DDR – Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Bringing in new people

All credit to original author: 独步云霄

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Shen Wenhua and Dan Yuerong discussed it and agreed that there was no need to tell Old Madam Shen about this, so she wouldn’t have a chance to block them.

The next day, Dan Yuerong called Guo Yuanshuang over. “Sister-in-law, I have something I need help with and I have to trouble you to help me.”

“Sister-in-law is too polite! If there is something you need help with, just say it! I will naturally help if I can.” As the housekeeper, she was good at dealing with people. Not to mention benefits, people gave her a lot of respect and she had some face.

Dan Yuerong smiled faintly. “It’s like this. Since we are back in the capital, we don’t have many people. I’m pregnant and naturally have to make preparations in advance. My husband and I mean to buy a few more people to take care of things. Now that Zihan is older, he should have more servants, and Shu’er’s maids are getting older. There are many things that need to be prepared, don’t you agree, Sister-in-law?”

“Hehe, Sister-in-law is right!” Guo Yuanshuang chuckled. “But I will have to talk to mother about this matter.” She knew why Dan Yuerong had called her over separately.

Didn’t she just want to avoid her mother-in-law? Ha, she wasn’t that stupid yet!

“Why bother mother about such a small matter?” Dan Yuerong persuaded, “I will let her know later. Now I’m just asking Sister-in-law to bring over some smart, capable servants I can choose from.”

Guo Yuanshuang pretended to hesitated: “But won’t mother say something? I don’t think this is good. After all, buying people is a big deal. Not to mention, there is no shortage of people in the house already! If Sister-in-law needs more people, you can tell me and I will send some over.” How could she let go of such a good opportunity to plant some spies?

“That is true but my husband doesn’t want to trouble anyone. There is a set number of people in each branch and they are all used to serving there. If they are sent over here, won’t those places be short of manpower? It’s better to bring in some new people and train them.”

If the currant servants could be used, they would have brought them over as soon as they arrived. But after so many years, people’s hearts changed. Only their own servants could be trusted.

“Look at what Sister-in-law is saying! There are many useful servants and naturally we have enough people. If you need servants, I will go and prepare them for my sister-in-law. I’ll send them over tomorrow.” As she spoke, Guo Yuanshuang started to leave. Seeing that she was unwilling to cooperate, Dan Yuerong felt a little. She knew her second sister-in-law was not easy to get along with and had expected that she would not easily agree to her request. However, she didn’t expect that this was the moment than Shen Jingshu would walk in.

Her daughter looked at Guo Yuanshuang and smiled: “Second Aunt, you’re visiting? Why don’t you sit for a while?”

“Hehe, my sister-in-law was just saying that the first branch has a shortage of people. I didn’t want to assume but it seems I should send some over for you. Now that sister-in-law is pregnant, she can’t be troubled at all!”

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Shen Jingshu smiled. “Is that right? Second Aunt is too polite! I can see that every servant is working hard, we can’t mess with things. Since we can buy more manpower, why not?”

“No trouble, no trouble!” Guo Yuanshuang insisted. “Can people from outside be better than those from the family? Those people are all kinds. How can they compare with servants born in our house and have been trained since childhood? You can only rest assured when using them.” This was a golden opportunity to send her own people over, of course she needed to seize it!

Sitting down by her mother, Shen Jingshu chuckled. “Second Aunt is really thoughtful,” she praised, “it’s just that we need so many people. It’s better to buy them. Its almost the end of the year, if we don’t have enough servants, things will be difficult to manage.”

“Don’t worry, it’s no trouble.” Guo Yuanshuang said eagerly, “I will arrange everything!”

“Second Aunt is so capable!”

Standing up, Guo Yuanshuang sighed and shook her head. “Look at your mouth! I just want to do my job well! Now that mother has entrusted me with the household, of course I must do my best.”

Shen Jingshu looked at her mother and smiled casually, “Second Aunt is so hardworking, mother, we really feel relieved, don’t we?”

“Sister-in-law can rest assured that I will definitely take care of this matter!”

