Chapter 581 - Chapter 581: Chapter 568: Joyous Color (1/2)

Chapter 581: Chapter 568: Joyous Color

Zhuang Qingning pursed her lips, not bothering to dwell on whether Aunt Dong was telling the truth or merely flattery. She took one look at Xiangqiao and said, “If your name is indeed Xiangqiao and it sounds decent, there is no need to change it in the future. You’ll remain as Xiangqiao.”

Usually, when someone buys a maid, the maid is given a new name to signify a complete break from the past.

Once bought, the maid fully belongs to her new master. Retaining her old name could be seen as a form of gratitude towards her birth parents.

“Thank you, miss,” expressed Xiangqiao in a deep bow to Zhuang Qingning.

Zhuang Qingning chuckled and helped Xiangqiao up. She then followed the clerk to pay off the silver, collected the receipt of Xiangqiao’s life sale, and left the broker’s office.

The clerk warmly waved Zhuang Qingning out the door. “New girls might come in the next few days. If you didn’t find what you looking for this time, feel free to come back for another look,” he offered.

“If there are any good ones, I can save them for you.”

“Much appreciated,” Zhuang Qingning thanked him as she led Xiangqiao home.

“I am Zhuang Qingning,” she began. “Just call me ‘miss’ from now on. I had a younger sister at home, but she’s gone to study at the academy, and I live alone now. I have a business to run and there are many matters I can’t handle alone, so I thought of buying a maid to help me with the chores.”

Zhuang Qingning generally described her situation and said, “I don’t have any specific demands. As long as you are honest and diligent and run the household chores properly.”

“Yes, miss,” Xiangqiao responded.

“Who else is in your family?” Zhuang Qingning asked. “Do you know where they are now?”

This reminder shadowed Xiangqiao’s eyes, “We originally had both my parents, two younger brothers and a sister. But our home was stricken by a drought, and while fleeing the famine, my youngest brother got sick. We didn’t have money for medicine. We tried home remedies, but he didn’t make it…”

“My parents’ health worsened, unable to find work. We siblings were going hungry every day, so I suggested to my parents to sell me. With the received silver, we could find a place to settle down, buy some land and live a good life.”

“Initially, my parents refused, so I ran to the broker myself. Left without an option, they accepted. They took my siblings and left to find a new home.”

“But don’t worry, miss. My parents know the rules. They won’t frequently come looking for me. The silver should be enough to start anew in a village.”

This girl Xiangqiao is indeed very outstanding.

Zhuang Qingning pursed her lips and nodded slightly. “I understand.”

She made only one stop in the county town to buy daily necessities before returning home with Xiangqiao.

There was a vacant room in addition to her and Zhuang Qingsui’s; She had Xiangqiao clean it to make it her own. Then she handed her a piece of common fine cloth, “Cut this cloth into clothes for yourself and make a pair of shoes. This way I will also learn about your needlework skills.”

“Thank you, miss,” Xiangqiao gratefully accepted the material to her room. Then she swept the fallen petals in the courtyard, fetched water, selected vegetables, and prepared lunch.