Eight hundred li south of the Capital City, there is a river named the Huai Water.
Huaian City is the largest city along the Huai Water River and also a vital transit point for Gu Changsheng's journey southward.
In front of Anping Inn, Old Man Lau clasped his hands in a bow. "Lady Changsheng, I am concerned for my family at home and can only escort you this far."
Gu Changsheng returned the gesture, motioning to Xiao Cui to fetch some silver coins, "Uncle Lau, you are too formal. It was agreed to only accompany us this far. Thanks to your guidance and arrangements along the way, our journey was much smoother."
"Lady, you overstate my efforts, it's my incapabilities..."
Old Man Lau accepted the silver coins, which were much more than agreed upon.
"A reward from you, Lady. To say, 'if it's meant to be, we shall meet again,' also counts as accumulating good karma." Xiao Cui said with a smile in her eyes.
Having spent over half a month together, Old Man Lau had come to understand Lady Changsheng's nature and left with endless thanks.
After a satisfying meal and a comfortable hot bath, Gu Changsheng sprawled on the bed, groaning with dismay.
After settling Little Meat Bun, Xiao Cui saw her in this state. "What's wrong, my lady? Why the sighs when all is well?"
"Xiao Cui, Uncle Lau has left, and when we cross the Huai Water River, which way should we proceed?"
Uncle Lau was so good, simple and industrious, albeit a bit timid, but at least he spared this lazybones here from any jolting...
"Then, my lady, what do you think we should do?" Xiao Cui tidied up the scattered clothes and began threading a needle to make a summer garment for the Young Master, as it was getting hotter the further south they travelled.
"Xiao Cui, look at our finances, can we afford to support another person until Liuzhou?"
"My lady jests, not to mention one more person, even two or three more would not be a problem for us to reach Liuzhou." Xiao Cui continued her work without looking up, their finances were still very comfortable.
Gu Changsheng slapped the bed decisively. "Alright, then tomorrow we will go out and buy a coachman!"
Xiao Cui jumped in surprise, then sat back down. Whatever the lady said was final. She remembered the days in the Capital City when, penniless, they had to rely on pawning items to get by—Lady Changsheng looked deeply aggrieved.
Indeed, for such a delicate person as Lady Changsheng, how could she endure such hardship?
Seeing the look of sympathy on Xiao Cui's face, Gu Changsheng knew what she was thinking. Right? She, Gu Changsheng, used to a life of luxury, who could have imagined that one day, mysteriously transported to another reality, she would live such a life!
Without an illustrious family background, no silver, no house, and no comfortable days, how could she bear it?
She wanted to earn silver! No matter what the methods! She wanted to earn silver to buy a house, and then continue her lazy, affluent life! Nobody should block her way. On the road to making money, she would be ruthless!
The next morning after breakfast, Gu Changsheng called for the innkeeper. With a glance, she signaled Xiao Cui to slip him Two Taels of Silver, and Gu Changsheng spoke, "Shopkeeper, as a widow and orphan passing through your respected territory, I won't say much more, but hope the shopkeeper can show us the clear path."
"Lady, you are too polite. Whatever you need, just command, and I will ensure it's handled perfectly," the Shopkeeper, beaming with a wide smile, two Taels of Silver—though the lady appeared ordinary, her generosity was impressive.
"There's no need to be tense, shopkeeper. I just feel uneasy, a woman traveling alone, and wanted to buy a couple of people. I wonder if you know..." Gu Changsheng said, taking a leisurely sip of tea.
"My lady, you've come to the right person. I don't dare boast, but my ancestors back to eight generations are natives of Huaian, and I know all the inner workings here," the Shopkeeper's smile became even friendlier, seeing his lady's maid's delicate appearance, knowing how to handle herself—a sure sign of a well-born household. Now seeing they wanted to purchase servants, he was truly glad he had treated them well.
"My lady, in the eastern part of the city, there's Old Lady Xu. She deals only in servants who are officially recognized by the Government Office. The large households in Huaian City also procure their servants from her. She is a trustworthy person. If my lady is in a hurry, I can lead you there immediately."
Gu Changsheng nodded, pleased with his understanding, and bowed slightly, "Then please, shopkeeper, lead the way."
"I dare not, I dare not; you flatter me too much," the Shopkeeper replied.
Gu Changsheng took her son by the hand and followed the shopkeeper towards the eastern part of the city.
"Mother, why are we buying people?" Little Meat Bun asked, puzzled.
"To drive the carriage, of course. After crossing the Huai Water River, we still have a long way to go. Surely you don't expect us to walk all the way?" Gu Changsheng ruffled his little hair bun.
"Can't we drive it ourselves?"
