Poisonous Peasant 'Concubine' Ch 70 - Hyacinth in Bloom

Mar 17, 2026

Chapter 70 — Buying People

“Hehe… listen to you. Since Ling-gongzi has taken a liking to them, and you two are already acquainted, how about this—I’ll give you a fair price. Normally, a strong laborer sells for eight taels of silver. The rest usually go for five to seven taels. I’ll count them at the middle rate—six taels each. Four people make twenty-four taels, plus Song Gengniu himself at eight taels. Altogether, that comes to thirty-two taels.”

Seeing that there was room to negotiate, Broker Liu immediately broke into a wide grin. He truly hadn’t expected that these plainly dressed people would turn out to be such deep-pocketed customers. Sure enough, one should never judge a person by their appearance.

Thirty-two taels for a family of five? People in ancient times were really worth so little?

Buying people for the first time, Ling Jingxuan couldn’t help feeling a flicker of surprise. Of course, he hid it well and didn’t let anyone notice. Beside him, Yan Shengrui lowered his voice and said, “Too expensive. Usually children are thrown in for free.”

Well then… and that was still considered expensive.

Ling Jingxuan felt speechless, but he deliberately let his expression darken.

“Broker Liu, it sounds to me like you don’t want my business. There’s a child among them, isn’t there? What can a seven-year-old do besides eat? I’m already buying people, land, and livestock from you. I didn’t even ask you to throw them in for free, and you still want to charge me six taels? Don’t you think that’s a bit of a rip-off?”

Money that could be saved should naturally be saved. He wasn’t wealthy enough to throw silver around without thinking. Even with this purchase, he had no idea how he was going to explain it to the little buns back home. They would probably nag him endlessly again. No—better not think about it. Just the thought alone made his temples ache.

“Haha… you really are something, young man. Fine, fine—let’s say I was trying to take advantage of you. How about this, a flat price: thirty taels. That’s already low. Song Gengniu’s wife and eldest son can both work like full laborers.”

Though Broker Liu was cunning, he was also a straightforward man; otherwise, he wouldn’t have managed to grow his business this large.

Ling Jingxuan turned to glance at Yan Shengrui. Only after receiving a small nod from him did he say, “Alright. Thirty taels it is. Go bring your wife and children here. There are a few things I want to make clear first. If you’re willing, you can come with me. If not, we’ll leave it at that.”

“Thank you, benefactor! Thank you, benefactor!”

Hearing this, Song Gengniu couldn’t stop himself from kowtowing repeatedly, his voice thick with barely restrained sobs. At last, their family wouldn’t be separated.

Since they had suddenly decided to buy people as well, choosing livestock would have to wait a little longer. Fortunately, Ling Jingpeng and the others wouldn’t be back so soon anyway, so there was no harm in waiting. Broker Liu had several chairs brought out into the courtyard.

Before long, Song Gengniu returned with his wife and children.

Every one of them had swollen eyes and drawn, exhausted faces. They must have suffered quite a bit these past few days. It made sense—after their son, who had caught the plague, had finally recovered, the family hadn’t even had time to rejoice before their master sold them off. With the constant fear of being torn apart and facing an uncertain, dark future, anyone would find it unbearable.

“Benefactor, thank you for saving my Huzi that day. Quickly—Shuisheng, Ling’er, Huzi—come and greet the benefactor. He’s the one who prescribed the medicine that cured Huzi’s plague.”

Because Song Gengniu hadn’t explained clearly how he had met Ling Jingxuan, the woman was stunned when she suddenly saw him. Overcome with emotion, she threw herself at his feet, tears streaming down her face as she tugged her three children forward.

The children—two older ones and a smaller one—stared at Ling Jingxuan blankly, a little dazed and unsure what was happening. Song Gengniu walked over and gave each of them a light knock on the head.

“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and kowtow to thank the benefactor!”

“Oh… thank you, benefactor.”

The eldest boy was the first to come to his senses. He hurriedly pulled his younger brother and sister down to their knees.

“You don’t need to kneel.”

“So the prescription for the plague was written by you?”

Broker Liu suddenly slapped his forehead and hurried forward before Ling Jingxuan could finish speaking. He had been listening from the side for quite a while, and the polite smile that had been fixed on his face instantly changed, now tinged with obvious flattery and eagerness to please.

