Sonny had been following Clara for the past week, feasting on five rounds of juicy meat buns—and just when he was about to truly savor the taste, the logging job ended.
Thanks to Clara raising the bar and pushing everyone to work harder, the job that was originally scheduled to take half a month was wrapped up in just seven days.
That day, as everyone was wrapping up, Foreman Tim Ding suddenly announced, "That's all the timber we need. After dropping off your tools at the shed, head to the accounts room to settle your wages with the butler."
"No need to come back tomorrow."
The group exchanged disappointed looks but still obediently filed downhill, tools in hand, to collect their pay.
Turns out their extra effort paid off—wages had gone up. Twelve copper coins a day, making a total of eighty-four coins over seven days.
No one was penalized, and the top three workers earned bonuses, rounding up to a hundred coins. They strung the coins on a hemp cord that jingled merrily with every shake.
Sonny was quite pleased. He hadn't cracked the top three, but eighty-four coins were still ten more than he'd expected.
Since most of the workers came from neighboring villages, they quickly scattered home after collecting their pay.
Clara and the cook divided up the last four meat buns, grabbed Sonny, and the two of them prepared to head home together.
Since they didn't need to report to work the next day, Clara wasn't in a rush. She even planned to stop by town to see if any shops were still open—if she could get her hands on some meat, that'd be ideal.
"Lady Clara!"
The call came just as they were about to leave. It was Butler Hugh.
Clara and Sonny turned around, confused. Hugh smiled kindly at Clara. "Lady Clara, may I have a word?"
Clara raised a brow. Sonny immediately took the hint and stepped aside. "Sister-in-law, I'll wait for you at the gate."
Clara nodded and followed Hugh back into the courtyard, eyeing him curiously.
She had long suspected something was up. The breakfast the cook had been serving her the past few days was way beyond standard rations. Clara had kept quiet, pretending not to notice.
But now that Hugh had approached her directly, she was more curious than ever.
Hugh hesitated, fumbling with his words like he wasn't sure how to begin.
Clara's patience wore thin. "If you've got something to say, spit it out. I'm trying to get home before nightfall—it's not safe traveling in the dark."
That finally got him going. "Lady Clara, do you have any free time coming up?"
"You got more work for me?" she asked.
Hugh chuckled. "Not exactly. Our Master Ding and young master Felix plan to be away for about a month. But they're worried about leaving the young miss alone at home, so we were wondering… would you be available to stay here at the estate and keep her company during that time?"
He quickly added, "Pay won't be an issue. If it's inconvenient for you to commute, we have guest rooms available, and meals will be prepared by the kitchen. The cook already knows your appetite—we'll make sure you're well-fed. What do you think?"
"You want me to be your young miss's temporary bodyguard?" Clara asked, amused.
Hugh nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly!"
"Food and lodging included, one-month duration, right?"
"Yes, yes!" he nodded eagerly.
"What's the pay?"
Caught slightly off guard by her directness, Hugh hesitated before holding up two fingers. "Two taels of silver—how's that?"
Clara's brows arched. That meant there was room for negotiation.
Who knew being a bodyguard paid so well? If she'd known earlier, she wouldn't have bothered with the logging gig—she'd have marched straight into town and applied as a guard.
Not that it would've been easy. Nobles and officials usually had their own household guards. Rarely would they hire outsiders.
Clara guessed Master Ding wasn't truly short on manpower—this was just an extra layer of security for his daughter.
Over the past few days, she'd noticed the estate lacked a matriarch. There was only Master Ding. With the adults preparing to leave and only a young girl left behind, it was understandable they'd be worried.
Especially since their extended family's village was a good three miles away. Unless they sent the young miss to live with relatives, there was no way help could arrive quickly in an emergency.
And clearly, the young miss didn't want to go.
Clara studied Hugh. He glanced back. Their eyes met—and he gave her a gentle smile.
Clara then asked, "Butler Hugh, once the Ding family academy is completed, will it only be open to Ding clan children?"
"Are you thinking of enrolling your children?" he asked carefully.
Clara nodded.
He considered. "You can try asking Master Ding. If it's just one or two from outside the clan, there's a chance. But no guarantees—it depends on the clan elders. And it'll be a while before the academy's ready. At the earliest, year's end."
Freshly cut timber needed to dry for at least six months, and then be turned into planks and beams. Construction wouldn't be quick.
Clara appreciated his honesty but still asked, "What about girls?"
Hugh was startled and immediately waved his hands. "Oh, no, no—that's not possible! Girls can't attend school. It's unheard of!"
Clara had expected that answer, but it still disappointed her.
In this province, girls simply didn't go to school. If a girl wanted to study, the only option was to hire a private tutor at home.
But how many families could afford that?
The Ding family's daughter could study only because her father taught her himself.
Even wealthy families rarely prioritized girls' education. At best, they'd teach them basic accounting and abacus skills to manage the household after marriage.
Ordinary folks? Forget it.
"I'll head home to prepare. I'll come back in a few days," Clara said.
That was as good as a yes.
Hugh beamed. As he walked her to the gate, he reminded her again and again, "Don't forget—five days at most. Be sure to return!"
Clara agreed and grabbed Sonny. They headed into town first, but most shops had already closed. They only managed to buy two packets of roasted broad beans from a local farmer's stall.
Two coins per packet, wrapped in banana leaves, about the size of an adult's palm. The beans were roasted until they split, with salt seeping in—looked and smelled delicious.
Clara tucked one packet into her cloth satchel and kept the other out. She and Sonny snacked on them as they walked.
Sonny had only ever seen adults bring snacks home for the kids. Buying two portions—one for the family, one for herself—was a first for him.
Still, when Clara offered, he couldn't resist grabbing a small handful.
With one bite, he understood why kids loved them so much. Crisp, savory, utterly satisfying—they even lifted his mood.
By the time they reached Riverbend Village, only half the sun remained above the hills.
Clara, knowing the rice jar at home was nearly empty, bought 5kg of fine white rice from a local household—blowing her entire day's earnings of 100 coins.
Back home, Lester Liew had been eagerly awaiting the sight of her returning with wages. When he saw her carrying a sack of rice instead of coins, he nearly choked on his own frustration.
(End of Chapter)
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