Mrs. Yuan responded and went out to summon everyone into the small hall, even calling over the mute kitchen maid.
The mute kitchen maid had also been provided by Han Xuzi. Although called a mute, she was not actually one; she simply didn’t speak. It was said that she was very skilled in martial arts and was also proficient in using poisons.
She could stay in the Han Residence because it was rumored that her maternal grandfather had saved her life and avenged her.
No one knew her name, and everyone just called her the mute kitchen maid. She looked very ordinary, except for her eyes, which were so deep that they seemed bottomless.
Suddenly, more than a dozen people were standing in the small hall, and Yun Jinnian was sitting alone, calm and composed.
She still seemed soft and gentle, but Danxia and the others knew that Yun Jinnian had indeed changed.
"From now on, all the big and small matters of this yard will be decided by the nursemaid and Nurse An. The nursemaid will mainly manage the gold and silver trinkets in my rooms, while Nurse An will handle all the affairs of Niannian Garden. Hemei and Henuan are first-class head maids, and Hongdou, Hongye, and Hongxiu are second-class maids. As for Ming Yang and Ru Yue, I plan to set them free to marry, and the same goes for you all. A courtyard in the Outer City for each, with a dowry of a thousand taels of silver, then go to the Governor’s Office to cancel your servitude and become the daughters of free citizens. If the two nurses wish to leave as well, they will be treated the same!"
Yun Jinnian spoke indifferently, but her words were also clear and explicit; there would be no place for them by her side.
Danxia and the others quickly processed the information.
A two-story residence in the Outer City of the Capital, worth at least three to four thousand taels each, and with a dowry of a thousand taels of silver, plus becoming free citizens—only a fool would refuse.
Danxia and Dangui immediately agreed.
Ru Yang and the two rough nurses also half-heartedly consented.
Only Ru Yue’s eyes were red, and she was at a loss.
Ming Yang stepped forward and took Ru Yue’s hand.
She and Ru Yue had followed Yun Jinnian to Yingci’an and eaten vegetarian buns for a year, so their feelings were naturally different.
But Ru Yue didn’t want to leave.
"Although you all have made your decisions, you might not be able to find suitable husbands in a short time. You can also discuss it with your parents and pick a good family before leaving!"
But Danxia and the others were afraid that Yun Jinnian might change her mind.
"Miss, we can also go home and take our time to choose!"
Having a residence and silver, what kind of family could they not marry into? Of course, dreaming of a prestigious family was out of the question, but they could still pick from among the lesser families.
Yun Jinnian looked on, unable to describe her feelings, "That’s also fine. Call the butler over, and we will take care of this matter. After the fifteenth, you can leave!"
Several maids had families, and the two nurses had children; leaving, they truly did not hesitate.
Danxia and the others left overjoyed, while Ru Yue knelt in front of Yun Jinnian, "Miss, I have no family and don’t want to marry. Please, don’t send me away!" Ru Yue said, crying inconsolably.
Yun Jinnian took a deep breath, "Since that is the case, you may stay."
Now that she had silver in her hands, she wouldn’t miss feeding Ru Yue.
She rested on the small couch for a while and then it was time for lunch. Mrs. Han sent Bai Que to invite Yun Jinnian to Qiyue Academy for the meal. After getting ready, Yun Jinnian went with Hemei.
Upon seeing Mrs. Han, she greeted her and took her seat beside her, "Mother!"
"I have arranged for a residence in the Outer City, with a thousand taels of silver, and they will go to the Governor’s Office to have their servitude annulled and become free citizens. Apart from Ru Yue, everyone agreed!"
Ming Yang had been settled on from earlier.
Mrs. Han nodded slightly, "Doing so also shows your magnanimity and kindness. The expenditure of silver is of no concern, there is a lot here with me, and you can take it anytime you need. As for the residences, I’ll have Bai Que handle it, and after the fifteenth, let them leave!"