Ch 148: Buying People
“Do I have to teach you? Gag her mouth.”
“Yes.”
“Mmm-mmm…”
Accompanying an almost impatient order, one of the men guarding her roughly pulled off her sweat towel, rolled it into a ball, and stuffed it into her mouth. The noisy sounds finally disappeared.
“Sorry, I’ve caused you trouble.”
Turning her gaze to them, the woman bowed her head in apology.
“It’s alright.”
Shen Xiangwan waved her hand nonchalantly. The woman didn’t insist, nodded to them again, and left with her people.
“So beautiful!”
Watching her back, Shen Xiangwan smacked her lips and praised again.
“Wanwan.”
Looking at his own precious wife, Wei Chengyi called out helplessly. He knew she liked men, but he didn’t know she liked women too!
“Hehe…”
Looking back at him, Shen Xiangwan laughed heartily. It was rare to meet such a beauty; what’s wrong with taking another look?
“My apologies for the wait, everyone.”
At the same time, Manager Sun returned, followed by dozens of men and women, old and young, and several children who looked only four or five years old.
“What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and come forward so Master and Madam can have a good look.”
Seeing them hesitating, Manager Sun’s face darkened, and his tone became rather stern.
“Yes.”
Not daring to delay any longer, a group of people came forward timidly. From their faces, it was easy to see their anxiety. They hoped to be chosen, yet feared encountering an unpleasant master. After all, a servant’s life was truly worthless. The master’s house didn’t need to take responsibility for beating or injuring them.
“A few of you come out.”
Manager Sun waved, summoning a dozen or so men and women. They all seemed to be between twenty and thirty years old, and their movements were almost instantly responsive, appearing very uneasy.
“Madam, they all know how to cook.”
“Mm.”
Nodding, Shen Xiangwan got up and walked towards them: “Show me your hands.”
“Yes.”
Although they didn’t know what she wanted to do, no one dared to disobey her order. More than a dozen people nervously extended their hands.
“Just these four.”
Shen Xiangwan lowered her eyes and looked, selecting four women.
“Okay, you wait on the side for now.”
“Yes.”
The four selected women respectfully retreated to the side. Manager Sun beckoned another twenty or thirty men and women: “These people can all serve as rough servants. Madam can choose freely.”
“Just these ten.”
This time, Shen Xiangwan didn’t move. She casually pointed to ten men and women who looked relatively strong. Rough servants mostly did chores like sweeping, so there was no need to be too picky. Even if she bought a bad servant, she could just beat them and sell them off. Cooks were different. All the food they handled was for consumption, so she carefully examined their hands, choosing a few with clean fingernails. People who could maintain cleanliness even after being sold should be meticulous in their daily life, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about the food they prepared being unclean.
“No problem.”
Seeing her so straightforward, the smile on Manager Sun’s face grew even brighter. Then he brought over several women: “Madam, these women are used to doing chores. Washing clothes and so on is not a problem at all.”
“Mm.”
Glancing lazily, Shen Xiangwan casually pointed to two women who looked to be about thirty years old: “Just them.”
“Good.”
Waving to the two selected women, Manager Sun again brought out several women: “Madam, some of them are nannies sold by great families, and some are family members of exiled commoners. They are all literate and well-versed in etiquette.”
“Mm…”
Standing up with her hands on the armrests of the chair, Shen Xiangwan walked to them, looking at each one before stopping in front of a woman who looked to be in her thirties and possessed an extraordinary bearing: “What is your name? What did you do before?”
“Reporting to Madam, my humble surname is Zhou, given name Wushuang. I was the legal wife of the prefect of Bingzhou. My husband committed a crime and was exiled. I have been here for more than three years. My husband, who depended on me, contracted wind-cold and passed away some time ago. To raise money for his coffin, I sold myself.”
The woman bowed to her, choked with sobs, as hot tears fell onto her hand.
“Alright, you’ll do.”
A person with such loyalty couldn’t be too bad. Shen Xiangwan instantly made her decision.
“Thank you, Madam.”
Zhou Wushuang bowed again. Without needing Manager Sun’s instructions, she wiped away her tears and automatically stood aside.
“It’s your turn.”
Manager Sun beckoned again. This time, more than a dozen girls came out, each beautiful and charming, like flower buds about to bloom. If she didn’t know they were choosing servants, Shen Xiangwan would almost think she was choosing concubines.
“Manager Sun, I want maids who can serve, not bed warmers.”
Shen Xiangwan touched her forehead speechlessly. She didn’t object to beautiful people, but these people clearly couldn’t serve. Didn’t she see several of them boldly sending amorous glances to Wei Chengyi?
“This…”
Manager Sun’s forehead turned black, and he coughed lightly before saying: “Why don’t you choose the children first, and I’ll find you a new batch of maids later?”
He wasn’t blind; he naturally saw those unruly ones. He admitted that he deliberately chose those who looked good. After all, the master’s appearance, figure, and bearing were all there. The maids couldn’t be ugly monsters, could they? Who would have thought that he had done a good deed and gotten it wrong? He’ll see how to deal with them later.
“Mm.”
The previous incident was just a small episode, and Shen Xiangwan didn’t take it to heart. Her gaze slowly moved between the children. They were all about four or five years old, their red eyes looking at her timidly. When they met her gaze, they quickly lowered their heads, some even sobbing.
“Him.”
Shen Xiangwan pointed to a chubby child, pausing slightly before saying solemnly: “Manager Sun, does he have any family? If so, bring them out. If they’re suitable, I’ll buy them all.”
“Yes, yes, Madam is truly beautiful and kind-hearted.”
Manager Sun was startled, then hurriedly praised her. In their line of work, they had seen many families separated. This was the first time he had seen such a kind woman like Shen Xiangwan.
“Beautiful and kind-hearted?”
Looking at him with a slightly profound meaning, Shen Xiangwan picked up her teacup and took a sip. From her past life to this life, she didn’t think she was kind. To certain people, she was nothing short of a devil, such as Shen Xiangyue.
“Um…”
Seemingly realizing something, Manager Sun chuckled twice: “I’ll go bring his family over.”
Having said that, he got up and left, taking the rest of the people with him.
The child chosen by Shen Xiangwan stood there alone, feeling both fear and curiosity, occasionally stealing glances at Shen Xiangwan.
【To be continued】
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