This was the third day of their journey. The three of them got up early, washed up, ate a simple meal, and set off. There were no other travelers on the road that early morning.
Li Xi, well-fed and rested, was in high spirits. He drove the carriage at breakneck speed. At the occasional toll booths on the official road, the flow of carriages began to increase, with everyone queuing up to pay and pass through. Li Xi happened to run into the tall, strong girl he had met the day before. She was also driving a carriage, which was loaded with goods. The steward was sitting to one side talking to her, and she nodded blankly, her eyes vacant.
Li Xi drove the carriage to their side and struck up a conversation with them with great interest: "Sir, where are you going? We'd like to ask you for directions. Do you know where there's a market nearby? We're running low on food and would like to go to the market to buy some."
The steward was quite enthusiastic: "Ankang County is just a few dozen miles ahead. You can buy anything in the county town. My master happens to own a rice shop, so the prices are reasonable. If you don't mind, you can travel with us."
"This butler really loves his job," Li Xi replied. "That's great, it saves us a lot of trouble. Thank you so much." "You're welcome, it's just a coincidence," the butler waved his hand.
"Sir, this girl next to you is really something. She drives the carriage with more strength than a man, and her technique is excellent—smooth and fast." "Ah, that's all she's good for," the steward said helplessly. "She's a maid in the master's household. She often breaks teacups while serving the mistress in the courtyard, and tears the mistress's clothes while washing them. The mistress is kind and doesn't hold it against her, only sending her to sweep the outer courtyard. Who knew this girl could break ten brooms while sweeping and kill several plants while watering the flowers? I felt sorry for her, and her father sold her. So I brought her out to do business. And you know what? She's actually quite strong."
"This girl is giving you quite a headache. I wonder if you would consider selling her to me, sir? I'll offer twice the price for her. To be honest, my two older sisters and I have been traveling for several days, and I'm getting a bit worn out from driving the horses every day. This girl is such a good horse driver, she could give me a break."
"Is that so, young man? Actually, I've been planning this for a while now, but this girl is unlucky, and I haven't found her a suitable new home. Girl, do you want to go with this young man and those two girls?" The strong girl finally spoke up, "I'm willing to go with them, uncle." The strong girl knew that the butler was protecting her; if it weren't for the butler, the master would have already resold her somewhere.
Look at these three people, simple-minded, good-looking and kind-faced, they'll be doing the work of servants wherever they go. If she could, she would also like to get away from her parents and sell her. They even come to her door every month to ask for her monthly wages. She's not good with words and doesn't know how to refuse them.
The butler knew about her family's situation. "Young man, when we get to the county town, I'll talk to the master." They paid the money and headed towards Ankang County.
Meng Zhelan couldn't help but ask, "Lan'er, what were your considerations? I trust your decision, but I'm just curious." "It's nothing," Li Xi replied. "The main thing is that this girl is full of strength and is a good prospect for martial arts. With proper training, she will definitely become our right-hand woman. Besides, her eyes are clear and her mind is pure. She can also take turns driving the carriage with me. When we get to the capital, she can be of great help."
"I see. Xi'er, you have excellent judgment. What you said makes a lot of sense. We are indeed outnumbered and outmatched." Meng Zhelan replied.
The carriage arrived in Ankang County in less than an hour. The group decided to rest there for two days. The steward led Li Xi and the others to a rice shop, where they bought rice, flour, and horse feed, which were loaded onto the carriage. The three waited for the steward in the shop. The steward went back to the master to discuss the sale of the maid, and the master said that the steward could make the decision.
Not long after, the steward arrived with a sturdy girl carrying a bundle. "Young man, the master is kind enough to let this girl go with you. We'll go to the brokerage to find a middleman to sign the documents at the yamen." The group arrived at the brokerage.
The steward went in to find a familiar broker to handle the matter. Soon, the new indenture was in Li Xi's hands. Her hands trembled slightly; this was her first time buying someone, and she felt guilty for betraying her upbringing. However, in this era, it was a common occurrence.
Li Xi handed the steward a bag of silver and a box of pastries. The steward weighed the bag in his hand; it contained a good thirty taels. He was overjoyed and said to the strong girl, "Sweet girl, this is your good fortune! The young man is generous and kind, and the young lady is also a good person. You should work hard with them from now on."
