Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 148 - 146: Only and Solely

Chapter 148: Chapter 146: Only and Solely

The inspection of the city gates in the Imperial Capital was very strict. This was because in a former dynasty, a prince was successfully taken hostage by an assassin outside the city gates. Hence, the Emperor established the infallible decree: the emperor’s carriage is to be treated the same as the common people’s when exiting the city!

If even the Emperor’s carriage is subject to inspection, who would dare to rebel!

Although everyone had to undergo inspections, Xiao Fuzi, carrying the token, didn’t need to queue up like the common folks to enter the city.

There was also a passageway at the city gate specifically for officials to pass through with their carriages.

After the line of carriages was inspected, Xiao Fuzi brought Shen Chengyao’s family to Shangguan Xuanyi.

Shen Chengyao and his family bowed in respect.

After Shangguan Xuanyi accepted their salutations, he casually glanced at Xiao’er and concluded: she looked spirited, a bit taller, but had become quite thin!

With this thought, Shangguan Xuanyi frowned unconsciously. This must be due to the long and tiring journey.

"You all should return to rest first, we’ll see the Emperor tomorrow." After saying this, Shangguan Xuanyi mounted his horse and looked back, indicating for them to follow.

Seeing this, Xiao Fuzi hurriedly called them to quickly get into the carriage. His master was planning to escort Marquis Shengping and his family home! Having served his master for so many years, he had never seen him give such a reception to anyone else, nor had he seen him take anyone else’s matters so seriously. The position of Miss Xiao’er in his master’s heart had been elevated to a new level.

First to greet them at the city gates, then a send-off to their house, these actions are protection escorts through and through! This was to inform everyone in the Imperial Capital that the inhabitants of Marquis Shengping’s mansion were under his protection.

The nobles who rose to power from grassroots origins like Marquis Shengping, who did not have real authority, would typically find it difficult to get by without backing in the Imperial Capital. But Shangguan Xuanyi’s actions today would surely spread among the nobility. The astute ones would know better than to cross their family.

Marquis Shengping’s mansion was located in the eastern part of the city, an area where influential people gathered. The carriage ride lasted approximately half an hour.

Shangguan Xuanyi dismounted from his horse. As he did so, people from inside the mansion came out, including a middle-aged man dressed like a manager and an old woman. They bowed to Shangguan Xuanyi.

"Master, everything is prepared."

Shangguan Xuanyi nodded, then turned to Shen Chengyao’s family, "This is Marquis Shengping’s family."

"Li Fuquan pays his respects to the Marquis, Madam, and the young Lady of Rui’an County."

"Your servant, Nanny Rong, salutes the Marquis, Madam, and the young Lady of Rui’an County. Wishing the Marquis, Madam, and the young Lady of Rui’an County the greatest of fortunes."

The two quickly bowed to Shen Chengyao’s family.

After the necessary formalities were completed, Shangguan Xuanyi then spoke, "I had the mansion tidied up. The servants were bought by the house manager from human traffickers in the last two days, and all their contracts are death contracts. If any of them are found to be incompetent or betraying their masters, they can be directly sold or put to death."

Li Fuquan handed over a wooden box, "Marquis, the contracts of your mansion’s servants are all in this box."

Qian Haiqiang, the son of Servant Qian from Xiao’er’s house, who was driving Xiao’er’s carriage this time, hastened to take the wooden box.

"Brother Shangguan, deduct the silver used to buy these servants from the dividends." Xiao’er was moved by Shangguan Xuanyi’s consideration. If Shangguan Xuanyi had sent his own house’s servants over, it would really be inconvenient. But since he had bought them all new, it was different.

This meant that, from the beginning, these servants only had one master, them.

Although she possessed the Loyalty Powder and was not worried about betrayals, she recognized and appreciated the thoughtful consideration of others, promising to repay their kindness in the future.

Shangguan Xuanyi nodded, he didn’t care whether he was given the silver or not. However, if she wished to give it, he would oblige her.

"Aunt Rong is a retired nanny from the palace, she knows all the palace etiquettes. Would you like her to stay in your home as a nanny?" Shangguan Xuanyi glanced at Xiao’er, asking with a hint of inquiry.

Aunt Rong was his wet nurse, and no one knew the palace rules better than she did. In the Imperial Capital, many people knew Aunt Rong. He would be at ease with her to teach and protect Xiao’er, at least she wouldn’t be bullied without any help.

Shen Chengyao and Mrs. Liu quickly nodded in gratitude.

Xiao’er also expressed her thanks with a smile.

Having a nanny from the palace guide her family in etiquette was the best. Originally, she thought her family needed to hire a nanny since they moved to the Imperial Capital. Now that someone had done that for her, she would be unhappy if she didn’t feel pleased. She trusted that Shangguan Xuanyi wouldn’t introduce her to a bad person.

After instructing a few more things, Shangguan Xuanyi returned to the palace, leaving Li Fuquan to help them out.

The entire Marquis Shengping Mansion was set up perfectly, from renovations, cleaning, to the placement of furniture, everything was done properly.

Li Fuquan led them through the various courtyards of the mansion. Mrs. Liu arranged for Mr. Shen, Mrs. Shen, and Shen Yuzhu to stay at the Fushou Courtyard while the second branch of the family settled in a guest house at Tingxue Hall.

Shen Chengyao’s family naturally lived in the main courtyard. Xiao’er picked a two-story embroidery tower, Star Tower, and the three brothers also each chose their own courtyards.

After introducing the mansion, Li Fuquan gathered all twenty servants and instructed them to follow the arrangements of the masters. He mentioned that their dinner had been arranged by Shangguan Xuanyi at a restaurant, and would be sent over later, then he took his leave.

Xiao’er asked them a few questions, roughly understanding their situations. She assigned a few managers and allocated some servants to each courtyard. After ensuring everyone knew their roles, she dismissed them.

Looking at the servants getting on with their duties, Mrs. Liu couldn’t help but say: "We will have to work harder to earn more silver from now on, as we have so many people to support. We can’t let so many people go hungry!"

Xiao’er couldn’t help but laugh, "The bigger our family business, the more people we have to support. Don’t worry, mother, I won’t let you go hungry again."

"I was being silly. Unless we do something seriously wrong, our family won’t get to the point of being hungry!" Mrs. Liu also laughed. She must be scared of having been hungry before to have such thoughts.

"As long as mother understands, you can relax. Mother’s good fortune is far ahead. Wait until eldest brother and the others achieve fame, get you a formal decree, and then you can start to enjoy your blessings."

"Hehe... I don’t need any decree or such. As long as each of our siblings live well, that’s enough."

"Madam, rest assured, your good fortune is bound to be long-lasting." Aunt Rong said with a smile.

Aunt Rong recalled what her young master had said to her: "Take good care of her and after a few years, you can come back with her to retire."

Then as if worrying that she might not understand or care enough, he added another sentence: "Aunt Rong, in my life, I will have only one queen."

At that time, she was so shocked that she was almost speechless.

When had she ever seen her young master so earnest about someone? He was extremely meticulous to the point he even worried about overlooking any details. Surely, with her young master cherishing this person to such an extent, her mother couldn’t be anything but blessed!

However, what Aunt Rong didn’t know was that after giving his instructions, Shangguan Xuanyi had stood by the window, looking in a certain direction at a distance, and silently repeated the rest of his unsaid words in his heart: In my life, I will only have one queen. Only her. She is the only one!