One night after sign language class Liu Tián Qǔ had detained Housekeeper Gao, Commander Jiang, and Butler Zhao for a short meeting. After everyone else departed, Zhou Yù made a fresh pot of tea. After serving tea to Liu Tián Qǔ, Butler Zhou, the Commander, and Housekeeper. At Liu Tián Qǔ's behest, Zhou Yù also joined them at the long low table.
Liu Tián Qǔ took a sip of her tea as she gathered her thoughts. The tea Zhou Yu served was a lovely mellow yellow tea. Liu Tián Qǔ took another sip of tea before she began. "First, I would like to ask how everything is going so far with settling into the residence? Is there anything that you need my help with?" Liu Tián Qǔ asked as she looked from Butler Zhou to Housekeeper Gao.
The couple looked at each other before once again looking towards Liu Tián Qǔ. Housekeeper Gao shook her head as she responded to Liu Tián Qǔ's question. "Everything is going pretty much as expected. There are a few hitches here and there, but that is to be expected. Nothing has cropped up that Butler Zhou and I couldn't solve between the two of us."
"Good, this is very good. Uncle Zhou and Aunt Gao once again, anything you need my help with, let me know." Liu Tián Qǔ said in her normal low husky voice with a serious face.
"There are two things I would like to discuss with everyone." Liu Tián Qǔ announced. "The first concerns Zhou Yù." Looking at the couple, the commander, and the young girl Liu Tián Qǔ said, "I know it didn't escape your attention when I announce during the meeting of the servants that Zhou Yù would be granted the Power of Review." Liu Tián Qǔ notice how the gaze of both the Housekeeper and the Butler sharpened. She also took note of the nervous and insecure look the entered Zhou Yù's eyes and the look of interest in the Commander's eyes upon mentioning Zhou Yù's name in conjunction with the Power of Review.
It was the Butler who asked, "I am a bit of concerned about Yu'er being granted the Power of Review. Can Young Master Liu help us understand your reason for granting Yu'er the Power of Review?" The butler asked with deep concern.
Liu Tián Qǔ voiced her concerns. "There is no other way to say it other than to say, though we all wish everyone would have a kind heart, and kind thoughts. Human beings will just be human beings. No one knows the true hidden heart of another person. In this residence, counting the house guards and servants, there will be probably close to a thousand people more or less living together here. Each individual will have their own thoughts and way of thinking." Liu Tián Qǔ said.
Everyone listened closely as Liu Tián Qǔ began to explain why she granted the young girl so much power in her household.
"I think I mentioned the fisherman and his net to you already. It's inevitable that over the course of a fishermen's career, he will occasionally run across an inedible fish. This fish he will toss back into the sea," Liu Tián Qǔ expounded. "I am 100% sure that people of that nature will get caught in our net as well and slip into Liu Residence." Looking at the family of three that Liu Tián Qǔ secretly decided to adopt as her own and the Commander Liu Tián Qǔ said. I want each of you to be on guard and watchful." Liu Tián Qǔ said in a firm voice.
"I will do so," the Commander said with an understanding that was beginning to dawn in his eyes.
"I will also keep careful watch," the Butler also agreed at the same time that Zhou Yù nodded.
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"I as well will keep watch," the Housekeeper said.
"If you run across anyone in our residence who got caught in the net and managed to slip into our residence, you must let me know immediately. That person will immediately be tossed out of our residence. If, for some reason, I am away from the residence for an extended period of time. I give you the power to sell that person if they are a slave. Or to chase that person out of our residence if they are a free man or woman. If they are a guard, you are to consult Commander Jiang immediately." Giving everyone at the table, a sharp look, Liu Tián Qǔ said, "I am opening my heart and extending my trust to you. Do not abuse my trust."
Liu Tián Qǔ waited while everyone at the table vocally vowed not to abuse her trust, and Zhou Yù promised by writing down her vow using the small the brush, paper, and inking she always carry on her person. She then held up the paper for Liu Tián Qǔ to read.
"Good," Liu Tián Qǔ said. "Part of the reason I gave Zhou Yù Power of Review was to give her more power. Small mind wicked hearted people will alway abuse and bully people who are weaker than them, and people who have a disability. I don't want Zhou Yù to be shunned or mistreated by the other servants for being mute." Looking over to Zhou Yù, Liu Tián Qǔ looked her deep in the eyes and said, "Zhou Yù, seeing that you have the Power of Review many of the servants will go out of their way to be kind to you and seek your favor. You must not take advantage of this or abuse the trust I have placed in you. Is that understood?"
Zhou Yù solemnly noded.
"Being the head maid of the Master of the Residence grants you a lot of power. Giving you the Power of Review will solidify that power." Looking over to the Housekeeper and Butler, Liu Tián Qǔ said, "My hope is that granting Zhou Yu the Power of Review would keep a check on the ambitious servants and servants who would typically bully or disrespect a person with a disability." Liu Tián Qǔ saw a deep appreciation in the wet eyes of the couple and a look of understanding in the eyes of the Commander. A wide range of conflicting thought was revealed in the eyes of the young girl who silently wiped tears of gratitude from her eyes after signing her thanks.
"Aunty Gao, for the next two months, I am going to send Zhou Yù to stay with you instead of staying here to attend to me." Liu Tián Qǔ held up her hand to stop the protest of the couple and young girl before they could even begin.
"There is an important reason for me doing so. I want aunty and uncle to spend a good amount of time teaching Zhou Yù how to deal with sly servants. Create scenarios and teach her how to solve them. Aunty Gao, you served in the palace for a while. By the look in your eyes, I think you understand my concern. Not only is my Head Maid young, she is also inexperience, and she has a disability. However, I am of the opinion that with the right training. Despite Zhou Yù's age, inexperience, and disability, Zhou Yù would make an excellent Head Maid." Liu Tián Qǔ said with firm confidence.
"I am convinced that Aunty is the best person to teach Zhou Yù. I want Zhou Yù to shadow you throughout the day every day. I want Zhou Yù to see how you handle your duties, the servants, and everyday matters. Train her well for me. I don't want Zhou Yù to be at a disadvantage. The time will come when I will have to deal with officials, nobles, and even the Imperial family." Liu Tián Qǔ saw fear creeping into the eyes of the couple she also saw the Commander's eyes light up in understanding. She knew they finally understood her concern.
Liu Tián Qǔ nodded at the couple's understanding, "I see that aunty and uncle understand my deep concern. One mistake at the wrong time and Zhou Yù could lose her life. So, aunty, you must train her very well for me. Teach her how to deal with the cunning officials, sly and wicked servant, and all the things in between that even I may be unaware of, it would grieve my heart if Yu'er lose her life unnecessarily when she has a mother who's knowledge can fill the sea." Liu Tián Qǔ watched Housekeeper Gao face go pale upon Liu Tián Qǔ mentioning the possibility of her daughter losing her life. She also watched Housekeeper Gao face flush pink upon hearing Liu Tián Qǔ compliment her deep knowledge.
Hiding her smile, Liu Tián Qǔ said, "There is no need to worry about me. I can manage until Sōng Hé Píng comes over. When Zhou Yù comes back, I want her to be able to also train Sōng Hé Píng well. Until then, we will muddle along."