Before Sheng Mingzhu could speak, Sheng Minmin cut in with a smile:
“Sixth Girl, the first three maids are quite decent, but this last one is downright shabby-looking!”
“If you keep her by your side, other young ladies might laugh at you. Best to pass on her!”
Then she watched as Sheng Mingzhu’s carefully crafted mask seemed to crack slightly, her expression stiffening…
Sheng Minmin was inwardly delighted.
“Mother, I’ve been so bored while recuperating. This girl could at least entertain me…”
“Ah, fine.”
“Since you like her, keep her as a foot-washing servant. Let her amuse you when you’re bored.”
“Don’t tire yourself out today—rest well. I’ll visit again soon.”
Without giving Sheng Mingzhu a chance to argue, she turned and left. As she walked away, she praised the servant agency’s manager for bringing such clever candidates today.
She instructed him to deliver the maids’ contracts to the main household later and even tipped him extra silver…
The manager grinned from ear to ear, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.
Meanwhile, Sheng Mingzhu was so furious she nearly shredded her handkerchief.
Originally, she had planned to buy the maids herself—holding their contracts would give her control.
She had even intended to make Feng Sanya a first-class maid, as a presentable servant would be more useful.
But now, not only were the contracts out of her hands, Feng Sanya had been reduced to the lowest rank of servant—so lowly she couldn’t even leave the mansion gates!
Sheng Mingzhu felt she and her mother were simply incompatible. Her mother never understood her!
She was also annoyed at Feng Sanya for being so clueless—why hadn’t she bothered to tidy herself up before coming? With her tanned skin and rustic appearance, there was no way to elevate her status…
How could she ever trust such a foolish girl with important tasks?
On the other side, Feng Sanya was stunned.
Her mother had promised that once she entered the mansion, Sixth Miss would make her a first-class maid.
First-class maids earned generous wages, enjoyed the finest food and clothing, and lived better than even the daughters of wealthy landowners.
And later, Sixth Miss would arrange a good marriage for her, ensuring she’d never suffer again.
Feng Sanya had trusted her mother completely. She had diligently practiced etiquette for days before entering the servant agency.
Her mother had even pulled strings to get her into today’s selection at the Sheng Mansion.
But now, though she had been “chosen,” she was only a foot-washing servant.
Sixth Miss hadn’t spoken a single word in her defense. The disappointment was crushing, and Feng Sanya couldn’t help but resent her a little…
With this rift already forming between “mistress and maid,” their future interactions promised to be very interesting.
…..
Magistrate Jiang choked on his tea when the bailiff rushed in with urgent news.
He coughed violently, his face turning red, before rasping:
“What did you say? Repeat that!”
The bailiff patted his back and explained:
“Sir, the girl outside insists she’s the true daughter of Lord Sheng Yong—switched at birth by a scheming wet nurse and forced to live as a peasant for seven or eight years!”
“She says if Madam Huang of the Sheng family comes out, her claims will be proven true!”
“And sir, she looks exactly like Madam Huang—it’s got to be real!”
“The girl’s sharp-tongued too. She’s been ranting nonstop about all the hardships she endured as a peasant—”
“Even said the evil wet nurse had her kidnapped to the mountains, but she survived thanks to kind rescuers and made it back to the capital—”
“Now there’s a crowd of commoners outside the yamen, all pitying her and demanding justice—”
Magistrate Jiang smacked his subordinate’s head. “Why didn’t you report this sooner?!”
The subordinate just grinned sheepishly.
This was their first time witnessing a real “switched at birth” drama—they’d been too engrossed to remember their duties…
When the two hurried to the main hall, they saw a young girl kneeling in the center.
Her skin was slightly tanned, her clothes patched and worn—but her features were undeniably identical to Madam Huang’s.
“That’s definitely her real daughter!”
Magistrate Jiang couldn’t help but think the moment he saw Huang Yaning.
