Jiang Ling suddenly turned her head. Just as she thought, it was all Xiao Wuzi's doing. It turned out that Xiao Wuzi was exceptionally talented and was a master of ventriloquism.

Faced with Jiang Ling's sudden turn, Xiao Wuzi was stunned for a moment, stopped what he was doing, and looked at Jiang Ling somewhat awkwardly.

"I..." Xiao Wuzi clutched the hem of his clothes, becoming somewhat timid.

"Here you go!" Jiang Ling generously handed the silver note to Xiao Wuzi.

Xiao Wuzi stared blankly at the silver note in Jiang Ling's hand. He knew the value of fifty taels. His master was the top storyteller in the teahouse, and he could only earn a dozen taels of silver a year at most. This silver note was worth almost five years' worth of his master's money.

"I...I...I don't want to!" Xiao Wu waved his hand and began to stammer.

Jiang Ling smiled faintly and teased, "What? Where did that unrestrained spirit go? Why don't you dare to accept even a mere fifty taels now?"

Xiao Wuzi puffed out his cheeks and looked at Jiang Ling tentatively, "Really for me? Don't lie to me!"

Jiang Ling was too lazy to waste words with Xiao Wuzi, so she simply stuffed the silver notes into Xiao Wuzi's hand.

“There’s no name written on the banknote. Even if I say it’s mine now, what proof do I have?” Jiang Ling said with a smile.

Xiao Wuzi suddenly woke up from his dream and knelt down on the ground, kowtowing heavily to Jiang Ling.

"Madam, I have no way to repay your great kindness!"

Seeing that the situation was about right, Jiang Ling said to Xiao Wuzi, "Xiao Wuzi, didn't you want to tell stories?"

Xiao Wuzi was stunned upon hearing this, and asked incredulously, "Madam, you...you...you can persuade my master to continue taking me under his wing?"

Jiang Ling shook her head, and Xiao Wuzi's expression turned dejected again.

"Although I can't persuade your master, I can find you another way out. What do you think?"

"What?" Xiao Wuzi's eyes widened, and then he pinched his own face.

"Ouch, this pain isn't a dream!" Xiao Wuzi murmured.

"Xiao Wuzi, I think your performance was very good, you just need some props. Here's what we'll do: come to Lujia Village within three days. If the villagers ask you why you're here, just say you're looking for Yaojie's mother! We'll discuss the rest in person!" Jiang Ling said before leaving.

"I...I understand! Wait for me!" Jiang Ling had only taken a few steps when Xiao Wuzi's joyful voice came from behind her. Jiang Ling knew that this kind of ventriloquism would definitely make her an instant hit in "Kelabo".

The unexpected discovery of Xiao Wuzi gradually brightened Jiang Ling's initially depressed mood, but Jiang Ling knew that this was not the time to be complacent, since Xiao Wuzi alone was not enough.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ling hesitated for a moment, but ultimately went to the human slave dealer.

The slave trader didn't pay much attention to Jiang Ling because of her simple clothes, but when Jiang Ling took out a silver ingot and threw it on the table, the slave trader, who had been indifferent, suddenly became very attentive.

"Oh my, madam, what kind of person are you looking for? Whatever I have here, I'll introduce you to the best!"

Seeing the slave trader's eager manner, Jiang Ling's eyebrows almost knitted together. With a stern face, she said, "Are there any who can play an instrument and sing a little tune?"

The slave trader's eyes darted around in their sockets before he suddenly clapped his hands and said, "Yes, yes, yes! Madam, you're really lucky! Two maids just arrived yesterday. They're said to have been personal maids of young ladies from wealthy families. While they may not be experts in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, they do know a thing or two. Madam, please wait a moment, I'll bring them to you right away!"

As he spoke, the slave trader walked inside. Before long, he brought back two pretty little girls with tear-streaked faces. They looked to be no more than twelve or thirteen years old. Their eyes were filled with fear, and they kept stealing glances at Jiang Ling.

"Madam, let me tell you these two things, they'll definitely satisfy you. It seems that the wealthy family offended someone, and overnight all seventy-two members of the family were demoted, and these maids and servants ended up here with us!" The slave trader said, winking and muttering.

Jiang Ling believed the slave trader's words only to a certain extent. She looked at the two little girls and asked, "Can you read and write?"

The two nodded, and Jiang Ling continued, "Can you play the piano, sing, and dance?"

The two girls exchanged a glance, and one of them whispered, "I...I know a little!"

Jiang Ling nodded and looked at the slave trader, saying, "Bring me some pen and ink; I want to test them!"

Upon hearing this, the slave trader became somewhat displeased. She pouted and muttered, "Madam, do you not believe me?"

Jiang Ling continued with a stern face, "What? You don't dare to take them? Afraid of being exposed? Let me tell you the truth, if these two children are really as you say, I will certainly reward you handsomely!"

After being told that, the slave trader couldn't say anything more. He searched the room next door for a long time and finally found a stiff, dried-out writing brush and a piece of straw paper.

Jiang Ling gestured for Jiang Shan to soak the brush in water to soften it, then turned and handed it to one of the young maids.

"Just write it down from one to ten!" The little girl nodded, picked up the brush, dipped it in water, and began to write stroke by stroke on the scrap paper.

Although the handwriting wasn't very good, it was clear that the person had some education. Jiang Ling nodded in satisfaction.

"But what kind of instrument is it?" Jiang Ling continued to ask.

The little girl hesitated for a moment before saying, "I know a little bit of the pipa!" Jiang Ling nodded in satisfaction, then looked at another little girl and gestured, "Come here!"

The other little girl seemed even more timid. She walked over tremblingly, took the brush from Jiang Ling, and hesitated to put pen to paper.

"Why don't you try writing one too? Don't be nervous!" Jiang Ling comforted her repeatedly.

Upon hearing this, the other girl gradually calmed down and began to write in a similar manner.

Although the handwriting is very childish, it is clear that the person has indeed been to school.

What about you?

"I...I can sing!" Another little girl's voice was as melodious as a nightingale's song; even just talking to her, her voice was very pleasant.

Jiang Ling nodded in satisfaction and asked, "How much are these two?"

Upon hearing this, the slave trader immediately put on a broad smile. "Madam, look at these two girls, they're skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, reading, and writing, so the price naturally won't be low..."

"Enough with the nonsense, how much silver is it?"

The slave trader thought for a moment, then held up two fingers. "How about two twenty-tael silver coins?"

Jiang Ling gave a cold laugh. "Too expensive!"

The slave trader looked at Jiang Shan standing behind Jiang Ling, hesitated for a moment, and said, "How about fifteen taels?"

"Ten taels!" Jiang Ling said succinctly.

Although the slave trader still wanted to bargain, he had no choice but to nod in the end when he saw Jiang Shan's cold expression.

After paying the money, Jiang Ling took the two indentures and came out with the two maids.

As soon as they stepped out of the gate, the two girls suddenly knelt down and began to kowtow to Jiang Ling frantically.

Jiang Ling was startled and quickly helped the two little girls up.

What are you doing?