The three servants of Fu Guang, namely Chen Da, Chen Er, and Chen San, who were stopped outside the manor, also had their eyes on Dong Mei because of this.
The buildings outside the villa are now in the final stages of construction, and there is a lot of miscellaneous work to be done. In order to stay, Fu Guang and the others have been diligent, efficient, and observant. After a few days, they have become quite popular and have been able to stay and do odd jobs.
They secretly observed for several days, originally intending to target the captain of the manor's guard team. However, the guards in the manor were extremely vigilant, and when they occasionally went out on business, they never communicated with outsiders.
The guards outside the manor could occasionally strike up a conversation, but they all acted strictly by business, making it difficult to sneak in. After several days without any progress, Fu Guang finally decided to sacrifice his charm and start with the women.
Therefore, Dongmei, who was the head housekeeper's personal assistant, became the best candidate.
Firstly, Dongmei frequently ran errands and relayed messages, providing ample opportunities for contact.
Secondly, because Dongmei was Qu Xiaodie's attendant, the guards at the manor all knew her, making it easier for her to enter and leave the manor.
Most importantly, Dongmei gained the trust of Qu Xiaodie and Xie Yushu. Gaining Dongmei's trust meant that half the battle was won.
Fu Guang, true to his name, is a sunny and cheerful young man. He possesses both the straightforwardness of the grassland people and the elegance of the Central Plains people. He is exceptionally skilled in martial arts, courageous, and adaptable. Putting aside national issues, he is a rare talent.
Such a person is easily noticed anywhere, so with his deliberate actions, he quickly caught Dongmei's attention.
So, when Dongmei came out to do things for Qu Xiaodie again, Fu Guang sped up his work, ran over quickly, and carefully moved away the wooden planks and other debris on the road where Dongmei was going. He also gave Dongmei a detailed report on the progress of the project and pointed out the location of the person she was looking for.
Looking at the cheerful and outgoing seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy in front of her, Dongmei couldn't help but ask...
"Are you new here?"
"Yes, the three of us brothers came from the capital with the princess this time. We were originally just going to do a hauling trip for her and then go back, but when we got here, we all said that the princess is kind and gentle and never delays paying wages. We heard that if we can stay, she will even arrange a courtyard for us."
My two brothers and I lost both our parents. For the past few years, we've been working wherever there's work to be done. Sometimes, after we finish a job, the employer will deduct half of our wages. We've never had a fixed place to live.
Having traveled to so many places, this is the place that treats us like human beings. For temporary workers like us, our wages are paid on the same day, and we are provided with food and lodging.
"Miss Dongmei, if the manor still needs people, could you give us three brothers a chance? We may not have any other skills, but we are all very strong. Besides, my father is a hunter, and the three of us brothers know a few martial arts moves for self-defense. We can also drive carts. Buying us would be a good deal."
Seeing how directly he was promoting himself, Dongmei thought he was quite honest, and said...
"I'll remember you. If the master buys more people, count you brothers in."
Thus, the two officially became acquainted.
From then on, whenever Dongmei went out to run errands, Fuguang would take the initiative to help her. Occasionally, when fruit vendors from nearby villages came to sell fruit, he would buy some fruit or snacks for Dongmei.
Here, it must be said that Fu Guang was cunning. If he had given her rouge and face powder, it would have been considered a secret transaction, which Dong Mei certainly couldn't have accepted. But if he had bought some fruit and shared it with a few good coworkers, leaving the best for Dong Mei, everyone would have just laughed at him, saying he was a sycophant who was desperate to get a job at the manor.
Dongmei didn't care about the few worthless fruits; she just ate them to moisten her mouth while explaining things to them.
If Dongmei needed to go to Tai'an Prefecture to buy things, Fuguang would personally drive the carriage to accompany her, acting as her storage rack and professional bodyguard, making sure that the people in the market didn't crowd Dongmei at all. He was thoughtful, considerate, and meticulous.
Occasionally, he would buy Dongmei a sugar figurine, make a flower wreath, or tell her a joke, making her laugh so hard she didn't feel tired while doing errands, and her life became more colorful.
After spending some time together, Dongmei unknowingly fell in love with him. She would think of Fuguang from time to time and was more willing to be with him. The two became closer.
Dongmei came from a poor family. She had three older sisters, one older brother, and one younger brother. She was neither particularly important nor unimportant, and had been an inconspicuous presence since she could remember.
She always gave the food and clothes to her older siblings, younger siblings, and used what was left over. However, when it came to chores, she was never left out. In years of famine, when life became unbearable, she was the first one to be sold.
She had never experienced being so cared for and cherished like a precious treasure.
Fu Guang's appearance brought her a happiness and joy she had never felt before, like a ray of light shining into her life.
At this moment, she was a young girl experiencing her first love; she was happy, blissful, sweet, shy, and also a bit naive.
Unconsciously, I wanted to do something for Fu Guang, and I hoped that Fu Guang could stay smoothly. If Fu Guang was also a member of the villa, they could be together.
However, Dongmei, blinded by love, overlooked the fact that no matter how good Fuguang was to her, he never made any formal promises to her.
He never said he wanted to marry her.
It can only be said that people who lack love from childhood crave love even more. A few kind words or someone being nice to them can make them lose themselves.
At this moment, Dongmei remembered the instructions Xie Yushu had repeatedly given them.
"You should only consider marrying someone who is upright and honest, who tells you openly and honestly that he wants a high-paying job and a generous dowry."
Forgetting everything else, he was single-mindedly thinking about how to "promote" Fu Guang!
As Dongmei and Fuguang's relationship deepened, Xie Yushu and the Xie family's carriage returned to the manor.
The Xie family was stunned and speechless upon seeing the tall and imposing mountain gate before them.
Liu Qiang's mother was the first to exclaim in surprise.
"This...this must be a place only immortals could live in!"
Xie Yushu smiled
"Then, thanks to your good fortune, let's all be like immortals today!"
"Let's go, Grandma, Mom and Dad, Uncle and Aunt, let's go inside and take a look."
"Hey, hey!"
Upon entering the mountain villa, the family strolled along, enjoying the scenery. It wasn't too late yet, only around 1-3 PM. Xie Yushu first led the family to settle in, then asked Xie Tianqi to invite Han Zhongyu and Liu Qiang for dinner that evening.
Actually, Xie Yushu originally wanted to invite Liu Qiang and Liu Xiaodong so that the mother and son could reunite. After all, the two brothers didn't go home this time because they were covering for Xie Tianqi and Xie Tianming.
But considering that Han Zhongyu is becoming increasingly petty and always finding fault, it's better to invite him along, so he won't act like a male version of Lin Daiyu, speaking with barbs and sarcasm.
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