At the table, Dan Yuerong watched this verbal battle with a strange expression. “Then please go ahead.” She said finally. It wasn’t until her daughter’s next words that she was suddenly enlightened.

Picking up her tea without looking up, Shen Jingshu sighed: “Second Aunt, this matter will really trouble you, of course we hope that Second Aunt can bear it with a smile!” Saying this, she took out a gold bracelet and smiled.

Guo Yuanshuang was greedy for money, so naturally this caught her attention.

“Hehe, why are you so polite? This is too precious, not good, not good!” Though Guo Yuanshuang was refusing, her eyes were glued to the bracelet.

The first branch had a lot of good things since her eldest brother-in-law became the Jiangnan magistrate. After ten years in the rich Jiangnan, she knew that their branch had a lot of money. It was too hard for the second branch…

“Second Aunt, don’t be so polite! This time is going to be a lot of trouble.” Seeing the greed in Guo Yuanshuang’s eyes, Shen Jingshu smiled coldly. But Guo Yuanshuang didn’t notice, too busy imagining wearing the bracelet and showing it off.

“Jingshu, look at you! Sister-in-law, how could I…”

Following Shen Jingshu’s lead, Dan Yuerong smiled and said: “Sister-in-law, you can accept it! This time really is troublesome.”

“Then I’ll accept it! Sister-in-law is really polite!” Guo Yuanshuang quickly agreed, not hesitating in the slightest.

Dan Yuerong was amused. “Sister-in-law is helping us with all her heart… it’s just that, although the family can send some servants over it really is too much. Why don’t I choose a few outside people and train them. What does Sister-in-law think?”

Money opened a lot of doors. Guo Yuanshuang had just refused but now that she had taken their things, it was not so easy. “As Sister-in-law says, there are indeed a lot of people in the family… but they won’t be available all at once. Especially with the New Year approaching. There will definitely be a shortage of manpower. It seems we do need some more people. It’s just that mother…”

Although Guo Yuanshuang was willing to give in, she wasn’t stupid. She didn’t want her older sister-in-law to get what she wanted and directly kicked the matter to Old Madam Shen. Anyways, it wouldn’t be her decision.

Dan Yuerong nodded. “As younger sister-in-law says. But the family hasn’t hired anyone for many years, right? Now many of the maids are getting older, I’m afraid they will need preparations soon. What do you think?”

“This is true.” Guo Yuanshuang nodded reluctantly.

Pretending to think, Dan Yuerong suddenly smiled. “Why don’t we do this? The family really needs to add new people, so why don’t we add some together? Nephew is growing up too, aren’t you worried about needed more people around him?” This was speaking to Guo Yuanshuang’s heart.

Now that Shen Ziqi was older, he really did need more people. She had been thinking about this issue frequently the last few days.

For the sake of her son, Guo Yuanshuang nodded and let go. “Sister-in-law is very thoughtful!”

“This matter is trouble for you.” Shen Jingshu said. “Now that Fourth Brother is older, he will need a tutor soon. My father knows a lot of good teachers. If my aunt doesn’t mind, he could help recommend one or two.”

Once again throwing the bait, how could Guo Yuanshuang refuse?

“Hehe, this old woman was indeed worrying about this! The teachers Eldest Brother-in-law knows are all very good, so I can rest assured.”

“Then this matter…” Dan Yuerong prompted.

“Don’t worry, Sister-in-law! I will tell everything to mother.” Guo Yuanshuang nodded. She had been unhappy before but now that this would benefit her son and her family, of course she was happy.

“Then everything is settled.” Dan Yuerong nodded. “I also know that the festivities this year will be expensive. Our branch will pay for ourselves, we won’t bother our younger siblings.”

When she heard this, Guo Yuanshuang almost smiled. Instead, she exclaimed “Sister-in-law! How can this be?” and putt on an angry expression. Although she said this, she was already making calculations in her heart.

In this way, wouldn’t she be able to make some money? Hehe, it wasn’t a bad thing.

