Chapter 101

Chapter 101

October ninth.

Although the family was planning to hire a dedicated cook, until the new staff arrived, it was still Tong Sui and her sisters-in-law who prepared the meals today.

It was still dark when Tong Sui woke up, and Xiao Zhen got up with her.

He was like that—never sleeping in—and Tong Sui no longer tried to persuade him otherwise; she let him do his own thing.

After getting dressed and performing a quick wash, Tong Sui left the small courtyard with a lantern in hand.

Almost simultaneously, Lin Ningfang emerged from the opposite western courtyard, while Liu Chu had already been up and in the kitchen.

Breakfast consisted of flatbreads and porridge. The porridge was assigned to Lin Ningfang, who wasn't particularly skilled in the kitchen, while Tong Sui and Liu Chu kneaded dough and rolled out the flatbreads.

With the kitchen lit by lamps and the door closed, the three sisters-in-law worked together, chatting amicably as if they were three sisters.

Tong Sui smiled and said, "Grandfather is planning to add some servants to the household. If all goes well, this might be our last time cooking before we return to the village."

Everyone was diligent when necessary. With the family's circumstances improving, having more leisure time was certainly something to be happy about.

Liu Chu looked surprised, while Lin Ningfang just smiled, probably having heard about it from Xiao Yan last night.

Tong Sui first explained to Liu Chu what kind of servants they needed, then turned to Lin Ningfang for advice: "Sister-in-law, is there anything I should know? Please teach me; I'm sure to make mistakes if I rely solely on myself."

Lin Ningfang sat sideways near the stove, making it easy to watch the fire and chat with them.

The Lin family was a prestigious clan in the capital city. Whether before or after Lin Lao became the prime minister, their household was always filled with servants. Lin Ningfang grew up observing how her elders managed the household and began learning to manage the inner quarters at the age of thirteen. Tong Sui had indeed asked the right person.

Lin Ningfang was willing to guide her sisters-in-law and said, "Everywhere has slave traders. We should send someone to the slave market first, informing them of the type of servants we need. They will then select suitable candidates and bring them for us to inspect."

"When inspecting, first observe their character—whether they are honest and trustworthy or slick-tongued. Second, test their skills. For example, a cook must demonstrate their culinary abilities. We can't just take their word for it; they must actually prepare some dishes. If they can cook quickly, deliciously, and cleanly, only then can we consider hiring them."

"Besides these two aspects, we must also clarify their backgrounds—how they ended up with the slave traders. Only those with clear backgrounds, who are willing themselves, and whose slave traders can provide proper documentation can be hired. Otherwise, there will be endless troubles, such as their families coming to reclaim them or their attempts to escape."

Liu Chu sighed, "Who would willingly become a servant in another's home? They only resort to this path when they have no other choice."

Lin Ningfang nodded. "Yes, some sell their children due to poverty, others lose their parents and are sold by relatives or strangers to slave traders. They all have no choice. However, if they encounter a kind family, earning a monthly wage and having shelter and food, it might not be an entirely bad fate."

Everything depends on fate. Some children are cherished by their parents, while others are mistreated. Some servants find kind masters and live comfortably, while others suffer under cruel ones. Everything is uncertain, and one can only rely on fate.

Now that the Xiao family was buying servants, Lin Ningfang didn't want her sisters-in-law to feel guilty, so she focused on examples of servants finding good homes.

Tong Sui and Liu Chu understood. How many daughters in the village had been sold by their parents? Sons too were sold as apprentices or laborers.

Where there are rich people, there are poor people; where there are masters, there are servants. This has been the way for centuries, beyond their ability to change.

What they could do was to be kind masters.

Lin Ningfang continued, "Once the candidates are chosen and their backgrounds verified, the final step is to sign the indenture documents with the slave traders and the servants, which must be registered and taxed at the government office. There will be a clause allowing a three-day trial period. If any issues arise within those three days, the servants can be returned to the slave traders and replaced."

Tong Sui said, "I remember what you've said, but when the slave traders bring the candidates, please accompany me. I'm afraid I'll forget everything in the moment."

Lin Ningfang nodded.

Liu Chu smiled. "I don't understand much, but I'll keep you company."

After breakfast, the elders left, and Xiao Zhen accompanied Tong Sui to the eastern courtyard to discuss the matter of hiring servants with the Tong and Zhou families.

Xiao Zhen successfully convinced his mother-in-law and aunt with his filial piety.

After finishing this task, he went to the military camp.

Tong Sui told her father, who was responsible for patrolling the city, "Father, wait a moment. I'll change my clothes, and we can go out together."

Tong Youyu asked, "I'm patrolling the city. Where are you going?"

Tong Sui replied, "I'm familiarizing myself with the route and visiting the slave market."

Though they could send someone to call the slave trader, Tong Sui wanted to see the operations firsthand.

Tong Youyu said, "Alright, go ahead and change."

Tong Sui returned to the eastern courtyard and saw He Shi and Xiao Yuchan chatting in the yard. During breakfast, Grandfather had publicly entrusted the task of selecting servants to Tong Sui, and since then, He Shi had been looking at her with an unfriendly gaze.

Tong Sui remained unperturbed and said to He Shi, "Second Aunt, I'm going to the slave market. There may be guests today, so please look after the house with Aunt."

