How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

Zhang Zhou originally wanted to visit the academy to see the teacher and the headmaster and ask about the admission requirements for the academy in Beijing. But his mother stopped him and said, "Xiao Zhou, come with me to the pawnshop."

"Okay, what are you going to the pawnshop for?" Zhang Zhou asked.

"I'll pick a servant for you so that when you go on a long journey, the two of you can take care of each other." Dong Xiaohuan explained.

Zhang Zhou frowned. "No, mother. I can do it alone." Wouldn't hiring a servant increase the cost? Besides, when the family shop was busy, my mother was reluctant to hire a maid to cook and clean the house. A maid only made three hundred coins a month, which she found expensive. If she hired an adult, it would probably cost more than ten taels.

"What's the use? Just listen to me." Dong Xiaohuan pulled him, "Pick someone you like. After all, they will follow you in the future."

"Mom wants to buy a servant for my second brother?" Xia Chu heard it just as she came out from washing the dishes.

"Yes, I discussed it with your father last night. We'll feel more at ease with more people." Dong Xiaohuan looked for an ally. "Don't you agree, Xiaochu? You should also persuade your brother."

Xia Chu pondered for a moment, "It's better to use a cooked one than a raw one. I don't know the character of the one I just bought. Why not ask my mother and see if she can spare one."

Dong Xiaohuan thought so too. It would be better to have someone familiar with her. "Then let's ask Qingwu."

"Okay, if there is no suitable one, let Butler Fu help us to choose one. It would also be a good idea to go to the pawnshop to pick out a smart one." Xia Chu suggested.

"Good idea, let's go for a walk." Dong Xiaohuan let go of Zhang Zhou. "Didn't you want to go out just now? Then go ahead. Xiaochu and I will go to the Jia family to ask."

Before Zhang Zhou could say anything, his mother and sister had already left. Helplessly, he packed up the gifts he was going to take with him, told Da'an and Xiao'an to look after the house, and then he left.

"A servant?" Jia Qingwu readily agreed after hearing the two men's intentions. She was delighted that her daughter had thought of her. "One servant might not be enough. Add another skilled one, and the three of us together will be a sure thing."

Dong Xiaohuan thought it made sense, but she felt a little embarrassed. "Is it too much trouble for you? I'm willing to pay for the indentures of these two people."

"No," Jia Qingwu said, "since they had brought quite a few people with them, moving two out wouldn't be a big deal." She quickly screened the situation in her mind. The servants needed to be literate, so there wouldn't be too many. But they couldn't be blind, and they needed to be smart and perceptive. She chose one and then considered the guards. "There's no rush for the indentures. Take these two back to Zhang Zhou and show them. If he's satisfied, we'll talk." She didn't care about the money, but she knew Dong Xiaohuan would be upset if she didn't take it. It would be better to settle the matter and not let Dong Xiaohuan worry.

"Okay, thank you so much." Dong Xiaohuan was very happy. She believed in Jia Qingwu's character and naturally believed in the person she chose.

"What's the big deal? We are a family." Jia Qingwu smiled and called over the housekeeper Fu, asking him to bring the selected people over. She also explained to him what she wanted the two people to do.

While explaining the origins of the two men to Dong Xiaohuan, "The book boy is the eldest grandson of Housekeeper Fu. He has been smart and clever since he was young. He has studied for a few years and can recognize characters. Housekeeper Fu used to be a servant in my courtyard before I got married. Because of his loyalty, he followed me for many years. This time, he even brought his entire family with him to Lin'an. He is a very trustworthy person. The guard I chose is also an old man among us, the youngest son of Madam Xu. He is a bit rigid, but very obedient and has never had any other extra thoughts."

The servant is clever, and the guard is honest; this combination is the most suitable to have around. Dong Xiaohuan nodded, grateful for Jia Qingwu's kindness, and became even closer to her. "I won't say thank you much. If you need me in the future, just ask me."

Jia Qingwu smiled playfully, "I'm not a polite person."

The three of them laughed together. Xia Chu shook herself happily twice. Seeing her two mothers getting along so well, she felt extremely happy.

Following the scholar to the capital! This was truly a blessing. Steward Fu calmed his excitement, feeling more and more confident that he had done nothing wrong in persuading his entire family to follow the eldest lady. He had been with the young lady since his teens, married her, and later divorced and returned to the Jia family. It was because the eldest lady had saved his mother that the whole family served in the Jia household. His mother, a cook, had accidentally ruined a pot of Ganoderma lucidum chicken soup. The Ganoderma lucidum was expensive, and his mother was frightened and wept.

The eldest lady was only eight years old at the time and happened to hear her mother crying. After finding out the reason, she was simply told to make a new pot. She also sent the maid to get some new Ganoderma lucidum and said she had eaten the original pot.

This was a small matter for the lady, requiring only a single word. But for their family, it was a huge favor. First, they couldn't afford to compensate for the Lingzhi mushroom. Second, if their mother made such a mistake, she might not be kicked out, but she would definitely lose her job in the kitchen. She might even be driven back to the village, which would separate them.

Butler Fu's mother always remembered this incident. Before she died, she held Butler Fu's hand and told him to repay the eldest lady. He was already very satisfied that his family was favored by the eldest lady, but he didn't expect such a good thing to happen!

He hurried to the accounting office, where his eldest grandson usually assisted. "Yang'er! Come quickly, the lady is calling you."

When Fu Yang heard his grandfather calling him, he hurried out and said, "Grandfather, what does the lady want to arrange for me to do?" Several guesses came to his mind, but he didn't ask.

"Great news, incredibly good news!" Steward Fu suppressed his emotions and whispered, "The second young master of the Wang family has passed the imperial examination and is now going to Beijing to study. He needs a servant! The mistress wants you to go with her!"

Fu Yang thought maybe he was going to the shop to manage the accounts, or maybe to the farm, but he didn't expect that he was actually following the Juren Master! His eyes widened and he almost cried out. Looking around, he covered his mouth and asked, "Really, Grandfather! I'm following the Juren Master to the capital!"

"Grandfather, could you still lie to me?" Butler Fu couldn't suppress the smile on his face. "The lady thinks highly of you! You know what kind of relationship the Wang family has with the lady! You must behave well! If this young master of the Wang family passes the imperial examination, you, you..." Even if you are just a book boy of an official, your status will rise to the sky in one step! Thinking further, if this young master becomes an official, Fu Yang will be even more amazing in the future.

Those officials all treat their close ones as their advisors or staff. Although they are still servants, they are completely different from them.

Fu Yang vowed, "I will definitely perform well!"

Butler Fu pressed his chest and said sternly, "Grandfather knows you've been clever since you were little, but you must never use that little cleverness on the master. Follow and serve well. From now on, our family will have no say, and it will all depend on you."

"I understand, Grandfather!" Fu Yang put away his smile, his heart still pounding.