Chapter 217 Selecting Servants for the New House
We proceeded to the main hall.
Lu Zhaoruo sat down comfortably in the head seat.
Her gaze was calm as she first looked at her elder brother, Lu Bohong, her tone filled with respect and reliance: "Brother, the residence is newly built, and there are many things to be done. You are experienced and know my wishes, so I would appreciate it if you could take the time to oversee all the arrangements, both inside and outside the residence."
Upon hearing this, Lu Bohong laughed heartily and patted his chest, saying, "Don't worry, little sister! With your brother here, I'll definitely help you manage this new home perfectly!"
Then, Lu Zhaoruo turned to the guard Sun Jing: "Sun Jing, you have always been meticulous and steady, and your martial arts are superb. I ask you to assist my brother in patrolling inside and outside the house and investigating all matters. You are in charge of the dispatch of all the male servants in the house and the responsibility of guarding the gates. All matters must be reported to my brother in a timely manner."
Sun Jing clasped his hands and bowed, replying in a deep voice, "Yes! I will do my utmost to protect my wife and the mansion!"
Then, she looked at Dongrou: "Dongrou, you will personally manage all my finances, personal belongings, contracts, and seals..."
Dong Rou bowed deeply, her voice gentle: "This servant understands, and will certainly not fail in my lady's trust."
Lu Zhaoruo finally turned her gaze to Wang Mama, who was standing respectfully to the side, and said in a calm but authoritative tone: "Wang Mama, you are an old servant appointed by the government and are familiar with the rules. From now on, you will be in charge of the daily affairs of this house, the dispatch of servants, the distribution of monthly allowances, and the usual interactions."
Finally, her gaze fell upon the ten servants standing neatly at the foot of the steps outside the hall, heads bowed, and she said loudly, "Now that you have entered this gate, you are all members of the Lu family. I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing people. I will not mistreat those who are loyal and diligent; however, if there are any acts of betraying their master for personal gain, or of neglecting their duties, do not blame me for my strict family rules, which will not be tolerated. I hope you will all be content with your positions and behave yourselves well."
Wang Mama immediately led the servants in a deep bow and respectfully replied, "We will follow your instructions, Madam, and will do our utmost to fulfill them without fail!"
Xiao Yeming sat to the side, taking in all of this.
Watching her calmly and methodically manage her own little world, her composure, meticulousness, and innate demeanor as the head of the household, which were beyond her years, deeply impressed him.
He learned martial arts from a young age and grew up in a military camp, where he valued strict discipline and clear order.
What Lu Zhaoruo was displaying at this moment was a talent for commanding troops that was no less than that of a general on the battlefield.
The young ladies he had seen before were either delicate or domineering; none of them had ever displayed such an air.
He thought of the noble ladies in the capital who had secretly flirted with him, and suddenly felt utterly bored.
They are like carefully pruned peonies, while Lu Zhaoruo is a tall tree that can withstand wind and rain and support a piece of the world.
When Lu Zhaoruo finished arranging everything, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and looked at him, Xiao Yeming felt that her gaze was as clear as moonlight washed by snow water, capable of shining into one's heart.
His heart skipped a beat, and he dared not look directly at her. He subconsciously turned his face away and lowered his head slightly.
His skin was already fair, and at this moment a faint blush quickly spread from the base of his ears, like a light layer of rouge suddenly spreading on fine white porcelain, adding a touch of embarrassment to his cold profile.
This left the young general, who remained unfazed even in the face of thousands of troops, somewhat at a loss.
Lu Zhaoruo withdrew her gaze, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said to Dong Rou, "At present, everything is in its infancy and the foundation is not yet stable. The government slaves can be used for rough work, but for personal service and household security, only absolutely reliable confidants can be competent. Tomorrow, in addition to going to the brokerage to select five or six maids with clean backgrounds and clever and honest manners to fill the inner quarters, we must also look for three or four strong servants with reliable skills and clear backgrounds to serve as guards. This matter concerns the peace and tranquility of the household and is of utmost importance."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming promptly replied, "Leave this matter to me. Liu Po's brokerage firm on East Street is known for its meticulousness, so the selection of maids can be entrusted to her. As for the guards, I have some retired veterans under my command who are loyal, brave, and skilled, making them far more reliable than recruiting from the marketplace. Tomorrow, I will bring them to see you, and you can make the decision."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo nodded slightly: "General Xiao's considerations are thorough. In that case, I will trouble you."