“It’s okay, the second branch is taking care of everything. When the servants come, just ask send someone over. I want the children to pick first, it’s a gift for them!”

“Sister-in-law is really a good mother!” Even thought there had been some displeasure before, Guo Yuanshuang was completely satisfied now. She had gained a lot of benefits from this double-edged sword and was very pleased.

“Hehe, isn’t Sister-in-law the same? As mothers, naturally we think about our children in everything.” Dan Yuerong smiled.

Guo Yuanshuang laughed. “This is true! In the future, I will have to ask Sister-in-law to take care of Qi’er.” Who did Shen Wenhua know? Shan Daru! There were many people in the world who were his students. Although he had never been an official of the court, he had great influence on the Qingliu faction. If her son could get his recommendation, he would have a lot of opportunity in the future.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry!”

After discussing the matter of hiring servants, Guo Yuanshuang left with a smile on her face. As soon as she returned to her yard, she couldn’t wait to take out the bracelet given by Shen Jingshu and put it on. She couldn’t put it down, smiling widely. She felt that it was more and more exquisite, the more she looked at it.

However, her heart was also full of envy and hatred.

That sister-in-law’s life was really good. Eldest Brother had been a magistrate in Jiangnan for so long, she was sure he had made a lot of money. Look at this bracelet! She had been the housekeeper for so many years but looking at the little she had managed to get, it was really incomparable.

But now it seemed that it was a good thing to be the housekeeper, if her sister-in-law was so kind. If it wasn’t for being the housekeeper, would such a benefit have fallen on her?

Thinking this, she was even more determined to hold the power of the housekeeper. She needed to take advantage of this to make as much as she could. After all, if you didn’t pass through the village, you wouldn’t be able to stop at the shop.

Guo Yuanshuang’s thoughts, Shen Jingshu more or less could guess. Guo Yuanshuang was from a small family and her vision was not high. She was especially concerned with money. Seeing that her time as the housekeeper was getting shorter and shorter, Guo Yuanshuang would definitely increase her corruption to make up for it.

This was perfect. Otherwise, how could they get back the power of managing the household?

This Shen residence belonged to them. In her previous life, her second uncle and aunt took everything that belong to her family and treated her like trash. In this life, she would never let them be so happy!

Thinking of those miserable days of her previous like, Shen Jingshu smiled. She wouldn’t let them continue to be proud.

…

Now that she had gained some benefits, naturally Guo Yuanshuang had to go get everything ready. She went to Old Madam Shen and told her of the plan. Although her mother-in-law was not happy, seeing that Guo Yuanshuang agreed, Old Madam Shen just felt that her second daughter-in-law was too much.

Disappointed, she said: “It’s not that there is no one in the house, why buy outsiders? If there is a lack of people, just send some over from here. Now that I am old, I don’t need so many people to wait on me.”

“How can mother say that!” Guo Yuanshuang simpered. “Now is the time for you to enjoy the blessings of an elder! You are used to people serving around you, how could you lose one? Now that Mama Ruan and Ye Yu have gone over to Sister-in-law’s place, you are already short. It’s not that this daughter-in-law is unfilial, it just that we really are too short on manpower. Additionally, many of the maids are getting older, so it’s best to prepare now.”

Guo Yuanshuang was good at coaxing people and she was especially good at coaxing Old Madam Shen. She understood people’s reactions and her words did make Old Madam Shen feel more comfortable.

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“Alright, since this is the case, then buy more people and train them well. When the time comes, you can organize them as you need.”

“Don’t worry, mother! I will take care of this matter.” Guo Yuanshuang promised. With Old Madam Shen’s permission, she immediately contacted the slave master. The Shen family was a big family and they would need a lot of people.

It stood to convention that Old Madam Shen would pick first and then the first branch. Initially, Guo Yuanshuang wanted to pick first but she couldn’t climb over the first branch, so she could only endure it.

“Sister-in-law, you choose first!” Guo Yuanshuang said politely.

Dan Yuerong smiled faintly. “Sister-in-law is very kind, let’s choose together.”

