The news that Huang Yaning and Huang Xianjing were helping the maid Du Juan find a potential husband had reached the ears of some people in the mansion.
The maid Dou Sha, who served Concubine Ruan, had reached marriageable age years ago. So, Concubine Ruan came to Huang Yaning and Huang Xianjing to ask for their help.
Huang Yaning and the other girl naturally had no objection. If you’re going to help one person look, you might as well help two.
Huang Yaning also asked Qingtian if she was interested in getting married.
Last time, after using bugs to torment Sheng Mingjian and the other two, Huang Yaning had obtained the contracts for Qingtian’s entire family from Sheng Minmin.
Now, Qingtian’s family considered Huang Yaning their only master. As Huang Yaning’s head maid, Qingtian naturally didn’t want to marry too early.
So, Qingtian said she wanted to stay with Huang Yaning for a few more years.
Peony Court.
“Madam, Seventh Miss and our young lady from the Huang family have been busy for several days. I’ve heard they’ve already selected seven or eight excellent candidates for Sister Cuckoo and Sister Dou Sha…” Qingchi said.
Recently, Qingzhu hadn’t been going out, and since Qingchi didn’t need to accompany her anywhere, she had been staying in the mansion.
Sheng Minmin looked at the few maids in the room, and her gaze casually swept over Qingxiang, who had a somewhat dazed expression.
In her previous life at Peony Court, Qingxiang was the only servant, apart from Qingying, who never ridiculed or mocked her. There was no doubt that Qingxiang had a kind and gentle heart, which was why she hadn’t trampled on Sheng Minmin back then.
But kind and gentle people can change too, losing themselves after being tainted by power and desire.
Some time ago, Qingxiang couldn’t resist temptation and secretly formed a connection with Gao Shan. Sheng Minmin was very disappointed.
Perhaps Qingxiang felt that Sheng Mingjian was, after all, her “dear son,” and that she and Sheng Mingjian would reconcile eventually, which is why she accepted Gao Shan.
Regardless of the reason, Sheng Minmin could no longer consider Qingxiang a trusted confidante.
However, given their years of interaction, Qingxiang had served her very attentively.
Considering that Qingxiang meant her no harm and hadn’t actually done anything to hurt her, Sheng Minmin was willing to let Qingxiang marry and leave.
She forked a piece of watermelon, tasted it, and found it very sweet.
Unfortunately, watermelon is too cooling. She didn’t dare eat much, so she put down the fork after just two pieces.
“This watermelon is good. You all try some.”
Qingchi immediately beamed with joy, thanked her, stepped forward, forked a piece, popped it into her mouth, and even squinted her eyes with a look of utter satisfaction.
Everyone in the room knew that Qingchi was a little foodie who could really pack it away.
When she first entered the mansion, she could eat seven or eight bowls of rice in one meal. Her appetite has shrunk a bit since then, but she still needs at least three big bowls per meal, plus a few plates of snacks between meals.
“Come to think of it, you’ve all reached the right age. If any of you want to get married, this is a good opportunity.
“If you find someone you like, I’ll definitely prepare a nice dowry for you and send you off in style.”
Qingchi blinked her big eyes and said, “Madam, I don’t want to marry! I’m afraid I’d eat the poor fellow out of house and home—
“I want to stay with you forever. Only by staying with you can I get enough to eat!”
The key point is the second sentence, isn’t it…
Sheng Minmin was amused by Qingchi’s expression.
“You’re the youngest among them, so there’s no rush. If you want to marry later, I’ll find you a wealthy husband who can keep you fed.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
Qingchi wasn’t shy at all and smiled, showing a row of white teeth.
Qingying and Qingzhu, on the other hand, clearly stated that they didn’t want to marry.
Sheng Minmin had figured out their personalities over the past few years.
Qingying was aloof. There were quite a few capable stewards inside and outside the mansion who had tried hard to woo her, but Qingying even found them somewhat annoying.
She had absolutely no interest in getting married, having children, supporting a husband, raising kids, or being filial to parents-in-law.
