“Madam, are you really going to send Concubine Tian to Sixth Miss’s place? Wouldn’t that be letting that mother-daughter pair off too easily?” Linger fanned the flames from the side.
“Hmph, of course not. I’d love nothing more than to personally kill that little bitch,” Madam Cui said with a face full of hatred.
“If not for the timing being wrong and the fact that I can’t deal with her openly yet, I would have already made a move. That wretched girl has been jumping around on my head for too long.”
Linger hesitated. “But Madam… the Marquis has given orders. If we don’t send her over, won’t that be improper? What if we anger him…”
Madam Cui ignored the maid’s cautious concern.
The deeper schemes in her household were handled personally by her nanny, Mother Jiang. These little maids were not qualified to know.
As for what would be sent over—whether it was a healthy living person or one half-dead and disgraced—that depended entirely on her mood.
No one knew the calculations of the Marquis’s wife.
Meanwhile, Wang Yutong stepped down from the carriage and looked at the small estate in front of her. The irritation she had been carrying for days finally eased a little.
This would be her own home.
No more early morning greetings. No more people watching her every move.
She quickly walked to the gate and knocked lightly three times.
Soon, an elderly man with a missing arm came out from the gatehouse and opened the door.
Seeing her, he hesitated. “Sixth Miss… is that you?”
Wang Yutong looked at him and asked calmly, “You were sent by Grandfather? What is your name?”
Yes—she had personally requested from the old Marquis a retired disabled soldier to serve as her gatekeeper.
“Yes, this subordinate was sent by the old Marquis. My name is Hong Shan,” the old soldier replied.
Wang Yutong nodded and walked inside.
“Hong Shan, find a trustworthy cook to handle meals and laundry.
We don’t need anyone else. The estate is small, and we don’t have many people.”
Hong Shan hesitated. “Sixth Miss, should we not also get a personal maid? And there is no coachman…”
“No need for a coachman. We don’t even have a carriage yet—what would we need one for?
As for maids, we’ll look later if we find a suitable one. For now, it’s unnecessary,” she said lightly.
In truth, it was just one small household. Too many servants meant too much money wasted.
Of course, she would never admit she simply didn’t want to spend silver on wages.
Hong Shan did not argue further. As a servant, reminding the master was his duty—but overstepping would be disrespectful, even if he was once a trusted soldier of the old Marquis.
The next morning, Hong Shan brought two women from the brokerage.
“Sixth Miss, these two are cooks from the agency. Please choose one,” he reported.
Wang Yutong studied them carefully.
One looked nervous, twisting her hands uneasily; the other appeared calm, with bright eyes and a gentle smile.
She already had a preference, but did not decide immediately.
“What are your names, and how long have you worked as cooks?” she asked.
The first woman quickly curtsied. “Replying to Miss, my name is Cui Fen. I’ve been cooking for over ten years and specialize in soups.”
Wang Yutong nodded and turned to the second woman.
The second woman replied quickly, “Miss, my name is Chun Tao. I am not a professional cook, but I am good at making pastries… and also hairdressing.”
Wang Yutong’s eyes lit up slightly.
That was an unexpected bonus. She had been worrying about hair.
This world was not like her past life—you couldn’t just tie a bun or ponytail and be done with it.
She had only intended to hire a cook, but now she had also found someone who could style hair.
“Tell me—why were you sold?” she asked calmly, keeping her expression neutral.
Cui Fen hesitated. “My previous master was a merchant family. Their young lady offended a noble, and they had to leave the capital in a hurry. Many servants were no longer needed, so I was sold.”
Chun Tao answered more steadily. “I used to serve in the Yongning Earl’s residence. I was expelled after offending a lady’s personal nanny.”
Wang Yutong silently evaluated both of them.
Then she spoke plainly:
“Let me make things clear. This is not a wealthy household. If you follow me, you will only be guaranteed three meals a day—you won’t live a life of luxury.
But I also won’t mistreat you.
There are only three servants here including you.
If you are willing, I will buy your contracts. If not, I will have Hong Shan send you back to the agency to find another master.”
Both women froze.
They had never heard of such a thing—usually masters chose servants, not the other way around.
After exchanging a glance, both quickly made their decision.
They knelt at the same time. “Miss is kind. We are willing to stay.”
Wang Yutong’s lips curved slightly.
“Very well. Hong Shan, go complete their contracts.”
After Hong Shan left, she assigned their duties.
“Cui Fen, you will handle cooking and laundry.
Chun Tao, you will serve me personally. When I attend school, you will also be responsible for cleaning the rooms.
We are a small household. I expect cooperation and mutual support.
As for Hong Shan, he guards the gate and handles courtyard cleaning.
Let me make one thing clear—I do not tolerate betrayal. If anyone dares betray me, it will not end with simple resale.
If you doubt me, you are welcome to try.”
A cold chill ran through both women.
They instinctively felt that betrayal would cost them their lives.
“Yes, Miss,” they replied quickly.
With the household finally settled, Wang Yutong felt a weight lift from her chest.
“Hong Shan, rent a carriage. In two days, we will go to the southern estate. I want to see what it looks like,” she instructed after breakfast.
“Yes, Sixth Miss.”
“Also,” she corrected calmly, “do not call me Sixth Miss anymore. Call me Miss.”
From the moment she left the Marquis residence, the Sixth Miss of that household no longer existed.
What remained was Wang Yutong—beginning her new life.