Finding a woman for Xiao Xu was something Mi Yao had only said casually. She couldn’t bear the thought of his silver being wasted on another woman’s expenses—it was simply strange and troublesome.
In the novel, Xiao Xu had neither slept with the original heroine nor with any other woman, which proved he was not a man driven by lust. So why, now that it was her, did he suddenly need someone “tolerant” to share him?
That was her thought, but to cover herself, she still told the broker, when buying servants, to look for a few beautiful women.
“Not too young. Married before is fine. The main thing is beauty—better than me if possible. If not, at least equal to me.”
The broker looked troubled. “Madam, finding beautiful women is not hard. But equal to you, no amount of silver could buy that.”
From the moment he entered, he had been struck by her beauty, afraid to show it lest he offend her, so he kept his head bowed. Hearing her demand, he risked a glance upward. That single look convinced him she was like a celestial maiden, unmatched in the mortal world. Even if such a woman existed, she would never fall into the hands of a mere broker.
“Take your time. No hurry.”
After all, she was only fulfilling appearances. If the broker couldn’t find anyone, all the better. If he did, she would have to go to the trouble of comparing beauty and inventing excuses to dismiss them.
With that matter settled, Mi Yao began selecting servants. After consulting with the stewardess from the Governor’s residence, she determined the Xiao household needed at least ten to twenty more staff.
At present, the servants can barely provide hot meals, clothing, and water. They could not maintain the household properly.
Mi Yao agreed. Having seen the estate’s potential for beauty, she didn’t want to return to a courtyard of dead branches and flowerbeds full of withered blooms.
Two gardeners, four cleaners, two more for the kitchen. Xiao Yi and Xiao Liang each needed two pages. Xiao Shan needed two attendants—one little maid as a playmate, and one older woman to care for her. She herself also required two more maids, so that when Shuang Hua and the others were promoted to stewards, she wouldn’t be left without attendants.
At first, she thought she would feel guilty, treating people as commodities to be bought. But when a line of patched, thin, ragged figures stood before her, their eyes dull yet expectant, she felt no guilt at all. In this era, talk of oppression was meaningless. Better to imagine everyone else as paper figures, so both sides could feel at ease.
She inspected them carefully, dismissing those she disliked, then called the rest forward for questions. She eliminated two whose dialects she couldn’t understand. The broker had brought twenty people; she ended up choosing twenty‑four. Seeing the number too large, she sent for Xiao Xu’s trusted aide to check them, lest spies be slipped in.
Pu Qing approved of Mi Yao’s prudence. After taking them away, he returned half an hour later, leaving her with twenty.
With the selection complete, Mi Yao didn’t dismiss them immediately. Instead, she stood aside, letting them watch as the senior servants of the household stepped forward to receive their rewards.
“When I’ve lived in the household these past few days, I’ve noticed many of you look familiar. But since I hadn’t yet married my lord, I never took the time to know you properly. Now that you’ve come to greet me, each of you should step forward and clearly state your name, age, how many years you’ve been in the household, and what duties you usually perform.”
The storeroom steward Zheng and the accounts steward Wu had already greeted her yesterday and received their red envelopes, so Mi Yao didn’t summon them again.
Today, the most senior servant present was Pu Qing. Seeing he had no intention of leading, the dozen or so old servants exchanged glances. The first to step forward was Nanny Fan.
Nanny Fan dropped to one knee, smiling obsequiously. “Madam, this old servant’s surname is Fan. I entered the household when the young lady was one year old, and my bond with her is deep. My whole heart is devoted to her. The clothes she wears today were cut from cloth by me.”
Having heard that Mi Yao and the Commander had separated rooms only two days after marriage, Nanny Fan looked down on her. But seeing that Mi Yao had just purchased so many new servants, most of them assigned to Tingsong Courtyard, she couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
What did it matter if the Commander disliked Mi Yao? As long as she remained his wife, it would take only a few words to expel anyone from the household.
After speaking, Nanny Fan felt nervous. Yet Mi Yao merely glanced at her twice, said nothing, and accepted the greeting silver from Shi Ya. Nanny Fan then felt Mi Yao wasn’t so frightening after all.
