Chapter 195: Chapter 177, Allocation_1

After the Qin brothers were taken away, Madam Li saw her daughter looking at the servitude contract and lost in thought, she asked with a smile, “Do you think I forced them to sign this servitude contract?”

Daohua quickly shook her head.

Madam Li smiled and said, “Actually, some of what your Second Uncle said was not wrong. You were a bit hasty in your actions. Technically, you should have had them sign the servitude contract when you redeemed them at the Governor’s Office.”

Daohua said, “…I thought hiring people didn’t require it.” It’s not like buying people.

Madam Li said, “Ask that Qin Wu whether they need to sign a contract in advance when they transport goods? Even delivery requires a contract, let alone hiring someone to guard and protect the estate.”

Seeing her daughter lower her head, Madam Li smiled and touched her head, “I don’t blame you. You’ve had no experience with this; how could you think of everything? Actually, the fact that you thought to hire protectors for the family surprises both your mother and father.”

“Mother also knows that the Qin brothers have been of help to you and the Old Madam. Making them sign the servitude contract, you must feel a bit uneasy about that.”

“But think about it the other way around. Isn’t working for the Yan Family also giving them stability? It is much better than them wandering outside all year round, right?”

“Besides, I have not treated them unfairly; the monthly silver I give is according to the highest standard in Xingzhou City. If they are frugal, they can even save a good amount of silver.”

Daohua took Madam Li’s arm, “Mother, I know that you are the kindest.”

Madam Li smiled and tapped Daohua’s forehead, “You, ah!”

Daohua said, “Oh Mother, how do you plan to arrange for Uncle Qin Wu and the others?”

Madam Li thought for a moment, “Your Second and Third Brothers are quite skilled themselves, plus Tietou and Tieshou are practicing martial arts with them. Each of them will have one person assigned; as for your Eldest Brother, we need to assign two men to him.”

“The remaining four will stay at home for various duties. I see that Qin Wu has some abilities, so he can also train the young servants at home.”

Daohua immediately said, “Mother, I want someone too.”

Madam Li was surprised, “You don’t go out, why do you need someone?”

Daohua shook Madam Li’s arm, “But I have plantations and shops. I originally had one plantation and two shops; now, with the three plantations and one shop that Uncle gave me, I have four plantations and three shops. It’s inconvenient for me to go out often, so I need someone to help me manage them.”

Madam Li smiled, “You do think ahead, my girl. Are you planning to cultivate a butler for yourself? Tell me, whom do you want?”

Daohua immediately said, “Brother Xiaoliu will be fine! He’s quite shrewd, and he’s cheerful and enthusiastic, suitable for dealing with people.”

Madam Li pretended to hesitate for a moment before nodding in agreement, “The Qin brothers were all found by you, so I’ll give you one!”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Madam Li said, “By the way, I bought a batch of maids and old nannies some time ago, and now they’ve almost learned our house rules. Later, I’ll send two of them over to you.”

Daohua was startled, “Didn’t you already add two more recently?”

Madam Li said, “Those two are only responsible for cleaning. This time, I specifically chose these for your future dowry; you need to take them seriously and train them well.”

At the mention of a dowry, Daohua felt somewhat dispirited.

Seeing this, Madam Li shook her head helplessly.

…

“Brother Wu, are we now sold into servitude?”

Qin Thirteen and the others looked at Qin Wu with concern.

Qin Wu reassured them, “The servitude contract we signed, in the strictest sense, is not a sale contract. Put it this way, it should be considered a contract that specifies the time and responsibilities. We are different from the maids and young servants.”

Hearing Qin Wu say this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“As long as we’re not slaves, that’s good.”

Qin Wu glanced at everyone, “Not slaves, but still servants. You’ve seen the strict rules of the Yan Residence. Each of you better stay alert and avoid making any mistakes.”

Qian Xiaoliu immediately said, “Brother Wu, you can rest assured. The Yan Family pays us such a high monthly salary; we will definitely do a good job. Perhaps in the future, if we save enough money, we might even be able to bring our families over.”

Hearing this, the others were all excited, each filled with aspirations for the future.

“Exactly, I found the Madam to be quite amiable. The Master is somewhat serious, but didn’t we inquire on our way here? Lord Yan is a good official. This job is really not bad!”

