TFWYH – Chapter 216 The Treacherous Nature of Human Hearts

If the sisters-in-law bought the place, a lot of it would have to be torn down or completely refurbished.

That wouldn’t be a small sum.

“What a wastrel—really a wastrel!” Yu Ziqing lamented all the way, fanning himself vigorously.

Ling Yue snapped back, “Well, good—otherwise they wouldn’t be selling it for only five hundred taels.”

Yu Ziqing had to admit she had a point.

After they finished touring, Yu Ziqing asked, “So—do you two want the estate?”

Ling Yue didn’t answer immediately; instead she looked over at Steward Li and asked, “Can the price for this estate go any lower than five hundred taels?”

At that, Li’s eyelids twitched and he replied ruefully, “Miss, this price is already extremely cheap. Besides, if you buy it, everything here—including the servants—comes with it. That saves you the trip to buy new help.”

Tang Wan glanced at him coolly. “We don’t want the servants.”

“Ah?” Li was utterly stunned. “You… you don’t want them?”

Tang Wan nodded, meaningfully: “I don’t feel comfortable using other people’s servants. If I’m to use help, I’d rather it be people of my own.”

Li’s face hardened for a moment, then he quickly forced a smile. “Madam, you worry too much. The servants sold with the estate all come with bondage contracts. If you hold their contracts, they wouldn’t dare misbehave.”

Tang Wan waved him off and continued, “Bondage contracts can be real or fake. I don’t want to go sort them out with the magistrate one by one. It’s better to deal with this once and for all.”

“But… there are so many people. If you don’t take them, where will they go? Historically, when estates change hands, the new owner always takes on the former owner’s servants.” Steward Li sounded anxious.

Tang Wan repeated herself: “That’s your problem. I don’t want the servants. Can the price be reduced?”

Li’s face twitched. He looked pleadingly at Ling Yue.

Ling Yue seemed easier to persuade than Tang Wan—she was softer, younger, and perhaps could change her sister-in-law’s mind.

So Ling Yue pulled Tang Wan aside. “Sister-in-law, why not keep the servants?”

Tang Wan frowned. “They’re malicious.”

“?” Ling Yue didn’t understand at first.

Tang Wan patted her shoulder. “Trust me—if we buy this estate, don’t keep any of those people.”

Of course Ling Yue trusted Tang Wan.

Although she didn’t know why Tang Wan insisted, the servants looked pitiful; if they were sent away, they’d end up back at the livestock-and-servant market waiting for buyers. If they were lucky maybe someone kind would take them; if not, they’d be ruined. Wouldn’t turning them away be cruel?

“Sis—how about… let’s keep them for now and see?” Ling Yue suggested.

Tang Wan thought for a moment and stopped insisting. “If you want them, keep them.”

The girl was too naive—she didn’t understand how deceitful people could be. Let her learn a lesson.

Relieved, Ling Yue breathed out loud, “You’re so kind, sister-in-law. Don’t worry—if I notice any of them acting suspiciously, I’ll kick them out right away!”

“Mm.” Do as you like—no need to ask me. I’ve said my piece.

After they settled the matter, Ling Yue approached Steward Li. “Steward Li, my sister-in-law and I have decided to buy the estate. But your price must come down a bit—after all, I’ll have to take care of the former owner’s servants. Honestly, I didn’t want any of them at first, but I was moved by their plight and persuaded my sister-in-law.”