Su Baozhu leaned close to Wang Xiu, lowering her voice, and recounted in full detail how Su Wanxing could identify medicinal herbs, sell ginseng for a fortune, and her plan to sell Su Wanxing to Zhang Yuanwai as a concubine. She finished with a final plea: “Cousin, I know you know Zhang Yuanwai. You have to help me! If it works, he gives 200 taels of silver, and I’ll give you 50 taels!”
Wang Xiu’s eyes lit up immediately. Fifty taels was no small sum—enough for their household to live comfortably for half a year. But she still hesitated. “Baozhu, this is human trafficking. If the authorities find out, we could go to jail! And that Su Wanxing… from what you said, she’s quite capable and can fight. If she discovers us, we’ll be in big trouble.”
“Afraid of what!” Su Baozhu scoffed. “We’ll do this secretly; no one will find out. Even if Su Wanxing is skilled, once she’s taken to Zhang Yuanwai’s house, what can she do? Besides, Zhang Yuanwai’s household is influential; even if something goes wrong, he can handle it. Cousin, 50 taels! With that money, you can buy nice things for your nephew, get some new clothes—what’s not to love?”
Tempted by the silver, Wang Xiu finally nodded. “Alright! I’ll help you! But you must guarantee that this stays secret. If anything goes wrong, I’m not responsible!”
“Don’t worry, cousin. Nothing will go wrong!” Su Baozhu clapped her hands in delight. “Now go contact Zhang Yuanwai, explain everything, and tell him that although Su Wanxing has some facial scars, her figure is good, she can bear children, and he will be satisfied.”
Wang Xiu nodded, not daring to delay, quickly changing clothes, and heading to Zhang Yuanwai’s residence on the east street of the county—a grand mansion. Wang Xiu had previously delivered goods to Zhang’s household and knew the steward.
Upon meeting the steward, Wang Xiu explained her purpose, embellishing Su Wanxing’s qualities. The steward, lacking authority, immediately reported to Zhang Yuanwai. Hearing that there was a young girl capable of bearing children, Zhang Yuanwai became interested and decided to meet Wang Xiu in person.
“Are you saying this girl really has the figure and can bear children?” Zhang Yuanwai squinted at Wang Xiu with a hint of doubt. Nearly fifty years old, he had several concubines but no sons and was eager to find a young, fertile girl for a ritual to ensure a male heir.
“Absolutely!” Wang Xiu quickly assured him. “She is my cousin’s niece. I’ve seen her; though she has a small facial scar, it doesn’t affect her ability to bear children. She’s slim and clearly capable of having a son.”
Zhang Yuanwai considered for a moment. “How much?”
“200 taels of silver,” Wang Xiu replied, the price prearranged with Su Baozhu.
Zhang Yuanwai frowned, finding it somewhat expensive, but thinking of the potential of having a son, he nodded. “200 taels it is. But one condition: she must be delivered to my residence unharmed. If anything happens, I won’t forgive you!”
“No problem! Zhang Yuanwai, I guarantee she will be safely delivered!” Wang Xiu quickly agreed, relieved.
Leaving Zhang’s residence, Wang Xiu hurried home to relay the good news to Su Baozhu. Hearing it, Su Baozhu jumped with joy. “Excellent, cousin! I knew you were the most capable!”
“Don’t celebrate yet,” Wang Xiu warned. “Zhang Yuanwai wants her delivered unharmed. How are we going to get Su Wanxing? She’s skilled in martial arts.”
Su Baozhu had already planned: “Cousin, leave that to me. I’ll hire a few reliable ruffians from the village to go to Su Wanxing’s house at night. While she sleeps, they’ll tie her up and bring her over. Her house is at the foot of the western hill; it’s far from the village, and no one will notice at night.”
Wang Xiu nodded. “Good, but make sure you choose trustworthy people. Don’t let them ruin the plan.”
“I know,” Su Baozhu said. “I’ll hire them tonight and act immediately, so by early morning she’ll be at Zhang’s residence.”
With that, Su Baozhu hurriedly left her cousin’s house and headed for Sujia’ao. She calculated that the village ruffians—Li San, Wang Wu, and others—were idle and greedy; a little money would persuade them to do the job.
By the time she returned to Sujia’ao, night had fallen. She didn’t go to the old house but instead went to the ruined temple where Li San and Wang Wu usually gathered. Sure enough, they were drinking there with two other ruffians.
“Brother Li San, Mister Wang Wu,” Su Baozhu greeted them with a smile.
Li San’s eyes lit up. “Ah, Miss Baozhu! What brings you here?”
“I need your help with something,” Su Baozhu said, placing two taels of silver on the table. “If you help me, this is yours. Once the job is done, I’ll give you another three taels!”
Five taels! The ruffians’ eyes gleamed. “Miss Baozhu, what’s the task? Tell us, and we’ll handle it properly!”
Su Baozhu lowered her voice and explained about tying up Su Wanxing, giving details of her home and appearance: “Su Wanxing lives at the foot of the western hill in her new house. She’s a young, slim girl. At night, when she’s asleep, take her to Zhang Yuanwai’s house in the county. Zhang’s people will meet you at the gate. Be careful and don’t get caught!”
Li San and Wang Wu exchanged glances, greed written in their eyes. Kidnapping a girl for five taels each? A windfall! Without hesitation, they agreed. “No problem! Miss Baozhu, tonight we act and will ensure she reaches Zhang’s residence safely!”
“Good!” Su Baozhu nodded, handing them the two taels as a deposit. “The remaining three taels I’ll personally deliver once it’s done.”
Li San weighed the silver and laughed. “Miss Baozhu is straightforward! We’ll prepare now and act on schedule tonight!”
Su Baozhu gave a few more instructions, reminding them not to mistake anyone, then returned to the old house. She felt elated, certain the plan would succeed, and soon she’d have the silver.
Meanwhile, Su Wanxing stayed at her new home with Su Wanfeng and Su Wanyue, reading together. Through the miniature cameras, she already knew about Su Baozhu’s trip to the county to meet her cousin and suspected they were plotting to kidnap her. She had considered acting immediately but decided to wait, curious to see what tricks they would attempt. Instead, she strengthened her home’s defenses, adding a few more miniature cameras around the courtyard to ensure the safety of herself and her siblings.
Late at night, Su Wanfeng and Su Wanyue were asleep. Su Wanxing sat by the bed, monitoring her surroundings and the old household. She saw Li San, Wang Wu, and their accomplices sneaking near her house, hiding in the corners, and a cold smile curled at her lips. She thought: Finally, they’re here.