Capítulo 1432: Chapter 1431: Trafficker
After the banquet for the ladies, Song Chongjin beca even busier. He left the house early every morning before dawn and didn’t return until it was completely dark.
The brothers of Song Xiaoyin also took turns going out with him.
Wang Yongzhu knew they were busy, so she instructed to keep ginger soup and lamb soup constantly warm on the stove, ensuring that no matter when they returned, there was hot soup to drink and sothing to eat.
However, Song Chongjin didn’t hide these matters from her. The affairs at the County Yan were gradually getting organized.
She also heard that after the ladies returned ho, they only had praises for Wang Yongzhu as the Magistrate’s Lady. So praised her for her generosity, while others for her friendliness.
Moreover, Song Chongjin had now mostly figured out the various procedures within the County Yan and simply assigned the responsibilities to the appropriate people.
If soone refused a task, that was fine. Song Chongjin wouldn’t force them and would just bring in a deputy to take over.
The ones who wanted to stand out were quickly suppressed, and others dared not take the lead.
The tasks that Song Chongjin assigned also began to follow procedures smoothly.
As for whether these people were satisfied or not, as long as they didn’t delay matters, Song Chongjin wasn’t too concerned.
With the County Yan affairs organized, the issues at the Horse Farm could no longer be postponed.
Furthermore, with Zhao Liu, the local bigwig, and the people Song Chongjin had previously sent to the Chicheng County Horse Farm now sending back information.
Every day these past few days, Song Chongjin would head over to the Horse Farm.
Wang Yongzhu was aware of this, and she knew that Song Chongjin had his own plans, and besides, there was Jian Huaifeng to consider.
If she interfered too much, it wouldn’t be good for Song Chongjin, so she didn’t ask many questions.
Additionally, Yao Da had already found a local trafficker, saying it was the County Magistrate’s family wanting to buy so servants.
The trafficker, realizing this was a big business opportunity, dared not slack off and searched for several days, finally selecting a batch of fine servants and training them for a few days at ho, teaching them so basic rules.
They were also cleaned and dressed in neat clothes before being sent to the County Yan for selection.
It was already approaching November, and the weather in Chicheng County was getting colder; a few days ago, a few snowflakes even started fluttering down from the sky.
The kang in the house had long been lit, burning non-stop every day.
Old Granny Zhang, being sowhat older, was still a bit unaccustod, staying cooped up in her room every day with nothing to amuse her.
Yao Da found two storytellers to tell stories each day to entertain Old Granny Zhang.
Whenever Wang Yongzhu had so free ti, she would accompany Old Granny Zhang to listen to a story. They had just gotten halfway through when Gu Yu lifted the curtain and announced that the trafficker had arrived with the people and was waiting outside to be seen.
On such a cold day, it’s rare for sothing to co up.
Old Granny Zhang stopped listening to the story, saying she wanted to co and take a look too.
Wang Yongzhu, knowing Old Granny Zhang was bored, naturally wouldn’t go against her wishes, so she smiled and had the people brought into the courtyard.
After a mont, the sound of footsteps could be heard as they walked into the courtyard.
Gu Yu and Li Xia lifted the curtain, and the chilly air instantly rushed in.
Wang Yongzhu helped Old Granny Zhang to the door and saw behind Yao Da a woman in her thirties with sleekly combed hair wearing a dull gray thick cotton-padded coat, humbly bent over standing in the courtyard, who must be the trafficker.
Behind her were, of course, the maids she brought today for Wang Yongzhu to choose from.
Yao Da stepped forward to make introductions: “Madam, this is the most famous broker in Chicheng County, known as Old Granny Pan.”
Then he turned and said, “This is our Madam and Old Lady.”
Old Granny Pan hurriedly knelt in salute, still saying, “I pay my respects to Madam and Old Lady. May Madam and Old Lady be well!”
Wang Yongzhu waved her hand, “Rise! Are these the people you brought?”
Old Granny Pan stood up but didn’t dare to raise her head, only glancing up cautiously. She caught sight of a brocade robe trimd with fine fur; at a glance, it was clearly a high-quality fox skin.
She imdiately dared not look further, respectfully introducing, “Madam, these have all been carefully selected by . They are of clean background and healthy. I wouldn’t dare send any crippled, foul-slling, or plain-looking ones to dirty Madam’s eyes.”
As she spoke, she gestured for the maids to step forward.
The maids, having never faced such a scene, timidly shuffled forward a few steps before standing still.
“Lift your heads!” Wang Yongzhu said.
Only then did the maids raise their heads.
As Old Granny Pan had said, the maids were indeed carefully selected.
Their features were all moderately decent, each wearing the sa dark blue padded coat. Upon seeing Wang Yongzhu, so were too frightened to make eye contact and looked down instead.
So had eyes full of envy, while others curiously looked around at the courtyard.
At a glance, Wang Yongzhu noticed, whether it was due to Yao Da’s specific instructions or Old Granny Pan’s own initiative, that among these twenty or so people, about a dozen were young maids, with the youngest being only eight or nine, and the oldest around fourteen or fifteen years old.
Their appearances were quite ordinary, nothing particularly outstanding, except for one who had slightly more delicate features. Her slender figure made her stand out among the other maids.
This maid seed quite timid, only daring to glance at Wang Yongzhu before quickly lowering her head again, not daring to look up anymore.
Yet Wang Yongzhu clearly saw that her hands were tightly clutching the hem of her clothing, with her toes unconsciously twisting on the ground.
Before Wang Yongzhu could comnt, Old Granny Zhang had already noticed this more attractive maid and imdiately frowned.
Pointing at her, Old Granny Zhang directly asked, “What’s this maid’s na?”
Hearing the odd tone in the question, Old Granny Pan glanced at the maid being pointed at and hopelessly thought things might not go well.
She had spent days rounding up enough people so the Magistrate’s Lady could choose.
But who would’ve guessed that one of the twenty maids caught a cold and got a fever last night? Sending a sick maid was considered unlucky.
Old Granny Pan removed the sick maid, but with the agreent to send twenty maids, suddenly being short felt inauspicious.
Luckily, her business always had so maidens at ho in reserve.
This batch was prepared for wealthy families as Concubines or Chambermaids.
So to make up the numbers, she selected one of the least noticeable and plain-looking maids.
She specifically instructed her not to stand out, to blend quietly in, and not to draw attention.
If she behaved well, she promised to find her a good family, warning against defiance.
Offering a carrot after the stick, she brought her over.
Who would’ve thought she inadvertently caught the eye of the Old Lady?
The maid nad Hongya had been told not to dress up, had nodded in agreent, and before leaving, being checked to see her sallow skin seed satisfactory.
Yet this little vixen changed unbeknownst to her, seeking to elevate herself?
Bah! Did she think a re maid could overturn everything?
Feeling indignant yet maintaining a smile: “Old Lady, this maid is called Hongya, though she stands out slightly, she’s rather simple-minded, a bit slow, stutters, but quite strong. She’s especially adept at cleaning and chamber pots.”
Wang Yongzhu slightly twitched her lips, thinking Old Granny Pan was quite the character.
Reviews
All reviews (0)