“This is the young master’s own business, what does it have to do with us?” Cui He frowned in dissatisfaction.
Cui Yan chuckled, hands on her hips, and raised her chin: "What's wrong with me caring about my master? It's not like they have a bad relationship and can't talk about it. If they have a good relationship, what's wrong with talking about it? Besides, this matter is indeed unexpected. You know, the Thirteenth Master is, after all..." She didn't finish her sentence, but instead exchanged a knowing glance with him, leaned closer, and whispered: "Which man doesn't have multiple wives and concubines? Especially someone of his status. Is it really okay for the young master to be so domineering?"
Cui He quickly covered her mouth, glared at her, and warned, "You must not speak ill of your master."
Seeing the other person whimpering and looking at him pitifully with their watery eyes, Cui He couldn't bear it and carefully let go of his hand, still reminding him, "No matter what happens to our master, it has nothing to do with us. You'd better not interfere."
Cui Yan pouted, looking aggrieved: "I was just saying it casually, and no one else heard it, so why are you so anxious? Besides, this is how it is. What woman would interfere in her husband's private affairs? I was just thinking of the young master. Right now, the thirteenth master dotes on the young master, so it's fine. But what if one day the thirteenth master doesn't like the young master anymore?"
“Father is different; there’s only mother.” Cui He said dismissively.
Cui Yan exclaimed loudly, "How can that be the same? Thirteenth Master is the master, and we are the servants."
Cui He shook his head, truly not understanding why women were so concerned with these kinds of things.
"Hmph! You wouldn't understand even if I told you!" Cui Yan muttered angrily at his expression, then turned and left.
After chatting with Steward Cui for a while, the atmosphere was quite harmonious. Then, led by Steward Cui, Heyue went to the warehouse and the main hall to look at the silks there.
The quality is excellent, as you can imagine.
According to Manager Cui, things were indeed difficult when they first arrived, as they were from out of town and unfamiliar with the place. Fortunately, the local officials knew they came from the capital and took special care of them. Manager Cui was also very capable, so things gradually got better.
Over the years, Hengxiang Silk Shop's business has become increasingly prosperous. Knowing that the government is taking care of it, its competitors dare not openly plot against it, and all their covert attacks have been neutralized by Manager Cui.
He Yue nodded in agreement; she had indeed chosen the right person.
No, it should be said that her mother had good judgment, choosing such a capable person as part of her dowry.
In fact, each of her older sisters had someone specially chosen by their mother to accompany them, so that each of them could live well in their husband's family.
Over the years, Manager Cui not only opened a silk shop in Yangzhou, but also several shops in Suzhou, Hangzhou and other places, and sent several trustworthy managers to manage them respectively.
This can be considered a chain store, and the business is booming year by year, making it quite well-known in this part of the south.
He Yue knew that as the business grew larger and spread to various places, some things became unclear. If the water was too clear, there would be no fish. If you don't offer people any incentives, how can you get them to work sincerely?
So Heyue glanced at the ledgers here and then at the ledgers elsewhere, and figured that there weren't any major problems, so she let it go.
However, we still need to give them a good talking-to; we can't just let them get away with it. We'll leave this matter to Manager Cui and let Yue Le be a hands-off manager. He can just come over every now and then and take a look at the accounts.
When they left, Steward Cui and his family came to see them off.
Upon reaching the door, Cui Yan bypassed Steward Cui and the others, ran up to He Yue, bowed slightly, and asked with a grin, "Young Madam, may Cui Yan visit your home often?"
Cui Chengbin's expression changed instantly. He scolded, "Yan'er!" Then he looked at He Yue with concern.
Cui Tianshi frowned as well: "Yan'er, how can you be so rude?"
He Yue waved her hand, looking at Cui Yan's face, which was full of joy and anticipation but looked gloomy because of her parents' scolding, and nodded with a smile: "Of course you can."
Cui Yan's eyes sparkled, and a smile returned. She curtsied and praised without reservation, "Thank you, young mistress. You are such a kind person."
He Yue quite liked her lively and clever nature, and she was also the daughter of Steward Cui.
Besides, with only a few people in the house, it's bound to be less lively. More people would make it more lively, so why not allow it?
Looking at Cui He again, He Yue's smile deepened: "I heard that Cui He really enjoys reading."
Cui He lowered his head, somewhat embarrassed: "Young Master, you flatter me. I'm just someone who has read some books and knows a few characters."
While literacy is indeed necessary for doing business, it doesn't necessarily elevate one's social status compared to that of a scholar.
Among the social classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants were ranked last, and moreover, they were considered servants.
He Yue didn't take it to heart. She glanced at Thirteen and then smiled at Cui He: "Actually, Master Jin is good at studying. You can study with him and take the imperial examination in the future."
"Master Jin" refers to Thirteen; in public, he is known as Master Jin.
Cui He's eyes lit up, and he looked at Thirteen with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.
Thirteen was a little surprised, but since it was rare for Heyue to make a request, he naturally wouldn't go against her wishes and nodded with a smile.
To everyone's surprise, Cui Chengbin looked bitter and shook his head: "Young master and son-in-law are kind, and I am very grateful. But my whole family are servants. How can a servant take the imperial examination?"
In ancient times, there were indeed no people of slave birth who could take the imperial examinations. Cui He's eyes dimmed instantly.
He smiled gently: "Who said you were slaves?"
Under the puzzled look of the other party, Heyue gestured to Hailan, who then took a stack of papers and handed them to Heyue.
He Yue gave Steward Cui a contract of servitude: "From today onwards, you are no longer slaves. From now on, Cui He can study with Master Jin, and Cui Yan can learn a few words as well."
Cui Yan and Cui He immediately knelt down and kowtowed with great joy: "Thank you, young master and young mistress, thank you, son-in-law and young master."
Although those who had been freed from slavery were still looked down upon when they took the imperial examinations, they at least had an extra opportunity; it's all up to human effort.
As long as there is an opportunity, there will always be a day when you can make it.
The Cui family was extremely grateful and knelt down to kowtow.
They had been serving Marhan since the time Irgen Gioro clan married him, and had never imagined that one day they would be freed from slavery.
Now that there's finally something to look forward to, how can I not be happy?
Heyue, however, had her own plans.
The bond between master and servant is ultimately not as strong as gratitude. The bond between master and servant will always have selfish motives, while harmony requires their wholehearted devotion.
After this incident, it's likely that Steward Cui and his family will be even more devoted to serving He Yue and his wife.
What does the title of master and servant even matter?
Another point is that Heyue and Shisan are going to live here for a long time, and it is unlikely that they will go back before Yongzheng ascends the throne.
Thirteen is, after all, a prince. Now that he has suddenly become a commoner, he has no experience of living among the common people. It is understandable that he will find it difficult to adapt at first. If this goes on for too long, he may become unhappy and depressed.
With Cui He and Cui Yan studying with him, and if he were to open a private school in the future, even more children would study with Thirteen. As his life became more fulfilling, Thirteen's mood would improve, and he would gradually adapt to this kind of life.
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