The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 887 - 886: The Maid Delivered to the Door

The old lady worked for two days and then quit, saying to everyone she met that the Tian Family was stingy, paying one person’s wage and expecting the work of three or four. Only a fool would go there.

Gradually, the reputation of the Tian Family spread among traffickers, and no one wanted to deal with them.

Eventually, they were left with no choice but to buy two maids for rough work.

Later, they seized the opportunity on the fifteenth to offer porridge and distribute grain under the guise of praying for their pregnant daughter-in-law, and even donated silver to a countryside temple to gild the statue of Guanyin, the deity of childbirth.

For a time, this managed to suppress the stingy reputation of the Tian Family, instead spreading a charitable name far and wide.

Wang Yongzhu, however, had no time to worry about the Tian Family as she was busy learning medical techniques from Imperial Doctor Du.

After that day, she first memorized the Tangtou Song well and went to find Imperial Doctor Du.

Imperial Doctor Du said not much, just tossed her a copy of the Materia Medica.

He instructed her to memorize the Materia Medica, and after she had it committed to memory, she should come to his house for an examination where he could randomly pick a herb, which she needed to recognize.

Every day, Wang Yongzhu looked at the scant few dozen words, sometimes just ten or so words of introduction, and she found it overwhelming.

Old Granny Wu and Old Granny Ding saw Old Granny Zhang’s health improving daily after the Tian Family affair and couldn’t help but worry whether Old Granny Zhang might dismiss them once she recovered.

Such a good employer is hard to find.

The two discussed it for a while and then approached Wang Yongzhu, hesitantly expressing their desire to sell themselves to the Song Family.

Wang Yongzhu was naturally eager for this—these two old ladies were efficient in their tasks and discreet, and having their labor contract bought would put her mind at ease.

Previously, she didn’t dare bring it up, but now with their initiative, there’s no reason not to agree.

Immediately, she signed the labor contract and registered it at the Yamen, making Old Granny Wu and Old Granny Ding members of the Song Family.

The two were satisfied as well. Why would they come out to work at such an old age? It was out of necessity. The husband of one died long ago, leaving her with the children of a former wife, naturally unwilling to support her, forcing her to find work for sustenance.

As for Old Granny Ding, she was once a Kitchen Maid in a wealthy family and was promised to the household’s Steward. However, he turned violent when drunk, even when she was pregnant, resulting in the loss of her child and damage to her health.

Later, the Steward set his eyes on a younger maid, despised Old Granny Ding, and divorced her.

Yet, whenever he got drunk, he would come to Old Granny Ding, drag her out, and beat her—truly a fate worse than death.

If it hadn’t been for the original family encountering misfortune and allowing people to repurchase their freedom, Old Granny Ding sought help and was redeemed, barely escaping with her life.

Originally without support, earning money now was for future retirement.

But if she could sign a labor contract with the Song Family, her life, old age, and illnesses would be taken care of, far more reliable than relying on distant relatives, nephews, or stepsons.

Therefore, the two became increasingly diligent, organizing affairs both inside and outside the house meticulously.

There was no need for Wang Yongzhu or Old Granny Zhang to worry.

However, Old Granny Zhang thought that since she now had two helpers, her precious daughter, being the Scholar’s Lady, was not short of money, so it was about time to buy a maid.

Wang Yongzhu suddenly recalled discussing with Yan Zhongren about buying a maid, which had been some days ago. Couldn’t he have found a suitable one by now?

Speak of the devil, Yan Zhongren’s wife came bringing several maids to the doorstep as she was contemplating it.

The couple were both in this business—Yan Zhongren mainly dealt in renting properties, whereas his wife managed the Middleman business, going to the countryside annually to buy out maids or old ladies from families unable to sustain themselves, selling them to wealthy households.

Yan Zhongren’s wife was surnamed Wang, commonly known as Granny Wang, and the couple was considered conscientious in their dealings, never indulging in dishonest and deceitful practices. They only bought the willing and never sold girls to sordid places.

Whether it was wealthy families buying servants or impoverished ones selling them, they both had faith in them.

After all, even when these families had to sell, the majority hoped their daughters, sold off, could honestly serve as maids, serving as their last bit of conscience as parents.

Hence, the couple’s reputation was quite decent.

The last time Old Granny Wu and Old Granny Ding, being older, were brought over by Yan Zhongren because Granny Wang went out to buy people.

Now with Granny Wang back, she naturally brought them over herself.

Old Granny Wu opened the door to see Yan Zhongren’s wife, Granny Wang, followed by three or four maids about ten years old. In wealthy households, they’d rather buy younger ones and gradually train them.

In common families, though, maids were bought to work, where’s the time to train?

So these ten-year-old maids, capable of working and still young, could be trained for a couple of years, becoming handy, and loyal to their master, being the most sought after.

Granny Wang bringing three or four maids showed she truly cared.

Old Granny Wu and Granny Wang were acquaintances, so first invited Granny Wang into the yard to sit down, poured her some tea, then went to invite Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang out.

These past few days, Wang Yongzhu was so overwhelmed by the Materia Medica that she began questioning life itself, her mind always filled with names of herbs.

Hearing Granny Wang was here, her first reaction was to think what herb Granny Wang might be.

After Old Granny Wu’s explanation, she finally understood.

She hurriedly tidied herself a little and went out.

She heard Old Granny Zhang exchanging pleasantries with Granny Wang.

Granny Wang first inquired about Old Granny Zhang’s health, then complimented her, explaining that after much selection, she brought several somewhat pleasing girls for Wang Yongzhu to choose from today.

Old Granny Zhang knew Granny Wang was being courteous, and graciously thanked her and praised Yan Zhongren for the good choices like Old Granny Wu and Old Granny Ding.

Granny Wang felt pride, making the chat more congenial, while ignoring the girls she brought along.

Among the girls, some daringly sneaked glances around.

Some timid ones stared down at their feet, not daring to move their eyes.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu come out, Yan Zhongren and Old Granny Zhang concluded their mutual praises and greeted formally.

Granny Wang then instructed the girls, "Raise your heads and greet the Scholar’s Lady."

The girls looked at one another in surprise and uncertainty before lifting their heads. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Most seemed about ten years old, their appearances quite decent, two were slightly taller, while two were thin and small, seemingly not fully grown.

Wang Yongzhu cast a brief glance, about to help Old Granny Zhang when she hesitated and turned back to look more closely.

Among the four girls, one particularly thin and small one with yellowish, dry hair, was staring blankly at her.

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