Her formidable strength and potential from her previous life meant she didn't need to worry about such troubles, but this life was different. So she wanted Auntie Mei not to be looked down upon, and to demonstrate her own worth and capability. The Head Housekeeper talked to her about the matter of Zhao Embroidery Lady and Wang Embroidery Lady, which gave Li Xia the perfect opportunity to achieve her goal. However, the whole affair was quite tiring. Li Xia retreated to the Orchid Courtyard, not wanting to move. She planned to let herself rest properly.
Li Yao was even more surprised upon hearing this, as there was no such thing in his previous life. Why were there so many differences from his previous life in this world? What on earth was going on? Could his rebirth really change so much?
While this matter was turning a new page for Li Xia, it wasn't the case for others. Mrs. Lu took the opportunity to rectify the manor, dismissing a group of servants who didn't follow the rules, and buying a new batch. She prepared to assign more servants to attend to each of the masters. Previously in Bailang County, each Madam had one close attendant, each young lady had two, and each courtyard had two maid servants.
Now that they had risen to the position of Provincial Governor, the number of servants had not increased accordingly. After letting go of the former group, Mrs. Lu could now hire more hands for the manor.
After discussing with Li Ming, Mrs. Lu decided that each master would have two more attendants assigned. This move was also to better equip Li Xin with more capable hands, so that she would have helpers to command after getting married in the future.
Li Xia walked leisurely towards the Study Hall. Qiu Shui couldn't help but urge her, "Miss, please walk faster!"
Qiu Shui was worried that if they went too late, all the good servants would be taken. She couldn't help but anxiously urge Li Xia, "Miss, if we're late, the good servants will all be chosen!"
Li Xia's pace remained unhurried, and she even discussed with Qiu Shui about the criteria for good servants. "Qiu Shui, in your opinion, what makes a good servant?"
Qiu Shui answered without hesitation, "Of course, someone honest and efficient at their work."
"You know how they'll be selecting the servants. Would Mother allow any deceitful or sly ones to enter the Li Manor?" As the lady of the house, would Mrs. Lu let any undesirable maids be brought into the manor?
Upon hearing this, Qiu Shui realized her mistake and didn't hurry anymore. She followed leisurely behind Li Xia into the Study Hall. The Matchmaker had the selected servants stand in the courtyard, waiting to be chosen.
Li Xin now had two unfamiliar maids by her side. The two maids appeared honest and steady in disposition, with average looks that were neither outstanding nor ugly.
At this time, Li Shan was selecting servants in the courtyard. She walked back and forth, scrutinizing the maids. After two rounds, she made her choices. Her slender finger pointed at two. "You, and you, come out."
Li Xia followed Li Shan's finger and saw that the two she chose were the most beautiful among the group. Li Shan had picked two maids more beautiful than herself. Although the two maids appeared respectful on the surface, their eyes would occasionally glance towards Li Hui, Li Chou, and Li Guang. It was obvious they had ulterior motives. If left unchecked, these kinds of people could become troublesome later on.
"Mother, I've made my choices," Li Shan said as she brought the two beautiful maids to greet Mrs. Lu.
"Third Miss, are you sure?" As the lady of the house, Mrs. Lu noticed the ulterior motives behind the two maids' eyes and gave Li Shan a reminder.
"Mother, your daughter has made her choices and will not change them." Seeing this, Mrs. Lu didn't say more. She turned to Li Xia, "Second Miss, it's your turn to choose."
Li Xia had already made her choices in her mind and didn't hesitate. She went straight up and picked the fattest and thinnest maids from the group. Li Shan's choices revealed her hidden agenda, which Mrs. Lu understood. But Li Xia's peculiar pairing of the fattest and thinnest maids left Mrs. Lu baffled.
"Second Miss, are you sure about choosing these two?" Mrs. Lu couldn't help but examine the fat and thin maids, finding nothing out of the ordinary.
"Yes, Mother. Don't you think they look auspicious standing together?" Li Xia's words made Li Guang burst out laughing. Li Chou kicked him to stop his laughter, but the corners of Li Chou's mouth couldn't help curving up in a smile as well. Glancing at Li Hui, even the usually calm Li Hui had a hint of a smile on his lips.
Mrs. Lu looked at Li Xia speechlessly. Li Xia led the two maids to stand beside Li Xin. As she passed Li Shan, she heard her softly laughing, "Birds of a feather flock together." Li Xia ignored her and stopped beside Li Xin with the two maids.
"Xia Xia, won't you choose some other maids?" Li Xin advised. In her view, the maid Li Xia chose was too stout, and the other too thin. Neither looked capable of doing work.
"My eye for choosing people is excellent," Li Xia said with a smile. Li Xin didn't believe it, but later the fat and thin maids proved Li Xia's discerning eye.
After the three young ladies had made their choices, Mrs. Lu selected a few maids for herself and the other Madams from the remaining group. The Matchmaker then led away the unchosen maids and brought in a batch of young male servants. Li Hui and his brothers went up to choose their preferred servants.
Li Xia led the fat and thin maids, along with two ordinary-looking but seemingly honest maids, back to the Orchid Courtyard.
Auntie Mei had been waiting in the Orchid Courtyard. Seeing the four unfamiliar maids Li Xia brought, especially the fat and thin ones, she couldn't help but frown. Those two didn't look capable of doing work. Well, since they'd been chosen, she would let Qiu Ju train them. If they couldn't do the finer tasks, at least they could sweep the courtyard.
With this thought, Auntie Mei prepared to take the two to the Plum Blossom Pavilion. But Li Xia stopped her. "Auntie, those two are the ones I chose for myself. These two are the ones for the Plum Blossom Pavilion."
Realizing the fat and thin maids were Li Xia's personal choices, Auntie Mei looked at her puzzled. "Xia'er, why did you choose those two?"
Li Xia gave the same explanation, "Auntie, don't they look auspicious standing together?"
Auntie Mei looked at Li Xia speechlessly. To choose servants for such a reason was simply random. "Those two maids should serve under me instead."
"Auntie, how can you steal my careful selections?" Li Xia refused. These were the ones she had her eye on.
Seeing Li Xia's insistence, Auntie Mei instructed Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui, "You two take these four and have them change into servant attire and learn the rules." Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui acknowledged the order and led the four maids away.
"Tell me, why did you want those two maids?" Auntie Mei turned to Li Xia, asking her to give a proper 1, 2, 3, 4 explanation, or else she wouldn't let it go today.
"The fat maid, although stout, is quite strong. I like those with great strength. Next time we encounter any danger, she can shield us in front. As for the thin maid, did you notice her fingers?" Li Xia demonstrated a gesture.
"What do you mean?" Auntie Mei didn't understand.
"The thin maid's hands are similar to those of a thief," Li Xia's words made Auntie Mei's face change.
"How could someone like that be allowed into the Li Manor? No, I must report this to the Lady and have her sent away." Not reporting her to the authorities was already Auntie Mei's greatest mercy.
"But Auntie, that Matchmaker is registered with the officials. For her to bring this maid here means there's no problem," Li Xia stopped Auntie Mei.
Auntie Mei realized she was right and sat back down, but then felt something was off. "How did you know she had learned those skills just by looking at her hands?"
Li Xia suddenly didn't know how to explain herself. "About that..." Li Xia quickly racked her brain for an explanation.
"Have you figured out how to make up an excuse?" Auntie Mei asked coldly.
