Сhаpter 21: Нiring Маnоr Тenants
She аskеd straightforwаrdly, and thе mаnоr tеnаnts did nоt hesitаtе еithеr. The еlder spoke first: “Yеs, wе werе оriginаllу frоm Ye Villаgе. Lаter, we аll jоined thе Medicinе Mаnor and workеd diligentlу for nеаrly a dеcade. Yеt, wе соuldn’t even distinguish thе truе оwnеr, so we trulу havе no faсe to mеet the уoung mistress.”
Ji Ruyuе оnlу smiled lightlу аnd did not respоnd to this rеmаrk.
A tall, sturdу man raisеd his hand tоwаrd thе eldеr and eаrnestly rесоmmended, “Uncle Ye is the most fair-mindеd аmong us and holds the highеst рrestige amоng thе manor tenants. We recommend that he be put in charge.”
Ji Ruyue nodded and looked at the other four. “What about you? What are your specialties?”
As she spoke, she carefully observed the elder’s expression.
The elder showed neither shame nor anger, listening attentively.
The middle-aged men, however, exchanged glances, seemingly unable to speak up.
Seeing them remain silent for a long time, the elder sighed and said, “Young mistress, this is Li Tiezhu, who is most skilled in cultivating medicinal seedlings. His whole family has deft hands, a fine craft passed down from their ancestors. This is Li Jianshan, skilled in cultivating vine-type medicinal herbs…”
The elder listed the strengths of all four without any bias.
Ji Ruyue had already made up her mind.
“Perfect. This Medicine Manor is larger, so I plan to appoint four stewards, each responsible for a different area, as well as a chief steward to oversee and coordinate everything. Uncle Ye, what do you think?”
Everyone was stunned by her words.
“Young mistress, what do you mean?”
Ji Ruyue smiled and nodded. “I intend to hire all five of you. From now on, matters of the Medicine Manor will require you to discuss, deliberate, and make decisions together, reporting quarterly to Ji Shang. As long as you remain loyal and manage the manor well, I will certainly not treat you unfairly.”
When they came to their senses, their eyes reddened.
Ji Ruyue’s arrangement was fair and generous—what complaints could they possibly have?
This was simply a tremendous stroke of luck!
Life as manor tenants was already difficult. They were not skilled in farming, only in dealing with medicinal herbs. If they left this place, they wouldn’t know what to do.
After years of suffering oppression and exploitation, could they now hope to make their own decisions?
“Young mistress, we do not seek generous treatment, only fairness and justice, so that our elders and children can have enough to eat and wear.”
Ji Ruyue stayed at the Medicine Manor for three days. After Steward Zheng properly handed over the manor and ensured all medicinal herbs had been transported away, the group prepared to return to Jizhou City.
However, just as they were about to depart, a sudden heavy snowfall descended like a curtain from the sky, blocking the road ahead. The snowflakes swirled endlessly, making it impossible to see far into the distance.
Ji Ruyue had already boarded the carriage but now had to step down and return indoors to wait.
As she alighted, she frowned slightly, sensing a barely noticeable gaze.
She turned to look but saw only a vast expanse of white snow, with no one in sight.
After a moment of thoughtful contemplation, she quietly asked Xi Qiu, “Who was the person released from the woodshed that day?”
Xi Qiu looked slightly surprised. “I… don’t know, but he was not from the manor.”
“This snow is bound to last for a while. Go and investigate.”
“Yes.”
Ji Ruyue raised her hand and gently rubbed her temples, fearing she might be overly suspicious.
She already had a clear understanding of the manor’s affairs and knew the people there well.
If anything unexpected were to happen, it would likely involve that unidentified person.
Having been reborn, she had grown accustomed to being cautious everywhere she went.
Xi Qiu quickly went to investigate. The information she gathered was relatively clear, though no one knew the specific details about that young man.”All the servants in the manor have been sold off, and the tenant farmers know little. I just found the little mute—it turns out he is Steward Ye’s grandson. Unfortunately, he is both illiterate and unable to speak…”
The man had been brought to the estate by Zhao Tong three months ago. His appearance was exceptionally striking, even more beautiful than the average woman.
Zhao Tong had always had a fondness for beauties, with no regard for gender, and had originally intended to keep him as a male companion.
But the man resisted to the death and nearly lashed out and injured Zhao Tong.
Afterward, he was whipped for three full days, left with half a breath, and thrown into the woodshed.
The little mute, pitying him, secretly slipped him a bite or two of food each day, barely keeping the man alive.
Ji Ruyue fell silent for a moment.
Xi Qiu continued, “No one knows his name or background, but I gave him some silver. He should have left by now.”
“Mhm.”
The heavy snow did not last long before it stopped.
Ji Ruyue did not dwell on it further and boarded the carriage once more, setting off back to Jizhou City.
After the convoy departed, a figure in gray stood behind the rockery for a long time. His deep gaze followed the departing convoy until it vanished completely, only then did he turn and leave, heading in the direction of the Upper Capital.