Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune-Chapter 432

431, Extortion (Second Update)

It was not just a lack of confidence, but stooped backs, bent waists, and stammering speech.

The bracelet dangled helplessly, their bodies trembling slightly.

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Lacking self-assurance, they were also nervous and scared.

Xie Zhinuan asked them to sit and had someone serve tea and pastries, but they repeatedly said they did not dare.

“Please take a seat. Since you’ve come, let’s have a chat!”

Their parents sat down, and Ming Xi and the others stood behind their parents, looking longingly at the exquisite pastries and swallowing hard.

Having indulged in pleasure for years, it was the first time they had seen such beautiful and delicate pastries.

“Please have some tea and try the pastries. They just came out of the kitchen, they’re still warm and delicious!” said Xie Zhinuan softly.

“Thank you, Miss!”

Everyone said so and began by drinking the tea.

They could not tell what was special about it; they just found it fragrant.

The pastries were even more delicious. After one piece, they wanted a second, and a third, and wished to take some home for their youngest sons and daughters, grandchildren, and granddaughters to try.

Ming Xi and the others stood in the back, swallowed hard, and did not dare to reach for any.

For the first time, in front of a delicate woman, they did not dare to make a sound or act rashly.

“Miss Xie, Ming Xi told us you gave them some work and the silver was also from you?” Ming Xi’s father couldn’t help but ask.

The others also eagerly looked at Xie Zhinuan.

They were anxious, afraid that Xie Zhinuan would deny it.

“Yes, the silver was from me. I see that they are quite capable, so I thought of employing them to work for me. You can rest assured, I do not commit crimes like murder or arson, nor will I ask them to!”

This statement from Xie Zhinuan was like a reassurance pill for them.

They were also afraid that their new employer, Xie Zhinuan, after hiring them, might instruct them to do bad or evil deeds.

They would rather be insignificant scoundrels than lose their lives over such things.

When sending them off, Xie Zhinuan had the kitchen prepare some pastries, “Take these back for your children!”

“Many thanks, Miss Xie!”

Xie Zhinuan smiled, having Sha Ni escort them out.

Sitting alone in the chair, she contemplated for a long time.

Employing these people had its pros and cons.

They were infamously known, and many were aware of them. People hired for work did not dare to offend them and would do their jobs diligently. Of course, it was also essential to restrain them; otherwise, causing trouble would be a headache.

Xie Zhinuan was very clear about this.

Ming Xi’s family returned home.

Ming Xi’s mother hurriedly took out the pastries to share some with his in-laws and her family, keeping only a few pieces for their own household before they were all gone.

It wasn’t much to share, and she, as a daughter and daughter-in-law, could only express a token of gratitude. But to both sets of elders, Ming Xi having a proper job was far more important than pastries.

“How is the pay calculated?”

Ming Xi’s mother hesitated before speaking, “We heard, they said it’s ten taels a month!”

“That much!”

Ten taels-a sum that a family saving every penny could not accumulate in a year.

Ming Xi’s grandparents quickly instructed, “You must make sure Ming Xi does his job well for Miss Xie. If he loses such a good work opportunity, where would he find another?”

“Father, Mother, your daughter-in-law will remember this!”

Still worried, the grandparents decided to speak to Ming Xi themselves.

Third aunts, sixth uncles, great aunts, and great uncles all visited with the same message, urging Ming Xi to serve Miss Xie well.

Ming Xi lay on the kang, letting out a soft sigh.

He understood all this.

Yet he never expected that, given his past misdeeds, not a single person at home believed he could change for the better.

The same went for the others.

Their third aunts, seventh uncles, and eighth aunts also showed up to advise them.

At the Liang family’s residence, Madam Liang received a letter demanding fifty thousand taels of silver; otherwise, the sender would go to the Governor’s Office to report her for bribing an assassin to attempt to murder Xie Zhinuan.

Chapter 433