Guo Yuanshuang hesitated. Though it was good to pick with the first branch, she also didn’t want to choose in front of Dan Yuerong. “How can this be done?”

Her sister-in-law waved a hand. “It’s alright, we are all family! There’s no need to be polite, just pick whoever you like.”

Since she insisted, Guo Yuanshuang stopped hesitating and quickly agreed. She wasn’t polite and directly choose the servants she had her eye on, directly bringing them back to her son and daughter. Guo Yuanshuang was extremely satisfied.

Dan Yuerong was not annoyed by Guo Yuanshuang’s behavior. Slowly, she looked the people over and picked out a few who stood straight without squinting. She asked them a few questions and eventually pulled out one or two.

When it was Shen Jingshu’s turn, Dan Yuerong let her pick on her own. “Chun Xiao and the others are getting older,” Dan Yuerong told her. “You should pick a few people now to prepare.” This was also an opportunity to see Shen Jingshu’s ability to read people.

Shen Jingshu was happy to pick on her own but Shen Jingya was a little dissatisfied.

Why didn’t her mother let her choose on her own? She didn’t like the maids Guo Yuanshuang had picked!

In fact, Guo Yuanshuang had been very careful when she picked for her daughter. Now that Shen Jingya was older, she naturally needed more maids by her side but those maids couldn’t outshine her. Guo Yuanshuang was worried that her daughter wouldn’t remember this and felt that Dan Yuerong would pick out all the good ones early.

Naturally she needed to act first!

Watching Dan Yuerong let Shen Jingshu pick on her own, Guo Yuanshuang had the attitude of someone watching a good show. The remaining maids were all either too thin or too beautiful, what could she pick!

But Shen Jingshu didn’t mind and since Dan Yuerong had asked her to choose, she didn’t refuse. Walking over, she looked at the remaining maids and pulled out a few random people to ask questions.

“How old are you this year?” She asked one.

The girl bowed: “This slave is thirteen this year.”

“Is there anyone at home?”

“This slave’s hometown has flooded and now I am alone.” This was a common background for slaves.

Shen Jingshu nodded. “Alright. What things are you good at?”

The girl didn’t look nervous and responded clearly. “This slave knows some simple needlework and can work hard.”

“Show me your hands.” Shen Jingshu ordered.

“Yes!” The girl obeyed immediately, putting her hands out for Jingshu to see. Her fingertips were calloused, showing that she indeed was used to working.

Shen Jingshu nodded again. “Good. What is your name?”

“Hong’er.”

Waving her forward, Shen Jingshu pulled her out of the line. “You will stay. Now that you are part of the Shen residence, you will be called He Xiang.”

“Thank you for the name, Miss!” He Xiang exclaimed in delight. She was very happy to be picked. Losing her hometown and her parents, her life had been extremely miserable. Being a maid in a wealthy household was much better than wandering outside.

Nodding, Shen Jingshu turned back to the crowd and singled out another maid. Compared to the others, this one was very good looking. “How old are you?”

The slave immediately answered: “This slave is also thirteen!”

Shen Jingshu hummed thoughtfully. “Looking at you, it is clear that you are not a laborer. Who else is in your family?”

“This maidservant’s mother died early and was sold by my stepmother.” The girl explained and then immediately dropped to her knees, “This slave hopes that Miss will take pity and buy her!” She knew that she was too good looking. If she wasn’t bought by Shen Jingshu, her fate was certain.

She would rather be the maid for a young lady then a concubine or brothel working in those dirty places!

“You want me to buy you, but why should I?” Shen Jingshu asked, unmoved.

“This slave is very talented and is willing to do anything! This slave is willing to suffer!” Shen Jingshu was her only hope, of course she must grasp it!

“This others are also willing to suffer? What else is there?” Looking at the other party, she could see a trace of unwillingness in the girl’s eyes. Such a person was often ambitious and no matter what she said now, she would definitely have her own ideas in the future.

The girl grit her teeth: “This slave swears to be loyal to Miss for her entire life and never betray her!” Seeing Shen Jingshu’s expression, she made up her mind and swore an oath on the spot.