"Are you going to drive, or shall Xiao Cui?" Gu Changsheng l
"My son, your mother here, I am not skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting; I find washing clothes and cooking tiring, and handling the wind and sun while driving a carriage is definitely beyond me..."
Little Meat Bun: "..."
Xiao Cui: "..."
Not too far nor too near from the eastern part of the city, by the time the shopkeeper led Gu Changsheng and the others there, Old Lady Xu had already been waiting at the door. She repeatedly bowed and greeted them, not forgetting to complain, "Shopkeeper Zhang really should have said something. With such a noble lady as yourself, if there were any instructions, you could have simply sent someone to tell me. I, Old Lady Xu, would have taken care of it. Why trouble yourself to make this trip in person?"
A shrewd businesswoman, Gu Changsheng sighed inwardly, but she said aloud, "Nanny, you flatter me too much. It was presumptuous of me to come. I thought it best to pick personally; you should not trick a newcomer."
You choose what you think is best, but that might not be what I want.
Understanding her intention, Old Lady Xu quickly agreed and led the group to the main hall to settle them down.
Gu Changsheng did not decline and gracefully sat at the head, with Little Meat Bun next to her and Xiao Cui standing by.
"My lady, please have some coarse tea to rest your feet. What kind of person are you looking for? A maid or a boy, or even a man to guard and take care of the house, I have a few honest and clean men here."
"No need for excessive formalities, Nanny. I originally wanted a coachman for convenience on the road. But since you mentioned it, I naturally want to see them all. You don't have to bring them one batch at a time. Just bring anyone who has a clean background and has been honestly assessed for me to see."
With a look from Gu Changsheng, Xiao Cui cleverly stepped forward and handed Old Lady Xu five taels of silver, "Thank you for your trouble, Nanny. My mistress just wants to have a good look."
"Oh, you are too polite, miss. It's only right for me to do as much," replied Old Lady Xu, bowing repeatedly. Recognizing the extra gratuity and noting the unassuming dress but distinguished behavior of the three, she became even more diligent, "Please wait here a moment, madam. I will go and call the others right away, so you can meet them."
Before leaving, she did not forget to instruct a maid nearby, "Take good care of the lady and the young master. If you neglect them, watch your hide."
The maid bowed repeatedly in agreement.
Gu Changsheng was in no rush, and took this opportunity to have Little Meat Bun recite the Three Character Classic.
Little Meat Bun, Gu Ze, was exceptionally bright and recited with poise.
"If he regrets it in old age, thinking it too late, you, being young, should start reflecting early..."
When Old Lady Xu arrived with the people, she saw such a scene: a young, graceful mother sitting and drinking tea, a well-behaved child not yet of age standing in front of her, while she occasionally put down her tea cup to correct him.
She waved her hand to signal the newcomers to stay silent. Teaching a child, even if the setting wasn't entirely appropriate, was not their place to interrupt.
In the Yan Dynasty, it was customary for scholars, those who could write and read, to come from distinguished families. Ordinary families, if they had one or two basic books, would treasure them greatly, let alone anything else.
Gu Changsheng noticed them early on, but didn't interrupt her son's recitation. The emphasis on scholarship was profound, and though they dressed unremarkably, it was exactly this that reduced any scorn from others.
"Nanny's here, you can bring them in now," said Gu Changsheng, signaling to Old Lady Xu and gesturing to her son as things were almost ready.
Little Meat Bun, always a well-mannered child, bowed and complied, then returned to his seat, keeping his eyes straight.
Seeing this, Old Lady Xu felt more cautious and approached with a bow: "I apologize for the wait, madam. These are all the people left in the household, all of them are here now; I hope you will be understanding."
Gu Changsheng looked down and replied, seeing at least a hundred people neatly kneeling on the ground, brimming with people from head to toe. There were children as young as five or six, boys and maids aged thirteen or fourteen, as well as robust men in their thirties or forties. Old Lady Xu truly knew how to handle matters.
After surveying the crowd, Gu Changsheng instructed them to rise and then spoke, "Among you, is there anyone skilled in driving and knowing the roads?"
The purpose was clear; a coachman was a must!
The crowd too was evaluating them, with servants assessing their prospective new masters, each hoping to enter a good household and suffer less hardship.
Immediately, five young men stood up. Though not very robust, they were passable, showing that Old Lady Xu was indeed kind-hearted, having not mistreated these people.
Gu Changsheng nodded in approval, observing their honesty.
"Madam, I know the ways and can manage horses," a new voice spoke up just as she was about to make her choice.
Oh, it's a woman! Gu Changsheng was startled and looked in the direction of the voice.
A slim, tall figure was walking forward through the crowd, tightly holding the hand of a smaller individual...
What's this scenario? Buy one, get one free?