The maidservant knelt in the middle of the room, sobbing softly. She was afraid that her master would be displeased, so she hurriedly covered her mouth with her handkerchief and shook her head.

The other maidservants next to her advised her, "Before Madam and Miss get tired of you, hurry up and say what you want to say. Beg them, even if you're out of the fire pit in this lifetime.

Didn't you hear what the second steward said?

He's a scoundrel. Do you really want to be with him? "

Mrs. Xue glanced at Baochai and thought, "Even the head of the household told me in my dreams to listen to my daughter in the future. Why don't I use this to test the waters?"

After all, her daughter was still young. If there was something she didn't take care of, she could make up for it.

Thinking of this, she said to Baochai, "Logically speaking, it's up to the person in charge of the household to make the decision. But this is your maidservant, so you can make the decision."

Baochai was surprised and paused. When she was young, her mother only taught her to be docile and obedient. Later, when she saw that her brother wasn't a good person, she taught her to be a housekeeper. She also had the intention of bringing her into the Jia family to be the head of the household and help her maternal family.

There were many things that she couldn't explain clearly. She could only refute them by saying that the seniority of the family was high. She didn't know what kind of demonic wind had befallen her mother and aunt. Later on, there was the ridiculous and comical "switching" plan. It really made her feel so ashamed that she almost died of grievance.

Now that she saw that Mrs. Xue had unexpectedly let go of the power of the housekeeper, she didn't act courteously with her mother. She only took a sip of tea and with a "kacha" sound, put the teacup on the red sandalwood table.

"Older Sister Hua Mei, how have I treated you in the past?"

Baochai only said this sentence indifferently. Hua Mei, who was kneeling below her, couldn't help but cry and say, "Replying to Miss, this servant has never met such a good-natured and magnanimous master like Miss in several lifetimes." Baochai then said, "Since that's the case, why do you still want to harm me?

My personal maidservant has privately pledged to marry me. What face do I have as a master?

Not to mention her chastity, she doesn't even want her life! "

Hua Mei was so frightened by her that she trembled. "Nubi didn't know about this at first. That day, I caught a cold. Because I was afraid that Miss would be affected by my illness, I said I was sick and returned home.

On the second day, this servant's aunt came to visit. This servant was puzzled. Who would have thought that after a few days, this servant locked the door and didn't allow this servant to go out again?

She said that she had already made the decision to betroth this servant to someone else. "Speaking to this point, Hua Mei let out a long howl from the outer room. Immediately, an older female servant came over and covered her mouth.

Hua Mei ignored her and continued, "This servant says that this is an unclear marriage, and she didn't even reply to Master. How can there be such a logic?

But this servant's mother was determined to let this servant go out. She said that it would be better if this servant married into my aunt's family. She even threatened to seduce my cousin to have sex with me … If Madam's people hadn't arrived in time, even if this servant didn't want to marry, this servant would have had no choice but to commit suicide and die in peace! "

When the older female servant who was holding down Hua Mei's mother outside heard this, she couldn't help but spit and scold in a low voice, "Damn it! Didn't Hua Mei crawl out of your intestines?

You ruined this girl for that gambling heartless man. Aren't you afraid that eight generations of your ancestors will come looking for you in the middle of the night? "

Hua Mei's mother could only whimper because her mouth was blocked. Her old man knelt by the side and sighed. "That boy didn't even leave behind an heir. He can't just watch as his son is cut off. How could he not love his daughter?

He just didn't have a choice. "

Inside, Baochai acted as if he didn't hear them and said to Hua Mei, "According to what you said, this matter has been going on for a month. At first, you didn't know anything about it, and then you didn't find a chance to say a word?

Do you believe what you're saying? "

Hua Mei knelt and kowtowed. "To tell the truth, Miss, this servant is in a difficult position. This is the order of my parents. How can I not listen to it? Although I'm a child of the family and should listen to my master's orders regardless of life or death, they are still my biological parents. If something bad happens to them due to anger, wouldn't that be disloyal and unfilial?

Therefore, I can only talk to this servant's mother at home and didn't dare to tell Miss about this scandal. "

Not to mention Baochai, even Madam Xue was angered by her words. "Since that's the case, I can only say that if I beat you to death here today, your parents and brothers won't pursue the matter. You can see what kind of end you'll end up in!

