"Mother, with so many people, how should we deal with them? If we drive them all away, what about the New Year's preparations?" asked Madam Baili, seizing upon one last excuse and daring to ask.
It wasn't possible to skip the New Year, after all, was it?
"Select some reliable and seasoned people from several estates outside the city to come up," said Old Madam Baili.
Madam Baili's mind turned slightly; if the selection was from the estates, wouldn't she be the one to select them?
The people on the estates, though they lived freely, didn't have much profit and lived in hardship. They were eager to come to the city for work, and many had secretly given her benefits hoping to come to the city.
"Yes, Old Madam, I understand," replied Madam Baili.
Just as she was about to leave, Old Madam spoke again, "The people on the estates were all arranged by Lan Niang. Select whom you want to bring back to the city and have her review and approve them."
