Song Anxin felt that she had received a really big surprise. It was really easy to rely on Magistrate Yan. She was just worried about how to select some people, and this guy sent them to her.
The people personally selected by Magistrate Yan and Master Fan are much more reliable than those she chooses herself. However, Magistrate Yan is probably here to thank her for the Tianqing wine she presented last time, under the guise of her family moving to a new house. Although it was presented to the Emperor, his family must have benefited a lot from it as well.
She certainly wouldn't refuse coyly; this would save her a lot of trouble. She said:
"I was just wondering where to find some good maids and servants, and Lord Yan's gift has really saved me from this predicament. I won't stand on ceremony and thank you, Lord Yan."
"Thank you for your trouble, Master Fan, but how can I let Lord Yan pay for this? I'll give you the silver later."
Since I've received a favor from someone, I can't expect them to pay for it again.
Magistrate Yan didn't care about these things. There would be even bigger surprises waiting for Lady Hui later. This was really nothing to her.
Song Anxin said warmly, "Lord Yan, Master Fan, let's not stand at the door. Please come in and sit down. My family will be having a feast soon, and I'd like to have a good drink with you today."
A few days after Song Anxin handed over the Tianqing Wine, in the capital city.
"Your Majesty, Minister Yan is requesting an audience outside the palace. He says he has a gift that Lady Hui of Liuzhou wants to present to Your Majesty."
Eunuch Qi served him carefully from the side.
The emperor's hand, which was turning the pages of the memorials, suddenly stopped, and he raised his head:
"Oh, Lady Hui of Liuzhou, is that the peasant woman Lin Songshi whom I recently bestowed a title upon?"
Eunuch Qi said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed this person."
The emperor was deeply impressed by this extraordinary woman, and not only presented her with several unique agricultural water conservancy tools, but now he also offered her a heated earthen bed for warmth.
He said, "Let Minister Yan in."
Although it was the same tone as usual, Eunuch Qi, who had served the emperor for a long time, could tell that the emperor was somewhat expectant.
She thought to herself, "This Lady Hui is quite remarkable to have caught the Emperor's eye."
Minister Yan entered, bowed his head respectfully, and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
The emperor raised his eyes and asked, "What extraordinary item is it that prompted Minister Yan to personally deliver it?"
The palace servants respectfully handed the items to Eunuch Qi, who then presented them to the emperor. The emperor had already smelled a strong aroma of wine, and his brows furrowed slightly.
Minister Yan immediately knelt down and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! Our dynasty's brewing process has reached an even higher level. Lady Hui has created the unprecedented Tianqing Wine to present to Your Majesty."
At the same time, the wine poured from the pot like a clear stream, its rich aroma filling the air. The emperor's eyes flickered, and after tasting it, though his expression remained unchanged, a look of delight flashed across his face. He suddenly burst into laughter:
"Hahaha, Minister Yan, Shuping has really met a remarkable person. You didn't know beforehand and deliberately sent Shuping to that place, did you?"
Minister Yan immediately replied with trepidation, "Your Majesty, I have never heard of any extraordinary person, nor would I dare to abuse my power for personal gain. Your Majesty, please understand."
"Alright, I know you are the most upright. You really dared to send Shuping to such a poor and desolate place. I think Shuping has run into a benefactor. The kid has some luck."
"I really like this sake, and I'm sure those noble families will like it too. I'll leave this matter to you. Have your people do a good job."
Minister Yan kept his head bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree. Your subject takes his leave."
After Minister Yan came out, he instructed his subordinates: "Send the authority to brew and sell wine to Shuping in Liuzhou. Tell Shuping to stay there and make sure he gets along well with that Lady Hui."
This Lady Hui is a benefactor of the Yan family. The Yan family conquered this empire together with the current emperor. The current empress is also a member of the Yan family, and the crown prince was born to the empress. There is also General Yan, who guards the northern border. He himself is a second-rank official, Minister of Personnel. The Yan family's wealth and power are at their zenith. However, it is precisely this immense wealth and power that makes the current emperor increasingly suspicious and wary of the Yan family, even if the family has no intention of rebelling.
The Crown Prince was suppressed by the Emperor, who then favored other families and deliberately marginalized the Yan family. With the princes eyeing them covetously, the Yan family lived on thin ice every day. That's why, just when things were about to go wrong, he resolutely sent Shuping to that poor county of Liuzhou. Unexpectedly, heaven also helped the Yan family.
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After finishing the housewarming banquet at Song Anxin's home and seeing all the guests off, she finally had time to arrange things for the dozen or so new members.
Song Anxin asked them to introduce themselves first. One of them, who seemed to be their leader, stepped forward and said:
"Greetings, Madam Hui. My surname is Sun, and everyone calls me Granny Sun. I am skilled in managing household affairs and accounting." She then introduced everyone one by one: "This is Granny Wei, who serves closely and disciplines the servants. This is Granny Zheng, a skilled cook. Granny Tao is an embroiderer. These three maids are Granny Lu, Granny Yang, and Granny Jiang. Please bestow names upon these four maids, five servants, and four guards, Master."
Song Anxin nodded, increasingly satisfied. The old women each had their strengths, and the maids, servants, and guards were all of impeccable character, orphans. So she spoke:
"The four maids will be named Ping An, Xi Le, Shun Sui, and Wu You. You four can choose the names you like from these."
She then said to the servants and guards, "The five of you should choose one from the five characters: 福 (fortune), 寿 (longevity), 禄 (prosperity), 吉 (auspiciousness), and 贵 (nobility), and then choose the character 安 (peace). The four of you should choose one from the five characters: 山 (mountain), 风 (wind), 云 (cloud), and 雨 (rain), and then choose the character 青 (green)."
The maids, servants, and guards quickly assigned names.
Then they said in unison, "Peace, joy... peace and happiness... green mountains, green wind... Thank you, Madam, for bestowing this name upon us."
Then Song Anxin introduced her family members to the servants one by one, and each time she introduced one, they would greet her with, "Greetings, Young Master! Greetings, Young Madam!"
Song Meilin had a bumper harvest... Several of them were quite unaccustomed to it. Although they knew their mother would buy servants, they were still having a hard time adjusting to having so many servants in the house who called them young master and young mistress.
Grandma Song was very happy. That's how it should be. Her daughter is finally showing the demeanor of a proper lady.
Song Anxin then began to assign tasks to the group: "Grandma Sun, Mei Zi manages almost all the affairs of our household. You will follow the eldest young mistress and assist her in managing the household and overseeing the accounts."
"Granny Zheng, the kitchen is now in your hands. Choose a maid to help you."
"I'll leave the clothing for the people in Granny Tao's household to you."
"Mountain, wind, cloud, rain, you are responsible for the safety of the courtyard."
"Granny Wei, you can stay by my side. I don't need you to serve me much. Your main responsibility is to manage the servants in the courtyard. You can teach these maids and servants for a few days, and then work with Granny Sun to make further arrangements for them based on their situation."
These are only temporary arrangements. Once they have adapted, Song Anxin will gradually make further arrangements based on their roles.
Everyone knelt down in unison and said, "Yes, Madam Hui."
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