Chapter 131: Ah Zhu? It’s Nongqin From Now On
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
It was the servant who had killed her rapist when Jiang Pengji had first arrived in that world. She originally worked at the kitchen and was then assigned to the guest rooms for a lighter workload.
The girl looked at Jiang Pengji, not knowing where to begin. The more panicked she was, the more difficult it was for her to utter the words, which made her even more anxious to speak.
She thought the langjun would be angry for her wasting his ti, but after Jiang Pengji observed her from head to toe, she cald her gently. “Take your ti. There’s no hurry.
Although rules in the Liu’s house were not very strict, servants were required to stay where they worked. Dry mud was scattered on the girl’s clothes, socks, and shoes. The soil was not from the gardens because the gardeners would keep the earth humid, and mud there was stickier and in larger pieces. In other words, the dirt was from the guest rooms.
Their only visitors at the mont were ng Liang and his servant. The clothing she was holding in her arms also belonged to ng Liang.
Her dress was tidy and her hair clean and dry, which ant she had not fixed them again before she saw her. While she was scared, she did not appear to be desperate or indignant, so she did not co because ng Liang had done sothing to her. Then what did she want to tell her?
The only reason she could think of was she had overheard sothing from ng Liang and his servant.
Jiang Pengji drew a conclusion within the blink of an eye and softened her voice further. “You can tell everything slowly.”
After a while, the servant finally composed herself a little, and stamred while repeating what she had heard.
As she said it, Jiang Pengji’s expressions did not change; it was as if she had expected it. After all, one could imagine what ng Liang had said to shock the girl so much. When she finished, Jiang Pengji nodded. “You can stay here tonight.”
The girl’s face turned pale as she rembered her mortifying past.
Jiang Pengji clarified, “The two in the guest room will hurt you if you stay there. I’ll tell the housekeeper to arrange you to my yard tomorrow. Thank you for your tily caution. I didn’t suspect they could be so insane! I’ll not let them get away from this.”
Her arrangent brought the girl relief.
Due to the unfortunate experience, she was more sensitive than most of her peers. Staying near ng Liang any longer would demand great courage from her. Jiang Pengji offering to let her stay in her yard was like a promotion––it significantly improved her working conditions.
Wages for servants varied according to their positions. Those in Second Langjun’s yard were given the most, which was more than double what the girl had been receiving. With an increased salary, she may even save herself so coins after sending money to her family.
“Thank you, Langjun.”
Jiang Pengji asked, “What’s your na?”
“I’m Ah Zhu,” replied the girl humbly.
Jiang Pengji repeated the na, and thought for a mont before asking, “Does it have a special aning? Who gave you the na?”
Ah Zhu shook her head and replied, “I didn’t have a na before coming to this family. My na was given by an old servant in the kitchen who has been very kind to .”
“Let’s call you sothing nicer, then.” Jiang Pengji began to ponder nas. She already had Taxue and Xuni. “What about Nongqin?”
The servant was illiterate, and knew not how to write the corresponding characters. Yet, she liked the na since it was given by Second Langjun. It sounded more beautiful than Ah Zhu.
Jiang Pengji was not tired yet, and she began chatting with Nongqin. “Did you always help with heavy work at ho before you ca here?”
“I’m very strong.” Nongqin appeared thin, but she had more strength than most girls. Otherwise, she would not have managed to beat her abuser with a hefty, red-painted stick. That also ant, however, that she ate more than usual girls did.
Jiang Pengji chuckled. “Oh, being strong is very nice.”
Nongqin was shy of her complint. Her parents often scolded her for eating too much. What was worse, her grandmother believed she would only bring misfortune to the family, and thus listened to a slave trader and sold her away. In that way, the family could not only gain from selling her, but also from her monthly wages at the Liu’s. Still, they never cared about her days as a servant.
Jiang Pengji asked, “Are you interested in practicing kungfu with ?”
If she was going to change the world, she would have to start with the people surrounding her.
Who said females were inferior to males? While the girl had missed the best stage of acquiring basic skills, she was brave and strong, which were both essential qualities for Jiang Pengji. She was confident in her.
Nongqin was surprised, yet nodded.
Ever since Jiang Pengji had saved her, her life was hers.
“Yes, my Langjun!”
Jiang Pengji smiled with approval. “Very good.”
Nongqin did not understand why she suddenly bead, but was glad she could make her happy.
Although Jiang Pengji had the power to assign a servant, she needed to inform the housekeeper about the change.
When Taxue learned about it, her eyes widened. “Langjun, you are teaching her kungfu personally?”
“I’ll teach her so techniques from ti to ti. That won’t cost much ti.” Jiang Pengji smiled. “Nongqin is a diligent girl.”
Xuni was doing embroidery near them, and glanced at Jiang Pengji. “Why would Langjun want a girl to learn such vulgar skills?” she complained. Others would doubt if she could be submissive enough to her future mother and father-in-law and to her husband. Besides, would she be competent in raising courteous children? The girl must bla you for ruining her marriage then.”
Jiang Pengji said cooly, “Why does she have to be submissive? And what does this have to do with nurturing her children?”
Before Xuni replied, she rembered that they were of the sa sex and realized that she had spoken too much.
“It’s funny how people think being respectful equals being submissive. If a woman can live comfortably with the dignity she deserves at her maiden ho, why should she obey others like a servant at her husband’s house?” Jiang Pengji snorted with an affected mood.
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