Chapter 12 - Meeting the ‘Wang” (1) (1/2)

Yao Ying and Yao Ling woke up early the next morning. For formality, they had to pay respect for the family first. Wang Luo Hai wanted to introduce them to his family. Wang Luo Hai also gave them servants, but they only chose two. Yao Ying chose a servant boy named Xiu and Yao Ling chose a maid called Xiao Yu. Those who weren't chosen would serve in their outer courtyard.

When they woke up, both of them tried to serve them and help them changing clothes and preparing for the day, but both were rejected.

”No need to serve us like that. Just help us with daily life or when we need to ask for help. We're not used to being served anyway,” Yao Ling explained.

Xiu and Xiao Yu both looked at each other, feeling lost. They knelt down and said in unison, ”We, servants, are here to serve masters. Please let us serve you, otherwise, we will be punished.” The doctrine of serving masters was already drilled in their mind, besides as slaves, they wouldn't feel good being lazy.

Yao Ying and Yao Ling looked at each other helplessly. They really didn't like being served. They didn't think Xiu and Xiao Yu were lower than them; they used to be peasants too! But they also knew how important it was to maintain status in society. They decided to be more lenient.

”Stand up, please! Okay then. Just help us after we prepare ourselves. I'm used to serving my husband in the morning and prepare myself. Later just let me know the things that I need to know inside this household,” Yao Ling gave the order while explaining the reason why they had refused their help just now.

Xiu and Xiao Yu nodded and left both of them alone. Yao Ying and Yao Ling sighed in relief. They looked at each other and laughed. ”This feels so weird, right?” Yao Ying smiled.

”Yes,” Yao Ling answered. ”We better get used to it then!”

They didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the sudden change in their lifestyle. It was a great honor to have someone served them, but they just felt a bit uncomfortable with the attention. After they finished preparing themselves, they called Xiu and Xiao Yu back into the room.

”How long have you been working here?” Yao Ying asked.

Xiu answered, ”I've been working here since birth. My father is the main butler and we have been working here for many generations.” Xiu was around 16-17 years old. His face was quite handsome, but there was a distinguishing scar on his left cheek. Though it didn't lessen his handsomeness, it would certainly scare people because it was quite deep -- no wonder it could leave a scar. He looked healthy and full-spirited.

Xiao Yu answered, ”I was bought by the master when I was five.” Xiao Yu was petite, but she was quite pretty. Her characters were cheerful and bubbly -- in a good way, but it seemed like because she just met a new master, she tried to hold herself back. It was quite cute to see.

Both seemed like good kids. Yao Ying and Yao Ling were quite satisfied with them. Yao Ling softly asked them, ”Can you tell us the situation in this family?”

They only knew the superficial things in this family, for example, how many women Wang Luo Hai had, but from the information they were given, they understood there must be some conflicts within. Yao Ying and Yao Ling truly thought of Wang Luo Hai as their boss, so they didn't really care about his family affairs. However, everything was different now. They have become a part of the family too.

From Xiu and Xiao Yu's answer, they started to grasp the family situation. Wang Luo Hai was an only child and the matriarch was still alive. She generally only showed up in the morning and the women in the family needed to pay respect to her in the morning. After that, she would retreat and let the other women carry on in their own affairs. She was quite heartbroken with the fact that there was no kid in the household to continue the bloodline.