Lian Manman sat in the flower hall for a while, watching the maids co and go serving, she also noticed so patterns. These maids could be roughly divided into two categories: one type was like this maid, wearing long robes and able to command the little maids, which made them very dignified, big maids. The other type was the little maids, all wearing the sa jacket.
Of course, there were also the daughters-in-law and old won, generally, those wearing the jackets were more dignified and belonged to the steward’s wives category, just like Aunt Luo. However, even a dignified steward’s wife cannot enter the room to serve without the owner’s summon.
The rules in Shen Liu’s courtyard were generally like this, but this was only what Lian Manman saw superficially, like looking at a leopard through a tube.
Lian Manman caught the gaze of this maid and felt that there was so content in the maid’s eyes, so she paid a slight attention.
"Cai Xiu, why haven’t I seen you go back to serve this half-day?" Shen Jin asked this big maid as she descended the steps.
So it turned out that this maid was nad Cai Xiu. Judging by how Shen Jin spoke to her, it seed that this maid was the one serving Shen Liu in this courtyard, Lian Manman thought secretly.
"... I just got everything settled, the little maids are inexperienced and ssed up Sixth Master’s clothes, so I was tidying up the clothes for Sixth Master at the back." Cai Xiu replied with a smile.
It turned out to be the big maid who looked after Shen Liu’s clothes, no wonder she was so dignified.
"Go about your tasks." Shen Jin nodded, saying no more to Cai Xiu, and only took Lian Manman by the arm and walked out.
"What’s there for a maid to do, let see Miss Jin out." Cai Xiu said, and actually sent them to the courtyard gate.
Though not a long distance, Lian Manman only felt that Cai Xiu’s gaze kept sneaking glances at her, and even after walking far from the courtyard, Lian Manman still felt two pairs of eyes sticking to her back.
Everyone has a sense of curiosity. With a new person coming, and coming from a completely different living environnt, it was understandable for these maids and old won in Shen Mansion to pay more attention to her. However, for soone like Cai Xiu, one had to say it was quite daring.
Does this also an that Cai Xiu is very favored by Shen Liu? Even Shen Jin’s attitude towards Cai Xiu was different from that towards other maids.
Following Shen Jin into the Lotus Pavilion, Lian Manman put all these thoughts behind her.
The Lotus Pavilion, as the na suggests, is a small pavilion built by the Lotus Pond. Compared to the spaciousness of Evergreen Garden where Shen Liu resided, the Lotus Pavilion appeared extrely delicate and unique. Shen Jin led Lian Manman into the Upper Room, and the two sat down on the couch by the window.
The windows were wide open, outside was the Lotus Pond, and now in the early sumr weather, the lotus leaves were lush, little lotus buds were shyly erging, ready to bloom.
A little maid brought up tea and snacks, and then another big maid in a spring green jacket brought a tray with two small glass bowls, which unexpectedly contained cherry custard.
"I love this too." Shen Jin smiled at Lian Manman.
The cherries and custard were just what Lian Manman had brought. Now that they were prepared and served, Lian Manman thought, Shen Jin must truly love them.
"Cherries are almost out of season, luckily we have a few trees at ho, and there are still so on the trees. This custard is also from our own farm, it’s clean and safe to eat. But it has to be fresh to taste good, so there weren’t many to send today. If Miss Jin doesn’t mind, I’ll bring so fresh ones tomorrow." Lian Manman said.
In this Nian Garden, there were also cherry trees, although they were mature saplings, but since it was their first year of transplanting, they didn’t bear fruit. Moreover, cherries are already out of season, only on Lian Manman’s family’s trees did they purposely leave a few, but not many.
"Then I’ll thank you in advance." Shen Jin said.
Shen Jin was so open and unpretentious, and Lian Manman couldn’t help but have a greater fondness for her, and she didn’t remain as quiet as she was in the Evergreen Garden. After all, they were young girls, and after a while, the two were chatting lively.
"... Starting enlightennt at five years old, isn’t that the sa as Brother Xiao Jiu?" Sohow, their conversation turned to studying.
"It is the sa. In the Shen Family, not only the sons but also the daughters have to study from a young age. However, the requirents are not as strict." Shen Jin told Lian Manman, "After all, we’re not expected to take the graduate or top scholar exams. See, I don’t have to study anymore from this year on."
Starting enlightennt at five and studying until fifteen, that was ten years of schooling, quite remarkable among the won of this era.
It seed that the Shen Family really emphasized the education of their children. Looking at the calligraphy and paintings on the walls of the Lotus Pavilion, so were evidently made by Shen Jin. Although they couldn’t compare to renowned works, they were more than presentable. Shen Jin turned out to be a refined and talented woman, Lian Manman thought.
Shen Jin then asked Lian Manman what books she had read.
"As a child, I only learned a few characters, and in the past two years, Mr. Loo ca to our ho, so I followed my brothers to read so books." Lian Manman said.
Shen Jin was quite knowledgeable, and not only was Lian Manman well-read, but she also had broad experience. After talking for a while, the two girls felt they had found a kindred spirit.
"Manman, you’re like what I imagined, yet also a bit different." Shen Jin waved the serving maids out of the room and looked at Lian Manman with a smile.
"How so?" Lian Manman smiled and asked. Even though Shen Jin said she often heard Shen Liu and Shen Jiu ntion her, Lian Manman thought that was just pleasantry. Now that Shen Jin said this again, Lian Manman had to ask.
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Additional update, asking for pink votes.
Aiming for a third update tonight, seeking encouragent. (To be continued. If you like this work, we welco you to co to Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations, monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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