A woman married far from home, unloved, unable to read Xiao Xu’s moods, meddling in Tingsong Courtyard affairs, keeping Xiao Shan by her side every day. She might look glamorous now, but sooner or later, she would fall.
With Nanny Fan leading, the next servant stepped forward. But before kneeling, Mi Yao stopped them: “There is no kneeling mat here, so you needn’t kneel to greet me. Stand—it’s easier for me to see your faces clearly.”
Because of her connection to Old Madam Ma, Nanny Fan had always believed that aside from Accountant Wu and a few others, she was the most senior and capable in the household. Now, being embarrassed in front of the other servants left her face flushed red.
But Mi Yao seemed not to notice, continuing to hand out the silver rewards one by one. At the end, with only the largest packet left, she looked toward Pu Qing, who stood like a pillar by the door. “You’ve worked hard today.”
“This is my duty.” He hadn’t expected the red envelope to be so heavy. For a moment, his thoughts raced—he knew all this silver came from his master, yet when he met the Yu woman’s smiling face, he could only bow his head and say, “May Madam enjoy long life and good fortune.”
As soon as he spoke, the other servants echoed the words in unison. The sound was so neat and loud that Xiao Xu, passing by, paused in his steps.
Seeing that his own trusted aide was leading the greeting, Xiao Xu’s expression remained calm. He remembered that when he first took over the household, none of these servants had ever welcomed him so earnestly. He had intended to show his face in the hall, to let the new servants know he was the master here, and to give the troublesome Mi Yao a bit of authority. But seeing that she could already command his aide’s respect and lead the greetings herself, he turned away, unwilling to witness her smug expression.
Rewarding the senior servants wasn’t the end. Knowing Xiao Xu didn’t need more attendants at his side, Mi Yao dismissed Pu Qing and began assigning the new servants to their posts.
The household’s greatest needs were in two areas: first, rough laborers for cleaning and gardeners for tending the flowers; second, stewards in Tingsong Courtyard to care for the children, and additional staff for the main kitchen.
She usually ate and drank in the small kitchen and hadn’t planned to manage the main kitchen. But yesterday, while inspecting ingredients, she wandered into the big kitchen and found it filthy—grease everywhere, food stored in disorder. When she asked, she learned the cooks weren’t professionals at all, but relatives introduced by Old Madam Ma.
It was laughable. If she hadn’t seen Xiao Xu’s attitude toward Old Madam Ma, she might have suspected he was deeply devoted to her, allowing the Ma family to keep stuffing people into the Xiao household.
“Two people per group. Each group will have an old servant temporarily as steward. If anything is lacking, report directly to Shuang Hua. In one month, I’ll review your performance, reassign your duties, and select permanent stewards for each area.”
As soon as Mi Yao finished speaking, the hall grew noisy.
The new servants hadn’t expected to have the chance to become stewards so soon. The old servants hadn’t expected that in a month they might be replaced by newcomers.
Among them, Nanny Fan and the kitchen cooks were the most uneasy, convinced Mi Yao’s words were aimed directly at them.
Many disliked her orders, but none dared speak up.
The Xiao household had few masters, and Xiao Xu never involved himself in management. In the past, his indifference had left them free. Now that Mi Yao was taking charge, they wanted to complain but didn’t dare go to Xiao Xu.
Mi Yao didn’t handle the grouping herself but entrusted it to Shuang Hua.
Back in the Yu household, Shuang Hua had been a senior maid, but Mi Yao’s courtyard was small and overseen by a nanny, so she had never managed much. Scolding one or two little maids was easy, but now she was asked to oversee nearly forty people. With all eyes on her, her legs trembled. Even so, determined not to lose face, she followed Mi Yao’s instructions, dividing them into groups and recording the old servants as temporary leaders.
Hearing Shuang Hua’s voice tremble, Nanny Fan rolled her eyes inwardly. She thought stewardship should have fallen to her. How could a little maid possibly manage it well? She was dissatisfied, but seeing six new servants assigned to Tingsong Courtyard, she could only swallow her anger and plan to seek advice from her elder sister later.
