Glass House (Jinshi x Reader)

The New Pure Consort

Your POV

Maomao and I were outside in the courtyard of Master Jinshi's home. She was helping me plant some herbs so that our supply wouldn't dwindle.

"Girls..." we jumped, hearing Suiren and knowing we were in trouble, "Kindly remind me, did I or did I not ask you to clean the office earlier?"

"Going now!" I exclaimed, picking up my basket and scurrying toward the office.

"Less emphasis on the gardening, please."

We knocked on the door to the office, me calling or, "Excuse me." I opened the door, seeing Master Jinshi and Gaoshun inside. They both looked rather disappointed and annoyed about something.

This can't be good.

We entered the office and were instantly told he needed to speak with us. We stood in front of the desk, waiting patiently for what he was going to say.

"I trust you're aware of the new Pure Consort who's set up in the Garden Pavilion?"

"Yes," I answered Master Jinshi.

He stood from his seat with a sigh, walking around it, "Well, the rear palace has set its mind to the concubine's education." He held out two pieces of parchment. "And they selected you two to be the teachers."

I couldn't help but grin, "That's a good one-"

"I'm not joking here. You two have a written letter of recommendation."

Maomao and I glanced at each other, the former asking, "Recommendation?"

"In fact, you've two."

I read the pieces of parchment, sighing heavily when  I saw that they were from Lady Lihua and Lady Gyokuyou. This must've been about those tricks we gave them.

"Right..."

"So, it's settled," Master Jinshi said, "Best of luck then."

We spent the rest of the day getting our materials together and going over the pay we would be getting. It was good, but would barely cut the old lady's demands.

The next morning as we got our things ready, I pulled out a wooden tablet and started doing the math, seeing how much this all cost for the invoice. I couldn't help but smile devilishly as I changed the total around a little to give us some extra money for the old lady.

"Are these all teaching materials for your class?"

I yelped, jumping from the sudden startle. I turned, handing Master Jinshi the tablet and holding the ink brush behind my back to hide it, "They are. And here's the invoice."

He took it, scanning it before mumbling, "I guess that's in order."

"I wonder why the cost is penned in different ink than the list of goods," Suiren said knowingly. I sighed, snatching the tablet back bashfully.

"Don't mind if I take a look?"

I spun around, forgetting about the tablet and ink brush as I quickly stood between the cart of wrapped supplied and Master Jinshi. "Nope. No way." I said adamantly, ready to defend them with my life.

"Alright, I won't," he backed away nervously.

Finally, everything was set to go. I could see Master Jinshi looking curiously at the wrapped parcels, but he wasn't touching them so I didn't bother with him.

I stood at the front of the cart, hands on the bar and ready to pull it. "Are you sure you don't need any help with that?" Gaoshun asked.

"I've got it," I replied with a smile.