As everyone began chatting and getting more and more elated, Qin Wu shook his head with a smile.

The job at the Yan Family really was a decent one for them. No need to travel constantly, yet they could earn silver to supplement household expenses. It was quite good.

Until mid-February, Qin Wu and the others were following Butler Sun to familiarize themselves with the Yan Residence and to learn its rules.

Once the eight of them had understood the situation quite well, Butler Sun began to assign their tasks.

The twenty-something Qin Shisan and Qin Fa were assigned to Yan Wenxiu, while the nineteen-year-old Qin Xing was sent to Wentao, and Qin Wang to Wenkai.

Upon hearing that they would be attending to the young masters of the house, all four faces lit up with excitement.

“What about me?”

Qin Xiaoliu eagerly looked at Butler Sun, convinced that he would be chosen. During his time at the provincial governor’s office, the Fourth Master had often sought him out for conversations, which went very well.

Butler Sun smiled. “Actually, your assignments were distributed by Madam and the Old Master, I’m just the messenger.”

Qin Xiaoliu’s face fell instantly. Sure enough, he wasn’t considered steady enough and hadn’t been chosen.

Seeing his reaction, Butler Sun couldn’t help but be amused. Turning to Qin Wu, he said, “Familiarize yourselves further with your duties. As for Xiaoliu, come with me.”

Qin Xiaoliu looked up abruptly, his face fallen as he said, “Butler Sun, it’s not that I wasn’t just not chosen, but I’m also being dismissed, right?”

Butler Sun was speechless. “What are you thinking? Come with me. The young lady specifically asked for you. From now on, you’ll serve by her side.”

At these words, Qin Xiaoliu was stunned, and so were Qin Wu and the others, all showing surprise.

“What, you’re not willing?”

“No, I am willing, very willing!” Qin Xiaoliu quickly came to his senses, stating his enthusiasm loudly, then joyfully followed Butler Sun out.

“Daohua, no, the young lady, seems to be held in equal esteem as the boys at home,” mumbled Qin Shisan and the others in low voices.

Qin Wu didn’t say anything. If he had such a smart girl in his family, he too would spoil her to death.

…

When Butler Sun brought Qin Xiaoliu to the main courtyard, Daohua was busy calculating the income and expenses of the flower and vegetable shops during the New Year period.

“Young lady, I’ve brought the person,” said Butler Sun.

Daohua looked up at Qin Xiaoliu, who appeared utterly proper, eager to look around but not daring to. She couldn’t help but smile. “Butler Sun, you go about your business. I can take it from here.”

Butler Sun nodded and left.

“Brother Xiaoliu.”

With Butler Sun gone, Daohua began to speak.

Without Butler Sun by his side, Qin Xiaoliu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Hearing Daohua call him, he immediately looked up, but remembering the rules he had learned these days, quickly dropped his gaze again, “Dao… young lady.”

“Pfft~”

Seeing him like this, Daohua found it so amusing she couldn’t help herself. “Brother Xiaoliu, we’re alone now, you don’t need to be so formal. Sit down and let’s talk.”

Qin Xiaoliu looked at the chair, then resolutely shook his head. “Young lady, I am more comfortable standing.”

Seeing this, Daohua didn’t insist and asked, “Brother Xiaoliu, do you wish to work for me?”

Qin Xiaoliu nodded eagerly. “Yes, of course I do. But may I ask, what exactly would you need me to do?”

Daohua explained, “Here’s the thing, I have several estates and shops. I cannot always go out myself, so I need someone to help oversee them, to see if anyone is being deceitful or insubordinate, and so forth.”

Qin Xiaoliu’s eyes widened. “Doesn’t this make me a butler then?”

Daohua nodded. “That’s right!”

At first, Qin Xiaoliu was delighted, but then he became somewhat anxious. “Young lady, am I up to the task?”

Daohua reassured him, “I believe you can do it. It might be unfamiliar at first, but don’t worry, I’ll have Butler Sun from the shop show you the ropes.”

Bolstered by Daohua’s trust, Qin Xiaoliu straightened his chest and vowed solemnly, “Young lady, rest assured, I will study diligently with Butler Sun and ensure that your estates and shops are well looked after.”

Daohua smiled, nodded, and gave Qin Xiaoliu a look that said, ‘I believe in you’.