Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 98 Placement

Huanyun had no idea she would see Meng Shu at Chunfeng Tower. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief, her surprise quickly turning into shock.

"It really is you, Meng Shu. Aren't you working for the second young lady of the Tang family? Why are you at Chunfeng Tower?" Fearing that something might have happened to Meng Shu, Huan Yun hurriedly stepped forward and carefully examined her from head to toe.

After tidying up a few clothes, Dingxiang picked up a piece of cloth and walked to the dressing table. She opened the dressing case and poured all the hairpins and rings inside onto the cloth with a "whoosh," then quickly tied a knot.

Hua Yan stopped Huan Yun, who was about to dissuade her, and explained to her in detail the results of the investigation conducted at the Tang residence over the past few months.

After a long silence, a glimmer of hope appeared on Huanyun's ashen face. Her nails dug into her palms, as if only pain could bring her back to her senses. "No...it'll be alright. Zhou Lang swore he would return to Lin'an to find me..."

Hua Yan supported Huan Yun's shoulders and said seriously, "Sister Huan Yun, please forgive my bluntness, doing business on the border is a matter of seeking fortune amidst danger. I suppose Uncle was trying to raise money as quickly as possible before taking this risk."

Even if we take a step back and say, "Uncle... are you going to live and die here forever?"

Huanyun said sadly, "If... I live, it's just a wasted life."

“You’re being foolish. Your uncle wouldn’t want to see you so dejected. Now that we have a chance to leave this place, we’ll have a chance to find him once we’re out. It’s already hard enough for a woman to survive in this world; we should seize every opportunity to plan ahead.”

Huanyun's heart was as anxious as a stranded fish. Hearing her words, she suddenly stopped, touched Huayan's face, and asked urgently, "Did you promise the Tang family something? I... I only have a few days of friendship with you. Even for Zhou Lang's sake, I really shouldn't let you sacrifice for us."

Hua Yan said helplessly, "Sister, you are blinded by your own involvement. Now that I have entered the Tang family as a maid, my life and death are no longer in my own hands. This is the kindness of Madam and Second Miss. Last time, Second Uncle redeemed me on behalf of the Tang family. Whether you agree or not, we have already accepted this favor."

Sometimes, favors can't be ignored just because you don't use them.

Madam Yun, holding a high position, was adept at manipulating people's hearts. What was rare was her patience and meticulousness in subtly influencing them. She didn't need to do anything for Hua Yan; surely, by holding a binding contract, she could make her submit?

All that is needed is for the Second Miss to show her affection for Hua Yan; Madam Yun doesn't need to do anything, and Hua Yan herself is certain she would never betray her mistress.

This shows that what Madam Yun wanted was not only loyalty, but also the servants' "willingness." That's why Meng Shu took the initiative to suggest changing her name, as a way of showing Madam Yun her "loyalty"...

Huanyun couldn't think of these things for the moment. Just as Madam Yun had analyzed with Wei Mama, 'She didn't want Meng Shu to bear the burden of the Tang family's favors, yet she was also gambling on a man's true feelings.'

Hua Yan ignored whether Huan Yun was listening or not, and told her about the recent events that she could talk about, and then said, "Sister Huan Yun, with our uncle's relationship, you are the only person I trust outside of the Tang family. I need your help now, can you help me?"

Huanyun regained her senses and immediately grasped Huayan's hands. "You are Zhou Lang's only remaining relative in the world. He once mentioned to me that he had a very intelligent niece. I would do anything you ask."

Hua Yan suppressed a laugh and thought to herself, "If I had known these words would be useful, I wouldn't have bothered to say so much."

After Dingxiang finished packing her luggage, Huayan watched as Huanyun packed her personal belongings. She also saw Huanyun shyly take out three items from under her pillow: a purse and handkerchief that her uncle usually carried, a jade pendant that was probably a token of their love, and a dagger that was exactly the same style as the birthday gift she had received.

Hua Yan couldn't help but sigh, "How can one not be moved by such feelings? It turns out that I am not as infatuated as I am with love."

For the sake of love, she was willing to give up her chance and remain trapped in prison. Hua Yan still expressed respect, but did not understand.

