Chapter 155: The Arrogant Slave

Xu Ruojin did not immediately comply with Liang Xiao's wishes to brew wine for him.

When he had suddenly sought her out in the past, it was precisely because he wanted her brewed wine. Now that she had stepped through his doors, not only did she have to jump to his every command, but she would also receive no wages after the brewing was finished. No matter how she looked at it, she could not find peace in her heart.

When all was said and ôm done, it was because the initial stirring of emotion she had felt had been shattered into pieces, and her heart simply could not get over this hurdle.

Bypassing the items displayed in the room, she first returned to her small chamber to change into light and comfortable clothing. Afterward, she instructed Mother Huang to gather everyone in the courtyard so that she could get acquainted with them.

Especially those two maidservants who served Liang Xiao...

The maidservants and older women all stood in a neat row by the entrance.

Two sturdy middle-aged maids and two junior maidservants stepped forward to pay their respects to Xu Ruojin. Chuncao distributed the reward money before dismissing them.

The two second-class maidservants were Xiaoke and Yangtao. Though they were of second class, they were personal maids who had accompanied her from her maiden family, so their status was naturally different.

The kitchen maid specifically responsible for cooking was called Huiniang. She was around thirty years old and had previously served a senior concubine before being assigned to the "Ruoxiao Pavilion."

Smiling, Xu Ruojin exchanged a few extra words with her and personally rewarded her with a larger red envelope:

"From now on, the affairs of this mouth of ours are all entrusted to Huiniang. When there is an opportunity, I shall also learn a thing or two from you. At the very least, I must master one or two signature dishes, lest I become the laughingstock of others."

The mistresses of great and noble households were not completely oblivious to domestic chores; most of them had to learn a couple of signature dishes to showcase their skills during festivals and celebrations.

"What are you saying, Fourth Young Madam? It is merely what this lowly servant ought to do."

Huiniang accepted the reward and stepped back two paces.

Ningxiang and another maidservant stepped forward to pay their respects to Xu Ruojin.

On the day of the grand wedding, Xu Ruojin had already met Ningxiang, but she had remained unaware of the other's name until now.

Judging by that haughty expression carrying a faint smile, she certainly seemed like someone putting on airs...

"We have crossed paths twice already, yet I still do not know your name. Speak up now."

Xu Ruojin did not question Ningxiang; instead, her gaze went straight to the other.

"This lowly servant is called Fengying, fourteen this year. My entire family works in the Liang residence. I followed from the capital, previously doing needlework by the Madam's side, and was only sent to serve the Fourth Master some ten days ago."

Her voice was crisp and bright, utterly devoid of any genuine reverence toward Xu Ruojin.

Ningxiang's expression turned slightly awkward. Seeing Xu Ruojin look over, she quickly chimed in: "This lowly servant is fifteen this year, and previously worked as an assistant in the main kitchen."

Xu Ruojin nodded. "Both of you are quite capable. Serve the Fourth Master with all your heart and dedication."

"We dare not trouble the Fourth Young Madam to worry too much. If we fail to serve the Fourth Master properly, the Madam will surely send a matron with the paddle boards."

Fengying offered a faint smile. "It's simply that having just arrived to serve the Fourth Master, there are many matters we do not understand. We ask the Fourth Young Madam to be more understanding and forgiving, and to instruct us more frequently."

Mentioning the Madam while simultaneously asking her to be understanding—was this something a mere maidservant ought to say?

Xu Ruojin sneered inwardly, though her face betrayed no excess emotion:

"What you say is true. Mother values rules above all else. Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Even I must abide by the rules, let alone the two of you who have just come to serve the Fourth Master. Since you already understand and comprehend this, there is no need for me to say more. If you commit a fault, go directly to the matrons in charge of punishment to receive your paddle boards."

At this, Xu Ruojin smiled slightly. "However, since we will all be living under the same roof from now on, I truly hope that everyone can get along well. As long as people's hearts are upright, the days ahead will be good." She turned her gaze to Mother Huang. "Distribute the rewards."

Mother Huang handed over two embroidered pouches, each containing five taels of silver.

Ningxiang and Fengying accepted them and paid their respects. Xu Ruojin then dismissed them: "Since both of you have just arrived to serve the Fourth Master, there is much you ought to learn. Go first and seek out the knowledgeable matrons for guidance; you need not stand guard here."

"Understood, this lowly servant takes her leave."

Ningxiang spoke up, while Fengying merely offered a shallow curtsy without uttering a single word.

The two maidservants departed one after the other, and Xu Ruojin dismissed the coarse-cleaning maids and matrons as well.

