Extra Chapter Twelve: Each Finds Their Own Destination
Throughout the journey back to the capital, Hua Zhi had been contemplating the marriages of her senior maids. In such social circumstances, she couldn't claim to treat them as sisters, yet in her heart, these women who had loyally accompanied her through countless storms over the years shared a bond deeper than that of blood-related sisters. Now that she had found her own happiness, she couldn't forget about theirs.
Given her current status, she could marry them off as mistresses of households where no one would dare bully them. Yet she knew they would refuse - just as she knew they had quietly returned their deeds of servitude to that wooden box.
Perhaps this was better. Having them under her watchful eye meant she could ensure their wellbeing, giving her greater peace of mind.
Before she could select suitable matches, Chen Qing - who had first learned of her intentions from his master - came to seek an audience.
Chen Qing had actually been among Hua Zhi's considerations, but the object of his affections surprised her. "Fu Dong?"
"Yes." Gritting his teeth, Chen Qing mustered his courage. "This subordinate admires Lady Fu Dong and seeks Your Highness's approval."
"I don't question your judgment - I know my maids better than anyone, and they surpass many young ladies from noble families in excellence. Still, I must ask." Hua Zhi frowned slightly. "Though she's fair-faced, she's timid and avoids eye contact. You shouldn't have been drawn to her appearance, so what did attract you? Surely not just her culinary skills."
"Actually, that was the beginning." Chen Qing smiled. "Having served His Highness for years, I've sampled countless delicacies. Every chef specializing in this craft has their signature dishes, yet somehow none compare to Lady Fu Dong's cooking. Her dishes are fundamentally different, though I can't articulate how. Unconsciously, I began paying more attention to her. You might not have noticed, but among your maids, she has changed the least. During crises, she stood by you and reluctantly took charge when needed, but once the Hua family stabilized, she withdrew again. Forgive my presumption, but when she's in the kitchen, she resembles you in the Library. I've seen her there - completely in her element, far from the timid girl she appears outside. That's probably when I began cherishing her. Having encountered too many insatiable people, someone as simple and understandable as Fu Dong appeals to me more."
Human hearts naturally lean toward favorites. Though Hua Zhi usually maintained impartiality, she did harbor special affection for Fu Dong and had pondered her marriage most extensively. She constantly worried the timid girl might be bullied if married off. As Chen Qing noted, while the other three - even Nian Qiu - had grown tougher, Fu Dong remained unchanged, still the girl whose eyes sparkled upon entering the kitchen, who could bury herself there all day unless necessary.
But Chen Qing with Fu Dong?
Hua Zhi didn't give immediate consent. After dismissing him, she asked her husband who had been observing from the sidelines, "You knew earlier?"
"I had some inkling." Gu Yanxi sat beside her, taking her hand and skillfully massaging it. "Fu Dong likely knows too."
"You mean they have mutual feelings?" Hua Zhi expressed surprise - she hadn't detected any romantic inclinations in Fu Dong.
"Previously, Chen Qing could get food from Fu Dong, but not anymore. I suspect she figured it out and stopped giving him any.""……" So that's how it could be seen. Hua Zhi felt both amused and exasperated. Why did every mention of Fu Dong inevitably circle back to food?
"Chen Qing has served me for many years, and I know him thoroughly. Fu Dong won't suffer if she marries him." Gu Yanxi spoke softly with lowered eyes, appearing almost docile. "Our bond is different - I've never treated him poorly. Over the years he must have accumulated substantial savings. Since you're so concerned about Fu Dong, wouldn't it be perfect for them to live right under our watchful eyes?"
Hua Zhi tilted her head to look at her man, unable to resist reaching out to touch his face. "What about the other three?"
Gu Yanxi nuzzled against her palm like an obedient cat. "With the Great Qing no longer facing major crises, I can't keep all my people. When the time is right, I'll grant them freedom. They've made significant contributions over the years, so naturally I won't treat them poorly. They can either start their own businesses or manage affairs for us - they won't remain servants. How about choosing from among them?"
"Good." Hua Zhi agreed readily. "I originally planned to select from within our household anyway. Our own people are more trustworthy, and if anyone mistreats them, I can easily deal with it."
Gu Yanxi chuckled at her fierce protectiveness...
