Chapter 514: Chapter 516: Is She Dreaming?
Chapter 514: Chapter 516: Is She Dreaming?
“Indeed, the lady guessed right.
When the girl’s mother was alive, she owed quite a sum of silver to her uncle’s family.
Hence, even the village chief could not stop her uncle from selling her,” Ge Yapo comnted from the sidelines.
During this period, the philosophy of a child repaying their parent’s debt applied, even if her mother was no longer alive, she was still responsible for settling the debt.
Bai Ruozhu remained silent, gazing at the mute girl.
The mute girl sobbed for a long ti, then finally lifted her head and looked at Bai Ruozhu.
She emphatically nodded to convey that she could do what Bai Ruozhu proposed.
“Alright, I will purchase her.
What’s her na?” Bai Ruozhu asked.
Ge Yapo couldn’t hide her joy, saying, “Her na is Zhaodi.
Her family had hoped for a male child, but unfortunately, her father caught a severe illness and passed away too soon.
Regardless, her future na will be entirely your decision.”
Bai Ruozhu had always felt that girls nad Zhaodi or ‘Co Daughter’ bore an inherent sense of despair in their nas.
It seed as if their existence was solely to ensure the household had n, thus making her despise such nas.
“She shall be called Plum Blossom.
Even in the coldest winter, it blooms brilliantly,” Bai Ruozhu said softly.
The mute girl gazed at Bai Ruozhu in a daze, a spark of life gradually returning to her eyes.
She expressed her gratitude by nodding at Bai Ruozhu.
Suddenly, she hurriedly blessed Bai Ruozhu according to custom.
Bai Ruozhu then asked Ge Yapo about the price.
As expected, Ge Yapo was a woman who lived by her words.
She gave Bai Ruozhu a discounted price.
Bai Ruozhu found Ge Yapo agreeable and rewarded her with three more coins, assuring her that she would return for future business.
Ge Yapo was utterly delighted and assisted Bai Ruozhu in processing the necessary paperwork, eventually transferring Plum Blossom’s Indenture Contract to Bai Ruozhu.
On their way ho, Bai Ruozhu beckoned Plum Blossom to sit in the horse carriage.
Plum Blossom hesitated, seemingly aware that servants are not allowed to ride in carriages.
Bai Ruozhu, exasperated, said, “You are to serve in the carriage.
What use are you down there?”
Only then did Plum Blossom follow her into the carriage.
“There are many people in my house, but I don’t require you to serve everyone one by one.
They are not accustod to being served by others.
After returning, you will learn to spin threads.
Helping spin threads daily is all that is required.
Also, I have a pitiful cousin whose mind has beco sowhat impaired.
She needs care in her daily life, and you will be responsible for her care,” Bai Ruozhu explained to Plum Blossom in detail.
“Help her wash her face and hands in the morning and evening.
Keep an eye on her during al tis and do not let anyone scare her.
You shouldn’t be shy when it cos to your als.
Everyone is well-fed in my house.
Additionally, you’ll receive two sets of clothes every season and a monthly salary of a tael of silver.
If your performance is good, your salary may increase—do you have any objections?” Bai Ruozhu added.
Plum Blossom shook her head hurriedly.
She felt that these demands were fair.
Spinning threads was such a simple task and much lesser than the chores she did in her forr ho.
She was given sufficient food, clothing, and a monthly salary.
Was she dreaming?
Bai Ruozhu saw Plum Blossom’s stunned expression, and couldn’t help but laugh.
“You should save the money you earn as your dowry for the future.
By the way, I still don’t know how old you are.”
Plum Blossom began counting with her fingers, indicating she was only fifteen.
Bai Ruozhu nodded at her.
She still had a few more years before her marriageable age, so it wasn’t urgent.
“Open your mouth; let’s see if we can find any treatnt for you,” Bai Ruozhu suggested.
Plum Blossom looked a bit embarrassed, as if revealing the condition of her mouth was a source of imnse sha.
Bai Ruozhu did not urge her on, she simply said softly, “I’m a dical student, so perhaps, there’s a chance that I can help you regain your speech.”
Only then, Plum Blossom opened her mouth.
However, regrettably, Bai Ruozhu shook her head after examining it.
The girl indeed had been ruthless; her injuries were severe to the point of being difficult to treat.
