Chapter 6 Promotion "Serving others naturally requires..."
Shi Wan was taken aback, probably not expecting the topic to shift to this, and quickly replied, "It's the kind of soap powder that ordinary maids use."
Does it smell like soapberry?
Jiang Xu remained noncommittal, then suddenly turned and asked, "Where are these clothes from?"
Shi Wan was already confused by the man's previous words, and now that he had suddenly brought up the topic again, she was even more bewildered. She replied politely, "It's just the clothes that the maids wear every day." The governor of Jichuan was quite extravagant, and this style was also reflected in the servants of the governor's mansion. In aristocratic families, such plain gauze clothes might not be uncommon, but in a city that was neither too big nor too small, they were quite conspicuous.
Fortunately, the garment is simply cut, neither too loose nor too tight, and the pattern is also common, which balances out some of the abruptness of the fabric.
Jiang Xu's gaze lingered briefly once more, landing on the waist and abdomen of the person in front of him.
With each movement, her slender waist was hidden beneath her loose clothing, remaining inconspicuous.
"If only I could have a belt," Jiang Xu thought to himself, then said casually, "I'll make you a few new clothes later."
Shi Wan was startled and said cautiously, "I cannot accept rewards without merit. These clothes are fine for me." She didn't know what had gotten into this man, so she silently adopted an even more humble posture.
Back in Willow Terrace, Madam Wu had taught them to always flatter the nobleman, to say the same things to make him feel comfortable. But now, Shi Wan felt that the King seemed rather unhappy after she had just spoken.
His expression remained the same, his tone remained the same, but Shi Wan just felt that something bad was about to happen.
Seeing her decline, Jiang Xu casually fiddled with the cup beside him and said, "No need to trouble yourself." As if he didn't understand, his tone was somewhat sarcastic, "What you're wearing now is too unfashionable."
Earthy? The light green color is quite elegant, with speckled milky white accents. Among the clothes worn by maids, it must be one of the best, right?
If we have to talk about the pattern, it's nothing special, nothing remarkable, and it's definitely not tacky at all.
Shi Wan dared not disobey him, so she had no choice but to go along with it, saying, "Then we will do as Your Majesty says."
Seeing this, Jiang Xu seemed satisfied, his lips curving into an almost imperceptible smile as he waved to her.
This action was no different from teasing cats and dogs on the street, carrying a sense of satisfaction at having gotten what she wanted. If one had to describe it, it would be that she caught and ate the food that Jiang Xu threw out.
Shi Wan remained calm as she slowly walked away and waited quietly outside the door.
Jiang Xu seems to have had some free time these past few days. Since yesterday, he has been spending three or four hours a day in the mansion, so she has to serve him at a distance that is neither too close nor too far.
The other party was a military general, but strangely, he was very interested in literature and history. In the past day or so, Shi Wan saw that he was either practicing calligraphy, reading books, or calling his staff to discuss something. In addition, he practiced swordsmanship at dawn every day. His life was very disciplined.
Such energy and self-control are more than ten times what she possesses.
Shi Wan came back to her senses and couldn't help but miss the days when Jiang Xu was busy.
Although the first ten days or so after arriving were tiring, it was mostly because Jiang Xu had been busy outside, leaving early and returning late every day. Not seeing him and gradually getting the hang of her job, Shi Wan's life actually became more stable.
Compared to her time in Huzhou over the past few years, this is now the most comfortable moment for her.
Spring breezes are getting warmer, and the rain is as soft as silk.
The afternoon sun was quite dazzling, but the sunlight was not as harsh as in summer.
Several hours passed in a flash, and finally a short instruction came from the inner room, telling her to go back.
Shi Wan subconsciously responded, and while taking a step, she subtly loosened up her muscles and bones.
Perhaps it was because the knife wound had damaged her vital energy, but whenever she felt weak, she would always have trouble breathing.
Under the shade of the trees, the sunlight dappled like copper coins, and the fine light made the stone path underfoot seem to shimmer with a fish-scale-like luster.
As Shi Wan took small steps out of the main courtyard, she bumped into an acquaintance.
This person was the "master" that Manager Liu had assigned to her a few days ago, named Liu Ying. For the past ten days or so, Shi Wan had been working under her, and the other party had taken good care of her.
Liu Ying mysteriously pulled her back into the house, glancing around as she closed the door. After a moment, she spoke, "I saw you stay in the King's room for quite a while. Did the King say anything to you?" Her tone carried a hint of hidden flattery as she smiled, "The King only returned to the palace yesterday, and as soon as he came back, he summoned you to serve him. Today, he's had you guarding outside for most of the day. He really values you!"
Shi Wan lowered her eyes and said, "It's just the usual things I'm told to do, nothing else." It's good to be valued by one's master, but if it's taken too far, it will harm her.
"Nothing much?" Liu Ying muttered a couple of times, but Shi Wan was always a quiet person, so she didn't suspect anything and turned to another topic, "I heard that the king's rule is very strict. He's over twenty years old and still doesn't have any wives or concubines by his side."
"Even... the generals around him are mostly single."
Seeing that Shi Wan was listening attentively, a hint of smugness flashed across her face. "I got all this information from my aunt. You're acting like you don't know anything about it."