“Ah, Brother Ling, I truly was blind not to recognize greatness! If I’d known earlier that you were the one who saved everyone in our town, how would I dare ask you for silver? I really must apologize. Their family of five—consider it a gift from your old brother here. There’s no need to talk about money anymore.”

People in Broker Liu’s line of work always had better access to information than others, whether it came from respectable sources or the underworld. He had already heard the news: Magistrate Hu was looking for Ling Jingxuan and intended to reward him handsomely.

If he gave Ling Jingxuan a few servants today, the return in the future would surely be even greater. Even in the worst case, the man before him was still a miracle doctor who could cure the plague. Who could live an entire lifetime without illness or pain? If someday he fell sick with something no one else could treat, he might have to beg this very man for help.

No matter how he calculated it, this deal was guaranteed profit.

Compared to his earlier attitude, the difference was like heaven and earth. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui only needed to think for a moment to guess his intentions.

Behind them, however, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei looked completely bewildered. This was a deal worth thirty taels of silver—yet he was giving it away just like that. Truly worthy of being the largest broker in Qingyang County. Even more shocking was the realization that Ling Jingxuan’s medical skills were so extraordinary that he could treat a plague.

“There’s no need. Whatever the price is, that’s what I’ll pay. Thirty taels is something I can still afford.”

But if Ling Jingxuan were someone so easily manipulated, then he wouldn’t be Ling Jingxuan.

When it came to taking advantage where it was appropriate, he would never hesitate. But advantages he shouldn’t take—even if they were handed directly to him—he wouldn’t bother with them.

“Oh my, listen to Brother Ling,” Broker Liu said with a laugh. “Of course I know thirty taels is nothing to you. This is simply a small token of goodwill from your old brother. Or could it be that Brother Ling looks down on me?”

Listening to him call out “brother” this and “brother” that, anyone who didn’t know better might think the two of them were the closest of friends.

“It’s not about looking down on anyone,” Ling Jingxuan replied calmly. “Broker Liu, there’s no need to be so polite. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to work together in the future. You can’t possibly give me things for free every single time, can you?”

He paused before continuing.

“To put it bluntly, teeth and tongue have a pretty close relationship, don’t they? Yet even they sometimes bite each other. If any relationship is to last, money must be kept clear and separate. Since Broker Liu sincerely wishes to make friends with me, I certainly have no reason to refuse. But for the sake of our future cooperation, it’s better to settle matters of money clearly from the beginning.”

There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Ling Jingxuan had no desire to owe someone a favor over thirty taels of silver. If there was any kind of debt that was hardest to repay, it was undoubtedly a debt of gratitude.

“Hearing you say it like that, if I refuse to take the money it would seem as though I’m looking down on you instead,” Broker Liu laughed. “Very well, this old brother will do as you say. Brother Ling, if you ever need anything in the future, just come find me. As long as it’s within my ability, I’ll make sure it’s handled properly.”

Broker Liu considered himself quite eloquent, yet today he had run into someone even more skilled at arguing his case. Not wishing to annoy him further, he could only give in. Besides, as he had said, as long as Ling Jingxuan remained within Qingyang County, there would surely be more chances to cooperate in the future. There was no need to rush things now.

“Hehe… Broker Liu is too kind.”

Ling Jingxuan smiled faintly, but he didn’t take the man’s words to heart.

A cunning merchant was still a merchant—no profit meant no enthusiasm. If there weren’t benefits to be gained, why would Broker Liu treat him with such warmth? In the end, that friendliness was built entirely on potential gains; it had little to do with Ling Jingxuan himself.

“You’re called Song Gengniu, correct?”

Not wanting to waste more time on meaningless talk, Ling Jingxuan shifted his gaze decisively toward Song Gengniu.

“Yes, that’s right.” Song Gengniu nodded repeatedly. “My name is Song Gengniu. I’m thirty-four years old. This is my wife, Song, Yang Cuihua, Yang-shi. My eldest son, Song Shuisheng. My daughter, Song Shuiling. And my youngest son, Song Xiaohu.”

After Broker Liu’s interruption, the family kneeling on the ground had finally calmed down. Though their eyes were no longer brimming with tears, their expressions still looked strained and uneasy.