I'm afraid that no one will plead for you. You've wasted Sister Bao's kindness towards you! "

After she finished speaking, she said to the housekeeper, "Go and record her family as a thief. Put the blame on Hua Mei. Drag her to the court and flog her 50 times until she's dead. Go and report it to the authorities yourself!

What's the difference between a private marriage and a theft?! "

As soon as she finished speaking, the second housekeeper and the older women called for help and dragged her away. Hua Mei had already collapsed to the ground like a pile of mud and was looking at her parents in a daze.

Hua Mei's parents were frightened when they saw that the traffickers were going to sell their family. Later, when they heard that they were only going to interrogate their daughter, they didn't even ask. They knelt down and cried and sighed. They actually admitted that they were going to push Hua Mei to her death.

Before the older women could drag her out of the door, Baochai suddenly said, "Now you know the pain of foolish filial piety.

It's not that you're not allowed to be filial to your parents, but there's a limit to everything. If you go too far, it won't be beautiful.

For example, in this case, since you knew that your parents were in the wrong, not only did you not try to dissuade them, but you also stood by and watched as if it had nothing to do with you. You've completely evaded the blame!

What about now?

Even if I forgive you this time, it won't work. "

Only then did Hua Mei regain her strength. She prostrated herself on the ground and cried. She deeply hated herself for not being able to tell good from bad.

After she cried for a while, the older women waited for their master's orders. Baochai looked at Mrs. Xue. Seeing that she didn't have any intention of beating Hua Mei to death, he said, "Forget it. Although you're muddle-headed, it's also because I didn't teach you well.

I'll spare your life now, but I won't use you as my personal maid anymore. You'll only be a second-rank maid as a warning to others.

As for your parents, once you return the contract, you'll have to find your own way out. My Xue family doesn't raise gamblers and scoundrels.

In the future, if I find out anyone in the family is involved in gambling, I'll kick them all out!

As for Hua Mei's mother's sister's family, if they're still at home and have children, they'll have their contracts returned and be kicked out.

After the marriage, I'll send someone to get the marriage back. If they don't return it, I'll take his family to the government and report him for adultery. This Hua Mei will just say that she's a substitute I sent to the family. After a few years, when things have calmed down, I'll let her go out and marry on her own. "

There was a reason for this.

That day in Rongguo Province's Grand View Garden, the older woman on duty was blindly addicted to gambling and drinking. She was careless and thus committed many shameful evil deeds. In the end, she implicated her master's family and was punished for several crimes. It was clear that whether a family was strict or not was the most important factor in whether a family was prosperous or not.

But people with bad habits were certainly not strict with themselves. Seeing their master's situation was not good, they would take advantage of the situation and run away. What's worse, they would attract bandits and strong men, and that was the source of their family's downfall.

Therefore, Baochai was especially disgusted with this kind of gambling and drinking, and would not allow them to cling to their family.

Hearing her words, the older women went to see Mrs. Xue. Seeing that their master had nothing to say, they let go of Hua Mei and let her kowtow to thank the young lady for her kindness. They only went out and dragged Hua Mei's father and mother out. Then they went to her house and drove her brother out of the Xue family.

Mrs. Xue ordered the servant to bring the contracts of the family of four. Only Hua Mei's contract was given to Baochai. The other three were given to the second housekeeper and five taels of the An family's silver to be sent out to be dealt with.

When this matter was over, Aunt Xue told Hua Mei to leave. She turned to her daughter and said, "You know your limits. In any case, you've done something.

Ever since your father passed away, I've been too lazy to talk to these servants. I didn't expect such a big mistake to have happened.

Since you're willing to share my burden, that's good. Starting tomorrow, I'll hand over the kitchen to you.

Don't think that it's just a matter of pots and pans. If you want to manage it cleanly and neatly without being complained about, it's a skill. Many daughters-in-law have suffered great losses in this aspect.

While the young lady is at home, you should practice your skills. That way, you won't be deceived by the servants in the future. "Baochai stood up and agreed. He spoke with Mrs. Xue for a while before returning to the courtyard with the servants.

At this time, Hua Mei was already kneeling in the room, waiting. Ying 'er stood by the door with an awkward expression. When she saw her master come in, she hurriedly said, "Older Sister Hua Mei, the young lady is here."

