Ordinary clear day

Chapter 111 The New Attendant
When Shu Ning heard that Mrs. Tong asked her to pick a maid, she understood that this was also part of the housework management course, which was somewhat similar to the personnel work in modern enterprise management.Picking a maid is like picking an employee. It’s not just about looking pleasing to the eye. It also depends on whether they can do things, whether they meet the needs, and also consider interpersonal relationships, social background, and so on.This can be regarded as a kind of knowledge, and Mrs. Tong has taught her more or less, and now it is time for the practice test.

Shuning first calculated the number of people to be selected.I still need to add a close body and a rough envoy to my room.Fanguan has reached the age of marriage, and the housekeeper has already registered it, and will arrange a marriage for her before the new year.But the rough envoy just let the housekeeper in the mansion pick a family to have a baby. He is trained and reliable, so he only needs to pick one person today.

Then there are two people in Duanning's room.The original Shuxiangmoxiang had some considerations when he was arranged to come here, but Duanning has a good character and never thought of anything else about them, and Xiaomei was responsible for all the close service.Now that they are getting older, since Duanning returned to Beijing, they have been a little ready to move. If it wasn't for the funeral and the example of Cuilian, they don't know what they would do, so Tong took this opportunity to dismiss them. Get rid of these two restless ones.

In fact, according to the practice in the mansion, the eldest girls in the young master's house are usually born in the family, first of all, they are reliable, and second, they are familiar with the rules, but the Tong family hates this.Many maidservants in the Earl's Mansion are proud of being taken over by their masters, and they also like to compete with each other to be jealous, and the atmosphere is corrupt. More than one fifth-generation descendant died young because of this.

Tong has always believed that Qingning's flirtatiousness and instability in the backyard are the fault of those restless girls.She had very high expectations for Duanning, and she couldn't tolerate her son following in the footsteps of her cousin, so she had already planned to buy two honest maidservants for her son, and then slowly find someone who would guide him in adult affairs, and wait The son is engaged in a marriage in the future, and after asking his opinion, she will arrange a good family for the girl.

Shu Ning generally knew what Tong meant, so now she just chose the honest ones.

As for Xianning's maid, it is better to be sensible, careful and steady.

The matchmaker brought over a dozen girls, ranging in age from twelve to twelve.Shu Ning looked it over and felt that one of the [-] or [-] year old maids was quite suitable to serve Xian Ning, so she asked her name.The prostitute hurriedly replied: "It's called Xiange, Leisurely Xian, a song of poetry and poetry. It was named after an old scholar, and it is said to be elegant and unique."

After hearing this, Shu Ning and Tong Shi looked at each other in blank dismay.The matchmaker saw that something was wrong, and quickly asked: "But what's wrong?" The Ermao reprimanded from the side: "This is against our young master, why don't you change it soon?"

Tong Shi waved her hand and asked the girl: "What's your real name?" The little girl was a little timid, but she didn't back down, she had the courage to bless her, and replied: "When I was at home, I was called Xiao Yu." Tong Shi nodded The head: "That's all, it's just a little dirt."

Shu Ning said, "According to me, the word 'song' is quite unique, just change the word 'Xian'. Her real name is Xiao Yu, how about changing her name to Yu Ge? When it rains, the raindrops seem to be singing , It’s also very nice.” Tong smiled: “Okay, let’s call it Yuge.” Seeing that this girl is gentle and stable, she was also very satisfied.

Shu Ning picked two more girls of average appearance, honesty and quick hands, asked Tong's opinion, and asked them to serve her elder brother.Following the names of scholar Moxiang, Tong named them Chaxiang and Yanxiang respectively.

When it was her turn, Shu Ning felt a little embarrassed, there were two candidates who were both good, she hesitated and didn't know which one to choose.

One of them is named Fu Rong (Shuning: I am embarrassing!), about [-] or [-] years old, and she is the most outstanding among so many girls. He is also very well-organized in his speech, has read a few books, and is good at needlework. In terms of overall quality, I am afraid that a poor official daughter may not be able to match it.When Shu Ning saw her, she didn't think she was a slave. After asking the matchmaker, she found out that she was also the daughter of a good family, but her family was poor. In order to support her widowed mother and brothers, she had to sell herself as a slave, but she refused to sign the contract. dead bond.

Shu Ning still has some admiration for the integrity of this Furong girl, but after all, she wants to choose a girl for herself, hoping to find a safer one, this Furong will be redeemed at some point if she does not sign a death contract It makes people feel uneasy.Moreover, it may be because she is better than others in everything, this girl faintly exudes an aura of superiority, as if she is superior to others.This attitude made Shuning feel a little uncomfortable.If I stay to serve, I don't know if I can get along with other maids.

