Chapter 1834: Chapter 1823: Li Xia’s Thoughts

Wang Yongzhu busily coaxed for half a day, swearing and promising that she had already discussed it with Song Chongjin and was ready to have children, leaving it up to fate. She mentioned that maybe in some time, there would be good news and so on.

Finally, Old Granny Zhang was appeased, and wiping her tears, she went to the kitchen to make some good food to nourish her. Only then did Wang Yongzhu breathe a sigh of relief.

If there was anything in this world she feared most, it was Old Granny Zhang’s tears.

Once Old Granny Zhang went to the kitchen to get busy, she then asked someone to bring Li Xia over.

Li Xia came quickly, paid her respects, and waited quietly.

She had been by Wang Yongzhu’s side for many years, and after training, she had become much more composed than before. Coupled with her good looks and literacy, now she even helped Wang Yongzhu manage affairs, and her demeanor was very different from that of most women.

Anyone who didn’t know would not think of Li Xia as a maid, but rather as a young lady from a respectable family.

Over the years, Wang Yongzhu had also figured out Li Xia’s thoughts. She was unwilling to become a concubine, and was quite ambitious. She hadn’t found anyone suitable, otherwise, it wouldn’t have dragged on until today.

Thinking about it, she decided to take Li Xia’s feelings into account, as she was a young lady with a thin skin, and subtly mentioned Jian Huaifeng’s intentions, finally adding, "Li Xia, rest assured, I’m not the kind of person who disregards others’ wishes. This matter is up to your will! If you’re unwilling, just tell me, I’ll turn down Mr. Jian! To be honest, it’s not appropriate anyway, Mr. Jian is so much older—"

Before she could finish, Li Xia blushed and said softly, "Madam, I am willing! Mr. Jian, he is quite good!"

Wang Yongzhu doubted her own ears: "What? What did you say? Mr. Jian is quite good? You’re willing?"

Li Xia took a deep breath, the blush on her face fading slightly, and said seriously, "I am willing!"

Wang Yongzhu looked at Li Xia again and only after a while did she say, "Li Xia, you need to think carefully! This is a lifelong matter! You’ve been by my side for so many years, you know my character! Since I said I would let you take charge of your own marriage, I won’t break my word!"

"Your madam won’t do things like sacrificing someone else’s marriage for her own benefit, so you don’t have to worry about making Mr. Jian unhappy if you refuse! Nor will your madam be displeased and make things difficult for you! Rest assured, if you are unwilling, it will remain between us, no one else will know! You just need to consider it carefully!"

This was truly heartfelt.

Wang Yongzhu indeed cherished this maid, Li Xia, who had served diligently over the years without an ounce of disloyalty. Moreover, in this world, marriage is almost like a second life for a woman. A wrong marriage could ruin her entire life.

She didn’t say much, but from the bottom of her heart, she always hoped that the women around her, even in such an environment, could live their days happily and contentedly.

Li Xia listened to these words, her eyes reddening, "Madam’s kindness towards me, I know all too well!"

After saying this, she bit her lip, and seeing that there was no one else in the room, she kneeled before Wang Yongzhu, slowly starting to speak.

Li Xia’s background, in fact, had already been investigated by Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin, and it wasn’t a secret. However, she never spoke of it, and Wang Yongzhu didn’t consider it a big deal, so she hadn’t asked.

This day, however, Li Xia confessed everything. She was originally a daughter of a good family and was once served by maids and servants at home.

Later, something happened at home, and they fell from grace. The family, having descended from the skies to the ground, lost their means of livelihood and could only survive by selling their properties.

Soon, they had sold off almost everything they could, leaving only a small courtyard to shelter from the elements, nothing else remained.

Misfortune never comes singly, her brother was coaxed into losing money at a gambling den. There was no choice—to either sell this small courtyard for shelter or take her as collateral.

With so many people in the family, losing that courtyard would mean sleeping on the streets. Thus, her family wasn’t willing, hinting at her to pay the debt.

Li Xia wasn’t foolish; she knew very well what fate awaited a woman used as debt collateral. She would either be sold to a brothel or become a concubine to the wealthy.

How could she resign to such a fate?

Threatening to die and leveraging family reputation, she forced her mother to bring out the last of their hidden valuables, but it was still not enough.

