Testing Character

"Miss Lily, are you looking to buy a maid? Why not take these two girls off my hands?" Madam Shea eyed Lily Evans, eager to get rid of the hot potatoes that were Laney and Jenny. "Both of them learned proper manners at The Jasmine House, they're quick and know how to read a room—much better than those clueless little girls you'd get from the child broker."

Lily Evans glanced down at the two unfortunate sisters. The money to buy servants was nothing to her, but she needed someone trustworthy to care for Margaret Evans. If she brought home girls with scheming minds, she'd never sleep soundly again.

So Lily's eyes flickered with calculation, and she muttered to herself, "Hmm, which one should I buy?"

Suddenly, Laney knelt before Lily Evans, tears streaming down her face. "Madam, please buy my little sister! She's obedient and hardworking—she'll serve you and the master well."

Jenny was stunned, sitting blankly on the floor. Laney grabbed Jenny's arm and lifted it up for Lily to see, her voice urgent. "Madam, don't be fooled by my sister's thin frame—she's strong! She can haul water, chop wood, anything you need. She eats little, works hard—please, buy my sister!"

Jenny finally snapped out of it, clinging to Laney's arm and sobbing, "Sis, don't abandon me!"

Laney pushed Jenny away with a heavy heart, her eyes fierce as she scolded, "Go with this kind madam, and don't ever come looking for me again!"

Jenny, crying uncontrollably, crawled over and hugged Lily Evans's feet. "Madam, please buy my sister! Madam Shea beats her all the time—she'll be beaten to death if she stays!"

Laney dragged Jenny back, her face fierce as she snapped, "Shut up! What do you know?" Then she knelt and bowed to Lily Evans, pleading, "Madam, I beg you—please buy my sister!"

"Buy my sister!" Jenny, her face stubborn, bowed her head in determination.

Both sisters knelt down, bowing their heads to the ground, each insisting that Lily Evans buy the other instead.

Lily Evans watched the two girls, her feelings tangled. It was clear they both knew The Jasmine House was a den of wolves, that staying meant a fate worse than death—yet each desperately tried to give the only chance of escape to her sister.

Just from this alone, it was obvious the sisters had good hearts—kind souls who always thought of others.

Lucky tugged gently at Lily’s sleeve, his voice soft with sympathy. "Lily, they’re so pitiful."

Laney and Bamboo’s foreheads were almost raw from bowing. Lily’s heart ached for them, but she couldn’t show any weakness—if Madam Shea sensed her soft spot, she’d squeeze her for every coin. Keeping her face cold, Lily said, "My house is big, and there’s plenty of chores. I’m afraid just one girl wouldn’t be enough to handle it all."

Seeing Lily's hesitation, Madam Shea immediately seized the opportunity. "Miss Evans, why not buy both sisters?"

Laney bit her lip, fighting back tears, her eyes locked on Lily Evans, brimming with hope.

"I could buy them, but the price..." Lily pretended to hesitate, "The broker charges twenty taels for one girl, and you want me to take two..."

"Eighty taels! I’m selling at a loss! Both girls are untouched!" Madam Shea gritted her teeth, eager to rid herself of the two who only brought her trouble.

Lily’s eyes flashed as she coughed and straightened her face. "Fine, Madam Shea, bring out the Servant Deed."