Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 13: Chapter 8 Provocation Failed_2

Young Master Du wasn’t entirely bad, as he didn’t just buy Han Qiu alone but intended to purchase both siblings together.

“Du San, give them a hundred taels.” Young Master Du didn’t hesitate and waved his hand generously. An official slave now cost but twenty to thirty taels, and the Han siblings were worth about fifty taels, which was already quite good. What he didn’t know was that Old Lady Xu was very generous, having sold them to Gu Changsheng for merely thirty taels.

Gu Changsheng slowly shook his head and spoke with regret, “Young Master Du, you misunderstood. It’s not a hundred taels, but ten thousand taels.”

Xiao Cui looked at Young Master Du, whose mouth was agape, with sympathy. Her mistress was never easy to talk to, and this Young Master Du was rather pitiable.

“Ten thousand taels?” Young Master Du finally found his voice and asked uncertainly.

“Yes, ten thousand taels, and they’re yours.” Gu Changsheng leisurely stroked her hair bun, still quite approachable.

“Ah! You’re really asking for the moon! What a big mouth you have!” Young Master Du’s temples throbbed, clearly infuriated.

“Sir, don’t be fooled by her. When we bought them last time, it only cost us forty taels.” Du San chimed in smartly. Ten thousand taels for them was outrageous, enough for a family to live on for generations!

Gu Changsheng turned around and sympathetically glanced at the Han siblings. Clearly, these two had depreciated upon reaching her; Young Master Du had spent forty taels to buy them while she had become their new owner for just thirty. Tsk tsk, the market really had dropped quickly.

“Young Master Du, as the saying goes, fair trade. We bargain. Now that I am their master and seeing that they quite like me, ten thousand taels, even that is because I am taking into account your affection for her and am cutting my losses.”

Gu Changsheng appeared very generous, which infuriated Young Master Du so much that he gnashed his teeth and bitterly said, “It seems you refuse to recognize what’s good for you?”

“What’s it going to be? If the deal falls through, are you thinking of forcibly taking them?” Gu Changsheng shrugged, clearly disappointed.

“Sir, I am indeed planning to take them by force!” Young Master Du also grew angry. He had been polite, yet she made him lose face; if she continued being difficult, he couldn’t be blamed. He shouted loudly, his rage burning, “What are you waiting for, grab Han Qiu for me!”

“Hold on, Young Master Du. Won’t you reconsider?” Gu Changsheng squinted her eyes, not really wanting to fight, as it might set a bad example for her darling son. Additionally, although Young Master Du was a bit overbearing, he wasn’t entirely bad; his look at Han Qiu even contained some worry.

“Sir, I have considered it. With you folks, reasoning is futile. Come on then, what are you waiting for!” Young Master Du was seething with murderous intent, having failed as a pampered young master; no wonder his father always looked down on him. Acting quickly might save him from being played by this cunning woman!

“Don’t fight, don’t fight, let’s talk this out! Madam, madam, for the sake of the young one, please don’t wreck my small shop,” Shopkeeper Zhang pleaded, seeing a fight was imminent and knowing he couldn’t avoid it; he didn’t dare to beg Young Master Du and could only appeal to Gu Changsheng.

“Don’t worry. If anything breaks, let Young Master Du foot the bill. He clearly looks like someone who isn’t short of money.” Gu Changsheng twisted her wrist and dismissed Han Qiu, who had moved forward to help. “Just take care of my precious son and your brother, that’s enough. I can handle this little trouble myself; I’m in need of some practice!”

Xiao Cui, holding a quiet Little Meat Bun, Gu Ze, and the reticent Han Mo, stepped back. Did their mistress really have to love fighting this much?

Seeing her like this, Young Master Du’s men hesitated. This wasn’t right. Usually, wouldn’t people be begging for mercy by now? Why did this lady seem like she was asking for a fight? Where had things gone wrong?

“Didn’t you say you were going to take them by force? Come on, what are you waiting for?” Gu Changsheng rubbed her hands together, eagerly eyeing the dozen or so thugs, unsure if they were up to standard.

“What are you waiting for? Go!” Young Master Du kicked the man in front, his people having embarrassed him thoroughly, “What are you afraid of? If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility. Surely you’re not scared of a woman? I’ve wasted resources on you!” Another kick sent the servant stumbling.

The man steadied himself, straightening his stance, feeling quite wronged. He wanted to go forward, but something felt off!

With bows drawn, a fight seemed imminent, and Shopkeeper Zhang despairingly crawled under the counter.

“Make way! Make way! Sir, there’s terrible news…” A Servant Boy parted the crowd outside, three layers deep, pushing through while shouting loudly.

Young Master Du furrowed his brows and turned around, his men also lowering their hands due to this sudden disturbance, secretly relieved.

“What’s the matter? You’re rushing in here, losing all decorum!” Young Master Du unhappily addressed the servant who had crawled to his feet, his residual anger still evident.

Gu Changsheng found it discordant to hear Young Master Du speak of decorum. It seemed they wouldn’t fight after all, so she relaxed and watched the drama unfold.

“Sir, Madam found out you came to see Miss Han again and she was so upset that she went into labor.” The Servant Boy, out of breath from hurrying, revealed the urgency.

Hearing this, Young Master Du’s entire demeanor changed, no longer angry but visibly anxious as he grabbed the servant’s shoulders, “How is Madam now? Is she alright?”

“The midwife says it’s a difficult labor, fearing neither mother nor child will make it. Sir, Madam is waiting to see you one last time!” After speaking, the servant collapsed to the ground, weeping.

Young Master Du sat down hard on the ground, his face a picture of disbelief as his flesh trembled uncontrollably, “Impossible! This can’t be! Wanniang won’t have any trouble! She won’t…” He muttered, trying to get up but nervously collapsing twice more.

Gu Changsheng frowned as she watched Young Master Du on the ground and then glanced at Han Qiu, who maintained a stoic face. Something wasn’t adding up. Just a moment ago, he had been desperate to take Han Qiu as a concubine, and now he seemed deeply concerned for his wife. What was going on?

Feeling uneasy under Gu Changsheng’s gaze, Han Qiu’s face showed a struggle but finally moved forward. “Madam, actually, Young Master Du is not a bad person.”