Chapter 245 - 245 Acquired Help
245 Acquired Help
After the grandma instructed the bunch, everyone started to step out one by one to introduce themselves and their skills.
The group of people the broker brought consisted of all types of people. There were those who no longer wanted to stay home, those who wanted to work to help out their family, and those who were sold by their family. There were some people who used to be servants of now-convicted criminals. Once someone is deemed a criminal, their servants are normally sold to a broker.
Lu Jiao scanned around the people the broker brought her and found it hard to make a decision. Honestly speaking, she didn’t want to hire anyone who once served a criminal in order to avoid any potential trouble. However, it just so happened that those were the kind of servants who were hardworking and capable.
Those with a fully clean background or those who were sold by their families were normally poor. Though their families have no criminal records, they didn’t have many skills and were uneducated. Most of them didn’t even know how to properly greet others and acted rather rough on the edges. One person started to laugh hysterically while he introduced himself, which made himself look like a country scoundrel.
Lu Jiao’s head hurt. Just then, a rather good-looking girl stepped forward to introduce herself. Before she even spoke, however, tears already filled her eyes and she fragilely and pitifully started to tell everyone tales of her past.
“I was sold by my parents. My parents wanted to gather enough money to fund my brother’s marriage so they sold me. Young master, you are a good man, please buy me.”
The girl then fixated her tearful gaze on Xie Yunjin.
Xie Yunjin’s expression changed right away. He subconsciously looked over to Lu Jiao, who tauntingly looked back at him.
That girl liked Xie Yunjin.
When Xie Yunjin saw Lu Jiao look back at him, he stood up straight and scolded the girl who spoke, “We asked you to tell us about your skills, we didn’t ask you to cry. I am looking to buy servants, I’m not here to do charity.”
Without giving the girl another chance to speak, he waved his hand, “Step back. Next.”
The crying girl froze and stared at Xie Yunjin in disbelief.
Xie Yunjin was emotionless and pretended he didn’t see her. Beside him, Lu Jiao saw the girl’s reaction and almost laughed.
This young woman truly needed to go through more hardships to realize not everyone in this world had a tender heart for the fair maiden. Even if she does ever encounter one, it was likely a trap that would end up hurting her.
The next person stepped out. This time, it was a middle-aged woman in her forties. Though she was older, she appeared clean and organized. When she greeted the family, her posture was proper and dignified. It was obvious to Lu Jiao that she was no regular woman.
Lu Jiao couldn’t help but check her out a few seconds longer than usual, “My surname is Qiu, others call me aunty Qiu. I once managed the sixth-ranked official’s home until he became convicted. Due to his crime, he was forced to join the army and I was sold. I was once the head of the servants and specialized in sewing.”
Once she finished, Lu Jiao couldn’t help but stare at her. This aunty seemed very capable and logically, she should be a popular choice to every family. Why was she still a part of this unhired bunch?
Lu Jiao’s concern was not without reason. It was because the Qinghe County was a comparatively poorer county and therefore, it was a rare place for a sixth-ranked official to live. This would mean this aunty had traveled with the group from elsewhere instead of being sold at a larger city.
Lu Jiao wasn’t the only one who was curious. The broker herself knew aunty Qiu well. She was normally quiet and never made much fuss. The only condition she had was that the family she ends up with must also accept her husband.
Aunty Qiu’s husband was known as old man Wen. Like aunty Qiu, he was once in charge of security at the same official’s home.
Old man Wen was loyal and when his master at the time was captured, he did his best to protect him and the investigative officials ended up breaking his legs. Since he received no immediate medical help, one of his legs lost its functionality and he was now a cripple.
Nobody wanted a crippled old man. This was why aunty Qiu was still up for grabs.
The broker had suggested selling aunty Qiu individually multiple times. However, aunty Qiu had vowed that if that were to happen, she would kill herself and the broker would end up without money or her. If that were to happen, the broker would also have to compensate the buyer for the loss. This gave the broker no choice but to let aunty Qiu be.
They’ve visited so many families together and still, nobody wanted aunty Qiu. However, the broker grandma knew that this result was also because aunty Qiu never did much to showcase herself to buyers. It surprised the broker that today, she willingly stepped out to introduce herself. It appeared that she liked this good-looking family and wanted to stay.
The broker smiled at Lu Jiao, “Aunty Qiu is very capable. She knows how to run the household and is great with needlework. She can for sure manage all your servants for you.”
Lu Jiao considered aunty Qiu very seriously now. She asked the broker, “If that is the case then aunty Qiu would’ve been sold a long time ago. How come she’s still here?”
The broker’s face fell long. The million-dollar question had shown itself again.
The broker said helplessly, “The reason why nobody wanted to hire aunty Qiu is that she has a condition.”
Aunt Qiu hesitated but straightened up and stepped forward, “I want to be with my husband.”
She then turned to look at old man Wen.
Lu Jiao followed her gaze and saw that old man Wen appeared older than aunty Qiu and perhaps it was due to years of hard work, but he seemed weaker and exhausted.
Lu Jiao looked at him and gestured for him to step up and speak.
The second old man Wen moved, Lu Jiao understood why nobody wanted aunty Qiu. Not only was old man Wen skinny and without energy, but he was also crippled in one leg. Who would want such an old cripple? Other than watching the main gate, he wouldn’t be good for anything.
Lu Jiao temporarily decided against aunty Qiu and old man Wen. She asked them to step back.
The others restarted their own introductions. Though Lu Jiao was good at medicine, she didn’t have much confidence in her ability to manage people. She thought of the two people she was more interested in and realized they had both worked for convicts before. Worried, she whispered to Xie Yunjin, “Xie Yunjin, I want to hire aunty Qiu and old man Wen. Aunty Qiu can help me around the house and do some sewing. Old man Wen can watch the gate. I also want to get the Lin family.”
The Lin family consisted of four members. The man of the house was once the coachman of the convict and the wife was the cook. Lu Jiao was looking for people to do those jobs and therefore, she was interested.
As for their children, they had two sons. The older one was 15, perfect for the role of Xie Yunjin’s personal page.
The younger 8-year-old could help out the four little ones.
Lu Jiao wasn’t certain about her choices and asked Xie Yunjin for help.
The fact that Lu Jiao asked for his opinion made him bubble with joy. His lips curled up subconsciously.
Xie Yunjin leaned into Lu Jiao, “You’re amazing. Both those families are employable.”
Lu Jiao was still worried, “But they both used to serve convicts. I’m worried there might be trouble.”
Xie Yunjin answered her in a low voice, “I watched them carefully. The look in their eyes is pure and they don’t seem to be the type to lie and cheat. I believe they’re good choices.”