Little Fox was not familiar with the idea of drawing a sword to help the distressed. But she really could not bear to see the three scrawny little kids being whipped with tree branches.
On those dark skinny arms, red welts were already visibly appearing, just looking at them made one wince in pain.
"Who are you to them?" Little Fox sternly asked, "I suspect you are a human trafficker!"
The man with the mustache coldly laughed. "Miss, don't let my ugly looks deceive you. I'm an honest businessman."
Er Wang stepped forward and stood in front of Little Fox. He asked in a deep voice, "What business are you in?"
"Human trade."
Li Yao frowned. The so-called human traders made a living by trafficking people. Of course their "goods" came through official channels - they had paid the families and obtained signed contracts.
After purchasing people, they would usually resell them at the human markets.
If they failed to sell them or did not get the expected price, they would keep them to work for themselves.
This mustache man was clearly the latter kind.
"Since you claim to be a human trader, and these kids were purchased by you, surely you have their contracts?"
"Who are you?" the mustache man said coldly. "If you're not an official, I advise you not to meddle into other's business!"
Er Wang's brows furrowed. He was indeed not an official.
But if he turned a blind eye to things like this, how could he serve the common people when he became an official in the future?
So he sorted his thoughts, stepped forward and said, "I'm not an official, but I suspect you of child trafficking. I have the right to stop it and report it. I'll send someone to report this now. You'll have to wait until the officers get here and verify they were legally purchased before you can leave."
Perhaps realizing Er Wang was educated and reasonable - likely a scholar who could become an official in the future - the mustache man became a little nervous.
Because in most people's eyes, scholars were weaklings without power. But they could become officials! Many of them also had powerful friends and families.
It was not worth provoking someone like this for a small human trader like himself.
"I don't have time to wait," the mustache man said, taking out three contracts from his pocket. "See for yourself."
Er Wang took them and saw they were indeed human trade contracts, with the household steward's seal on them, proving they were real.
Now it was a bit tricky.
"Brother Er Wang," Little Fox whispered at this time, "Since he legally purchased them and has the contracts, he must be planning to resell them."
As soon as Er Wang heard this, he understood her implication - she wanted to purchase the three kids as well.
He considered - extra hands would be needed if he opened a school. These three children were old enough to help with most matters.
But making such decision on purchasing people was not his place, so he went to Li Yao: "Mother, what do you think?"
Li Yao had been watching coldly. She had noticed some oddities.
This was the night fair, very far from the human market. And it was at night. Why would this human trader appear here at this hour?
When beating the kids earlier, the man's strikes with the tree branch were mostly aimed at the two girls, and very heavy handed at that. This was also strange.
All knew those who purchased young girls preferred fair and tender skins. Injuries would lower the selling price.
Why did he not hit the boy as hard and as frequently? Even when he did, it was not with full force.
There were many such inconsistencies that made her suspicious of the man's motives, that perhaps this was deliberately done to arouse sympathy, so he could sell the three children more easily later.
"Mother..."
"Decide for yourself," Li Yao said. "But let me remind you - have no evil intentions, but doubt everyone. Observe matters not just by the surface, but their essence."
Er Wang thought for a while, then said: "I understand, Mother. But I've decided to purchase them. Extra hands would be needed if I'm opening a school."
Li Yao nodded without further comment.
Some matters could only be understood through personal experience.
Er Wang turned to the human trader: "How much do you want for the three kids?"
"You want to buy them?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you say so earlier!" The man immediately smiled ingratiatingly. "If you buy all three, I'll give you a discount. How about ten taels of silver in total?"
"Five taels!" Little Fox immediately countered.
"Impossible! Nine taels minimum!"
"Only five taels. If not, then forget it."
The man gnashed his teeth, as if his fortune was lost: "Fine, fine! Five taels for five taels! If they weren't stuck with me for so long that I lost a fortune on food, I wouldn't have sold them! The things in my back basket are also yours!"
Money traded hands, as did humans.
The man left immediately without turning his head after taking the silver.
Little Fox went to check the children's injuries first. Other than some red swellings, they were fine. Only then did she gently ask: "Don't be afraid. From now on, you'll follow us."
The three children nodded timidly.
Little Fox brought them food from a nearby shop, letting them eat their fill. Then she went to the fabric shop and bought two sets of new clothes for each, before bringing them back to the inn.
The full stomachs, new clothes and high-class lodging greatly relaxed the three kids. No one was scolding or beating them.
Little Fox then asked about their backgrounds.
They were from counties worst hit by the recent locust plague, on top of poor harvests last year. Their families were already struggling to feed them. With this year's crops ruined by locusts, they were sold without choice.
The boy was named Wu Tong. Ten years old, over a year older than Little Four. He was the most sensible of the three.
"Wu Tong, have you studied before?" Little Fox asked.
"Never," Wu Tong shook his head. "We were very poor. I worked the fields soon as I could walk. Hard labor since young."
"Oh? Tough life huh," Little Fox looked at his hands and smiled. "You'll be a big help with chores for sure."
"Mm," Wu Tong nodded. "Sis, I'll work hard, since you spent money to buy me."
"Good then."
Little Fox smiled satisfiedly and asked the two girls.
Both were eight years old. One named Hong Yan, the other Xiang Nan - nicknames given by the human trader. Those sold off weren't allowed to keep their original names and family names.
"What awful names," Li Yao said upon hearing them. "They need to change."
"Mother, please give them new ones then."
Li Yao thought for awhile and said: "The one on the left is Anna, the right one Elsa."
Little Fox: ......
Everyone: ......
What weird names. They sounded odd.
Seeing the confused looks, Li Yao decided not to explain. She rather liked her creativity.
The maidservants should have some exotic flare after all.
Unlike Wu Tong, Anna and Elsa were very quiet, answering softly in one or two words. Many questions they couldn't even respond clearly to.
"Alright, Anna and Elsa, you two room with me tonight," Little Fox finally said. "Wu Tong, you take the floor in the boys' room. Little Two, get him a mat and blanket."
"Thank you, sis."