Qingying felt that her current life, following Sheng Minmin, was the best.
She wanted to stay by her side forever and become an old nanny when she grew older.
As for Qingzhu, she had been bullied by a steward from one of the farms in the past, and she had no desire to live with a man in this lifetime either.
These two truly didn’t want to get married.
And then there was Qingdai, who had once confided in Sheng Minmin that she wanted to take revenge on Lin Zhijing’s family.
Until that revenge was accomplished, Qingdai also had no thoughts of marriage or children.
Therefore, Sheng Minmin’s words were actually directed only at Qingxiang. She hoped Qingxiang would leave.
If Qingxiang didn’t take the hint this time, Sheng Minmin would find another opportunity to send her away later.
But Qingxiang looked rather panicked and said she didn’t want to marry, that she wanted to stay at Peony Court.
Sheng Minmin sighed inwardly.
——-
Meanwhile, Concubine Ruan was looking very carefully through the booklet that Huang Yaning and Huang Xianjing had sent over.
It recorded the personal situations and family backgrounds of the selected young, capable stewards.
Concubine Ruan looked at it for a long time before closing the booklet, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.
“Seventh Miss and our young lady from the Huang family were certainly diligent. The young men they selected are all excellent…”
“Concubine, which one do you think is best among these? Whoever you say is best, this servant will choose—” Dou Sha immediately said.
Concubine Ruan looked a bit helpless yet fond and shook her head with a smile.
“Silly girl. Marriage is a major event that affects the happiness of the rest of your life. You should care about this yourself. You can’t just listen to me…
“If I misjudge and you end up unhappy, won’t you resent me for the rest of your life…”
Dou Sha shook her head like a rattle-drum. “No, I wouldn’t. Why would I blame you, Concubine?
“You’re so smart, so whoever you choose is bound to be the best. Even if I’m not happy in the future, I’ll still be grateful to you, Concubine.”
“Why?” Concubine Ruan was puzzled and also a bit curious.
“Because if I had to choose for myself, I’d definitely end up with someone even worse!”
The definite expression on Dou Sha’s face made Concubine Ruan burst out laughing with a “Pfft!”
“Alright, enough joking!
“Don’t worry. I’ve looked, and the people in this booklet are all decent. If we’re talking about the best, there are two families.”
Dou Sha’s eyes were already starting to sparkle.
Concubine Ruan didn’t keep her in suspense. “Both of these families work on the farms.
“The first is Wang Zhong from the Wang family.
“A few years ago, Madam sent two abusive stewards to the yamen. Later, she could only find one suitable replacement steward.
“This Wang family was the other candidate. At the time, they weren’t willing to sign an indenture contract; they only wanted to bring their family and sign a regular employment agreement.
“Madam found out that the Wang family owned a bit of land themselves and managed it well, so she decided to hire them.
“Now, Old Man Wang manages the farm very efficiently, Old Mrs. Wang is also an expert at selling vegetables, and the farm’s income from vegetable sales is twenty percent higher than other farms.
“Madam has always been generous, so she certainly won’t shortchange them on money.
“Wang Zhong is the Wang family’s third son. The eldest brother is an accountant and married a village scholar’s daughter.
“The second sister married a grocery store owner and lives a comfortable life.
“There’s also a younger brother around ten or so who’s quite talented in reading and studying.
“This family is prosperous, and every member is sharp and capable.
“While they’re not wealthy, they’d never go hungry. If you marry into that family, you won’t have to worry about making a living.
“Moreover, their family isn’t registered as servants. If one of the children becomes successful and passes the imperial exams to enter officialdom, they could completely transform their social standing overnight.”
But Dou Sha wasn’t very satisfied with Wang Zhong and pouted.
“But I don’t want to leave the Sheng family. I was thinking that after I marry, I’d quickly have two children and then come back to serve you, Concubine, and the Young Master—
“The Young Master is definitely going to pass the imperial exams with top marks. The good days for you, Concubine, and the Young Master are still ahead. I want to cling to your and the Young Master’s coattails too—”
