Chapter 140: Chapter 58: Young Servant_3
By the time evening arrived, Aunt Hua Lei came over with her youngest son to see Yueyao.
Yueyao looked at the little boy dressed in clothes patched up in places. He was half a head taller than Brother Zheng, with dark skin and thick eyebrows. His looks were unremarkable but not unpleasant, just an ordinary-looking child. Standing next to Tingzheng, he would undoubtedly make Tingzheng appear even more handsome.
Yueyao spoke indifferently upon noticing the patches on the clothes, “Why are there still patches on the clothes?” One should wear their best attire when coming to see her, she thought; this must be an attempt to elicit sympathy.
Aunt Hua Lei was somewhat anxious, fearing Yueyao would look down on her son for his poor attire: “Miss, this is the hand-me-down from his second brother, who has outgrown them. After wearing them for so long, they became damaged, so we mended them.”
Internally, Yueyao nodded slightly. Not having bought or borrowed new clothes for the visit to see her showed sincerity. Of course, if the child’s clothes hadn’t been so tidy and clean, and his fingernails weren’t so well-kept, Yueyao wouldn’t have thought this way. Sometimes details can reveal a great deal.
Ignoring what Aunt Hua Lei said, Yueyao directly asked the little boy kneeling on the ground, “Tell me, how old are you this year?” As a young servant, one must not only be clever but also brave and meticulous. Of course, loyalty was the most essential prerequisite, though loyalty was something that needed to be observed over time, not determined by just a sentence or two.
The little boy looked up at Yueyao and said, “Replying to Miss, I am six years old this year.” He then glanced at his cousin’s approving expression, which eased his spirit slightly.
Yueyao continued, “Have you always worn your brother’s old clothes? Have you ever wanted to wear a set of new clothes yourself?” These questions seemed unrelated, yet the answers often revealed a person’s character.
The little boy was taken aback before turning to look at Hua Lei and his mother for cues, but neither gave any. Seeing Yueyao’s calm demeanor, he remembered his father telling him to answer any question the Miss posed truthfully. Gathering his courage after swallowing hard, he said, “Yes, I want my own new clothes too. But we can’t even afford enough food, let alone buy new clothes. My father and mother told me if I follow the young master, I will get to wear new clothes.”
Aunt Hua Lei almost jumped up in shock. Why was this foolish child answering like that! Seeing Yueyao’s expression, she feared the opportunity was slipping away.
Yueyao turned to Aunt Hua Lei, “Why can’t you afford enough food? Has the Lian Mansion been withholding your wages or something?” That would be strange. As family-born servants both employed at the mansion, they shouldn’t have to worry about hunger.
Aunt Hua Lei was frightened into a start, “No, no such thing.”
Yueyao saw Nanny Deng shaking her head and decided to hold her suspicions. She simply asked the little boy, “What’s your name?”
It took a while for the little boy to mutter, “My name is Gousheng.”
Yueyao smiled upon hearing this, knowing that many people believed a humble name ensured an easier life for the child: “Would you like to live a life where you eat well every day and have new clothes to wear?”
Gousheng replied without hesitation, “Yes.” He added, “Anyone who wouldn’t want that is a fool.”
Hua Lei nearly fainted upon hearing the latter statement. She had instructed him to stay silent unless asked a direct question by Yueyao, yet he had forgotten it all so quickly.
Yueyao, however, smiled knowingly at Gousheng’s response. Though blunt, it was truthful: “The name Gousheng is too unpleasant. From now on, you will be called Ah Hai.” The sea of learning is boundless, for learning never ends.
Aunt Hua Lei thought they had lost the chance and was worried Yueyao would inquire further about their lack of food, which could end up offending the Madam. But to her relief, Yueyao didn’t continue questioning and agreed to have Gousheng serve as the young master’s servant, finding unexpected hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.
Yueyao instructed Hua Lei to give five taels of silver to Aunt Hua Lei: “Take this money and buy some fitting clothes for Ah Hai. From now on, when he accompanies Tingzheng outside, he represents Tingzheng’s image.” A young servant’s appearance wasn’t just a reflection of Tingzheng but also of the Lian Mansion.
Only after profuse thanks did Aunt Hua Lei leave with her son. Yueyao then said to Hua Lei, “I will take Tingzheng to visit Uncle Li the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, teach this child some manners.”