Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

As for the old house, Yu Man will remain to guard it for now, and also cultivate the red velvet grass. We'll make further plans after Grandma Yu's 100-day memorial service.

Ji Chunhua was worried about leaving her husband alone. Yu Wanran arranged for Yanqing to accompany her father, and they would make personnel adjustments after they had established themselves in Huangshan County.

Yanqing agreed without hesitation.

For him, anything was acceptable as long as it was for his master.

That day, Yu Wanran went into town and hired several bodyguards and mule carts from Zhenyuan Escort Agency to prepare for the move. Wu Jian also wrote a thick letter home and two hundred taels of silver notes, entrusting Yu Wanran to deliver them to his family.

This signifies that the two families have officially become sworn brothers, and will henceforth support and help each other in the county town. Since Wu Jian is going on a bodyguard trip to Jiangnan, he won't be able to return to Huangshan County with the Yu family.

Ji Chunhua, along with Zhu Xiaozhen and her daughter, baked a bag of dry pancakes with mixed grains overnight as provisions for their journey. Yu Wanran advised her to make less, but she wouldn't listen.

As a result, Yu Wanran treated her family to various snacks along the way and even gathered the bodyguards and drivers for a feast in a town. Ji Chunhua still had more than half of her dried biscuits left when they arrived in Huangshan County!

Ji Chunhua felt sorry for her daughter and kept muttering behind her back about how wasteful she was.

Upon entering Huangshan County, the group split into two. Ji Chunhua, leading her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, eagerly drove several mule carts to their new home at the manor outside the city. Yu Wanran and Zhong Yeliu, carrying small bundles, leisurely inspected the shops and houses in the city.

First, they arrived at the shop. Two servants, who had just been bought and left there to watch over the house, thought they would fend for themselves. Seeing their master finally appear, they were both surprised and delighted, and hurriedly came over to pay their respects with trepidation.

Yu Wanran inspected the shop and saw that the front hall and the back courtyard were very clean. Two servants shared the smallest room and slept on the floor. They were so idle that they even wiped the roof beams clean. She nodded to herself in approval.

They deliberately didn't assign tasks and didn't keep much money, just to see how the people they bought would perform—whether they were diligent and what their character was like.

These two are able to proactively find work, are sensible enough not to live in the master bedroom, and don't complain about the environment, which proves they have some sense. They are observant and know when to advance and retreat, so they could be employed long-term.

Back in the shop, she had Zhong Yeliu sit down next to her. After the two drank a few sips of warm water brought by the servants, Yu Wanran looked at the two servants standing respectfully before her and asked them gently.

What were your original names?

The male servant, with his hands hanging down, stepped forward and answered respectfully.

"My name is Zhang Dashun. My hometown was flooded, and my whole family fled here. We were all wiped out. I'm the only one left, and I'm selling myself in the hopes of having something to eat."

Yu Wanran looked at Zhang Dashun, who had a bitter and aged appearance, and nodded slightly: "From now on, I'll call you Shunzi, it'll be easier to remember."

Shunzi responded with a "Yes," bowed his head, and slowly retreated to his original position.

It seems Yan Bai did teach them some manners. Their movements weren't quite right, but the two servants were very humble in their tone and attitude. After all, nobody wants to be resold a second time; next time they might not be so lucky and end up with a normal master.

Yu Wanran's gaze swept towards the maid.

The other person immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "My name is Qiu Cui, which was given to me by my former mistress."

It actually had an owner?

No wonder her behavior and mannerisms are different from those of ordinary country girls.

Yu Wanran showed a hint of interest: "What happened to your previous master's family?"

Qiu Cui's expression dimmed for a moment: "The master of the house wants to take me as a concubine, but the mistress of the house disagrees. She found a fault and sold me off."

Yu Wanran couldn't help but frown.

"Lift your head up and let me see you."

Qiu Cui looked up as instructed.

Yu Wanran scrutinized the other woman's face. Although she was a bit dark-skinned and thin, her features were well-proportioned and she possessed a delicate charm. With proper care, she might very well become a beautiful young woman.

No wonder Qiu Cui's former master had wicked thoughts! However, she doesn't need someone with such ambition by her side.

With a thought in mind, Yu Wanran gave the other party a chance to choose: "Qiu Cui, do you still want to go back to your former master?"

Qiu Cui was a clever person, and upon hearing this, she immediately knelt down.

"Please, Master, stop selling me! I would rather follow you and never marry than become someone else's plaything, a concubine, or a prostitute!"

Yu Wanran was somewhat surprised by the girl's ambition. Her first impression of her was that of a thin, dark-skinned girl with a blank and expressionless face. Only after getting to know her did she discover her inner beauty.

She smiled faintly.

"Then you can stay and do your job well. As long as you know the rules, I won't treat you unfairly."

This was also said to Shunzi.

The two servants responded respectfully.

Yu Wanran stood up and said, "Pack your things and come back to the house with me."

This is just an empty shop; there's nothing of value to hold. We can make arrangements later after we've decided what kind of goods to sell.

Shunzi and Qiucui quickly agreed to pack their things. Actually, there wasn't much to pack, just one or two tattered changes of clothes, a comb, hair ties, and the like.

They used to have a few copper coins of their own, but after entering the brothel, they were all confiscated by the brothel guards.

In addition, the makeshift beds we had laid out and all the weeds we had brought in also needed to be cleaned up.

Zhong Yeliu sat on the chair with her eyes lowered, silently watching Yu Wanran arrange the servants, feeling somewhat uneasy.

She truly couldn't understand why, given her lower status than the two servants, her master allowed her to sit beside him as if they were friends. While her master did his work, she could leisurely drink water.

She had a vague feeling that her master treated her differently and valued her highly.

Even so, she was merely a servant. Her master's inexplicable kindness towards her made her feel extremely insecure!

Yu Wanran naturally noticed her anxiety.

But she didn't say anything. Should she just tell her the truth: "In my past life, you were my most trusted confidante, my best friend?"

Anyway, she's the master now. One advantage is that she doesn't need to explain herself. If someone doesn't understand, she can just fill in the blanks in her own mind!

Seeing Zhong Yeliu, once ruthless and cold-blooded, now so vulnerable and flustered, she had to savor the moment. Such opportunities were rare!

Yu Wanran lowered her head to drink water, concealing the mischievous glint in her eyes.

A moment later, Shunzi and Qiucui, carrying their small bundles, stood timidly at the door. Yu Wanran got up, locked the shop door, and led the three of them onto the carriage to their newly acquired residence.

Along the way, she sat in the front of the carriage, driving the horses, while Zhong Yeliu and the other two sat in the carriage.

...Hmm? Something seems off?

Upon arriving at the gate of the house, I looked up and saw that the original plaque had been removed and replaced with a new plaque with black lettering in gold: Yu Mansion.

As she gazed at those two words, Yu Wanran's eyebrows slowly curved into a smile.

As expected of someone who has followed her for so many years! Yan Bai is even better at understanding her thoughts than Yan Qing, it's just a pity...

She regretfully didn't think further, jumped off the carriage, and helped Zhong Yeliu down first. Shunzi and Qiu Cui, who followed her off the carriage, tactfully knocked on the gate to call for help.

A short while later, the servants responsible for guarding the house opened the door. Upon hearing the news, Yanbai rushed to the flower hall to greet his master.