66: Full House

"They're here, they're here."

Following a shout from an unknown person, a couple holding their child's hand slowly walked down the village road.

Their attire was not exactly luxurious, but the patterns on their clothes, as well as the jade pendants and other accessories, all indicated that their garments were quite valuable.

The man had fair skin, suggesting he was not often exposed to the sun, giving him the appearance of a delicate scholar.

The woman had a gentle demeanor, simple hair ornaments decorated her hair, and her elegant temperament perfectly complemented the man beside her.

The boy they were holding, who looked only seven or eight years old, had adorable baby fat on his cheeks and pure eyes, and was currently looking around curiously.

Although they had lived on Qixia Mountain next to Fuhe Village for over a decade, the villagers rarely had the chance to see Chu Qinhui and his wife.

Now that the Chu family had become the main family of Fuhe Village and a genuine Noble Family, the gap between them and the villagers felt like a chasm; seeing the couple, who possessed such outstanding temperament, again made the villagers somewhat afraid to look directly at them.

Chu Qinhui walked with a smile to the largest banyan tree in the square, and the village head, wearing a complicated expression, approached Chu Qinhui.

"Young Master of the Main Family, the villagers are all here. We can start anytime."

A realization flashed in Chu Qinhui's eyes. Not long ago, the old man in front of him still called him by his name, Qin Hui. In just two months, the difference in status meant the other party could only address him as Young Master.

Although he felt sentimental, Chu Qinhui did not deliberately change the man's address. After all, the Chu family needed to quickly establish its prestige among the subordinate villagers.

If a village head in a subordinate village could call the Chu family's Young Master by his name, it would imply that the Chu family was easy to bully.

"Village Head Chen, I'll trouble you to divide the groups into three columns: one for maids, one for servants, and one for rough-working matrons, so we can select quickly."

Village Head Chen clapped his hands, "The Young Master is thoughtful, as always. I will arrange it immediately."

Fuhe Village had no outsiders, and the village head's prestige was high, so once he gave the order, the three lines were quickly arranged.

The remaining villagers who did not meet the age and gender requirements gathered far away near the start of the lines, curious to see which family's children or matrons would be chosen.

Chu Qinhui walked to the line of young lads, and Jiang Nian walked to the line of young girls. As for the matrons' line, they would wait a moment.

Fuhe Village was not a very large village; there were only a few dozen suitable girls and boys. When Chu Qinhui and his wife made their selections, they only asked simple questions like age, name, and how many people were in their family.

The main focus was on their energy levels, as well as whether they were quick-witted and honest.

In fact, most things could be discerned at first glance; this kind of selection without specific standards was often the most rigorous.

Jiang Nian selected two girls to follow her, and Chu Qinhui, slightly better, selected three.

When it came to the rough-working matrons, there were more questions, asking what they specialized in.

Those skilled in embroidery, managing the kitchen fires, or raising chickens and ducks were included. This group had the most selected individuals, totaling four people.

Those who were not selected looked at the chosen ones with envy in their eyes. Chu Qinhui addressed the selected individuals, giving instructions:

"This is half of your salary for the first month. I am giving you one day to prepare. Tomorrow, pack your luggage and report to the mountain residence."

Saying this, Chu Qinhui pulled out brocade pouches from somewhere and handed them out individually to the nine people in front of him.

Seeing actual silver appear in the hands of those selected, many of the rejected individuals flashed expressions of jealousy.

Having made these arrangements, Chu Qinhui retrieved Chu Shengyuan, who was buried under the banyan tree doing who knows what. They still had to go to the next village, and since time was tight, they needed to hurry up and depart.

Just then, a girl wearing light makeup suddenly rushed and threw herself in front of Chu Qinhui.

Assuming a frail, willowy posture, she raised her moist eyes and looked weakly at Chu Qinhui, "Young Master, Xiao He doesn't know what she lacks compared to the girls who were chosen. Why wasn't I selected?"

Chu Qinhui silently took a step back and quietly turned his head to look at his wife, Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian let out a soft chuckle and walked up to Xiao He, who was on the ground. She looked closely at her: thin eyebrows, large eyes, and a pointy chin

she was indeed one of the top beauties in the village.

Unfortunately, she was not very honest. Going to the Chu family, she probably didn't intend to be a maid but rather a mistress.

Although wanting to climb up was not wrong, Jiang Nian strongly disliked this kind of behavior, especially since the person she was aiming for was her own husband.

Jiang Nian slightly squatted down and helped Xiao He up. The sudden closeness of her elegant face made Xiao He instinctively lower her gaze.

"The Chu family selects people who are not only dignified in appearance but also honest and dutiful. You... are not suitable."

After helping Xiao He up, Jiang Nian slightly raised her left hand. Chu Qinhui immediately reached out to steady her, and then they calmly walked away, bypassing the girl with the lowered gaze.

Chu Shengyuan trotted behind his parents. When he passed Xiao He, he paused briefly, glared at her disapprovingly, and then a small Green Forest Giant Python head poked out from around his neck, instantly startling Xiao He, causing her to fall back onto the ground.

Seeing that he had scared her, Chu Shengyuan secretly stuck out his tongue, then guiltily hurried to recall the Green Forest Giant Python back into his Source Beast space.

Afterward, Chu Qinhui visited Qingsha Village and Tuwozi Village, where he selected several more maids and servants.

Finally, Chu Qinhui tallied the numbers: he had recruited eight maids, twelve servants, and sixteen rough-working matrons.

Since there weren't many people in their household, this number was currently sufficient.

Returning home, Chu Qinhui reported the matter to his father in the main hall that evening.

After listening, Chu Jingyu merely nodded, "You may handle these matters as you see fit. The key is tomorrow's recruitment of guards; you must be extremely careful.

The hiring of Contract Masters is different from the others; you must thoroughly investigate their family background and conduct before recruiting them."

Chu Qinhui nodded seriously, "How many guards do you plan to recruit, Father? If it's too many, I'm afraid we won't be able to recruit enough just in Heyu Town."

"Not too many. Let's start with four."

Four people. That shouldn't be a problem.

"Also, hire a tutor. You will be busy with more matters later and certainly won't have time to teach Xiao Yuan and Xiao Han."

"Yes."

It was time to rest that night, in the small courtyard belonging to Chu Qinhui and Jiang Nian.

As soon as Chu Qinhui returned to the room, he noticed his wife's mood was off. He quickly went over, gently embraced Jiang Nian, and softly asked, "What's wrong? You seem unhappy."

Jiang Nian gently pushed her husband away, then turned to face him. "I received a letter from my family, saying that... my father's health is not very good."

Chu Qinhui's body stiffened for a moment, then he gently stroked his wife's hair. "What are your thoughts? Why don't you go back and see him?"

"I... I don't know," Jiang Nian's tone was wistful. "They practically sold their daughter back then, and now..."

Chu Qinhui pulled his wife into his arms and gently comforted her, "The past is the past. Isn't everything fine now? Go back and see them. Nowadays, no one can make things difficult for you."

After a long silence, Jiang Nian suddenly looked up, gazing into Chu Qinhui's eyes.

"Husband, let's have another child."

Chu Qinhui's pupils constricted, and then a drawn-out "Alright" squeezed out of his throat.

The hibiscus curtains were warm, ushering in a spring night.