"You… you vile slut, I'll beat you to death!" Zhao Di's mother shrieked, raising her hand to strike Qian Zhao Di.
Bai Sheng grabbed her hand, her gaze sharp and her voice chillingly cold, "Wicked woman! How dare you cause trouble on my territory? Do you seek death, then try it!"
Hearing Qian Zhao Di's words, Bai Sheng was reminded of herself. Her parents in her current life had abandoned her shortly after her birth. Later, when she got into a prestigious university, they tried to reconnect. Finally, when she fell seriously ill, they vanished without a trace. Such drastic and rapid changes.
In this world, there were so many who were unworthy of being parents.
Lu Ye, fearing Bai Sheng would be disadvantaged, immediately stood by her side, radiating a terrifying killing aura.
Under the cold, piercing stares of Bai Sheng and Lu Ye, Zhao Di's mother flinched, but her words remained defiant, "I'm beating my own daughter, what business is it of yours?!"
Bai Sheng sneered, glancing at Qian Zhao Di, who was crying and convulsing on the ground, and mocked, "Your daughter? Why don't you ask her if she's still your daughter."
If Qian Zhao Di dared to reveal the truth, she must have made her final decision. If she were to return home and remain their daughter, she would be utterly foolish.
The people of Hongshu Slope exchanged glances. The young madam's words were clear, and they wondered if this girl named Qian Zhao Di could stand her ground.
If she couldn't stand firm even now, she truly wouldn't deserve their pity.
Zhao Di's father grew anxious, "How is she not my daughter?" Even with a broken leg, she could be sold to some old widowers for a few taels of silver.
"No, from this moment on, I am no longer your daughter! I have nothing more to do with you! You are not worthy of being my parents! You are not worthy!" Qian Zhao Di cried out hoarsely.
"You say you have nothing to do with us, and that's it? Your household registration is still with us. You're a Qian family member wherever you go! Unless you're dead!" Zhao Di's father shouted in anger.
Zhao Di's mother spat, "Exactly, you vile slut, a loose woman turning her back on her own family! I'll deal with you when we get home! You'll starve to death if you leave my home!"
The people of Hongshu Slope watched in horror. Qian Zhao Di was, after all, their own daughter. Even tigers wouldn't eat their cubs, yet this family was truly demons in human skin!
Bai Sheng looked at Qian Zhao Di, "Zhao Di, I'll give you one chance. Speak clearly, do you still want these parents? If you do, I will no longer interfere, and you will immediately leave my property. If you don't, I can help you break free from them completely. Choose, and give me a clear answer immediately!"
"I don't want them!" Qian Zhao Di shouted without hesitation. "I don't have parents like them! I beg the young madam to help me. As long as the young madam helps me break free from them, I will serve you as your servant for life!"
"Good," Bai Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and said to Qian Zhao Di's parents, "You've all heard. Zhao Di no longer recognizes you as her parents. Now, you have two options: first, sell Zhao Di to me for five taels of silver; second, you receive not a single cent, but I will have the village head of Hongliu Village arrange for her severance document."
A middle-aged man among those who followed Zhao Di's parents grunted, "Why should the village head of our Hongliu Village listen to you?"
Bai Sheng replied with a smile, "Simply because my well is about to produce water, and I can promise the village head of Hongliu Village to draw a bucket of water daily! Do you think the village head will listen to you, or to me?"
Qian Zhao Di stopped crying, a glimmer of light appearing in her swollen eyes. The madam of the house was willing to take her in! She was determined to serve the madam for her entire life!
"Your well is producing water? You speak lies as if they were truth," the middle-aged man said, not hiding his mockery. "The old man digging the well yesterday said it was a dry well!"
Old Man Ye, who was singled out, was greatly annoyed. He glared, "I never said it was a dry well! With just that remark, I'll dig out the water myself!"
Zhao Di's parents exchanged glances and walked aside to whisper.
Shortly after, Zhao Di's mother approached and said, "Five taels is too little! It should be at least ten taels!"
"Ten taels? Are you robbing us of our silver!" Tian Guihua cursed. "In the labor market, a strong young laborer is worth at most five taels. For a crippled little girl like you to demand ten taels! It's like a dog eating cow dung, utterly insatiable!"
Zhao Di's mother pouted, "My Zhao Di is good-looking. When she grows up, she can be a concubine to your master. That's naturally worth more than this!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment. This woman actually wanted to foist Qian Zhao Di onto their master? Wasn't this just causing trouble for the young madam? Besides, did she even qualify?
Lu Ye suddenly felt a wave of nausea, while Bai Sheng glanced at him and curved her lips.
Tian Guihua immediately cursed, "Bah! How dare you say that! Would our master fancy her?"
Liu Shi also spat, "Truly a toad wanting to eat swan meat! Overestimating yourself!"
Du Min was trembling with anger. What kind of people were these, daring to compete for her cousin's man? She said coldly, "My master does not take concubines. Don't try to push any stray cats and dogs in front of my master. My young madam is better than all women in this world!"
"Exactly!" Tian Guihua and a group of women echoed in unison.
Qian Zhao Di's face turned deathly pale with fright. She immediately endured the severe pain and prostrated herself on the ground, kowtowing, "Master and Young Madam, please do not listen to my mother's wild ramblings. Zhao Di is willing to be your servant for life, to toil and work for you, and would never harbor any improper thoughts!"
Zhao Di's mother's words posed no threat to Bai Sheng. She coldly smiled, "Four taels! Any more words, and it's three taels."
Zhao Di's mother's face panicked, "Fine, fine, five taels it is!"
"We'll write and sign the deed of sale on the spot. From now on, Qian Zhao Di will have no connection with your family. If you dare to pester us again, I will immediately report to the authorities. For today's events, I will spare you out of consideration for Zhao Di. From now on, take care of yourselves!"
After speaking, Bai Sheng glanced at Du Min, who immediately turned to fetch paper and brush.
Qian Zhao Di's parents' faces showed undisguised excitement. Five taels of silver! They had never seen more than one tael in their entire lives.
Now, it was great, the family had money!
After the deed of sale was handled, Qian Zhao Di's parents and their entourage left happily.
Although Qian Zhao Di felt heartbroken, she also saw hope for the future. The people of Hongshu Slope were living so well with the madam's family, she was sure she could too.
Bai Sheng asked Du Min to arrange for Qian Zhao Di. Although she sympathized with the little girl, she didn't want to get too close to her.
At a critical moment, Qian Zhao Di did not uphold her conscience. Regardless, she was too selfish at her core.
Letting her be an ordinary servant would not cause any issues.