With direction established, matters became easier to handle. After careful consideration during their journey back to the capital, candidates were basically decided. After necessary social calls were made, Hua Zhi summoned her maidservants. They all knew what this was about, their hearts pounding like drums.
"Having shared both prosperity and hardship through years of service, in my heart you're no different from family except for the surname Hua. Now that we're finally settled, I've taken the liberty to arrange good matches for you."
Looking at her maidservants, Hua Zhi spoke gently: "After I spread the word, many suitors came forward. I've selected those I find suitable. If any of you feel dissatisfied, speak up and I'll find others for you."
The women exchanged glances before Ying Chun spoke for the group: "We'll follow Young Miss's arrangements."
Precisely because she knew they would defer to her, Hua Zhi had been especially meticulous. "Ying Chun, you're steady and capable of managing households, though your stability sometimes makes you too conventional. I've chosen Qu Qi from His Highness's staff for you. He's quiet, patient, and someone who can provide a stable life."
Ying Chun had met Qu Qi before and had no objections to this match. She knelt and kowtowed in acceptance.
"Bao Xia, you're cheerful and lively, and have smoothed out your former impulsiveness over these years. Among the suitors, I think most highly of Yu Tao. You've had contact with him before, so I imagine you don't dislike him."
Bao Xia blushed, remembering how her heart had raced when Yu Tao helped her disembark in Xiangyang. She certainly didn't dislike him - she'd even thought of him occasionally, stealing glances whenever they met over the past two years.
"Nian Qiu, you're most meticulous and particularly sensitive with numbers. If you were male, I'd recommend you for the Ministry of Revenue to avoid wasting your talent. Unfortunately, you're a woman, and I suppose you wouldn't want to tread that thorny path."
"Yes, this servant only wishes to be Young Miss's keykeeper."
Hua Zhi smiled. "I've chosen Chen Liang for you, hoping you'll join forces to manage my treasury well."
Nian Qiu blushed and bowed her head in agreement.
"Fu Dong."The timid maid lifted her head, her expression somewhat flustered. She wanted to ask if she could avoid marriage, but in the end, she only bit her lip and waited for her mistress to decide for her.
"I have chosen Chen Qing as your match."
Fu Dong froze for a moment. No one knew that Chen Qing... was the only person allowed within her safe boundaries.
"Chen Qing was the first to actively seek your hand in marriage. I agreed because of one thing he said." Hua Zhi twisted the bead bracelet around her wrist. "He said he loves seeing you happy in the kitchen. In other words, he likes your truest self. You don’t need to change or try to please him—just stay as you are. So don’t be afraid. If you wish, your life from now on won’t be much different from how it is now."
Silently, Fu Dong kowtowed to her mistress.
It’s settled, Hua Zhi thought with relief. She turned to the last person. "Liu Xiang, although you haven’t been with me as long as the others, I’ve seen your loyalty and hold our bond close to my heart. Zuo Fei has sincerely asked for your hand, and I have agreed."
Liu Xiang’s eyes reddened as she knelt and kowtowed.
Hua Zhi signaled a young maid to bring over a brazier. She opened a box and took out a stack of slightly yellowed papers. "These are the contracts of indenture for all five of you and your intended husbands. From today onward, you are free. Your descendants will no longer be of servile status."
Watching the small flames leap up and consume the papers, the women felt dazed. Would they no longer need to refer to themselves as "this humble servant"? In the future, if their children were capable, they could even become court officials. They were no longer of lowly status—yet from now on, their security would come not from their mistress, but from another man...
The thought stirred unease in their hearts. No one could make them feel as secure as their mistress did.
"Miss, will we... have to leave you?"
"The Prince’s estate is vast enough—do you fear there’s no place for you here?"
So they could continue living in the estate. Reassured, shyness about their impending marriages dawned on them belatedly. They glanced at one another, feeling both bashful and secretly joyful.
After discussion, the five women chose to marry on the same day. Hua Zhi prepared five identical, generous dowries and saw them off in a lively celebration. Before she and her husband could even remark on how strange it felt without them, all five returned to her side, their hair styled in matronly buns. They resumed their familiar duties in their usual places, much as they had for many years.
P.S.: I was away on a business trip for some time.
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