He Shi sneered, "Do you even know where the slave market is? A young bride with a pretty face, going out alone, are you not afraid of causing trouble?"

Tong Sui replied, "I'm going with Father."

There were only two maids, A Fu and Ah Zhen, both young and pretty, and sending them alone to the slave market was not reassuring.

Xiao Zhen had offered to go to the slave market himself, but Tong Sui had her own reasons and didn't want him to make an extra trip.

A simple sentence silenced He Shi.

Tong Sui turned to head to the East Wing Courtyard to change her clothes. Seeing this, Xiao Yuchan hurriedly said, "Second Sister-in-law, I'll go with you!"

She had already explored the new house thoroughly and found it boring. It was better to go out with her second sister-in-law than stay cooped up at home.

Tong Sui was glad for the company and reminded her, "I'm riding a donkey."

Xiao Yuchan smiled, "I can ride too."

She hadn't known how before, but after seeing Tong Sui learn from her second brother, she had followed suit.

Tong Sui pointed at her skirt, "Go change into a horse-faced skirt."

Xiao Yuchan immediately ran into the western room.

Mrs. He followed her in and glared at her daughter. "Just now you were complaining with me about Grandpa being biased. Now you're getting along with her. Are you like your Fifth Younger Brother, only good at flattering me while actually favoring her?"

Xiao Yuchan opened the wardrobe and, while picking out a dress, said, "Mother, don't wrong me. Of course, I'm closest to you. I'd be delighted if you took charge of the household; I could benefit from it too. But I also respect Second Sister-in-Law. She's not the type to embezzle public funds. Besides, going out with her is for my own pleasure, not to help her with work."

Mrs. He looked her daughter up and down and humphed. "Back when we lived in the village, there weren't so many rules. You could run around the streets without anyone saying anything. But things are different now. You're the only granddaughter of the commander of Weicheng Army. You might even find a good match among the wealthy families in the city. It's best to follow local customs and learn more from your Third Sister-in-Law. Don't go out so much with your Second Sister-in-Law."

Xiao Yuchan found this amusing. "Third Sister-in-Law comes from a noble family, yet she married my brother. Her status in our family isn't even as high as Second Sister-in-Law, who's from Taohuagou. As for those wealthy families in the city, no matter how powerful they used to be, they now rely on our family's protection. If they truly want to marry me, they should try to please me instead of trying to control me. Dream on."

Mrs. He: "..."

Xiao Yuchan changed into a mamian skirt and proudly twirled around in front of her mother. "I want to show myself off, to make the townspeople envy me for having a grandfather who's a commander. Tell me, Mother, which is more important—following the rules or feeling comfortable and happy?"

With that, she walked out with light steps.

Mrs. He was first angry but then laughed.

When she was young, she didn't care about rules either. When she fell for the man from the Xiao family, she boldly approached him, leading to their happy life together.

---

When Tong Youyu went out again, he was accompanied by two beautiful sisters-in-law, followed by two patrolling constables.

As they passed through the streets, people couldn't help but look.

Tong Youyu felt awkward and suggested to his daughter, "Why don't you change into men's clothes?"

Tong Sui replied, "I'll be going out a lot in the future. Changing back and forth would be troublesome. Besides, some places require showing my identity. If they want to treat me specially because I'm the Second Lady of the Xiao family, why should I disguise myself?"

If the old man dared let her wear women's clothing in front of five thousand new recruits, walking around the city in women's clothes was nothing.

Xiao Yuchan glanced over and smiled. "Don't blame my mother for being jealous that I'm closest to Second Sister-in-Law. She speaks exactly to my liking."

Since his daughter wouldn't listen and he couldn't manage the Xiao family's daughter, Tong Youyu focused on leading the way.

Business came first. Although they hadn't explored much of the city, Tong Sui still stopped at the brokerage firm.

Tong Youyu left one constable to guard the two women.

The manager of the brokerage firm learned of their identities from the constable and hurriedly prepared tea while sending someone to fetch the owner. The owner arrived and greeted them warmly.

Xiao Yuchan looked around. "Can we take a look around here? This is my first time at a brokerage firm."

Tong Sui smiled inwardly, glad she had brought her sister-in-law along.

The owner of the brokerage firm broke out in a cold sweat. What did this mean? Had someone reported him to Commander Xiao for misconduct, prompting the Second Lady and his granddaughter to come inspect?

"Of course, of course. Rest assured, we always operate according to the rules. We don't accept any abducted children or girls."

This was indeed a legitimate brokerage firm, with only minor irregularities that were industry norms, not breaking any laws.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Tong Sui reassured them, "We're just looking around. Don't overthink it."

The owner bowed and led the sisters-in-law around.

Tong Sui was impressed. She never knew that brokerage firms taught skills like literacy, numeracy, laundry, cooking, and other household chores.

The owner of the brokerage firm said, "In our business, we cultivate people based on the employer's needs. What kind of people are you looking for? I guarantee to provide the best candidates for your selection."

Tong Sui stated her requirements.

The owner responded, "Sure, I'll gather the people right away. Do you want to select them now?"

Tong Sui replied, "Could you bring them to our place? We need the elders to help us evaluate."

Xiao Yuchan admired her Second Sister-in-Law's broad-mindedness. Despite all the criticism from her mother that morning, she still thought of involving her mother in selecting the people.