Chapter 698: Chapter 698: Encounter with an Acquaintance Chapter 698: Chapter 698: Encounter with an Acquaintance Before long, there were rustling noises coming from outside the manor as the people who were going to work in the wasteland started to gather steadily.
They all stood outside the gate; the weather was a bit cold, with many dressed thinly, only able to stuff their hands into their sleeves and stamp their feet, hoping to get to the fields sooner so that they could warm up.
Shu Yu dragged the table that had been behind the gate out towards the entrance, then sat behind it and said to the people outside, “Line up, everyone. Come one by one, don’t make a mess.”
The crowd was quite orderly; basically no one dared to make trouble at this time.
The person at the front of the line didn’t recognize Shu Yu, but the sudden change to a woman handling the registration still surprised them.
Shu Yu asked for their names and made a checkmark behind the ones who came.
However, the previously used registration book was really too chaotic; with so many people’s names, it was written without any discernible pattern.
No wonder registration always took such a long time. She would have to reorganize it in the afternoon, sorting it according to the initial letter of the surname’s pinyin, so as soon as someone said their name, she could flip to that page and check.
Actually, it would be best to have the convicts line up according to their surnames, but unfortunately, some came early and some late, and there were many uncontrollable factors; the previous registrar had given up on that.
She could also call out names herself for the roll call, but with so many people, calling them one by one without a microphone was too hard on the throat.
Fortunately, the people who usually came were all from one family, so searching by household was relatively convenient.
Shu Yu bowed her head and continued making the checkmarks.
Suddenly, a young voice called out from the front.
Shu Yu quickly lifted her head and, indeed, saw the family of three she had originally cleared the wasteland with standing in front of the table.
Seeing her, the family of three was also taken aback.
“Lady Lu?” Ms. Lin asked in utter surprise, “You, how come you’re here? Weren’t you hunting in the mountains?”
“Long time no see,” Shu Yu smiled, “I am now in charge of registration and distributing food.”
She found the Xu family’s names, checked them off, then reached into her pocket, and fished out two pieces of candy, handing them to Xu Zhensheng, “Here, something sweet for you.”
Xu Zhensheng glanced at Ms. Lin, who looked back with a complex expression.
This was too strange; wasn’t Lady Lu just recently exiled here? How had she become the steward in charge of food distribution for the manor?
Nevertheless, Ms. Lin nodded her head, allowing Xu Zhensheng to accept the candies.
Shu Yu nodded in confirmation and called out to those behind them, “Next!”
The Xu family went to collect their tools before heading outside.
Ms. Lin said softly, “What do you think, how did Lady Lu manage this? She’s quite impressive.”
Xu Dali pondered for a moment, “Didn’t you hear that a couple of days ago, the Hunting Team went deep into the mountains and encountered a tiger, just as the governor happened to be visiting? They promised rewards to those who were hunting. Lady Lu is one of them; maybe that’s why.”
“But didn’t Ma Lu and the others say that Lady Lu’s reward was the same as theirs?”
Xu Dali suddenly smiled, “Maybe they were just fooling people?”
Ms. Lin was taken aback, fooling people? Why would they deceive others for no reason?
But then again, with Lady Lu becoming the steward of the manor, it was advantageous for them.
At least she had a good nature and wouldn’t make things difficult for people without reason, like other stewards did.
Moreover, Lady Lu had at least some relationship with them, and the way she adeptly gave candy to the son was a sign of someone who was kind and remembered past favors.