The other candidate, named Dongqing, was only 14 years old, with only a handsome appearance and neatly dressed.Compared with the other maids who are pretty or are good at women, she is not outstanding in everything, except for one advantage that others do not have: she once served in the study.She has been working as a little girl in the study since she was ten years old, and was not resold until she was 13 years old when the old master ransacked the house.

Shu Ning remembered that all the maids and servants around her were illiterate, and when practicing calligraphy, painting and piano, they had to do many things by themselves, which was very inconvenient.It would be much easier for her if someone was in charge of serving the pen and ink.

She thought about it for a while, then asked the matchmaker to ask some details quietly, and learned that Dongqing's old owner lost his official position and confiscated his house because of his relatives. Holly will be reduced to this.Shuning heard from Ermo that the big house hadn't picked anyone yet, so she had a plan in mind.

She ended up choosing Holly.Dongqing was certainly very happy, but that Furong probably didn't expect that she would lose the election, so she looked a little displeased.Shuning took a few glances at her, and felt more and more that her choice was correct.

After picking out the girls, the matchmaker took the remaining girls away, and the four girls who were left behind were taken down by Ermo for family education.

Mrs. Tong beckoned, called Shuning to sit down in the room, and asked, "Emiang saw how many talented and beautiful people just now, why didn't you pick them, and instead picked a few first-class ones?"

Shu Ning said: "The family of my uncle and my aunt haven't picked them yet. As a niece, how can I pick all the good ones. Didn't Er Niang teach her daughter just the day before yesterday?"

Tong Shi pursed her lips and smiled: "Just tell outsiders about these high-sounding words, I want to listen to the truth."

Shu Ning smiled: "Actually, I think that Fu Rong thinks highly of herself, and I'm afraid that she won't get along with Su Xin and the others. Wouldn't that be a problem for me? As for the others, although they look good, look at their slender fingers. , are a bit more delicate than me, and they really don't seem to be able to work, so I didn't choose them."

"Then why didn't you choose those few who are good at needlework? I chose this one."

"Most of the girls in the family are good at female celebrities, but there is no one who waits on Wenmo. I am looking for someone to do these things. Er Niang, how did I choose?" Shuning looked at her mother, wondering about today's test results how.

Tong Shi smiled happily: "You did a good job today. In the future, you should also remember that choosing a servant is not just about being good-looking, or that you like it. It should be able to work, and it should be what you need. When choosing someone, don’t forget the person who served you.”

Is this a rule of thumb?Shuning silently memorized it.Thinking of the beautiful girls just now, she felt a little strange: "The Fu Rong just now and those good-looking girls clearly don't look like people who can work. Why did the matchmaker bring them here?"

Tong Shi said indifferently: "I'm not a person who does rough work, those few have other uses." Shuning's eyes widened: Could it be that they are candidates for concubines?

Tong Shi asked: "Do you know why Er Niang asked you to pick someone instead of letting your brother choose?" Shu Ning thought for a while: "Because it's internal affairs?"

Tong Shi shook her head and said, "Youth, Mu Shaoai. Although I can trust my son, I don't want to take risks. That Furong is not like the others who only have a face that is stronger than others. She is good-looking and knows the rules. Look at it and you have some knowledge. If you are an ordinary son, you will not be fascinated. For Er Niang, no matter who your brother marries in the future, they are all from our own family. Which woman does not want her husband to be devoted to her? I don't want to do unnecessary things to make your future sister-in-law unhappy. If you want to manage a family properly, you can't just rely on thunderous methods and that sideways method."

After hearing this, Shu Ning felt extremely admired, she really deserves to be a mother!
In the evening, under the order of the housekeeper, a deacon sent a rough envoy girl and several young servants over to serve the master of the third room.That rough envoy girl, named Kou'er, is seventeen or eighteen years old, has strength, and can work. Shuning and Tong are very satisfied.

The deacon revealed the follow-up news about the selection of new maids. The two young mistresses, Nala and Wanning, and Li and Sitara each chose one to serve, among which Wanning chose Furong.Most of the girls picked by others were plain looking, only Nala chose a pretty one.

Shu Ning was very surprised when she heard about it. Sister Furong was clearly not a law-abiding person. The matchmaker sent her here, most likely for the concubine's position, why did she follow a young lady instead of Where is the young master?But when she thought that it was the sister-in-law and not the cousin who picked someone, she understood a little bit.

