"They've already gone to the restaurant. After you finish breakfast, Auntie, should you go to the restaurant first or to the county government office?"
"Let's go to the county government first. The restaurant only opened this morning, so there's no rush. Oh, and bring me the indenture from under my pillow." Yan Xia had just stepped over the threshold when she remembered that she hadn't brought the indenture yet.
She told Xiao Ji to go and get it, while she headed towards Xiao Su and Xiao Qing's room.
"Bang bang—"
Because room doors are not as sturdy as wooden doors.
Therefore, you can only pat it lightly.
"Coming—" Xiaoqing hurriedly opened the door. She was wearing an overcoat and looked like she had just woken up.
"Get ready to go to the county government office. Get up, wash up, and then go have breakfast. By the way, where's Xiaosu?"
The two of them stayed in her yard last night.
They lived in the same house.
"I don't know, I haven't seen her since early this morning."
Xiao Qing's words had another layer of meaning, which surprised Yan Xia, who glanced at her briefly.
"Oh, if you see her, call her over for breakfast."
Yan Xia didn't say much, turned around and went to the pavilion in the courtyard, where there was a round mahogany table with carved flowers on its six curved legs. The carving was exquisite, just like real flowers.
Between the two table legs, there is a round stool on each side, which can seat six people.
It's hot, so she doesn't like to eat indoors.
From morning till night, I eat out almost every meal, three times a day.
Breakfast was already on the table: a bowl of thick rice porridge, two side dishes, and her favorite tea eggs.
The tea used was of high quality, so it was naturally not the best tea.
They are all loose tea leaves.
When brewed, it tastes just like good tea.
Two tea eggs have been peeled and placed on a plate.
Yan Xia took a bite of egg, ate a mouthful of porridge, and then picked up a side dish with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth.
Although it's light, it's especially refreshing to eat on a hot summer day.
"Greetings, Master!"
Halfway through the meal, Xiao Su passed by carrying a bowl. When she saw Yan Xia, she knelt down to greet her.
Because the basin was too big, he almost fell to the ground.
“In my residence, such elaborate etiquette is unnecessary on a daily basis. It makes me uncomfortable. Also, where did you get such a large basin of clothes?”
Because she was kneeling, Yan Xia was able to see clearly what was in the basin.
"When I woke up this morning, I had nothing to do, so I thought I'd help the ladies in the manor hang up their clothes to dry."
Yan Xia had just finished eating. She put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth. "I'm afraid it's not just about drying clothes. Alright, there's still a long way to go. Don't bother now. Put the basin here and go eat breakfast. I'll take you to the county government office later."
"Yes, Master."
Upon hearing her words, Xiao Su immediately put the basin on the ground and turned to go to the kitchen.
Yan Xia chuckled softly.
That's really true.
At the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the three of them left the Yan residence together.
Walk to the county government office.
The house is not far from the county government office, so there is no need to take a carriage.
From a distance of about ten meters, Zuo Li stepped forward to meet him.
"Aunt Yan, what brings you to the county government?"
"Xiao Li, let's go inside first. It's not convenient to talk outside."
Yan Xia didn't reply to him in a hurry.
With so many people and so much talk on the street, she couldn't very well tell Zuo Li and the other two girls in public that they had encountered bandits.
If the people heard this, wouldn't it frighten them?
What if we don't dare to leave the city?
"Okay, let's go in."
Zuo Li led Yan Xia and the others into the county government office and sat down.
"I went to Jiangnan County the day before yesterday, but since the restaurant reopened this morning, I rushed back from Jiangnan County yesterday noon. So I inevitably had to travel at night. The carriage encountered bandits halfway there, and I rescued these two girls. They are from Ningzhou City..."
“............”
Yan Xia spoke like a storyteller for over half an hour, her story so captivating that it drew the attention of several officials on duty at the county government office.
And every now and then he'd blurt out, "And then what, Manager Yan?"
"That's how it is. Xiao Li, can you help me clarify Xiao Su's identity? Her indenture is with me, and she's mine from now on. As for Xiao Qing, I won't interfere."
Xiao Qing looked at Yan Xia in disbelief when she heard that Yan Xia had taken Xiao Su's indenture.
He turned his head again and looked at Xiao Su.
Seeing that she didn't react, he poked her with his elbow.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Su asked, puzzled.
"Come out with me for a moment, I have something to tell you." Before she could answer, Xiaoqing hurriedly pulled Xiaosu to the corner outside the door.
"She took your indenture? Are you stupid? Why did you tell her you had an indenture? You've escaped the bandits' den only to stumble into a villain's mansion. What if she bullies you? Our indentures are binding, you know. You didn't want the chance to get rid of your slave status? Are you stupid?"
Xiao Qing's face was full of disappointment and frustration.
The two served Madam Bai together and slept in the same room every day, just like sisters.
Of course, she couldn't just stand by and watch Xiao Su be foolishly deceived by Yan Xia.
"Was the indenture taken away by her trickery? You should plead with the officials later and ask them to get it back for you. After we get rid of our slave status, we'll pawn the bracelet, take the money to a matchmaker, and ask her to introduce us to a good marriage. Isn't a girl's life all about finding a good match? If you enter the Yan family, you'll be a maid for life. You're really incredibly stupid. You're already twenty. If you get any older, even widowers won't want you. I couldn't dissuade you from taking the medicine yesterday. You must listen to me today. I won't harm you."
Each of them wore a jade bracelet on their wrist.
Because the size was too perfect to remove, and the jade was only worth a little over two taels of silver, the bandits didn't even bother with it.
They didn't steal it.
Xiaoqing became more and more excited as she spoke.
Without giving Xiaosu a chance to talk back, they continued to lecture her.
"I'm so angry with you! Even if you're stupid, you can't be this stupid! That's a contract of servitude! To put it bluntly, even if they beat you to death, the contract will protect you. Living with your head in your hands every day, aren't you afraid? I've had enough of this kind of life. Once I'm freed from slavery, I'll find a matchmaker here, get married, have a big, healthy son, and secure my position..."
Xiao Su couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted her.
"Xiaoqing, stop talking. I willingly gave my indenture to my mistress. She saved my life, and I should repay her. Besides, my mistress is very kind; she won't kill me. Even if she does, it must be because I did something wrong. I know you've always wanted to marry a good husband, but I don't want to. Even if I hadn't encountered the bandits and had gone to Jiangnan County, I wouldn't have left. I originally planned to stay in the Bai family as a nanny. What's so good about getting married? It's all about serving others. I serve the mistress and get a monthly allowance; I eat well and dress warmly. What kind of good family can someone like us, who has been a maid, marry into? Besides..."
Xiao Su pursed her lips, frowned, and took several deep breaths before she had the courage to continue.
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