Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 6 Lin'an Tang Mansion

This day came not too late.

In the past few days, she no longer needed to spend time learning the rules every day. Meng Shu met Zheng Dongjia a few times while serving tea, and he looked at her with a satisfied expression.

As for Chen Lin, he has become fairer and more handsome during this time. Meng Shu subtly inquired about his whereabouts from Granny Zhou.

Knowing that they had a good relationship, Zhou Yapo only said one sentence.

"Their future depends on fate; they will be sent to the capital around the end of the month."

Meng Shu knew that she would probably never see Chen Lin again in this lifetime, but she didn't feel any sorrow at parting. It was just a friendship she had formed at the brokerage firm.

It was almost noon when Dunzi brought food to Meng Shu's room. As the two were eating porridge, Chunyue entered with a happy expression.

"Hurry up and come with me to the front yard, the opportunity has come."

Chunyue leaned against the doorframe with one hand and pointed at Meng Shu with the other. When she saw Dunzi, she also greeted him. "You're coming too. I heard they're looking for quite a few maids this time."

To be honest, Dunzi has been taken to be selected many times, but he has never been chosen.

Hearing the voice, Meng Shu thought to herself that it must be someone from the Tang family in Lin'an Prefecture.

Zhou Yapo privately mentioned that Zheng Dongjia was originally a first-class maid from the Tang family, but she didn't know why she settled in Jinnan County and started a brokerage business.

As soon as I reached the front yard, I heard the hearty laughter of Zheng Dongjia coming from the open hall.

"I never expected that it would be Aunt Jushang who came this time. No wonder I heard the magpies chirping on the branches early this morning. It turns out that an old friend has come."

There was a hint of politeness in his voice, and Meng Shu could also detect a touch of surprise.

Then a hoarse voice rang out, neither cold nor indifferent, "The Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner. Wang Dajia has recently been sent to the capital to pay his respects, so the task of coming to Jinnan County has fallen to me. We used to know each other at the manor. Today, pick out a few nice-looking ones for me. You know what our old lady likes."

Meng Shu and Dunzi stood in the front yard. Following the example, Chunyue arranged Meng Shu in the front row, while Dunzi was placed in a corner.

Before long, Zheng Dongjia led a woman in her forties out of the open hall. Meng Shu stood properly without looking up, but out of the corner of her eye, she could vaguely make out that the woman was wearing a silk outer garment.

Chunhua and Chunling moved two chairs, and Zheng Dongjia invited the woman to sit down before speaking.

“Aunt Jushang, as usual, those whose zodiac signs clash with the Tang family or who are unsightly have not been arranged to be selected. The first two rows have all been trained according to the rules of the inner courtyard of the Tang family, and the last three rows are enough to serve as maids. Those who are good at needlework, sewing, kitchen work, and tending the flower garden are all here.”

In fact, when the Tang family selects people to enter the household, they naturally have to learn the rules again. But those who can pass the test of Master Zheng are even better. Aunt Jushang looked at the first two rows of neat little maids and nodded in satisfaction.

Since their zodiac signs didn't clash, Meng Shu and the others stepped forward one by one. The servants behind Aunt Jushang held paper and pens, making quite a grand entrance.

Meng Shu had received prior information from Chun Yue that the master of the Tang family preferred people who were neat and well-behaved.

Therefore, when selecting people, firstly, observe their gait; they should not be flustered and should remain calm in the face of trouble. Secondly, observe their physique, including whether there are scars or birthmarks on exposed areas such as their face and hands, whether their teeth are straight, and whether they have any unusual odor, etc.

When it was Meng Shu's turn, the servants called for her to look up as she approached. Meng Shu suppressed her flustered emotions, slowly raised her head, and saw a hint of amazement in Aunt Ju Chang's eyes.

"This girl is very beautiful."

Zheng Dongjia chimed in, "Indeed, they're quite good. They've been here for almost a month. If they weren't meant to be kept for the Tang family, they probably would have been chosen long ago."

Aunt Jushang didn't reply, but pointed to the teapot on the table next to her with her left hand, "Pour me a cup of tea."

