A Maid's Survival Story in a Noble Family Mansion? Rich Landlords Are More Appealing.

The words were left unsaid, but the underlying meaning was understood by both of them.

Having said all that, Chen Wanxing probably already had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on.

Once the business was over, Manager Liu returned to his usual warm and affable demeanor, as if the previous whispered conversation had never happened.

He stood up with a smile: "It's almost lunchtime. The young lady has come from afar, and it's a reunion with an old friend. How can we let you leave on an empty stomach?"

"Come on, come on, your aunt is free today, let her cook a few simple dishes, we can eat and chat, and she can also introduce you to the neighborhood."

Chen Wanxing quickly stood up, her face displaying a perfectly measured refusal: "How could I? It would be too much of a disturbance to Auntie and the family. I apologize for my intrusion today; it's already a pleasure to see Uncle Liu, how could I possibly come and bother them further?"

"Oh, young lady, you're being too polite," Manager Liu said, feigning displeasure but his tone becoming even more friendly.

"Your aunt knows about Linglong, the young lady who serves the lady in the Marquis's mansion. She'll be overjoyed if you go."

Besides, you call me Uncle Liu, and when you get to my doorstep you don't come in, sit down, and have a simple meal. If word gets out, won't people laugh at me, Old Liu, for not knowing how to treat guests?"

His words were earnest and his attitude resolute. Chen Wanxing knew this was a further signal of goodwill from the other party, and to refuse again would seem impolite, so she readily agreed with a smile, "In that case, I'll take the liberty of troubling you."

Manager Liu's house was not far from the cloth shop; it took less than a quarter of an hour to get there by carriage. It was a clean and presentable two-courtyard house.

Madam Liu was kind and wealthy. She was indeed very happy to see Chen Wanxing. She held Chen Wanxing's hand and talked to her for a long time. She then called her two daughters, her second son, and her youngest son to come out and pay their respects.

The hall was filled with laughter and conversation, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

The meal was quite exquisite, consisting of home-style dishes, but all were cooked to perfection, clearly with care. The atmosphere at the table was harmonious, with conversation limited to everyday matters and local customs, omitting any mention of the Marquis's residence or the Zhou family.

After the meal, Chen Wanxing sat for a while longer, drank a cup of tea to aid digestion, and then got up to take her leave. Manager Liu and his wife personally saw her to the door and urged her to visit often in the future.

Leaving the Liu family, Chen Wanxing boarded the carriage, her gentle smile gradually giving way to calm contemplation. Without further hesitation, she instructed the driver, "Leave the city and go to Jishan Manor."

The carriage left the city and traveled for an hour before stopping at the edge of a seemingly endless field.

Manager Zhang's house is located at the entrance of the estate, in a spacious courtyard with blue bricks.

Upon hearing that Chen Wanxing was coming to visit, Manager Zhang hurried over from the edge of the field, his trouser legs still covered in mud, his face showing genuine surprise and disbelief.

"Miss Linglong, what brings you to the estate in person? Please come inside, please come inside."

He welcomed Chen Wanxing into the main room and instructed his wife to serve some coarse tea and wild fruit. Although it was not refined, it exuded the simplicity characteristic of a rural household.

He rushed forward, too excited to do anything.

"Miss Chen, is that really you? My husband just came from the fields to call me, and I still can't believe it. Come, come inside and sit down."

Manager Zhang rubbed his hands together, his tone filled with genuine concern. He couldn't help but ask, "Miss, why did you suddenly come to Kaifeng? Did something happen in the capital? Or are you unwell?"

In his eyes, and in the eyes of most outsiders, being able to become a head maidservant by the side of the Marquis's wife was the best future and most respectable position. Unless there was a major change, why would he give it up so easily and leave the prosperous capital?

Seeing his sincerity, Chen Wanxing felt a warmth in her heart and gently explained:

"Uncle Zhang, rest assured, everything is fine in the capital, and the Marquis and his wife are both safe and sound. It is because I have been away from home for many years and miss my family. My wife is kind and understanding, and that's why she has been kind enough to let me leave the manor. There has been no mishap."

Upon hearing this, Manager Zhang visibly breathed a sigh of relief, but then a deep sense of regret appeared on his face as he said, "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright. It's just a pity about your future, young lady."

He genuinely believed that Chen Wanxing would have a better future if she stayed in the Marquis's residence.

He looked at Chen Wanxing, his eyes filled with undisguised gratitude:

"If it weren't for the girl's keen eye back then, which allowed her to spot the fatal flaw in the project and plead our case before the madam, our whole family would probably have been sold off to a desolate place long ago, and it would be hard to say whether we would have survived."