Inside the room remained only Mother Huang, Chuncao, Hongxin, and the others—trusted confidantes with whom she could speak freely...

"This is simply going too far!"

The moment the outsiders crossed the threshold, Hongxin planted her hands on her hips and burst out angrily:

"Yesterday, it was your grand wedding day, Fourth Young Madam, and the moment a few of us stepped inside, that Fengying gave us such terrible looks! This was wrong, and that was forbidden! She's merely someone who just arrived to serve the Fourth Master, yet she truly acts as though she's gilded in gold!"

When Hongxin finished, Mother Huang drew closer to Xu Ruojin and whispered:

"This old servant purposely exchanged a few words with the two coarse-cleaning maids yesterday. Both Fengying and凝香 were specifically designated and dispatched by the Madam..."

Xu Ruojin nodded, understanding that Mother Huang was deliberately reminding her of the extraordinary status of these two maidservants. "Let us pay them no mind for now. Good or bad, they will eventually reveal their true colors. For now, all of you must endure and give way, letting her strut about as she pleases."

"You are the Fourth Young Madam of this household! Are we simply going to let them act so arrogantly and throw tantrums?"

Hongxin's anger flared, but Chuncao pulled at her sleeve. "Listen to the Fourth Young Madam."

Lacking any other outlet for her temper, Hongxin could only let out a heavy sigh and hold her tongue.

Xu Ruojin turned her attention to Xiaoke and Yangtao. "Do you both remember what I said just moments ago?"

The two maidservants immediately nodded. "Understood. This lowly servant will not utter a single word."

"Very well. Go and summon the accompanying personal households first. Let us settle everything today so that we don't have these matters weighing on our minds."

Xu Ruojin looked at Mother Huang. "You are far more familiar with these two families than I am. Regarding the manorial estates and the shops, how do you suggest we allocate them?"

Mother Huang startled, instantly realizing that this was a test from the Fourth Young Madam.

Previously, she had been a close confidante by Lady Yang's side. Now that Lady Yang was confined, Mother Huang herself had been utterly astonished that the master would allow her to accompany the Second Young Miss as a dowry servant.

Mother Huang was no fool; she could hear the underlying meaning in Master Xu's words, which was to have her keep an eye on the Second Young Miss, while any further actions would await subsequent instructions.

Yet Mother Huang knew even better that she could never truly win the Second Young Miss's trust.

In the past, she had devised quite a few wicked schemes for Lady Yang herself...

Now that the Second Young Miss had become the Fourth Young Madam of the Liang family, their fates were tied together like grasshoppers on a single string.

If they failed to establish a firm footing in the Liang family, talking of anything else would be sheer fantasy.

After pondering and weighing her words for a long while, Mother Huang finally spoke:

"Since the Fourth Young Madam trusts this old servant, this old servant will speak her mind."

"These two households were previously utterly lacking in standing within the Xu family. Even if this old servant did not say it, you already know how they managed to become your dowry retainers."

"Although the manorial estate involves agricultural labor, it offers greater freedom. The shop, being situated within the city, is precisely what requires honest and dependable people to guard it."

Glancing at the names of the two retainer families on the roster, Mother Huang pointed and explained:

"This family surnamed Sun has few members in their household, but they are full of schemes. They once entrusted someone to approach this old servant to handle matters, only to engage in private underhanded maneuvers behind the scenes, which even resulted in this old servant being scolded by the master. As for the other household, they have always remained quiet and unassuming, doing only menial labor. How they managed to scrape by and become dowry retainers is something even this old servant finds quite surprising."

Xu Ruojin gave a soft acknowledgment. "Then how do you think we should settle this?"

Mother Huang immediately smiled and stepped back deferentially:

"This old servant has merely shared what she knows. How it should be decided is entirely up to the Fourth Young Madam's command."

"Very well. You have your own judgment in your heart, so this matter shall be left to you. After all, it is not what concerns me the most."

Xu Ruojin waved her hand dismissively. "I shall not meet with them. Go and settle their arrangements yourself, and tell them only this: all of their deed contracts are securely in my hands. Whether they wish to play tricks or scheme behind my back, let them weigh the consequences carefully before they act."

A chill ran through Mother Huang's heart, and she immediately acknowledged the order to carry it out.

The Fourth Young Madam's final sentence was the ultimate trump card...

They were all bondservants tied by life-and-death contracts; who would ever dare disobey?

Watching Mother Huang depart, Xu Ruojin summoned Chuncao to her side. "Tomorrow, go and find Hemiao. It is time I saw her. She is the one who weighs most heavily upon my heart..."