“That much food? Are you feeding them?”
Mrs. Cheng looked at her daughter, surprised. Cheng Xiao Xiao nodded and smiled, “Of course. After all, they are logging for us, right?”
“Of course. Xiao Xiao you are right. They are helping us out, of course we should feed them good food. I will have them prepare the food right away!”
Mrs. Cheng headed happily toward the kitchen. Cheng Xiao Xiao raised her brows and decided that she must not let her mother be there when she distributes the food. Ugh, she would have her dozens of shi xiong help.
Coming out of the courtyard again and this time she ran into Innkeeper Zhu along with the with the dozen or so maid that has been trained by him. They greeted her on her way.
Cheng Xiao Xiao looked at the maids of all difference sizes and nodded at them, thinking that it had turned out quite good.
“Miss Cheng, do you have some time?” asked Innkeeper Zhu with a big smile.
“What’s up?”
“I would like to discuss something with you.”
Innkeeper Zhu had figured out in the recent days that maiden Cheng was the one that made the calls in the Cheng’s household. As long as she signed off on a proposition, it will get done, even the house master Cheng Biyuan wouldn’t turn it down.
So he reported and discussed everything directly with Cheng Xiao Xiao!
“Sure!” Cheng Xiao Xiao had no idea what he wanted to discuss, she turned to the dozen or so maid and said, “They need help in the kitchen, why don’t you go there to help out?”
“Yes, mistress!”
The maids curtsied and left politely, much different than when they had first arrived at the Cheng’s.
After they have went into the courtyard, Cheng Xiao Xiao asked as they walked, “Innkeeper Zhu, let’s head over to the pond to chat!”
“Yes, Miss Cheng!”
The two arrived at the pond in leisurely pace and Cheng Xiao Xiao asked, “Innkeeper Zhu, please go ahead and tell me what’s on your mind. No need to worry about being too straightforward.”
“I understand,” nodded Innkeeper Zhu. “I want to see what’s your opinion on something.”
“Oh?” Cheng Xiao Xiao was a bit surprised, “What is it that you want to discuss with me, Innkeeper Zhu?”
“About the Cheng’s servants’ matters of course. I don’t really know much about anything else.”
Innkeeper Zhu smiled, a bright smile on his chubby face. He then said, “Miss Cheng, after some observation, the servants are all kind natured, but only a few that you can truly rely on. The rest, we can do with or without them.”
“Please elaborate, Innkeeper Zhu.”
“It’s like this, Miss Cheng, all the kids came from Willow Village, they are all kind-natured. Yes that does not necessarily mean they are the best, or the most suitable. For example, Liu Yesu, Liu Yecao, Liu Xiaoxua, and Liu Chunniu, they are smarter in nature, and suitable to be kept around to help you out. The others one are either still young, or slower by nature. These type of servants, I don’t suggest keeping them around.
“It might seem like small issues on the servants, but these types of small issues usually will bring about larger issues, especially if you keep them close by. If the servants aren’t smart enough, they will only bring about more trouble. Especially considering the situation of your family, if they aren’t mature and savvy, they will only cause you more headaches!”
“….”
After Innkeeper Zhu has finished, he noticed that Cheng Xiao Xiao has been very quiet and he felt a little bit unnerved.
After a long while, Cheng Xiao Xiao looked up and saw the uneasy look on him. She couldn’t help but said, “Innkeeper Zhu, you are right. Thank you for the reminder. To be honest, we accepted all the kids from Willow Village as servants because we couldn’t turn the villagers down. If you say some of them are not suitable, naturally we shouldn’t keep them. Please keep a close eye on those for me in the next few days!”
