“I also hope your General’s Manor will know how to behave!”
Old Madam watched helplessly as everything in the room was carried away, collapsing to the ground and wailing, “Gone, gone, it’s all gone!” Seeing his mother like this, Helian Zhi felt deeply uncomfortable. “Mother, don’t worry. The Northern Di battlefield will soon need me and Qingyu. We’ll soon earn military merit again, and then we’ll regain everything we lost—even more than before.” His eyes darkened; it seemed that matter would have to be expedited.
Old Madam continued to cry her heart out. “Tell me, why is she so cruel? Haven’t I treated her well these past three years? I never imposed rules on her, and she had the final say in everything in the manor. You’re just taking an equal wife—why can’t she tolerate it? From now on, she’ll be an abandoned wife, an abandoned wife.”
Hearing this, Helian Zhi’s lips twitched. You didn’t impose rules on her because you relied on her. She had the final say in the manor because she paid for all the expenses. Even if she were an abandoned wife, she was still the marquis manor’s legitimate daughter.
In truth, he understood all this perfectly well; he was just somewhat unwilling to accept it.
As for the chaos in the General’s Manor, they neither knew nor cared, as it had nothing to do with them.
Over here, Madam Liu finished her animated account, and Qiufen immediately handed her a cup of tea.
Madam Liu took the tea and drank it in one gulp. Xiayue, watching her gulp it down like a cow chewing peonies, teased, “What a waste of the young lady’s fine tea.”
Unfazed by the teasing, Madam Liu handed the cup back to Qiufen. “Quick, pour me another cup.”
Qiufen took the cup and refilled it. After finishing the second cup, Madam Liu continued.
“Young lady, I have fulfilled my mission. Everything on the dowry list has been retrieved—not a single needle was left behind.”
Seeing her eager for praise, Xia Xing’er’s lips curved slightly, and she generously commended her. “Well done. Dongmei, give Madam Liu a hundred taels in silver notes. Each of you will also receive a hundred taels.”
Everyone was delighted.
The four maids each had their own strengths, and all were trained in martial arts.
Chunliu was born into the household; her mother was Nanny Qing, who served Liu Youran. She had grown up with Xia Xing’er and was even taken along to Mei Shan. Though she was a maid, Xia Xing’er had always treated her like a younger sister.
Xiayue was eloquent and skilled in business, managing all of Xia Xing’er’s shops and estates.
Qiufen was an excellent physician and cautious by nature.
Dongmei was the most skilled in martial arts among the maids, and Xiayue usually took her along when going out.
Madam Liu and Madam Zhang jointly managed affairs within Xia Xing’er’s courtyard.
As for the four attendants, they had always been loyal to her. In her previous life, none of them met a good end—all were eliminated by Helian Zhi and Ye Qingyu under various pretexts.
In this life, she was determined to ensure they all had a bright future.
Xia Xing’er took out their deeds of indenture from a box and handed them over.
“These are your deeds of indenture. I’m returning them to you now, and I’ll also give each of you a thousand taels of silver for security. With this money, you can start small businesses and live comfortably.”
Her words struck them like a thunderbolt. What did the young lady mean?
“Young lady, what do you mean? Has Chunliu done something wrong?”
“Young lady, are you abandoning Dongmei?”
“Miss, is there something you need me to do? Just give the order, and Qiufen will definitely get it done for you.”
“Miss, Xiayue doesn’t want your silver, nor does she want her deed of sale. She only wishes to follow you forever.”
“My dear miss, didn’t you say you would provide for us nannies in our old age?”
“Miss, please don’t think we nannies are too old. We can still help you with many things. We are still useful.”
Xia Xing’er listened to their overlapping pleas, which made her head ache.
“All of you, be quiet and listen to me.”
The group instantly fell silent, their eyes brimming with tears as they gazed at her, filled with grievance.
Seeing them like this, Xia Xing’er couldn’t help but feel amused and explained, “I am not abandoning any of you. You are all very important to me. You are my family.”
After a moment, she continued, “The Changxin Marquisate will face family confiscation and exile in two days. By then, all servants, maids, and attendants will likely be sold off. The fortunate ones might be bought by wealthy families to serve as maids or attendants. The unfortunate ones… might end up in those filthy places.”
With their looks and temperament, Chunliu and the others would surely be sent to such wretched places—a fate worse than death.
In her past life, these women had protected her until their last breaths. How could she bear to let them suffer such a fate?
Upon hearing this, their eyes reddened.
Chunliu asked tearfully, “Then can’t we follow you into exile?”
Xia Xing’er gently stroked Chunliu’s hair, her eyes shimmering with tenderness and resolve. “Silly girl, wouldn’t it be better to be free? When the time comes, your miss will be counting on your support.”
The women exchanged glances, their minds already made up. “Miss, we won’t leave. Wherever you go, we will follow.”
Xia Xing’er then took out thirty thousand taels in banknotes from a box and handed them over. “Don’t speak—just listen. Take this money and, over the next two days, go to various restaurants to order large quantities of food. Store it all in the empty courtyard on West Street. I have a use for it.”
“Our place of exile will likely be Liangzhou. When the time comes, take this money and go there first to make all the necessary arrangements. Once we arrive, our lives will be easier.”
Xia Xing’er then produced four thousand taels in banknotes and four deeds of sale. “When Xiayi and the other three return, give these to them. Let them decide for themselves. If they wish to stay in the capital or go elsewhere to live, that’s fine. If they still want to follow me, they can go with you to Liangzhou first.”
“Xiayue, transfer all the shops and manors under my name to yours. Only then can we protect them.”
“Qiufen, prepare some commonly used medicinal herbs. It would be best to make them into pills for easy carrying.”
“Dongmei, Madam Liu, and Madam Zhang, you three assist them.”
Fearing the banknotes might not be enough, Xia Xing’er gave another twenty thousand taels to Qiufen.
She then took out two sets of men’s clothing—one for herself and one for Chunliu.
In less than a quarter of an hour, two handsome young gentlemen emerged from the back gate of the Changxin Marquisate.
These two were none other than Xia Xing’er and Chunliu, dressed in men’s attire.
They walked along the bustling streets.
The capital’s avenues were vibrant and lively, lined with shops on both sides. Colorful signs gleamed under the sunlight, catching the eyes of passersby.
The cries of street vendors rose and fell, creating a lively and bustling scene. There was the crisp, clear call of the hawker selling candied haws: “Candied haws here! Big and sweet candied haws!”
There was the enthusiastic shout of the teahouse waiter: “Welcome, honored guest! Please come inside and taste our finest Longjing tea!”
And there was the charming call of the silk shop proprietress, promoting the latest fabric designs.