The villagers expressed their opinions one by one. They all seemed to want to leave the village and didn't believe there would be any danger!
Old Patriarch didn't say anything but looked at Cheng Biyuan, waiting for his opinion.
Cheng Biyuan didn't want to enrage everyone so he nodded at them and said, "If that's the case, everybody remember what I said today – starting tomorrow, everyone will be able to come and go freely. If anything happens, its on you!"
"You heard Mr. Cheng. Don't worry, everyone. Starting tomorrow, you can go wherever you want. Be appreciative of Mr. Cheng's good will!"
"Old Patriarch! Now that we have settled the issue about leaving the village, is Mr. Cheng going to take our daughters or not. We need an answer one way or another, right?" shrieked the discontented An Hung niang.
"Xiao Xiao, why don't you take over?" Cheng Biyuan handed this over to his oldest daughter to handle.
"Sure, dad!" replied Cheng Xiao Xiao to her father then casted An Hung niang a glance. She really didn't want to stoop down to her level, but she has been trying to stir up trouble repeatedly. Cheng Xiao Xiao truly disliked this person.
The old patriarch didn't expect Cheng Biyuan would fully trust Cheng Xiao Xiao with this matter so he smiled at Cheng Xiao Xiao and said, "Maiden Chen. What are your thoughts? Go ahead, you can say it out loud. Everyone will listen as long as you are reasonable!"
"Thank you, grandpa Liu!"
Cheng Xiao Xiao felt very respectful toward the nice and gentle old patriarch. After all, he played a big role in allowing the Cheng's to settle down in Willow. More importantly, he has always been a very fair person and the villagers looked up to him.
It was only because of this very fair man in front of her that Cheng Xiao Xiao felt comfortable in spending the time and effort to convince the villagers.
"Grandpa Liu, since An da niang brought up the issues with the young girls first, we can talk about that first. A few days ago we've accepted a few girls to be ours and sent the few younger ones home. That did not mean we won't accept them, it's just that I feel that there are a few things we need to clarify first.
"Oh, and what is it that you want to clarify, Xiao Xiao?" asked the old patriarch kindly.
All the villagers there who have young daughters perked up their ears and listed attentively.
"As we are looking to take in a few people to help out, we are not discriminating against anyone. We will accept anyone suitable. We all live in the same village after all. But I would like to make one thing clear, what we are looking for are useful servants, not to raise others' children for them.
"Even if we are raising your children for you, while they were working for the Cheng's, they must follow our orders. I trust that grandpa Liu understands where I am coming from. I trust that other uncles and aunties in the villages are also familiar with this concept. They can't just sit around and eat and only work when they feel like, and go home when they don't. If that's the case, we aren't hiring anyone, we are just being taken advantage of like morons. Am I right, grandpa Liu?"
"Xiao Xiao, you mean some of them only want you to raise their children for them, instead of helping out with your house work?" asked the old patriarch incredulously.
Cheng Xiao Xiao smiled and said indifferently, "More or less. All I said was if they are going to enter the Cheng's and become our maids, they must follow our orders, and An da niang and the other aunties clamored about it. They stated that we should raise the girls for them, but when they get to the right age, they will get married!"