Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 124 Distinction Between the Superior and the Humble

Cui Yu'an was grateful to Shi Wanxia and was also attracted by her talent. He specially bought two women, Qin Xin and Shu Yun, to serve Shi Wanxia.

However, at this moment, Cui Yu'an expressed his dissatisfaction with Shi Wanxia's behavior of dining at the same table with Qin Xin and Shu Yun. "Miss Shi, I specially bought Qin Xin and Shu Yun to serve you. How can they be so unruly, dining at the same table with their master? Haven't you studied for more than ten years? Don't you know any of this? Just now, Zhizhou even intended to marry you."

“It won’t do if you don’t even know basic etiquette and manners. It will make you and Zhizhou the laughingstock.” Cui Yu’an’s words were not malicious, but they were full of his insistence on traditional etiquette.

Qin Xin and Shu Yun shakily put down their chopsticks, wanting to get up and apologize, but Shi Wanxia pressed them down. Their eyes shone with gratitude and admiration, as well as some confusion. Their status was indeed inappropriate, and they had also implicated Miss Shi.

Shi Wanxia gave a mocking smile, her eyes revealing determination and unyielding spirit. She couldn't agree with his words. After all, times had changed, and so had ideas.

“Young Master Cui, it’s true that you bought them. But the indenture is in my hands. How I decide to handle it is my business. Besides, the money you used to buy them was what I got from buying medicinal herbs. To put it bluntly, I paid for them.”

"You helped me run an errand before, and how much I read is my business. The principles I learned since I was a child tell me that there are only men and women born, and there are no born slaves. There are no slaves in our country. We are all masters of the country."

"Your thinking is closed-minded. You cannot achieve a world of harmony, where people live in peace and prosperity, and the country is prosperous and strong. So, according to the local custom, these two young ladies are now of good birth. However, they are already my sisters. What, if you feel that having dinner with them is affecting you, Young Master Cui, then I can take them away."

Cui Yu'an was shocked; he had never imagined that Shi Wanxia possessed such unique thoughts. He began to reflect on his own views, and his opinion of Shi Wanxia began to change somewhat. However, her remarks were not only dangerous, but if she encountered others, they would certainly regard her as an oddity, posing a great threat to her.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhizhou's affection for Shi Wanxia grew even stronger. He had just unilaterally proposed to her, but she had refused. Shi Wanxia knew the world was treacherous and people's hearts unpredictable; she dared not easily trust a man's promises, much less gamble her own happiness.

“Young Master Shen, he only proposed to me unilaterally. I did not agree. I am of a certain age. Getting married is my own business. If I do not want to get married, no one can force me.”

“Young Master Shen, Miss Wang, Young Master Cui, thank you for your hospitality today. We will take our leave now. We are of humble status. Although I saved you two, I am aware of my limitations. Please do not offer to marry me. You men can have three wives and four concubines, but we cannot. I dare not gamble with people's hearts. From now on, we will go our separate ways and never meet again.” After saying this, Shi Wanxia turned to leave with Qin Xin, Shu Yun, and Brother Li.

Upon seeing this, Shen Yanchu quickly continued to explain, "Wenzhu is a grown-up and comes from the Cui family of Qinghe, a noble family. The behavior of those two young ladies today was indeed unacceptable to Wenzhu, but he really had no malicious intent."

Upon hearing this, Miss Shi's anger subsided slightly, but she still looked at Cui Yu'an with some displeasure.

Miss Shi frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Since that's the case, I won't pursue it any further. But I hope he can learn to respect others in the future and not easily develop prejudices against people." Shen Yanchu nodded repeatedly and replied, "What you say is absolutely right, Miss. I will definitely have a good talk with him."

Cui Yu'an listened silently, and his dissatisfaction with Miss Shi gradually dissipated. He realized that his behavior was indeed somewhat inappropriate.

He stepped forward, bowed deeply to Miss Shi, and said, "Miss Shi, I'm sorry, I was too impulsive. This is Miss Wang's private residence. She and I have been betrothed since childhood. And the city of Jizhou is not peaceful today. You should stay here for now. As for the other girls, don't worry about them!"

Just as Shi Wanxia was about to refuse, Li Changyu tugged at her sleeve and whispered in her ear, "Miss Shi, there are many experts around here. Since you're already here, and you have matters to discuss with them tomorrow, why not stay here for the night? Don't worry, I will protect you."

Shen Yanchu and Cui Yu'an, with their excellent hearing, naturally overheard Li Changyu's mutterings. Their faces immediately darkened. What did he mean by this? Was he trying to provoke them in front of everyone?

Shi Wanxia took a few deep breaths to suppress her anger, then turned to stare at the two men: "Alright! Young Master Cui, then we'll have to bother you today. However, I'm tired today, Miss Wang, so please send someone to take us to our guest rooms to rest."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jinqian immediately instructed Qianhua to take Miss Shi and the others to a side room to rest. Young Master Cui watched the girl's departing figure, his heart filled with helplessness.

He knew that Miss Shi was still angry today, and that talking to her now would probably only make things worse. So, he decided to take Qianqian's advice and talk to her properly tomorrow.

Night had fallen, and Young Master Cui and the others returned to their rooms. Young Master Cui lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, his mind preoccupied with Miss Shi.

He didn't know how to appease Miss Shi, nor how to make Shen Yanchu give up on her. He also had feelings for Miss Shi, but he and Shen Yanchu had been friends for many years, and he couldn't let a woman affect their brotherly relationship.

Although his status is not as noble as Shen Yanchu's, who is a member of the royal family, it is likely that Brother Shen's dream will be difficult to realize, as the Eldest Princess will not allow it.

In the backyard wing, Qianhua led Shi Wanxia to her room and was about to leave. Just now, Young Master Shen had publicly proposed to her, so Young Master Cui should not have any improper thoughts about Miss Shi.

"Miss Shi, this is a hairpin that my young lady prepared for you. Please see if you need anything else. You can ask the servants to get it for you at any time. It's getting late, so please get some rest. I'll also arrange for someone to take the other young ladies back to their rooms to rest."

The gentle and intellectual words from Qianhua pleased Shi Wanxia greatly, and she gave her a deep bow to express her gratitude.

"Thank you, Miss Qianhua. It's getting late, I'll rest now." After saying that, she prepared to rest. She was really exhausted after more than ten days of living in the open.

Qianhua was flattered. She was a distinguished guest of the young master and mistress; how could she possibly bow to a lowly servant like herself? She had heard from Young Master Cui and Young Master Shen that this girl was literate. Logically, she should know all the proper etiquette!

Although Qianhua was puzzled, she didn't show it on her face. Seeing that she had given the order, she wisely took her leave.