Hongshan shook his head. “The Marquis didn’t say. He only said that you, Miss, must open it yourself.”
Wang Yutong thought for a moment, feeling a bit curious—what was Wang Yuanwu up to? She had almost made the marquis estate lose face yesterday, so why was he suddenly sending something to Piaoyi Residence today?
You have to know, since she moved out, her so-called cheap father had never once come to visit.
So she instructed Hongshan to carry the box inside.
Madam Tian, hearing the movement, also stopped packing and looked toward the box.
“Tong’er, this was sent by the Marquis? Do you know what it is?” she couldn’t help asking.
Wang Yutong replied, “I don’t. I haven’t opened it yet.”
“Alright, take your time. I’ll go back to packing.” Madam Tian said, then returned to sorting through the things she had bought that day.
Wang Yutong nodded and stepped forward, opening one of the boxes.
Inside was a dazzling golden light—two sets of precious gold jewelry. The styles were somewhat outdated, but the weight was substantial.
“This marquis estate is quite generous. They actually used such heavy gold jewelry. Even if the designs are old-fashioned, melting them down and remaking them would still be good,” Wang Yutong murmured.
She then opened the second box. Inside was a small case, and within it were Madam Tian’s indenture contract and the letter of release from concubinage.
Opening another case revealed a thick stack of silver notes.
She immediately understood—this was compensation from the marquis estate, or rather, hush money.
Wang Yutong quickly counted and found that the silver notes alone totaled seventy thousand taels.
After thinking for a moment, she called out, “Auntie, come here for a moment.”
Madam Tian walked out in confusion. When she saw what was inside the boxes, tears immediately welled up and fell.
“Auntie, the Marquis has given you your indenture and release letter. You are no longer the concubine of the marquis estate. Tomorrow we’ll go to the yamen to change your household registration, establish a female household, and convert you to a free status.”
“From now on, you’re free. No one can bully you anymore. Auntie, are you happy?” Wang Yutong explained carefully.
Madam Tian’s eyes were red. “Happy… I finally don’t have to live looking at other people’s faces anymore.”
“But Tong’er, if I’m released from the marquis estate, will it affect you?” she asked worriedly.
Wang Yutong held her hand. “Auntie, don’t worry about me. No matter what, I carry the blood of the marquis estate. They won’t do anything to me. This situation… is already the worst outcome.”
(No, Tong’er—tens of thousands of taels of silver and you call this the worst outcome? Who gets kicked out of a noble house and receives this much money? Most people get tossed out with a few dozen or a few hundred taels at most. You’ve got a hundred times more—and you still call it the worst? Incredible… truly incredible.)
“Auntie, keep these hundred taels of silver notes. That will cover our household expenses for a month.”
“As for the rest, I’ll keep it, including the release letter and indenture contract. I’ll handle everything at the yamen tomorrow.”
She pulled out two fifty-tael notes and handed them to Madam Tian.
Madam Tian calmly accepted them and carefully put them away in her pouch.
One hundred taels—she had only ever heard of such money before, never actually held it. Now she had it in her hands for the first time, and she was so excited she barely slept that night.
The next morning, as expected, Madam Tian appeared with dark circles under her eyes.
Seeing her like this, Wang Yutong felt a pang of heartache.
“Auntie, are you staying home sewing today, or coming with me to the yamen to register your female household?”
“I… I want to go to the yamen, but I’m also a little scared. Still… I want to see it,” Madam Tian said nervously.
Wang Yutong understood her feelings.
“It’s alright. I’ll have Ah Wu accompany us.”
Hearing this, Madam Tian immediately relaxed a lot.
In her eyes, Ah Wu—the one who had personally taken her out of the marquis estate—was extremely capable.
Ah Wu drove the carriage, and the three of them arrived at the yamen.
There were not many people there; only a few were handling procedures.
Madam Tian tightly grabbed Wang Yutong’s sleeve, her eyes full of nervousness.
Wang Yutong led her into a small room where household registration matters were handled.
A clerk in his thirties sat behind the desk. Seeing them, he asked somewhat arrogantly, “What are you here for?”
“We’re here to handle household registration—to establish a female household,” Wang Yutong said, handing over the indenture and release letter.
The clerk examined them carefully and frowned. “The documents are complete, but this matter still requires confirmation from the marquis estate.”
Wang Yutong’s expression tightened. “I am the sixth miss of the marquis estate. That’s not enough?”
Hearing this, the clerk’s attitude immediately became more respectful.
“Sixth Miss, please forgive me, but I’m afraid it still won’t do. We need someone from the marquis estate as a witness.”
Just then, a familiar figure appeared—it was the marquis estate steward, Wang Fu.
“Sixth Miss, this old servant greets you,” Wang Fu said respectfully.
Wang Yutong simply nodded.
Wang Fu didn’t mind and smiled at the clerk. “Clerk Liu, this is the marquis’s token. I am here on behalf of the marquis to confirm this matter. You may proceed.”
Seeing the token, Clerk Liu carefully verified it before beginning the process.
Soon, Madam Tian’s household registration was successfully changed—she became a free woman with a female household.
Holding the newly issued document, Madam Tian’s eyes filled with tears of excitement. She grabbed Wang Yutong’s hand, her voice trembling:
“Tong’er… I am no longer a slave.”
Wang Yutong smiled gently. “Yes. You are no longer Tong’er’s concubine’s servant—you are Tong’er’s mother now.”
“From now on, your life will only get better.”
Wang Fu also congratulated them from the side. “Congratulations, Sixth Miss and Madam Tian.”
Madam Tian hurriedly thanked him, somewhat embarrassed. “Thank you, Steward Fu.”
“You’re welcome, you’re welcome. This is what this old servant should do. Now that everything is settled, I should return to the estate. The old marquis is still waiting for my report.”
“Sixth Miss, the old marquis says the marquis estate will always be your home. The door will always be open for you.”
“He also said he is getting old and hopes you will visit more when you have time.”
After delivering the message, Wang Fu left in a hurry.
Hearing this, Wang Yutong couldn’t help silently muttering, “old fox,” then turned to thank the clerk, quietly slipping him five taels of silver before leaving with Madam Tian.
Back at Piaoyi Residence, Wang Yutong immediately ordered:
“Ah Wu, double this month’s allowance. Tonight, book two tables at a restaurant—we’re celebrating properly.”
Ah Wu went off to make the arrangements.
That night, the lights of Piaoyi Residence stayed on until the Hour of the Pig, filled with laughter—laughter that carried a faint sense of freedom and release.