CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 88: SUBDUING YU TUANZI

Gu Chengyu carefully observed the old woman, noticing she was dressed in a brown coarse cloth cross-collar garment, with a belt around her waist, appearing to be around forty years old. Her long face bore wrinkles resembling a "川" between her brows, indicating she was a rigorous woman. Her greeting actions were in place, seeming to flow smoothly, suggesting she used to serve in an official household, as regular merchant families don’t often produce someone so knowledgeable in etiquette.

This old woman can certainly be kept close for important tasks. His family is of farmers, and with so many nieces, if they were to expand their household in the future, they would definitely need such an etiquette-savvy woman.

"Everyone, rise! What was your original surname?"

The old woman knew the question was directed at her. She stood up properly, her eyes only focused on the ground in front of her, respectfully replying, "The previous master’s family name was Yan, who bestowed me the Yan surname. My husband’s surname is Liang. Now that I’m with the master, may the master bestow a new name."

Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment, feeling that using the original surname was inappropriate, but her husband’s surname might be usable.

"Then follow your husband’s surname, I’ll call you Nanny Liang! But as for your husband..." Since Gu Chengyu planned to bring her back to the Gu Family, her past affairs should be thoroughly understood.

"My husband has already passed away; there are no children, it’s just me alone." Nanny Liang, saying this, seemed to think of sad matters, her speech slightly choked, feeling somewhat uneasy. She realized these children were just temporarily residing here, fearing that once taught etiquette, they would leave, rendering her useless. This young master seemed decisive, but could she remain?

"Oh! That’s indeed pitiable! Just work here with peace of mind from now on."

It’s uncertain whether Nanny Liang’s words are true, as grand aristocratic families have many underworld affairs, who knows how her husband and children died? Maybe they didn’t die at all? Nevertheless, it doesn’t hinder him from employing her; whether problems arise later is a matter for the future, he didn’t want to be overly concerned.

"Steward Yu!" Gu Chengyu signaled Yu Tuanzi to commence official affairs. In front of outsiders, he spared some face for Yu Tuanzi, not calling him by his name directly.

This time, Gu Chengyu selected two boys from among twenty children. These two would become his future servants, his personal attendants, a choice of significance. He chose two of the most perceptive ones, with good skills in martial arts and literacy, named Ding Qi and Ding Shisan, who had also learned inner strength. Additionally, he selected two older ones to learn responsibilities from Yu Tuanzi, while the other children were temporarily left without arrangement. It wasn’t the right time yet, but he had already gained a general understanding of their progress, noting a few particularly diligent ones. As for Ding Yi, he followed along beside Yu Tuanzi.

He hadn’t taken the selected servants with him yet, needing to wait until he had passed the scholar exams first. The Gu Family’s life was affluent now, buying maids and servants was a necessity someday; servants were essential since there were tasks he couldn’t do himself and needed subordinates to handle. When the time comes, he’d choose to buy those who suited him.

Gu Chengyu followed Yu Tuanzi into the main room, surveying the surroundings. Although there weren’t any luxurious furnishings, the room was clean and tidy, not empty at all but instead had an aura of grandeur.

"You really know how to arrange a room; this place compares favorably with those of wealthy families!" Gu Chengyu glanced at Yu Tuanzi, unexpectedly discovering some taste in him.

"I didn’t arrange this! It was Dumb Granny who did. How is it? Does it look nice?" Yu Tuanzi saw Gu Chengyu not showing dissatisfaction towards Dumb Granny, assuming that Gu Chengyu was satisfied with her. He had felt pity for Dumb Granny, reminding him of his own mother and feared Gu Chengyu wouldn’t approve, since a mute was inconvenient.

Gu Chengyu turned to look at a picture of pine and cypress on the wall, beside which was a poetic inscription. This painting might be the work of a novice, lacking strength in strokes, failing to grasp shape, yet the poem had some artistic conception.

"Did Dumb Granny hang this picture too?"

"Yes! She pointed at this poem, insisting on hanging it, gesturing emphatically. Perhaps she thinks it looks nice. This picture was left behind by the previous tenant of this courtyard, just tossed onto the bedding piano inside. I thought it was a pity to throw it away, so why not hang it up?"

"Did you just say Dumb Granny can’t read? This painting is average; since the original owner didn’t want to take it, it certainly isn’t a good painting. The only redeeming quality is this poem. If Dumb Granny can’t read, why point at the poem? How could she wish to hang it?"

Gu Chengyu could understand, after all, it’s merely a nice poem. During moving, luggage tends to be packed full, so abandoning the painting makes sense. He didn’t believe that an illiterate old woman could have any appraisal ability, whether she appreciated this painting or deemed the poetry written well, contemplating hanging it for such reasons.

"This? Could it be she deemed it a waste to discard?" Yu Tuanzi, sweating on his forehead under Gu Chengyu’s questioning, also considered if Dumb Granny could read, why pretend otherwise?

"We are merely a modest household now, without much to have someone covet. Just fear accepting such a person might lead to troubles later. Regarding Dumb Granny, keep an eye on her. In future endeavors, observe and think more; don’t act rashly. You must liaise outside on my behalf, encountering various individuals; one as naive as you would be consumed without a trace left. Hmph!"

Gu Chengyu aimed to alert Yu Tuanzi to raise vigilance. At present, he had no suitable personnel, and even buying wouldn’t quickly procure desirable ones. Yu Tuanzi, having served two years, was at least handy, yet Gu Chengyu planned to begin acquiring personal assets, fearing Yu Tuanzi, capable in minor affairs, would suffer greatly in major matters due to gullibility.

"True indeed! I’ll certainly pay attention in the future!" Yu Tuanzi began confronting the issue, having previously acted without inquiring anything, purchasing people directly. Now, going out and about as a steward of some repute, indiscretion must cease.

His mother had recently advised him to work earnestly for the current master, not making presumptuous decisions, consulting the master more often. Buying Dumb Granny was a presumptuous decision, initially being told to buy a sturdy woman to bring back to wash clothes and cook, to later return to the Gu Family for rough labor.

"Don’t worry! As long as you perform well, I won’t treat you poorly. Once your five-year term is complete and you consume the antidote, if you wish to continue working for me, I’ll certainly retain you, fearing by then your monthly salary will have increased beyond what you’d get digging in the fields at home?"

Giving a threat and offering a sweet reward is a tactic of authority; Gu Chengyu already regarded Yu Tuanzi as a subordinate.

Yu Tuanzi, hearing Gu Chengyu’s willingness to employ him after five years, considered nowhere worthwhile to return. Following Gu Chengyu was better than leaving. Moreover, having the antidote would relieve anxiety, thus remaining was preferable. With a plan in mind, he became more respectful towards Gu Chengyu, recognizing he’d follow him in the future.