CHAPTER 142: CHAPTER 141: SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

Yu Changhe brought Yu Xiaolian along because he knew that the largest silver note denomination was one hundred taels per note, and merely hearing the figure of thirty-five thousand taels, he knew he couldn’t count it accurately. That’s why he called his daughter to come with him.

Three hundred and fifty notes, each worth one hundred taels, Yu Xiaolian confirmed there was no mistake, then smiled and bid farewell to the pawnshop owner.

With these thirty-five thousand taels, she should have around fifty thousand taels in her space.

Money came too easily, making her unable to resist suspecting she had a protagonist’s halo.

After getting into the carriage, Yu Changhe cracked the horsewhip and hurried out of the city before the gates closed.

Soon after they three exited the city gates, night fell. Remembering Yu Changhe didn’t sleep last night, and he had no chance to sleep today while she and Zhao Erya took a nap because he was busy selling the house.

Yu Xiaolian decided to take over driving, letting Yu Changhe sleep inside the carriage, but Yu Changhe was concerned as Zhao Erya was inside and refused to go.

Zhao Erya noticed and voluntarily sat upfront to let Yu Changhe rest inside.

Yu Changhe, however, was overly excited having just received several thousand taels, completely not feeling sleepy.

But unable to refuse his daughter’s concern, he had to go into the carriage.

Yu Changhe intended to nap briefly and intended to switch with his daughter soon, but when he opened his eyes, daylight was coming, and they were almost at River Bay Town.

"It’s already the second watch of the morning; why didn’t you call me, child?"

He quickly grabbed Yu Xiaolian’s horsewhip and drove both Yu Xiaolian and Zhao Erya back into the carriage.

Dew fell heavily in the early spring morning, saturating the cold air, and the bone-chilling cold of spring compares only to the skin-chilling cold of autumn. His daughter loved looking pretty, wearing spring clothes early. Driving through the night, he worried if she would catch a cold from the wind.

Yu Changhe blamed himself for sleeping so soundly.

"Father, stop for a while when we get to the town, and let’s go to the cattle and horse market."

We still need to buy another carriage; otherwise, we can’t fit so many people with Uncle’s family on just one carriage.

Yu Changhe nodded, "You get some sleep, and I’ll wake you when we reach town."

Yu Xiaolian could vaguely see the outlines of River Bay Town now, knowing sleeping now just to be woke soon felt uncomfortable.

She decided to push through and sleep at Uncle’s house instead.

Yu Xiaolian shuffled aside, leaving space for Zhao Erya to sleep.

Zhao Erya was indeed exhausted, and without hesitating, fell asleep on the carriage board.

Upon reaching River Bay Town, they navigated through the bustling barter market straight to the cattle and horse market.

This time, Yu Xiaolian bought only the best horse and carriage, spending fifty taels of silver just on the carriage canopy. The horse and carriage together cost one hundred and seventy taels.

This carriage was larger, more spacious, and more beautiful than the one before.

The horse was yellow, and Yu Xiaolian named it Big Yellow.

Big Yellow was a new family member; Yu Changhe worried Big Yellow would panic and insisted Yu Xiaolian not drive the new carriage.

Yu Xiaolian patted Big Red’s neck, "My father is just fond of new and forgets the old; don’t be upset, Big Red. I still cherish you."

Yu Changhe drove Big Yellow ahead, while Yu Xiaolian guided Big Red behind.

Crossing the market again, Yu Xiaolian took a long look at the small town, contemplating never returning again.

Suddenly, Yu Xiaolian spotted a little girl crying and being pushed forward.

On the dirty collar of the little girl was a noticeable piece of straw, indicative of heading to the cattle and horse market, another family selling a child.

Since the town was too small for a dedicated human market, these sold children were brought to the cattle and horse market to be traded alongside livestock.

Yu Xiaolian noticed the man pushing the little girl; wasn’t that Zhao Erya’s father, Zhao Daneng?

Looking closely, the skinny little girl being pushed forward was indeed Zhao Erya’s sister, Sanyan.

Had the money from selling the second daughter been spent already?

Now selling the third daughter?

The expenditures seemed too fast; twenty taels should last an ordinary family eight to nine years without issues, so what had Zhao Daneng done with the money?

Although Yu Xiaolian preferred to ignore it, seeing Zhao Erya sleeping peacefully, she turned back again to the cattle and horse market.

Upon reaching, she tied up the carriage and woke up the sleeping Zhao Erya.

"Your father seems to be about to sell your third sister, just ahead; I’ll go check it out."

Hearing this, Zhao Erya broke into tears and implored Yu Xiaolian to save her third sister.

Yu Xiaolian reassured her, "Rest assured; I turned back just to save her. Wait right here; don’t let your father see you."

If Zhao Daneng sees her, who knows what unnecessary trouble it might cause.

Yu Xiaolian donned the mask she had randomly bought last time, searching for the sight of Zhao Daneng and his daughter amidst the bustling cattle and horse market.

"A child bride is better when younger; they won’t be as manageable if older." Zhao Daneng enthusiastically marketed Zhao Sanyan.

It was a pity, he thought; the child was too small, the brothel wouldn’t take her no matter what.

Alas, she would probably sell for not even half the price of her second sister.

An obese man with a lewd expression eyed Zhao Sanyan, "Too skinny, cheaper it."

Zhao Daneng knew that six or seven-year-olds were hard to sell, especially girls, even harder, so he gritted his teeth, "Then eight taels of silver, no less."

Dropping from ten taels to eight was unsatisfactory to the man, who demanded Zhao Daneng to pry open Sanyan’s mouth to check her teeth alignment.

Zhao Sanyan dared not cry loudly, possibly fearing beatings. She obeyed whenever Zhao Daneng instructed, opening her mouth, baring her teeth.

The man, eyes glinting, remarked, "Who knows if there’s anything wrong on her body; if there are scars, I won’t want her, strip down and let me see!"

Zhao Daneng grabbed Zhao Sanyan, about to pull her clothes when a delicate voice rang, "Eight taels of silver, I’ll take this girl!"

"Hey, you brat, doesn’t know first come, first served? I saw her first." The leering fat man expressed displeasure.

Yu Xiaolian ignored him, asking Zhao Daneng, "Sell or not?"

Zhao Daneng glanced around, "Sell, brought her out here to sell, but whoever offers the higher price gets her."

The perverted man glared at Yu Xiaolian, wondering where this damn brat came from?

This skinny little girl wasn’t worth eight taels of silver; he could deduct faults and buy her for less than six taels.

It wasn’t possible to increase his offer further, buying such a skinny girl for eight taels of silver seemed unworthy.

"Damn girl, have money but nowhere to spend it!" The lecherous man cast a glance at Yu Xiaolian, swung his sleeve, and left.

Zhao Daneng saw his bargaining failed, confirming Sanyan was only worth eight taels, unable to fetch more.

With a flattering smile, Zhao Daneng said, "Money in one hand, person in the other."

Yu Xiaolian knew cattle and horse dealers often acted as middlemen in human trades, writing indenture contracts and acting as guarantors, albeit taking a cut from the silver.

She certainly couldn’t hand eight taels directly to Zhao Daneng; what if he refused to acknowledge the deal after taking the silver?