In the evening, everyone gathered together for dinner, creating a lively atmosphere.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
Lu Zhaoruo went straight to Liu Po's brokerage shop on East Street.
Lu Zhaoruo and Dong Rou rode together in a carriage.
Xiao Yeming rode alongside his guards, while Sun Jing followed closely behind with two male servants, in case of emergency.
Meanwhile, inside the Xiao residence.
Wang Miaoyin, her eyes red and swollen, buried her face in Madam He's arms and sobbed, "Mother! I heard from the servants that Brother Yeming left early this morning. He must have gone to be with that Lu Zhaoruo again! She already has her own house, why is she still clinging to my cousin!"
Madam He's face was grim. She gently patted her daughter's back, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes: "My child, don't be hasty. Let her be smug for a while longer. The higher she climbs, the harder she falls..."
Dental clinic.
Inside Liu Po's dental clinic, the air was filled with the sounds of people.
The matchmaker, Granny Liu, was a shrewd middle-aged woman. Upon seeing Xiao Yeming and Lu Zhaoruo's demeanor, she knew that important customers had arrived, and she greeted them with a beaming smile.
Lu Zhaoruo sat upright in the hall, her gaze calmly sweeping over the rows of girls waiting to be chosen.
She didn't rush to speak, but nodded slightly to Dong Rou.
Dongrou understood, stepped forward, and explained the requirements for the maid to Granny Liu in a clear and gentle voice: "She must have a clean background, be clever, have clean hands and feet, and know the rules of the inner quarters."
Granny Liu readily agreed and hurriedly led several girls she had already selected—girls who were pretty and seemed clever—to the front.
Just as Lu Zhaoruo was carefully observing, a slight commotion suddenly came from a corner to the side.
A thin, pale-faced girl, in her nervousness, slipped and spilled most of the water from the copper basin, which happened to wet the boots of a man dressed in a silk robe who appeared to be a steward of a government office.
The steward's face changed drastically, and he flew into a rage, raising his hand to slap her: "You damned little wretch! You blind servant!"
"stop."
Lu Zhaoruo's clear, cold voice rang out. The volume was not loud, but it had its own kind of majesty, causing the manager's raised arm to freeze in mid-air.
Her gaze swept over the little girl kneeling on the ground, trembling like a leaf. Although she was terrified, her eyes were clear and bright, filled with tears and pleading, unlike those of a cunning and treacherous person.
For some reason, this helpless look caused her heart to tremble slightly, and she thought of Greenie...
A wave of bitterness washed over her.
He quickly suppressed his emotions, keeping his face calm, and said to the matchmaker Liu Po in a low voice, "Bring this girl over so I can take a look at her too."
Granny Liu hurriedly pulled the girl forward and scolded her in a low voice, "You little wretch, hurry up and kowtow to your mistress and tell her where you are."
The maid hurriedly prostrated herself on the ground and said timidly, "I...I am named Er Ya, and I am fifteen years old. I can embroider, and I can do straight stitch, cross stitch, and goldwork; I can also do hairdressing, and I can do double loop bun and fall horse bun; I also know a few words and can keep simple accounts; I am willing to learn how to make tea, decoct medicine, and serve you with writing materials, and I will do my best to serve you, my lady!"
After she finished speaking, she kowtowed heavily again, her shoulders trembling slightly, showing that she was extremely nervous.
Seeing that the lady seated did not speak immediately, she was filled with fear, afraid of missing this only chance of survival. Forgetting all etiquette, she raised her tearful eyes and hurriedly explained, "This servant...this servant used to work in the courtyard of the second son of the Marquis of Xiang'an County!"
“This servant really didn’t do anything terribly wrong! It’s just… it’s just that seeing the six-year-old young master in the room, always peering out the window with longing eyes, was so pitiful… this servant’s heart softened for a moment, so… this servant secretly took him out of the mansion and watched the candy seller at the alley entrance for a while… who knew, who knew that when we came back, the steward caught us, saying that this servant had abducted the young master, and he beat this servant severely… and kicked her out to be sold…”
By the end, she was sobbing uncontrollably and kept kowtowing.
Lu Zhaoruo listened quietly.
The girl in front of us was severely punished for her childlike nature; her plight is truly pitiful.
In particular, her phrase "staring longingly outside" stirred something in Lu Zhaoruo's heart.
What shocked her even more was that when the girl mentioned her former master, her tone was filled with fear and grievance, but without a trace of resentment or malice, and her eyes remained clear.
This kindness, which did not fade even in adversity, is so similar to the character of Greenie in my memory.
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