The Reborn Legitimate Daughter is Frivolous - Chapter 19

Murong Qing’s voice turned slightly cold, making Madam Ya shiver unconsciously. She could tell this young lady might be getting angry.

Still, she couldn’t help wondering—how did Murong Qing know there was a maid here who could read and count?

Had she already investigated before coming?

Madam Ya’s mind raced, turning over countless thoughts before quickly coming up with a plan.

Murong Qing noticed the flicker of calculation in her eyes but didn’t say a word. She could already guess that the woman was figuring out how to overcharge her.

“Yes, yes,” Madam Ya said with a smile, “but that maid’s price is quite high…”

As expected. Murong Qing could tell she was planning to squeeze her for more money.

Madam Ya gave a subtle wink to one of the maids, who immediately ran to the back. A short while later, she returned with a thin young maid dressed in blue.

The girl’s face carried a trace of impatience, her figure frail and tired-looking—but Murong Qing recognized her at a glance.

This was the same maid Shui Xinting had bought in her previous life—the one who later became her most capable assistant.

Fortunately, in this life, Murong Qing had come first.

She remembered how, back then, when Shui Xinting brought the girl home, her body had been covered in bruises and she had looked pitifully thin—but her eyes had burned with defiance.

Even beaten and scolded, she had refused to bow her head.

Now, watching her again, Murong Qing couldn’t help but admire her spirit.

“There are always so-called noble people who like to play tricks on me. I’m really tired of it,” the maid muttered coldly, her expression proud despite the pain she was clearly holding back. What a stubborn girl.

Madam Ya forced a smile and said, “She has a bit of a stubborn temper, Miss. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“What’s your name?”

Murong Qing ignored Madam Ya and looked directly at the maid in blue.

The girl hesitated for a moment. She knew that if no one bought her, she would remain trapped here, suffering day after day. Because of her disobedience, Madam Ya often beat and scolded her, and the other maids avoided or bullied her.

She’d had enough. She desperately wanted to be taken away—yet she refused to flatter anyone just to escape.

Just now, one of the maids had roughly dragged her out of bed, deliberately squeezing her injured arm. The pain was unbearable, but she had endured it in silence.

Now, meeting Murong Qing’s calm gaze, she wasn’t sure what kind of person this young lady was, but deep down, she hoped—just a little—that she would take her away.

Finally, she said quietly, “My name is Liuli.”

Liuli.

So that was her name.

Madam Ya quickly stepped in, smiling again. “Liuli is the best maid I have—beautiful, well-mannered, and she can both read and do arithmetic.”

She wasn’t lying. In her past life, Liuli really had been exceptional—clever, capable, and loyal. After Murong Qing entered the palace, she had stopped caring about household matters, so she’d lost track of Liuli’s later fate.

“How much for Liuli?” Murong Qing asked calmly.

As if she had been waiting for that question, Madam Ya smiled wider and raised eight fingers. “Eight taels of silver.”

“What? Eight taels for a maid?” Qingbi exclaimed angrily. “Madam Ya, are you trying to cheat my lady?”

The broker’s smile immediately vanished, replaced by a cold, serious expression. “Cheat? Look at Liuli—she’s not only good-looking, she’s educated and can do accounts. Eight taels is already cheap. How can you call that cheating?”

“Even so, that’s far too expensive!” Qingbi retorted.

Madam Ya snorted. “Then tell me—how much did your lady pay for you?”

“…Two taels,” Qingbi mumbled, her voice growing smaller.

Madam Ya sneered. “Two taels? And can you read? Can you count?”

“I… can’t.”

“Then how can you compare yourself to my Liuli? Not only is she more skilled, she’s prettier than you too. She’s worth a hundred of you!”

“You—!” Qingbi was furious, her face red with anger.

Murong Qing couldn’t help but smile slightly at the exchange. Madam Ya was indeed a seasoned merchant—how could a young maid like Qingbi possibly win an argument against her?

“Alright, Qingbi,” Murong Qing said gently. “What she said isn’t entirely wrong.”

If she let Qingbi keep arguing, the girl would only embarrass herself—and by extension, her mistress.

“But Miss…” Qingbi protested weakly, looking aggrieved.

Murong Qing gave her a calm look, and she immediately fell silent.

Madam Ya seized the moment, smiling again. “Ah, the young lady has good sense. Truly a woman of discernment.”

Murong Qing ignored the flattery and said casually, “Still, Liuli is a bit expensive. Madam Ya, tell me the prices of the other three maids. I’ll think about it.”

Her tone was so serious that no one could tell whether she was bluffing. It seemed she genuinely intended to buy someone.

Madam Ya, however, was suddenly at a loss.

She had been certain Murong Qing would choose Liuli—so she had intentionally raised the price to make a big profit. After all, everyone has their favorites; once a buyer takes a liking to something, money usually stops mattering.

But now… Murong Qing didn’t seem particularly interested in Liuli at all.

That wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

Madam Ya prided herself on reading people’s expressions, but today she couldn’t figure this young lady out at all.

The other three maids were not that different from Liuli, though Liuli was certainly the most spirited. Madam Ya had thought she could use that to her advantage—but now, she hesitated.

Finally, she forced a smile and said, “These three are six taels each…”

Anyone with eyes could see that they weren’t worth nearly that much. Reading and counting were useful, yes, but not that rare.

Still, wealthy families liked to show off. Having a literate maid was a matter of status, not necessity.

Now Madam Ya felt trapped—caught between her own greed and the possibility of losing a sale altogether. She could only hope Murong Qing would pick one of them soon.

Qingbi wanted to speak again, but Qinglian quickly tugged her sleeve. Remembering her earlier outburst, Qingbi bit her lip and stayed quiet. She couldn’t embarrass her lady a second time.