Chapter 50

◎“Take off the veil.” [Second Update] ◎

On their first day, the newcomers didn't need to start working immediately. They needed to familiarize themselves with the environment first. Manager Qiao led the five of them on a tour of the outer courtyard so that they could get acquainted with the roads inside the mansion.

Although the street where the Jiang residence was located was not the most prosperous in the capital, and the exterior of the residence was no different from other houses, the interior was a completely different world. The decoration of the long corridors exuded a magnificent atmosphere, and the gardens were also carefully designed by famous landscape masters. These people had not seen such a scene for more than ten years, and they were deeply shocked upon arrival.

Manager Qiao had other things to do, and seeing that they had all gotten to know the way pretty well, he went to the main courtyard to do his work. Before leaving, he left a message saying that a new manager would come in the afternoon to teach them the rules.

The four people traveling with Xue Lingyu were all from the same place. They looked down on him because he was mentally challenged, so they banded together to make fire and didn't pay much attention to him.

Xue Lingyu didn't like talking to these four people either. The Jiang family had bought more than just these five people. Today, many people came to the outer courtyard, all dressed similarly to them. They all seemed to be people who came to the Jiang family to sell themselves as servants. Among them were many kind and friendly people, unlike those four who always had a cold face towards her.

Among them was a girl named Xinyan, from the outskirts of the capital. She had a round face and was chubby, which made her very endearing. She was the first person to speak to Xue Lingyu.

Xin Yan followed the path of another steward in the main courtyard. She was a truly virtuous woman who sold herself to the Jiang family for the sake of her sick father and young sister, so that she could continue to make a living.

He was different from the slaves who were bought by human traffickers. Although he also had to start as a lowly servant when he came in, he had the opportunity to move up. If he performed well, he might be able to serve in the main courtyard.

Xue Lingyu sat on the steps counting plum blossoms. There were many plum blossoms planted in the Jiang residence. Although it was the season for the flowers to fade, the fallen petals were still very lovely and had a delicate fragrance. Xue Lingyu collected many petals and put them one by one into her sachet.

Xin Yan was a sociable person. He had noticed Xue Lingyu long ago. While others gathered together to chat after dinner or secretly hid and cried out of fear, he was the only one counting plum blossoms.

Xin Yan plopped down next to Xue Lingyu, staring at him curiously and said, "Don't you have a handkerchief to wash your face? Here, take it."

Xue Lingyu blinked, and it took her a while to understand what he meant. She reached out and took the handkerchief, tilting her head to look at it for a long time, as if she didn't know how to wipe herself.

Xin Yan found him incredibly cute and couldn't help but chuckle. She took his hand and led him towards the lake.

There is a small lake in the inner and outer courtyards of the Jiang residence. Although it is frozen in winter, when Xin Yan came over, she saw that there was a hole in the ice on the edge that someone had made, and there was clean water that she could use.

He was from the countryside, and his skin was thick and tough; washing his face with ice water was a daily routine for him.

Before Xue Lingyu could even lift a finger, he kindly dipped a handkerchief in ice water and began wiping her face.

He couldn't stay still, and while wiping, he said, "Your clothes are clean, but your face is so dirty. Didn't your father teach you to wash up after getting up in the morning?"

As Xin Yan wiped her face, she saw Xue Lingyu's clean face and suddenly stopped.

He had never seen such a beautiful person before, like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting. He remembered his father saying that such beautiful people were destined to become concubines in the palace, and ordinary people would never have the chance to see one.

Xue Lingyu couldn't decipher the emotions in Xin Yan's eyes. The icy water stung his delicate skin, and he couldn't help but cover his face, saying, "It hurts a little..."

Xin Yan snapped out of her daze and immediately dropped the handkerchief in her hand upon hearing this. Looking at Xue Lingyu's slightly flushed face, she said guiltily, "I'm so sorry, I didn't expect your face to be so delicate. It would turn red as soon as it touched the ice water. Let me find some ointment for you."

