Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Lady Chen
Jinniang brought her mother to see Madam Chen, but they were both surprised to see each other. Luo Yu'e was surprised that Madam Chen, a woman, lived in such a nice house, with luxurious corridors on both sides, blue bricks with pink flowers in the yard, and two maids in red handkerchiefs standing in front of the moon gate to serve. It was surprising that a little embroiderer could be so decent and imposing.
Besides, Madam Chen admired Wei Jinniang very much. This girl was smart, resourceful, and hardworking. She was always the first to arrive and the last to leave in the embroidery workshop. Embroidery skills are usually passed down from mother to daughter, but she was the only one who knew nothing about it. At first, she didn't even know how to separate the threads. It was said that she used the more than ten strings of cash she had saved to learn how to cut. Now, her skills are one of the best in the embroidery workshop, so Madam Chen specifically asked to take her there.
It’s just that Jinniang is a child. Although everything else is good, her appearance is only average. Because she is fat, the flesh has blurred her features and she looks very honest. Unexpectedly, her mother is a slender, fair-skinned beauty with an extremely pretty figure. No one can tell that they are actually mother and daughter.
But she didn't say it out loud, she just felt very surprised.
Luo Yu'e had more questions to ask: "Mrs. Chen, I heard that our daughter is going to Bianliang with you. Is this true or false?"
"It's true. I have already selected the candidates. I have taken their embroidery works to the lady of the mansion for review." Madam Chen didn't think anyone would refuse. This was such a good opportunity.
But Luo Yu'e said, "What if the rich and powerful get beaten up?"
This is what she worries most as a mother.
Madam Chen smiled and said, "You are worrying too much. The more powerful the family, the more they care about their reputation and like to be kind to others. On the contrary, those poor people who have suddenly become rich like to mistreat others. Besides, I am not afraid to say it. Some capable people in Jiangling have either fled to Liangzhe Road or to Bianjing. If Jinniang goes to Bianjing, she will win the favor of the master family with her skills in the future. Besides, living in a good family is not better than living here."
Speaking of this, she glanced at Luo Yu'e again and said, "Look at the box I just had someone carry out. It was sent by someone who wanted to get in through the back door. I only value ability and talent, and never look down on those who have no ability. They begged to go to Bian Jing, and you still don't agree with such a good opportunity?"
In fact, at this point, Luo Yu'e was already 80% sure, but she hugged her daughter and said, "My daughter will come back in three years, but I don't know how she will come back. I know you are kind-hearted in supporting her, but as a mother, I am still afraid."
"Mother and son really think alike. Jinniang also asked me how I would come back in the future and how we would communicate. I told them that the Shu Embroidery Pavilion had left for Bian Jing, and they could help smuggle anything. Don't worry, I'm definitely not a kidnapper. My home is still here, and my daughter Ying'er and her husband are in Jiangling." Madam Chen told me everything she knew, which was very appropriate.
Then Luo Yu'e bowed and stepped forward and said, "I entrust my daughter to you."
Jinniang was completely relieved after listening to her mother and Madam Chen finalizing the matter. Madam Chen took out the contract again and gave one copy to the family after signing. Madam Chen kept a copy for herself and would give it to the Zhou family in Bian Jing when the time came.
Whenever hiring manpower or looking for professional personnel, the head of the guild will recommend and facilitate the hiring. This is different from selling children. If you want to buy a maid to serve you, you would look for a matchmaker.
Madam Chen folded the paper and said with a smile, "I am also a contract. Jinniang can read, so she should recognize that it stipulates that it will expire on the winter solstice three years later. If the Zhou family loves her and is reluctant to let her leave in the future, and you also want to stay in the Zhou family, you can just sign a new contract."
Jinniang quickly shook her head. No matter how good the master's family was, who would be willing to be a slave?
Seeing her like this, Madam Chen smiled with relief and reminded her, "Remember, meet at the ferry at 15:30 three days from now. I'll be waiting for you there."
Luo Yu'e and Jinniang both said yes.
However, after the two men left, Madam Chen went to the prefectural government office in person, met the prefect's wife, and told her about the staffing arrangements. The prefect's surname was He. He was a Jinshi graduate and had been working in Jiangling for more than two years. His eldest wife, Madam He, was said to have a prominent family background, descended from the prime minister's family. Madam Chen, who had been so relaxed in front of Jinniang and her son just now, was now extremely cautious.
Mrs. He said calmly, "In that case, I understand. These embroiderers are from good families. You should not treat them harshly."
Mrs. Chen nodded and then stepped out respectfully.
After she left, the nanny beside Madam He said, "I would say there are so many good embroiderers in Bianjing, why did they ask us to send them from Jiangling? If something goes wrong in the future, it will be blamed on us."
Madam He laughed and said, "You are too superficial. My sister is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhou family. My two legitimate nieces are thirteen and eleven years old respectively. They only signed a three-year contract, most likely to allow them to marry. As for the two illegitimate children, how can we give them such a low salary? The wages for the five people sent this time are nearly five hundred strings of cash for three years. Can those young wives afford it?"
The nanny also laughed. She knew very well that both Madam He and Madam Zhou were very capable sisters, both at home and after getting married. Ten men might not be able to match them. It was just that the two sisters were jealous. It would have been better for Madam He to marry down, but Madam Zhou had to marry as a equal, so she had to do her best to save face. He wanted to seek benefits for his daughter, but didn't want to give it to others, so he asked Madam He to send the person.
**
Three days passed in a flash for Jinniang. On the first day, she personally bought several taels of cotton and several feet of cloth to make a cotton coat and trousers for her brother. She also patched the loose threads of the cotton coat and jacket that she had received from the embroidery workshop the previous year and left them for her mother. Then she bought a few pieces of meat for the family, keeping one piece for the practice and asking Luo Yu'e to make the rest into bacon so that they could have a good New Year.
Her parents helped her pack her luggage. The bedding, mattress, quilt and other items were all pressed tightly into a cloth bag. They also prepared two bundles, one with a few clothes, shoes and socks, and the other with food, including a jar of pickles, ten boiled eggs, and pancakes and steamed buns.
The whole family was busy until almost midnight. Luo Yu'e quietly called Jinniang in. Jinniang was a little tired and said impatiently, "Mom, I want to rest for a while. What do you want? You can't be talking about the fight where you pull someone's hair first..."
Luo Yu'e coaxed her daughter over and said, "No, you have grown up. I want to teach you how to sew a menstrual belt. Menstruation is something every girl has to go through. I am not by your side, so I have to teach you in advance. If you get your menstruation in the future, don't be afraid~"
Somehow, Jinniang felt a lump in her throat.
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