Chapter 47: The Chosen One ◇

◎Not Dirty at All◎

After staying up late the previous night, Yu Lian woke up a bit later the next day. Upon seeing her emerge from her room, the elder lady took her hand with a warm smile, asking about her well-being and saying that if she still felt tired, there was no need to rush out of bed; she could go back to sleep for a while longer.

"Young ladies should take better care of themselves. When you're as old as your grandmother, I hope you'll still be as beautiful as a blooming flower."

Yu Lian chuckled in response. "Grandmother, you're still as beautiful as a flower now. In your youth, you were like a peony, the queen of all flowers, and now, as an elder, you resemble a plum blossom, blossoming on your own without rivalry, calmly observing us young sprouts and blossoms."

Mrs. Chen, who was sewing nearby, heard their conversation and looked up with a smile. Rarely cracking a joke, she asked, "And what about Mother? What does Lian-er think Mother is like?"

Without thinking, Yu Lian replied, "Like a pure white lotus, needing tender care."

"A lotus emerges from the mud unsoiled, just like Mother."

Mrs. Chen's thoughts were straightforward, and she took the comparison as a compliment on her appearance. She laughed joyfully, which was the first time Yu Lian had seen her so happy since she had entered the family. Previously, Mrs. Chen always wore a worried expression, even her beauty seemed to have wilted.

Yu Lian genuinely meant her praise. A woman like Mrs. Chen, if not for the upheavals in her family, would have led a peaceful life within the household, with her husband and son thriving, sparing her from any hardships. Now, with the changes, her character showed some weaknesses, but to Yu Lian, this wasn't a significant issue. People were like clay; their shape might change according to their environment, but once they adapted to the new circumstances, they would reshape themselves to fit the altered life.

Provided one's nature is good, nothing is insurmountable.

Aunt Mei had, without notice, gone to the kitchen and returned with breakfast for Yu Lian. It consisted of a bowl of plain rice porridge and two steamed buns, accompanied by a small plate of pickled vegetables.

Aunt Mei smiled warmly and said, "Lian-er, quickly go freshen up so we can enjoy breakfast. Everything is still warm from the pot; it shouldn't be left to cool."

Aunt Mei seemed more amiable and attentive than ever before. These past few days, she had been busy in the kitchen preparing meals, almost single-handedly taking on all the cooking duties. Little Guo'er, diligent and sensible, would assist her with tasks like stoking the fire and washing vegetables.

Yu Lian studied Aunt Mei closely, but detected no signs of resentment. Instead, there was a hint of ingratiating behavior. Perhaps she had realized that Yu Lian was now in charge of the household and understood the need to curry favor with the person in authority. This was, after all, a survival instinct inherent to her position as a concubine. Back in the mansion, she had sought to please the matriarch and lady of the house, who held power. Now, in the countryside, with Yu Lian at the helm, she was adapting her affections accordingly, hoping to improve her own life.

Yu Lian smiled and nodded at Aunt Mei, who visibly relaxed and beamed even more brightly.

By the time Yu Lian finished washing up in the courtyard, breakfast was already set on the table, complete with chopsticks and spoons. All that was left was for her to sit down and eat.

Addressing Aunt Mei, Yu Lian said, "There's no need for such formality. Cooking is laborious enough; if I'm hungry, I'll simply fetch food from the kitchen myself."

Aunt Mei, eager to seize this opportunity to showcase her devotion, promptly replied, "It's no trouble at all, Lian-er. You have no reason to be polite."

The old lady interjected, "Let her do it if she wants to, Lian-er. You've already worked hard managing the household affairs. Let them handle these small tasks while you wait to eat."

Wet Nurse Mei: "Grandma speaks the truth. I don't have many skills, but with our current situation at home, I can't assist with major affairs. However, I can manage some minor tasks."

Grandma felt relieved and, unusually, praised Wet Nurse Mei.

Among her son's concubines, she had disliked Wet Nurse Mei the most in the beginning. How could a dancing girl sent from the palace to serve be of good character? But now, it seemed that her time in the palace hadn't been wasted; she knew how to read the situation and remained level-headed.

If she proved unworthy, Grandma couldn't afford to keep idle mouths to feed anyway. She might as well sell Wet Nurse Mei off. But what could Wet Nurse Mei do about it?

Wet Nurse Mei was aware of this fact. After Yu Lian finished her meal, she efficiently cleared the table and followed Yu Lian to fetch the written documents and writing supplies to meet her father-in-law.

Hua Zhan was weeding and tilling the soil in the courtyard, drenched in sweat with every swing of his hoe. The twins, unnoticed, had quietly put down their small hoes and were catching insects in the freshly turned earth behind their father.

Yu Lian called out, "Father."

Upon hearing their sister-in-law's voice, the twins immediately sprang into action like coiled springs, snatching up their hoes with surprising speed and resuming their work on the land.

Yu Lian didn't always scold the boys; occasionally, she offered incentives. This time, she chose not to expose them and smiled as they diligently weeded. "Father, please take a break. Later, you'll accompany me to Second Uncle's house to discuss something. Although he gave a brief overview of the villagers' characters yesterday, I still need more detailed information. Last night, I drafted plans for hiring workers, and today, I'll visit Second Uncle to inquire further. We also need to select a foreman to oversee the construction of the house."