Meng Shu stepped forward, but before she could even touch the handle of the teapot, her outstretched hand was grabbed by Ju Chang. Seeing that Meng Shu showed no sign of panic, Ju Chang thought to herself that she was a promising talent.

"Where are you from? Who else is in your family? What skills do you have?"

Ju Chang looked at the pair of small hands, which were delicate and soft, with no signs of frostbite.

Meng Shu steadied herself and obediently replied, "Aunt, my family is in Mengjia Village, Haijin Town. My family includes my father, stepmother, and younger brother. We work on the farm and embroider handkerchiefs in our spare time to supplement our income."

After Ju Chang let go, Meng Shu didn't forget to continue pouring tea. Zheng Dongjia said at the right time, "She's also unfortunate. She had a stepmother and a stepfather. Fortunately, Meng Shu knows a few words and is also well-behaved."

"It's rare to find someone who can read; let's keep him."

Meng Shu breathed a sigh of relief and stepped aside. When she looked up again, she met Dunzi's gaze. Dunzi, who was at the back of the line, gave her a simple and honest smile, revealing two small tiger teeth.

Having spent so many days together, Meng Shu thought that Dunzi was a good-natured person and that it would be great if he could come along too.

After selecting another thirty-odd people, Ju Chang frowned and pointed to the last stool as she stepped forward.

Zheng Dongjia raised an eyebrow, gave Chunyue a subtle glare, and said with a smile, "This one is called Dunzi. Don't let her clumsy appearance fool you, she has some talent in the kitchen. Even Madam An praised her, otherwise she wouldn't have been kept here for you to see."

Ju Chang stopped asking questions and waved her hand, telling Dunzi to go and take a spot next to her. "It just so happens that the old lady's small kitchen is short of a few servants, so let's keep them too."

Dunzi was stunned, overjoyed to learn he had been chosen. Chunyue coughed before she knew to bow. Dunzi and Mengshu exchanged a smile, not forgetting to give Chunyue a grateful look.

Ju Chang stood up. Her trip to Jinan County was not only to select people for the manor. The lady had two dowry estates in Jinan County, and she was tasked with inspecting them. It was just past noon, and she was about to leave.

Master Zheng accompanied her to the door, and on the way, he told another steward of the Tang family that the boys were all ready and waiting to be sent to the capital. Afterwards, he returned to the courtyard and gave a speech: "Aunt Jushang will set off in three days. During these few days, everyone should behave themselves and wait."

"So that you may know that the Tang family is an excellent place. Not only is it benevolent and kind, but it is also a branch of the Marquis's family. It is a large and prosperous family with strict rules."

But your monthly wages and year-end bonuses are equally generous. You all came from my Zheng family's brokerage firm, so remember to be careful with your words and actions, and behave properly. We may never see each other again. I only wish you all a bright future. Whether you remain maids for life or save up to buy your freedom and leave the manor is entirely up to you.”

Everyone answered yes in unison. Those who were chosen showed gratitude, while those who were not chosen were secretly sad and stared enviously at Meng Shu and the others.

Since they weren't in a hurry to leave with their master, the general instructions were given later. Meng Shu and Dunzi returned to the back room, and all the way they could hear Dunzi's cheerful laughter. Although Lin'an was far away, she didn't miss that home.

Dunzi already had four older sisters. The eldest sister was married off to a widower for a dowry of three taels of silver. After learning that she could get five taels by selling herself, Dunzi's parents were almost driven to despair. As a result, the second and third sisters were sold one after another, and their whereabouts are still unknown. She also reached the age and was sold by her family.

Later that same day, Chen Lin came to find Meng Shu.

"Leaving tomorrow? Which family bought her?" Today, only people from the Tang family were received, but the Tang family only selected thirty-two maids, including Meng Shudunzi.

Chen Lin shook his head blankly, "I don't know either. The twelve of us are leaving early tomorrow morning. The manager said we're heading north."

Meng Shu then remembered that the package was to be sent to the capital, but she didn't know what Chen Lin and the others were going to do there. Looking at the now rather handsome Chen Lin, she instinctively felt that the capital was not a good place.