RMBLCUCS – Chapter 53: Tang Mo Dispenses the Servants

Steward Yang was the warm-hearted sort, and his tone revealed no small measure of sympathy toward Xia’er. Tang Mo frowned deeply. Every household had its own troubles—he couldn’t rightfully judge. What he did know was that he disliked unruly people in his own household; they were trouble waiting to happen. Still, he had taken a liking to Ershan. With proper guidance, the boy would prove useful.

“Tell both families,” he said, “I’ll be taking Ershan and Xia’er. Give each family two taels of silver.”

Steward Yang had expected as much. Grinning from ear to ear, he set out to handle the matter. When the Zhao brothers learned that one of their children had caught the young master’s eye, they were overjoyed. Ershan’s father even tried to swap him out, wanting his other son to take his place. He was only dissuaded after Steward Yang gave him a fierce tongue-lashing.

Before their arrival, Tang Mo handed Xia’er over to Xin An. “Just an extra hand,” he said. “You arrange things as you see fit.”

In truth, she had no place in the Marquisate yet—by rank and seniority, she’d never make it into service.

Xin An mentioned that the Xin residence, now fully renovated, would need someone to sweep and manage affairs. “Keep her at the main estate for training first. Once she’s ready, we can send her over.”

After all, Autumn Harvest Courtyard couldn’t accommodate any more maids.

“Your servant Zhao Ershan bows before the Young Master!”

Steward Yang moved quickly. Within the hour, Ershan returned freshly washed, dressed in secondhand but presentable clothing, dragging along his little cousin Xia’er. The two knelt before Tang Mo. Their garments clearly didn’t fit—one too large, the other too tight—clearly not their own.

“Your… your servant Zhao Xia’er bows before the Young Master.”

Xia’er’s voice trembled. She dared not raise her head. Her cousin had said he’d bring her to a better life. She had thought she was dreaming. Only by kneeling here did it feel real—but fear gripped her still. What if she did something wrong and was sent back?

Tang Mo gave a curt “Mm.” Steward Yang presented the indenture contracts and reminded the two to serve diligently and with loyalty, warning them never to harbor disloyal thoughts.

Ershan knocked his head forcefully to the ground. “I said it yesterday—so long as I can serve the Young Master with my cousin, I will never waver. If I ever betray your trust, may the heavens strike me down with thunder and lightning.”

The sound of his forehead meeting the floor was loud and clear. Xia’er, seeing this, tried to speak as well, but didn’t know how. All she could do was follow his example and bow low.

“I… I will too,” she said, this time with more strength in her voice.

“You may rise.” Tang Mo passed Ershan over to Lailai. “Teach him the rules. Learn well, and you’ll serve well.”

To Xia’er, he said, “You’ll follow the Young Madam’s arrangements. Off you go.”

Off you go?

But where? He hadn’t said. Xia’er panicked.

Lailai stepped forward. “Come with me. You’ll go kneel before the Young Madam. Ershan, you too.”

Xin An was overseeing the gardener as he transplanted jasmine. She intended to bring some back to replant at the Xin residence. When Lailai brought the children to her, she saw immediately how pitiful Xia’er looked and told Chunyang to take the girl for another bath.

“From now on, you’ll learn from your Sister Chunyang. Behave, learn the rules. As long as you don’t make mistakes, you won’t be punished.”

Poor child—Xin An could still see the bruises on her wrist. Judging by the color, they were no more than a day or two old.

Xia’er bowed deeply again, this time her eyes shining with hope. She wasn’t a pretty girl—her skin was dark from long hours of labor, her fingernails caked with mud, hands rough and cracked. She hardly looked like a twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl.

She would have to start as a cleaning maid.

Chunyang and Lailai each led one of the children away. Xin An went back to watching over her jasmine. Sleepy after lunch, she ended up taking a short nap. Tang Mo had said they would return the next day. After waking, she took a stroll by the lotus pond—though he dared not try any fresh food again.

The two still shared one bed—there was nowhere else to sleep. By afternoon, they’d returned to their usual selves. The morning’s awkwardness remained unspoken, and in Chunyang’s eyes, the harmony between them was fully restored.

That evening, after the sun dipped below the horizon, the two went out for a walk together. Lailai and Ershan followed at a respectful distance. A group of village children were playing on the rice embankments, and the couple paused, amused by their antics.

Just as they stopped, one grubby boy came charging straight toward them, shouting before he even reached them—

“Brother-in-law!”

Tang Mo turned instinctively, thinking someone was behind him.

“Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law!”

The dirt-smudged child stopped in front of him, looked up, and declared earnestly, “You’re my brother-in-law.”

Tang Mo: ?

Xin An: ?

Before either of them could react, Ershan stormed forward and gave the boy a solid smack on the backside.

“That’s not how you address him! This is the Young Master. Your brother-in-law isn’t here!”

The boy let out a wail, bursting into tears.

“He is my brother-in-law! He is! Mother and Father said Third Sister went to be his concubine—so he’s my brother-in-law!”

His parents had told him it was the dead girl’s good fortune. A Daoist priest had even said she was destined for prosperity. One day, when she made it big, she’d shower him with silver and let him live a good life. He hadn’t misheard.

Ershan was livid. Another loud smack landed.

“Say that nonsense again and see what happens! Your Third Sister’s going to the Marquisate to sweep floors and wash clothes. She’s a servant, understand? Your parents are full of nonsense!”

Then, terrified, he turned and dropped to his knees before Tang Mo.

“Young Master, it’s all this brat’s nonsense. Please don’t blame Xia’er. She… she…”

His teeth clenched with frustration. Xia’er had only just escaped the fire pit—he was terrified the Young Master would grow angry and send her back. And if that happened, he’d lose his own chance too. With the Young Master’s standing, how could he possibly be short on servants?

Tang Mo couldn’t help but laugh coldly. A maid who came as an afterthought—he hadn’t even seen her face properly—and yet he’d already been splattered with this much filth?

What, did they think he fell for anything?

His eyes flicked guiltily to Xin An, only to find her expression calm and unreadable. She merely stared coolly at the bawling child. A boy of seven or eight couldn’t possibly come up with such talk himself—it clearly came from the adults in the household. Ridiculous. Pure fantasy.

Tang Mo’s voice turned icy. “Go inform Steward Yang. Sell off the entire family. I don’t want them polluting my sight again.”

Trying to make him their son-in-law? What absurd delusions.

Some bystanders had edged close to watch the commotion. Their faces flickered between realization and schadenfreude, followed by a hint of pity.

Yesterday, the Zhao couple had been all smug, boasting that their daughter Xia’er had caught the eye of the Young Master—saying she was destined for greatness, that even a fortune-teller had said she was blessed.

They had wondered: Xia’er, always laboring in the fields—when had she even seen the Young Master? How had she “caught his eye”?

So that’s what it was—just a menial maid.

Still… being a servant was better than staying with the Zhao family. Poor girl.

Ershan didn’t hesitate for a second—he rushed off to find Steward Yang.

Tang Mo’s face was like stone as he turned and left. Whatever good mood he’d had was gone.

Steward Yang moved quickly. Within moments, he had the Zhao couple tied up and gagged before they could make a scene.

That family had always been the most disgraceful on the estate—people had long disliked them. The man stole grain, the wife snuck eggs. They’d even been punished once for stealing from the fields together. And now they dared to dream of making the Young Master their son-in-law?

Steward Yang was seething. Everyone on the estate now looked to Second Young Master Tang as their future. If this shameless couple ended up offending him, who would that benefit?