Mu Qingyao spoke neither fast nor slow, her gaze steady, her eyes clear and transparent. The old man stared at Mu Qingyao, his eyes momentarily dazed before he asked earnestly, "What will you have her do?"
"Let her live, let her die, but I will not have her do what she should not do."
Mu Qingyao promised that she wanted absolute loyalty, but she would not have Xiao Dai do things she shouldn't.
Even if her father was so poor that he lost everything in the world, he would not allow his daughter to fall into a life of prostitution and wine houses, so she would never let her do what she shouldn't.
"Good, from now on, she is your person."
The old man nodded calmly. Trembling, he reached to kowtow to Mu Qingyao, wanting to thank her for taking Xiao Dai in.
At least she wouldn't end up in those unsavory places. This was the only thing he could do for her. Following the woman before him, he believed she would be better off than following them.
Mu Qingyao nodded with satisfaction.
It seemed this old man was quite shrewd. He had indeed been a镖局 (biāo jú - escort agency) owner in the past, his thoughts meticulous. He must have realized this point: Xiao Dai would be better off following her than ending up in brothels and courtesan houses.
Although she wasn't taking that path now, it was impossible to guarantee she wouldn't one day. Now, selling herself, she was at most a servant. Servants also had dignity.
Ming Cheng, who had been standing silently, heard that his sister had sold herself. Tears welled in his eyes, and he shook his head in disapproval.
"Sister, how could you do this? Ming Cheng only wants to be with you."
"Be good, Ming Cheng. When Sister is no longer here, you will be the pillar of the family. Take good care of Father and Sister, and Sister will be at ease."
Xiao Dai reached out and hugged her elder brother. Looking at Ming Cheng's frail body, she felt her decision was correct. She had sold herself to save her entire family, and she did not regret following Miss.
As the people in the room were talking, voices were heard from outside the bamboo house: "Miss, the things have been bought."
Mu Qingyao looked at Mei Xin. Mei Xin hurried to the door, took a large bag of steamed buns from the coachman, and placed it on the table, looking at the two children.
She saw them greedily staring at the hot buns. Mei Xin called out to them.
"Come and eat the buns quickly."
The two children swallowed and, disregarding all politeness, rushed to the table, grabbed the buns, and began to eat.
Mei Xin, fearing they would choke, attended to them, repeatedly urging, "Slowly, slowly."
Seeing the actions of his two younger siblings, Ming Cheng walked over in anger. He slapped his elder brother and reprimanded him harshly.
"All you know is to eat. This is your sister's selling money! After eating this, you will no longer have your sister."
The children were first startled, then came to their senses, and burst into tears, throwing down the buns and gathering around their sister.
"Sister, no, no, we want Sister."
Mu Qingyao watched the scene before her, feeling a tightness in her throat.
At this moment, she felt like a heinous villain.
However, she did not like people who gained without effort. To get something, one must pay. If Xiao Dai wanted her family to live a good life, she had to pay her price.
"Be quiet."
The old man lying on the bed coughed and coldly ordered the children. What kind of behavior was this?
The bamboo house fell silent. The old man looked at Mu Qingyao, guilt in his eyes. He managed a weak smile, "You've seen a joke."
Mu Qingyao said nothing, looking at the old man and Ming Cheng.
"Your sister is great and worthy of your pride. Moreover, she is not an ordinary servant. Ordinary servants are only worth ten taels of silver. Do you know how much Xiao Dai sold for?"
Her clear voice sounded. The old man's eyes widened with a bright, dazzling light, his lips trembling slightly.
Mu Qingyao looked at the old man and spoke word by word: "Two thousand taels. In this world, how many people are penniless, yet she is worth two thousand taels? Therefore, Ming Cheng, if you want your sister to leave with peace of mind, take care of your family like a man."
After Mu Qingyao finished speaking, everyone in the bamboo house was stunned, as if they had heard something from a fairy tale.
Sister sold for two thousand taels. My heavens, where was Sister going to be a servant? She was going to prosper! If she were going to be a servant, she would only be worth five taels, but Sister was worth two thousand taels. This was an astronomical sum.
The old man was too excited to say a word.
Mu Qingyao scanned everyone, and it was clear that they had all accepted this matter. Then there was no need for her to stay. She turned and instructed Mei Xin:
"Take fifty taels of silver for Xiao Dai, so she can hire a doctor, and also make two sets of good clothes for her younger siblings."
"Yes, Miss."
Mei Xin nodded respectfully, took out fifty taels of silver from herself, and handed it to Xiao Dai. Xiao Dai turned and handed it to Ming Cheng.
"Xiao Dai, collect the remaining silver at the Mu Manor tomorrow. We are leaving."
Mu Qingyao finished speaking, bid farewell to the old man on the bed, and turned to leave the bamboo house.
Inside the house, the old man hurriedly instructed Xiao Dai: "Quickly escort your young lady out of the western suburbs."
"Yes, Father." Xiao Dai took the order and walked out.
The western suburbs were a mixed bag and very unsafe. This young lady was a good person, and they couldn't let her encounter any danger.
In the bamboo house, Ming Cheng looked at the silver in his hand. He had never seen so much money before.
"Father, look?"
A radiance appeared on the old man's face, and he smiled: "Ming Cheng, your sister has met a benefactor. I can finally rest assured. She is going to prosper; we should not worry anymore."
"Yes, Father."
In the carriage, Mu Qingyao instructed Xiao Dai: "Tomorrow, do not alert anyone else in the manor. Collect the remaining silver from Mei Xin."
"Yes, Miss. Actually, I can..."
Xiao Dai wanted to say that she didn't need so much money and could have a little less. Her family didn't need so much money.
But Mu Qingyao raised her hand to stop her and said with a stern expression:
"Xiao Dai, this is your selling money. Take it back and use it to re-establish a residence for them. Also, buy your elder brother a shop to run a small business. This way, your family will not suffer, and you won't have to worry about it in the future."
"Yes, Miss."
Xiao Dai choked up. She had always been proud, but at this moment, she only wanted to stay by Miss's side. Her life belonged to Miss; she wouldn't hesitate to be a cow or a horse, or to go through fire and water.
Mu Qingyao said nothing. The carriage traveled neither fast nor slow, and had already reached the flower streets and wine alleys. The strong scent of rouge drifted in.
Mu Qingyao furrowed her brows slightly, leaned back on the soft couch, and closed her eyes lazily to rest.
Suddenly, Xiao Dai beside her moved, speaking warily.
"Miss, someone is here. Be careful!"
Mu Qingyao's eyes snapped open sharply. Her earlobe twitched. She also felt a strong killing intent. The air was filled with a deep, boundless murderous aura. Who was it?