Shi Wan really didn't know much about these things. Ever since Jing Yin had swallowed her throat last time, she had become more and more cautious. Now she didn't take the initiative to inquire about anything concerning the Jingbei Army and the Jingbei King.
But if someone else tells her this on their own initiative...
Shi Wan remained calm and said, "Since Your Majesty made a name for yourself in the north when you were seventeen or eighteen, you have been constantly waging wars to expand your power. I suppose... you have no time for such sentimental matters?"
“That’s narrow-minded of you.” Upon hearing this, Liu Ying seemed to have been hit where it hurt and immediately began to speak like a teacher: “In the past four years, quite a few powerful families have made such plans, but what they sent were either adopted daughters or daughters from collateral branches.”
She gestured with her chin and said, "Not a single one of the masters."
The servants were also divided into different classes.
Liu Ying particularly enjoyed using her status as the niece of Steward Liu to exercise certain privileges and gain a sense of superiority.
Shi Wan knew what was going on, and on the surface she agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "Your Majesty is a dragon among men, so naturally you should be matched with the best woman."
Seeing that he had successfully curried favor, Liu Ying raised an eyebrow and continued, "By the way, speaking of this, do you know what happened a couple of days ago when His Majesty was bumped into by a maid when he first returned?"
Shi Wan was taken aback, then keenly realized something, "She...?!"
"Look at your expression... These kinds of things happen all the time these days!" Liu Ying said sarcastically.
If she hadn't already fallen for someone, she probably would have given it a try.
Since the Jingbei Army entered the city, people have gone from being anxious and uneasy at the beginning to adapting after half a month. Therefore, it is inevitable that some people will not be able to hold back and will reveal their true colors.
Shi Wan had no feelings about this kind of climbing the social ladder. In the past, this kind of behavior was commonplace under Wu Mama's command. Even she herself had had such thoughts countless times when she was young.
Recalling the subtle attempts by others to curry favor, she murmured, "Indeed, quite a few people want to serve by the King's side."
The door opened, and there stood the guard, Jing Yin.
Liu Ying looked delighted. "Guard Jing, what brings you here?"
Jing Yin remained unmoved and looked at Shi Wan, "His Majesty has ordered that Miss Wan'er accompany me." His tone was similar to that of someone interrogating a prisoner.
Shi Wan immediately tensed up, "But what did I do wrong? Please tell me, Guard Jing."
Jing Yin glanced at her, "It is the King's decision to promote you."
Promotion? Could it be that this demon has come up with another way to kill her?
The knife wound she inflicted upon their first meeting left a deep impression on Shi Wan, who didn't think it was a good thing.
Even if it's a good thing, it's unlikely to be her turn.
But this time she learned her lesson; the more she said, the more mistakes she would make, so she simply kept quiet. After the two finished exchanging pleasantries, she silently followed them to the main courtyard.
Jing Yin stopped a few steps outside the main house. After a moment, a short command came from inside the door. Shi Wan followed the instructions and entered the house. Jiang Xu was practicing calligraphy.
On the Xuan paper on the table, lines of writing were powerful and penetrating. Just as Shi Wan stood still, he finished the last stroke, the ink concealing its sharpness, which was quite eye-catching.
The man's voice was slightly hoarse, "Do you know how to grind ink?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Wan quickly responded, taking small steps to his side. The golden nanmu inkstone was gilded with an amber hue by the light and shadow from the window. The woman's slender white fingertips rested on the dark inkstone, her fair wrist swaying gently with the movement, a series of silent and swift actions.
For a moment, the only sound in the room was the soft rustling of the inkstone.
Seeing her intelligence, Jiang Xu's expression improved slightly, and he immediately continued to concentrate on writing.
With the brush tip dipped in fine ink, the already excellent characters became even more striking, appearing freely on the Xuan paper. Surprisingly, they looked much better than what he had written half an hour earlier.
Jiang Xu was in a good mood and casually praised, "You've done a good job these past few days."
Shi Wan thought of what Qian Yin had said a moment ago, and her heart skipped a beat. She quietly lifted her eyelids to take a look.
Jiang Xu's gaze was fixed on the article he had just finished writing, and he seemed extremely satisfied. He continued, "From today onwards, you will serve me personally in my room."
What? !
Although the salary of a personal maid would be much higher, Shi Wan was not happy at the moment.
She carefully pursed her lips, forcing a smile of delight, and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty, but..."
Jiang Xu suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on her. "But what?"
Under that aggressive gaze, the pressure she had deliberately forgotten instantly came rushing back. "But, but, I have just arrived in the manor. Although I have improved in my duties, Your Majesty is of noble status. I am clumsy and do not know how to speak. If I accidentally offend Your Majesty, wouldn't that be my fault?"
Jiang Xu said, "Are you making excuses?"
Shi Wan lowered her head and remained silent, "This servant had no such intention."
"I've assigned you to serve me; just express your gratitude." He added meaningfully, "Besides, weren't you also sent by the Wu family?"
Gifts that are sent should naturally be displayed; it would be a waste to leave them unused.
Jiang Xu's eyes held a deep, unfathomable glint. As their gazes met, the man spoke in a low, somber tone, "Serving others naturally requires..."
Make the best use of everything.
A note from the author:
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I type on my computer after get off work every night. Sometimes I get off work late, so I'm in a rush. If there are any typos, please feel free to point them out! [hugs]
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