“Mm.” Ling Jingxuan gave a faint nod. “Before I buy you, there are a few things I must make clear. If you can accept them, then come back with me later. If not… we’ll pretend I never mentioned buying you at all.”

His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked them over one by one.

At first glance he appeared relaxed, even somewhat lazy, but his gaze was sharp and serious. Only after confirming that none of them seemed cunning or deceitful did he withdraw his scrutinizing stare.

The family of five exchanged glances. After looking at one another, they each gave a small nod.

“Benefactor, please speak.”

Not to mention that Ling Jingxuan was their benefactor—even if he had only been an ordinary buyer, the fact that he was willing to purchase their entire family together was already an enormous kindness. What right did they have to be picky?

“First,” Ling Jingxuan said calmly, “you used to watch over an estate for a wealthy household. I imagine life there wasn’t bad. But I’m just an ordinary farmer. My family still lives in a shabby thatched hut. If you follow me back, your life definitely won’t compare to what it was before.

“Second, I don’t require you to be exceptionally capable. I only demand absolute loyalty. Even a single act of betrayal, and I will make you pay a painful price. So think it over carefully. Once your contracts of sale are in my hands, there will be no turning back.”

Some things were better said clearly from the beginning.

Although once he bought them he would technically hold the power of life and death over them, he was still purchasing them with a certain degree of expectation. If one day he were truly betrayed, it would inevitably leave a bitter taste in his heart.

The family had expected something far harsher. Hearing this, the five of them quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Song Gengniu kowtowed once more before raising his head and speaking honestly.

“To be truthful, Benefactor, life at the wealthy household really was quite good before. But after what happened with my son’s plague and our being sold off… what more could we possibly hope for? As long as our family can stay together safely, that’s better than anything else.”

Bitterness hung thick in the air.

Not only Song Gengniu—the pain in the adults’ eyes was laid bare, and even the youngest, Song Xiaohu, had reddened eyes. They all knew that if they hadn’t met Ling Jingxuan today, by tomorrow they might have been sold off one by one.

And if that happened, they might never have another chance to reunite for the rest of their lives.

“Alright. All of you, stand up,” Ling Jingxuan said.

“Remember this: I’m just an ordinary farmer. I don’t have so many rules. In the future, there’s no need to kneel every time you open your mouth. Loyalty is something kept in the heart and shown through actions—not empty formalities.”

Having confirmed their determination, Ling Jingxuan finally made his decision.

He would buy them.

“Yes. Thank you, Master (Lǎo yé).”

Now that he had become their owner, calling him “benefactor” no longer seemed appropriate.

But that single word—Master (Lǎo yé)—nearly struck Ling Jingxuan like a bolt of lightning. He was only twenty years old, for heaven’s sake. The fact that they could call him that so naturally made him feel embarrassed just hearing it.

“Wait—don’t,” Ling Jingxuan said quickly, twitching at the corner of his mouth. “My parents are still at home. Don’t call me ‘Master(Lǎo yé).’”

Seeing that they were about to change their form of address again, he hurriedly added, “And don’t call me ‘Young Master(Shào yé)’ either.”

“Then…?”

If they couldn’t call him Master or Young Master, what were they supposed to call him?

Song Gengniu’s family looked utterly at a loss.

Ling Jingxuan, however, had already frowned, showing no sign of relenting. Just as the awkward stalemate stretched on, Yan Shengrui—who had spoken very little until now—finally opened his mouth.

“Call him Master Xuan (Xuan-zhǔ).”

As he spoke, a well-concealed aura of authority suddenly burst forth.

“From now on, he is your only master. Whoever betrays him—will answer to me with their life.”

At that moment, aside from Ling Jingxuan, everyone present felt a chill run down their spine, cold sweat forming instantly.

What a powerful… and domineering man.

主 (zhǔ) – “master” or “lord”; Xuan-zhu (軒主) here literally means “Master Xuan,” a respectful yet slightly less hierarchical title than “laoye.”
老爺 (lǎo yé) – “Master/Lord,” a formal way servants address the head of a household.
少爺 (shào yé) – “Young Master,” used for the son of a wealthy household.

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Translator: LazyHermitGal