There is a god in the sky

Chapter 76 Personal Maid 1

The group slowly made its way to Jiangzhou.

Outside the city gate, officials from the prefectural government were already waiting expectantly.

Xiao Ji's transfer back to the capital was naturally known to his family beforehand, so all the families who had connections with the Xiao family along the way also received the letter.

The carriage stopped, and Xiao Ji got out, followed by Fu Qingyan.

An official stepped forward and asked, "Are you Lord Xiao?"

"It's down."

The official hurriedly bowed and said, "This humble servant was sent by Lord Song to fetch you. Please follow me into the city."

"Okay, thank you."

Shen Lan and Xuan'er remained seated in the carriage, listening to the commotion on the street, and secretly peeked out from behind the curtain for a while.

Xuan'er exclaimed excitedly, "Sister, Jiangzhou City is even more lively than Jianzhou!"

“Jiangzhou has a flat and open terrain, as well as a wharf. Its commerce is more developed than that of Jianzhou, and it has a larger population, so it is normal that it is more bustling.”

"Has my sister been here before?"

"No." Shen Lan shook her head.

Xuan'er exclaimed in admiration, "How does my sister know everything? She's amazing!"

Shen Lan smiled and pinched her cheek, "Read more books, you can find everything in books."

"But I can't read." These past few days, watching Sister Shen teach Young Master Fu, she had a strange feeling that Sister Shen was the great literary master who had amassed a fortune!

"You can learn to read if you don't know how. Do you want to learn?"

Xuan'er nodded vigorously, her eyes bright, "Yes!"

If you think about it, it'll be easy to handle.

Shen Lan lowered the curtain, thus missing the window seat on the second floor of the street. A man wearing a straw hat followed the carriage past with his eyes.

Song Ying, the prefect of Jiangzhou, was only forty years old and was a handsome, refined, and scholarly middle-aged man.

Shen Lan followed Xiao Ji and checked into the Song family's villa.

Prefect Song was called away after exchanging only a few pleasantries.

Madam Song and her children received Xiao Ji with great hospitality, demonstrating the close friendship between the Song and Xiao families.

"Knowing that you, my dear nephew, are passing through Jiangzhou, your Uncle Song has been looking forward to your arrival. It's wonderful. The last time I saw you, you were only this short."

Madam Song gestured, indicating that it only reached her knees, which caused everyone to burst into laughter.

Xiao Ji bowed politely and said, "I still remember. Auntie hasn't changed at all over the years; she's as charming as ever."

Madam Song's smile became more genuine.

"You have such a sweet tongue, it's a pity you're not mine. If my Lang'er were half as sensible as you, I would be content."

Song Langfang, the only son of Prefect Song, is the same age as Xiao Ji, but is a dissolute young man who is addicted to wine and women.

This was a major worry for Madam Song.

Madam Song intended for her son to spend more time with Xiao Ji so that he could reform his ways, and therefore genuinely welcomed Xiao Ji to her home.

Shen Lan and Xuan'er stood silently at the back of the crowd, acting as maids.

Fu Qingyan was also ignored by Xiao Ji, who did not reveal his true identity, only saying that he was his advisor.

"You must be tired from your journey. Go wash up and rest first. When your Uncle Song returns, we will give you a proper welcome dinner."

Since Prefect Song was not present, Madam Song did not say much. After exchanging pleasantries, she ordered someone to escort them to the guest quarters.

As soon as he entered the room, Fu Qingyan closed the door and asked, "Cousin, why did you say I was your advisor?"

Does he look like a secretary at his age?

Xiao Ji pressed his head down and instructed him, "Your identity shouldn't be exposed, lest your father find out. Just be a junior advisor for now."

He cupped his hands to Shen Lan and said apologetically, "It's just that I've wronged Miss Shen."

"Lord Xiao, you're too kind. There's nothing to be aggrieved about."

Her identity as a coroner would make her seem less important; being a lowly maidservant would have made her less noticeable.

Xiao Ji explained, "We won't encounter any cases as we pass through Jiangzhou. It's best to keep Miss Shen's identity as a coroner a secret, and it will also make it easier for her to follow me around."

"Lord Xiao is very thoughtful." Shen Lan, being Xiao Ji's maid, found it easier to go out and run errands.

In particular, she also needed to craft tools and purchase materials, and with Xiao Ji's reputation, she didn't even need to explain herself.

When Madam Song learned that their luggage had been lost at the post station, she thoughtfully sent someone to deliver new clothes.

"Please try on the clothes first. If the size is not right, our embroiderers will make alterations on the spot."

Shen Lan and Xuan'er each received two sets of clothes, which were clearly worn by respectable maids in the mansion.

Just as she was about to take Xuan'er to try on clothes, she heard Xiao Ji cough twice.

She looked in the direction of the sound, her face showing confusion.

Xiao Ji winked at her, then turned and went inside.

Shen Lan looked at the tray in the maid's hands and suddenly realized what was going on.

She is now Xiao Ji's personal maid, so changing clothes is naturally left to them.

She walked over with a smile, took the tray, and curtsied, saying, "Thank you, ma'am."

She followed Xiao Ji into the house. Xuan'er was too young to react for a moment.

However, the people in the Song family did not suspect anything, since the little girl did not look old enough to serve them personally, and was probably just doing odd jobs.

After the door closed, Xiao Ji quickly took the tray and whispered, "Miss Shen, you can wait here. I can do it myself."

Shen Lan joked, "I can also help you undress, but I'll have to get paid twice."

Xiao Ji blushed and said, "I wouldn't dare trouble Miss Shen, I... I can do it myself."

He went into the inner room to change his clothes and came out shortly after.

Shen Lan's eyes lit up.

Xiao Ji usually wears cool-toned clothes and exudes an air of official authority.

Wearing this beige brocade robe embroidered with gold thread today, I truly have the air of a refined and elegant gentleman.

"The sleeves are a little short, and the waist is a bit too small," Xiao Ji said, tugging at his clothes.

Shen Lan, however, did not think so.

"I think it fits perfectly. The clothes fit you well and make you look as tall and straight as a pine tree, a handsome young man of refined elegance!"

Xiao Ji has broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long arms; he has the physique of a standard model.

This outfit really flatters his figure, making him look younger than he usually does.

"Is it really suitable?" Xiao Ji asked suspiciously.

Shen Lan nodded, "If you don't believe me, go out for a walk, and I guarantee that your wife and maids will all be staring at you."

Xiao Ji smiled helplessly: "Miss Shen is getting better and better at joking."

He was young, but in order to keep people in the officialdom, he had to act mature.

Since Miss Shen agrees, let's wear it like that.

"Why don't you go down and try on the clothes too?"

Shen Lan's clothes were rather conventional.

She wore a pale yellow jacket with a front opening and a white skirt, with only a few small flowers embroidered on the jacket.

Xuan'er's clothes were a bit too big, but she didn't need the embroiderer to alter them; she could just use needle and thread to tighten the waistline herself.

"Sister, shall I restyle your hair?"

Xuan'er already styled her hair in two buns; there was no need to change it.

However, Shen Lan usually prefers to wear her hair in a bun or a high ponytail, which doesn't suit her status as a maid.

"Okay, let's style it in double buns too."

When the two women came out again, they were no different from the maids in the Song household.

Xiao Ji subtly glanced at Shen Lan, his brows furrowing slightly.

He felt that this outfit didn't suit Shen Lan's temperament.

Seeing her with her head bowed and eyes lowered, concealing her sharpness, I felt even more sorry for her.