"Second Uncle is highly respected and knowledgeable about the village. He's likely to see through any dishonest individuals trying to take advantage," Yu Lian continued.

Hua Zhan was aware that her daughter-in-law came from a wealthy family and wasn't accustomed to freely mingling like the villagers. Despite her capable and efficient appearance, she was also someone with a sense of entitlement. That's why she sought out her husband, the father, to accompany her on this visit.

She readily agreed.

The twins were eavesdropping the whole time. Upon hearing their elder sister mention they would be visiting Uncle Hua's house, they immediately dropped their small hoes, wiped the sweat off their faces, and unintentionally smudged their hands, which were already covered in mud from weeding and catching insects. Unaware of their dirty faces, they clapped excitedly, "I want to go too! I want to play with Bean's brother!"

Yu Lian approached them, causing the boys to jump in surprise. They lifted their heads to watch their sister cautiously. However, Yu Lian tenderly took out a handkerchief and wiped the mud off their faces one by one.

The twins stood there, stunned for a while before blushing and protesting, "We're not dirty."

To avoid arriving at lunchtime and causing inconvenience, Yu Lian and Hua Zhan decided to visit after their afternoon meal. With nothing else to do, Yu Lian fetched a stool and sat under the eaves, watching the three children feeding the pigs and chickens. It was amusing to see them fumble, being pecked by chickens or pushed around by little pigs, yet persevering through their frustration, all for the sake of raising them to sell for silver.

The twins were still crouching by the chicken coop, bravely warning the chicks, "When you grow up, we'll eat you!"

The chicks chirped back in response.

Hua Yan, lost in thought, secretly glanced at his sister and sorrowfully told his twin, "We'll end up being slaughtered too when we grow up. We'll have to carry hoes and farm, just like Father."

Hua Xing sighed, "What can we do? I don't want to grow up."

The two brothers propped their chins in their hands, distorting their faces, and sighed simultaneously, "If only Elder Brother were here."

Feeling that it was past mealtime, Hua Zhan washed his face and called for his daughter-in-law to seek advice from Uncle Two's house. The twins tiptoed behind their father and sister-in-law, and the adults pretended not to notice. Little Guo'er peered secretly from the door, and Yu Lian happened to see her, so she waved, causing the little one's eyes to light up as she happily rushed out.

Now they formed a small procession, similar to a mother hen leading her chicks.

Upon arriving at Uncle Two's house, the three children went to play with their six or seven cousins, while Yu Lian and her father-in-law inquired in the main room.

Yu Lian was meticulous and thorough in her work; even when it came to hiring people, she noted down each person's name and age. She then added remarks about their character, experience, and physical condition.

After completing the registration, she would carefully select candidates suitable for specific tasks. This list would not only be useful now but also when her farm was established and potentially when she opened a factory.

Auntie Two and Auntie Ma occasionally came to serve tea to the guests, perplexed by the effort. "Why go through all this trouble just to hire someone? What a waste of ink!"

In their eyes, ink and paper were precious commodities, reserved for scholars. Writing such detailed records seemed like an unnecessary waste.

"Aren't you just recording names? Just remember the names, and if you have any questions, you can always ask us. We're all neighbors, we've seen them grow up. Auntie Two can even tell you how old they were when they last wet the bed."

Yu Lian paused, shook her head with a smile, and replied, "I'm taking the time to record once, but it will save countless efforts later. I won't need to bother you unnecessarily, isn't that worth it?"

Granny Deux hadn't quite grasped the situation, but as she gazed into the girl's bright and lovely eyes, she sensed an air of composure and confidence. Recalling her father-in-law's remark about this young lady being no ordinary person, she decided to hold her tongue.

After all, this girl came from an esteemed family, and as a well-bred lady, she must have her reasons for her actions, even if they were beyond Granny Deux's comprehension.

By the time she sorted through all these matters in her mind, the sun had already set. Yu Lian now had a clear understanding of how to engage these people, even without referring to the list.

Granny Deux insisted on having Yu Lian, Hua Zhan, and the three children stay for dinner before leaving. Yu Lian politely declined with a smile. Just as the family was about to depart, Second Uncle hesitated for a moment before asking, "Yu Lian, you mentioned yesterday that you need an expert in construction to lead the building of your house. Have you found anyone suitable?"

Yu Lian replied, "Not yet, but if Second Uncle has any recommendations, please do share them with me."

Second Master responded, "In our Upper Village, there's a man who has been working for others constantly, specializing in constructing houses and buildings. He's been at it for over a decade, so his skills are reliable. Yesterday, he came to my place, asking me to speak on his behalf, expressing his interest in taking on your project. He wanted to know if you would be willing to hire him."

"He's a capable worker, but being out in the world for so long has made him a bit slippery. Second Master thought it best to be upfront with you. If you're willing to employ him again, that's fine. But if you have concerns about his integrity or suspect he might cut corners, it's perfectly alright not to hire him. I'll vouch for him and ensure he doesn't entertain any ill intentions."

