Chapter 143 Is She Heartless?

Face cream and lotion were now available for sale.

Once most of the customers had left, Ji Yuntang took Chen Hu to the largest slave market in the capital.

Chen Hu went straight in, found the steward, and slapped down a hundred-tael silver note.

"Bring out all the slaves aged fifteen to twenty-five. The princess wants to pick some."

The slave market steward was a man in black, in his forties, short but with shrewd eyes. He took one look at Ji Yuntang and knew she was of high status, immediately saying enthusiastically, "Please wait, madam. I'll fetch them right away."

Soon, over thirty slaves stood before Ji Yuntang, roughly half men and half women.

They were gaunt and frail, with disheveled hair. Some had fierce, gleaming eyes, while others were timid, not daring to lift their heads.

The steward said, "Madam, this is a new batch. Don't let their skinny looks fool you—they work fast."

"These people are lowly. Two buns and a bowl of water a day are enough. Buy them, train them, and they'll be obedient and never dare to cause trouble."

Chen Hu's eyes widened at this.

Two buns and a bowl of water—how could anyone get full on that?

Besides, they were still growing and doing hard labor. Giving them so little food was practically torture.

Some slaves had been kidnapped, others came out of desperation, and all signed lifetime contracts. They were the lowest of the low in society.

Others, once bought, were treated even worse than servants, mere playthings for their masters to whip and abuse.

Chen Hu once again felt grateful that he had found a good mistress.

Ji Yuntang looked around and said firmly, "Anyone who knows martial arts, can cook, or can read—step forward."

She wasn't a saint. These people were pitiful, but she would not keep useless people around.

They had to bring some advantage to be kept by her side and used for her purposes.

Soon, four men and two women stepped forward.

Two men knew some martial arts, two men and one woman could read, and one woman could cook.

Ji Yuntang asked them, "What are your names?"

They shook their heads. "We have no names. Please give us names, madam."

Ji Yuntang thought for a moment and said, "From left to right, you men will be called Xifeng, Feiliu, Xuan Bing, and Leng Yan."

"For the women, Hong Xiu and Chunyu."

The six knelt immediately: "Thank you, madam, for bestowing names upon us."

Ji Yuntang had Chen Hu pay the fee and then left the slave market with the six.

Since Xifeng, Feiliu, and Chunyu could read, Ji Yuntang sent them to help at Evening Makeup Pavilion.

Xuan Bing and Leng Yan had been guards and knew some martial arts, so Ji Yuntang took them back to Prince Ye's mansion to be in charge of security at the West Courtyard.

Hong Xiu was skilled in cooking and needlework, and she also followed Ji Yuntang back to Prince Ye's mansion.

Only after arriving did they realize that the person who bought them was Princess Ye.

They were both surprised and deeply moved, silently following behind Ji Yuntang.

After Nanny Xu fell from power, Ji Yuntang overhauled Prince Ye's mansion. Anyone disloyal or unfaithful had been sold off by Chen Hu.

Now, those who remained in Prince Ye's mansion were all trustworthy after layers of scrutiny.

Nanny Xu's cronies had been completely eliminated.

Ji Yuntang had Tao Zhi fetch servant clothes for the newcomers, took them to bathe and freshen up, and then brought them before her.

"The West Courtyard is too small. From now on, you'll live in the North Courtyard next door and be responsible for cleaning and security in the West Courtyard."

"Remember, I bought you to work for me. If anyone gets any wrong ideas or does anything to harm Prince Ye or the mansion, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"The last person who overstepped is still locked up in the Dali Temple prison. Just ask around, and you'll find out I've never been a kind person. Do you all understand what I mean?"

Ji Yuntang raised an eyebrow lightly and took a sip from the teacup beside her, exuding an imposing authority that was intimidating without even showing anger.

They quickly knelt and pledged, "Rest assured, Princess. We are loyal to Prince Ye's mansion in life and in death. We will never do anything to harm you."

Ji Yuntang nodded. In the next instant, three black pills appeared in her palm.

"These are Five Poison Pills. If you stay loyal to me, I'll give you the antidote in a year. Then, if you want to leave, I'll also return your contracts."

"On the other hand, if you betray me, you'll die with blood seeping from all seven orifices!"

In this world, besides Luo Junhe, Ji Yuntang didn't trust anyone.

Even her own blood relatives had wanted her dead, so she couldn't fully trust a few strangers she had just bought.

Sometimes, it's better to be cautious.

Though frightened, Xuan Bing, Leng Yan, and Hong Xiu swallowed the pills without any hesitation.

Ji Yuntang smiled in satisfaction. "Go about your business."

The three then withdrew.

To be fair, Ji Yuntang also gave Chen Hu three identical pills and had him watch Xifeng, Feiliu, and Chunyu swallow them.

Ji Yuntang turned to Tao Zhi and asked with a smile, "Do you think I'm heartless for making them take poison?"

Tao Zhi shook her head and said firmly, "No, you are a kind person. But kind people in this world are the most easily bullied."

"I understand in my heart that, living in Prince Ye's mansion, your situation is harder than anyone else's. Only by becoming strong and standing tall can you support the whole mansion. What you did is not only for Prince Ye's safety but also for the good of the whole mansion. I don't think you did anything wrong."

Tao Zhi understood very well that if these people were loyal to Ji Yuntang, their future would be bright; otherwise, they would die in obscurity.

So, wasn't Ji Yuntang giving them a chance?

It was up to them whether they could seize it.

Ji Yuntang chuckled. "This little girl is becoming more and more perceptive."

Tao Zhi curled her lips in a subtle smile, "It's all thanks to Your Highness's guidance."

"Counting the days, it's almost time for the treatment of the Seventeenth Prince. Tomorrow, you will accompany me into the palace."

"Yes, Your Highness," Tao Zhi replied softly.

The next morning, at the break of dawn.

Ji Yuntang served Luo Junhe breakfast, then performed acupuncture on his eyes before speaking slowly.

"A He, I plan to go to the palace to treat the Seventeenth Prince. I may also see Nanny Shen. Is there any message you'd like me to deliver?"

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