bookcurios Chapter 156 Respect the Fate of Others!
Chapter 156 Respect the Fate of Others!
Upon hearing this, the old broker burst into laughter.
"Miss Yu, don't worry! This is a legitimate dental clinic, officially registered with the government. Even if you're looking for someone with an unclear background, we don't have that here."
"Then what you are saying is..."
Yu Wanran was puzzled.
"What I'm referring to is..."
The old man lowered his voice slightly and leaned forward.
"Those girls, trained by matchmakers! These girls have been learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood, and are literate. Are they going to be sold into wealthy families or high-class brothels?"
"If you, Miss Yu, don't mind their status or the price, I can introduce them to you. But the prettier they are, the more expensive they will be!"
Yu Wanran frowned. Wasn't this just a candidate for concubine or maidservant, cultivated specifically for rich men to have their fun?
She was looking for literate girls to train and promote to managers, even those who could one day handle external affairs independently. Did these young girls from the matchmaker's household have the ability and ambition to take on such important responsibilities?
She couldn't help but look at Zhong Yeliu, asking for her opinion with her eyes.
Zhong Yeliu stepped forward, bent over, and whispered in his master's ear.
"Master, they are in darkness, yet they yearn for the light!"
Do not underestimate these unfortunate women who are trapped in prison, have a bleak future, and seem to be of no use, only fit to be defiled! If someone extends a helping hand to save them, they will be willing to give their lives to repay the kindness.
Just like her!
Upon hearing this, Yu Wanran made up her mind and nodded to the old broker.
"Bring me some people to look at? They don't need to be particularly good-looking!"
The nice ones cost tens, hundreds, or even thousands of taels, which she really can't afford right now.
Zhong Yeliu was an exception.
Even if her trusted confidants who have followed her for half her life are ruined, they will be saved!
The old broker nodded knowingly and said with a smile, "Miss Yu, please wait a moment while I go ask a few brokers I know."
After he walked out, Qiu Cui and Xiao Juan, who were standing behind Yu Wanran, breathed a sigh of relief.
They all came from this dental clinic. Then, following Yu Wanran back, they trembled with fear as they entered! They were terrified that they had done something wrong and would be sent back to the clinic by their master.
So, what awaits them for their next sale will surely be something utterly unsightly.
The Yu family is wonderful; their master is kind and generous. Steward Zhong, though strict, has a kind heart. They don't want to leave this warm and comfortable haven at all!
Yu Wanran idly stirred the tea leaves in the teacup with the lid, noticed the two people's pale faces, and chuckled.
"Don't scare yourselves! I brought you out here so you could broaden your horizons! The future development of our family will depend on your help."
Qiu Cui is literate, and Xiao Juan, though young, has a good temperament. If they are nurtured, even if they can't match Zhong Yeliu's abilities, they will still be good helpers to her.
Xiao Juan was constantly troubled by her place in the family. She thought, what would she be doing if her niece didn't come to visit, and she stayed at home eating and drinking for free, receiving such good treatment?
Unexpectedly, her master was actually cultivating her, and she was immediately surprised and her eyes widened.
Qiu Cui clutched the hem of her skirt in embarrassment, ashamed of her mistaken assumptions about her mistress. Having been sold repeatedly, she lived in constant fear and carried a deep-seated unease.
Hearing his master's words of affirmation, his heart was immediately at ease! Leading Xiao Juan forward, he knelt deeply in respect and vowed, "Thank you for your high regard, Master! We will do our utmost to live up to your expectations."
For their master, and for themselves.
The two resolved to study twice as hard—no, ten times, a hundred times harder—from that moment on. They vowed that one day they too could be like Steward Zhong, capable of handling things independently and becoming indispensable right-hand women to their master!
The old broker quickly brought in two matchmakers. Behind them followed a dozen or so young women. Each of them was neatly dressed and behaved with proper decorum, clearly having received rigorous upbringing.
The oldest is fifteen or sixteen, and the youngest is ten; they are all at an age where they are sensible.
The matchmakers greeted Yu Wanran with smiles.
They don't care who the buyer is if they can sell the girls under their command for a good price.
On the contrary, Yu Wanran's willingness to act as the buyer made them feel like they had done a great deed. Having made a good profit, why not do something virtuous?
"Miss Yu, these girls are all well-mannered and trained under our care. They range in price from ten to fifty taels of silver. They have impeccable backgrounds and most of them possess a skill. You can choose with complete confidence!"
Yu Wanran nodded. After the three brokers were seated, she glanced at the dozen or so girls present.
Most of these people were of average appearance, with delicate features. The few who were particularly beautiful were probably the ones the matchmaker had mentioned, worth fifty taels of silver.
But she didn't care about looks. Whether someone was worth fifty taels of silver depended on first impressions, their character, and their abilities!
He glanced at it briefly before speaking.
“When my family buys people, we buy kitchen girls who can do hard work and aren’t afraid of hardship. If any of you are unwilling to do hard work or endure hardship, please step back.”
The dozen or so girls looked at each other in bewilderment.
A moment later, several women who were proud of their looks, including the two beautiful women, all left the line.
What a joke!
Knowing they were beautiful, the matchmakers carefully groomed them, hoping that one day they would become concubines kept by wealthy families. They might even become mistresses or concubines, living a life of luxury and being served by servants.
What the heck is this "fire-tending girl"?!
They grumbled inwardly at Yu Wanran. Little did they know that the three brokers were looking at them with disdain and contempt.
These brainless idiots are only fit to be playthings for the rich!
They rarely show kindness, yet these shallow-minded people let the opportunity slip away right in front of them?
Yu Wanran smiled and spoke again.
“I am a single person with no family background. I am a female household and a merchant. There are no masters, grand masters, or young masters in my household who need you to serve me. It is quiet, but it is also dull and boring, with no future prospects.”
"If any of you are ambitious, or dislike female merchants, please step back!"
This time, most of the girls looked hesitant.
Merchants are already disrespected! Adding a female merchant means they'll be constantly bullied. If their masters have no status, won't these servants be even more insecure?
The old broker looked at Yu Wanran, a growing anxiety in his heart. He thought to himself, "How can you buy people like this? This Miss Yu is so self-deprecating, making herself seem utterly worthless. I'm afraid none of the people the brokers brought will want to follow her!"
He was right.
As soon as Yu Wanran finished speaking, more than half of the people retreated in a flash. Suddenly, only three people remained in the hall, standing straight with their chests out and their eyes fixed on her with unwavering determination.
Zhong Yeliu glared angrily at the dozen or so people who had retreated without any sense of decency. She had been so eager for her master to save these unfortunate people trapped in the mire, only to find that what was honey to her was poison to them?
Indeed, there are many people in this world who bring trouble upon themselves; she should respect the fate of others!