It's just that Wanning has chosen such a person, it's really worrying, if something happens to that Furong, this eldest sister will feel uncomfortable again.

Shuning worried for a while, but couldn't help laughing at herself: Did she start to worry about this elder sister because she saw Wanning's sad and pitiful appearance, and she has been in close contact with her in recent days?They are people with completely different personalities, and have different worldviews and ways of dealing with things. Wanning has suffered a few times, and she will definitely learn a lesson. What kind of mind is she messing around here?
After thinking about it, she remembered that Wanning asked herself to make a shoulder bag two days ago, and she had already made half of it, so she quickly dug it out and continued to do the rest.

At the first watch, she finally finished the satchel. Seeing that it was late, but her father didn't seem to come back, she went to ask Tong what happened.Tong just said that he went to Fangshan to do business, and he wanted to spend the night outside, so there was no need to wait for him.Shuning was relieved and went back to her room to sleep.

The next day, she took the satchel, thought about it, and took a newly made plain satin pencil case, and went to the bamboo courtyard.First sat in Fangning's room, gave her the pen bag, said a few words, and then went to Wanning's small courtyard.

Wanning welcomed Shuning's visit very much. After seeing the satchel, she was even more delighted: "You are so amazing! I didn't expect you to make it! It's this secret fold and this secret bag. I told them several times, and they all I can’t figure it out, but I didn’t expect the third sister to do it instead.”

Well, I have never eaten pork, and I have seen pigs run. Even if she doesn't know this kind of technique that is common in modern handbags, she still has an impression that it is not difficult to make a rough appearance.The maids in ancient times had never seen the real thing, so they couldn't imagine what it looked like.

Shuning smiled slightly and said: "It's nothing, I've seen others make it, but it's made of leather instead of satin." Wanning said: "Leather? Did you see it when you were outside the customs? It turns out that the Mongolians can do it too." This kind of sewing."

Knowing that she had misunderstood, Shu Ning did not correct her. Seeing the mess on the case, there were a few books randomly placed beside it. The book on the surface seemed to be "A Brief View of Song History", so she asked, "Is this a book for making a book?" What? Is my sister copying books?"

Wanning hurriedly put down her satchel, walked over to tidy it up: "You're laughing, because I felt that I couldn't concentrate on reading those history books, so I just copied the book from beginning to end, practicing calligraphy and reading, killing two birds with one stone." " She paused, her voice gradually lowered: "The more I read, the more knowledge I gain, this world...is really amazing..."

Shu Ning didn't hear the last few words clearly, she only guessed that she probably realized how different this world was from the Qing Dynasty they knew.But this should have been discovered long ago, right?Could it be that Wanning didn't really know the world until now?
Just as he was thinking, a maid came in, carrying two cups of tea and some biscuit-shaped snacks.Shu Ning accidentally took a look, and found that it was the Fu Rong she had seen yesterday.

Seeing her, Wanning smiled and said, "Yuehe is here? That's great, I can drink the good tea you made again." She turned to Shuning and said, "This is the new Yuehe yesterday, she You're so smart, you can do everything, and the tea you make is very delicious, do you want to try it?"

Shuning smiled, took a sip of the tea, and praised: "It's really delicious! But I remember her original name was Fu Rong, why did she change it?"

Wanning smiled and said: "I think her name is not good, so I changed her name to Yuehe. Isn't lotus just a lotus?" She turned to look at Yuehe: "She really knows a lot of things, my former girl They were all compared to her."

That Yuehe smiled sweetly, but Qiao Yunyanyun's voice came from outside the door: "It's really sad for the girl to say this." "Yes, we have been serving the girl for so many years in vain." The curtain was lifted, and Qiao Yun walked in "Since the girl likes Yuehe and dislikes us, let's leave and let Yuehe serve you alone." She said while wiping tears with a handkerchief, pretending to be a resentful woman.

Wanning laughed loudly: "Okay, okay, why are you pretending to be pitiful? The third sister didn't know, and thought you were really crying." She explained to Shuning: "Don't believe them, in fact, there is such a capable If there are people around, they can still be lazy, but they are just pretending to be pitiful to tease others."

Shu Ning smiled, seeing the sharpness in Qiao Yun's eyes when she looked at Yue He, she felt a little disapproving.If you just bury your head in your work, of course there will be no problem, but obviously you, the master, have already started to look at the new maid differently. One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. Can Qiaoyun, who has been a big girl for several years, really be so open-minded?
(End of this chapter)