Chapter 345: Chapter 323, Broken Appointment_1
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The addition of more than ten maids and grannies in the courtyard didn’t affect Daohua’s life much, as Wang Manman, Guyu, and Lixia were still the three taking care of her personal needs.
After these years, Wang Manman had become experienced and meticulous in conveying Daohua’s preferences and rules to the new maids and grannies. In training the maids, she already had the demeanor of a senior maid.
Guyu and Lixia were still lacking somewhat, but they were still quite efficient and thoughtful in their work.
“In the young lady’s courtyard, everything must be done according to the rules. Whoever makes a mistake must be punished. Remember the rules I’ve taught you these days; don’t commit an offense later and not know what you did wrong.”
“I want to emphasize one more thing: The young lady dislikes gossip the most, so watch your mouths. If I find out that anyone has carelessly leaked information about the people and happenings in our courtyard, they will be dismissed without a second thought.”
“Work diligently and honestly. The young lady is generous, and there will be benefits for you in the future.”
“Alright, that’s enough for today. Tomorrow Guyu will assign tasks to you. From now on, just work hard in the courtyard.”
Watching Wang Manman walk away, Bi Shi and the other seven new maids all heaved a sigh of relief.
Bi Yun muttered softly, “The rules in the eldest young lady’s courtyard are so strict!”
Bi Wei glanced at the others and said, “It’s better to be strict. It shows that our young lady values rules. Serving a master like this is much easier than serving those who act entirely on whims. As long as we follow the rules and do what is expected of us, we won’t be punished without reason.”
Having said that, she looked at Bi Shi.
“What do you think, Bi Shi?”
Bi Shi, caught off guard by Bi Wei’s sudden question, hesitated for a moment before saying directly, “I don’t care about the rest. Whatever the young lady asks me to do, I’ll do it.”
Bi Wei’s mouth curved slightly, “Even if what the young lady asks you to do could harm her reputation, would you still do it?”
Bi Shi furrowed her brows; she hated thinking deeply, and mumbled, “I’m just a maid. I only follow the master’s orders. I can’t think too much about other things; it’s not my place.”
Bi Wei smiled, “But I think that anyone can make mistakes. Even though we’re servants and should follow the master’s orders, when we know that something the master is doing is wrong, we should stand up and offer a reminder. That’s real loyalty, isn’t it?”
Bi Shi fell silent and stopped talking.
At home, she was never one to speak much, let alone argue with anyone. She just did whatever her family asked.
Seeing she had got the upper hand over Bi Shi, Bi Wei felt a trace of satisfaction.
Although she too came from a peasant family, she had studied for a few days with her brother and considered herself to be more insightful than the somewhat dull and naive-looking Bi Shi.
She could tell that among them, the young lady had only taken note of her and Bi Shi.
There were four positions for senior maids beside the young lady. With Sister Manman, Sister Guyu, and Sister Lixia occupying three, the remaining one was likely to be chosen between her and Bi Shi.
Therefore, she must outshine Bi Shi to become the young lady’s senior maid.
Their entire family had sold themselves into servitude to the Yan Family. If she could become a senior maid beside the young lady, her family would have a better life in the Yan household.
…
In the main building, Daohua was going through the gift list for the Dragon Boat Festival when she heard the rustle of the door curtain and lifted her eyes to see Wang Manman. She asked casually, “Finished lecturing?”
Wang Manman approached with a smile, rolling up her sleeves to begin grinding ink, “The young lady has good judgment. I think the new maids we’ve chosen this time are quite good.”
Daohua smiled without looking up, “How are they doing with learning the rules?”
Wang Manman: “Not bad. Among them, Bi Wei has learned the best.”
Daohua: “What about Bi Shi?”
Wang Manman paused, surprised. Did the young lady favor Bi Shi more?
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“Bi Shi… is very obedient, does whatever she’s asked to do. It’s good, but she’s somewhat inflexible.”
Daohua smiled, “I understand. Keep a close eye on those maids. Having just arrived a few days ago, it’s hard to make any real judgments.”
Wang Manman responded with a smile and then cocked her head to look at the list of gifts, chuckling, “For this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, Miss started preparing the customary gifts for the families early. You must be planning to spare time to visit the provincial capital for a few more days.”
Daohua glanced at her with a smile, “I would indeed like to go there for a few more days, but that requires my older brothers to come back early to pick me up. Tomorrow is the first day of May, and who knows when they’ll be back?”
Wang Manman chuckled, “They’ll surely be back in these next couple of days.”
Daohua felt the same and, with a smile, dipped her brush in the ink again, preparing to write. Suddenly, she thought of something, “Xiao Yeyang wouldn’t have forgotten, would he?”
Wang Manman smiled, “How could he? Last time, when he returned from Taohua Village, it was the Little Prince who took the initiative and made a promise with you, Miss. He even said to have Defu book the place in advance.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua felt relieved and nodded with a smile, “That guy Xiao Yeyang does love to play, so I don’t think he’d forget to come pick me up.”
The Little Prince loves to play?
Wang Manman was doubtful of that statement.
She thought the Little Prince only appeared more playful and cheerful when he was with the Miss. In front of others, he still maintained a sense of distance.
Some time later, all the gift lists were completed. Daohua put away her brush and said to Wang Manman, “Have the bamboo baskets for the zongzi been bought?”
Wang Manman nodded, “They have. Brother Xiaoliu personally oversaw it, having someone weave them specifically to Miss’ specifications.”
Daohua nodded, then took the gift lists and went to the main courtyard.
In the blink of an eye, three days went by.
On the third of May, Daohua got up early to double-check the Dragon Boat Festival gifts for Xiao Yeyang, the Li Family, the Dong Family, the Su Family, and the Zhou Family. Then she eagerly awaited the arrival of her three older brothers and Xiao Yeyang.
Regrettably, she waited until evening but no one showed up.
“Have I really been forgotten?”
Seeing her daughter’s disappointed face, Madam Li shook her head with a smile, “The Dragon Boat Festival is the day after tomorrow. It would still be fine if your brothers return tomorrow, right?”
Daohua nodded and sighed, “I was looking forward to spending a couple more days in the provincial capital.”
On the fourth of May, the afternoon came and went, but Daohua still hadn’t seen her three brothers or Xiao Yeyang arrive.
Now, Daohua was truly disappointed.
“Damn it!”
Daohua fumed as she paced around the room, “Xiao Yeyang really did forget about me!”
Wang Manman stood to the side with Guyu and Lixia, looking worried but not knowing what to say.
The Miss had been looking forward to the Dragon Boat Race for so long.
Wang Manman thought for a moment and then said, “Miss, it’s not dark yet! Maybe, Lord Bro and the Little Prince ran into something on the road and were delayed.”
Daohua looked at the sky, trying to comfort herself with that thought.
But as she watched the sun slowly disappear over the horizon, Daohua was furious.
If you can’t do it, then don’t make the promise!
She had waited in vain all those days.