Chapter 189: Servants and Guards
“Sister, I’m not making this up! Even though she was wearing a conical hat, I saw clearly—it was Yu Luo, that wretched star of misfortune!”
Yu Meiyao’s eyes were full of grievance. Even though Yu Yingying had lost a leg and become crippled, she had only become more overbearing, constantly bossing her around and scolding her.
Sometimes, when she was in a bad mood, she would even vent her anger by biting, scratching, and slapping Yu Meiyao behind Yu Zhengqing’s back.
If it weren’t for her disability, she probably would have been even more ruthless.
Yu Meiyao had understood the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children from a young age. She had always humbled herself in front of the legitimate-born, playing the role of a meek and obedient girl. It had become a habit. But that didn’t mean she didn’t harbor resentment.
Only she knew how much hatred had accumulated in her heart.
“I think Meiyao might not be wrong. After all, wasn’t that weak and feeble Yu Haojie suddenly as strong as an ox, even injuring both of your brothers internally? If Yu Luo has been hiding her true abilities, that is entirely possible too.”
Old Madam Chen mulled it over, her eyes darting around, clearly scheming something sinister.
But the more she thought about Yu Luo possessing martial skills, the more anxious and uneasy she became.
If Yu Luo was truly that formidable, wouldn’t she come looking for revenge once she had free time?
No! She had to strike first before it was too late.
“If Xiao Luo was indeed hiding her strength, then that’s even better. In a place like this, a young girl with martial skills will be much safer. There’s nothing surprising about it—after all, she carries the blood of the Yu family. We come from a line of military commanders; it’s not unusual for our family members to know martial arts.”
Seeing that Yu Zhengqing wasn’t worried and was even happy for Yu Luo’s family, Old Madam Chen realized that no matter how much she tried to sow discord, her son would still side with Yu Haojie and his family. So, she simply dropped the matter.
“Haojie, there are still many things we need to prepare for the house. Even just getting a few wooden beds would help—sleeping on the damp ground in this rainy weather is unbearable. Didn’t you say you planned to go to Feng City? Since there’s nothing else to do on these rainy days, you should go now. If you can reconnect with your father’s old subordinates, that would be even better.”
Hearing Old Madam Chen suddenly change the subject and push Yu Haojie to visit Feng City, Lady Lan’s heart tensed. She quietly raised her eyes to observe her husband.
“How can he go in this heavy rain? It’s springtime, and getting drenched in this weather is terribly cold! Besides, there’s a lack of doctors and medicine in this desolate land. What if he catches a chill? What will we do then?”
Before Lady Lan could find a way to persuade him to stay, Chang Hui Lan couldn’t hold back any longer and anxiously chimed in, her eyes filled with genuine concern for Yu Zhengqing.
But the moment she spoke, Old Madam Chen shot her a piercing glare.
“Hah! You shameless woman, what do you mean by that? Are you implying that I don’t care about my own son? What, do you think you can compete with me for his affection?”
Chang Hui Lan froze.
Hearing Old Madam Chen’s harsh and humiliating words, she was utterly stunned.
She had been raised in a prestigious scholarly family, treated like a noble lady her whole life. Even after marrying Yu Zhengqing, she had remained a well-known noblewoman in the capital for over twenty years as the An Rong Lord’s wife. When had she ever been humiliated like this?
Yu Zhengqing turned around and met his wife’s red, teary eyes, filled with grievance. His anger flared up even more.
“Mother, even though we are no longer in the marquis’ residence, you were still the marquis’ wife for decades. You should mind your words. Lady Chang is my wife—there’s no need for you to insult her like that.”
“Fine, fine! Now that your father is gone, I’m just a burden to you all. Now, I’m not even allowed to speak, and I can’t discipline my own daughter-in-law anymore? Fine! I won’t say anything. I’ll just be a mute!”
Watching his mother act so unreasonable, Yu Zhengqing felt utterly exhausted.
“Enough, Mother. Stop making a scene. You are still my mother, and I will always fulfill my duty as your son. But if this rain doesn’t stop by tomorrow, I must go to Feng City.”
Hearing her son’s words, Old Madam Chen’s anger subsided significantly.
Silently, she turned to look at her grandson, Yu Xiaoxuan. Their eyes met, and an unspoken understanding passed between them.
*
Meanwhile, when Yu Luo arrived at the stone house, she saw that the group of men who had returned with Tao Ming had all squeezed into his house, using large pieces of tree bark as makeshift rain covers.
Tao Ming was vividly describing the newly discovered city and Yu Luo’s grand residence when Yu Luo herself appeared at the doorway.
As soon as they saw her, the group of burly men became flustered and quickly shuffled to the corner of the already small house, trying to make more space for her.
“Miss, is what Tao Ming said true? Did your uncles really build a house for you?”
Hu Liu was the most outspoken among them.
The moment Yu Luo appeared, he couldn’t hold back his eagerness to confirm the unbelievable story Tao Ming had told them.
Looking at the group of men who had finally shaved their beards, revealing their true faces, Yu Luo smiled and nodded.
“Yes, it’s true. I actually came here to ask—would any of you be interested in working for my family as household servants or guards? But let me make this clear: being a servant or a guard at my house isn’t just about lounging around, playing with crickets, or chatting all day. You’ll have to do all sorts of chores and hard labor. In other words, you’ll be working as proper servants. If you’re willing, I will cover your meals, and you’ll receive one tael of silver per month as wages.”
Hiring these men—who had no prior relationship with her—was much safer than employing the Bai, Liu, or Zhang families.
After all, those three families had started at the same point as her own. But as time passed, if they saw her family’s situation improving while they were still working as servants, resentment might grow. Some might even turn against them.
Yu Luo didn’t want to take that risk. Even if she had to hire people from those families, she would place them outside the estate. She would make sure they only worked for her family without actually seeing how comfortably they lived.
“Really? We get meals and lodging, plus a tael of silver per month?!”
Hu Liu’s eyes widened in joy.
In his mind, he was already calculating.
They had been working for Yu Luo’s family, earning only twenty wen per day, and that didn’t even include food!