Shen Jingshu laughed: “Okay, very good! From now on, your name will be Qiu yue. Do you like it?”

The girl almost collapsed with relief: “Thank you for letting this slave live, Miss! Thank you, thank you!”

…

Shen Jingshu picked two more girls, both of which were thirteen or fourteen and was satisfied. Seeing that her daughter had a good eye, Dan Yuerong was also happy. She nodded and told Shen Zihan to pick next.

Looking at the line of girls, Shen Zihan felt a little embarrassed. Choosing a few ordinary looking girls at random, he didn’t say anything.

Dan Yuerong didn’t express any opinion on her son’s choice. Other mothers may have jumped in to say something but Dan Yuerong wanted to see Shen Zihan’s own opinions.

After picking a few extra girls, Dan Yuerong paid the money directly. The slave owner didn’t expect Madam Shen to be so generous and was very grateful, saying: “Thank you, Madam! Thank you! If you need anything in the future, just come and look for me! This old woman has many good resources at hand!”

Dan Yuerong nodded. “Of course. The people you brought this time are all good, we will come to you next time.”

“Thank you, thank you!” The slave owner took the money and led away the rest of the slaves.

Standing on the side, Guo Yuanshuang had a huge smile on her face: “Sister-in-law, why are you so generous! Isn’t buying all of them too expensive?”

Dan Yuerong smiled, “This time was troublesome for you, this is what I should do.”

“Sister-in-law, don’t say that! I will return the money to you when I get back later!” Guo Yuanshuang promised insincerely.

As she expected, Dan Yuerong waved this away. “We are all family, there is no need to be so polite. This time, take it as a thank you for helping me.” If Guo Yuanshuang was to be willing to help in the future, Dan Yuerong had to give her some benefits.  Otherwise, the next time would be a battle as well.

“Hehe, since this is the case, I will thank Sister-in-law for letting me take advantage of her!” When it came to getting benefits, Guo Yuanshuang was the most happy. She had saved a lot of money, wouldn’t this all go into her pocket?

“This is my heart,” Dan Yuerong told her. “This matter was originally brought up by our branch, naturally it’s not good to let others spend too much money.”

Guo Yuanshuang was very happy to hear this. “Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I will accept Sister-in-law’s thoughtfulness. If there is anything you need help with in the future, just say it!”

“I will have to trouble you.” Dan Yuerong agreed.

This was exactly what Guo Yuanshuang wanted to hear. “No trouble, no trouble! I will tell this matter to mother.” Since Dan Yuerong had paid for all the slaves this time, Guo Yuanshuang would have to give the originally money back to the household fund. If she told Dan Yuerong that she would tell Old Madam Shen about this, it gave her some time to think about how to cover it up. After all, she didn’t want the old madam to change her opinion of Dan Yuerong.

She next expected that the next thing she heard Dan Yuerong say was: “This is just a thank you to my younger sister, you don’t need to tell mother.”

Guo Yuanshuang stared at her. “How can this be?” She said finally, “After all, you paid for all these maids.” There were quite a few people bought this time and they cost a lot of money.

Dan Yuerong smiled. “It’s good as long as you know, this is the most important thing.”

“Hehe, well, I will figure out what to say to mother.” Guo Yuanshuang agreed. Of course she would not be stupid enough to allow Dan Yuerong a chance to win Old Madam Shen’s favor.

Nodding, Dan Yuerong said: “Alright, we will leave first.” Saying this, she took her children and servants and left.

As they walked out, Guo Yuanshuang smiled and called: “Alright, I’ll come and visit you another day!”

When the first branch was gone, Shen Jingya put on an unhappy face and complained: “Mom, why didn’t you let me choose by myself? Look at Eldest Sister! She got to pick but I didn’t. I don’t like the maids you picked for me!” None of the maids Guo Yuanshuang had picked out were good looking and Shen Jingya was very envious of Qiu Yue.

That maid was so good looking, she was like a fairy! Wouldn’t it be good to have her around?

