Liu Residence
"Your... you... That is to say. You, you have the means where you can contact the emperor and tell him what you want, and he gives it to you! How?" Butler Zhou finally managed to stammer out in complete shock.
"Don't misunderstand Uncle Zhou I asked him as apart of the negotiation for Veiled mountain."
"But, you can't go just asking the emperor for something like that." Butler Zhou wailed in distress.
Housekeeper Gao glanced at her husband with eyes that twinkled in amusement. However, she was careful not to smile or let her husband see her amusement. She used the motion of taking a sip of tea to hid her amusement.
Liu Tián Qǔ laughed, unaware of the joy, happiness, and amusement that came along with her laugh. She found Butler Zhou to be so cute. Although they just met. In his concern, he reminded her of an old uncle from her past life. This uncle was one of those old uncles that everyone has who would get more distressed about your business than you do. Liu Tián Qǔ felt really thankful, though. This couple was really warm and sincere. They felt like real family members to her, although they just met. It made her heart that was missing her family feel warm.
"It's fine. Oh yes, before I forget, I also must say that there is an opened door policy for the Wang Royal Manor next door. They are welcomes at any time of the day, no matter what. Please make sure that is conveyed to all of the servants." As she talked, she noticed Zhou Yù watching the dish of oranges. Liu Tián Qǔ had offered her some earlier. However, Zhou Yù had declined.
"The Wangs too?" Butler Zhou said agog. "You really are friends with them?" This time Housekeeper Gao was also surprised.
"Yes, I am friends with the Heir of Wang Royal Manor and the second young master."
Eyes wide in aghast, they all sat there staring at her. Butler Zhou was truly shocked this time. Although Liu Tián Qǔ did tell him when they first met in the Jade Crow restaurant that she became friends with the Wang Royal Manor young master's. Butler Zhou thought Liu Tián Qǔ meant that she was just casual acquaintances with them.
He didn't know that they became this close where the Young Masters would actually come over for a visit and also allow her to visit them. The Wang Royal Manor was famous for keeping people out of their Manor. They didn't allow people to become close to them either. The oldest Young Master would rather kill people then talk to them. The Youngest Young Master was known to stay home to read, study, and eat every day. None of the Young Masters were known for having friends.
Chuckling lowly Liu Tián Qǔ said, "The next thing I must inform you of is our Commander of Liu Residence will be arriving sometime later on tonight. I will personally await his arrival to received him. Make sure all the stone lampposts lining the pathway to the Commanders courtyard are lit and remain so." Liu Tián Qǔ took a moment to tell them about Jiang Tài Píng, his wife and his newborn child.
Housekeeper Gao's eyes grew wet, and Butler Gao mutter words of sympathy as they listened to his story.
"Uncle Zhou and Auntie Gao, although I didn't have time to investigate. However, there is one thing I know for a certainty. Jiang Tài Píng is not a simple person. He may have fallen on hard times. However, I have a feeling he is of a noble house. You will understand when you meet him. He carries the air of a Young Master." Liu Tián Qǔ knew there was something more to Jiang Tài Píng. His name had rung a bell. She had to make time to find out why. But until then, it was better to err on the side of caution.
"Until I can investigate his background for sure. It's better to err on the side of caution. Since he will be the Commander of Liu Residence, we will settle him and his wife in the Commander's courtyard. Auntie and Uncle, I forgot to ask you to have the Commander's courtyard aired out clean and refreshed. Also, auntie see if you can find someone good with babies to help his wife and assign his wife a maid. They must be accorded the respect of their station. Even if we find out that he is a commoner as the Commander of Liu Residence that grants him privileges."
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"That is right, it does. Don't worry, Young Master. I will order the person I am thinking about training as my assistant to oversee it. I will go quickly and come right back," said Housekeeper Gao as she quickly rose from the braided mat she was seated on bowed and left.
Butler Zhou, Liu Tián Qǔ and Zhou Yu sipped their tea and watched the moon and the ethereal beauty of the inner courtyard through the opened doors of the lounge. Butler Zhou and Liu Tián Qǔ made small talk as they waited for the return of Housekeeper Gao. A short while later, Housekeeper Gao returned and confirmed that the matter was being taken care of. A middle-aged maid who was also a skilled wet nurse was assigned and sent to the Commander's courtyard to await the arrival of the Jiang's. As Housekeeper Gao made her report, Liu Tián Qǔ pushed the dish of oranges towards Zhou Yù. Liu Tián Qǔ gestured for her to help herself.
