Ning Yao's question undoubtedly put him in the spotlight once again.
Thinking about it this way, not to mention recent events, there wasn't a single witness to anything from back then; it was all just rumors and hearsay.
The scholar's family fell into ruin, and the former master's family moved away. Whatever the reason, no one actually saw the so-called evil spirit.
Could this whole thing have been a scam from beginning to end?
Thinking of this, the slave trader began to sweat. He wasn't stupid; since Ning Yao could mention these things, it meant she probably knew something.
Even the inside story she knows is the real truth!
The slave trader began to stammer, "I...I...don't know...I...don't understand..."
Ning Yao sighed. Feudal superstition can kill people.
This cannot be entirely blamed on the human broker; the experience of the scholar's family is regrettable to everyone.
If no one were to guide them, they would simply sigh at the misfortune of their family, saying they were not fortunate enough to enjoy this windfall and vast fortune.
The daughter's wrong marriage was simply a matter of meeting the wrong person; the son's death was just a normal illness; and the relatives who were implicated were simply those who didn't know how to do business or manage affairs, and they only got what they deserved.
But if someone guides the conversation, then these things take on a more dramatic flavor.
If there wasn't something unclean about them, how could they possibly get rich?
The wrongly married daughter, the youngest son who died of illness, the relatives who were implicated, and finally the family's decline—everything seemed to be repaying the good fortune that had been given to them by others.
It can only be said that the Taoist priest who may have been associated with Chen Sheng perfectly orchestrated this frame-up with unclear motives, and then controlled the so-called public opinion to make the matter as supernatural as possible.
He then smeared the family of the scholar and the "evil spirit Yun Xiang Nan Shan," thus establishing himself as an upright exorcist.
The scholar's family and Yun Xiang and Nan Shan were merely sacrifices to achieve his goals.
No one knows exactly what he intends to do.
But Ning Yao was certain of one thing: that Taoist priest had never left Licheng or spent an extended period of time away from it during the past ten years.
Otherwise, why would Yun Xiang and Nan Shan leave the ancestral hall at dawn, and why would the slave trader bring news of the Taoist priest early the next morning?
Ning Yao thought to herself: Since he also has a great connection with spirit stones, then I will use spirit stones to lure him here!
As it stands, this spirit stone is harmless to oneself, but poses a certain risk to others.
I refuse to believe I can't catch this Taoist priest!
"Alright, while it's not entirely your fault, you should still be more careful in the future. Don't let rumors and hearsay obscure the truth of the matter. Be careful in your actions. You can go back now!"
The slave trader wiped the sweat from his brow and let out a long sigh: "I understand, I'll head back now."
"Wait! There's one more thing I need you to do for me."
"Please speak, Miss!"
“This manor is too big. We brought too few servants from the capital and can’t take care of many places. Find a group of servants and I need to hire more servants.”
The slave trader nodded repeatedly: "Okay, no problem, I'll take care of it right away!"
"Choose carefully; you should know my requirements."
"I know, I will definitely help Miss San pick out a batch of suitable ones."
The next morning, the slave trader brought over the chosen servants.
Ning Yao didn't say anything and accepted everything that was sent to her.
Just by looking at the number of people, it was clear that there weren't enough; there were only about a dozen.
That's all?
The slave trader explained, "That's all we have for now. As you know, business wasn't great before, and we didn't have many people. But I heard that the capital dealt with a group of exiles who are heading to the border. They'll be passing through Licheng in about a month. I'll pick out some more suitable ones and send them to you then. Please make do with these for now!"
Ning Yao guessed that the people he mentioned were probably the ones Shen Ce would deal with when he returned.
She nodded: "Okay, let's leave it at that for now!"
"Okay!"
Ning Yao agreed to let these people stay, and the slave trader began to lecture them again: "Listen up! This is the third young lady of the Ning family, your future master. Why don't you pay your respects?"
A dozen or so people bowed their heads, knelt down, and said in unison, "This servant greets the Third Miss!"
Ning Yao raised her hand: "Get up, everyone!"
Looking at the men and women on the ground, Ning Yao suddenly felt that the task of reprimanding them should be left to her mother or older sister.
Ning Yao's almond-shaped eyes swept over them: "Our family name is Ning, and we come from the capital. I am the third child in the family. There is a master and a mistress, the eldest young lady, the second young master and the young mistress, and the eldest young lady's son. The family is small, and there are only a few masters. If you do your job well, we will definitely not treat you unfairly."
"Whether you are released from slavery or married in the future, it can be discussed, but you must be loyal. The Ning family is large and powerful, and although they will not mistreat you, the master will not tolerate any dishonesty. Once you betray your master and make a mistake, there will be no chance to start over."
"Remember my words. Other masters may be merciful and lenient, but I am by no means a soft-hearted person. I have plenty of lives under my command, so one or two more won't make a difference."
"This servant will obey the Third Miss's instructions!"
Ning Yao rubbed her head and said to Zhi Lan, "Go find Zhi Mei and Ning Lang, and discuss where to settle these dozen or so people."
Zhilan nodded: "Miss, are people being placed in each courtyard?"
Ning Yao thought for a moment and shook her head: "You are all in the various courtyards for now, there is no need to arrange for anyone else. I will choose again when the batch exiled from the capital arrives."
“My parents are used to being waited on, and these people are not qualified. I reckon that among those who were exiled, there should be some from wealthy families. Those would be more suitable to be placed in various courtyards.”
Zhilan lowered her head: "This servant understands!"
"You make the arrangements first, I'm going back to Qinyao Pavilion."
As soon as Ning Yao left, Zhi Lan quickly summoned Zhi Mei and Ning Lang.
As Ning Yao instructed, these people would not be assigned to different courtyards for the time being, but would instead stay in the first seven courtyards, with two people assigned to each courtyard.
"Zhilan, the laundry department also needs a few people," Zhimei reminded her.
Zhilan looked at the three people who were left and pointed at them: "You three go to the laundry room."
"The tasks have all been assigned. Do you remember where you're going and what you're supposed to do?"
"I've got it!"
Zhilan nodded: "Raise your heads and recognize my face! I am the head maid in the Third Miss's courtyard. The Third Miss lives in Qinyao Pavilion."
"This is Zhimei, the head maid of the Madam. The Madam and Master live in Shi'an Garden!"
"This is Ning Lang, who serves Master Ning. He is also the temporary steward of our mansion!"
"In addition, there is Zhihe, the maid in the eldest young lady's courtyard, and Ningshan, the servant. The eldest young lady lives in Mingjing Garden!"
"Finally, there are the second young master and his wife, who live in Qizi Garden. There is only one maid, Dongyue, in the courtyard. The young mistress is currently pregnant, so you must be careful in your actions and absolutely must not offend them!"
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