Chapter 69: Living in the Capital, Not Easy

Qinyuan Ju.

Shen Yunyao could finally rest.

The residence is large and beautiful, and she likes it very much.

But after being dragged around by the Joyful Princess for most of the day, she still couldn't bear it.

In contrast, the Joyful Princess was full of energy, feeling no fatigue at all. This made Shen Yunyao wonder just how good this princess's physique really was!

After finally seeing off the Joyful Princess, Shen Yunyao felt her legs were no longer her own.

All she wanted now was to lie down.

So tired!

"Miss, I've had someone heat the water; later I'll give you a foot soak and a massage—it will be much more comfortable!"

Thoughtful Cuiyu appeared, bringing Shen Yunyao some good news.

"Cuiyu, you're really so likable!"

Shen Yunyao only knew she was exhausted and just wanted to lie down, forgetting that there are many ways to relieve this fatigue.

"That's certainly true; I'm the top-notch maid by your side!"

Soon, a servant brought a foot‑bath tub, and another servant brought two buckets of water—one bucket of boiling water, one bucket of warm water.

That way, if the water feels too cool, you can simply add more.

Shen Yunyao put her feet into the hot water, feeling goosebumps rise all over; that instant comfort made her heart feel all warm and fuzzy.

After soaking for about fifteen minutes, when she started to sweat, Shen Yunyao stopped.

Cuiyu thoughtfully dried the water droplets from Shen Yunyao's feet, then skillfully gave her a massage.

"Cuiyu, your skill is much better than before!"

Shen Yunyao recalled Cuiyu's former technique; compared to now, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Cuiyu smiled proudly and said, "Miss, after three days apart, one should look at a person with new eyes. I've also practiced this skill!"

"That really was hard work for you!"

"You definitely deserve a proper reward!"

"Miss, no reward is needed; I was just doing what I ought to do."

Cuiyu was very polite.

This was unlike her usual penny‑pinching self.

"You're not right!"

Shen Yunyao sized up Cuiyu; anything that could make this little maid refuse reward money must be even more important.

But what could it be?

Shen Yunyao was very curious.

They had only just arrived in the capital, having met no one besides the Joyful Princess; what could possibly make Cuiyu willing to give up silver?

"Miss, can't you not be so clever?"

"It makes me look stupid!"

Cuiyu looked at her mistress with a hint of resentment and said, "Couldn't it just be that I'm grateful and want to serve you well, without wanting any extra reward?"

"Enough!"

Shen Yunyao laughed then and said, "I believe you when you say you want to serve me well. But, Cuiyu, letting you refuse any reward—do you think your mistress has a bad memory?"

"Just look at how excited you get every month when you receive your allowance—I wouldn't even bother to mention it!"

"Hehe…"

"Miss, seeing through but not speaking of it, I'm still your good Cuiyu!"

"Cut the act!"

Shen Yunyao looked at Cuiyu with a serious expression and said, "Come on, tell me what it is."

"Haven't we already arrived in the capital?"

"My parents, my brother and his wife—shouldn't you assign them some tasks?"

"What about me, then?!"

Hearing Cuiyu's slightly nervous words, Shen Yunyao immediately burst out laughing.

"Don't worry—I've already planned what they'll do later, but we still have to wait a bit!"

"For now, just consider it a vacation—let them stroll around the capital, walk about, and take a look."

"It's still early to talk about assigning specific duties!"

Her dowry entourage consists of two households, with a total population of over twenty people.

How to allocate these people really tests Shen Yunyao's judgment.

Fortunately, her dowry hasn't arrived yet!

In other words, when her dowry is handed over, it will also be the time to settle accounts with certain people; after the settlement, she can then arrange her own personnel accordingly.

"Rest assured, I'm currently in need of people; your father and brother are quite capable, and I certainly won't let their talents go to waste."

If we arrange the dowry attendants, it's actually somewhat troublesome.

Because of Cuiyu's connection, Shen Yunyue will undoubtedly look upon the Zhao family differently.

However, the other dowry household is not without backing.

They are backed by Shen Yunyao's mother, the Lu clan.

Although the household's indenture has been transferred to Shen Yunyao's hands, her attitude toward them remains somewhat complicated.

Because this family used to be trusted aides of the Lu clan.

The Lu family certainly isn't short of people to employ; then letting such a household serve as Shen Yunyao's dowry family is definitely worth considering.

"Miss, I didn't mean it that way!"

After hearing Shen Yunyao's words, Cuiyu hurriedly explained, "I was just thinking that now we've arrived in the capital, our household has no source of income..."

Upon hearing Cuiyu say that, Shen Yunyao suddenly remembered an important matter.

Although she had brought part of her dowry when she came to the capital this time, including the silver hidden at the bottom of her trunk, she didn't know exactly when she would be able to marry; during this period, the expenses for all these people's food and horse feed are no small sum.

"Cuiyu, you've really reminded me!"

"I've been saying, I always felt that I was overlooking something!"

Shen Yunyao looked at Cuiyu with some gratitude and said, "You're right; we do need a source of income, otherwise we'll be eating away our capital!"

Living in the capital is no easy feat.

Moreover, she currently resides in the sprawling Qinyuan Ju, where just the staff serving here number over a hundred.

Although many of them are responsible for sweeping and cleaning, they are not personal attendants close to Shen Yunyao.

Yet these people are truly indispensable.

With such a large Qinyuan Ju, if these people weren't managing it, who knows when it would fall into chaos.

Before she moved in, the expenses for the household staff in this residence were all handled by the Imperial Household Department.

But now, with her move-in, the Imperial Household Department has also handed over the personal contracts of those over a hundred people; the meaning is clear—starting now, these people are under her authority!

Not to mention anything else, just the monthly wages alone require one or two hundred taels of silver.

Without a source of income, draining our reserves is inevitable.

If we therefore dip into the silver hidden at the bottom of her dowry, when the time comes to marry, we'll just be inviting ridicule.

If we really become a laughingstock, her days in the Xie family will certainly not be easy.

Moreover, Xie Zian would likely also develop a grudge against her.

But, how should we go about securing this source of income?

Shen Yunyao thought for a moment, decided to first understand the situation in the capital, then prescribe the right remedy, and find a profitable entry point.