The slave market was bustling with noise, slaves knelt on the ground bound in chains, surrounded by the sounds of whipping, spitting, and cursing, as well as cries pleading for mercy.
The air smelled bad, rich with the odors of blood and decay.
Chu Nanli pinched her delicate willow-shaped eyebrows and surveyed the environment.
Seeing her exceptional demeanor, a supervisor holding a whip hurried over to serve her.
"Miss, are you here to buy a slave or to seek pleasure?"
Before she came, Chu Nanli had already learned about the general situation of the slave market.
To seek pleasure meant that some elites would often come here to pay to abuse slaves—so long as they neither killed nor maimed them, they could do as they pleased.
And the slaves used for this purpose were the lowest of the low in the slave market, some of whom had been sold down to lower and lower statuses, others who had offended the wrong people and ended up here, and so on.
Chu Nanli spoke with a somewhat indifferent tone, "I'm buying a slave."
The supervisor, who knew how to read the room, saw that Chu Nanli didn't want to talk much and realized she wasn't interested in those dark, dirty games. Although he felt slightly regretful that he couldn't make a bigger profit, he didn't show it on his face.
"What kind are you looking for? Let me recommend some for you."
"Obedient, sharp."
Chu Nanli spoke two words coolly and then started walking further in, "I'll look around myself."
"Alright then."
The supervisor agreed, but did not leave. Instead, he followed behind her, continuing to talk.
"Miss, I see that you have an extraordinary air about you; ordinary slaves aren't fit to serve you. Our highest class of slaves have studied in private schools and come from clean family backgrounds. They are here voluntarily because their families have fallen on hard times and they have no other way to make a living. They come here hoping to one day catch the eye of someone important and rise again."
At these words, Chu Nanli showed a flicker of interest, more accurately, she was surprised.
"Voluntary servitude?"
Seeing her reaction, the supervisor beamed, "Yes, miss, is this your first time buying a slave here?"
Chu Nanli did not hide her inexperience and nodded.
"That's why," the supervisor said, "this is the largest slave market in the Capital City, so many officials and nobles come here to pick slaves. The ages of the slaves range from a few years old to several decades, and we have all kinds with various skills. If the officials and nobles come to pick someone themselves, they choose this kind. Either they take them for direct use, handy…"
He used the words one might use to describe a tool, gave Chu Nanli a knowing look, and continued, "Or they can keep them close to raise and turn into trusted aides. This is why so many are willing to come here and become slaves voluntarily. They're betting on a chance, banking on success to skyrocket in status. If they fail, they end up being less than pigs and dogs, subject to anyone's abuse."
Clearly, he had seen this kind of thing often.
Having listened, Chu Nanli felt a mix of emotions but had to admit that it's not something just anyone could do with such resignation.
"Miss," the supervisor glanced at her expression and probed, "Would you like to take a look? These higher-class slaves are very easy to command."
Chu Nanli indeed wanted someone sharp and capable of helping her with her work, not just an ordinary maid. Hearing this, she was about to nod.
But at that moment, a decisive voice came from nearby.
"Could the miss buy me?"
Chu Nanli was slightly startled and stopped to turn and look.
Among a group of kneeling slaves, a woman raised her head and looked straight at her. Her hair was disheveled and her face bore injuries, but her back was ramrod straight, and her face showed no sign of fear.
The supervisor, who did not expect someone to jump out and steal his business, especially a slave, was taken aback.
Seeing the "prisoner" character on her clothing, he grew even unhappier and lashed out with his whip in his hand.
The woman didn't dodge. She was hit solidly by the whip, grunted in pain, and her face paled considerably.
"This is none of your business! You official slaves who have been implicated by a family crime are the lowest of the low, the filthy discards," the supervisor spat out disdainfully, "What does it matter if your family once had a higher status? When someone in your household commits a capital crime, all of you must suffer together. You should be grateful that you haven't been sent to Goulan Academy yet."
The woman clenched her hands, bound by chains, until veins bulged on the backs of her hands, yet she looked at Chu Nanli again and said, "Please, miss, buy me… This slave, this slave has been studying with a master since I was young, I can read and write…"
"When did a lowly wench like you get to speak!"
The supervisor's face was filled with displeasure as he raised his whip again, aiming straight for the woman's face.
A flash of indignation and humiliation crossed the woman's eyes, but she did not move.
The whip was caught in mid-air.
The woman sighed with relief and looked towards Chu Nanli, knowing she had bet correctly.
The supervisor was stunned for a moment before fretting, "Miss, your hand…"
"It's nothing,"
With that, she released the whip and said, "Let her continue."
This was her warning to him not to cause trouble.
The supervisor had an embarrassed look on his face. Although he was angry that this official slave did not know her place, he did not dare to obstruct any further.