Guo Yuanshuang snorted. “You’re still young, what do you know? Those girls might be in your dowry in the future, why would you want such good looks? Do you want to complete with them for your husband’s favor?”

Shen Jingya was a little dumbfounded by this. “What does mom mean?” Speaking of this matter, she was really embarrassed.

“Mother is used to looking at you as a child, so she hasn’t said many things. But don’t envy your elder sister. That girl Qiu Yue is good looking but you can tell she’s a seductress at a glance. Your elder sister will suffer in the future!”

Shen Jingya frowned: “Then, why didn’t you say anything?”

Guo Yuanshuang shrugged. “Eldest Sister-in-law didn’t say anything. If her aunt spoke up, people would feel like I was meddling for no reason.” Of course Guo Yuanshuang would not be so kind as to remind her! Anyways, she was only happy when the first branch was unlucky!

“So that’s why,” Shen Jingya nodded, “but why didn’t my aunt speak up?”

“Naturally, she thinks that her daughter is a fairy and that Qiu Yue is incomparable!” Guo Yuanshuang scoffed. “She’s had things so smoothly these years, how could she think so much?” After all, her husband had no concubines and the people around Dan Yuerong were all so beautiful. Since Shen Wenhua was so loyal, she obviously thought that all men were so reliable!

But Guo Yuanshuang knew. From the start, all of her dowry maid, all of those who were even a little bit pretty, were touched by her husband. She didn’t want her daughter to follow her footsteps!

“But Eldest Sister really is good looking!” Thinking of the first time that she saw Shen Jingshu, Shen Jingya had to admit she was very jealous. Especially after Shen Jingshu came back, Shen Jingya had felt she was being compared to her cousin in everything. Since she was competitive, she naturally did not like Shen Jingshu very much.

“She is good looking but she’s stupid.” Guo Yuanshuang laughed. “Does she think all men in the world are like her father? I want to see how she will cry!” Thinking of Qiu Yue’s beautiful face, Guo Yuanshuang couldn’t help buy imagine it. She could almost foresee Qiu Yue’s ending.

Shen Jingya hesitated. “Mother, isn’t it not good for us to talk about Eldest Sister like this?” Although she didn’t like Shen Jingshu, she hadn’t had much contact with her and was a little thin-skinned.

Her mother waved a hand. “It’s just the two of us here, what are you afraid of? Now that you are getting older, I should tell you a few things. You have to remember that you are not the same as her and your status is not comparable. In the future, you will have to gith for everything yourself! Mother will support you but you’ll have to work hard, understand?”

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Although Shen Jingya was also a legitimate daughter of the Shen family, she was far behind Shen Jingshu in status. If she wanted to marry well, she would have to work harder. Guo Yuanshuang had spent a lot of thoughts on her daughter.

“I understand, mom!” Guo Yuanshuang was from a small family and she often spoke bluntly. Shen Jingya was still young and naturally listened to her mother in many things. Gradually, she had been led astray.

“Alright! So don’t blame mom for choosing people for you.” Guo Yuanshuang patted her daughter. “Mother is doing it for your own good. These few will be honest and you can control them in the future. Mother will teach you slowly.”

Shen Jingya knew her mother would never harm her. Although she still felt a little uncomfortable, she didn’t say anything else and followed her mother to talk to Old Madam Shen with a smile.

Guo Yuanshuang briefly told Old Madam Shen everything that happened but was smart enough not to mention that Dan Yuerong had paid for everything. Naturally, all the money left over went into her pocket. The three of them talked and laughed happily, coaxing the old madam. Although Old Madam Shen didn’t approve of buying so many people, they had already been bought so she didn’t say much. She just smiled and let the matter pass.

Day by day, the capital got colder and colder. Shen Jingshu was not used to the biting cold weather and staying in her room all day. The furnace under her floor burned all day but she still felt cold.

“Miss, this wind is like an ice blade, it makes people feel uncomfortable!” The maids were also gathered around the fire. Other than adding wood, they didn’t want to go out much.