Chapter 25: Taking an Entire Family on as Long-Term Hired Hands

The group conversed as they entered the main hall and took their seats.

This was a single-courtyard residence. Though it consisted of only one compound, it was quite spacious, featuring three main rooms, two side chambers, and a row of rooms facing the entrance. It was the type of property that could house a small family and a few servants, though its location was poor—tucked away at the very end of a secluded alley.

"What is the matter, Mistress Liu?"

"My husband encountered bandits while escorting a shipment last month and was severely injured. Not only do we owe a massive sum in compensation, but he will also never be able to work as a guard again. We had planned to move to a smaller place once our remaining two months of rent were up," Mistress Liu said, her tone heavy with melancholy.

"How badly was Brother Liu hurt?" Yu Yuanzheng asked with concern.

"He lost an arm. He has been completely dispirited ever since, with no spark of life left in him." Despite facing such a crushing life setback, Mistress Liu showed no outward signs of despair, revealing her inherently optimistic nature.

"How many children do you have, Mistress Liu?"

"Three. Jiang is the eldest, and there is a younger brother and sister, though they haven't returned yet from delivering some things to a neighbor's house."

"Then how will you survive in the future?" Yu Yuanzheng knew well that a man was the pillar of a household. Once he collapsed, life would become unimaginably difficult.

"Alas, we just paid eighty taels of silver in compensation to the security firm, and my husband still requires medical treatment and medicine. There is hardly any money left in the house. We still need to send some back to the countryside every year to honor our elders. I have no idea how we will manage," Mistress Liu said, looking dejected. As a woman, she had no idea how to make a living; the entire family had relied on her husband’s income from his escort work. The monthly rent for this small courtyard was five taels, and they would be forced to leave in two months. The downward spiral of their living standards was too steep to bear.

"Are you here to collect rent today, Princess?" Mistress Liu asked, getting to the point.

"I am not here for rent. I have just married into the Prince Rong Manor. The Earl's estate gave me this property as part of my dowry, and I didn't know what kind of courtyard it was, so I came to take a look."

"That is a relief. We will move out in two months," Mistress Liu said, having no intention of overstaying.

Yu Yuanzheng did indeed have thoughts of reclaiming the courtyard, as she had a plan that required it. However, seeing the state of this family, she felt a pang of pity. A thought occurred to her.

"Mistress Liu, if I were to hire you and your family to work for me, would you be willing? You wouldn't need to move; you could stay right here. I would give you tasks to perform within this courtyard, but there is one condition: whatever I ask you to do must be kept strictly confidential."

"Truly? Thank you, Princess! I am, of course, willing." As she spoke, she stood up and knelt before Yu Yuanzheng.

"Mistress Liu, there is no need for that. Please, stand up." Yu Yuanzheng found it difficult to adapt to the ancient custom of constant kneeling.

"Princess, you are saving our entire family. You don't know—ever since my husband lost his arm, his temper has grown worse by the day. If the children are even slightly disobedient, he beats them. He has also taken to drinking; in just one month, he has spent nearly three taels of silver on alcohol."

"Where is he now?" Yu Yuanzheng noticed only the mother and son were present.

"Alas, he has gone out to drink again. And his arm hasn't even healed yet." Mistress Liu could not control her husband and could only watch him waste away day by day.

"Go and call him back."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jiang darted out like a wisp of smoke. Not long after, he returned, dragging and pulling a man with a disheveled, bearded face. When the man saw the ethereal, immortal-like woman sitting in the hall, his drunkenness vanished instantly.

"Husband, this is the Princess of Prince Rong Manor. Pay your respects," Mistress Liu introduced.

"Is it really the Princess? Commoner Liu Mingde pays his respects to the Princess."

"I hear from your wife that because of a minor injury, you have lost your way in life? Do you not know the meaning of 'a disabled body with an unyielding spirit'? You have three young children—do you truly intend to abandon them?" Yu Yuanzheng asked sharply. It is terrifying when a person gives up on themselves. At such times, they desperately need someone to point them in the right direction.

Yu Yuanzheng's words stunned Liu Mingde. He raised his right arm, which was missing everything below the elbow, and stared at it for a long time.

"Princess, I have relied on my martial arts to support my family as an escort. Now that I have lost this hand, I cannot wield a weapon. How can I possibly provide for them?" The weariness in Liu Mingde's voice was enough to make one's heart ache. Few people can truly face such setbacks with composure; most simply collapse.

"Husband..." Mistress Liu choked back a sob, not knowing how to comfort him. She knew how much he had been suffering.

"Working as an escort means living on the edge of a blade. You should have been prepared for a day like this. Since you chose this path, you must have the courage to accept reality." Yu Yuanzheng forced him to face his life head-on.

"Yes, I was prepared, but when it actually happened, it was too hard to accept. My heart was in such pain that I indulged myself for a few days. My dear, I have made you worry. Once my arm heals, I will go to the docks and carry heavy cargo; I will find a way to support you all."

Liu Mingde’s eyes turned red, and tears began to fall. He had not truly given up on life; he simply hadn't yet overcome the hurdle in his heart.

Hearing his last words, Yu Yuanzheng nodded. The man still had merit—he possessed a sense of responsibility.

"Very well, Brother Liu, I have matters to discuss with you. Before you returned, I spoke to your wife: you may work for me, and I will pay you wages. You will do so right here in this courtyard. Are you willing?"

"I am! I am! But Princess, can I still work with only one hand?" Liu Mingde was worried his disability would be a burden.

"It does not matter. You have your feet, and you still have your other hand. You can work."

"Thank you, Princess!" Liu Mingde bowed respectfully. His entire demeanor shifted; although he remained unkempt, his spirit was completely different from moments ago. A man who had spent years as an escort carried a natural air of toughness. Once he regained his fighting spirit, his passion for life would naturally return.

"I will write up a list later, and you will prepare the items according to my requirements. This is Chunlei, my head steward; in the future, you will coordinate with him regarding most matters. You must keep my identity secret. This place is quite remote, so you only need to keep the doors closed while you work. I may bring more people here later, so I will waive your rent; you may continue to live here, but you will need to clear out enough space for us."

"Yes, Princess."

"Let us sign a contract first. From now on, you are my people. I do not mean to imply you are indentured servants; you are merely long-term hired hands. But I can guarantee that your family will have no trouble making a living."

"Thank you, Princess, for your benevolence in giving us a new lease on life." Liu Mingde was deeply moved. He had never expected to encounter a benefactor at his lowest point.

They fetched paper and brush, drafting two identical contracts that clearly listed the obligations and responsibilities of both parties, with the clause regarding confidentiality written most explicitly. It stated that should the Liu family fail to uphold it, they would face imprisonment and legal consequences.

On the way back, Ziyue finally voiced her confusion: "My Lady, what exactly do you intend to use the Liu family for?"