Fortunately, everything was resolved.

As the three of them left Tingyunfang, Huayan was discussing future plans with Huanyun and her servant when she looked up and saw a familiar figure.

A thin girl was seen struggling to carry a bucket of water out of the washing yard. Hua Yan called out, "Sister Yingchun?"

Ying Chun heard the voice but didn't recognize the person at first. However, since she had received favors from Huan Yun, she stepped forward and bowed.

Dingxiang asked in confusion, "You know Chou Nu'er? Oh right, I remember when you first came here you were delirious with fever, and it was thanks to Chou Nu'er and Chun Ya in the backyard that you were taken care of."

Ying Chun recognized Hua Yan and asked happily, "Meng Shu, you've grown quite a bit taller and more beautiful in the past six months. I heard you were taken back by the Tang family, so why are you here again?"

Just then, Uncle Song, who was at the front, was worried and sent his maid to look for her. Hua Yan had no choice but to say a few words to Ying Chun and then take Huan Yun and the other two to the front.

"What does Sister Huanyun think of her?" Hua Yan asked, turning her head after walking a few steps.

Huanyun said, "Ugly Slave? She is also a pitiful person. Like Dingxiang, she was sold by human traffickers several times when she was young. She was already here when I came here. The scar on her face was self-inflicted. Here, she lost her appearance and had no one to rely on. Wei Mama did not sell her again, but punished her by making her work in the laundry room."

Dingxiang pouted and said, "That old hag deliberately put her in the backyard to intimidate the girls who come later. Ugly Slave is kind-hearted, willing to do any dirty or hard work, and she's a good-natured person."

Anyone who cruelly and deliberately damages their appearance will suffer the same fate as the ugly slaves who toil all day. Hua Yan seemed to be deep in thought. When they arrived at the front, the private procedures for redemption had been completed. Mama Wei sent Turtle Claw to accompany Uncle Song to the yamen to explain the situation. At that time, the yamen would issue a document, and the household registration would be re-processed. Huan Yun and her servant could then be restored to their good status.

Just as she was about to leave, Hua Yan stopped and turned back to ask, "Mother Wei, how much silver is needed to redeem Ying Chun from her servitude?"

Madam Wei had already recognized that the servant was dressed as the little girl who had been sold into servitude. She felt a chill in her heart, knowing that things were different now, and said with a forced smile, "The ugly servant girl from the back courtyard, her face is ruined and she's not worth much money."

Then she rolled her eyes, "Since you've asked, if we want her, we can just give her away. But it's the rule at Chunfeng Pavilion that once a girl enters, she's considered a fresh start when she leaves, so we have to pay her some money..."

"Just tell me how much Mom needs."

Uncle Song was somewhat gratified. It was good that he had the mind to help others in distress and that he always had a kind heart.

If Hua Yan could know Song Bo's thoughts, she would say, "...You really overestimate me."

Since Madam Wei was willing to give up a thousand taels of silver to do the other party a favor, she naturally wouldn't be so tactless as to ask for an exorbitant price. She held up three fingers and said, "It was bought for three taels of silver, so how about another three taels of silver?"

Huanyun hurriedly took out a small piece of silver from her purse and handed it over.

After only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Ying Chun was completely bewildered. When she realized she was free, she was already in the train carriage.

No sooner had Song Bo and his party left than a stranger arrived at Chunfeng Tower. It was someone sent by Madam Yun to clean up the mess. After that, everyone at Chunfeng Tower kept quiet about Huanyun's affairs and dared not say a word about it.

After completing the household registration at the government office, Huanyun and the other two established a female household. Huanyun was naturally the head of the household, while Dingxiang and Yingchun were registered under her name, but as sisters.

The carriage took Song Bo back to Yongzheng's shop. Hua Yan and the others entered through a side door and kowtowed to their second uncle to express their gratitude. The second uncle asked about Huan Yun's future plans, and Hua Yan said, "Thank you for your kindness and support to Sister Huan Yun. I intend to let Sister Huan Yun leave Lin'an first."

The second uncle felt it was only natural, since Lin'an was not Huanyun's hometown. Considering that they might never meet again, he personally selected several paintings and calligraphies to give to Huanyun.