Liu Genmao’s ancestors were also commoners, but later, due to hard times, they became domestic slaves to a household, and this servitude lasted for decades. During his grandfather’s time, he was arranged by the master to manage this estate, becoming the steward. Since then, although the estate had changed hands several times, they were always highly valued.
The reason they were esteemed by various masters was not only because his family could endure hardship and labor, but more importantly, they understood one principle: to be loyal to whichever master they served. The thing masters dreaded most was disloyality and treachery.
By the time Liu Genmao became the steward, Yang Ruxin was his third master.
Although Yang Ruxin looked like a pretty little girl, Liu Genmao knew from her speech that she was not simple.
Liu Genmao was insightful. When he noticed Yang Ruxin staring at a certain place, he quickly looked over as well. Though he only caught a glimpse of the back of a woman as she passed by, he smiled and said, "Miss, that’s the new wife of Wu Da from the back house. What’s her surname again?" He turned and glanced at his son.
"She didn’t mention her surname, but Wu Da has been calling her Hong’er," Liu Genmao’s eldest son, Liu Fugui, hurriedly explained. Seeing Yang Ruxin frowning, he continued, "That Wu Da is the only person not of the same surname in our estate, sent here by the previous master. The Wu family, father and sons, currently manage a small pond in the estate, raising fish and growing lotus roots. The brothers, Wu Da and Wu Er, are both strong. Wu Er was already married with children when he arrived, but Wu Da has been single all along, claiming his wife died young with no children left, until a few days ago when he brought a woman back from outside..."
"That woman, I spoke to her yesterday. She’s gentle and soft-spoken, doesn’t talk much, but she does look good," Fugui’s wife chimed in eagerly.
"Hong’er?" Yang Ruxin’s eyes flashed for a moment. If she hadn’t seen wrong, that person was not any Hong’er, but rather Dong Hongmei, the runaway Fourth Auntie of the Dong Family.
After injuring someone, Yang Baifu disappeared without a trace. Although the Governor’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest, there had been no news of him. Later, Dong Hongmei nearly beat Erya to death and, fearing Yang Ruxin would settle accounts with her, she too had run away. People had been sent to search far and wide with no success, yet unexpectedly... she’d now assumed the name Hong’er and found herself a new man? She indeed had some skills. But fate is indeed mysterious; she ended up in the very estate Yang Ruxin had purchased.
"Yes, Miss, do you want this old servant to call her over?"
"No need," Yang Ruxin shook her head. "I only noticed her because she seemed to be running out in a panic. Since she is now Wu Da’s wife, there’s no issue. However, household registration must be handled quickly to avoid unnecessary trouble." For the time being, she didn’t want to face Dong Hongmei. After all, her crimes were not punishable by death, and even if they did meet, at most she would warrant a beating, which wouldn’t serve any substantial purpose.
If Dong Hongmei could truly live a steady life from now on, so be it. But if she continued to cause trouble, then that would be another matter. Of course, if she wanted to settle down here for good, she must be registered in the household records.
In the Great Xuan Dynasty, there were many estates like Xiaoliu Village, and their residents were called "tenants," which was somewhat similar to tenant farmers. However, there was a difference; tenant farmers only rented land and paid taxes to their masters. In contrast, "tenants" not only rented land but also served their masters in various manual labors and compulsory services—essentially, they were half-slaves.