169: Young master, there are only three tonight.

Feng Ming naturally knew of Ye Feng's existence, but he appreciated him because he strictly kept to his duties.

Lu Zhenfeng had ordered him to protect him in secret and not to meddle in other matters, and he truly did not interfere.

Whatever happened between him and Lu Qianqian, the man didn't intervene; this was what a qualified and obedient guard should be.

Speaking of which, Feng Ming had to thank Ye Feng; otherwise, if word reached Lu Zhenfeng's ears, he would definitely come looking to fight him to the death.

Hua Clan Merchant House.

When Feng Ming appeared, the Waiter in the merchant house was very surprised and hurried to report it.

When Feng Ming saw Hua Dieer in the Hua Pavilion, she was dressed simply with her hair hanging loose.

Clearly, at this time, she had already retired for the night.

Feng Ming felt a bit apologetic. "I'm sorry to disturb you so late at night and interrupt your peaceful dreams."

Hua Dieer waved her hand. "It's no matter. I wonder what urgent business brings Young Master Feng here so late at night?"

Feng Ming nodded and handed a list to Hua Dieer. "I need the items on this list. You name the price."

"It would be best if you could have them ready for me before dawn."

Hua Dieer frowned and glanced at the list. "We have these things, but this isn't a recipe for refining Medicinal Pills. What do you intend to use them for?"

Feng Ming didn't hide it and said directly, "To improve my Physique."

Or rather, to cultivate a Physique.

Everything on this list was Materials for cultivating a Physique.

The Feng Family didn't have many members.

But the first person Feng Ming thought of was his own father.

What he had obtained was a Black-Yellow Rank Physique. He had specifically chosen a decent Black Rank Physique to let his old man try out.

Of course, if he got something better in the future, he would upgrade it for his father.

Hua Dieer's eyes flickered upon hearing this, but she didn't ask further. "Wait a moment, Young Master. Our merchant house has these items in stock; they should be ready in about half an hour."

"As for the price, let's not bother calculating it. We'll just deduct it from the payment for the Medicinal Pills."

The two had a partnership for the supply of Medicinal Pills. With the opening of Feng Ming's Shop, the supply of Medicinal Pills to the Hua Family had begun.

During this time, Hua Dieer had already received a batch of Medicinal Pills.

Using them to offset the cost was naturally no problem.

"Young Master, it's still early. Why don't I have someone come and sing some songs to entertain you?"

Feng Ming waved his hand. "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Dieer, but skip the songs. I still need to buy some other things."

Hua Dieer looked curious. Why hadn't Feng Ming included the other things he needed to buy on the list?

"Well, I want to buy a few Maidservants."

Hearing this, Hua Dieer's expression instantly soured.

She finally understood why Feng Ming hadn't put it on the list.

"I'm sorry, Young Master Feng, but I can't help you with this. Besides the Medicinal Pill business, the other trade our Hua Clan Merchant House never touches is the business of Maidservants and servants."

Feng Ming nodded. "That's a pity. In that case, could you please make arrangements, Miss Dieer, to take me to a place where I can buy servants?"

Although Hua Dieer was angry, she still nodded and had her Maidservant call over a Waiter.

After making the arrangements, Hua Dieer didn't stay. "Dieer takes her leave."

Feng Ming was somewhat bewildered.

This girl had quite a temper. He was just buying a Maidservant; what was the big deal?

Actually, Feng Ming could roughly guess the reason. It was simply because the founder of the Hua Clan Merchant House had come from a humble and poor background and had endured many hardships.

Therefore, after becoming successful, they established many rules; besides Medicinal Pills, they would not engage in the business of Maidservants and servants.

This was her way of empathizing with others, not wanting to push those innocent people who had no choice in their fate into deeper suffering.

Because of her humble origins, she had seen too many servants and Maidservants meet a bad end because they chose the wrong master.

But the lives of those servants and Maidservants were still lives.

That was why she set the rule not to deal in the business of Maidservants and servants.

In Feng Ming's view, Madam Hua was a pioneer on the path to equality for all, but under a feudal System, such a wish was too difficult to realize.

Even Feng Ming, a modern person, didn't dare to preach the concept of equality for all after arriving here.

All he could do was treat these servants and Maidservants well.

The person Hua Dieer arranged was quite reliable and soon led Feng Ming to an Underground Market in Qingyang City.

This place clearly dealt in some rather unsavory business.

Trading servants and Maidservants was obviously not a very honorable business either.

Led by the Waiter, Feng Ming arrived at a shop where he was greeted by a middle-aged man who was momentarily stunned upon seeing him.

Clearly, he had recognized Feng Ming.

It wasn't that he was exceptionally well-informed, but rather that Feng Ming had caused quite a stir in the few days since arriving in Qingyang City.

Few people didn't know who he was now.

Therefore, the boss directly called out Feng Ming's name.

"Young Master Feng is truly a distinguished guest. I wonder what the Young Master would like to buy?"

Feng Ming didn't waste words.

After all, what he wanted to do wasn't something that couldn't see the light of day; great households could not do without Maidservants and servants.

He didn't think buying a Maidservant was shameful either; the only difference was that usually, the people who came to such places were managers like stewards.

Rarely did a master come in person.

Feng Ming said flatly, "I want to buy a few Maidservants."

The Shopkeeper looked at Feng Ming with a smile. "I wonder how the Young Master intends to use them?"

Feng Ming was stunned. Were there different ways to 'use' a Maidservant?

The Waiter whispered in Feng Ming's ear, "Young Master, that's jargon. It means he's asking if they are for Household Use or Personal Use."

Feng Ming was even more confused. Why was there a distinction between Household Use and Personal Use?

Seeing that Feng Ming was a novice, the Shopkeeper smiled and said, "It seems the Young Master knows nothing at all."

Then he closed the door and explained to Feng Ming, "Household Use means Maidservants purchased for the manor to serve the family members. For these women, there are no special requirements for looks; they just need to be healthy and nimble."

The Shopkeeper paused and then said, "For Personal Use, the requirements are higher. After all, they are for the Young Master's amusement. Not only must they be beautiful, but their bodies must also be 'clean'."

"So, the price is naturally higher..."

Hearing this, Feng Ming finally understood the difference between the two terms.

However, his brow furrowed deeply.

It's said that the rich have many ways to play; it seemed they did this kind of thing often.

Feng Ming scoffed at this, but he also understood that on his own, he couldn't change anything.

If it were possible, Madam Hua would have dealt with it long ago.

At this moment, Feng Ming also understood why Hua Dieer had been angry.

So she thought he was buying Maidservants for... Feng Ming shook off these thoughts; business was more important.

"Either is fine. How many do you have here?"

The Shopkeeper laughed. "There are only three here tonight, and they are for Personal Use. Is the Young Master in a hurry?"

"If you're not in a hurry, I'll contact you when the new stock arrives."

Feng Ming waved his hand. "No, I'll take these three. I'm taking them now."

He was in a hurry to fleece the System; a wasted trip would be a waste of time and effort.

But to the Shopkeeper, his reaction clearly looked like he was impatient for pleasure.

Therefore, he smiled and rubbed his hands. "If the Young Master is in a hurry, the cost will be..."