The house in the south of the city is nearly half the size of the old house. There is no room for hundreds of masters and servants living in it as there is in the old house, and gathering everyone together makes it seem even more crowded.
Most people guessed why Butler Xu gathered everyone in the main courtyard. Given the current situation of the Hua family, it was normal to disperse some servants, but they didn't know what rules would be set.
"The young lady is here." Someone whispered, and everyone looked at the person who walked in from the Moon Gate, either openly or secretly.
No one expected that after the old lady passed away, the one who stepped forward to take charge of the family would be this young girl who was usually not too fussy and too obedient, and at least so far her performance has been very remarkable.
"Hello, young lady." Everyone bowed.
"No need for formalities." Yingchun and Baoxia moved a chair to the steps, and Hua Zhi sat down with a calm demeanor.
With a glance, Hua Zhi crossed her fingers and placed them on her belly, "Is everyone here?"
Butler Xu bowed and said, "To answer the eldest lady's question, everyone at home is here. According to your wishes, the people in the houses outside the city and the two farms have not been notified."
"Send someone to tell them later, don't forget them."
"yes."
Hua Zhi raised her chin, "Everyone, stand separately according to the living and dead contracts."
Butler Xu made some adjustments, and everyone separated and stood up silently.
"Those who have signed the working contract should go to Nian Qiu to collect this month's salary. The Hua family will set you free."
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Just like that? They were released just like that? They were released even if they had signed long-term contracts? They were not going to sell them off
"If those who signed the death contract want to leave the Hua family, we will not force them to stay." Hua Zhi took the box from Yingchun, opened it, and flipped through it. "When you were in the Hua family, you worked hard for the Hua family. When the Hua family was in trouble, you also protected the master wholeheartedly. There has been no trouble so far. The Hua family remembers your kindness. This is the perfect relationship between master and servant."
Hua Zhi stood up and said, "Don't rush to make a decision. Just report to Butler Xu before noon tomorrow."
As soon as Hua Zhi left, the main courtyard became lively. Some were excited, some were giggling, some were frowning and thinking hard, but there were also quite a few people who turned around and left quietly after crying when they saw someone got their indentures back.
The Hua family had good intentions in letting them go, but in this world, one might not be able to survive if they left the Hua family.
Butler Xu stood high up and saw far ahead, observing all kinds of life in this small world, and he admired the young lady even more.
Not to mention anything else, those who leave will say hello to the master of the Hua family, and those who stay will feel more at ease. Once people feel at ease, they will have fewer messy thoughts.
As many people as had left the old lady's courtyard also returned. Nanny Su quickly returned to the house and informed the old lady of the eldest lady's decision.
Nanny Su was filled with worry, "What if everyone wants to take this opportunity to leave?"
"Will you leave?"
"How could this old servant leave!" Nanny Su said without thinking, and after she said it, she vaguely understood something.
The old lady smiled, with a look of emotion on her face, "Although young people lack experience, they are braver than old people. Zhi'er made a good move. Those who want to leave can leave, and those who want to stay can also stay. Both sides are happy."
Nanny Su was about to say something, but the old lady shook her head and smiled less, "From now on, everyone in my house should be the first to stand on Zhier's side when she makes a decision. If I don't support her, how can she be the head of the family? I know what you are worried about. Let's take it one step at a time. If she can't do it, I will naturally not let her mess around."
"I know I was wrong."
"I know you are thinking about the Hua family. Go and tell everyone and do as the eldest lady tells you."
"yes."
The masters, both big and small, who received the news, had different reactions. Those who were not greatly affected were naturally relieved, but also wanted to watch the fun.
Among the four ladies whose interests were most damaged, the second lady smashed the cup, the third lady gritting her teeth with a gloomy face, and although the eldest lady was incompetent, she still knew when to be clear-headed and stood on her daughter's side without hesitation. The fourth lady also chose to stand on the side of the eldest girl after considering for a moment. It was because of her husband and also because the eldest girl's performance in the past two days gave her confidence.
***
Hua Zhi drank her scented tea while waiting for the maids to finish settling the bill.
Baoxia came in with a plate of fruit, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Hua Zhi maliciously ignored her question, and the maids in the room all laughed secretly. It was not the first time that the young lady had punished Bao Xia like this, but she just couldn't remember it.
Bao Xia glared at them and said, "I heard that the Second Madam was so angry that she smashed the bowls. Miss, aren't you afraid that she will trip you up in the future?"
"The men in the family are all away, so how could she have the time to make trouble?" Hua Zhi was not surprised by the reaction of the second aunt. The second uncle was born out of wedlock, and his wife, Qi, was from a wealthy family but was also born out of wedlock. He had learned all the rules well, but he was a little short-sighted. Perhaps it was really birth that determined one's temperament. Among the four daughters-in-law of the Hua family, the second wife had always been the most stingy. It would be strange if she didn't get angry if the maid next to her was released. Not only her, but probably the third aunt would also not treat her well for a while.
"Miss, count it. The old lady has eight hundred taels, the first lady has two hundred taels, the second lady has sixty taels, the third lady has one hundred taels, and the fourth lady also has two hundred taels."
"Write it down. When everything is settled, we'll divide it up according to how much they gave us. Yingchun, how much do I have left?"
Yingchun smiled and smoothed her hair, "Two thousand two hundred taels of silver notes, twenty gold bars, and some jewelry silver ingots."
Baoxia's eyes widened. They actually hid so much at that time, and some of them had already been sent to the old man!
Hua Zhi knew, however, that in fact, she had put some in over the years, just in case, but she didn't expect that she would actually use it.
"Just put one thousand taels on the account."
Baoxia wanted to ask why, but Fudong quickly covered her mouth and said, "Miss, I'll go see if there's anything missing in the kitchen."
Hua Zhi looked at the two people who were dragging away with amusement. Among the four maids, Baoxia was the most straightforward. She was a little bold and foolish when encountering things, and she often went around the courtyards for her. Yingchun was cautious and steady, and she was in charge of all the affairs in the courtyard. Nianqiu was meticulous and was in charge of the account books. Fudong was timid and introverted, and wished she could stay in the kitchen all day long. She could enjoy a feast every day thanks to Fudong's talent in cooking.
The four of them each have their own shortcomings. For example, Yingchun is too cautious, Baochun is always impetuous and a little reckless, Nianqiu is a little stingy probably because she is in charge of the accounts, and Fudong is too timid and cries all the time. She indulges them one by one and never thinks of changing them. She doesn't need four people who were printed out of the same mold and grow up to be as lively as they are now. It's good enough.