Chongxian Ward’s business seemed promising—low turnover and steady sales were clear signs. Yet, after wandering about, Shen Shaoguang found little information on available shops. Instead, she ended up “buying” a person.
Not a stranger, but A-Liu from the grain shop.
Despite her name meaning “willow,” A-Liu had none of the tree’s elegance. She was a tall, plump girl of fourteen or fifteen, a little simple-minded, whose footsteps thudded across the floorboards, yet she could lift half a sack of grain effortlessly. Shen Shaoguang often noticed her hauling goods around the shop.
“You foolish girl, as dumb as an ox, all you know is how to eat! I’ll beat you to death!” The grain shop mistress pinched the maid’s tender waist viciously as she cursed.
A-Liu pouted but didn’t dodge the pinching, only enduring silently.
The mistress grew even angrier. “Still making faces! Who do you think you are? You’re not the little vixen—I’ll show you who’s boss!” Grabbing a broom from the corner, she began thrashing the maid indiscriminately.
A-Liu hunched her shoulders, covering her head and face, absorbing each blow. Shen Shaoguang couldn’t bear it and stepped forward.
The mistress paused, panting, as she measured glutinous rice for Shen Shaoguang. A-Liu glanced at her, then stooped to gather the scattered beans.
After buying rice, Shen Shaoguang went next door for vegetables and casually asked about the maid.
“Her master took another maid, A-Xiang, from their household, and Mistress Xu is displeased, so she vents her anger on this simple-minded girl,” the vegetable seller revealed in a single breath.
“The poor girl…” Shen Shaoguang remarked gently.
“Indeed. A few years ago, slave traders brought her from Jiangnan during the floods. Mistress Xu bought two cheaply, hoping to use them and resell them later. One went to her husband, and this one remained simple-minded, fetching little value. Mistress Xu truly lost on this deal.”
“But she works hard,” Shen Shaoguang noted.
“Ah, but Mistress Xu cannot see that!” the woman sneered.
Shen Shaoguang stepped outside, carrying her vegetables. She spotted A-Liu squatting by the grain shop door, munching on a steamed millet cake, mistress nowhere in sight.
“Why didn’t you dodge?” Shen Shaoguang asked.
“The sooner the beating ends, the sooner I can eat,” A-Liu mumbled.
Shen Shaoguang paused, then smiled. “If I bought you, would you come with me?”
A-Liu’s eyes widened. “Will you feed me?”
“All you can eat,” Shen Shaoguang replied.
“Good!” A-Liu’s response was immediate and heartfelt.
Shen Shaoguang nodded. “Eat up. I’ll find your master.”
She approached the shop’s courtyard door, knocking politely. The grain shop mistress appeared, smiling faintly. “Does the young lady wish to buy more grain?”
“I’m not here for grain,” Shen Shaoguang said directly. “Would the mistress sell the maid who minds the shop outside?”
The mistress, caught off guard, could barely hide her surprise. “I’ve watched her grow up; I’m attached to her,” she said, feigning reluctance.
Shen Shaoguang simply smiled. “In that case, I won’t take what the mistress cherishes,” and turned to leave.
After a dozen steps, the mistress hurried after her. “Young lady, wait—let’s discuss this further.”
Shen Shaoguang stopped gracefully, smiling. “Is the mistress willing to part with her now?”
The mistress hesitated, then offered sheepishly, “Three thousand copper coins.”
Shen Shaoguang didn’t flinch. “This year’s drought and rain will reduce harvests. When autumn taxes are collected, who knows how many people will sell their children or servants?”
The mistress considered this and, remembering her past miscalculation, agreed to a fair price of two taels of silver. Shen Shaoguang retrieved the money and insisted on completing the official sale contract at the government office. Turning to the little maid, she said warmly, “Come with me.”
Shen Shaoguang purchased daily necessities, bedding, and two sets of simple clothes, as A-Liu’s wardrobe was unsuitable. Back at her place, the girl bathed, washed her hair, changed into fresh clothing, and became presentable. Shen Shaoguang couldn’t help noticing how pretty she looked when properly cared for.
“Your soup noodles are delicious,” A-Liu said shyly.
Shen Shaoguang chuckled, recalling dinner earlier. “You have good taste.”
After a pause, A-Liu asked seriously, “Will you give me a name? I’m no longer Mistress Xu’s A-Liu.”
Shen Shaoguang smiled. “A-Yuan. Round face, very auspicious!”
A-Yuan beamed happily.
With A-Yuan’s help, Shen Shaoguang’s work became far easier. She could now handle delicate tasks at the stove, pre-steam zongzi, prepare rice cakes, and brew sour plum drinks, while A-Yuan managed lifting, fetching water, tending fire, and counting money. Her sharp calculations, likely honed at the grain shop, made her indispensable. Shen Shaoguang had truly found a treasure.
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