Chapter 203: Either Buying or on the Way to Buy
Because they were heading into town to look for Broker Deng and Wen Xiuyi had to go as well, there was no need for Lu Jiang to drive the carriage. Together with Uncle Qin and the few boys heading to school, everyone piled into the horse carriage.
Meanwhile, Datou, familiar with the routine, ran to Li Yi’s side. In the next moment, Li Yi hoisted him up and flipped onto his horse’s back.
Jin Xiuyi and Xie Anyi could only stare longingly at Xun Feng.
Helpless, Xun Feng could only hoist these two into the horse carriage as well, before galloping away right behind Li Yi.
Sitting next to Wen Xiuyi, Wen Yao watched the two youths and three children galloping ahead on horseback, feeling somewhat envious. “If only I knew how to ride a horse too.” After speaking, she even grunted and shot a glare at Wen Xiuyi.
In her past life, she had a junior high school classmate whose family owned a horse ranch, and they had even offered to teach them how to ride back then. But Wen Xiuyi said horse riding was too dangerous and stubbornly refused to let her go. As she gradually grew up, the matter was forgotten.
Wen Xiuyi obviously recalled that matter as well. He rubbed his nose awkwardly. “There will be a chance in the future, a chance in the future.”
After saying that, he cracked the horsewhip and drove the carriage to follow them.
By the time they dropped the few boys off at the entrance of the academy, Li Yi, Datou, and the rest were already waiting. After letting everyone down, they drove the carriage toward Broker Deng’s place.
Xun Feng couldn’t enter the academy, so he would return to the Qiu family residence during the day to wait and keep their pitiful Prince company, while casually telling him what delicious food they had eaten at the Wen family again.
Hehe, yesterday’s mung bean milk ice was quite nice; he would go talk to the Prince about it.
Xun Feng also left in high spirits.
When the father and daughter pair reached the brokerage, it had only just opened its doors.
“Scholar Wen, Miss Yao’er, you’ve arrived! The manager hasn’t woken up yet, this little one will go call him for you.” Seeing their carriage, the shop assistant started hollering and ran toward the backyard before the carriage had even come to a halt.
The two of them were also accustomed to the bustling nature of Broker Deng’s assistant. After parking the carriage properly, they walked inside to wait.
Before long, Broker Deng finally arrived sluggishly.
“Brother Wen, so early.” Seeing Wen Xiuyi, Broker Deng’s eyes smiled so wide it was as if he had seen the God of Wealth.
And indeed, he was the God of Wealth.
Wen Xiuyi returned the salute. “Brother Deng, I’ve come to trouble you again.”
“No trouble, no trouble at all. What is it you need this time?” Broker Deng said directly. They were already so familiar that there was no need to be polite or beat around the bush.
Wen Xiuyi stated his requirements, then had Uncle Qin explain the situation to Broker Deng. Broker Deng stroked his beard and pondered.
“Since the winery needs people, they must be nimble in their work, quick with their hands and feet, and sharp-witted. Alright, I’ll take you to have a look.” As Broker Deng spoke, he led the group to the backyard.
Looking at the people standing in two rows being picked and chosen like merchandise, Wen Xiuyi felt a mix of complex emotions in his heart.
“Uncle Qin, you choose for yourself.” He stepped aside.
Uncle Qin responded with an assent, stepped forward, and carefully inquired about everyone’s age and specialties, finally picking out six individuals.
“Master, the selection is complete,” Uncle Qin saluted Wen Xiuyi respectfully.
Wen Xiuyi nodded and looked at Broker Deng. “Brother Deng, we are all old acquaintances.” Those who understood the unspoken implication of the words needed no further explanation.
Broker Deng nodded, had those few individuals go pack their things, and dismissed the others. Only then did he say, “Fifteen taels each, absolute firm price. Brother Wen, I won’t beat around the bush with you either. Your manager’s eye for picking people is incredibly sharp; he picked away the most capable few among this batch of mine.”
Wen Xiuyi let out a sigh. Human lives.
Fifteen taels it was then.
“Yao’er, give the money to your Uncle Deng.” Wen Xiuyi glanced at Wen Yao.
Wen Yao didn’t move, merely saying, “Uncle Deng, do you have any nimble and capable maids for heavy chores? My grandma and grandpa are getting up in years, and I want to find someone to take care of them.”
Broker Deng blanked for a moment. “Was Uncle Lu’s family from before not enough? The Lu family is quite capable.”
Wen Yao felt a bit guilty. The household currently needed people everywhere. Auntie Lu and the Eldest Sister-in-law Lu not only had to take care of the household, but they also had to keep busy with the duck sheds. Auntie Lu sometimes even had to go to the fish ponds with Uncle Lu. It could be said that the people currently in the household were all being used as one person doing the work of two.
However, Broker Deng was a shrewd man as well. He asked one question and didn’t pursue it further, instead having someone call three older maidservants out from the backyard.
“You’ve arrived right in the nick of time, girl. I just took in three people who might be exactly what you want.” Broker Deng said to Wen Yao, “These three were just brought in by me from the prefectural city a few days ago. They originally served in a wealthy household, but the master household committed an offense and was imprisoned, so all the domestic slaves were sold off. I managed to snatch these three from someone else’s hands.”
After saying that, Broker Deng lowered his voice again to say to Wen Yao and Wen Xiuyi, “This family had originally moved from the capital to the prefectural city. For some unknown reason, the entire family was arrested a few days ago and escorted to the capital. The guilty servants were all executed, and the remaining ones with clean backgrounds were taken charge of and sold.”
Wen Yao and Wen Xiuyi exchanged a glance. Domestic slaves whose master household committed a crime—can they be bought?
Since Wen Xiuyi was familiar with Broker Deng, he spoke his mind plainly. Hearing this, Broker Deng smiled and said, “Don’t look down on these three. They are older maids from a wealthy household after all, so their rules and etiquette are beyond reproach. Buying them is definitely not a loss. The one standing in the middle was also a managing maid before; aside from everything else, assisting the female family members in running the household will definitely be no problem.
“Furthermore, I understand your worries as well—you’re just afraid that because the original masters committed a crime, you might be implicated. You can rest fully assured about this. Before they were sold, they were all thoroughly investigated by the government office and cleared as innocent people. And while I wouldn’t dare say it for other households, for your family… just buy them back, nothing will happen.”
Those two at the Jishi Hall were more than enough to back the Wen family.
Some things didn’t need to be stated too clearly.
After listening to Broker Deng’s words, Wen Yao finally sized up the three middle-aged maidservants seriously. They looked to be in their forties, about the same age as Auntie Lu, standing there in a perfectly orderly fashion. Seeing Wen Yao examine them, the three of them saluted in unison.
This salute was far better than her own half-baked attempts.
It was just…
Wasn’t it always said that these older maids from wealthy households were practically half-masters themselves? Could they handle the work of serving people?
Thinking of this, Wen Yao spoke directly, “You three, since Uncle Deng has brought you before us, it shows you are all decent people. Therefore, I will explain my family’s situation to you. If you are willing, you may return with me.
“However, there is one point I must make clear in advance. Although we are an ordinary farming household, we will not tolerate slaves growing arrogant and taking advantage of their masters. If you feel unwilling in your hearts or still wish to go to a wealthy family to enjoy luxury, you can decline me right here, lest any trouble arises after returning with me. Although I am young, I am cruel enough to sell you off again.
“As far as I know, the future prospects of being sold off after a household is seized versus being sold off actively by a master are vastly different.”
These words were spoken for the three older maids to hear, and also for the six individuals picked out by Uncle Qin to hear.
