Returning home, Lin He led the two young maids to her own quarters. Before briefing the rest of the family, she needed to understand their situation first. After a round of questioning, she learned that the girls were sisters: the elder was twelve, and the younger was ten, having served in the Wen residence for four years.

When they were very young, their village suffered a famine, and both parents starved to death. They grew up in a traveling acrobatic troupe and learned some basic martial arts. Later, when the Wen residence was looking to hire people, they noticed the girls’ skills and bought them. Their assignment was to attend to the Second Young Master. Since the Second Young Master was learning martial arts from his master, he occasionally let them join his practice sessions, and they had been training for three or four years. While they weren't masters of high martial arts, they could handle an ordinary opponent.

Lin He grasped the general situation and then stated, "Our home cannot compare to the Wen residence. You saw it just now; we are just an ordinary farming family. Think carefully. If you are unwilling to stay here, I can still send you back to the Wen residence."

The two young maids immediately knelt down and pleaded, "Miss, please do not send us away. Second Young Master told us that from now on, we are your maids. Our duty is to protect you. We will do whatever you say, treating you the same way we treated the Second Young Master."

The slightly older one added, "Yes, Miss. Second Young Master said we have no further connection to the Wen family; we belong to your household now. He also told us to serve you well, and we are very willing to do so ourselves."

Lin He had been observing the two girls since they entered the courtyard. They had been quiet and mindful of propriety ever since arriving. Seeing that her family was merely common farmers, their eyes showed no trace of disdain or contempt. She was quite satisfied with them. However, her household truly couldn't be compared to Uncle Wen's, so these matters needed to be made perfectly clear to them, and she needed to know their true feelings.

After hearing what the two maids said, Lin He nodded. "Very well, rise first. Our household rules might be somewhat different from the Wen residence. You've seen it; our home is very simple, and there aren't many people. There won't be many duties requiring your constant attendance or service."

The two girls stood up and nodded. Lin He suddenly asked, "What are your names? I still don't know."

"We servants have no names, please, Miss, grant us names," said the slightly older one.

"What were you called when you were little? Do you remember?" Lin He asked.

"We didn't have names when we were small, just called Da Niu and Er Niu. We only received names after arriving at the Wen residence," the elder one replied.

"Oh, I see. Then from now on, you shall be named Ziqing, and your sister Ziyu. How about that?" Lin He inquired.

"Thank you, Miss, for the names." After speaking, the two started to kneel again.

Lin He was utterly unused to this formality. She briefly explained the rules of her household: no kneeling, no referring to themselves as servants, and simply playing with her younger siblings when there was nothing else to do. She told them there were very few strict rules, only that they should accompany her when she went out, and watch the house when she was home.

As for their monthly stipend, it would remain the same as at the Wen residence: eight hundred dàqián per month. After settling these matters, she arranged for them to occupy the house where Old Man Qin previously lived. It was fully furnished; since Old Man Qin moved out, the house had been vacant, making it perfectly suitable for the two sisters.

Although the two girls were technically hired as maids, the reality was that since they knew martial arts, they could also help watch the home, easing the worries of her family members when she traveled.

She asked Ziqing and Ziyu to put their bundles away, then went into the courtyard to explain the matter of the two girls to her family. Everyone was quite delighted. Huang Shi remarked, "These two girls know martial arts? They look young, but it's reassuring to have someone accompany Er'er when she goes out."

Er Niu also agreed, and Chen'er and Xiao Bao were happy to have two more companions to play with. After putting away their things, Ziqing and Ziyu came out to meet Lin He's family. Upon seeing Huang Shi and Er Niu, they knelt down and called out, "Master, Madam."

They also addressed Chen'er and Xiao Bao as, "Second Miss, Young Master."

Huang Shi and Er Niu were startled; they had never received such deep deference. Lin He found their reaction amusing and laughed, saying, "Ziqing, Ziyu, I told you, do not kneel. Rise. From now on, call them Master and Mistress, just like you would our long-term hired hands. Master and Madam are not used to such formalities."

She also pointed to Xiao Bao and Chen'er, saying, "This is Xiao Bao, and this is Chen'er. Just call them by their names."

Ziqing and Ziyu stood up and then called out again, "Master, Mistress."

To Chen'er and Xiao Bao, they called out, "Miss Chen'er, Young Master Xiao Bao."

This sounded much more agreeable. Lin He decided this was the way to go; it wasn't overly exaggerated but sounded much more natural.

Seeing that it was nearly time for noon, Huang Shi prepared to make lunch. The two maids immediately followed her into the kitchen. In the kitchen, Huang Shi barely had to lift a finger. The girls only needed direction on where things were kept and what to prepare for the midday meal, and quickly and efficiently, they had the dishes ready.

During the meal, Lin He noticed the two girls standing by the table, clearly intending to serve them while they ate. Lin He said, "You two should eat as well. From now on, you can eat in your own rooms, or in the kitchen if you prefer. We do not require service during meals here."

Ziqing and Ziyu acknowledged this and went down to eat. Huang Shi asked, "He'er, why didn't you let them eat with us? There's plenty of room at this large table."

"Mother, they are maids we acquired. Others might visit the household in the future; it's better to keep a separation. Besides, they would feel uncomfortable eating with us, as we are the hosts; there should be some distinction. Also, Mother, you can delegate the household chores to them from now on so you can rest more." Lin He explained.

"Then what am I supposed to do? I don't have to work the fields anymore, and now you won't even let me do housework. What use am I? Just sitting around all day will make a person lazy," Huang Shi said with a hint of displeasure.

Lin He knew Huang Shi had worked hard her whole life and suddenly having nothing to do was hard to adjust to. Take it slow, she thought. Smiling, she said, "Fine, Mother, if you wish to work, then work, but from now on, take them with you when you do anything."

Only then did Huang Shi nod. Er Niu laughed, "You truly are accustomed to labor. In any other family, people would be overjoyed not to work, but you are unhappy if you aren't given tasks."

Huang Shi shot Er Niu a playfully chiding look and laughed, and the whole family followed suit.