The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 171: Steward Wu, Lu, Gu, Who?

Chapter 171: Steward Wu, Lu, Gu, Who?

The Nanshan estate had undergone a significant transformation under the watchful eye of the new servants which was led by the three original servants. Their dedication ensured the estate was no longer seen in an undignified light, leaving a mark of warmth for the new servants.

Si, in her dedication, had elevated Xu Feng’s attire from the simple garments in the fall to a refined spring wardrobe befitting a young master of status. Even within the capital, Xu Feng would now show an air of dignity, neither overly flashy nor shabby.

Xu Feng liked to wear simple designs, and Si took this in mind. Instead, she used richer materials that complemented his skin and most eye catching features.

There were still a couple of robes created with burlap material to allow Xu Feng to garden without worrying about the state of his clothing, but even those included simple but detailed embroidery designs to differentiate the clothing from what the servants wore.

Then there was San, whose contributions were less conspicuous but no less significant. Xu Feng recognized her subtle but important role, not unlike that of an unofficial steward. He had initially envisioned Erlang taking on this responsibility.

Thinking of the division of labor in the estate, Xu Feng briefly considered whether he might hold some subconscious biases.

No, he wasn’t sexist...or maybe he was? Steward was usually a male role in Donghua, it was even rare to see a ger take the position. San would possibly be the first steward in history if she was officially given the role.

Despite this, Xu Feng wholeheartedly supported San in her role. Her leadership skills shone brightly, evident in how even the Xuan servants, brought in by Xuan Yang, took her advice and turned to her for guidance in managing certain estate affairs.

The little girl was able to lead four big muscular men easily.

Initially, Xu Feng had expected San to take charge of the estate’s cooking duties, given her obvious talent in the kitchen. Yet, her responsibilities extended beyond the kitchen. While she managed the cooking in the Blooming Courtyard for her young mistress, she also supervised other servants, overseeing tasks ranging from laundry to animal care and general cooking in the main kitchen of the estate.

She was for all intents the Steward of the estate.

For a young girl who was very strict when it came to rules, she stepped out of the gender norm, and despite being a woman, she boldly took charge of both the female and male servants, making Xu Feng’s life considerably easier.

Without the former Nanshan servants like Lifen and Lan in the estate, she filled the positions left unoccupied in the estate, reducing Xu Feng’s burden and allowing him to focus on his studies over the last three months.

Acknowledging her capabilities, Xu Feng contemplated formally giving San the title of Steward, along with financial responsibilities in the estate. However, he understood the importance of discussing this decision with her and providing the necessary guidance and training when it came to matters of money.

San’s maturity and leadership deserved recognition, and Xu Feng was dedicated on ensuring her talents were acknowledged and utilized if she was willing.

The only thing Xu Feng wished was that in addition to overcoming the gender norms without any prompting from him, San would overcome her nature to be a spendthrift. The food she cooked, while delicious, usually lacked oil and other goodies in Xu Feng’s opinion.

In the Blooming Courtyard, the culinary skills of the thrifty San played an important role. She had a knack for cooking dishes that appealed to the young mistress’s palate, always adding a touch of oil and meat that even the discerning palates of Xuan Yang and Xuan Jian couldn’t resist.

Yet, whenever Xu Feng took to the kitchen for a special occasion, their appetites soared. It wasn’t just his husbands, the entire Blooming Courtyard were like that, including Xuan Yang’s personal servants, Si, San, and Erlang who ate from his private kitchen.

Xu Feng didn’t realize when his mind began to wander to all the people who made his heart warm. His mood had unknowingly risen as he thought of his three little, not so little servants.

Reflecting on the warmth that filled his heart, Xu Feng’s thoughts drifted toward his three devoted servants. According to Donghua’s standards, the trio had outgrown the label of children, yet in his eyes, they remained his cherished little companions.

Xu Feng grinned, the three children were all trying their hardest to make life easier and brighter for him. They didn’t care whether he had children or not. They didn’t even know or care about any annoying contract.

Even when all was said and done, even if he lost it all...if he lost the two men, he wouldn’t lose everything. It was worth it for him to continue on. Going up the mountain wasn’t something he was going to give up on. He still had people to look after, people who were going above and beyond to take care of him too.

People in ancient times were often simpler than modern people, not including nobles and rich families, they were full of conspiracies. The simplicity of his three servants was something he cherished.

They were serving him earnestly, and he would do his best for them.

Thinking of the people, things, and spaces that he was grateful for, Xu Feng’s mood was improved by leaps and bounds.

In no time he had exited the Blooming Courtyard, absent mindedly greeting the servants who greeted him as he walked around his home.

He visited the other two courtyards, Flowering Courtyard and Budding Courtyard, taking in the beauty and well kept premises in his unconscious inspection.

From the courtyards, he surveyed the back of the estate, passing the pond, taking in the beauty of the surroundings in the estate and beyond the walls. Even without his green thumb, the wilderness beyond that studded the three mountains flourished singing to his heart, and calling to his abilities.

Xu Feng paused taking in the mountains. He knew the mountains should be...a bit...dangerous for those who weren’t familiar with the territory, but something in him told him there were treasures waiting for him.