Chapter 609: Chapter 609 Newcomers (1)
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“It is as you predicted, but most of them are implicated by the main family’s crimes.
“I know your requirements well, and most of them are in line with your conditions; this was why I called out to you.”
“Sure, let’s go over and take a look.”
“Yes, yes. You can decide once you think they’re suitable.”
“Let’s go.” Zhou Ying got into her carriage after that.
However, Manager Xiao didn’t get in with her. Instead, he sat beside the carriage driver and began to show the way.
After some time, they stopped outside a small courtyard in the northern district.
After getting out of the carriage, the guard stood outside to take care of the carriage while Zhou Ying followed Manager Xiao into the small courtyard.
After some pleasantries, Zhou Ying decided on two families after a series of selections.
One of them was a butler in his forties. He had a wife and two children who had just come of age; they were both in their prime.
The other family was a gardener, and his wife used to be in charge of managing a small team. They had two daughters, one twelve and the other eight.
Although the two families were both from the south, they had different masters.
Furthermore, Zhou Ying bought four more maidservants, as she knew they would be short of hands once they got busy.
After signing the servant contracts, she paid the silver and returned to her residence.
When she reached home, she asked Mother Qiu to settle them down.
Once the newcomers finished eating their first meal, she called everyone to the backyard garden.
She first let the people in the residence introduce themselves so that the newcomers could get to know them.
Once that was done, only the newcomers introduced themselves.
“I’ll go first,” the man who used to be a butler spoke out. “My name is Niu
Fugui. I used to be a butler in the home of a magistrate in the south.”
“More than a month ago, my master’s house was raided by the government, and all the servants were sold.”
He pointed to his wife and introduced her. “This is my wife, Mrs. Jiang. She was the nanny of our previous young miss and in charge of managing her courtyard.”
“My daughter is Niu Lirong, the servant girl of our previous young miss.
“My son, Niu Deli, had learned accounting from an accountant but had never been an official disciple. However, he still had no problem with general bookkeeping.”
“My name is Miao Dazhi, a gardener in our local justice court.
“My wife, Mrs. Liang, was originally a chef specializing in making noodles. We have two daughters; the older one is called Miao Xiaoyu, and the younger one is Miao Xiaoxue.”
“When it was the remaining four maidservants’ turn, the four stepped forward together and requested, “Mistress, please give us a new name.”
Zhou Ying struggled internally after hearing that, as she was terrible at naming.
She took a good look at the four of them and replied, “Alright, according to your current position, from east to west, it’s Chunxiang, Xiaxiang, Qiuxiang, and Dongxiang.
“If I remember correctly, Chunxiang and Dongxiang know how to cook. You guys can work in the kitchen with Mrs. Liang.
“Niu Lirong, Xiaxiang, and Qiuxiang will stay and serve in the main courtyard.
“Mrs. Jiang would be Mother Qiu’s assistant and manage all the affairs in the residence.
“As for Niu Fugui, he could take care of the front yard while Miao Dazhi could lead others to trim the flowers and plants in the manor.
“Miao Xiaoyu and Miao Xiaoxue, do you want to cook? If you want to, I can arrange for you to learn in the kitchen.”
“Can I? I would like to follow my mother and learn how to make noodles.” Miao Xiaoxue raised her head and asked in surprise.
“Of course, go ahead to the kitchen to help out.” Zhou Ying then looked at Miao Xiaoyu.
“I like gardening, so I want to learn more gardening from my father.” Miao Xiaoyu stole a glance at Miao Dazhi after she finished speaking.
Zhou Ying looked at Miao Dazhi’s darkened face and asked, “Is there anything wrong?”
“My father said that gardeners are all men. It’s too tiring for a woman to do it, so, so…” Miao Xiaoyu stuttered and shut her mouth..