Song Chongjin hadn’t spoken yet, but Wang Yongzhu had already regained his composure, "Thank you, Scholar Gu! And thank you, Aunt Li! We owe you a great favor today, which will be repaid in the future! My mother has already broken her fever, and I can take care of her by myself! Aunt Li’s already busy cooking for your family, it’s already strenuous enough for her, I can’t trouble her to take care of my mother too! We appreciate your kind sentiments, but we can’t do that!"
Seeing the two’s resolute attitudes, Gu Zikai didn’t say much more; he couldn’t very well bluntly say, don’t worry, I feel bad for you and don’t want you to suffer.
He could only take his leave.
Before leaving, he sincerely said, "If there’s any need to run errands or lend a hand, just call out over the courtyard wall, don’t be too polite! We’re lucky to rent Brother Song’s courtyard, let’s consider ourselves as family, there’s no need for formalities!"
Song Chongjin agreed verbally, but felt very uneasy at heart, what does he mean by don’t be polite? What family?
Family, my foot! Don’t dream about that! I’ll never let you be part of my family, even if I die!
However, he didn’t show anything on his face, first seeing Gu Zikai and his group off, then sending the doctor back to the clinic, arranging to pick him up later.
The doctor was also relieved, he just wanted to pack up his things and explain to his family.
Agreed upon, Song Chongjin left the clinic and went to Yan Zhongren’s house.
Yan Zhongren was just about to go out when he ran into Song Chongjin head-on, seeing his hurried steps, he knew something urgent had happened.
At first glance, no time for pleasantries, Song Chongjin immediately made a request, to find two old ladies to cook, wash clothes, do household chores, and help take care of the sick.
Hearing this, Yan Zhongren first asked for the reason, thought for a moment then said, "I do have such old ladies, but they rarely live at their employers’ homes for various reasons. However, Scholar Song, you can rest easy, these two are efficient workers, one used to work as a kitchen maid for a wealthy family. Another has long experience caring for sick people, very meticulous, but their wages are high, not many people can afford them..."
Upon hearing this, Song Chongjin made a quick decision, "Then let it be these two. If possible, bring them to my house today, let my lady have a look first."
Knowing that usually decisions on maids are made by the women of the house, seeing Song Chongjin’s still calm face but anxious eyes, Yan Zhongren understood his concern for the sick person at home.
He hurriedly said, "Then Scholar Song, please go back home first, I’ll bring them over immediately."
Song Chongjin bowed to Yan Zhongren and took his leave.
He brought the doctor back home, arranging for him to stay in the room Yang Zongbao used to live in; the courtyard was small and no other rooms were available, so the doctor had to stay temporarily.
The doctor also brought his attendant, medicinal herbs, a medicine pot, and other necessities.
The attendant efficiently lit the stove at Wang’s house, brewed the medicine, and soon the courtyard was filled with the smell of herbal medicine.
Yan Zhongren arrived at the Song Family Courtyard with the two old ladies, stopping at the door to instruct them, "This is Scholar Song’s house, there are only three people at home, Scholar Song and his lady, and his mother-in-law, a small household. Scholar Song and Lady Wang are generous people; as long as you work diligently and don’t slack off, they won’t treat you poorly! You’re experienced, helping many families, you should know good employers are hard to find. If you deceive the young couple, don’t expect me to be lenient — you’ll ruin your reputation and good name for half a lifetime—"
This was to warn the two old ladies, fearing they might mistreat Scholar Song and Wang Yongzhu, who came from the countryside.
The two old ladies were not foolish, hearing the implied threats in Yan Zhongren’s words, they quickly accompanied it with laughter, "No need to worry, we’re experienced, we understand the rules. Rest assured, we won’t ruin your golden reputation!"
"Yes, don’t worry, we’ll work hard and make sure not to cause any trouble for you!"
Yan Zhongren was satisfied and knocked on the door.
Song Chongjin ran to open the door, seeing Yan Zhongren with two neatly dressed old ladies behind him, he didn’t inspect closely and let them in.
He invited them to sit on stone stools in the courtyard, explaining, "My lady is inside, please wait for a moment."
He then went to the kitchen to boil water for tea.
One old lady quickly stopped him, "Leave such tasks to me, the old lady!"
With just a glance around the courtyard, she didn’t need directions from Song Chongjin, she identified the kitchen and went straight in.
Inside, Wang Yongzhu heard the commotion, saw Old Granny Zhang sleeping soundly with the doctor next door, tucked her in snugly, then came out.
The old lady standing behind Yan Zhongren saw her and immediately knew this must be the Scholar’s Lady.
She quickly pulled herself together.
Wang Yongzhu had already heard from Song Chongjin about finding two old ladies; seeing Yan Zhongren and the ladies, she hurriedly said, "Sorry for the inconvenience, my mother is sick, forgive us for any neglect! Please excuse us!"
Yan Zhongren, viewing Wang Yongzhu as an important client, wouldn’t ever blame her, especially since these old ladies, if accepted, would bring him extra income.
He quickly waved his hand, "Auntie’s illness is the priority. Today I brought two people for Lady Wang to consider, is it suitable?"
For other families, he might speak highly of the ladies, but to Wang Yongzhu he was straightforward.
Introducing the old ladies, "This is Old Granny Wu, looks a bit older, is experienced in caregiving, and is strong enough for washing and cleaning tasks. This is Old Madam Ding, was a kitchen maid for a wealthy family until some incident, she’s very good at cooking, has a few signature dishes."
Wang Yongzhu first inspected Old Granny Wu, her clothes were reasonably clean and tidy, hair neatly combed, hands slightly rough, looked about thirty to forty years old, with a long face, dark yellow skin, seemingly honest.
As she observed, Old Madam Ding came out busily from the kitchen, quickly placing a few cleaned porcelain bowls on the table.
She brought out a pot of hot water, "There’s only this in the kitchen, please drink plain water for now!"
She neatly poured hot water into each bowl.
Then she carefully stood aside.