CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118: LET ME BE MADAM’S MAID

Yang’s mother tried hard to suppress the anger in her heart and forced a smile, "You must be joking, Madam. I’ve always considered Qingqing as my own daughter. Qingqing is now favored by the County Magistrate, I’m more than happy, why would I be upset?"

She simply couldn’t believe that the County Magistrate could take care of this little orphan girl for her entire life?

Once the focus of the County Government on Luo Qingqing diminishes, she could easily come up with a way to force Luo Qingqing to comply.

What belongs to the Yang family will always belong to the Yang family.

For now, it’s just Luo Qingqing keeping it safe.

With a smile, Meng Yao said, "I hope Madam Yang is as sincere inside as she appears."

"Qingqing, Aunt knows you must be upset, and anyone else in your situation would feel the same. But Aunt is helpless too; in life, there are things beyond our control. Aunt is leaving this here, if you need anything in the future, come to Aunt, and Aunt promises not to ignore it," Yang’s mother said earnestly.

Luo Qingqing’s expression remained unchanged, "Aunt Yang, don’t worry, there won’t be a future."

Her attitude was resolute, determined to cut ties with the Yang family.

Yang’s mother appeared to be someone who has seen much in life, completely unfazed by Luo Qingqing’s attitude, "It’s right to be upset, Qingqing, Aunt isn’t angry at all. Let’s go for now, and we’ll talk later."

Having said that, she called for the Yang family to leave.

The onlookers who noticed that Meng Yao and the others had no intention of leaving also dispersed.

They all had their thoughts, but they couldn’t express them in front of the people from the Government Office.

Later, once the County Government no longer cares about Luo Qingqing, that would be their opportunity.

Luo Qingqing invited Meng Yao and her group inside, and hurried to boil water for them.

Meng Yao told her not to bother, but she didn’t listen.

So Li Chang’an and Qin Zheng stepped forward to help.

In front of the Yang family, Luo Qingqing appeared strong enough.

In reality, she was just holding on.

After all, she was just a girl in her teens, facing a sudden upheaval in life, already doing very well.

After boiling the water and making tea, Luo Qingqing finally had some time to herself and sat next to Meng Yao.

"What are your plans for the future?" Meng Yao asked her.

Luo Qingqing was very confused, she hadn’t thought about the future yet.

If nothing unexpected had happened, she would be marrying Yang Shan next spring.

She had thought about life after marriage but hadn’t considered living on her own.

Meng Yao sighed, "You can’t not think about it. Today, the Yang family’s visit to call off the engagement is already well known. In the future, alone, it surely won’t be easy. At that time, I only focused on getting the Government Office to support you but overlooked the hidden danger of people dying for wealth. Those pieces of silver..."

Luo Qingqing had support, and silver was just icing on the cake.

Now without support, a solitary girl with a large sum of silver in hand.

Not only the Yang family, but even the neighbors might have thoughts.

This put Luo Qingqing out in the open as a target.

Luo Qingqing must have realized her future days would be hard, as she sighed deeply, "If Madam hadn’t come today, I’m afraid I couldn’t even handle the Yang family. You’re doing this for my good, there’s no need to blame yourself. Perhaps this is just my fate."

Poor fate led to such a tangled mess.

"Why don’t you come with me?" Meng Yao blurted out.

Luo Qingqing looked at Meng Yao in surprise.

"Don’t misunderstand, your needlework is good, and you embroider beautifully. I’m familiar with the shopkeeper at the Hundred Embroidery House back home, would you consider becoming an embroidery girl? Don’t worry, it’s not a maid contract, just a work contract," Meng Yao hastily explained, "They provide food and housing."

Luo Qingqing seriously considered Meng Yao’s words, given her current situation with no support, the Madam’s proposal seemed like a way out.

"Then I’ll trouble Madam to make arrangements for me," Luo Qingqing said.

"It’s no trouble. After the exam, come back with us, if there’s anything at home you need to pack or need help with, just say so. Also, you should consider if your house here should be looked after or rented out," Meng Yao said.

"If it’s left empty, the house will fall into disrepair. I’ll just rent it out," Luo Qingqing decided quickly, "I’ll head to the broker shortly."

By entrusting it to the broker, she wouldn’t have to worry, and the rent would be collected by them.

"If you need anything, come find me at Yueke," Meng Yao said, "Regarding the reward silver, the Government Office will implement it as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Madam," Luo Qingqing expressed her gratitude sincerely.

"You’re a good girl, fortune will surely find you in the future," Meng Yao gently patted her hand.

After leaving the Luo family, Li Chang’an and Qin Zheng went to Songzhu Pavilion, while Meng Yao took Wen Nuan for a little shopping.

Coming to the county town, there should always be something to take back for the family.

Since leaving the Luo family, Wen Nuan’s brows had been furrowed, seemingly burdened with concern.

Meng Yao only thought she was worried about Wen Shu’s exam and didn’t ask her, instead dragging her around to look at various things, attempting to distract her.

But the little girl’s brows only furrowed tighter, not relaxing at all.

Just as Meng Yao was about to offer some words of comfort, the girl spoke up first, "Madam, may I become your maid? I’m eleven this year and can serve you for six years. After that, I’ll return home and marry."

Her brother was excellent in his studies, and she believed he would definitely make it onto the list this time. Going forward, he would have many exams to face, all of which would require silver.

She understood her family’s situation very well.

Supporting her brother’s studies was a real strain.

If she worked as a maid for Madam, she’d have food and shelter covered, and receive monthly silver. Part would support the family, the rest would fund her brother’s education.

"Oh?" Meng Yao was a little surprised.

"My brother will continue his studies in the future, so I can’t sell myself, it would affect his reputation. But Madam, rest assured, even if it’s just a work contract, I’ll treat myself as if I were a maid bound by a contract," Wen Nuan said with determination.

"Would you sacrifice yourself for your brother?" Meng Yao asked.

"It’s not entirely for my brother, I’m planning for myself too. If I’m not married by seventeen, the Government will force a marriage. So, as I said, I can only be a maid for you for six years. In these six years, if my brother proves to be gifted in his studies, he will naturally succeed. By then, he will be my support, and I can choose a spouse I like. If he has no prospects, these six years will be enough for my family to give up hope. When I return, I’ll let my elders choose a husband for me, and I’ll lead a simple life," Wen Nuan explained clearly.

"Do you believe your brother will succeed?" Meng Yao asked.

"My brother studies diligently, and he does have some talent," Wen Nuan said crisply, "Plus, the old blind man at the village end said I’m destined for wealth and marrying into a rich family. Although my family doesn’t believe it, because, well, the old blind man tells everyone the same thing."

Pausing, Wen Nuan continued, "But I’ve always believed that what the old blind man said is right, and I’m destined for wealth. So my brother will surely succeed. A little village girl like me dreaming of marrying into a wealthy family will surely rely on my brother’s future."