"Here you go! After you've finished eating, come to my yard. I have something to discuss with you."
When Cen Xi arrived at the council hall, he tossed a bag of beef jerky and a pot of water to Liu Ji and then left.
She wanted to go back to sleep. Winter was approaching, and it was actually quite cold up in the mountains, so staying in bed was the most comfortable thing to do.
The beds here are better than those at Wang Dashan's house. Perhaps the original owner of this place was too good at enjoying life. There are many brand-new brocade quilts and velvets that Cen Xi can use as she pleases.
This meant that Cen Xi didn't have to compromise and become a concubine in exchange for these things.
She was yawning when, not far from the council hall, she was escorted up the mountain by the people Wen Qi had carefully prepared.
It's quite a coincidence that every time someone from their family comes to visit, it's after she's dealt with those unruly people on the mountain.
"Excuse me, are you Miss Cen?"
The first to speak was another old man, but this one was kinder than the previous shopkeeper, Mr. Zhang.
Because of some psychological trauma she felt towards Manager Zhang, Cen Xi's tone was not very friendly when she answered:
"So what if it is?"
“These are the people the eldest young master gave you. The two very beautiful ones are the ones the old lady intended for the young master to be his concubines, but the young master is very annoyed by them. The young master said that since it is a cooperative relationship, the sixth young lady should share some of the burden for him. And since Miss Cen likes pretty girls, it is definitely the right thing to give you these two.”
"The other two are the two best cooks in our Wen family kitchen. Their food is delicious. And this young man is a disciple of Doctor Xu, a famous doctor in Shangyang City. His medical skills are also quite good. If you have a headache or fever, just go to him. He can also treat external injuries. You can use him with confidence, young lady."
"If there is any serious illness, please send someone to inform our Wen family. We will definitely invite a renowned doctor to come up the mountain to treat you. Miss Cen, what do you think of this arrangement?"
The butler spoke with a gentle smile.
"Your matriarch gave me the concubine she was preparing for your young master?"
Cen Xi thought everyone else was well-behaved, but this concubine, this young master Wen, was truly a remarkable person.
"Yes! Young master said that they are all servants, and the young lady also requires that the maids be beautiful. The most beautiful ones in the mansion are only the young mistress and the concubines that the old lady prepared for him. Young master can't give the mistress to you, so he gave them to you instead."
The butler explained to Cen Xi with a smile.
"Does your matriarch have any more concubines prepared for your young master? Just these two?"
Cen Xi curled her lips and deliberately looked at the two pale-faced women before asking a question.
"These two are not satisfactory, young lady?"
The butler spoke cautiously.
He was actually a little confused. The young master had clearly said that the girl in front of him was not to be trifled with, so why would he still send her two concubines?
"From now on, if your matriarch prepares any more concubines for your young master, give them all to me. I'll take them for him. It's such a waste for your young master to leave such beautiful women unattended."
Cen Xi glanced at the two beauties with feigned pity and said.
"It seems that what you said was true, young master. As long as these two girls are sent here, the girls will surely be happy. At first, I didn't believe it, but now that you say so, I'm relieved."
Seeing that Cen Xi was genuinely happy, the steward breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to end up like Manager Zhang in his old age.
"I am very satisfied with these people. Alright, you can go back now! Don't forget to tell your young master that I will come to thank him in person another day! I will make a special trip to see your young mistress."
After accepting the man, Cen Xixiao dismissed him, and then deliberately made his last words sound meaningful.
"Oh! Yes!"
As soon as Cen Xi finished speaking, the steward's heart, which had been relieved, immediately tightened again. He couldn't quite figure out what Cen Xi meant by her last words.
"Let's go! What are you waiting for?"
Seeing that he still wouldn't leave, Cen Xi urged him to leave again.
"Yes! This old servant will leave immediately!"
The steward gave the two concubines a deep look before following them down the mountain.
Cen Xi watched the old man's nervous back and smiled silently.
Turning her head, she saw Liu Ji standing not far away with two people, watching her.
So she beckoned to Liu Ji, signaling them to come closer.
"Are you full? Do you have the energy to cook for the others?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the beef jerky was too dry. We ate some, but couldn't eat any more. However, we are still grateful for the food Your Majesty has provided. We have some strength now, and we will go to the kitchen to cook."
Liu Ji scratched his head, replying with an awkward yet respectful tone.
"Come here!"
When Cen Xi heard him say that, she beckoned to the two old women that Wen Qixi had brought.
"What are your orders, young lady?"
Seeing Cen Xi call for help, the two quickly stepped forward to reply.
“Follow them to the kitchen and make some porridge for them. The cook from the mountain has run away, and they haven’t eaten for three days.”
Cen Xi said.
"yes!"
"Thank you, Master!"
Liu Ji and the two men accompanying him were overjoyed. Their master was outwardly criticizing them, but secretly he was trying to find a solution for them.
It seems she truly is a good mistress, far more human and compassionate than Prince Heng of the Heng Prince's Mansion. They will absolutely swear to follow her to the death and never betray her.
Cen Xi had no idea that her small act of conscience had moved these three people, and would later move those lying in the room as well.
In the many dangers that followed, they risked their lives to protect her, regardless of the consequences, because of the kindness shown to them at that meal.
Seeing them walk away, Cen Xi looked at the two concubines and a boy of eleven or twelve years old and said:
"You all come with me!"
"Yes, Master!"
On the way up the mountain, the steward had already warned them that the master on the mountain was not to be trifled with, and if they didn't serve him well, their lives would be over in an instant. So they dared not utter a single complaint.
When they arrived at her courtyard, Cen Xi sat down on a stone bench.
Looking at the two beautiful women, he said:
"Go inside and make me a pot of tea."
"But young lady, we've just arrived and don't know where the teapot and tea leaves are."
The speaker frowned and spoke in a low voice.
The girl next to her glanced at her but remained silent.
His face clearly showed his fear and resentment.
"The teapot is on the tea table inside the house, and the tea leaves are in the cabinet in the room. Would you still say you don't know where they are now?"
Cen Xi rested her chin on her hand, watching them with great interest and a smile. Her deliberate attempt to make things difficult was written all over her face. She wanted to see how these two girls would manage to survive under her watchful eye, given their fear and resentment.
This is much more interesting than watching Yan Niang sleep with men.
"But girl, I... I'll go make a bath right now."
The girl who spoke first originally wanted to say something in rebuttal, but when the words were about to come out, she remembered the cruelty the butler had described to her, so she quickly spoke up tactfully.
"Okay! Go ahead! What's your name?"
Cen Xi glanced at her, waved her hand, and then asked about the boy.
“My name is Tongzhou. Young Master said that I would serve you as my master from now on. I was saved by Young Master and went to the Wen residence to repay your kindness. I didn’t expect that Young Master would not only not let me repay your kindness, but also let me learn a lot of medical skills from Doctor Xu. I am extremely grateful. Since you are Young Master’s friend, it is the same to repay this kindness to you. From now on, Sixth Miss will be Tongzhou’s master.”
"Please bestow a name upon me, Master!"
As soon as Cen Xi finished speaking, Tong Zhou knelt down and said...
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