Hua Mei hurriedly moved to the door to make way. When Baochai sat down at the head of the table, she kowtowed heavily and thanked him, "Thank you, young lady!"

"Why are you thanking me?

I just feel sorry for you.

In the future, you should be more careful in your work. Don't disappoint me today.

As for your father, mother, and brother, I won't allow you to take any more leave from now on. I also won't allow them to visit Xue family again.

If I find out that you're still involved with them, you can go home. I don't have the patience to beg Mrs. Xue again and again to give you face. "

Huamei kowtowed and swore that she wouldn't be foolish in the future. Baochai then called for a servant girl to take her down and settle her down. She picked out the original four second-class servant girls and eight servant girls from the original eight servant girls. She then turned her head and asked Ying 'er, "Who here knows some skills?

Needling needlework is fine. You're more than enough. "

Ying 'er thought for a moment and said, "In reply to young lady, there's one among the second-class servants who has a very clean account. Her family used to be the second shopkeeper of a shop."

Baochai called for someone to come in and take a look. He saw a servant girl wearing a turquoise dress kneeling down and kowtowing, "Greetings, young lady."

Baochai saw that she was quite clever. She had willow leaf eyebrows and slanted eyes. Her eyes shone brightly. She seemed to have the character of the second young mistress of the Jia family. He was satisfied and his face showed some of his satisfaction, "What's your name?" The servant girl respectfully said, "Young lady hasn't given me a name yet."

It turned out that not long after she came in, she only asked the mamas to teach her the rules. Because her father was the shopkeeper, she was able to enter the First Young Lady's courtyard as a second-class servant girl. Because of this, the others didn't get along well with her and didn't ask her to show her face.

The servant girls were divided into different courtyards. Previously, they were all taken care of by the mamas. Mama Wu didn't go back to Baochai for such a trivial matter, so Baochai didn't have any impression of her.

Ying 'er's parents were very useful in front of Mrs. Xue. She was also the personal servant girl of Miss Xue, so she didn't ostracize this servant girl along with the other servants. She also saw that her master wanted to promote someone with some talent. After thinking about it, she was the only one.

Most of the others were also good at needlework. But first, the young lady said that she didn't want such a servant anymore. Second, what if she found someone who was more skillful than her? Wouldn't she be cutting off her own path?

Only then did he give her the title of Mao 'er.

Baochai knew Ying 'er's thoughts, but he didn't point it out. He only said to the servant girl, "Since it's like this, I'll also promote you this time.

From now on, you'll be my personal servant girl. You'll only be in charge of the gold and silver wares in my room, as well as the monthly allowance and other accounting matters.

Your older sisters' names are all birds, so they'll give you the same name. You'll be called Bai Lu, after 'two rivers divide the Bai Lu Continent'.

From now on, work hard. "

He turned his head and ordered Ying 'er to give her a pouch as a reward. He also told her to take her to make clothes and change her room. He also ordered, "For the time being, don't ask Older Sister Hua Mei to move in with the other servants. After all, she's been here for a long time, so there's no need to be embarrassed.

If she can live in your room, she can live in your room. Next year, when mother invites a mama for me, she'll be transferred over to live with the mama. She'll learn some skills. In the future, I'll definitely ask her to come back. "

Bai Lu kowtowed to thank her master. Then she received the reward and followed Ying 'er out.

Baochai also dismissed a few older women and a few low-level servant girls who often stole food and were lazy. He ordered people to go back to the mistress and pick a day to send more people in to replace them. Only then did the courtyard finally become clean and tidy.

When the servants saw that the Miss was not as soft-hearted as before, they hastily clamped their tails between their legs and behaved themselves. They were afraid that they would be driven out and lose face like the previous few.

After making a ruckus for half a day, Baochai was also somewhat tired. She leaned against the large pillow on the spring stool in the rattan drawer and closed her eyes to rest. The servant girls walked back and forth with much lighter footsteps, afraid they would disturb her.

Putting aside Baochai's calculations for the time being, there was also the matter of Xue Pan.

Ever since that day when he asked his own mother to kneel in front of his father's memorial tablet for half a day, even the wet nurse and a few of his favorite servant girls in the courtyard had been sold. The new ones were all boys, the children of the shopkeepers. Each and every one of them was as cunning as a ghost. He couldn't take advantage of them at all.