“Madam, I’m afraid I won’t do well.” Once the household servants had left, Shuang Hua spoke nervously to Mi Yao. She knew her mistress wanted to cultivate her, which was a great honor. But being asked to take on the duties of a stewardess filled her with anxiety.
“If you don’t do well, then learn slowly. For matters you can’t decide, you can ask the stewardess from the Governor’s residence, or ask me directly. As much as I’d like to hand everything over to you until you can stand firmly, I won’t leave everything unattended.”
Saying this, Mi Yao turned to Shi Ya.
Before she could speak, Shi Ya knelt and said: “Madam, rest assured. I will train the new maids in the courtyard, manage the affairs here, and share Sister Shuang Hua’s burdens so Madam need not worry.”
Knowing she wasn’t as close to Mi Yao as Shuang Hua was, Shi Ya grew more envious of the authority given to Shuang Hua. The more she coveted it, the more determined she was to serve Mi Yao faithfully and earn her trust.
Seeing Shi Ya’s tact, Mi Yao nodded, then asked another matter: “Has Nanny Luo packed her bags and returned to Jiangnan, or what?”
Today, Nanny Luo alone had failed to come pay respects. Mi Yao wondered if she fancied herself some grand matron, waiting for Mi Yao to come to her instead.
“Nanny Luo is living in the back servants’ quarters. From the start, she claimed the best room, refusing to share with the other nannies. She still takes her food from the small kitchen.”
Shi Ya answered quickly: “Knowing Madam dislikes Nanny Luo, we maids have ignored her. But she shamelessly throws her weight around, constantly invoking the First Madam to suppress us, so we’ve had no choice but to endure her.”
These past days, Shi Ya hadn’t heard Nanny Luo buzzing around her ears. Before, when she was a maid in Madam Li’s courtyard, Nanny Luo automatically assumed they were on the same side, which had been a constant nuisance. But whatever the past, her contract now lay in Mi Yao’s hands. With the Jiangnan mountains and rivers far away, how could she not obey Mi Yao’s orders?
Besides, Mi Yao’s temper was far better than Madam Li’s. As long as one listened to Mi Yao, she was the best kind of mistress—never tormenting her servants, generous to those around her.
Even a fool would know whom to be loyal to.
“She’s living too comfortably. Later, have her do rough work. If she wants to eat, she must work. If she disobeys, send two strong ones to watch her.”
When she was unwilling to manage, she ignored everything. But now that she was taking charge, she would clean things thoroughly. And truthfully, she hated anyone living more comfortably than herself.
“If she needs people to watch her, that means one person is wasting two others’ labor. If she can’t finish two people’s work in a day, then she won’t rest.”
Hearing Nanny Luo’s fate, Shi Ya shrank her neck. She had thought Nanny Luo’s worst outcome was simply being ignored by the mistress. Now it seemed her bitter days were only beginning.
“What’s wrong with you?” After finishing her arrangements, Mi Yao planned to take Xiao Shan to eat with Xiao Liang.
But she saw Yu Xiu pouting, frowning at her.
“Why does elder sister want to find beautiful women?”
“To suffer less,” Mi Yao answered casually as they walked.
“What misunderstanding lies between elder sister and brother‑in‑law? Can’t elder sister coax him, clear things up with him?”
She had overheard Mi Yao instructing the broker to find beauties, and had held back her question until now, when no one else was around.
Married only a day and already separated into different rooms—the household was full of gossip. If this continued, wouldn’t Old Madam Ma grow even more arrogant?
Meeting Yu Xiu’s earnest gaze, Mi Yao thought—whatever else, this little girl truly worried herself sick over whether she was favored or not.
Afraid Yu Xiu might develop more improper ideas, Mi Yao spoke directly: “Your brother‑in‑law has strange habits. Any woman who falls into his hands ends up half‑dead if not worse. He cherishes me and wants to see me lively rather than broken, so on the second day of our marriage, he himself suggested we live in separate rooms. But entrusting the household management to me proves that even though we’re separated, he still values and loves me.”