Noticing Bai Ruozhu shake her head, Plum Blossom beca disheartened, understanding that her condition was beyond hope.
The lady was right; she should not have given up so easily back then.
“Don’t be disheartened.
I will try my best to treat you.
Even if you can’t speak again, being able to make so indistinct sounds is still better than nothing,” Bai Ruozhu reassured her.
They soon arrived at the Bai family’s residence.
Bai Ruozhu brought Plum Blossom in, which piqued the curiosity of everyone.
Everyone ca out to watch the spectacle.
Lin Ping’er, mindful of maintaining her authority as the mistress, glared at everyone, reminding them not to act thoughtlessly.
“Father, Mother, this is the maid I purchased.
From now on, let’s call her Plum Blossom.
She will be responsible for taking care of Ruolan and helping with the spinning of threads.
For now, she’ll share a room with Ruolan,” Bai Ruozhu announced.
Plum Blossom seed nervous and paid respects rapidly to Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong.
She opened her mouth and could only manage to grunt a few tis.
“Plum Blossom’s tongue was injured, and she cannot speak.
Everyone might have to bear with her a bit,” Bai Ruozhu hurriedly explained.
Plum Blossom looked gratefully at Bai Ruozhu with a smile.
She was thankful that the lady did not ntion, how she had bitten her own tongue in a suicide attempt, saving her a good deal of humiliation.
Next, Bai Ruozhu introduced everyone in the household to Plum Blossom.
Plum Blossom bowed to each person respectfully, then Bai Ruozhu brought her to et her cousin, Bai Ruolan.
Bai Ruozhu held Bai Ruolan’s hand and said, “Ruolan, will you let Plum Blossom take care of you from now on?”
Bai Ruolan was still very much attached to Bai Ruozhu.
She imdiately gripped her sleeve and shook her head vigorously.
Standing beside, Plum Blossom’s heart raced with anxiety, fearing that her new mistress’s cousin would reject her, which might result in her failing to settle down permanently.
Patting Bai Ruolan’s hair, Bai Ruozhu combed her ssy strands back into place, saying, “There are so many things I need to tend to, and I cannot be with you all the ti.
You should learn to be more understanding as you grow older, alright?
Even Dengdeng is well-behaved.”
After a brief consideration, Bai Ruolan reluctantly nodded.
It seed that she had regressed to the ntal age of a five or six-year-old child, speaking even less than ones of her age.
Plum Blossom breathed a sigh of relief.
When she attempted to assist Bai Ruolan, Bai Ruolan rejected her in fear and hid behind Bai Ruozhu.
“Don’t touch her for now.
You’ll need to start slow.
She would need so ti to get used to you,” Bai Ruozhu advised.
Plum Blossom nodded, signifying her understanding.
Subsequently, Bai Ruozhu led Plum Blossom to Aunt Lin to learn spinning thread.
As Plum Blossom had previous experience the craft, she caught on quickly.
Aunt Lin let out a sigh of relief upon seeing she had help.
She smiled at Bai Ruozhu, saying, “This is good, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep up with you all.”
“Aunt Lin, you should take more rest and not rush with the spinning henceforth.
If workload increases, we will buy another maid.
We can’t afford to wear you out,” Bai Ruozhu assured Aunt Lin with a smile.
“Oh, no.
You have treated us well enough.
I am not so old that I can’t move.
I can’t just eat and do nothing,” Aunt Lin protested stubbornly, making it clear she would continue to work.
With no other options, Bai Ruozhu had to let Aunt Lin be.
They were to rest imdiately after dinner anyway without using oil lamps, in order to prevent damage to their eyesight.
After Bai Ruozhu exited Aunt Lin’s room, Lin Ping’er pulled her aside and asked, “Why did you buy a mute girl?
Was it intentional?”
Bai Ruozhu laughed and cried at the sa ti.
The situation indeed seed like it.
She just believed that Plum Blossom’s situation made her a suitable purchase for their ho.
Bai Ruozhu then relayed Plum Blossom’s background to her mother in a hushed voice.
Her mother, the soft-hearted woman she was, quickly dabbed at her eyes, saying, “The poor child has suffered a lot.
I’ll find her so clothes and shoes.
Her toes are even showing.”
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