The couples noticed Liu Tián Qǔ's actions as she offered oranges to Zhou Yù. However, they didn't say anything. They only nodded their heads when their daughter looks at them questioningly. As if asking if it was okay to have one. Blushing shyly, she took an orange and held it in her hands. Smiling at this whole silent transaction, Liu Tián Qǔ continued on with the meeting.
"Uncle Zhou and Auntie, we are setting up a new house. There will be many things that we will need that I wouldn't even know to get. I want you to take out 3000 gold Uncle. You and Auntie are to start a house ledger and monitor everything. It will enable you to get all that you need to get without having to report to me for every little expenditure. I will review the ledger once a month." Liu Tián Qǔ said, smiling inwardly as she watched the expressions that flicker across the faces of the couple.
"I am aware that many other households do things differently. However, I want it done this way. If the gold drop below 1000 gold, you are to let me know at the beginning of every month. If your gold has fallen below 1000 gold, you will be given the difference. That would bring the Household funds back up to 1000 gold. Your wages and all the other servant's wage is to be paid out of this money. Military expenditures and wages will be taken care of by the commander."
"Young Master, that is way too much money for a household fund!" Housekeeper Gao said in shock.
"I am aware. However, I have my reasons for doing it this way." Quickly switching the subject, Liu Tián Qǔ said, "The food cooked today was subpar. I like to eat good food. Make sure to stock the pantries, I will be giving the chefs a few pointers until I feel the food that they cook is tolerable." Liu Tián Qǔ inward smile almost turned into a laugh as she took a glance at Zhou Yù who had seriously, carefully, and studiously began to peel her orange.
Liu Tián Qǔ found the contrasting of the young girl peeling the orange with the focus, attention, and carefulness a science student would have working on a delicate science project hilarious and a little sad.
"Yes, Young Master," the couple chorused.
"Now, we'll discuss my personal attendants' situation." Liu Tián Qǔ said.
"Yù'er, you will be my only attendant with the knowledge that I am a female. You are never to tell any of the others. The trick will be when I bathe. I will have to think more about that. For now, Auntie, I want you to buy bathing salts and oil that will cloud the water when I bathe." Liu Tián Qǔ said before taking a sip of tea to wet her mouth that was getting dry from talking. She tried not to grin at Zhou Yù who had just stuffed a piece of orange in her mouth right before Liu Tián Qǔ called her name. She had nodded her understanding of Liu Tián Qǔ command as she hurriedly chewed to clear her mouth. She looked like a cute little squirrel with her cheeks poking out as she chewed quickly.
"I know what to buy to cloud the water, Young Master. Leave it to me," Housekeeper Gao said.
"Be mindful of the scent, no floral scents. The oils and salt you buy must be of a masculine scent."
"Don't worry, Young Master. I will be mindful," She said.
Moving on to the next thing that was of concern to her, Liu Tián Qǔ asked, "Were you able to find people that were skilled or capable of tending to a Vineyard, Apiary, and Orchards?"
"I was able to find four people who were skilled in working in a vineyard, I found two people who were capable of apiculture duties, and I only found one person who has worked in an orchard. I also bought in a skilled agricultural supervisor who lived next door to us in the slums. He lost his wife and the will to live for a while. However, now, he is ready to get his life back on track. I think he is a good choice for the position, so I hired him. I will be on the lookout for more people in these fields. However, those were all the people I was able to find at the moment." Housekeeper Gao answered.
"Housekeeper Gao you are amazing. I trust your judgment. Within the next few days, I will try to have a meeting with the agricultural supervisor to explain just what I want. Having an agricultural supervisor will make things so much easier for me."
Housekeeper cheeks turned pink as she said, "Thank you for your trust, young master. I will work hard not to let you down. I also purchase all the supplies you requested. They have been stored in the storage building on top of the hill."
"Thank you for your hard work, Housekeeper Gao. I truly wouldn't know where to start without you." Liu Tián Qǔ said with a smile.