Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 412: Argument in the Small Courtyard

Chapter 412: Chapter 412: Argument in the Small Courtyard

After the meal, they returned and shared with Nanzhi about what they had observed at the Hot Pot Building.

Especially Xu Chou, who explicitly recounted the various spices used in the base of the hot pot.

Listening as he rattled off the names of the spices, Nanzhi quickly stopped him mid-sentence.

"Master Xu, there’s no need to go into that level forthwith."

"No need to say it?" Xu Chou was taken aback, somewhat surprised.

He had assumed that the reason the owner had sent them was to gather this sort of information.

The hot pot seemed complex, but the flavors of the spices within were easy to distinguish.

If he was asked to recreate it at this moment, he believed he could come close.

"No need, each family has their own method. It is better not to meddle in it."

Nanzhi waved her hand dismissively, unbothered.

"Eh." Xu Chou complied without another word. He simply sat by the side quietly.

"Uncle Ping, do you ever feel wronged while working for me?" Nanzhi pondered for quiet some time before voicing the doubt brewing in her heart.

She really couldn’t comprehend what that little girl was thinking.

On a kinder note, she was a worker that they had bought to work in their shop, earning a wage much higher than many commoners, wasn’t she?

On a harsher tone, for a woman who had been inscribed into servitude, there were a few scenarios: the lucky ones would be bought by a wealthy family, the good-looking ones might become concubines, the docile ones might regain their freedom at the age of twenty-six or twenty-seven, if unlucky, they might be sold to a brothel or remain a servant for their entire life.

Yet, that girl was sobbing pitifully yesterday, as if she was being mistreated here.

A feeling of injustice welled up in Nanzhi.

She assumed that with her capability, she could protect some people.

"Owner, why would you think that?" Uncle Ping, who was originally just listening to their conversation, was a bit puzzled when suddenly posed with a question.

Seeing the gloomy look on Nanzhi’s face, he soon came to understand.

The owner was likely vexed because of the issue with the little girl.

"Owner, it is really a blessing from the heavens for us slaves to come across a kind master like you. In some places, slaves are even worse than beasts.

Even if the lucky ones are bought by a wealthy family, they have no rest days, no silver coins, and if they encounter a master with a bad temper, it’s not unusual for them to be beaten to death.

Being a slave means you are nothing more than a possession to the owner."

Uncle Ping spoke with an alarming calmness.

He had witnessed too many things.

In the eyes of extravagant young nobles in Capital City, servants are even less valuable than crickets they keep as pets.

After being sold initially, he had once thought that his life was over.

Having such a kind master now was entirely due to his good fortune.

An Wazi sat on the side quietly, not feeling scared at all while listening to Uncle Ping’s words.

From the day he entered Yahang, they had taught him that people in servitude are like livestock.

They could be treated as mere objects, regardless of how human they appeared to be.

Thirteen-year-old An Wazi just sat there silently, etching every word into his memory.

The owner was a good person, Uncle Ping was also a good person, everyone here were very nice people.

They did not treat him like a livestock, but like a human.

Nanzhi fell silent and did not say anything, causing the Main Hall to quieten down.

"Owner, if you are not happy with her, you can sell that maid."

Wang Sheng, seeing his owner worried, spoke up.

At the end of the day, people need to be aware of their own standing.

Although Yan City is prosperous, the monthly wage for a commoner is only around one tael and four wen.

For the shop assistants like them to earn this much was already fortunate; there were many people out there eager to work here.

The business in San Wei Residence was good, so they were busy most of the time, but the ice drink shop next door was considerably more leisurely.

When the weather was hot before, there were fewer customers in the women’s building, and those little girls only had to make some fruit drinks and pastries. Even if there was a monthly wage of only eight hundred wen, many daughters from civilian families were willing to take on the job.

Yet they managed to create trouble out of nowhere.

Even though Wang Sheng was usually composed and not a gossip, hearing the chatter about those girls next door one too many times had started to bother him.

They were all people who had been sold because of poverty, how could they afford to be picky and chatty before the guests?

"I just feel that some things are not as I expected them to be."

Nanzhi had to admit, she couldn’t be the one to change Xia Country.

She thought that being sincere would earn her gratitude from others.

"Owner, people’s hearts are hard to fathom." Uncle Ping sighed, he knew that Nanzhi was feeling disappointed about the girl from the neighboring yard.

Initially, they had bought them to make the female customers who came to the restaurant more comfortable.

But now, with the girl involved with a penniless man, it would definitely tarnish the reputation of the restaurant.

"Perhaps I was too naive." Nanzhi’s eyes drooped, feeling somehow weary.

Her journey in doing business had been going too smoothly.

She had not thought deeply about many things at all.

"There is something suspicious about this affair. She cannot be allowed to leave for now."

While everyone on the San Wei Residence side were discussing the issue,

In the small courtyard next door, Hen Xiang was sobbing heartbrokenly on a stone table.

"Hen Xiang, stop crying!" Unable to bear the sight any longer, a young girl who usualy got along with her, finally came over to comfort her.

"Why is my life so bitter?" Hen Xiang sobbed inconsolably, her tears welled up in her eyes. With her pretty face, she looked quite pleasing.

It was not the simple beauty of a fifteen-year-old girl, but rather the mature charm of a woman.

"How is your life bitter?" Ling Long eyed her with a measure of disgust at her dramatic display, her voice carrying a slight hint of scorn.

Their current living conditions were better than most common folk, and the owner had even promised that if they worked well, they would receive their deed of sale in five years and regain their freedom.

If they performed well, they might even become the manager of the ice drink shop.

In such a good place, only someone brainless like Hen Xiang would commit such disgraceful actions.

Not only did she have a clandestine relationship with a man, but she also implied that the owner did not treat them well.

She truly was a senseless and heartless girl.

"Ling Long, don’t talk about Hen Xiang like that..." Another girl hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to mediate.

"What if we annoy the owner because of her, what will we do?" Ling Long coldly glanced at the peacemaker before falling silent.

The rest of the girls also fell silent.

Yes, they were all servants, all bought by the owner.

If they upset the owner because of Hen Xiang, they might be sold or even lose their lives at worst.

"Hen Xiang, if you want to die, I won’t stop you. But don’t implicate us."

Hen Xiang, who initially thought someone would comfort her after her sobbing, was taken aback when faced with the opposite reaction. She could neither cry nor stay silent, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"I, I..."

"We feel the owner treats us very well, if you have any complaints, keep it to yourself."

"Indeed, don’t implicate us."

Seeing the other girls joining Ling Long, Hen Xiang gritted her teeth, hatred burning in her eyes.

"Just keep being slaves here! Once I leave, there will be a world of opportunities waiting for me!"

Thinking of what Brother Qian had said, Hen Xiang snorted coldly, turned around, and went back to her room.