This courtyard was part of the government office. In addition to these properties, there were also some people hired by the government office, usually gatekeepers or maids who managed the flowers and seedlings in the mansion.
Xu Di helped Xu Zhi out of the car, and then helped Granny Lu out of the car as well.
Zhang Zhaoci smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work. May I ask your surname?"
The old woman smiled and said, "Oh, you flatter me. My husband's surname is Zhao. He used to cook for everyone in the government office. Everyone calls me Granny Zhao. I've been helping with cooking and sweeping in this courtyard."
Zhang Zhaoci nodded with a smile. Granny Zhao said, "I've already cleaned the courtyard. Madam Xu, you can just have someone settle your luggage. My husband and I usually live in the back room of this front yard and help look after the gatehouse. If you need anything, just call me."
The elderly couple from the Zhao family were employed by the government office and should have received their salaries from the government office every month.
Zhang Zhaoci led her children and Granny Lu into the courtyard. Behind them, under the arrangement of Qingmiao and Qingsui, the people from the Marquis's mansion unloaded the luggage from the carriage and carried it into the courtyard.
Zhang Zhaoci briefly toured the three-courtyard house. He decided to use the front courtyard as Xu Rao's study and a place to receive guests, the second courtyard as his own, and the third courtyard for Xu Di. Xu Di was already ten years old, and in principle, he should have a small courtyard to live in outside, but the current conditions did not allow it. They could only do what was practical. Besides, the number of people in the family was quite simple. Neither Zhang Zhaoci nor Xu Rao were the kind of people who would follow old ways. Since he was living outside, he should do whatever made him comfortable.
This will be the place where my family will live from now on. Zhang Zhaoci felt a sense of boundless freedom and pride. What could be more comforting than having control over one's own life?
After settling in, it's time to make purchases.
Zhang Zhaoci pulled along Granny Lu and Granny Zhao, who were in front, and the three of them went to the study prepared for Xu Rao in the front yard. They took paper and pen and began to write down the things that needed to be prepared.
Zhang Zhaoci said to Granny Zhao, "Sister-in-law Zhao, you are a local, and you know best what to buy for daily life. Please help me out."
Granny Zhao was pleased by Zhang Zhaoci's compliments, but she still humbly said, "Madam, please don't be so polite. Our border town is different from other places. The things we produce here are also different from other places. The grains we can produce here are mainly oats. Rice and wheat flour are not sold in grain stores and are expensive. Then there are all kinds of seasonings, which can be found in dried goods stores. Also, the grasslands are lush with water and grass now, so we don't have to worry about anything. When it gets cold, we need to stock up on more grain. We are close to Yanmen Pass, and when it gets cold, foreign tribes often come to harvest the autumn grain. So at that time, the shops on the street usually have to close."
When Zhang Zhaoci heard what Granny Zhao said, he understood. He didn't write down the grain for now, but he made sure to prepare all the utensils needed for daily life. So, he made a list of pots, pans, ladles, firewood, rice, oil, and salt.
After seeing that Zhang Zhaoci had finished writing, Granny Lu said, "Go to the pharmacy later and stock up on some commonly used medicinal herbs."
Zhang Zhaoci then wrote down the name of the pharmacy behind the grain store. After looking at the list, Zhang Zhaoci asked Granny Zhao, "Sister-in-law Zhao, I don't have many people with me. I'd like to hire a few people from here to work in the yard, like those who work in the stove and help with washing. Could you help me find a few? Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be paid well."
Upon hearing this, Granny Zhao smiled and said, "Speaking of cooking, don't laugh at me, but my husband's family has been cooking for generations. My sister-in-law learned from her since she was little. If you don't mind, I'll have her cook for you for a couple of days to see if she's suitable. If you think it's appropriate, then hire her. If you don't think it's appropriate, I'll inquire again. What do you think?"
Zhang Zhaoci smiled and said, "Then I'll trouble you to do this."
Zhang Zhaoci didn't really care whether her subordinates were relatives or not. As long as they did their jobs well according to her requirements and were paid their dues, that was fine. Zhang Zhaoci was someone who valued and enjoyed life. She didn't care much about backstabbing and intrigue. When she first started at the hospital, she was secretly bullied, but she didn't associate with those people. Instead, she focused on improving her professional skills. In her words, instead of wasting time on such low-level things, she should focus on improving herself. If she was strong, she wouldn't even need to lift a finger; those people would have to stay far away. Strength was the sharpest weapon to defeat everything.
Granny Lu stayed by her side with a smile the whole time. After Granny Zhao left, Granny Lu said, "From now on, you will be the mistress of the house. There are some things you still need to learn."
Zhang Zhaoci said with a smile, "My dear nanny, if I do anything wrong in the future, please tell me. I'm going to take care of you in your old age, so you can't treat me like an outsider."
Hearing this, Granny Lu felt very pleased and said, "Alright, then I will guide you properly from now on. Let's start with some etiquette and rules."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci sighed inwardly. She knew it was true; being the mistress of an official's household was not an easy job.
After meeting with his subordinates at the front office, Xu Rao took his men to the largest restaurant in the county at noon for a meal, and did not return to the backyard until evening.
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