“Have you all made up your minds?” Lu Lingyun asked, not surprised by their answer.
“Yes!” Zhao Da’s family nodded in unison, the old man so excited he almost knelt down.
“Young Madam, these old bones can still serve you for a few more years.”
“Old Steward, please rise.” Lu Lingyun gave her attendant a nod, and the attendant immediately helped the old man up.
Looking at the whole family before her, she said, “Since you all feel this way, then let it be. But you don’t need to sell yourselves to the Houfu. You will remain free, and I will consider it as hiring you to manage the inn. In addition to your monthly wages, I will give you a 30% share of the profits.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Da’s family was once again filled with gratitude. They had come prepared to sell themselves again, but Lu Lingyun was so generous, hiring them instead of taking them as servants, and granting them their freedom.
There was a vast difference between being a free person and a servant. Even though servants generally lived better than ordinary people, they were still servants. Lu Lingyun’s offer, providing them with Houfu’s protection while granting them freedom, was like a divine blessing!
The family presented Lu Lingyun with the deed to the property, expressing their endless gratitude before leaving the Houfu. Lu Lingyun looked at the deed and instructed Shuang Hong to put it away in her dowry chest.
This was her private property, not the Houfu’s. With this, Lu Lingyun now owned four shops.
She would continue to let Zhao Da’s family manage the inn and would instruct Zhi Yan to check the account books later.
Lu Lingyun was taking a break when Xia Mei brought her brother’s message.
“Young Madam, my brother said he heard explosions coming from the land outside the Luo family’s residence these past few days.”
Almost forgot. There was still the matter of Xing Dai Rong.
“How big are these explosions?”
“Like firecrackers, going off non-stop every day.” Xia Mei described it vividly.
“I understand.”
What was Xing Dai Rong up to?
The next morning. Lu Lingyun met Cheng Yunshuo, who was now wearing the uniform of the Golden Armor Guard.
He had been sick for a while, but now he was completely recovered. Not only was he healthy, but he also seemed different.
He used to be full of youthful vigor and spirit, but after his illness, he had become much more mature and composed, with a hint of maturity in his brow.
“Young Master.”
“Little Yun, you’re here.”
Cheng Yunshuo had also become more familiar with Lu Lingyun, but unlike his interaction with Qiu Yi Niang, he remained polite towards her.
Even when they were alone, they didn’t feel like husband and wife, but more like old friends.
“It’s good to see you’ve recovered, Young Master.” Lu Lingyun gave him a faint smile.
“It’s getting cold, you should wear more clothes.” Cheng Yunshuo smiled back.
Lu Lingyun accompanied Cheng Yunshuo out of the house, chatting casually along the way. Cheng Yunshuo enjoyed spending time with her.
Because, it was never tiring, they could talk about anything.
After sending Cheng Yunshuo away, Lu Lingyun turned back to the house. “Xia Mei, has your brother left?”
“He has, he’s gone to the Duwei Mansion to report.”
Lu Lingyun smiled calmly.
She had asked Dong Sheng to report Luo Heng’s daily firecracker explosions outside his residence to the Duwei Mansion.
It was only fitting that Cheng Yunshuo, as a member of the Golden Armor Guard, handle this matter.
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