Chapter 2 Chapter 2 We Sign the Sale Contract

The Liu family is a prominent family in Pingcheng, with members serving in official positions for generations. The current patriarch of the Liu family is currently a high-ranking official in the capital.

This is common knowledge in Pingcheng. There are also people who don't know.

Because of some private matters within the wealthy and powerful family, Mr. Liu's mother raised his only son alone in Pingcheng, spoiling him rotten and never wanting him to suffer in any way.

Master Liu's only son, the precious young master of the Liu family, recently encountered a minor setback: the maidservant who served him in his study had fallen ill and died. The young master's studies were of paramount importance and could not be neglected, so the Liu family was in a hurry to find him a replacement. It was very difficult. This young master had his own temperament; anyone serving him in his study had to be literate. The maids born into the household couldn't foresee the future, so they had only learned needlework from a young age. The ill-fated maidservant had been bought from outside; her father had been educated and knew a few characters, which he taught her in his spare time. Later, the young master also diligently taught her for a month or two, and she was barely passable. Now that she was dead, the household couldn't find anyone else capable. If they couldn't find one in the household, they would buy one from outside, but in this world, many people sell their children; how could a good family that could educate their daughters sell them into slavery? There were indeed girls who were taught to read specifically for the purpose of selling them, but the old lady believed that such behavior would corrupt their character and how could they be allowed into her home? However, finding someone to serve them with their writing implements was indeed an urgent matter, and the old lady was so anxious that she fell ill because she could not find a solution immediately.

They can learn to read, write, and even draw.

Everyone in the village knows.

Because she would draw and write on the mud when she had nothing to do.

During festivals, people often bring firewood, rice, and red paper to the door, asking the temple to write peach charms.

The villagers don't understand calligraphy, but they think Shanlai's characters are beautiful and pleasing to the eye.

Some clever people took the peach charms written by Shan Lai to the market to sell, and actually made quite a bit of money.

Some people were envious and wanted their children to earn money by writing, so they went to Yao Yong and asked him how much he had spent on learning to write.

Yao couldn't explain it because Shanlai hadn't paid for learning to read. When they were in the capital, they lived across the hall from a down-on-his-luck scholar. Shanlai was beautiful and intelligent, and the old scholar liked her very much. When he had nothing to do, he would teach her to read and write.

Unable to find out from Yao here, they didn't give up and went to the private school. What they found shocked them: tuition, books, paper, and pens would cost a lot of money, and once they started studying, they couldn't work anymore and would just eat for free. Paying money even without working meant losing money twice over—how could they afford it? Only then did they give up.

Even after giving up, they remain restless, complaining about their own poverty and envying the good fortune of others.

A group of people, adults and children, kept asking Shanlai what the old scholar's name was, what he looked like, and where he was from... They annoyed Shanlai, who was usually quiet and reserved.

"I don't know, I don't remember. I forgot everything after I got sick..."

It's the same sentence over and over again.

Shanlai was seriously ill and almost died. That happened five years ago.

The Yao family had once been wealthy. Yao Yong had learned business from his uncle when he was around ten years old. Even after marriage, he continued in the business, traveling with his family across the country, making a living through small trades. Five years ago, he had a stroke of luck, acquiring a batch of fine silk from the southern provinces at a low price. He planned to sell it in the capital. This deal was a sure thing, enough to last him the rest of his life. He had already noticed his aging body and wanted to end his nomadic life, returning home in glory with his wife and children. He had indeed made a lot of money; a triumphant return was not just a dream. At night, by the dim light of a lamp, he counted his silver notes again and again, spending his money on repairing graves, buying land, building houses, and hiring servants… But a great fire destroyed everything he had built.

When Yao Yong left the capital, he had only himself, a bundle, and a seriously ill daughter.

Shanlai developed a high fever due to the shock. After recovering, he forgot everything, did not recognize his father's face, and did not know who he was...

Fortunately, he can still read.

Shan arrived at the Liu residence one early morning. The weather was terrible—humid, sweltering, without a breath of wind, and the cicadas chirped only intermittently.

People's hearts are also in turmoil.

The gatekeeper of the Liu residence asked with a smile, "Chunyan, what are you doing outside at this hour?"

Chunyan smiled sweetly, "I went to run errands for the old lady and just got back." As she spoke, she turned around and pointed a finger at Shanlai.

Shanlai stood with his head down under the shade of a tree in front of a side gate of the Liu residence, listening silently to Chunyan talking to someone.

She listened very carefully, but the sound that reached her ears was all muffled and unclear.

She couldn't hear what they were saying at all, but she knew.

They must be talking about her.

Because she was about to come here to be a servant, just like them.

Shanlai knew very well the benefits of being a servant in the Liu household; Chunyan had already told her many stories about them.

You get paid every month, and new clothes are made for you every season, all made of the best materials. Your food and daily necessities are also excellent, even better than the richest family in the village. If you serve them well, you can also receive rewards, all of which are yours. Most importantly, you will immediately receive a large sum of money for selling yourself. With money, you can hire a doctor, get medicine, and get the best medicine...

Shanlai was willing to sell himself because it would save his father.

She should have no regrets.

That's always been her opinion.

But when she actually stood in front of the Liu residence, she suddenly felt afraid and wanted to turn around and run away.

She didn't want to be a slave.

Being a servant is good, but she doesn't want to.

Why?

have no idea.

I just don't want to.

To be a slave, to be a slave...

That's terrible, how could she be a slave?