Coincidentally, the Duke’s Mansion was looking to buy maids around that time. A trafficker next door, seeing Li Xia’s plight, offered her a route, suggesting she sell herself as a maid. Given Li Xia’s appearance and demeanor, she was bound to be selected by an affluent family, making life easier.

As the saying goes, "maids of grand households are more valuable than young ladies of lesser families." At least, she would preserve her dignity, wouldn’t she?

Li Xia gritted her teeth and agreed. She was also quite ruthless; knowing that if she sold herself with a revocable contract, she might be sold again by her family when the time came.

She might as well sell herself with an irrevocable contract, telling her family that this would fetch more money, offering them more financial support. Her family agreed and even praised her a bit.

Later, she was fortunate as that trafficker still had a smidgen of conscience and sold her to the Duke’s Mansion.

Once in the mansion, Li Xia only told outsiders that her family’s circumstances had fallen, and she sold herself to provide food for her parents and brother.

No one suspected otherwise, assuming she was just being filial.

But who would know that her heart seethed with hatred for that family? The moment she signed that irrevocable contract, she severed all ties with her past home.

Whether in the Duke’s Mansion or following Wang Yongzhu throughout the years, she had seen much, and naturally knew that there were few men in the world like her master. She didn’t hope for such a man herself.

Due to her family’s experience, she knew all too well that poverty makes every aspect of being a husband or wife bitter. Without money, the bond between spouses, and between mother and daughter, amounts to nothing!

She had seen enough—men, even if they had just a bit of silver coins, would want to take a concubine just for enjoyment. Even laborers on the streets, when paid, would indulge themselves in the brothels for a few days.

It would be better to marry someone a bit well-off, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about food and clothing, right?

So over the years, ever since Wang Yongzhu brought up her marriage, she had considered those around her and finally concluded that Master Jian was the most suitable.

Not to mention anything else, although Master Jian was older, his family was indeed well-off! Even if it hadn’t been before, after following their master and madam for so many years, they had treated him well.

Having been with Wang Yongzhu, Li Xia naturally knew that every year, aside from clothing for the four seasons and daily provisions, at the end of the year, a big red envelope containing up to a thousand silver coins was given to Master Jian.

Not to mention the extra filial income Master Jian received outside; the amount was not insignificant either.

Plus, all these years, there hadn’t been a single woman around Master Jian, nor any rumors of him having such intentions outside.

This made Li Xia even more satisfied. At the very least, if she married him, there wouldn’t be too many women in the backyard, right?

To be a bit more heartless, Master Jian was older and certainly would pass away before Li Xia. If she were fortunate to bear a child or two, in the future, she’d be an old lady, cherished and cared for, living a comfortable life.

Even if there were no children, as long as she tended to Master Jian well, with Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu’s nature, they would definitely ensure her well-being in old age, wouldn’t they?

Marrying a young man, with a mother-in-law above and siblings below, who knows how many years she’d have to endure before seeing the light?

Li Xia had already calculated everything; she was actually planning that if Wang Yongzhu asked again, she would say she wanted to marry Master Jian.

Unexpectedly, it was Master Jian who brought it up himself, naturally making her very happy! She was only afraid that if delayed, someone else might snatch up this good opportunity!

Li Xia’s confession left Wang Yongzhu dumbfounded.

She really hadn’t seen that Li Xia harbored such ideas. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover!

However, after Li Xia finished speaking, she felt a few moments of unease. She was grateful for Wang Yongzhu’s genuine care, hence she bared her heart, but now she feared Wang Yongzhu might think her cold and calculating.

Seeing Li Xia’s anxious look, Wang Yongzhu smiled, pulled her up, and patted her hand: "I’m actually happy for you! It’s great that you know clearly what you want! Alright then, since both parties are willing, there’s no problem! Prepare well these days and get ready to be a bride!"

Li Xia immediately let out a sigh of relief, showing a small smile.

Wang Yongzhu thought a bit more and reminded her, "These words remain between us, don’t speak of them to anyone else, not even to Master Jian!"

Li Xia gratefully gave a bow, understanding that Wang Yongzhu was reminding her to keep these thoughts to herself, not showing even a trace before Master Jian.