Free Spirited Villainess

First, the emperor did not like her and neither did the other imperial relatives. It was sort of a reasonable one but if Wei Xia Ri chose to behave like a docile and intelligent lady like Xu Yuan Yuan, their hostility would increase. Life as a foolish general would be easier.

Secondly, that cheating prince, Zhong Lei. No need for closure but if he suddenly becomes like those arrogant male leads who suddenly develop interests to the villainess after the woman quits on them, it would be disastrous. Worse comes to worst, the probability of him kidnapping her dear fiance is big!

Thirdly, Xu Yuan Yuan was it? Maybe coming clean to her would solve things? She seemed like a transmigrator anyway.

Fourth, the debts were financially discouraging. Her business is done for and getting into the shady side of the empire is just a bunch of headache pills waiting to come and terrorize her peace.

Fifth, her dispirited soldiers. Would surrendering her t.i.tle be good? She would still be princess Ruge anyway. No, definitely not. Nevermind.

Sixth, courting her fiance. First of all, despite being submissive, the uke is a womanizer. In addition, the lamb is probably being hunted down. Not wolves for sure, because she herself is that predator.

Just six problems but all too big! "Ugh, so many people are so shady! Can"t I just leave all this behind?"

The jaded lady slouched back against her bed"s headboard. But while she busied herself in her thoughts, she was unconsciously listening to her maids.

While thinking, a young maid announced herself and came in with today"s breakfast. A bowl of rice, egg, and a big slice of barbecued pork was on the portable table. In addition, a cup of hot tea has been poured onto her teacup.

"Your breakfast, Lord Wei."

"Uhhhuh--- is this brunch?" Wei Xia Ri usually skipped breakfast or drank milk and ate a slice of french toast. To be served with a heavy meal when the sun just rose quickly brought her out of her thoughts.

"Lord Wei, this is your breakfast."

"O-oh, really?" "But I hate eating in the morning!" she wanted to say. In the previous" memories, the tyrant liked to eat a heavy meal in the morning before training. "Training? Holy moly!" Wei Xia Ri was a full-bred couch potato and had never run a kilometer in her life! She looked at the young maid by her side and to the table of food which looked so appetizing, it seemed like the chef put so much effort on this. "Why not look at the bright side and probably adopt this one? Besides the general was a general who battled beside her people no matter what."

Wei Xia Ri closed her eyes and whispered a morning prayer. And when she finished, her eyes fluttered on along with a smile. "Thank you, but have you eaten yours yet?"

The young girl was used to waiting on her master and dealing with the tyrant"s pickiness. However, these past days were just too different. The general no longer complained about the menu nor did she throw a tantrum over her, the maid"s appearance.

"Yes milady," she gently answers while her eyes were glued to the floor.

"Wouldn"t your neck hurt if you keep staring down?"

"Yes mil- huh? This servant did not mean to displease your grace, milady!" She panicked and quickly fell to kowtow on the ground. Wei Xia Ri"s jaw dropped in shock, her eyes turned indifferent with displeasure. How bad was the previous that even servants suffer mild PTSD from her?

"Not good!" Alerted, Wei Xia Ri quickly got off the bed and gently pulled the girl up. "Listen, I may have to explain some things okay? Can I get your name?"

"This servant has no name milady, I was born a slave therefore this servant--"

"That is terrible. But listen, I have no intention of harming you at all. Thank you for your service."

"Milady, this servant doesn"t dare misinterpret your intentions. Please don"t sell this servant away!"

"c.r.a.p!"

"No, I am just appreciating your diligence and hard work. Now, if you can give me a minute of your time, listen to my every word."

The girl in her midteens nodded. Her eyes had puffed up from crying but she wiped it away that they stung. Strangely, her lady seemed so different. If her master was not planning to dismiss her, what does the general want to do?

"Milady, please order this servant."

"Call all the servants to the yard. Have them arrive at the empty lot near the garden. If they are doing anything, have them quickly finish it if possible or make them postpone it for later. I have an announcement to make."

"Yes, milady."

"So here comes organizing my household. c.r.a.p!" Wei Xia Ri actually worked as a vice supervisor in a grocery store before coming here so staff management and organizing have always been part of her life. She normally would never bother but if it concerned her household, there was no time to be shy and escape to her own little world.

As the sun"s rays slowly reached every corner of the entire mansion, Wei Xia Ri"s people have gathered in the huge empty lot that was the size of a small park. Their faces were unrecognizable but familiar. It seemed like the tyrant really paid little to no attention to her employees. She sighed.

"Is anyone missing?" she asked in a loud voice. Many stared at her with an eerie silence. Eyes devoid of life quietly waited. "Can you tell me if anyone is missing? What I am about to say is something that will affect your life from this point forward."

Just as she finished, a breathless voice came rushing. "Milady, I was informed of your announcement so I gathered what I thought you may need." Though out of breath, he managed to pa.s.s his words in a very comprehensive manner.

Such a great employee, who is he? Wei Xia Ri wondered. Out of curiosity, she turned and faced the direction the voice came from and saw an elderly man in his late fifties. His eyes were uneven and sharp accompanied by such a moody expression. He looked like the type that was easy to misunderstand.

According to the the original Wei Xia Ri"s memories, this was Elder Jin who raised the tyrant in place of her parents.

"He definitely held a place in her blackened heart."

He held a stack of doc.u.ments that were neatly labeled and separated. The first stack was the family registration, then the staff book, and then the bank book of the mansion. He first handed her the family registration and saw that only her name under her parents" name. Looking at the family tree, it seemed like her clan practiced monogamy and the one-child policy. Thanks to that, it brought her much relief more than she imagined. A note was put beside her name that elder Jin was her guardian.

But once she looked over the staff book which was as thick as the length of her palm, Wei Xia Ri had the urge to seat. "But it wouldn"t be so fair to them." She quickly ignored her hope for a comfortable chair under such circ.u.mstances then began talking.

"Greetings. I am the master of this mansion, Wei Xia Ri. Before starting today"s purpose for gathering, I would like to thank you all for your due diligence and hard work. Without you, there would be no mansion for me to return to after spending the bitter winter on the battlefield. Now, you may be wondering why I had called you down here at this time when you are all supposed to start your tasks." She paused to let her words sink in. Most expressions of surprise were expected and even the indifferent ones. Of course, there would be some denial since it was not like a person can change overnight. Then when they seemed to have recovered, she continued, "On my hand is a list of your names so if I call your name, please form or join the lane."

In this era, if slaves existed, it also was a huge indicator that education was at its primary stages.

As soon as the roll call was over, Wei Xia Ri looked at them and began writing on a blank sheet. In the beginning, the brush was too difficult and took practice. Now, it felt like nothing! As she wrote in silence, Elder Jin peeked over her shoulders but what he read had sent him flabbergasted. The hard-headed child seemed to know a bit about the law and even invented some more!

Wei Xia Ri read through the new contract prior to starting. It was not easy to demolish the slave system especially that simply going against may be considered treason against the emperor as ridiculous as it sounded.

"From this day forth, everyone in the residence will have to build credit to get a chance to improve their status as slaves. From slaves to commoners servants in my mansion where it is only applicable. Would you like to cooperate with me?"