Yu Xiu was stunned. She didn’t yet understand the relations between men and women, nor what kind of habits could leave a woman half‑dead.
Could it be fists and blows? Thinking of Xiao Xu’s size, one punch really could leave someone half‑dead.
“How could brother‑in‑law be like that…” Yu Xiu trembled, realizing why her elder sister had bruises and swollen lips that day.
It wasn’t only Yu Xiu who was frightened. Mi Yao felt the little hand she was holding tremble. Looking down, she saw Xiao Shan’s eyes brimming with tears, her body shaking too.
Well then, now not only would Yu Xiu keep far away from Xiao Xu, but Xiao Shan would see him as a devil.
Xiao Yi returned to school, leaving early and coming home late. Once he was gone, Xiao Shan clung to Mi Yao again, while Xiao Liang was left alone in Tingsong Courtyard.
When Mi Yao went to find him, she saw him sitting cross‑legged on a stool, listlessly fiddling with a nine‑linked puzzle. She thought—if she hadn’t come, he might have spent the whole day like that. Compassion welled up in her again.
If Xiao Liang were older, she could ignore him. But though he was two years older than Xiao Shan, to her, they were both just little radishes—small children who didn’t understand much, only gazing at her with moist eyes.
“Mother.” Seeing Mi Yao, Xiao Liang’s eyes lit up. But he had sat cross‑legged too long; his legs were numb. When he jumped down from the stool, his legs gave way and he collapsed onto the floor.
“How did you fall like that?” Mi Yao was startled by his full‑body collapse. She expected the child to burst into tears, but instead Xiao Liang climbed back up, biting his lip, looking pitiful as he tried to hold back his sobs.
What kind of training had his father put him through?
She’d heard Xiao Xu forbade the two boys from crying. At the time, she thought it was pleasant—who wants to hear children wailing all the time?
But now, seeing Xiao Liang stifle his tears, she couldn’t help but think Xiao Xu was cruel, and a desire to play the “good person” rose in her.
“Where does it hurt? If you’re injured, I’ll take you to put medicine on it.” She crouched down, and once Xiao Liang agreed, she pushed up his trouser leg. His clothes were thick, so his knee wasn’t badly hurt—just a little red.
“Mother, it doesn’t hurt…” He wanted to cry not because of pain, but because he felt ashamed in front of her, afraid she’d think him useless, unable even to walk properly.
“Shan’er, come blow on your brother’s knee.”
“Ahh…”
Obediently, Xiao Shan responded, leaned close to his knee, and blew. “No… thump thump…”
“Shan’er, you can talk?!” Xiao Liang forgot his embarrassment, staring at her in surprise. Xiao Shan didn’t answer, and he didn’t know what else to do, so he grabbed her arm and bent down to look at her teeth. “Her teeth seem bigger.”
His elder brother had told him that his little sister couldn’t speak because her teeth hadn’t grown properly. Once they did, she would be able to talk. So he paid special attention to her teeth, often counting them. Twenty teeth—just the same as last time. Since she hadn’t grown more, he concluded her teeth must have gotten bigger.
Xiao Shan felt uncomfortable being examined; her mouth was forced open until she couldn’t hold back her saliva. Pointing at Xiao Liang, she complained to Mi Yao: “…Ah bad!”
“Shan’er, how can you say your second brother is bad? He likes you so much.”
Xiao Liang didn’t cry when he fell, but when he heard his little sister call him bad, he couldn’t help wiping his tears. “Shan’er, Second Brother isn’t bad!”
“Bad!”
“Not bad!”
“You… hai!”
Mi Yao had meant to stop the two little radishes from quarreling, but seeing them go back and forth—Xiao Shan earnestly trying to pronounce her words—she found it amusing. So instead, she told Shi Ya to have the food sent from the small kitchen to Tingsong Courtyard.
When Xiao Shan grew tired of arguing and lay down on Mi Yao’s lap, Xiao Liang noticed his mother was still in the room. He lowered his head shyly for a moment, then, remembering his sister could now speak, he gathered his courage to look at Mi Yao again. “Mother, little sister can talk now. She isn’t a foolish child.”
