Chapter 421: Yuanyang Seek a Living in the Sun Mansion
Two days later, on June 15th, the people in the Old Lady courtyard were complete, as it was a solemn day of incense and fasting. Madam Xing, Old Madam Wang, Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and others were present, including Jia Baoyu, Xue Baochai, and Lin Daiyu.
The older ones were telling Buddhist stories in the main hall, while the younger ones were all getting into the blue gauze cabinet, chattering about poetry and songs.
When everyone was chatting, they suddenly saw Hupo, the maid, come in from outside and report, "Old Lady, Sister Ping’er is in the courtyard and said she wants to report something to the Elder Madam and Second Madam.”
If Ping'er only reported to Wang Xifeng, it wouldn't be a strange thing. However, along with the Elder Madam, Xing-Shi puzzled Old Lady. So she asked casually, "What's so serious that she needs to report to them?”
Hupo hurriedly said, "I heard the Second Lady has sent a message and wants to exchange some effective maids and servants with us in our mansion.”
This sounded fresh again. Since Jia Yingchun's family was at the Rongguo Mansion, it was reasonable for her to ask for one or two servant girls.
But what did this ”exchange” meant?
Old Lady Jia became even more curious but it was about her granddaughter, and there were no outsiders present. Therefore, she ordered, "Go and call Ping'er in, I want to hear what kind of ”exchange” she wants.”
Hupo was ordered out and soon led Ping’er in.
After seeing Ping'er, Old Lady Jia curiously inquired, "What words did the Second Lady sent back? Why do you say you want to ”exchange” some maids and servants with the family?”
“Returning to the words of the Old Lady.”
Ping'er respectfully said, "As the Second Lady suggested, the Sun family didn’t originally have a serious hostess, so there were not many maids and nannies who could be used. During the flood last year, she bought a batch of twelve or thirteen-year-old maids back.”
“Recently, due to Lord Sun finding a profitable business, he has sent more than a dozen family members to the south to keep an eye on it. As a result, even the servants and strong men in the mansion are feeling a bit worn out.”
“Catching up with the Central Judicial Office for verifying the origin of the domestic slaves, and the Second Master of the Sun family is working in the government office, it's even worse to hire people to fill it up recklessly.”
Everyone knew that she had something to say privately and wanted to share it with Yuanyang, so they quickly bowed down and retreated. Even Jia Baoyu and others were notified and hurriedly left the Old Lady Jia's yard.
When there were only Old Lady Jia and Yuanyang left in the room, the Old Lady came down from the Kang and gave Yuanyang a hand. She kindly said, "Get up first, what are the wrongs and grievances? You can just tell me, how come you have to start such a mischief?”
Hearing her words was like an Old Grandmother trying to coax a disobedient grandchildren. Yuanyang's eyes immediately turned red, and she looked up at the Old Lady reluctantly, almost changing her mind.
However, considering that she would continue to stay in the Rongguo Mansion, it was highly likely that she would fall into the hands of Jia She. However, Sun Shaozong promised to allow herself to slowly find the right husband, and Yuanyang's heart turned hard and choked, saying, "I don't dare to deceive the Old Lady. The Old Elder Master has stopped me several times and teased me. The other day, he even announced that he wants me to be the seventh concubine...”
“He also said that if I were not willing, he would call my father from Jinling and force me to marry him.”
As she spoke, she knocked her head on the ground and said decisively, "This matter is something that I absolutely refuse to comply with, but I don't want it to cause you and the Elder Master to be separated. When I was in a dilemma, this happened to be the reason.”
“Old Lady, please be kind and allow me to serve at the Second Lady's house.”
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Jia trembled with anger all over her body and muttered, "I have only such a reliable person left, and that unfilial son even dares to calculate.”
She then pulled Yuanyang and said, "Get up now; I'll take care of this for you. Why do you need to hide at the Second Lady's house?”
Yuanyang refused to get up and only kept kowtowing, saying that she didn’t dare to break the mother-son relationship.
Seeing that she was very determined, Old Lady Jia thought about going to Jia Yingchun's place. When Jia She eased his idea about Yuanyang, she might not be able to get her back.
Therefore, with a long sigh, she shook her head and said, "Well, since you are determined to serve the Second Lady, then you can help her manage her family and not lose the face of our Rongguo Mansion.”
Upon hearing Old Lady Jia's permission, Yuanyang was both pleasantly surprised and reluctant to part ways. She quickly kowtowed a few times and cried uncontrollably, "I thank the Old Lady for your grace. If there is an afterlife, I will be a cow and a horse, and I will also serve the Old Lady again.”