Xin Yan panicked again after speaking. He hadn't yet gained a foothold in the Jiang family and had no idea where to find the ointment. But he still decided to give it a try, after all, he couldn't let such a handsome face be damaged.

Xue Lingyu held Xinyan's hand and shook her head, saying, "It doesn't hurt anymore."

His tone was extremely serious, especially his eyes, which seemed to hold the stars, making Xin Yan hesitate to approach.

Xin Yan couldn't help but sigh, "Are you really here to be a servant? You're beautiful and have a good personality. I'm sure many people like you. I think you could even enter the palace and become a favored concubine."

Xue Lingyu shook her head, her tone tinged with grievance: "Manager Qiao said I'm ugly and made me wear a veil."

If someone is ugly even if they look like that, then they shouldn't be living, Xin Yan couldn't help but complain in her heart.

“Manager Qiao is wrong. You’re not ugly, but you have to wear a veil because of your appearance. Otherwise, if your master takes a liking to you, you’ll definitely be taken away as a concubine.” Xin Yan said in a low voice, “I’ve heard that the masters of those wealthy families have strange habits. They torture their concubines until they are covered in wounds and wish they were dead.”

Xin Yan also intended to scare Xue Lingyu a little, exaggerating a bit, but Xue Lingyu didn't react at all, so he couldn't help but ask in surprise, "You're not afraid at all?"

Xue Lingyu pursed her lips and said, "I'm not afraid."

His eyes were as clear as snow water, and even his voice was soft and pleasant. Thinking of her younger sister who was still a minor at home, Xin Yan couldn't help but have a thought.

"I have a younger sister who will be an adult in two years. I don't know if you're interested in her. Although my family is poor, I can earn money. My younger sister is also very good at studying and may become the top scholar in the imperial examination in the future. If you are willing... if you are willing..." Xin Yan hesitated to continue. Faced with such an ethereal beauty, he suddenly felt that his younger sister was not good enough for him, and the courage he had just mustered dissipated.

However, Xin Yan was reluctant to part with the beauty before her. After pondering for a while, she decided, "I'll wait until my younger sister passes the imperial examination, and then I'll come to marry you as her husband after all the proper betrothal rites!"

The words "Masafu" seemed to touch Xue Lingyu's heartstrings. He smiled, his lips curving upwards, and said, "Okay."

Xinyan held his hand, overwhelmed with emotion.

Unexpectedly, this led to the selection of his future brother-in-law. His trip to the Jiang family was indeed worthwhile.

The first thing Xin Yan did was find a veil for Xue Lingyu and instruct him to wear it at all times so that others would not see his face. If anyone asked, he should say that he had been injured in an accident and that his appearance was ugly and that he was afraid of scaring others.

Xue Lingyu obediently memorized them all.

Jiang's father had been keeping an eye on the movements of Liushui Xiaozhu. Last time, Jiang He rushed to the Jingzhao government office, but it was all in vain. After that, she became more and more depressed and could not be persuaded no matter what. She was only focused on finding Xue Lingyu.

Since everyone has been missing for so long, Jiang's father should have left the capital by now. Based on what Xue Lingyu told him, he shouldn't let Jiang He find him.

Ruiming reported, "My lord, after leaving the Jingzhao government office, Miss went to the business to handle some business matters. It seems she has already accepted the fact that Young Master Xue is not here."

Father Jiang felt a sudden sense of relief. As long as Jiang He could handle the business, he didn't care whether it was Xue Lingyu or any other man. In time, even the most handsome man would be forgotten.

Even if time cannot completely erase the traces, a new love can always accelerate the forgetting.

Father Jiang's mind started working again. He remembered what Ruiming had mentioned last time, "You said last time that it's not too late to choose a husband for He'er now. Now that the Fifth Prince has been assigned to a marriage alliance, His Majesty will not casually arrange a marriage for He'er again. It is indeed a good time to take your time to choose."

