Chapter 321: Discussing Matters
Chapter 321: Chapter 321: Discussing Matters
"So much rain," Bai Suihe was beginning to understand why no one wanted to come to this place.
With this constant drizzle every day, it was hard to work, let alone maintain a good mood.
In ancient times, clothes were limited, and if they got wet or dirty, without sunlight to dry them, people could easily suffer from skin diseases.
At this moment, Nanny Pang lifted the curtain and entered, "Miss, the village head just came by."
"Is there something up?"
"The village head is asking if our people can go over to help them with the heated kangs, and they are willing to pay in silver."
The matter of setting up heated kangs in Bai Suihe’s house had not been kept secret, as Huang Pingguo even helped Gu Li set one up, making it well-known that they possessed this skill.
People were still rather simple-minded and wouldn’t ask to learn others’ skills; they were willing to pay for the labor.
"Have Huang Pingguo go discuss it with them," Bai Suihe naturally wouldn’t suggest that Huang Pingguo teach this skill to others, as they would need to make a living here and having an extra source of income would be beneficial.
Thinking of this, she joked, "Chunxiang, have Huang Pingguo earn more for you. I’m suggesting he hire a few more people to help and make a business of this heated kang setup."
"Miss, are you trying to send your servant girl away?" Chunxiang immediately looked aggrieved, "What did Huang Pingguo do?"
"You silly girl," Bai Suihe shook her head, "I already returned your indenture, granting you your freedom. You have shown loyalty and compassion by continuing to care for me on this journey, and I am deeply grateful.
In the future, you too need to have your own lives, and earn a future for your children. We haven’t settled here yet, so I won’t let you establish your own household just yet.
Once your husbands have figured out the local power dynamics and after I’ve had this child, you can go live your own lives."
Dongmei and Chunxiang were anxious; having served the young lady since childhood, they had no idea how to manage a household on their own.
"Miss, we are willing to remain by your side," Dongmei’s voice trembled, "We’ll re-sign our indentures."
"Exactly. We’ll re-sign our indentures," Chunxiang echoed. "Anyway, we wish to stay by Miss’s side during this lifetime."
Bai Suihe said, "I’m not sending you away. You can buy a piece of land nearby, build a house, and we can be neighbors."
Bai Suihe truly wanted Dongmei and Chunxiang to live their own free lives. The two have shown loyalty and compassion, so she could not, in good conscience, keep them tethered to her for life.
"But..."
Bai Suihe raised her hand to stop them, "No buts. When you settle down nearby, there will be plenty of things here at home that I’ll still need your help with.
Especially Zhuang Datou and Huang Pingguo, your husbands are expected to have significant roles."
While holding onto the indentures might feel safer, it is not the only way to secure people’s loyalty.
"Listen to the Miss; having such a considerate mistress is your good fortune. Don’t ever fail to show appreciation for her thoughts," Nanny Pang finally spoke up.
In her mind, she thought it might also be a good idea to let these two elder maids go; once life settled down, the younger ones might bear fruit, and it would be a good opportunity to train new reliable maids for Miss.
She had already selected Wu Xiaocui from Wu Dayuan’s family and Song Laidi from Song He’s family, two of suitable age to serve the Miss for a few more years.
As for the younger maids, she would keep them by her side to train until they could take over.
The two maids didn’t know that they had been replaced; while expressing their gratitude, they said, "We dare not forget Miss’s kindness. Were it not for her, we would still be ignorant little maids."
Being by the Miss’s side, their lives were better, and they had learned a lot.
"That’s right. In the future, I’ll still rely on you to help with the household accounts. It’s just a change of titles now, and you might even become noble ladies someday," Bai Suihe planned to establish herself in this world by cultivating more talents, intending to open a private school to train children for future use as her assistants or left and right hands.
She didn’t want her future children confined to the backyard, so she had to prepare for various outcomes.
Whether those nurtured would be ungrateful like Bai Jiang or not, Bai Suihe couldn’t be sure, but securing even just a few successful cases would already be worthwhile.
Dongmei and Chunxiang were no fools and immediately knelt respectfully, "We dare not forget Miss’s great kindness."
With Bai Suihe’s cue, Nanny Pang walked over to help them up, "You two are so dramatic, knowing Miss dislikes such gestures. Remember this kindness in your hearts, look carefully for two plots of land in the village, and build your house soon to become matrons."
"Moreover," Nanny Pang glanced at their bellies, "Chances are there will be good news soon enough."
The two maids blushed, with Dongmei mustering the courage to ask, "What does Nanny mean?"
They trusted Nanny Pang’s capabilities, who always took care of ailments in the household during these days.
"The month is still early, and I can’t tell for sure. I’ll check your pulse again in a few days," said Nanny Pang, having previously assessed them in passing, though nothing had yet shown.
Bai Suihe’s face lit up with joy, "That would be wonderful news! Take it easy for the next few days and let those younger maids handle any tasks."
Having children is indeed a blessing, as they are the hope of the future.
She touched her belly, thinking it would be nice for the baby to have more playmates.
Concerning playing with the village children, Bai Suihe initially thought about it, but after observing them, she let go of the idea.
It wasn’t that these children were bad; rather, village kids were tasked with chores from the moment they could walk, dragging logs home and working from dawn to dusk.
Dongmei and Chunxiang were taken aback. They had only recently consummated their marriages here; how could they be pregnant so soon?
Yet they felt uneasy, unprepared for motherhood at all.
With no elders around to guide them, they looked expectantly at Nanny Pang for support.
Nanny Pang patted their hands reassuringly, "No need to worry. You’ve served the Miss well, and except for carrying a bit of extra weight now, what else has really changed?"