The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 832: Revised - 831 Conditions

Wang Yongzhu had long taken note of Old Madam Ding’s every move, observing that she worked neatly, her palms were clean, and her fingernails were trimmed closely to the fingertips. The nail beds were also clean, which pleased her initially.

Especially in the kitchen where there was actually some brown sugar, yet Old Madam Ding had only boiled plain water, indicating she wasn’t someone who took matters into her own hands.

She also noticed that the bowls brought out were washed clean, filled with boiling water without any residual oil smell, evidencing that the bowls had been thoroughly cleaned before serving.

Considering these few points, regardless of her cooking skills, Old Madam Ding’s cleanliness and non-assertiveness were enough for Wang Yongzhu to decide to keep her.

On the other hand, regarding Old Granny Wu who took care of Old Granny Zhang, Wang Yongzhu did not plan to delegate that task, but keeping her around would make doing rough chores easier.

With these thoughts in mind, Wang Yongzhu nodded: "Since Yan Zhongren personally brought them here, there should be no mistake. Both of you will stay, my household chores are not much. Currently just three people, and with my mother ill, having a doctor at home, I’ll need you to take extra care."

"The two of you, one will handle the daily meals, and the other will wash and clean around the house. These few days might be tough, but once my mother recovers, you won’t be mistreated. As for wages, how much did you get when working for others?"

Though appearing to ask the two old women, Wang Yongzhu actually looked at Yan Zhongren.

Yan Zhongren subtly gestured, and the two women honestly replied.

Old Madam Ding, despite her excellent cooking skills, rarely got hired by wealthy families since most preferred dining at restaurants in the county. Only when there were small banquets for female guests, she was invited to cook.

Occasionally receiving rewards, along with some ingredients to take home, she had never been paid a full month’s wages.

Old Granny Wu, somewhat better off, was hired by wealthier families but short-handed ones, to nurse patients, providing lodging and meals, earning about two to three hundred coins per month.

With this information, Wang Yongzhu decided: "Given that, staying at my place for a month, with meals and lodging included, I’ll pay you four hundred coins. Everything else is negotiable, just remember to keep clean and maintain confidentiality."

The two old women, ecstatic upon hearing this, promptly nodded; the compensation was extremely generous, better than what most men earned back home.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu keep the two old women, Yan Zhongren also felt relieved.

After reminding them of a few more things, Wang Yongzhu then sent one to the kitchen, while the other went to tidy and clean the house.

Meanwhile, she handed Yan Zhongren his commission and requested: "Please keep an eye out these days, I wish to buy a maid around ten years old, from a decent family, honest and diligent, preferably from a nearby household with parents and siblings."

Yan Zhongren was momentarily stunned at this, taking another respectful glance at Wang Yongzhu: "Rest assured Lady Wang, if I find such a person, I’ll definitely reserve her for your household."

With that, he took his leave and departed.

After stepping out, Yan Zhongren couldn’t help but marvel at the Song Family Courtyard, feeling impressed by Lady Wang’s adept ways despite her young age.

Typically, young women of her age, even those from official families, wouldn’t know how to select maids properly.

They choose based on personal preference, often opting for pretty ones, pleasing to the eye, able to work, and eloquent.

Only those with some sense or familial experience understand that loyalty and manageable age are critical for training.

Seasoned individuals like them know the primary requirement for a suitable maid is having ties and living family members, ensuring accountability.

Should anything go wrong, the maid’s family ensures she remains controllable.

That’s why prestigious families mostly prefer homeborn servants, holding their lives closely for loyalty.

Lady Wang, just with a few words, pinpointed all the criteria for selecting the best maid.

Once again astounded by the young woman, Yan Zhongren dutifully went to search.

With his perspective, Scholar Song and Lady Wang were no ordinary people, building goodwill now might prove beneficial in the future.

Unbeknownst to Wang Yongzhu, Yan Zhongren had many such notions, assigning tasks to the two old women before heading inside to care for Old Granny Zhang.

Having slept most of the day without waking, Wang Yongzhu frequently checked her breathing for fear of worsening conditions.

She even dragged the doctor in again to check the pulse; the doctor reassured her it was due to the severe fever last night, now subsided, and sleeping was recovering vitality.

Wang Yongzhu reluctantly felt relieved, sitting with Song Chongjin by the bed, not leaving Old Granny Zhang’s side.

Outside in the courtyard, the doctor taught the attendant a medical song while the old women worked quietly, sensitive to the household’s somber mood.

With excellent culinary skills, Old Madam Ding cooked five or six dishes using wild ingredients and vegetables the Song Family brought back from Qilidun, showing great colors and flavors.

Before cooking, she specifically asked if the household had any dietary restrictions.

Song Chongjin just mentioned that the household was in mourning, and Old Madam Ding understood.

Of the five or six dishes, only two were meat, served to the doctor and attendant.

The rest were all vegetarian.

Wang Yongzhu, worried about Old Granny Zhang, had no appetite, and barely had anything to eat all day. frёeωebɳovel.com

Yet she knew she needed to eat to maintain strength for caring for Old Granny Zhang, forcing herself to eat until nearly full.

Song Chongjin also worried, the two of them ate tastelessly just to fill their stomachs. Only afterward did Old Madam Ding and Old Granny Wu clear the table to have their meal.

Seeing this, Wang Yongzhu remembered and quickly instructed: "In the future, no need for this. Prepare your portion and eat, no need to eat our leftovers!"

Though most people weren’t picky and considered leftovers filling enough, in refined households, eating the master’s leftovers was a privilege.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t share this view, especially unwilling to see those of a similar age to Old Granny Zhang, eating her family’s leftovers.

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