This thought suddenly popped into my head, without any basis.

But she was easily seduced.

As you lift your foot, twist your body backward.

But……

"Shanlai, why are you spacing out? Come with me, let's go inside."

Cold sweat instantly covered my entire body.

She lost all her strength.

She can't leave.

How could she leave?

She only has one relative left.

She looked up.

Chunyan smiled under the eaves. The two young men at the door looked at her with curiosity and concern.

The cicadas have stopped chirping, and crows flap their wings as they fly overhead, their feathers glowing with the light of the rising sun.

At this moment, Shanlai accepted his fate.

Chunyan encountered many people on the road, but she had no heart to deal with them.

"I'm in a hurry to see the old lady. Let's talk when we get back."

We walked on without stopping until we reached a gate with hanging flowers.

Chunyan stopped, let out a long breath, and then turned to Shanlai solemnly, saying, "It's just ahead, sister. This is all I can do for you. Your future depends entirely on yourself. Remember, when you get to Grandma..." Just then, several beautiful young women suddenly emerged from behind the door, each adorned with flowers and hairpins. They swarmed towards Shanlai and Chunyan, laughing and saying, "Why are you so late? Grandma must be getting impatient." As they spoke, they hurriedly pulled them towards the hanging flower gate.

Shanlai was held by the arms by two people and dragged along the way, past the passageway, into the courtyard, and finally into the gate.

"Grandma, the person has arrived."

"This is an old lady, quickly kowtow."

If you are kind, you must bow your head and kneel.

"Oh dear, why are you kowtowing? Quickly call her closer, let me take a good look at her." Her voice was gentle and her tone soft. But even the gentlest words, when they came from her mouth, were still commands.

Shanlai was then pulled forward again.

When she stopped, Shanlai noticed a pair of shoes with a light brown satin sole embroidered with dark mugwort leaves, and a touch of banana green trim on the hem.

“Child, lift your head, don’t be afraid. We’re not man-eating monsters, what can we do to you?” After saying that, she laughed, and a group of people laughed sweetly along with her. Then, Shanlai’s chin was lifted up by a delicate hand.

"It's been lifted up. Can the old lady see it clearly now?"

I see it clearly now.

A frail old woman sat on a large couch covered with brocade. She was very old, her hair was almost entirely gray, but she was in good spirits, with a rosy complexion and bright eyes.

The old woman's bright eyes were fixed on Shanlai's face, and she didn't say a word for a long time.

She didn't speak, and everyone else in the room shut their mouths, holding their breath and not daring to make a sound.

Madam Qin is fifty-eight years old this year. This noble lady has been a kind person since she was young. In her old age, she is even more amiable. After taking off her fine clothes, she is no different from an ordinary grandmother.

However, Shanlai still felt fear, because even the most amiable person, if they stare at someone without moving for a long time, will inevitably make them feel strange and terrifying.

But she is a noblewoman, a master, and Shanlai will have to make a living under her control in the future.

So even if you feel uncomfortable, Shanlai will still endure it.

Finally, the lady spoke.

"Is his name Shanlai? And his surname is Yao?"

"yes."

Madam Qin nodded. "What a unique name." She then asked, "Did you come to my house willingly?"

Just like the previous sentence, Shanlai said without pausing, "Yes."

Madam Qin smiled and nodded again, "Very good."

Shan thought things should be settled and her father's life could be saved. Just as she was about to rejoice, Old Madam Qin suddenly said, "I'll give you five hundred taels. How about we sign the sales contract?"

The room was completely silent.

Shanlai was speechless for a long time. She didn't know what a "severance contract" meant, but she understood that it was five hundred taels. That was too much. Chunyan had told her earlier that it was thirty taels. Chunyan had sold herself for thirty taels, but Chunyan had indeed said that it might be more than thirty taels because she was a maidservant to the young master. But five hundred taels... that was too much, so a "severance contract" couldn't possibly be a good thing.

Shanlai immediately waved his hand in refusal.

"No, no... that's too much, we don't need that much, we don't need that much..."

Chunyan thought Shanlai had gone mad and was so anxious that she wanted to step forward and agree on her behalf, fearing that Old Madam Qin might really change her mind. That was five hundred taels!

Madam Qin smiled and said, "Five hundred taels sounds like a lot, but in reality, it's not enough. Your father needs medical treatment and recuperation, as well as building a big house, marrying a good wife, and in the future, he'll give you a younger brother. Your brother will need money for his education. How can five hundred taels be enough?"

Shanlai said blankly, "My father doesn't want a wife or a son. The matchmaker came to my house and said that I was enough for him."

Madam Qin still smiled and said, "He was just saying things in a fit of anger. How could he not have a son? He's just a father. How long can he stay with you? Like today, he's so sick. If he really passes away, what will you, a little girl, do? You still need a younger brother so that he can be your support in the future. It would be even better if he could become an official."

Shan Lai suddenly remembered the group of people who had fought in front of her father's sickbed at her home, and felt a chill run down her spine.

That's terrifying. This person is right. She needs a father. If her father is gone in the future, she needs a younger brother or sister, as long as she's not left alone...

She had to agree.

She said yes, she was willing.

Madam Qin was pleased and immediately beamed with joy, appearing even more loving.

“Good child, you can stay here today. Don’t worry, I’ll have Doctor Wang come to your house to treat your father. Doctor Wang is a highly skilled physician; he used to be an imperial physician. With him here, your father will get better.”

A note from the author: