Chapter 480: Selling Oneself
Chapter 480: Chapter 480: Selling Oneself
Bai Suihe felt a slight headache coming on. "You aren’t going to keep dropping in on people like that, are you?"
Back then, Gu Xingyang had been a spirit. Although she couldn’t physically affect anyone, doing so was still an invasion of privacy.
"Of course not! I just peeked through the windows to watch the drama for a bit. I didn’t actually trespass into their homes," Gu Xingyang explained.
However, her explanation was worse than no explanation at all. Thank goodness no one possessed the so-called Yin Yang Eye, or who knew what kind of chaos would have ensued.
Bai Suihe was about to give her a proper scolding and forbid her from ever doing it again. But then she remembered that they were now flesh-and-blood human beings. She could only sigh and resolve to teach her slowly in the future.
"Let’s not generalize," Bai Suihe could only say. "At least your father is quite decent right now."
"Oh, I know there are a few good individuals out there," Gu Xingyang replied listlessly. She had been tricked into revealing her secrets by her mother again today. She felt so wronged...
Over at the Ma Family’s side, they truly didn’t know how to respond for the moment. They could only turn their gazes toward Ma Mingli.
Prompted by Hu Yuzhu, Lin Dali finally noticed that Ma Mingli hadn’t made a move yet. His mood immediately soured. Before this, Ming Li had spoken so sweetly, even claiming she didn’t care about a formal title for his sake. Today, his wife had granted her a title and even found someone else to help take care of him. What was she still dissatisfied with?
"Is Aunt Ma unhappy about my presence?" Hu Yuzhu leaned coquettishly against Lin Dali. Her pinky finger gently hooked the hem of his robe, scratching lightly in a way that tickled Lin Dali’s heart.
"She wouldn’t be that petty. She probably just can’t accept that I have someone new by my side so suddenly." At this moment, Lin Dali felt incredibly charming, believing that both his concubines were already competing for his affection.
Suppressing her disgust, Hu Yuzhu bit her lip in feigned grievance. "Since Aunt Ma dislikes me, perhaps I should just serve by the Madam’s side from now on. I wouldn’t dare be an eyesore in front of her."
Seeing that the little beauty he had just acquired was about to leave, how could Lin Dali bear it? His face darkened instantly. "Ma Mingli, are you signing this contract or not? If you aren’t, then stop delaying my auspicious hour and get out of here with your family immediately!"
Lin Dali turning hostile was more effective than anything else. Widow Ma knew her reputation in this area was already ruined. If Lin Dali rejected her, she would truly be married off to some distant place by her family, definitely to some rustic mountain bumpkin. She absolutely refused to go back to living in poverty. Gritting her teeth and stamping her foot, she finally pressed her thumbprint onto the contract.
Her mother and the rest of the Ma Family didn’t dare say anything. It was Ma Laoer who reminded them, "Mother, this is a servitude contract she signed. There has to be a purchase price in Silver."
"Right, right, right!" The old woman snapped back to reality. "The contract is signed, but you haven’t paid the Silver for her yet!"
Bai Suihe shook her head. At this point, she actually felt a bit of sympathy for Widow Ma. Being born into such a family, even if she managed to scheme her way into the position of Mrs. Lin, her ultimate fate probably wouldn’t be much better. Her own family was kicking Widow Ma while she was down. Fortunately, Widow Ma’s face was covered in heavy makeup, though Bai Suihe still caught the shift in her eyes.
"That is easily settled," Mrs. Lin said, immediately instructing an older servant woman beside her to take out twenty taels of Silver. "Buying a maid only costs five taels of Silver. Seeing as the Master is quite fond of Widow Ma, I will be generous and give you more. Take the Silver and leave."
Ma’s mother thought this amount of Silver was too little and refused to take it. "Can’t you give a little more? I raised my daughter to this age..."
The crowd erupted in an uproar. Mrs. Lin had already been generous enough. In their opinion, even taking an unmarried maiden as a concubine would only cost ten taels of Silver, and many would jump at the chance. Yet this was merely a widow, and they were asking for such a high price. The Ma Family was truly insatiably greedy.
"Mother, what are you doing?" Ma Mingli also grew anxious. With so many people watching, did her mother have no shame? Besides, she had already been forced to bow her head to the Madam the moment she stepped through the door. If her family made a scene now, the Master would definitely favor the little vixen by his side even more. How could she allow that to happen?
"It’s just that our family is struggling! Your brother and the others... they need to marry too, and they’re counting on your help.
"Now that you’ve become a concubine of the Lin Family, and their family is so wealthy, giving a little extra isn’t much to ask.
"Mr. Lin, don’t you think I make sense? You like my daughter so much, so just give us a bit more."
Lin Dali didn’t think this was a big deal, but seeing Hu Waner sitting there, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. His wife had been so magnanimous in taking in two beautiful concubines for him. If he pushed his luck and she went back on her word, taking Yu Zhu away to serve by her side, he would suffer a massive loss. Thus, he hastily declared, "All household matters are decided by the Madam."
"If you still think it’s too little," Hu Waner stated, "then we will do it according to the rules."
As soon as these words were spoken, the old woman’s sons behind her hurriedly grabbed her. They couldn’t let her keep making a scene, or the capital for their own weddings would be gone completely. Moreover, with so many people watching, they absolutely could not afford to cause a disturbance.
"You’ve taken the Silver, so you may leave," Hu Waner ordered, urging the guests out once more. But Ma’s mother decided to pull another stunt.
"Well, you see, we are technically in-laws now. There should be a place for us at this banquet."
The moment these words fell, the entire venue fell silent. Everyone’s gaze turned to Lin Dali.
Lin Dali, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, thought it was no big deal. He was just about to agree when the Lin Family elders standing behind him immediately grabbed him and sternly reprimanded the Ma Family. "What nonsense are you sprouting? You are merely the family of a lowly concubine! What right do you have to call yourselves in-laws? Butler, what are you all standing around for? Hurry up and escort them out!"
The other elders behind them echoed their agreement in unison. Previously, they had remained neutral, thinking that if Widow Ma actually managed to rise in status, she might remember the clan’s goodwill and help them out in the future. But now, she was officially a lowly concubine. No matter how much she struggled, this would be her lot in life. Thus, they had to side with Hu Waner and could no longer let Lin Dali mess around.
Looking at the members of the Lin Family who had greeted her with smiling faces just moments before, Ma Mingli’s heart sank even further. She knew there was no hope left for her in this life. Now, she could only pray that Lin Dali would remember their past affection and protect her, preventing the Madam from taking action against her.
No matter how reluctant they were, the Ma Family was unwillingly driven out by the butler and the household servants.
"Offer tea to the Master and Madam," the maid beside Mrs. Lin instructed as she brought over two cups of tea and stood in front of Hu Yuzhu.
Waiting until Lin Dali had taken his seat, Hu Yuzhu immediately knelt on the cushion provided by the maid. She respectfully raised the tea above her head. "Master, please have some tea."
Lin Dali was so excited that his hands were trembling slightly. He quickly accepted the tea and took a sip. "Good!"
"Madam, please have some tea," she repeated the process, respectfully offering the tea to Hu Waner.
Hu Waner looked at her with a complex expression. She didn’t know whether she had made the right move or not. She took the tea, and the maid behind her immediately brought forward a complete set of jewelry and placed it before Hu Yuzhu. Hu Waner spoke, "Take good care of the Master and this household from now on."