From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

Chapter 176 Yun'er and I are both yours

Gu Chengze's body has not yet been "returned". After all, the border region is far away. If it were brought back so quickly, wouldn't it arouse suspicion?

However, the Marquis's residence has already begun preparations.

White tents, white lanterns, and other decorative items—Chen Shi took the token and ordered his men to go directly to the storeroom to retrieve them.

For other consumables that were in short supply in the warehouse, people were ordered to go out and purchase them.

Furthermore, the location of the mourning hall and the reception area for guests who come to pay their respects must be determined in advance before any arrangements can be made.

Fortunately, there were precedents to follow. Chen Shi and Zhou Bingzhi discussed it and decided to stick to the original plan for most things, with only a few changes.

After a busy day, it was already 9 PM. Chen Shi didn't even have time to eat properly, let alone go home. He just popped a few pieces of pastry into his mouth.

"That's all for today. It will take a few more days for Second Master's body to be brought back, so there's no rush."

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhou Bingzhi spoke up.

"it is good."

Chen Shi nodded, offering no objection.

He instructed the stewards to take roll call before dawn the next day, and then everyone dispersed.

Chen Shi did not go home. He went out to find a restaurant, ate something, and then returned to his residence.

Seeing that it was almost time, I went to find Xiao Fengxiao.

Outside the second gate, a servant was sleeping against the wall. Chen Shi leaped over the wall and jumped over it.

White cloths have been hung everywhere, but it is much quieter than during the day; at least no crying can be heard.

That makes sense; no one can cry all day long.

Moreover, Gu Chengze's body has not yet been delivered, so there is no need to keep vigil.

Unlike other places, the gate to Gu Chengze's courtyard was not closed. Although it was already this time of year and almost no one would come, it was still inappropriate to keep the gate closed.

As soon as I entered, I saw a maid squatting beside me, already half asleep; it was Tingyu.

The gate to the courtyard was not closed, and for safety reasons, someone had to be assigned to guard it.

The task that should have been done by a lowly maid was assigned to Tingyu.

Seeing a figure move, Tingyu suddenly woke up. When she saw that it was Chen Shi, she breathed a sigh of relief. Immediately afterwards, her eyes reddened, and tears of grievance fell.

Chen Shi reached out and gently wiped away Tingyu's tears, then stepped into the courtyard.

It was late at night, and the old women and maids, especially after crying all day, were exhausted and fast asleep.

Chen Shi tiptoed and went directly to Xiao Fengxiao's bedroom.

He lifted the curtain and went inside. On the bed, Xiao Fengxiao and his mistress Yun'er were already asleep, embracing each other under the brocade quilt. To be on the safe side in case anything happened, the two of them had only taken off their outer garments.

Chen Shi walked over quietly, a slight smile playing on his lips. Sleeping so soundly, wasn't he afraid of being kidnapped by bad guys?

"who!"

Just then, Xiao Fengxiao let out a low shout and suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes were as sharp as a knife.

Chen Shi was taken aback, then smiled, not expecting Xiao Fengxiao to be so quick-witted.

"...It's you."

Upon recognizing Chen Shi, Xiao Fengxiao breathed a sigh of relief, then gave him a reproachful glare.

"You little rascal, why don't you make a sound? What are you trying to do?"

"Me...?"

"Why are you here?"

Just as Chen Shi was about to speak, Yun'er was startled and looked at Chen Shi with a puzzled expression.

"Oh, it's nothing."

Chen Shi lightly scratched the tip of his nose and casually said something.

"I've come to talk to Second Grandma about something."

"So late? What are you talking about?"

Yun'er frowned, scrutinized Chen Shi, and then looked at Xiao Fengxiao.

"Go and keep watch outside."

Xiao Fengxiao didn't explain, but simply gave an order.

Yun'er gave a soft hum and got out of bed.

"Put on a coat, it's chilly outside."

Chen Shi picked up Yun'er's coat from the clothes rack next to him and handed it to her.

Yun'er took it, gave Chen Shi a resentful look, and went out wearing it.

"That little vixen is getting more and more cunning."

Xiao Fengxiao gave a soft hum, then turned to Chen Shi and lay on the bed, resting her chin on her hand.

"Alright, go ahead and speak."

"Uh, is that all?"

"Or what, you want to lie in my bed?"

"How could that be?"

Chen Shi chuckled awkwardly, knowing Xiao Fengxiao's temper, and said nothing more.

Then, he told Xiao Fengxiao about how the master had ordered him to assist Zhou Bingzhi in handling Gu Chengze's funeral and how he was to be given a withered wood body afterward.

"This is great news."

Xiao Fengxiao's eyes widened slightly as she looked at Chen Shi with a joyful expression.

"The master is going to promote you!"

"I feel the same way, but I'm still a little unsure, after all, I'm not very experienced."

"That's true, but the master has his reasons for doing so."

Xiao Fengxiao smiled and then explained.

"There are four stewards in the Marquis's mansion. Steward Hua, who is the old lady's attendant, is just a figurehead to show respect for her. The real stewards are Jin, Sun, and Zhou."

"And these three happened to be promoted by the First Master, the Second Master, and the Third Master, respectively, meaning they were from the First, Second, and Third branches of the family. Now that Sun Bingyi is dead, someone needs to be chosen to fill the vacancy. To maintain the balance among the three branches, it is natural to choose someone from the Second branch."

"As you know, since the Second Master and Brother Rong died, our Madam has become disheartened and stopped wielding power, resulting in a depletion of talent in the second branch of the family. Of the twenty-three stewards in the Marquis's mansion before you, our second branch only has five left, and they are all in insignificant positions such as managing the stables."

"Among dwarfs, the best must be chosen. If we're looking for someone to fill the vacant position of chief steward vacated by Sun Bingyi, then you're the only one..."

"etc!"

Upon hearing Xiao Fengxiao's words, Chen Shi's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly interrupted.

"You mean, the master wants to promote me to head steward!"

"Otherwise, it would be the steward's job to arrange Gu Chengze's funeral. If we weren't trying to promote you to the position of steward, why would we give you this task?"

Xiao Fengxiao smiled, looking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Chen Shi opened his mouth, still looking surprised.

That's the position of general manager!

The vast Jing'an Marquis's mansion only had four [units/families].

Although dressed in white robes and considered servants, some of their young masters treated them with respect.

After all, the so-called general manager is the person who oversees and manages everything, and thus holds great power!

Chen Shi could tell that Gu Tingshu intended to promote him, but he never expected that Gu would actually appoint him as the chief steward!

"Do you know that the three divine bodies of Burning Longevity, Dry Wood, and Startling String were specially bestowed upon the steward by the Marquis's mansion? Since the master said he would bestow upon you the Dry Wood divine body, his meaning is quite clear."

"So that's how it is..."

"You don't need to be so surprised. As I just said, although you are relatively inexperienced, you are indeed the only one in the second branch of the family who is barely qualified. Furthermore, there's another important reason: after all, you saved the master's life!"

At this point, Xiao Fengxiao's expression suddenly turned serious.

"However, the master only has this intention. Whether you can take the position of steward depends on your own ability. After all, the steward holds a high position and wields great power, and many people are eyeing him, and none of them are kind."

"I see."

"Come here."

"Um?"

"hurry up."

"oh."

He was suddenly asked to do something, but Chen Shi didn't think much of it and went straight to the bedside.

Xiao Fengxiao suddenly reached out, grabbed Chen Shi's hand, pulled it close, and gently pressed it against her chest.

Did you hear that?

"What?"

"My heartbeat."

"Such a soft heartbeat."

"Pah!"