bookcurios Chapter 157 The Down-on-Hand Old Woman
Chapter 157 The Down-on-Hand Old Woman
The two matchmakers looked at each other and saw the bitter smile and helplessness in their companion's eyes.
It seems they usually instruct their female subordinates, instilling too many realistic ideas in them?
Ms. Yu's self-introduction is true. However, it is rare for her to be willing to tell the story so that the people being trafficked can choose for themselves.
Anyone with experience can see at a glance that this is a rare and good master. Unfortunately, these clueless girls don't understand!
Yu Wanran smiled as she observed the three girls who had stood steadfastly in their positions throughout. There were two older girls and one younger one. The older one was about the same size as Qiu Cui, and the younger one wasn't much older than Xiao Juan. Her insight was truly remarkable.
"So, the remaining three young ladies are willing to follow me as their master?"
The three men knelt down and bowed deeply to her.
"We would rather follow the girl, eat coarse food and remain unmarried for life! We would rather be caged birds in a wealthy family, or even fall into prostitution?"
See? This is the kind of person Yu Wanran wants! Someone suitable to be by her side!
"Get up!"
Yu Wanran's tone became much gentler.
"From this day forward, you are all members of the Yu family! I will take full responsibility for your lives, from birth to old age, illness to death, marriage, and future. If you do not betray me, I promise that we will share in each other's glory!"
After the three of them steadied themselves and walked behind her amidst the complex gazes of the crowd, she turned to the matchmaker.
"Two matrons, just tell me how much silver these three people cost!"
The matchmakers sighed.
Yu Wanran's method of selecting people was unconventional. She eliminated the girls she considered outstanding and kept three stubborn girls who she saw as difficult to manage and quite opinionated!
Since they were introduced by the old broker, they couldn't easily raise the price. In the end, Yu Wanran paid fifty taels of silver to buy the three people.
After the matchmaker led the other girls away, Yu Wanran asked the old matchmaker if he accepted job placement orders.
She planned to hire two female tutors to teach her niece, and also to teach the servants in the household to read, do accounting, and learn needlework etiquette.
The old broker hadn't expected her to be so eager to train her newly purchased servants so quickly. He thought to himself that these three girls were farsighted and had found a fortunate master. After inquiring about Yu Wanran's requirements, he promised to search for them for her as soon as possible.
Yu Wanran gave the old broker a generous commission before leading the group home. As for the three new girls, Qiu Cui was in charge of managing and allocating their food, clothing, and lodging.
Yu Wanran simply asked the three women their names and special skills, and then decided to give them new names according to their wishes.
The two older maids, the one with a slightly round face, was called Pinglu, and the tall, thin, and fair-skinned one was called Yulan, and the younger one was called Xiuer.
As for special skills, they knew nothing about needlework. They had some knowledge of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and could even drink, but what they learned most was how to serve men and please them.
Yu Wanran shook her head.
Fortunately, they are all literate. When the female teacher arrives, she will teach them to read and write, and to manage the household and accounts. Even if they don't reach the level of being able to work independently, they can still become her and Zhong Yeliu's little helpers.
Pinglu and her two companions had mentally prepared themselves, expecting that arriving at their new master's house would mean enduring hardship and poverty. After all, as a female merchant, their new master was dressed simply and wore no jewelry whatsoever!
Unexpectedly, upon entering the Yu residence, one finds that although the house is small, it is meticulously managed. The existing servants are well-behaved and behave in a proper manner.
As soon as their master finished speaking, they were led to the inner quarters and assigned rooms. In addition to new clothes for all four seasons and personal necessities, each person was also given a set of writing implements.
Qiu Cui clearly explained that, aside from helping others in the house with chores that they were good at, their main task from now on was to wait for the female tutor to arrive and begin their studies.
If they study well, their future will not only be that of managers, but they may even be able to step out of the inner quarters and manage their master's business!
The three of them suddenly felt lightheaded; the happiness had come so suddenly, it was simply unbelievable!
Just a moment ago, they thought they would be sent to that filthy, shameful place by the matchmaker.
It's truly fortunate that they stayed true to themselves. Unlike others, they didn't choose to pin their fate on some unattainable wealthy man!
After making some arrangements for the family, Yu Wanran relaxed and asked Mei Xue to boil water so she could take a bath.
The scar on her back was still there, and she was worried that Zhong Yeliu would be upset if he saw it, so she only washed up briefly last night. Now that she had some free time, she could finally take a proper bath.
As the family grew, the house became more lively, but living space also began to feel cramped. Yu Wanran pondered, once she made money from Chengni inkstones and spices, would she have to buy a large house?
The next day, before Yu Wanran could even set off after packing her things, the old broker came to her door, accompanied by an elderly woman who was over fifty years old.
"Miss Yu, this old woman claims to be literate and skilled in embroidery. She is willing to come into the inner quarters to teach needlework. Do you think she is suitable?"
Yu Wanran thought to herself that this old broker was really diligent and efficient. She gladly invited the two into the hall, had tea served, and then inquired about the details.
Although the old woman looked extremely haggard, her gray hair was tied into a tight bun at the back of her head, not a single strand out of place. Her clothes were patched and tattered, but they were also washed clean.
Yu Wanran observed her hands.
Perhaps because she does embroidery, she is relatively well-maintained. It's just unclear why someone who claims to be good at embroidery would be in such a sorry state. Her attire is comparable to when she used to beg for food.
The old woman did not feel uncomfortable because the host was scrutinizing her.
He remained poised and graceful, hands resting on his knees, back straight, head held high. His gaze was slightly lowered, fixed on the chair beneath Yu Wanran. He maintained a respectful yet self-respecting demeanor.
"The old woman's surname is Wu, her given name is Guidi, and she is nearly fifty years old. She started learning needlework when she was a child and has been embroidering for more than thirty years. Would Miss Yu like to see the old woman's embroidery?"
As Wu Guidi spoke, she took out a neatly folded handkerchief from the small bag she carried with her, stood up and presented it with both hands.
Zhong Yeliu stepped forward, took the handkerchief, and presented it to Yu Wanran.
Yu Wanran unfolded the handkerchief and glanced at it. It was an extremely ordinary piece of cloth, embroidered with a cluster of flowering trees. Colorful birds perched on the branches, tilting their heads to preen their feathers.
Extremely vivid and lively, it looks like it might fly away at any moment.
Such embroidery is truly rare!
Yu Wanran was immediately somewhat satisfied, but the other woman's age made her hesitate. At that age, most embroiderers had eye problems; could she teach effectively?
She asked Zhong Yeliu to return the embroidered handkerchief to Wu Guidi, and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Granny Wu, with your embroidery skills, you could easily support yourself and your family. Why do you still have to work so hard at your age?"
Female tutors were different from school teachers. Although both were teachers, the respect and treatment they received in the inner quarters of the household was vastly different. When they encountered stingy and mean-spirited masters, female tutors felt even more like dependents.
Very few female teachers become famous and are hired and treated with great respect by wealthy families. Most of them are there to support their families, serving and teaching their employers' students.
Wu Guidi's eyelids drooped.