"Okay, Uncle, thank you for taking care of me before," Sweetie said with some reluctance. The butler had always treated her well. Although he would scold her sometimes, he would also often take care of her and leave her food. When his master wanted to sell her, he would speak up for her.
"Okay, okay, do a good job, do a good job..." The housekeeper seemed a little reluctant as she walked out. The atmosphere was a bit strange among the four of them.
"Oh, what's your name?" Li Xi asked her. "Replying to your question, young master, my name is Sun Tiantian. You can name me as well." "Oh, Tiantian sounds nice, so let's call her Tiantian. Don't call us 'young master' or 'young lady,' it doesn't feel right. When we're not around, just call me Xi'er like they do. This is Lan'er, and this is Ling'er. Um, actually, I'm a girl, so you can just call me 'young master' when we're out." "Okay, Miss Xi'er, Miss Lan'er, Miss Ling'er," Sun Tiantian said obediently.
Meng Zhelan took Sun Tiantian's hand. "Oh dear, it's so embarrassing to call you 'Miss.' From now on, we'll give you two taels of silver a month. Once we've finished our business, you can redeem yourself and go back home if you want. We're short-handed right now and need your help." "Miss Lan'er, you're too kind. From now on, I'll follow you. I don't want to come back here again." Sun Tiantian rarely spoke so much; perhaps it was because she had met someone her own age, and she felt a special connection. Although they had bought her, they hadn't looked down on her. From now on, she would work hard for them.
"Miss Xi'er, may I go home for a bit? There's something I'd like to ask you," Sun Tiantian said nervously, worried that her request might be a bit excessive. "We've got nothing to do, and we'd like to look around. I'll accompany you home for a walk. You can show us around. Don't call yourself 'servant' anymore; it's not something we're used to hearing." Li Xi pulled Meng Zhelan and Ling'er into the carriage.
She was finally free from driving the carriage; to be honest, it was quite tiring. Sun Tiantian took the whip, sat down, and returned to her old ways. Driving the carriage, turning left and right, it took about half an hour to reach her doorstep.
She jumped off the carriage and knocked on the door. A middle-aged woman opened it shortly after. Seeing her, she was surprised. "Sweetie, why are you back? Did you bring anything for your mother? Oh dear, your father gambled away all the money I worked so hard to earn doing laundry yesterday! Oh, that heartless man! He's making life unbearable for me and your brother! We're starving! Your brother's still so young, what will we do if he starves?" The slightly plump woman reached out and tugged at Sun Sweetie's clothes. "Sweetie, please help your mother, okay?"
Sun Tiantian took a step back and sneered, "You took my monthly allowance just last month, and it's gone in just a few days. I told you to divorce your father and take your younger brother with you. But you refused and stayed with your bloodsucking husband."
Sweetie's mother was a little angry: "Sweetie, how can you talk about your father like that? Your father is doing this for the sake of the family. I have already advised him, and he said he would quit gambling after this time. He said he has acquaintances who can definitely make up for his losses this time. Besides, how can we just get a divorce? How will your brother and I live without your father?"
Sun Tiantian laughed in anger: "Then you should live well with him. I have no money, and I owe people money. I broke someone's vase, and they said they would send me to the authorities if I didn't pay ten taels. I came to you today hoping you and my father could help me." She pointed at Li Xi and the other two, and said with a sneer in her heart.
"What? Ten taels of silver? Where do you expect me to find that? I'm just a useless person, I only earn a few coins doing laundry for others." Sweetie's mother's face turned ugly.
"So you're just going to abandon me?" Sun Tiantian's face darkened. "Hey, Tiantian, you know our family's situation. Go and beg your master's family, they'll help you," Tiantian's mother said, taking a few steps back as if she wanted to leave.
Sun Tiantian ignored her mother, knowing in her heart that this answer was expected. Her mother was just pretending to be pitiful; her heart only belonged to her precious son. From now on, they would no longer be able to find her to suck blood.
Sun Tiantian resolutely walked out of the alley. Li Xi and the other two saw her looking dejected and comforted her, "Tiantian, from now on you will live for yourself. You belong to yourself. You can redeem yourself from the contract of indenture once you have saved enough money." Li Xi looked at her with new respect. Although this girl came from a poor background and was sold into slavery, she was determined and capable of achieving great things.
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