The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 104: Acquiring Servants

Chapter 104: Acquiring Servants

The autumn wind swept through bleak and bitter, heralding the approach of winter. In what felt like the blink of an eye, the streets of Xiangping Prefecture were filled with townsfolk clad in winter garb.

This year’s harvest had been bountiful, and the common folk lived in relative peace and comfort. But the court and the nation were far from tranquil.

The Yuanhua Emperor, now in his waning years, had grown increasingly irascible and mercurial. His ire had manifested in a wave of harsh purges, rooting out corruption with merciless fervor. Officials were stripped of property, exiled to the frontier—or worse, skinned alive and stuffed with straw as a warning to others.

Though Xiangping Prefecture had been spared direct fallout, the aftermath was evident at the official servant market. The long queues were filled with those sold into servitude after their families’ downfall.

Du Yunse turned to Qiu Huanian. “The chores pile up in winter—snow to shovel, firewood to haul, coal to move. Jin San and old lady Jin are too old for such labor. If they slipped on the ice, it could be dangerous.”

“Next spring, we’re headed to the capital for the imperial exams. We’ll need attendants on the road and someone to mind the house. With so many servants now on the market, this is the time to hire.”

Qiu Huanian nodded, acknowledging the logic in Du Yunse’s words.

When they had first taken in Jin San and his family, it had been out of economy. The Qiu household had few demands, and the trio had sufficed.

But now, with Du Yunse’s rising prominence, their responsibilities had grown. The household’s comings and goings had increased, and three servants were no longer enough.

They were reminded of their visit to Du’s village—once Jin San, old lady Jin, and Shanhu came along, no one remained to watch the house. They had to trouble Zhu Jingwei for help.

Qiu Huanian had no taste for overworking his staff. With more tasks to manage, it was high time they expanded the household.

“Let’s go to the official servant market this afternoon. You should have a personal attendant by now,” he said decisively.

Jiu Jiu, ever supportive, readily agreed. She had long believed both brothers should have personal attendants. Currently, only she had one—Shanhu—and it hardly seemed fitting.

Chun Sheng welcomed the idea with delight, eager for more company and liveliness at home.

Jin San and his family felt uneasy, but they understood the inevitability. Their positions were secure, after all—they had been with the household the longest.

Especially Shanhu, who stayed close to the young lady, was unlikely to be replaced.

That afternoon, Jin San drove the carriage while Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse rode to the official servant market.

The stewards managing the market were well-connected and instantly recognized the pair. Xiangping’s top scholar and the famed Lady Qishu were figures none dared overlook.

“Scholar Jieyuan, Township Lord—here to select new attendants?” the steward asked with a welcoming smile.

Qiu Huanian nodded. “We’re looking for someone experienced in managing a household—and someone familiar with the capital. Do you have suitable candidates?”

The steward beamed. “Servants with clean records and managerial experience are in high demand—they’re snapped up the moment they arrive. But for you, we’ve reserved some of the best.”

Indeed, in any market, skilled managers required time and effort to cultivate. If they were free of scandal, even servants from confiscated households remained valuable.

The steward gestured courteously. “Please, this way. I’ve selected three households for your consideration.”

“The first is a family of four—a couple in their forties, with a son and daughter. They’re from Suzhou-Hangzhou. The man managed a villa’s servant staff, and the woman oversaw the sewing room. The children worked alongside her.”

They stood to the left—modest, composed, impeccably dressed despite their misfortune.

“The second household is large—nine members. The head is the eldest son, once chief steward to a third-rank official in the capital. The rest are skilled in various trades. Their number and experience would meet all your needs.”

This family stood in the center, ranging in age from elders to toddlers, all bearing a calm and practiced air.

“The third group is smaller—an uncle and his two sons, from a capital household. The uncle’s late husband was in charge of procurement. His eldest son, seventeen, learned the trade well. The younger son is nine, mature beyond his years.”

They stood slightly apart, more reserved. The elder son positioned himself protectively in front of his younger brother and father.

Were it not for their connection to the capital and the steward’s belief in the son’s potential, they might not have been shown at all.

After the introductions, the steward awaited their decision.

Du Yunse turned to Qiu Huanian. “Shall we take the first and third households?”

Qiu Huanian agreed. “They’re best suited.”

The second group, despite their qualifications, came from a background of prestige. Integrating them into a still-growing household might breed discontent or power struggles.

The other two groups, smaller and humbler, could provide balance.

Still, a proper meeting was required before final selection.

Du Yunse signaled the steward, who brought in the first and third groups while dismissing the second. The latter left without protest, confident in their value.

The man from the first household was Wu Da; his wife, Lark. The uncle in the third group was called Mumian. The children’s names were left for the new masters to bestow.

They all spoke flawless Mandarin, without the regional accent that marked Jin San’s family. Their responses were thoughtful and clear—even the youngest boy showed composure.

Satisfied, Qiu Huanian purchased their contracts outright.

