and others should have been selected by Master Zheng and then secretly trained for other purposes.

Why don't I do the same?

Open a small shop and select one or two loyal people. Firstly, they can be placed outside the mansion as spies to help with errands, and secondly, they can be used to gather information about the uncle and help find him.

If this shop can be established, then more people can be recruited to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.

Perhaps, one day when I can redeem myself, I won't be idle after leaving the manor.

Meng Shu snapped out of her reverie and asked, "What kind of shop are you planning to open? A tea and pastry shop? A beverage shop?"

Donggua was somewhat troubled. “That was my idea, but it’s not right. I don’t know how to manage accounts or do things. I only know how to cook in the kitchen. Besides, I don’t plan to leave the manor. If you want to go out in the future, I’ll go with you. We can open a shop together. I’ll be in charge of the kitchen and be the head manager. You can be the shopkeeper and the accountant.”

Winter Melon looked forward to it, finding it wonderful, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Meng Shu also thought it was a good idea, so she said, "Then let's save up money together and open a shop together when we can leave the manor. However, if we can buy some land, we can do that. Not only can we rent out the land, but we can also sell the produce from it for money."

Winter Melon's eyes sparkled. "That makes sense. You've always been good at planning. I'll listen to you in everything."

The two talked about other things for a while, and then the topic of Green Willow came up. Green Willow has now been promoted to a second-class maid in Yunyi Courtyard. Although she is not as useful as Meng Shu and the other two maids by the Second Miss's side, she can still enter the room to serve.

Donggua was naturally referring to matters concerning Green Willow's family. Meng Shu frowned, losing all interest in gossip.

Because Green Willow's family came to her door again, Meng Shu watched coldly. Her soft-heartedness resurfaced. Her mother only brought some of the food she loved to eat when she was a child. She had come to see her twice in a row, and Green Willow was already somewhat swayed.

However, Meng Shu didn't say anything to her. A person's temperament is the hardest thing to change. Besides, what right did an outsider like herself have to comment? Meng Shu was too lazy to waste her breath. She was busy learning etiquette and doing embroidery every day, and also had to have late-night chats with her young mistress from time to time.

Especially since Ruizhu is now a head maid, but she is the only one of the three who hasn't gone to learn the rules. As a result, she made a fuss for several days. Every time Meng Shu and the others returned from Yunxi Courtyard, she insisted on learning the rules. Meng Shu had to push Mengzhu out before she could leave.

Afterwards, the second young lady actually asked Meng Shu to make some clothes for the second young master to make him look presentable, and even personally delivered them to Fengyin Courtyard. Aunt Lu was very grateful, touching the fabric and embroidery, and kept saying thank you for the second young lady's kindness. Meng Shu could tell that there was indeed some sincerity in it.

These trivial, repetitive, and humane matters, imbued with social norms and customs, make up the daily life of Yunyi Academy.

And so they waited until the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching. The second young lady of the Marquis's mansion was about to set off for the capital, and Granny Gao finally stopped teaching. Madam Yun immediately wrote to Mr. Lin, asking that Muyun would resume her studies after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Ruizhu counted on her fingers. There were only three days left until the second young lady of the Marquis's mansion returned to the capital. She immediately checked Yunyi Courtyard inside and out again and put away the valuable items that had been sent over in recent days into the storeroom.

These past few days, she has resumed paying her respects at Yun Gui Courtyard every day, and Meng Shu has also witnessed how Madam Yun treats her concubines.