There were also new women who were sent in. When they saw the sky, they stared with wide eyes as if they were looking at a thief. After making a fuss a few times, the old woman's heart did not soften. He really felt that life was boring. He could only wait for those naughty ones to come and save him.

Who would have thought that Mrs. Xue had already strictly ordered the servants to not let the master know about those debauchees who came to the door. Thus, he could only stay in the courtyard every day, as if he was in prison.

One day, a servant came in to report that the master recommended by his uncle had arrived. In the future, he would have to wear a shackle and study hard with the master.

Hearing this, Xue Pan's head swelled up. She wanted to call someone to kick him out. However, when she turned around, she remembered that those who always helped him to do evil were all beaten by her mother and could not get out of bed. She lowered her head and followed the servant girl to her mother's courtyard to see the master.

Mr. Wan and the old servant of the Xue family took care of Mrs. Wan. It was not easy for them to arrive in Jin Ling city before the New Year.

Standing in front of the Xue Family's gate, one could tell that this was not the residence of an ordinary merchant. He also heard that the ancestors of the Xue Family had bestowed the title of "Zi Wei Hermit" to the previous Emperor. Thus, he bent his waist and bowed to the plaque bestowed by the Emperor. Only then did he shake his gown and enter.

Mrs. Xue had already received the news. She asked the housekeeper to serve the guests. She sat behind the screen and asked someone to invite the master to meet the master.

When she saw Mr. Wan in person and heard that he was the master who had passed the court examination, Mrs. Xue was surprised and happy. She could not help but worry that her son was naughty and mischievous. She had been restraining him for the past few days. She was afraid that he would not give face to the master later.

What if the master got angry and made things difficult for him in the future? What if such a strong man beat up Pan 'er and hurt the child?

Then she remembered that in her dream, Master Xue had said that she was not allowed to interfere with the master's teaching of his son. Otherwise, after a hundred years, he would divorce her. She had no choice but to suppress this worry. She also ordered the maids and women to put on a friendly appearance. She wanted the master to be a little more careful when he beat up Pan 'er.

Mr. Wan followed the old servant into the reception hall of the main courtyard. He saw the lush greenery and the servants were all looking down, without the slightest hint of whispering or laughing. Mr. Wan knew that this household must be a strict family. Immediately his expectations of his students were raised a few notches.

There were also women and maids who served him attentively. Even his mother was well taken care of. He felt that this was a rare good house.

He was originally a person with a broad mind, but he was not willing to be humble. That was why he destroyed his own future and went home to work as a farmer. If he could produce a student who passed the imperial examination, he would at least have some face to see those who were in the same year as him.

He had come here in a hurry, and he was accompanied by the old servant of the Xue family. Therefore, he had not heard of Xue Pan's reputation of being ignorant, incompetent, and lawless. He only thought of him as a good kid who was motivated to improve himself.

When the Xue Pan also entered the living room, Mr. Wan realized that good bamboo can also produce bad bamboo shoots.

Putting aside the fact that this child was fat, with one look, one could tell that he was a fierce and courageous person. His etiquette was crude, and his parents had not taught him strictly and spoiled him in the past. That was why he was raised like a stupid pig.

Mr. Wan wanted to turn around and leave. However, he had brought his mother with him. If something happened to her on the way, wouldn't it be too late to regret it?

After hesitating for a while, he finally sat still. He looked at the Xue Pan up and down a few times. He pinched his nose and asked, "Did you go to school before?"

The Xue Pan raised her hands and pouted. Mrs. Xue's face was very dark. However, because she was a widow, she could not say anything. She could only ask the woman to go out and ask the housekeeper to answer for her.

The housekeeper had already received his master's order. He said, "Sir, my eldest son only learned a few words from the teachers in front of him. He has not gone to school yet.

Madam has ordered that during the three years of mourning, my eldest son must study hard. He does not want to be famous. He only wants to walk on the right path.

Sir, you only need to teach him. The whole family will not say anything else. "

Mr. Wan's heart sank. Even the child's mother did not have any hope for improvement. It was obvious that this child was not someone who could be taught.

Fine, fine, fine. Since he was already here, he could only show off his skills when it came to this difficult student.

What kind of ability was it to only walk on the right path?

He would have to make the child suffer.