I, Old Zhang, will always remember this life-saving grace!

His voice was trembling with emotion, and his eyes even reddened as he recounted the past. This kindness was clearly of paramount importance.

Chen Wanxing smiled modestly: "Uncle Zhang, you flatter me. It's just my duty. Madam knows that you've always been diligent in managing the estate for the Marquis's manor. Now that you and your family are all well, things are finally settled."

"Thanks to the young lady, everything is fine, everything is fine!" Manager Zhang nodded repeatedly, his face beaming with simple satisfaction.

Chen Wanxing pondered for a moment, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face, as if he were considering a difficult matter.

She looked up at Steward Zhang, her tone asking for his opinion: "Uncle Zhang, you are an elder with a lot of experience. I have something I can't decide on and would like to hear your opinion."

"Please speak, young lady. Whatever Old Zhang knows, he has never uttered a falsehood," Manager Zhang said immediately upon hearing this.

"Although I have been freed from slavery, I am still a former servant of the Marquis's household. It is only through the great kindness of the Madam that I have been able to return home," Chen Wanxing said slowly.

"In your opinion, now that I've returned to Kaifeng, shouldn't I, out of courtesy and propriety, visit the old residence to pay my respects to the masters and kowtow, thus fulfilling my proper etiquette?"

Manager Zhang did not answer immediately. After thinking for a moment, he asked with concern:

"Now that you've settled down in the prefectural city, how do you make a living? If you're doing some business, you might need to use your connections and influence to pay a visit and borrow the old mansion's name. That wouldn't be a bad idea."

He spoke frankly, genuinely concerned for Chen Wanxing's future.

Chen Wanxing shook his head slightly, his tone calm: "Thank you for your concern, Uncle Zhang. The Madam has been kind enough to give me some money to live on. I plan to buy some land in the countryside, so I won't have to worry about making a living for now. I just want to live a peaceful life."

"Then don't go. Now that you've redeemed yourself, you have nothing to do with the Marquis's mansion anymore, let alone the old house."

Seeing the puzzled look on Chen Wanxing's face, he explained, "Miss, you have been in the capital for a long time and may not know this."

"Our place is nominally the old residence of the Marquis's family, but it's been separated from the Marquis's residence in the capital for a long time, and the relationship is very distant. Only when a new Marquis inherits the title does he have to return to his ancestral home to offer sacrifices to Heaven and his ancestors, according to custom. Otherwise, the two sides have almost no contact!"

He held up three fingers, his expression grave: "More importantly, this old house is a complete mess."

Of the three masters, the eldest master is the legitimate son and manages the family business. However, the old lady is the biological mother of the second and third masters, so her heart is naturally biased.

The crowd below was siding with each other, creating a chaotic and murky atmosphere. Given your sensitive status, having come from the household of the ladies of the capital, if you were to suddenly enter now, who knows what they might interpret it as, and you could easily be dragged into a storm of gossip. Then, you might find yourself unable to clear your name no matter how hard you try.”

After listening, Chen Wanxing's face showed a look of realization and lingering fear. He said sincerely, "So that's how it is. Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Zhang. If it weren't for your reminder, I would have done something foolish and gotten myself into trouble."

She let out a soft sigh, as if relieved of a burden, then her tone became somewhat worried, as if she had suddenly remembered something:

"Now that you mention it, I'm starting to worry. My sister Amber, who came back from the capital with me, went straight to her relatives' house as soon as she got back. Her family works at the old mansion."

Amber is simple-minded, but now she's caught up in that mess; I wonder how she is doing now.

Steward Zhang frowned. "Does the young lady know which family Amber belongs to?"

"Her family name is Zhou, and I heard she works in the stables."

Upon hearing this, Steward Zhang's face showed undisguised disgust: "The Zhou family in the stables."

Zhou Laosan was a master of flattery and bootlicking, his eyes always glued to his superiors' faces. He desperately tried to get close to the Third Master, who lived in the East Courtyard. The Third Master, tsk…

He shook his head, his unfinished words carrying a hint of disagreement, "He is the old lady's youngest son, spoiled and pampered, and loves to show off. He is also quite reckless."

What good opportunities could Zhou Laosan possibly gain by associating with him? It's nothing more than some shady dealings that can't be brought to the table.

"Young lady, your sister is unlikely to have a peaceful life now that she's in the hands of such relatives."

His tone was resolute, based on his understanding of the Zhou family's character, and he had already made a pessimistic judgment.

Chen Wanxing didn't say much, only sincerely thanked him, "Thank you for telling me frankly, Uncle Zhang. I understand now."