The housekeeper put himself in the madam's shoes and also felt that things were very difficult.
“Selling something like Ahri cheaply would be painful, but if the price is too high, no one will buy it. If it were me… I would rather keep it and not sell it.”
He Youyou is not the kind of woman who easily admits defeat.
Hearing this, he became even more determined.
"I'm going to buy it now."
The next day, He Youyou wandered the streets with Steward Qian for half a day before heading to Cuihua Tower.
It wasn't that she was dawdling, but rather that the brothel's opening hours were too late.
They usually open after noon to receive guests from all sides.
Beaded curtains and painted pavilions, fragrant silks and brocades.
He Youyou was still dressed in casual men's clothing.
The madam in the building had spent half her life in the pleasure quarters and was always shrewd and clever.
Visitors from all directions, regardless of their status or background, are all remembered.
Although He Youyou's background is not particularly extraordinary, she had come here with Ma Xiuyuan.
Matthew Yuan's background is impressive.
The madam dared not neglect the guests who traveled with Master Ma, and she immediately memorized their appearances and figures.
Seeing He Youyou arrive again, she hurriedly came to greet her.
He Youyou didn't stand on ceremony and sat down in the hall with a swagger, tossing her a small silver ingot as payment for tea.
The madam smiled and accepted the money: "Madam, you've come again today. Do you wish to drink wine or listen to music?"
He Youyou didn't mince words; she went straight to the point.
"I'm here to buy people."
"Whom does Madam wish to buy?" the madam asked.
"Buy your servant, Ah Li."
The madam paused slightly upon hearing the name.
This expression was fleeting, but it did not escape He Youyou's eyes.
The madam lowered her eyes, composed herself, and tentatively asked, "How much silver will you pay to redeem him, Madam?"
He Youyou felt puzzled.
Why did the madam test her without offering a price?
She is a straightforward person.
Since you're being so polite, then I won't be polite either.
He Youyou pinched her fingers, tilted her head to look at her nails, and said very seriously: "This little servant of yours has some literary talent. I mean, I want to buy him back as a pageboy, and then at the market price for a pageboy, ten taels of silver."
Upon hearing this, the housekeeper almost bit his tongue.
The mistress's price... is quite ruthless.
It's unbelievable that she had the nerve to ask.
The madam hesitated before asking, "Madam, can the price be increased further?"
He Youyou didn't even look at her: "I can't add any more. He's too ugly. I find him too ugly to even serve as a pen and ink servant in the study, let alone take him out in public. Ten taels of silver is the price for a top-class pageboy. I sincerely want him, so I won't try to lower the price."
The housekeeper was speechless.
If he could buy Ah Li for ten taels of silver, he wouldn't be named Qian (meaning "money").
The madam hardened her heart: "Fine! Sign the contract today, and you can take the person away."
The money manager was dumbfounded.
Is that all?
It's not what he expected.
He Youyou was somewhat surprised when she saw that she had agreed.
Something unusual must be going on.
However, ten taels of silver is not a big deal.
Without hesitation, she signed a "contract of indenture" with the madam.
A "slave contract" is a contract for the sale of a servant. Both parties pressed their fingerprints to confirm the transaction.
After signing the "contract of indenture," it wasn't over yet.
In the Great Gan Dynasty, buying and selling slaves was considered a high-consumption activity, and one had to register with the government and pay taxes.
After paying taxes, a "tax payment certificate" is pasted onto the "indenture," and only then is the "indenture" a legally valid contract.
After all the formalities were completed, He Youyou returned to Cuihua Tower to pick up the person.
The madam's eyes darted around.
She chuckled awkwardly, "Madam Han, we've signed this contract and it's been verified by the authorities. The deal is done, so you can't go back on your word, okay?"
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