Chapter 158: It Truly Could Not Have Suited Their Family Better

Seeing the father and daughter both looking at him in surprise, Deng Yaren guessed what they were thinking. He laughed heartily and said, “I’m not the type to make things difficult for others. If you make things convenient for me, naturally I’ll return the favor. They’ve helped me a lot over the past six months. If Brother Wen hadn’t mentioned needing a few skilled fish farmers, I honestly wouldn’t have been eager to let them go.

Besides, don’t underestimate a young man’s poverty, nor a servant’s future. Who can predict what fate holds? It’s just a matter of forming a good connection.”

Wen Yao silently gave Deng Yaren a thumbs-up. With an approach like this, even if Deng Yaren didn’t make a fortune, his network would certainly be solid.

During their conversation, the group arrived at the backyard. Deng Yaren called over one of his men, and soon the entire family of seven cautiously entered the courtyard, casting careful glances at Wen Yao and Wen Xiuyi before respectfully lowering their heads. Despite standing close together, they showed no signs of panic.

Wen Yao could tell that this family trusted Deng Yaren deeply. She couldn’t blame them; if she were in their place, she would trust him too. She wondered quietly whether, in the original story, she and her elder brother had been sold to Deng Yaren by Wen Xiuyi. If that were the case, then perhaps their lives might have been somewhat easier.

Lost in thought, Wen Yao heard Deng Yaren giving Wen Xiuyi a brief introduction to the family’s situation.

Wen Xiuyi nodded; Deng Yaren had already told him most of it. Then he turned to Wen Yao and asked, “Yao Yao, what do you think?”

Deng Yaren glanced subtly at Wen Yao without saying anything, though he was clearly weighing matters in his mind. Then he said, “Miss Yao Yao, if you have any questions, you can ask them now.”

Wen Yao stepped down the stairs and walked up and down in front of the family, inspecting them.

They arranged themselves by age. The eldest looked only a few years older than Wen Xiuyi but was not as old as Old Wen. The two elderly, clearly a married couple, stood side by side.

Nearby were a young couple and a youth. At the young couple’s feet stood two well-behaved children—a boy slightly bigger than the eldest child, and a girl younger, about two or three years old. The children were curious, wide-eyed, staring at Wen Yao.

Wen Yao crouched before the little girl and asked, “How old are you?”

Startled, the little girl shrank back and timidly replied, “Three… three years old.”

Just as Wen Yao had guessed, she stood up, gently ruffled the girl’s hair, glanced at the boy, then moved toward the elderly couple.

“Do you know how to raise fish?” Wen Yao asked directly.

The old couple hurriedly bowed. “Miss, back in our hometown, we raised fish and also cultivated lotus roots.”

Wen Yao’s eyes brightened. Well, this was like getting a bonus. She had been hoping to plant some lotus flowers in the fish pond—imagine walking by the pond in summer, admiring the blossoms; what a delightful feeling that would be.

But she quickly composed herself, nodded lightly, and turned to the young couple. “What can you do?”

The man replied, “Miss, I’ve been helping my parents raise fish and shrimp, and I’m skilled at cultivating lotus roots as well. I was fortunate to be taken in by the shopkeeper and learned some carpentry skills.”

Wen Yao nodded.

The woman said, “Miss, I know knitting, mending, and embroidery. I can also work in the fields and ponds, and handle kitchen chores.”

Wen Yao studied her carefully. It wasn’t easy—was this really a woman? She seemed to do even more work than the men.

Then Wen Yao looked at the young man and raised an eyebrow. “And you? What can you do?”

The young man bowed his head respectfully and answered, “Miss, I can do field and pond work, know how to drive carts, and I’ve learned some carpentry from my brother.”

Having finished her inquiries, Wen Yao returned to Wen Xiuyi’s side. Frankly, apart from the two children, this family was perfectly suited for their household.

The children weren’t entirely useless either—the boy could be trained as a personal attendant or page for the eldest son. As for the little girl, they would wait until she was older before deciding what role she could fill.

Wen Yao gave Wen Xiuyi a meaningful look, and he instantly understood. He cupped his fists toward Deng Yaren. “Brother Deng, allow us some time to discuss.”

Deng Yaren nodded. “No problem. I’ll wait for you.”

Wen Yao and Wen Xiuyi moved to a corner and began whispering.

“Father, I think it’s fine. Besides raising fish, they also know how to cultivate lotus roots. The old man and two sons can handle fish farming and duck tending. The old woman can help with miscellaneous chores. The young woman can assist my aunt in the kitchen and fields. The boy can be trained as a page for the eldest son. You must consider your son’s future. The little girl is too young; we can take care of her later.

In short, it’s not a loss.”

Wen Xiuyi glanced over. Hearing his daughter’s arrangement, it did seem quite suitable; the entire family had been settled.

“Father, should we discuss the price with Deng Yaren?” Wen Xiuyi asked. The words felt awkward, and he had to psych himself up before continuing.

Wen Yao nodded and gently nudged him back.

“Brother Deng, may we have a word?” Wen Xiuyi spoke.

Deng Yaren knew they had made their decision and nodded, signaling for the family to be taken away. He then led Wen Xiuyi to the front hall.

“Brother Deng, what about the price?” Wen Xiuyi inquired.

Deng Yaren glanced at him. “I didn’t spend much buying this family; I’ve only kept them for over half a year, and even hired someone to teach them skills…”

Wen Xiuyi nodded. “I understand. Just give us a price. We’ve seen the people, and my daughter is quite satisfied; they fit well into our household. But I must say, we are just an ordinary farming family. I worry if they might harbor resentment after moving in with us.”

Deng Yaren sighed and waved his hand. “Don’t worry about that. No one who leaves here ever speaks ill of their new master. We’re old acquaintances, and I know your family is a good one. I won’t beat around the bush—seven people, five able-bodied adults, two children not counted, fifteen taels each, seventy-five taels in total.”

Seventy-five taels of silver? Wen Xiuyi instinctively glanced at Wen Yao, who frowned slightly.

“Brother Deng, since we’re old acquaintances, and we’ll likely trouble you again in the future, seventy-five taels is a bit steep… How about seventy taels? If that’s acceptable, we’ll take them today,” Wen Xiuyi said frankly.

Wen Yao looked up at Wen Xiuyi. This wasn’t the way Professor Wen usually acted; she had expected him to feel guilty and not haggle, and had even planned how to ask Sister Qiu to advance some dividends.

As for Wen Yao’s frown, it wasn’t at the price itself. It was a silent reflection on how little a human life was worth—fifteen taels to buy a living person. “As the mind is, so is the face,” and naturally, her brow furrowed. Unexpectedly, Wen Xiuyi misunderstood her expression.