Chapter 326: Purchased

Translator: 549690339 |

Soon, Zhao Shufen arrived, as did Tong Tiehu and Tong Sanlang.

Zhao Shufen looked sallow, she just coldly stared at Qiao Xiaomai and asked, “So these two sisters are being used to offset the fifty taels silver Qiao Chang’an was fined, right?”

“Yes,” Qiao Xiaomai nodded.

Zhao Shufen sneered, “Qiao Xiaomai, it’s just like you to buy your own cousins to serve as maids.”

Qiao Xiaomai remained indifferent, “And what? Don’t you always treat them like maids anyway? Given Your household’s poverty, it’s better for them to serve in my house than in yours. At the very least, I won’t beat them, and I will ensure they are well-fed, sometimes even with meat.”

As she said this, she glanced at Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi, who were standing dumbly to one side.

Both sisters kept their heads down, their eyes were red and swollen, their faces dirty and indistinguishable.

She raised an eyebrow and asked, “Zhaodi, Yindi, do you want to not be beaten, not yelled at, and eat meat every meal, or you want to continue working like beasts of burden at your own home?”

Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi both gripped the corners of their clothes but did not answer.

“I won’t force you, if you’re not willing, you can say so.” Qiao Xiaomai added.

“Cousin Xiaomai, can you not take the fifty taels of silver?” Qiao Zhaodi asked in a trembling voice.

” What do you think?” Qiao Xiaomai retorted without answering.

“Then, then ocusin Xiaomai, please buy us…” Qiao Zhaodi’s voice shook even more.

She knew their situation well. If Qiao Xiaomai insisted on the silver, selling themselves to her would be their best option.

“Get in the cart. Let’s go to the County Town.” Qiao Xiaomai pointed to the cart with a sweep of her hand.

Good. Though dull, they still knew what was good for them.

There is hope yet.

Upon hearing this, the two sisters glanced at Zhao Shufen. Her worn-out face was cold, betraying no emotions.

The sisters lowered their heads simultaneously and got into the cart.

And so, the group headed towards the County Town.

At the County Government Office, the Mayor changed the sisters’ civilian status to that of slaves in the household registration and had them imprint their handprints on a deed of sale.

Upon leaving the County Government Office, Zhao Shufen could no longer conceal the cold facade on her face. She looked at Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi, tears welling up in her red swollen eyes, “Your father has ruined your lives.”

Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi remained silent, their heads bowed.

“So you know to feel bad now? Why didn’t you feel bad when you were treating them like beasts before?” Qiao Xiaomai scoffed, a look of heavy sarcasm on her face, “let’s go, back to the village.”

Zhao Shufen’s lips trembled, she simply stood there unmoving.

“Want to see Qiao Chang’an? Go ahead, and find your way back yourself.” Having said this, Qiao Xiaomai motioned everyone to get onto the cart.

They all got on the cart and headed back to Anping Village.

Upon their return to Anping Village, it happened to be noon. Tong Tiehu rang the large bell again to announce the final outcome of the matter to the villagers: Qiao Chang’an was sentenced to ten years and fined fifty taels of silver. However, Qiao Chang’an had no means to pay, so he had sold his daughters Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi as maids to Qiao Xiaomai.

Becoming a maid to your own cousin made for a bad rumor.

Especially when Qiao Xiaomai was now the richest person in the village.

Therefore, Tong Tiehu stated sternly, “Stop thinking that just because you’re kin you can do whatever you want. Remember, any actions against the ‘Daqi Laws’ will be punished. ‘Family’ has no standing in the face of the ‘Daqi Laws’. The ‘Daqi Laws’ supersede familial bonds.”

“Don’t think that what Xiaomai did was underhanded. This was all done above- board and in accordance with the ‘Daqi Laws’ in the presence of the county governor. If any of you have differing opinions, you’re welcome to discuss it with the governor.”