Chapter 478: Chapter 478, Ambiguous Relationship (2 more)
Mu Rourou looked at Xie Zhinuan with increasing admiration.
Xie Zhinuan’s choices of servants, she thought, were excellent, appearing savvy yet somewhat loyal and honest. No matter what, the most, most important thing was that these people would all be her, Mu Rourou’s, servants, listening to her alone.
She eagerly asked Lian’s wife, “How much are they? When can I take them with me?”
Lian’s wife was a bit surprised to see Mu Rourou so anxious, and thought that someone who came over to buy servants even after dark must indeed be in a hurry, so she let it go.
“Miss can take them back with her in a moment, and the indenture contracts as well. Tomorrow, I’ll register the changes at the Governor’s Office,” Lian’s wife said, and then she stated the prices of the few individuals.
Mu Rourou had not expected buying a servant to be so cheap, just a few taels of silver.
Of course, she also knew that after buying them, she would have to provide them with food and clothes, as well as pay them a monthly silver wage, all of which were significant expenses. But it really was too cheap.
She had never thought that buying a servant could cost just a few taels of silver.
What circumstances would lead to a family selling a person off, or an individual selling themselves…
Her thoughts suddenly turned to her stepmother.
Working hard to manage the household, she had to deal with her father’s concubines and face her father’s philandering. Did she cry in the still depths of the night, did she ever complain?
Having never experienced love, she too had once longed for it, believing that with love, all things could be overcome.
But at this moment, Mu Rourou overturned all her previous thoughts; perhaps life was not enough with just love, you needed silver, as everything had to be purchased when you opened your eyes in the morning.
Xie Zhinuan was discussing the purchase of other servants with Lian’s wife.
“These people definitely aren’t enough; my manor is also quite large, but overall, I prefer those a bit older, who can farm, till the land, a family type. I’ll need your help to look for more. It’s fine if the price is a bit higher!”
Lian’s wife sighed slightly, “Do you really plan to return their indenture contracts to them after five years?”
“Yes!” Xie Zhinuan nodded.
“But buying these people is also a considerable amount of silver. Are you truly not going to think about it?” Lian’s wife advised.
“With five years’ time, as long as they work diligently, I will not break my word. I am going to Gaocheng County, and the next time I return will be the day the suburban estate’s main beam is finished. After I leave, it will be Zhinuan here in charge. If there’s anything, you can seek her out. She has full authority to make decisions!”
A family type like this can provide mutual restraint, and those who are alone, even if they revolt, would risk their lives without reservations.
Therefore, she encouraged her servants to develop affections for one another, and then pair off—but she also did not allow promiscuity, loving one today and another tomorrow—such behavior was absolutely forbidden.
She knew that since those four pairs of people got married, received her dowries, and could start with a small house, the male servants were all sparked with the idea of spring, and the maids also worked much more earnestly.
They all wanted to perform well so that when it came time to marry, they would receive a decent dowry and could become brides with dignity.
This arrangement was good: there was input, and there was reward.
Many people thought that it would lead to some loss of silver, but over five years, the value created by these people was definitely in the thousands of taels.
After all, they worked hard and diligently, otherwise, how could she have started her tavern, marinated meat shop, and noodle house? They could manage everything well without her needing to worry.
“Sure, I know. Nowadays, you are the biggest landlord’s daughter in Fengping County. Did you know, many people are looking forward to…” Lian’s wife stopped mid-sentence.
She dared not and could not bring herself to say the rest aloud.
At least, she thought, Xie Zhinuan and Prince Han must have some sort of connection.
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