Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

Liu Wenying had an idea and acted on it immediately. Soon after, Zhiyun Manor was renovated and rebuilt.

The three-courtyard complex is built against the mountain, with white walls and black tiles nestled among peach and plum blossoms in March.

On the day of the opening, the weather was perfect, with the warm spring sun shining down on the ground.

Liu Wenying got up before dawn and checked the place three or four times to make sure that every detail was done properly.

Today, Yinian Hot Spring Resort will welcome its first batch of guests, so she naturally has to take care of everything and personally oversee the event.

At dawn, several ornate carriages approached the manor gate. Old Madam Yu was helped down from the carriage by her maid, followed by three noble ladies of high rank: the wife of the Earl of Anyang, the wife of the Minister of Rites, and the wife of the General of Zhenbei. All of them were prominent noblewomen in the capital.

Liu Wenying had also dressed up specially, wearing a light blue silk skirt, with a moon-white half-sleeved outer garment, and white magnolia velvet flowers in her hair, simple yet dignified.

She stepped forward and curtsied, her voice clear and melodious: "Wenying respectfully welcomes the Old Madam and all the ladies."

Old Madam Yu held her hand, carefully examining the estate behind her, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Good boy, you've managed this estate quite well."

Lady Anyang glanced over briefly, then said with composure, "I've heard that Master Liu was originally a wet nurse in the Duke's manor? It takes courage to run a manor with such a background and age."

Liu Wenying smiled slightly, ignoring the probing question.

Instead of arguing, it's better to do things yourself and let others see and experience them firsthand.

She stepped aside to lead the way: "Ladies, why don't you follow Wenying inside for a look?"

Led by Liu Wenying, the group entered the manor and headed straight for the hot spring. After passing through the flower gate, the view suddenly opened up before them.

The hot spring pool was built with natural bluestone, and freshly picked peach petals floated in the misty steam.

The surroundings are exceptionally elegant, with mosquito-repelling mint and mugwort planted by the pond, and purple clay teaware neatly arranged on the stone table, resembling a refined mountain dwelling.

Ling'er stepped forward carrying the tray, her manners impeccable.

"Please have some herbal tea, ladies. It's made in the village with roselle and wild honey; it's very soothing for the throat."

The wife of the Minister of Rites took the celadon cup, gently inhaled the aroma of the tea, and her eyebrows twitched slightly.

The others nodded in agreement after drinking.

Liu Wenying led the group along the covered walkway to the location of the study, pointing to the house to the east.

"Over there is Tingyu Pavilion. Each guest room has hot spring water flowing into the bathtub, and there are zither tables and desks under the windows, where ladies can calm their minds and cultivate their character."

She then pointed to the house on the west side.

"That's the Fragrance Pavilion over there, specially prepared for ladies who love incense. It comes with calming incense and the recipes are all learned from palace maids who are skilled in perfumery."

The wife of the General of Zhenbei came from a military family and was straightforward in her words and deeds.

"I heard the manor also takes in homeless people as servants? Those roughnecks, do they even know how to serve others?"

Liu Wenying nodded. "I understand your concerns, Madam. Why don't you take a look at the servants in our estate?"

As soon as he finished speaking, two women in brown clothes walked down the corridor.

Their hair was neatly combed, their hands were clean, and their nails were trimmed. They held up the scented plain satin nightgowns and bowed respectfully.

They led the head of the group, Granny Tian, ​​forward and curtsied, their demeanor neither humble nor arrogant.

"Replying to my ladies, this old servant was originally the head maid of the Duke's mansion. These caregivers all learned etiquette under my tutelage and know the importance of things."

After looking them over, the general's wife nodded to the other women, "They're alright."

"It's almost time for dinner. The estate has prepared some simple home-cooked food. We would be honored if you ladies would do us the honor of trying it?"

When everyone heard that there would be lunch, and having seen the pavilions and scenery of the estate, they were curious about what kind of culinary delights Liu Wenying could come up with for the meal.

Upon arriving at the waterside flower hall, Zizhu had already directed her servants to set up the banquet.

Today's guests are all ladies of high status; what delicacies haven't they tasted? So Liu Wenying started with the usual, elegant and simple dishes, and the table was set with seasonal spring vegetables.

