My humble days in ancient times

She made breakfast in the morning, fast food at noon and in the evening, and then had to go back to make chili oil. The more Xu Ruyi thought about this busy schedule, the more she felt something was wrong.

Xu Ruyi suggested: "Brother, let's go buy some servants."

"What? Servants? No one in our village has servants. This is not good!" Xu Qinghe was surprised and couldn't accept it in his heart.

"Brother, our business will become bigger and stronger in the future, and we can't do everything ourselves. You have to adapt to this change as soon as possible." Xu Ruyi explained patiently.

Xu Qinghe frowned and thought for a long time before he slowly said, "Sister is the bravest one, and what she said is right. I'll listen to you."

Xu Ruyi dragged Xu Qinghe straight to the pawnshop. After all, the pawnshop was a legitimate and reliable place with comprehensive procedures and safeguards, so Xu Ruyi didn't have to worry too much about safety.

However, the people in the dental clinic were surprised to see that the brother and sister were still children.

The person in charge of entertaining customers at the pawnshop was a woman in her forties who still had some charm and was known as Mother Wu.

Mother Wu was meeting several other buyers. Seeing Xu Ruyi and his sister approaching, she quickly said, "Everyone, come with me to the yard first."

After saying this, he led the way, and the group turned left and right and entered several courtyards. Only then did they see many people waiting to sell their goods in a very spacious courtyard. They were sitting on the ground listlessly.

Mother Wu raised her voice and said, "All of you, stand up quickly. Stand in rows. Men stand in one row, women stand in another row."

The panicked crowd quickly quieted down after hearing these stern words, and soon formed several neat rows.

Mother Wu called out again, "Come up in a row."

The woman in the first row stood up timidly.

One of the women was very outstanding in appearance, with eyebrows as dark as distant ink and eyes as clear as autumn water, which immediately attracted everyone's attention.

A pot-bellied man in his forties next to her immediately stepped forward to bargain with Mother Wu.

Mother Wu put her hands on her hips and said loudly, "This woman is very beautiful. She is about thirty years old, which is a good age for working. The minimum price is fifty taels, no bargaining."

Seeing that Mother Wu was determined, the man stopped bargaining.

Then he bought a few pretty women around 30 years old and went back satisfied and happy.

Xu Ruyi thought secretly: Could it be that he wants them to work and serve him at the same time? Oh... It really makes people feel a little disgusted!

A man in his fifties with a weathered face picked a woman who was said to be able to cook and left.

Mother Wu said loudly, "You go down, and another row of people come up."

This time, a group of men came up. Some were older with gray hair, while others were younger with youthful faces.

The lady next to Xu Ruyi picked two young men with outstanding looks and left satisfied.

Now only Xu Ruyi and his sister were left choosing.

Xu Ruyi asked, "Those who know some skills, please stand up."

As soon as he finished speaking, three of them stood up.

Mother Wu continued, "If there are any men in the other row who know some martial arts, please stand up."

Then four more people stood up.

Xu Ruyi said, "How about you guys compete with each other."

Mother Wu also chimed in, "Show off your skills."

After receiving the order, several people really started fighting. Fists and kicks flew back and forth, and Xu Ruyi saw every agile movement.

One of them just stood there, too lazy to move.

Xu Ruyi asked curiously, "Why don't you show off your skills?"

The man, about forty years old, slowly raised his eyes to glance at Xu Ruyi and said calmly, "I'm better than them. If you want to buy me, buy my family too!"

Xu Ruyi asked, "Who are your family members?"

The man waved behind him, and his parents, wife, and two children came over: a little girl with pigtails, and a chubby little boy.

When Xu Ruyi saw it, she couldn't help but frowned, "Oh, what a big family!"

Xu Ruyi turned around and asked Mother Wu, "How are they going to sell their family?"

Mother Wu said with a smile, "His parents will each receive ten taels, and the couple will each receive twenty taels. As for the children, fifteen taels each."

Xu Ruyi calculated silently in his mind, oh, this would cost ninety taels.

Xu Ruyi asked again: "What if those six people buy it together?"

Mother Wu smiled, her eyes narrowed into slits, and said, "Among the six people, there are two strong men in their thirties and four middle-aged men in their forties. The two younger ones will get sixty taels, and the four older ones will get eighty taels."

Xu Ruyi thought for a moment and asked, "Where are your families? If you come out alone."

At this time, two young men came out and said with sad expressions: "We are brothers. Our family has suffered a disaster, and we are the only two left at home."

Xu Ruyi felt sympathy when she heard this, so she asked softly, "What are your names?"

One of the men quickly replied: "My name is Lei Da, his name is Lei Er, he is my younger brother."

Xu Ruyi nodded gently, then took Xu Qinghe aside to discuss the matter. After careful consideration, they decided to buy out the two brothers and the family.

Xu Ruyi and Wu Mama bargained again, finally getting a discount of ten taels. She happily paid one hundred and forty taels of silver, took their deeds, and left the brokerage with them.

Xu Ruyi brought them all back to the village and let them live in the newly built houses.

Xu Qinghe and Xu Ruyi thoughtfully bought two sets of clothes and shoes for each person, and carefully selected several soft quilts. They also bought some brand new pots and pans to put in the new house, making it warm and complete.

This made them very happy. Each of them had a happy smile on their face and kept saying words of gratitude.

Xu Ruyi smiled and asked them what their names were.

The man quickly introduced himself, saying, "My father's name is Du Dazhu, my mother's name is Ye Mei. My name is Du Lei, my wife's name is Song Ping'an, my eldest daughter's name is Du Xiaoyue, and my son's name is Du Xiaoxing."

Xu Ruyi nodded seriously, then gently asked them to boil some hot water to wash and change into new clothes.

After changing their clothes, they looked like completely different people, transformed from head to toe. The old faces full of vicissitudes and fatigue seemed to be covered up a little by the new clothes, and they looked a little more energetic.

Seeing this, Xu Ruzhi hurried to cook. When Aunt Ye and Song Ping'er saw this, they hurried over.

Aunt Ye said sincerely, "Miss, let us do it! We can't let you do it yourself."

Xu Ruyi smiled and said kindly, "You guys take a break. I will personally cook for you today."

They were all moved upon hearing this, feeling they had met a kindhearted family. They were already deeply moved that the family had been bought in and kept together, and now they had even bought them clothes and cooked their meals. It seemed the owner was a good person. They finally had hope for the future.

Xu Ruyi prepared a full table of dishes at noon, including braised fish, braised pork, chicken stewed with potatoes, carrot and pork rib soup, which was delicious, three fresh vegetables, braised eggplant, stir-fried beans, scrambled eggs with tomatoes... She also made vegetable and egg soup, which was light and refreshing.

Although there are not many items, the portions are huge and enough for everyone to eat their fill.

When Xu Ruyuan and Xu Qingyan returned happily, as soon as they stepped into the yard, so many people shouted to them, "Hello, Second Miss, Hello, Young Master."

This sudden shouting startled them both. They stood there with their eyes wide open, their faces filled with shock and bewilderment. This made Xu Ruyi and Xu Qinghe laugh out loud.