“Of course your sister isn’t silly. She just didn’t want to learn to speak before.”
“Was it Mother who made Shan’er want to learn?” Xiao Liang’s eyes sparkled, thinking his mother was like a fairy from a storybook—not only gentle and beautiful, but kind‑hearted too. She not only kept his sister close, but even made her able to speak.
Meeting Xiao Liang’s gaze, Mi Yao realized this boy was especially good at giving emotional value. Every time he looked at her, his eyes brimmed with feeling, making her believe she had accomplished something great. She wondered how Xiao Xu managed to resist such eyes and still speak coldly to him.
“It’s not my credit. Your sister can speak; she was just too lazy before. If you talk to her more, when she’s in a good mood, she’ll learn.”
“Mother, I understand.”
Later, when they sat down to eat, Xiao Liang kept chattering to Xiao Shan. At first, she answered with a few syllables, but eventually grew annoyed and covered her ears.
From his endless chatter, Mi Yao discovered one reason Xiao Shan disliked opening her mouth.
After Xiao Xu’s mother passed away, the two children lost their grandmother. Xiao Shan was not yet a year old, at the age when she most needed care. Even with a wet nurse assigned to her, she cried and wailed every day. Xiao Xu grew irritated by the constant crying and instructed the wet nurse not to let her make a sound.
The wet nurse had no choice but to often cover Xiao Shan’s mouth, forbidding her to cry. Over time, when it came time for her to learn to speak, she no longer opened her mouth. Only then did the wet nurse realize something had gone wrong.
That was how Old Madam Ma seized the opportunity, suggesting Xiao Xu replace the wet nurse and bring Nanny Fan into the household.
Learning this, Mi Yao began to wonder if she had a face that invited bullying. Otherwise, how could Xiao Shan, who hadn’t cried for so long, burst into tears the moment she saw her, just to be picked up?
Whether she had such a face or not, she got her answer half an hour later.
Because Nanny Luo, hearing her orders, ignored them and went straight to Xiao Xu, hoping he would discipline her instead.
Before Nanny Luo found him, Xiao Xu was eating alone. In the past, whenever he was at home and Xiao Yi had gone to the academy, he would dine with the two younger children. But since Mi Yao’s arrival, first Xiao Shan had gone to her, and now Xiao Liang had disappeared as well.
When Mi Yao ordered the small kitchen to send food to Tingsong Courtyard, Xiao Xu looked at the greasy dishes before him—just meat and vegetables fried together—and said, “Wasn’t the main kitchen supposed to be changed?”
Pu Qing had already greeted Mi Yao and left, but that didn’t stop him from leaving people to observe what she was doing.
Hearing his master’s question, Pu Qing replied: “The main kitchen hasn’t changed staff, only added a few people. They said the head cook wasn’t good, so they immediately found replacements.”
At this, Xiao Xu gave a cold laugh.
The Yu woman didn’t even eat food from the main kitchen—how could she know whether the head cook was good or not? At this rate, even if she lived to be buried, the main kitchen would never change.
“Does the Commander find the dishes unpalatable?” Pu Qing asked cautiously.
Everyone in the household knew the head cook’s skills weren’t great. But Xiao Xu, the master, had never voiced complaints, so the servants simply followed along. Even if the cooking wasn’t refined, at least the cook was honest, never skimping on ingredients. That way, the servants could still eat meat and vegetables.
Faced with Pu Qing’s question, Xiao Xu didn’t answer—he only frowned. It wasn’t about taste. He wasn’t a man of lust or appetite. But thinking of what the Yu woman ate, he suddenly found his own food hard to swallow.
She lived lavishly on his silver, while he ate meat and vegetables all thrown into one pot, every dish tasting the same. What kind of logic was that?
It was at this moment that Nanny Luo barged in, loudly accusing Mi Yao of being cruel, unfilial to elders, and disrespectful to her husband.
As for filial piety, Xiao Xu couldn’t say. But the charge of disrespect—he set down his chopsticks and almost felt like nodding in agreement.