Ruiming smiled and said, "If you marry a virtuous husband and add a few beautiful concubines, you'll forget everything as time goes by."

Father Jiang also felt that what he said made sense.

Of the three candidates chosen for Jiang He's principal wife last time, Zuo Ji was no longer among them. Since that incident, he was hastily married off by Prince Zuo, but it is unknown which family he married into.

The second son of the Marquis of Yingwu, born into a military family, is lively and adorable. Moreover, the Marquis of Yingwu is a magnanimous man who has a good relationship with the Jiang family, and they were engaged last month.

The He family's business is booming and is poised to surpass the Jiang family's. If the two families were to unite in marriage, it would not only solve the Jiang family's urgent financial crisis but also allow them to monopolize the businesses in the capital, helping the Jiang family reach new heights in the market.

I've heard that although the young master of the He family is of average appearance, he is a virtuous husband, and by choosing a few charming concubines, he can surely fill the vacancy.

Jiang's father had a very clever plan.

"Let's find a suitable day to invite the young master of the He family to our residence for a chat."

Ruiming bowed and agreed, but did not rush to leave. "My lord, Miss sold many people out a while ago. Now is the time when we need people. Today, the outer courtyard bought a batch of maids. You should go and take a look. If you find any you like, it would be good to promote them to the inner courtyard as servants."

Father Jiang picked up his teacup, frowned, and said, "Are the maids we bought in the outer courtyard of clean status? Investigate carefully, lest we find another disloyal and unjust maid like Yang Tao and Yang Le."

Ruiming helped Jiang's father up from the chair and said humbly, "The ones who were inspected by the managers are all from honest farming families, so we dare not be careless in any way."

"In that case, let's go take a look, and while we're at it, let's pick out a few servants for He'er's courtyard."

Jiang He's courtyard is currently only staffed by a few trusted confidants, which is rather meager. Jiang's father is thinking that it's time to add a few more.

In the afternoon, a new steward arrived and meticulously explained the rules of the Jiang household, teaching the maids some simple etiquette gestures. Xue Lingyu learned the fastest. Because he was wearing a veil, the steward asked him a question, but upon learning that he had scars on his face, he did not ask any further questions.

Xin Yan was a bit chubby, and although she had learned the bowing movements fairly well, she was still a little clumsy when she did them, which made her look rather adorable and like someone who could please her master.

After the rules were explained, Steward Qiao arrived.

He looked at the people in the courtyard and laughed, "You are all really lucky. You were all destined to be lowly servants, but now the master has been exceptionally kind and wants to select a few people to enter the inner courtyard. Your chance to rise to the top has come, so you must perform well."

The inner and outer courtyards are worlds apart; if it weren't for the shortage of people in the spring, these people wouldn't have gotten a chance.

Manager Qiao spotted Xue Lingyu immediately; among so many people, he was the most unique, wearing a veil to cover his face.

He pointed at Xue Lingyu and ordered, "You, take off your veil and let the master see you properly later."

A note from the author:

Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 20:03:12 and 22:38:54 on February 2, 2022!

Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: yogurt and tea nest (1 each);

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!

◎Latest Comments:

I need to stock up first.

【renew. . . . ,,】

[Help...when will it get sweet? This old-fashioned, melodramatic plot makes me not want to watch it at all otz]

Oh no, if I get found out, will I be sold somewhere else?

[Waaaaaah, please be gentle!]

[Update soon_]

I suspect there's something wrong with Ruiming.

Please update soon, author!

【claw】

【Huh!】

【Damn it! Madam, this writer's block is driving me crazy!】

[Boss, if you keep this up, something bad will happen sooner or later...]

【I? ? ? 】

[Oh no, the female lead's father is definitely going to kick Yu Yu out. This is so tragic.]

I really dislike Ruiming (when will he be written out of the story?), and I find the female lead's father so infuriating. ( )

-over-