AWB Chapter 133 She's still here!
Chapter 133 She's still here!
Over the next few days, Yu Wan directed the servants in the mansion to tidy up, while Yun Shang focused on preparing for the exam.
After spending a few days together, Yu Wan found Miao Hong, the maid, increasingly interesting—a typical example of someone who is tough on the outside but soft on the inside, with a sharp tongue but a kind heart.
Keeping someone like that around greatly reduces the chances of being betrayed.
After the affairs of the manor were basically settled, Yun Shang found a matchmaker and sold off the original servants one by one, keeping only Miao Hong, and then purchased several maids and servants with clean backgrounds.
Miao Hong never expected that she would be the one left behind in the end.
Yu Wan allowed her to continue serving as the manager.
Inside the hall, Miao Hong held the steward's token and glanced at the new maids and servants waiting for instructions behind her.
He glanced at Yu Wan, who was leisurely sipping her tea, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Why does Madam want me to stay?"
Yu Wan looked up at her with a smile: "If you want to stay, then stay. Why are you asking so many questions? Don't you want to stay?"
Miao Hong was stunned for a moment, and felt a pang of shame when she thought about her attitude towards Yu Wan back then.
She didn't say anything more, but respectfully bowed and said, "This servant will certainly not let Madam down."
When Miao Hong learned that Young Master Zhou had no intention of taking her away, she did want to find another suitor.
She was worried that her new master would sell them all off.
She doesn't know where she'll end up then, so it's better to choose one for herself first.
If people can stand tall and live by their own abilities, who would want to be a withered flower that relies on its beauty to serve others and is easily discarded?
Yu Wan smiled and nodded: "I trust you. You are familiar with the affairs of the manor. Take them down to make the arrangements."
Miao Hong responded and led the newly arrived servants to the backyard.
Upon reaching the backyard, even the maids and servants who had previously dared not utter a sound couldn't help but ask in hushed tones.
"Auntie in charge, are the masters in the manor easy to get along with?"
"Will they mistreat their servants?"
"The master of the previous household I served was kind to outsiders, but in the household, he would beat and scold us maids at the drop of a hat. Some of my sisters were even beaten to death by them..."
Miao Hong listened to these comments, her face darkened, and she coughed a few times.
Everyone immediately fell silent.
She tilted her head slightly, her tone serious: "The young masters and ladies in our household are all the kindest of masters. As long as you do your jobs properly, you will never be treated unfairly. But if anyone harbors ill intentions, not only the masters, but I will be the first to punish you!"
Seeing her imposing presence, everyone secretly sighed – for such a charismatic steward to serve him willingly, the master of the house must be extraordinary. They couldn't help but feel a greater sense of awe for their master.
If the master is capable, they, the servants, can also benefit from it.
At the corner, Yu Wan leaned against a pillar, smiling as she watched Miao Hong give her a lecture.
This kind of thing should have been done by her, the lady of the house.
But firstly, she's lazy.
Secondly, I also wanted to see Miao Hong's abilities.
"You have a good eye." A deep, cool voice came from behind. "Miao Hong is a useful person."
Smelling the familiar cool fragrance, Yu Wan turned around with a beaming smile, proudly raising her chin, "Of course."
"Don't you even know whose wife I am..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Wan realized that she had probably spoken too quickly and said something she shouldn't have.
She quickly added, "What I mean is, of course someone as smart as me has good judgment."
Seeing her anxious explanation, Yun Shang smiled slightly and nodded deliberately: "Yes, I know. My wife is naturally the most capable."
Yu Wan: "..." So you only remembered the first half of the sentence, right?
The newly hired servants in the manor became increasingly capable under Miao Hong's tutelage. Not only did they perform their duties well, but they were also adept at reading people's expressions. For several days in a row, everything in the manor was in perfect order, without the slightest mishap.
Yu Wan felt that it was a waste of Miao Hong's talents to only be a steward in the inner quarters.
She thought to herself that if she ever opened a shop, she would definitely have Miao Hong be her manager.
While Yun Shang was preparing for the exam, Yu Wan was also busy.
She basically figured out the relationships between the major powerful families in Shengjing City.
Because of the original owner of this body, she was most concerned about the Duke of Anguo's mansion.
However, the Duke of Anguo's mansion kept a very low profile in Shengjing City. The Duke and Duchess Anguo were not people who liked to show off, so there were not many rumors about them.
Yu Wan could only guess from the original descriptions and some rumors she had heard that the Duke of Anguo and his wife were kind and gentle people.
If she comes to acknowledge her relatives, there shouldn't be too much trouble.
Just as Yu Wan was secretly preparing to recognize the Duke of Anguo's family.
One day, a distinguished guest suddenly arrived at the mansion.
When Miao Hong came to report, she could barely speak: "Madam, there is a lady outside who claims to be the wife of the Duke of Shun and says she wants to come into the mansion to speak with you."
"The Duchess of Shunguo?" Yu Wan repeated in a low voice, her mind racing.
This person was not mentioned in the original work, but she had heard of him recently and that he had a good relationship with Consort Duan in the palace.
Yu Wan quickly stood up: "Let's go."
Since the Duchess of Shunguo personally came to visit, she naturally had to go and greet her.
When Lady Shunguo saw Yu Wan at the gate of the Yun residence, her smile deepened.
Yu Wan lifted her skirt, which was in the way, and quickly walked up to her. She bowed and said, "I was unaware of your arrival, Madam. I apologize for not greeting you properly."
Lady Shunguo did not respond immediately, but instead looked Yu Wan up and down.
Having heard Prince Chen praise Lady Yu a few times earlier, Lady Shunguo became curious.
After all, it would be absolutely unbelievable to hear Prince Chen praise another woman.
Now that she has met him, Lady Shunguo felt that Yu Wan was even better than Prince Chen had described.
The girl before them wasn't strikingly beautiful, but she had the kind of looks that elders typically preferred.
Her features are delicate and petite, her eyebrows and eyes are lively and expressive, and she is pure and lovely. Her eyes are like lotus flowers emerging from the water, clean and clear.
He sees through everything people are thinking and is not a scheming person.
At first glance, the Duchess of Shunguo felt a fondness for Yu Wan.
She smiled and said, "How can I blame you? I came uninvited, and I'm the one who bothered you."
Yu Wan quickly shook her head: "How could that be? I'm overjoyed that Madam has graced us with her presence."
Seeing that her words were sincere and her actions were consistent, the Duchess of Shun's smile deepened:
"I am also very happy to see you today."
"I have come to your door today for two reasons. First, I want to see a girl who can win the praise of Prince Chen. Second, I am also entrusted by Prince Chen to take you to a banquet."
"A banquet?" Yu Wan asked curiously.
Lady Shunguo nodded with a smile, her tone gentle: "The Anguo Duke's Mansion is holding a wedding banquet soon for its eldest daughter who has been missing for many years, and is preparing a grand feast to celebrate."
Upon hearing this, Yu Wan was completely stunned.
The eldest daughter of the Duke of Anguo's mansion who has been missing for many days? Isn't she still here?
When did the Duke of Anguo's mansion find a "legitimate daughter"?