Wu Da’s was eight taels of silver, Lark’s five, their two children two taels each. Mumian’s elder son cost five taels, while he and the younger boy were two taels each—twenty-six in total.

As Qiu Huanian paid, both households visibly relaxed. They knew their new master was Xiangping’s top scholar and his spouse a titled lord, both still young but with immense promise.

It was a household with a future—and they were fortunate to join it early.

Wu Da wasted no time. He secured a carriage to follow Qiu Huanian’s back home, ensuring none of the new servants lagged behind.

Once home, Qiu Huanian had everyone introduce themselves and began assigning roles.

Wu Da, with his extensive experience, was named steward. He would handle procurement, accounting, and receiving guests. Qiu Huanian would only need to review his records.

Lark, skilled in sewing, would oversee the sewing room with her daughter, who was renamed Agate, following a naming theme like Coral.

Mumian, it turned out, had experience in midwifery and childcare. Qiu Huanian flushed but maintained a composed face.

Du Yunse, noticing his reaction, stifled a laugh. Mumian’s skills might become useful in the future—but for now, he was to assist Jin San with cleaning duties.

Mumian’s eldest son caught Du Yunse’s attention and was appointed as his personal attendant, named Bai Quan after a famous wine. The younger boy became Bai Ye, to accompany Chun Sheng as Coral did for Jiu Jiu.

The sixteen-year-old son of Wu Da and Lark was taken under Qiu Huanian’s wing and named Xing Mi, after a medicinal herb. As a medicine enthusiast, Qiu Huanian found such names endearing.

Thus, the seven new members found their places, though assignments could shift with time.

Spare rooms at the rear of the house were prepared, and cotton and batting distributed. Wu Da swiftly took the lead organizing their quarters.

Wages were adjusted: Wu Da earned one tael monthly, Bai Quan and Xing Mi five each. Lark, Mumian, Jin San, and old lady Jin received three taels, while the rest earned two.

The Jin family, heartened by the raise, no longer worried about being replaced. Wu Da and Lark accepted lower wages in exchange for future stability under promising masters.

The household, once quiet, now bustled with life.

Wu Da got to work immediately, sorting through the storeroom per Qiu Huanian’s notes. Forgotten gifts emerged—winter gear, a carved heated bed, cloaks, a smoke-reducing brazier, and clever hand warmers.

Lark and Agate began sewing tailored winter clothes for everyone, transforming raw materials into garments rivaling shop-bought finery. Jiu Jiu watched with fascination, often offering design ideas.

Although Bai Quan and Xing Mi were personal attendants, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse didn’t require them constantly nearby. As both could read, they were given books from the Qimin Bookstore—titles like Elementary Mathematics: Equations—and instructed to study during idle hours.

The boys exchanged glances as they received their first task: reading.

“Let’s encourage each other?”

“…Let’s.”

Bai Ye, meanwhile, followed Chun Sheng. Since servants couldn’t attend private school, Qiu Huanian enrolled Bai Ye alongside him. The boy’s seriousness helped calm Chun Sheng’s energy, much to Du Yunse’s satisfaction.

Coral continued to follow Jiu Jiu to the Zhu family’s school, where she was being taught to read.

Thus, the legendary Qiu Huanian, even after transmigrating to ancient times, continued to drive his entire household toward improvement.

Truly commendable.

By November, snow fell in Xiangping several times. Temperatures plunged, and overnight ice thickened in water jars left outdoors.

Within Qiu Huanian’s home, red felt curtains sealed out the chill, and high-grade charcoal glowed in braziers and warmers, filling rooms with fragrant warmth.

This winter, unlike the last, was one of true comfort.

Wrapped in furs and propped on a heated bed, Qiu Huanian clutched a soft pillow and thought contentedly: This is what it means to strive.

Just then, Xing Mi entered quietly, lifting the curtain.

“My Lord, my father reports a cart of charcoal, five bolts of thick cloth, rice, flour, oil, and meat is ready. When shall we depart?”

“Check with the study—once Yunse finishes his essay, we’ll leave.”

They were headed to visit Wang Yinzhi.

Having saved money tutoring the Assistant Prefect’s grandson, Wang Yinzhi had moved his family to the city in early November. He rented a small courtyard—far more comfortable than the village in winter.

Since he had done so much for them in the past, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse were eager to return the favor, bringing gifts for the new home.

After all, they had received kindness along their journey. Now, it was time to extend some of their own.

Author’s Note:

This chapter introduces many new names (don’t worry if you don’t remember them; they’ll appear more frequently later)—

Steward (head servant) — Wu Da

Seamstresses — Lark, Agate

Housekeeper (also a midwife) — Mumian

Qiu Huanian — Xing Mi

Du Yunse — Bai Quan

Chun Sheng — Bai Ye

(Among them, Wu Da and Lark are married and have Xing Mi and Agate;

Mumian is an uncle—basically, an older brother—and is the father of Bai Quan and Bai Ye.)