Yu Lian paused slightly before inquiring if there were any others in the village with similar expertise.

Second Master pondered for a moment and replied, "Most folks here are farmers. Few engage in such specialized work. He's the only one." Yu Lian then said she would think about it and provide an answer the following day.

On their way back, Hua Zhan asked his daughter-in-law, "Do you wish to employ him?"

Yu Lian shook her head, then nodded. "Though his character might not be the best choice, we still need to consider him carefully."

"If there were other villagers suitable for the task, I would choose someone else. But since it's only him, it becomes a dilemma."

"Since we returned to our hometown, Second Master has been of great help to us. Thanks to his family, we were able to settle here. Now that he's making his first request, as a fellow clansman from Upper Village, I think we should grant it out of respect, if not for him, then for the community. Otherwise, our family might struggle to truly integrate into the village. Others might say that, having received the village's support and being returnees, it's unreasonable to prioritize outsiders over our own clanspeople."

"It could earn us a reputation for being ungrateful and distant."

Hua Zhan nodded. "Then let's use him. I'll keep an eye on the situation."

Upon returning home, they found guests waiting – two unfamiliar women, one young and one older, who appeared to be mother and daughter, accompanied by a somewhat wooden-looking man with a slightly dark complexion.

The young woman stood up as Yu Lian entered, initially wanting to take her hand in a gesture of familiarity. However, seeing Yu Lian's clean and elegant attire, she felt too awkward and said instead, "Lian-er, you've come at just the right time. I'm Sanshu's elder sister, this is my mother, and this is my elder brother from my mother's side."

After introducing them clearly, she continued, "My brother learned woodworking from a young age and later studied house construction from others. In recent years, he's gained experience traveling around and has even built houses for wealthy merchants in the county. He might be clumsy with words, but when it comes to constructing houses, no one in the vicinity can match his skills."

The man, embarrassed by his sister's praise, blushed slightly and tried to stop her, stammering, "Don't be so boastful, you shouldn't speak like that."

Throughout the entire encounter, not once did she dare lift her eyelids to sneak a glance at Yu Lian.

Yu Lian had often presided over job interviews in the past. Countless employees, from junior to senior, had been recruited under her scrutiny. She believed that, while she might not always be spot on, she could still read people fairly accurately. From this man's demeanor, she could tell he was an honest and diligent craftsman. The fact that he didn't dare to look around indicated his simplicity, lack of grand ambition, and contented nature. Although not particularly adaptable, he seemed genuine.

Secondly, when his sister praised his skills to the client, he shyly tried to stop her. This demonstrated his humility, suggesting that though he lacked self-confidence, he would be manageable and reliable. Thirdly, he had built houses for wealthy families before, which confirmed his technical proficiency – a quality that appealed to Yu Lian.

After just one brief meeting, Yu Lian had formed a solid impression and leaned towards hiring him.

Next came casual conversation.

Fifteen minutes later, Yu Lian personally saw the family off. The elderly lady smiled and asked, "Has Lian-er made up her mind?"

Yu Lian offered a faint smile. "I was in a rush and didn't have time to discuss with Grandmother about my visit to Second Uncle's place. While there, he mentioned that there's a fellow villager from our clan who also does house construction. He visited Second Uncle yesterday, asking for help to secure work with us."

The old lady, wise from years of experience, knew that if there were no issues with the candidate, Yu Lian would have made a decision on the spot. So why the hesitation now? They had even entertained the family warmly, including San Shu's wife, who, despite being married into the village, was originally from another village. If all else were equal, Yu Lian would naturally prefer to hire someone from within the village, without any indecision.

"Is there a problem?" the grandmother inquired.

Yu Lian chuckled. "Nothing escapes your keen eyes, Grandmother. Second Uncle said the man might be a bit slippery, and could potentially cut corners."

"No major issues, but plenty of minor ones. Naturally, it would be easier to find someone with both good character and exceptional skills. But Yu Lian is thinking that we're all neighbors, and Second Master himself made the request. If we were to decline, I wouldn't know how to face him in the future. I also fear it might damage our reputation."

The elder lady nodded and sighed. "You're right. It's difficult for you, Yu Lian. Back in the capital, even when Grandmother managed the household, we always had to consider the pride of this family or that. Let alone here in the countryside. In the city, we could close our doors, and others, out of respect, wouldn't dare to do anything. But here, as newcomers, we see our neighbors every day. We have to be mindful of interpersonal relationships. One misstep, and we might not be able to establish ourselves."

"Perhaps we could use the one from the village and ask your father to keep an eye on him."

As expected, mother and son shared the same thoughts. Yu Lian chuckled silently. "How can Father have the energy to monitor constantly? Besides, I just declared yesterday that I don't want dishonest workers. If we hire him now, wouldn't that show inconsistency and lack of trustworthiness?"

"But hiring someone from another village won't be well-received either. Villagers tend to protect their own, and they'll surely gossip about us."

The elder lady was also troubled. "So, what should we do?"

Yu Lian sipped her tea. "Then we'll hire both. Let them form a work team, supervise each other, and compete. Perhaps this will not only simplify things but also earn us some praise."