Free Web NovelChapter 2344: Chapter 2319: Taking Office
The new governor of Anxi arrived one day at noon. By then, Manbao and the others had already been in Xizhou for four days, during which time they were at their laziest. Mr. Zhuang, pitying their fatigue from the journey that caused them to lose weight, didn’t assign them any lessons.
As a result, Manbao and the others stayed in bed, not waking up until almost lunchtime.
Even Yin Huo was influenced by them and slept in for quite a while.
Changshou, who had calmed down after the first day’s chaos, now followed his master’s routine — sleeping when his master slept, rising only when there was movement from his master’s bed, and getting himself ready before heading to the kitchen to fetch hot water.
Indeed, when he returned with hot water, Yin Huo was still reluctant to get out of bed.
As he took out clothes to assist his master in dressing, he found a reason for him, "It’s too cold in the Western Regions."
Yin Huo nodded in agreement.
Mr. Zhuang was already by the fireplace drinking tea and reading a book. Seeing Yin Huo finally get up, he turned his head and instructed the maidservant, "Go and wake Zhou Man and the others too."
The ten dancers had all officially become maidservants, and they were quite happy with their roles.
Because there wasn’t much work here — mainly just tidying up the yard and occasionally handling some ingredients and medicines — the masters of the courtyard hardly managed them, giving them plenty of time to go for walks outside. From what they overheard, if they didn’t want to go back to the Central Plains with them, they could instead go to the Protectorate to register, and they could stay in Xizhou.
However, after some private discussions, the young girls felt it might be better to leave with them. Otherwise, they might end up being captured as female slaves, and apart from dancing and singing, they had few means of livelihood.
They didn’t have parents or family, or their families had been scattered to unknown whereabouts or survival, so leaving their homeland wasn’t particularly difficult for them to accept.
Seeing their determination, Yin Huo enlisted Changshou to teach them some serving skills, like how to brew tea the Central Plains way, and how to attend to their master’s daily needs.
Poor Changshou, after being a Xiaos for so many years, suddenly found himself elevated to the status of governess for these maidservants.
Changshou himself was only half-aware of the maidservants’ duties but figured that maidservants were similar to Xiaos; they both served their masters, after all.
Thus, he taught them based on his daily routines, which meant going wherever their master went, ensuring that wherever their master sat was comfortably arranged — not too cold, not too hot.
Even though they were dancers, this kind of skill set wasn’t foreign to them, so they adapted quickly and now felt they were competent Xiaos... oh, no, maidservants.
They went to knock on the door, but Manbao and the others still took almost another half an hour before they were washed up and appeared in the main hall.
Mr. Zhuang checked the time and nodded, "Very good, we can have lunch directly, raising you all seems quite economical."
The group of Manbao lowered their heads, feeling embarrassed and too shy to ask for food, so they quietly helped themselves to a bowl of milk tea and a piece of pancake as their breakfast.
Unfortunately, such a small amount of food in their stomach felt like a drop in the ocean, leaving them with no sense of fullness at all.
They touched their stomachs, sharing glances and winks, scheming about whether to find an excuse to go out again today. Yesterday’s lamb dumplings were delicious, and they could actually eat it again today...
It was at this moment that Assistant General Nie strode in from outside and announced to them, "The new Protectorate has arrived."
Manbao and the others’ eyes lit up, and they immediately asked, "Where is the person now?"
"He just entered the Protectorate’s headquarters," Assistant General Nie replied, "I came to inform the lord as soon as I got the news. He’s probably inside talking to General Ashina at the moment."
Bai Shan looked at Manbao and said, "Aren’t you supposed to pay respects to the new Protectorate? After all, we are taking quite a few soldiers with us."
Manbao immediately nodded solemnly, "Indeed, we should pay our respects."
Mr. Zhuang laughed at them and waved, "Alright, go ahead then."
Everyone let out a low cheer and turned to run outside.
Assistant General Nie didn’t quite understand what was so exciting about meeting the new Protectorate, but he followed them out and informed them, "The newly arrived Protectorate is State Duke Qiao, who shares some kinship with Young Master Bai Er."
Bai Erlang looked confused and turned to Bai Shan, asking, "Do we have relatives with the surname Chai?"
He racked his brain, recalling the family genealogy he had memorized.
Assistant General Nie said Bai Er’s relative, but not his, so it definitely wasn’t on the Bai Family’s side. With a bit of thought, he asked, "Is it State Duke Qiao?"
Assistant General Nie, who had wanted to tease a bit, could only nod, completely baffled at how these people’s minds worked. It was said that sons from noble families not only recited their genealogies but also the Clan Record, a book so thick he had never seen it. It was said that only noble families or large aristocratic clans could obtain it.
Bai Shan turned to Bai Erlang and said, "He’s your cousin. State Duke Qiao is the eldest son of Princess Zhao and the full cousin of Princess Mingda. When you meet him later, be polite and observe the family etiquette."
Bai Erlang immediately nodded. He knew about Princess Zhao, and Princess Mingda greatly admired this aunt of hers.
The group set out, waiting for the guards to bring their horses. Just then, a rider came up quickly and said, "Lord Zhou, Young Master Bai, Young Master Bai Er, the Chief Steward invites you to the Protectorate to meet the new Protectorate."
Liu Huan immediately asked, "What about us?"
The messenger paused and then said, "The Chief Steward didn’t specify, but since the young masters usually go everywhere together, it should be fine for you to come too, right?"
Just then, Daji and the others brought out the horses. Manbao mounted one and said, "Enough with the talk, just go, let’s move!"
Liu Huan and the others figured the same and got on their horses.
Yin Huo was also riding. Xizhou City was only so big, and where they were staying wasn’t too far from the Protectorate. They had to pass through the busiest street, making galloping impossible. A leisurely ride was sufficient, and being on horseback wasn’t particularly cold.
Of course, it wasn’t as warm as being in a carriage, but the scenic view was enjoyable, and everyone could chat.
Although Bai Shan knew of State Duke Qiao, they had never met, so he asked Manbao, "Have you met State Duke Qiao?"
Manbao thought hard for a moment, "I haven’t exactly met him at the imperial assembly, but when His Majesty was gravely ill, he did keep a vigil. Naturally, we crossed paths but never exchanged words."
When the emperor was seriously ill, the Imperial Hospital’s physicians, palace maids, inner servants, and the nobility, who insisted on staying to show loyalty without delay, were all recorded daily. If anything went wrong, everyone recorded in the booklet was questioned.
Back then, Manbao signed the register daily and naturally saw State Duke Qiao’s name in the adjacent book. However, her mind was focused on the emperor, and she didn’t pay much attention to others. Now, when asked to recall what State Duke Qiao looked like, she struggled to remember.
It was only because of her excellent memory that she could remember seeing State Duke Qiao’s name when signing, and it wasn’t just once.
