Liu Tián Qǔ ordered lunch and began to look through her predecessors' memories and contemplate. Every once in a while she would mutter the words, "Open up a line of negotiation."

Liu Tián Qǔ was lost so deep in thought she didn't pay attention to what she ate. After completing her meal, she threw more than enough money on the table to cover her meal and left the restaurant.

The restaurant was in the heart of the market area in the Imperial City. A short time later, Liu Tián Qǔ found herself standing in front of a horse stable in the process of buying a docile 15 hands all black mare.

The horse was magnificent with a shiny coat, mane, and tail. Liu Tián Qǔ walked around the beautiful horse, wondering how it wasn't sold yet. That was until she discovered it was blind.

Liu Tián Qǔ wanted to buy it anyway it was so beautiful she immediately fell in love with it. She opened up the negotiation for the price of the horse with the stable owner.

As she negotiated, Liu Tián Qǔ kept her eyes on the young boy that was handling the horse. The first thing she noticed was that the young boy was very pale and skinny. He had bruises all over his face as if he was beaten and walked with a slight limp. He looked to be no more than 11 or 12 years old.

The most important thing was that although he was young. He handled the blind horse expertly. Turning to the owner who looked anxious to get rid of the black horse Liu Tián Qǔ said, "I will tell you right now I am very interested in buying this horse. To me, it doesn't matter that it is blind. However, this horse will need special care. I don't have anyone in my residence who knows how to care for this kind of horse. However, I do have an idea."

"Young Master I too will be honest with you. I've been trying for a while now to sell this horse. Many people have come to look at it. However, once they realized the horse is blind no one would buy it. So please do tell what idea does Young Master have?" The stable owner said anxiously

Liu Tián Qǔ pointed over to the young boy that was struggling to carry a pail of water to the blind horse. "Who is that?"

"Ah?" The stable master exclaimed slightly puzzled spinning around to see who Liu Tián Qǔ was inquiring about. Seeing the young boy, the stable owner began to wonder why the Young Master would suddenly ask about a lowly slave. "That is Sōng Shǔ. He is a weak slave I got at a discounted price while purchasing a different slave. Although he is weak, he does seem to learn fast."

"I like how he handles the blind horse. Is he an important slave in your stables?" Liu Tián Qǔ asked praying that the horse stable owner would say no.

"Not important, he's not important at all." The stable owner said hurriedly. Liu Tián Qǔ slowly and discretely let out a slow breath of relief. As the stable continued to say, "I can sell him to you to help with the blind horse."

Catching on quickly immediately, the stable owner began singing the virtues of the young boy. "Although I practically got him for free. Let me tell you, I had him for about a month and a half and since he's come. He learned just about everything there is to know in the stables. He's a little weak, but he is astute. I can even sell him to you at the price I bought him." The poor stable master was working hard to close the deal and get rid of the blind horse.

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Liu Tián Qǔ started to get a bit suspicious. However, she just shrugged it off in her past life she took equestrian classes from a top trainer and became very good at horse riding. She felt that as long as she controlled the horse well and was more focused while riding. There shouldn't be a problem. According to the stable owner, the docile horse was carefully bridle trained.

Shortly after Liu Tián Qǔ closed the deal with the beaming stable owner and accepted Sōng shǔ slave contract from him. The stable owners smile was so wide the corners of his lips practically touched his ears.

Liu Tián Qǔ named the horse Wēi Guāng and decided to go for a ride. She informed the stable owner she would be going for a ride and would pick up Sōng Shǔ on the way back.

The stable owner called Sōng shǔ over and informed him he was sold to Liu Tián Qǔ. He told him that from now on, he was to follow Liu Tián Qǔ and take care of the blind horse. After which the stable owner disappeared.

Sōng shǔ looked at Liu Tián Qǔ with placid steady eyes that didn't belong on a young boy. Liking the steadiness she saw in the young boy. Liu Tián Qǔ took out some coin and passed them to the boy. Before saying, "You look hungry. First, you will buy yourself something to eat. Then go to the public baths and clean yourself. After doing that you will purchase new clothing and throw away those rags you are wearing. I also gave you enough money to see a doctor and get your injuries treated. You will be of no help to me if you are injured. Do you understand?"

As Liu Tián Qǔ spoke to the boy, the placid look in his eyes slowly vanished. His eyes became sharp and clear. They were full of deep shock. It took him a moment before be said, "Yes, I understand."

"Good," Liu Tián Qǔ said before asking. "Do you have any family you would like to bring along with you?"

Sōng shǔ immediately fell to his knees and began to earnestly kowtow as he said in a voice thick with emotion, "Young master I only have a little sister left. She is very sick. I sold myself to get money to treat her illness. However, the doctors said that it was still not enough to treat her. I want to bring her along. Will Young Master please have mercy and help me treat my sister's illness." Sōng shǔ head kept hitting the floor with a hard thunking made Liu Tián Qǔ scared he was going to bash his brains out by mistake.

Reaching down, she pulled the young boy to his feet. Her heart hurt slightly to see his little forehead covered in blood. "How much did the doctor tell you the treatment will cost?"

With tears glistening in his eyes, Sōng shǔ said with a voice full of hopelessness and helplessness, "The doctor said the medicine for treatment is expensive. Everything together cost 83 taels of silver."

Liu Tián Qǔ took out ten gold taels and gave it to him, ignoring how wide his eyes got upon being given the gold. Liu Tián Qǔ said, "After you take your sister for treatment. Take her to get something healthy eat that will nourish her body. Let her clean up and get clean new clothes for her too. Do not show the money around. Keep it hidden lest you be robbed."Liu Tián Qǔ told the young boy with a stern face.

"You will be assigned as an assistant in the stables of my residence. When your sister is well, she will be put to work working as an assistant to my personal maid. She will be paid for her services. You will be representing me. So when you buy clothing, do not buy the cheapest clothing you can find. You will purchase three sets of clothing befitting your station. After you finished all that, hire a carriage to take you to my residence. Do not try to walk. The distance is far, and your sister is not well enough to bare long walking. What money you have remaining you and your sister may keep. Do you understand?"

So strong was Sōng shǔ emotions he could hardly talk. It took him several heart beats to finally say, "I understand young master." As he was about to start kowtowing in gratitude Liu Tián Qǔ grabbed him for fear he would start banging his head on the ground again and smash out his brains.

"No need to bow hurry and go carry your sister to the doctor. Her illness should be treated immediately" After giving Sōng shǔ instructions on where the residence was and how to get to it, she sent him on his way.