Chapter 442 - 264
"Ah-choo."
Zhao Minghua sneezed heavily.
"Young Master, you’ve caught a cold."
Qingsheng was very worried, wanting to add a coat for Zhao Minghua.
"Nonsense, how could I catch a cold in this weather? It’s just your young mistress missing me."
Qingsheng... The most shameless person is his own young master, always flattering himself.
So far away, and he says the young mistress misses him.
To be fair, anyone could see clearly that when the young master was at home, he was the one always sticking to the young mistress, probably it’s him who misses her more.
But, anyone with such a remarkable wife would miss her, right?
Just like how he misses his own fiancée.
He still has to wait until next year to get married, and just thinking about it makes the time feel very long.
"Qingsheng, how is the Second Young Master doing?"
Qingsheng’s heart twitched a bit, finally, this master remembered he has a second brother in the capital.
"To report, Young Master, since the Second Young Master entered Hanwen Academy, he’s been diligently studying, rarely leaving, and has gained Mr. Tian’s favor."
Qingsheng was very adept at gathering information, and after two months in the capital, he had a clear grasp of all sorts of news.
Who is whose relative, who holds grudges with whom.
How should I put it, in the capital, every step you take needs caution, there are too many hidden traps.
As the right-hand man of the young master, Qingsheng naturally devoted himself to gathering information.
Moreover, the way he gathered information was quite unique; things others couldn’t find out, he managed to discover.
"Young Master, I also found out something."
"What is it?"
"A young lady admires the Second Young Master."
Is that rare?
After he arranged for his bookish second brother to be sent into Hanwen Academy through General Xia, he knew he would become the target for the young ladies in the capital’s boudoirs.
For one young lady to admire him, that data’s inaccurate, a group would be more like it.
"He already has someone he likes." Zhao Minghua was actually curious about who it might be, but the bookworm’s mouth was shut tight, not a word leaked.
So, all the brotherly love is fake, not even revealing such a minor thing, let alone when it involves real interests, he’d probably avoid him even more.
He refuses to let him know, and frankly, he couldn’t be bothered.
But he’s curious. If one day he gains top honors, will he withstand temptation and still like his crush? When he has higher branches to climb, will he break that promise for his future?
Zhao Minghua asked himself: hmm, his wife is already an unreachable existence, he definitely wouldn’t be the type to abandon his wife and children, sure to withstand the test.
Zhao Minghua was pondering when the gatekeeper reported.
"Young Master, Uncle Yi has brought people here."
The gatekeeper, newly hired Uncle Tang, was honest and straightforward, holding great respect for this new master.
But seeing the group of young and pretty girls brought by Uncle Yi, he was a bit puzzled internally. Qingsheng said the young master has a young mistress. So, without the women in the house, he’s here to choose a few mistresses?
"Let him and the others wait in the outer hall, I’ll be there soon."
"Yes, Young Master."
He sneaked a glance at the young master, ah, to be young, it’s natural.
Zhao Minghua didn’t know Uncle Tang was gossiping behind his back; he straightened his clothes before heading to the front hall.
"Mr. Zhao, I, the old man, have brought people for you."
Uncle Yi particularly enjoyed dealing with Zhao Minghua; despite his youth, he handled matters quite expertly. Through him, he bought a haunted house, the Xiao Mansion, four storefronts, and hired servants twice. Now, he was here to add a few maids.
Hmm, he’d been in the capital for so long, finally seeing this mansion add young and pretty maids, almost thought he had some concealed ailment.
"Mr. Zhao, rest assured, these girls are all hand-picked from decent households by my personal selection, only those whom I deemed good both in looks and eloquence have been brought to you."
This was as per Zhao Minghua’s requirements.
Zhao Minghua took a glance, sure enough, none were unsightly, they looked decent enough.
To say how good, ever since he was captivated by Nuannuan’s face, all other women in the world dimmed by a few degrees.
"Step forward if you can read and count."
To Zhao Minghua’s surprise, they all took a step forward.
"Mr. Zhao might not be aware, but these girls have been learning to read and count from a young age, which is also a means of livelihood for us poor families."
When he learned that ordinary families in the capital would grit their teeth to send them to girls’ schools for a couple of years of literacy and arithmetic for the express purpose of becoming maids in noble households, Zhao Minghua couldn’t remain indifferent.
Indeed, the sorrow and joy between people are never the same.
In Changzhou, for ordinary families, never mind girls, even boys don’t have the chance to go to school.
In the eyes of their families, going to school was something children from wealthy families did, pursued to gain fame and honor their ancestors. When boys became old enough to work, they helped with labor, and to grow up able to provide for a family on their own was a talent.
What do girls learn?
They learn to spin, weave, sew, do needlework, cook, and manage a household. Studying and literacy were things only girls from noble families could aspire to.
Unexpectedly, girls from ordinary families in the capital learned as well, but the purpose differed: it was to find a job in a big household.
Meeting someone like him now, it happens to be a good match.
Zhao Minghua then asked them to introduce themselves.
Uncle Yi was indeed very thorough in his work; these girls were articulate and each could present themselves clearly.
Among them, three girls sneaked a glance at Zhao Minghua, their pretty faces slightly flushed.
For such a young master, they’d be willing to become concubines!
Little did they know, that with just that small action, Zhao Minghua had Uncle Yi take those three away.
Of the remaining six, Zhao Minghua asked if they were to sign a death contract or a living contract.
"They’ve all signed death contracts."
Uncle Yi hurriedly said, "Mr. Zhao, once you sign, they are yours."
At this point, Zhao Minghua felt uneasy.
Previously thinking the capital’s people were indeed different, quite enlightened in raising their daughters.
Even sending them to serve as maids in noble households with the hope of redeeming them afterward to marry well.
There was this saying that it’s better to marry a servant from a great family than a girl from a small one. Serving as a maid in a great household could lead to marrying a good husband, yet these families forsake their daughters upon sending them in.
This was purely investment, devoid of familial love.
Every coin spent on them since childhood expected to return tenfold or hundredfold.
"Fine, then sign the death contracts."
Zhao Minghua needed people who were indeed bound by death contracts.
"I am purchasing you not for serving inside the residence, but to work as salesclerks in my shop. If any of you are unwilling, feel free to leave with Uncle Yi; if willing, stay here."
Zhao Minghua never forced decisions, always spoke candidly.
Indeed, upon saying this, not only were the girls surprised, even Uncle Yi was surprised.
Hiring females as salesclerks, in this era, was unthinkable.
As expected, two girls hesitated, and in their moment of hesitation, Zhao Minghua immediately dismissed them.
"You four, are you willing to stay?"
"To reply, Sir, we are willing."
Their answers were straightforward, with a bit of inner delight.
Serving inside the residence was less comfortable compared to being a salesclerk outside.
In the residence, only the masters encountered, outside as salesclerks one met various people, gaining more experience.
"Very well, you four shall remain."
From nine brought, four were kept, Uncle Yi confirmed: this Mr. Zhao’s choice of personnel was indeed unique.
Those he didn’t choose were more distinguished in looks and demeanor than the four left, it seemed his choice wasn’t based on appearance.
Moreover, mentioning salesclerks, in the capital, even perfume shops didn’t have female clerks... oh, one shop does, Qingyan Pavilion has female clerks.
Could it be, this Qingyan Pavilion is linked to Mr. Zhao?