394, Facilitate (1 more)

Upon hearing Xie Zhinuan’s words, everyone’s eyes reddened.

Several couldn’t help but shed tears.

In their hearts, they understood that it was the presence of a good master like Xie Zhinuan that led to their good days.

What kind of days had they once lived, and what kind were they living now.

Endless darkness with no future in sight, but now, well-fed and clothed, with good spirits and a future to look forward to.

“Master!”

Xie Zhinuan looked at the crowd, “These are gifts I’ve prepared for you. The contents vary, so whatever you get is yours. Don’t fuss over the value. It’s the New Year; let’s aim for cheerfulness!”

She had Sunzi start distributing the fabric first.

Males, females, old women, and young wives received different kinds.

Yet, the fabric was of such fine quality that, having received it, they were reluctant to make clothes out of it, preferring to save it for future joyful events.

Everyone held their precious fabric tightly, grinning with contentment and then they could go for a brocade box.

Some received rouge, others lip balm, and some received silver, fabric, or a pearl hairpin.

Those who were close would trade with each other, ensuring everyone got something they liked and wanted.

Two people hesitated for a long time before coming forward and kneeling in front of Xie Zhinuan.

“…”

Xie Zhinuan looked at the two.

A young man and woman, both blushing, she instantly understood.

“We ask, we ask for the master’s permission!” the man spoke first.

Initially nervous, he became more resolute as he spoke.

Xie Zhinuan might not remember their names, but she recognized their faces; the man was efficient waiting tables at the forefront, quick-witted, while the woman, named Sunzi, was skilled with the knife in the kitchen, helping chop and select vegetables.

“Are you serious?” Xie Zhinuan asked.

“Replying to the master, we are serious!”

Xie Zhinuan nodded slightly, “Since it’s serious, I’m certainly going to see it through. You two are the first couple in our tavern who’ve shown affection for each other. Here’s what we’ll do: you each get a set of wedding clothes. We won’t fuss over a phoenix crown, but I’ll give you a pair of silver bracelets, a pair of earrings, two hairpins, and two quilts. As for accommodation, pick a room here for now. I’ll look around later, and if I find a suitable one, I’ll buy it for you to move into. In the years to come, work hard, and after five years, that small residence will be yours!”

“Master!” Sunzi cried out, embracing Xie Zhinuan’s legs and bursting into tears.

“I’ll follow your orders for life, for life!”

Nervousness turned into amazement.

An enormous surprise.

Encouraged by this, three other couples plucked up their courage and knelt before Xie Zhinuan.

“We ask for the master’s blessing!”

Xie Zhinuan looked at them and smiled.

“Okay, okay, we’ll celebrate all your weddings together, and you shall have the same provisions. Can any of you find your families?”

They shook their heads.

All had been sold as children, passed from one household to another, until they gathered here; home was a memory long lost.

“…,” Xie Zhinuan thought for a moment, “You coming together today to ask for my blessing is also a kind of fate. If you’re willing, take my surname Xie, to have a root. The four couples, eight of you, the men shall treat each other as brothers, the women as sisters, and thus you will have family, a home!”

“Thank you, master!”

With a surname, future children would be legitimate upon retrieving the Indenture Contract and registering at the Governor’s Office, allowing them to learn to read and write, even to pursue scholarly examinations.

Such immense grace from the master.

They would engrave it in their hearts, never to forget for as long as they lived.

Chapter 396

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com