The shepherd's purse and tofu in the white porcelain bowl were tender green and snowy white.

Omelette with toon leaves, golden yellow with hints of green.

Steamed shad is simply sprinkled with fine salt and shredded ginger.

There are also many fresh wild game dishes that can only be found in the mountains.

Zizhu introduced the food to everyone while serving them.

After tasting a few bites, Lady Anyang nodded and savored the food.

The other ladies also looked surprised; the seemingly unremarkable dishes turned out to be quite refreshing and palatable.

Halfway through the meal, Xiaozhu brought over a bamboo basket containing eggs boiled in hot spring water, which had turned a pale blue color, and were placed on a fresh lotus leaf.

Liu Wenying explained, "Hot spring eggs are good for your health. Ladies, you can take some back to your residence. If you like, the estate can send a few baskets to your residence every month."

As the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to him, and he who takes another's gift is bound to him," so they felt a little embarrassed about both eating and taking gifts.

Although they admired Liu Wenying's interpersonal skills, they still had their concerns.

The ladies voiced their concerns.

"We are all of a certain age. If we suddenly fall ill in the village, far from any village or shop, it would be very troublesome."

Liu Wenying was prepared, "There are always two doctors on duty in the manor, so the ladies can rest assured."

"That estate is secluded; is its security guaranteed? We are all women; we need to feel at ease."

Liu Wenying smiled and said, "There are guards patrolling the manor day and night. If the lady brings guards with her, there is a special courtyard for them to stay in."

"There is a flower wall separating it from the main courtyard, which is convenient for guarding without disturbing the peace."

The ladies exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

In the afternoon, the ladies planned to take a nap, but Liu Wenying led them to the Tianzi Room of Tingyu Pavilion.

Upon opening the door, Old Madam Yu discovered that the interior layout was seven parts similar to her bedroom in her mansion.

The old lady stood frozen at the door, "This is...?"

Liu Wenying said gently, "I found that the armchair in the old lady's bedroom was the most convenient to use, so I asked the carpenter to make a replica."

"And the incense is also in accordance with the recipes used in your residence. Wenying has served you, so of course we want you to feel at home."

Old Madam Yu's eyes welled up with tears. "It's so kind of you to put in so much effort. I must praise you in front of them."

But Liu Wenying's efforts went far beyond this.

The other ladies returned to their rooms and also discovered a pleasant surprise.

Lady Anyang had her usual hair oil on her dressing table.

On the desk of the wife of the Minister of Rites was a newly published collection of poems, the version she had been searching for for over a month without success.

In the room of the General of the North's wife, there was a pair of unsharpened short swords on the weapon rack, which she used to play with when she was young.

The ladies stayed at the estate for three days and were reluctant to leave.

Not long after they returned to Beijing, they began to talk about their three days and two nights at the mountain resort.

Gradually, the news spread throughout the social circles of wealthy women in Beijing.

"The bedding at the hot spring resorts on the outskirts of Beijing is made of brocade, even more delicate than what you can buy from the most expensive silk shops."

"And the servants there are very skilled; when they massaged my shoulders, they were very accurate in finding the acupoints."

"The owner was a woman, and although she was six months pregnant, she was very proper in her speech and actions."

"More than just thoughtful, she's also incredibly clever. My mother-in-law, who's usually very picky, praised her a lot after the trip and even said she wanted to take me to stay there too..."

The word spread like wildfire, and in less than half a month, the sign for Yinian Hot Spring Resort was up and running.

Reservations poured in like snowflakes, and Liu Wenying's accounts showed increasing revenue day by day.

She allocated a portion of the profits to the almshouse and invested the rest back into the hot spring resort, purchasing equipment, renovating the residences, and recruiting staff.

The piles of silk at Zhiyun Manor have found a place to go, and all the curtains, bedding, and other items in the manor have been replaced with our own materials, which the guests have all praised.

Granny Tian, ​​Zizhu, Ling'er, Xiaozhu, and others all performed their duties, and under her leadership, they had no worries about making a living.

But when the night is quiet, Liu Wenying would often look out the window towards the capital city.

With the snow melting, it's a beautiful time, and she wants to see them...

…………