The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket! novel Chapter 93

Chapter 93: Chapter 80, Casual Chat_l

After a busy day, everyone in the Yan Family was exhausted. Once the guests had left, all members gathered in the courtyard of the elderly Madam Yan.

Even the elderly Madam Yan herself became tired today. The Yan Family was short-staffed, and she had been keeping an eye on the kitchen all day long, fearing that any mistakes with the meals would become a laughing stock in others’ eyes.

Seeing the fatigue on her grandmother’s face, Daohua approached from behind, smiling, “Grandmother, let me give you a massage.” No sooner had she finished speaking than she placed her hands on her grandmother’s shoulders and began to knead them gently.

Elderly Madam Yan accepted with a face full of gratification. Despite being in fairly good health, she was unable to deny her age, and after being busy for most of the day, she felt somewhat worn out.

Madam Li looked at the elderly lady apologetically, “I’m sorry to have tired you, Mother. As soon as this busy period is over, I will immediately start buying more servants.”

Yan Zhigao put down his teacup and nodded, “We do lack some servants. When we were at the County Governor’s Office, it didn’t seem apparent, but since moving to Xingzhou, with more people coming and going, we’ve been stretched thin. This time, Madam, it’s better to purchase quite a few more.”

Hearing this, Daohua glanced at her stepfather who only knew how to give orders.

Buy more servants?

Was he aware that maintaining servants also required silver?

Just as Daohua was about to say something, she saw Madam Li shaking her head at her.

Then, with a smile, Madam Li said, “Alright, I understand.”

Yan Zhigao was satisfied and began to discuss the banquet, “Everyone seemed happy when they left; this banquet was very successful.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhiyuan immediately chimed in, “This was largely thanks to the thorough coordination by my elder brother and sister-in-law. Otherwise, we would have been running around like headless flies.”

Yan Zhigao waved his hand, smiling, “I know, you all have worked hard this time. Once your sister-in-law has bought the servants, you won’t need to attend to everything personally next time.”

After a moment’s reflection, Yan Zhigao looked at Madam Li and said, “Madam, everyone needs people around them. I think, with this purchase of servants, there should be at least two for each master. What do you think?”

On hearing this, Daohua, unable to hold back any longer, asked her stepfather, “Father, can our family afford to keep so many servants?”

She was worried that if she didn’t speak up, her mother would take on the burden again, and if they ran out of silver, they would have to cover the shortage with her dowry.

In the Yan Family’s third branch, counting all the masters big and small, there were 18 people. With two servants for each, that made 36.

For 36 people, they would need to provide monthly wages and clothing; it was not a small expense!

On hearing this, Yan Zhigao was taken aback.

Since Madam Li had married him, he had rarely had to worry about financial matters. In the past, whenever there was a need for silver, he would just mention it, and Madam Li would have it ready immediately.

The thought of not being able to afford the servants had never crossed his mind.

Everyone else in the room glanced at Daohua, then turned their eyes to Yan Zhigao and Madam Li, naturally wanting the servant purchase to go through, as it would make their lives easier.

Yan Zhigao looked at Madam Li, as if asking for her opinion.

Madam Li remained silent for a moment before finally saying, “Your Lordship, the household’s finances are indeed tight. Perhaps we could do this: accompany the gentlemen who venture outside with two servants each, but as for the women in the inner court, let’s not add more servants for now.”

Before Yan Zhigao could reply, elderly Madam Yan made a decisive call, “That settles it. Men who go out cannot do without help, so it’s proper to add servants; but for the women who stay in the inner court behind closed doors, where’s the need for so many attendants?”