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

In the stillness of the night, the Chen family courtyard was completely asleep.

Chen Wanxing closed her eyes, thinking about what had happened in the past few days. She decided that after going to the county town tomorrow, in addition to arranging for Yunzhu and the others to return to Kaifeng, she would also carefully select some gifts for her family.

She came back in a hurry this time and didn't bring anything for her younger siblings. She bought some things when she went to the county, regardless of their value, as long as it's a token of her affection.

Chen Wanxing woke up at dawn. Perhaps because she went to bed early the night before, she woke up earlier than usual.

After getting up quietly, Chen Wanxing pushed open the door. A crisp, cold air rushed in, and the courtyard was still shrouded in a thin layer of morning mist, quiet and deserted.

She went to the kitchen first to wash up with warm water. Chen's mother had also gotten up early and was lighting the fire in the stove to prepare breakfast for the family. When she saw her come in, a smile immediately appeared on her face: "Wanxing, you're up? Why didn't you sleep a little longer? It's still early."

"I can't sleep, Mother, let me help you." Chen Wanxing rolled up her sleeves.

"No need, no need. It's too smoky in here. You should go out quickly. Breakfast will be ready soon. Aren't you going to the county town today? It'll be cold on the road. Eat more to warm yourself up."

As she spoke, Chen's mother waved her hands repeatedly, trying to push her out. Chen Wanxing couldn't resist, so she had to leave the kitchen and slowly stroll around the yard to clear her head.

Grandma Chen never skimps on food and drink, but farm-style meals aren't particularly fancy. For a family like theirs, being able to eat their fill of staple food is already considered quite good.

Chen Wanxing secretly planned today's itinerary. In addition to arranging for Yunzhu to return to Kaifeng and buy gifts, she also planned to replenish the family's food, oil, salt, and New Year's supplies. Although her family wouldn't say anything openly, there was no need to give them anything to talk about, and she didn't need the money.

When she finished eating and put down her chopsticks, her gaze swept over her family members at the table, and a thought suddenly popped into her mind. Instead of picking out gifts one by one and having to think about what each of them liked, it would be better to just bring them all together and let each of them pick one. That would save her a lot of trouble and effort.

"Grandma, I'm going to the county town to take care of some things today. There's not much urgent farm work to do at home right now, so why don't we all go to the county town for a stroll? Consider it an early trip to buy some New Year's goods."

There was a moment of silence at the dinner table after these words were spoken, followed by various reactions.

Chen's mother was the first to shake her head: "How can that be? We don't have much to buy for the New Year. We can just buy what we need in town. The whole family going to the county town will cost a lot just for transportation, and we'll inevitably have to spend more money there..."

Mr. Chen quickly added, "Yes, Wanxing, you should have your older brother accompany you. Your business is more important first."

Unlike the adults at the table, the children became excited when Chen Wanxing suggested going to the county town together, looking at the adults at the table with anticipation.

Apart from Chen Qiuju, who accompanied Grandma Chen to the county town twice when she delivered the embroidery, the others had only ever been as far as the town.

Chen Wanxing had anticipated this and said calmly, "Dad, Mom, my younger brother and sister rarely go to the county town all year round. With the New Year just around the corner, the county town will definitely be more lively than usual. This is my first time back this year, and I want to take a look around the county town. It's rare for our family to have some free time, so why don't we take this opportunity to go sightseeing together? The fare is nothing; since I brought it up, I'll naturally pay for it."

My third aunt wasn't interested in going to the county town at first; she just kept her head down and ate her meal.

When she heard Chen Wanxing say that she was willing to pay for the round-trip fare, her eyes lit up. If someone was paying, then going for a trip to the county town wouldn't be a bad idea. But she glanced at Grandma Chen and her husband and didn't say anything immediately.

Grandma Chen remained silent, slowly sipping her porridge and listening to her children and grandchildren's discussion. Only when Mr. and Mrs. Chen tried to persuade her further did she put down her bowl and make the final decision:

"Wanxing's words make sense. The children have never been to the county town. It's rare for them to relax all year round. It would be good for them to go and join in the fun. After all, it's the New Year, so there should be some festive atmosphere."

We won't go. The county town is crowded, and it's not safe for the younger ones to go alone. Let Yanche accompany them, along with Qiuju, Dongmei, and Qinghui, to go for a stroll.

Once the old lady spoke, the matter was settled.

Ignoring the disappointed expressions on the faces of the remaining children, Qinghui cheered almost immediately upon hearing her grandmother's words, while Qiuju and Dongmei couldn't help but show expectant smiles as well.

After breakfast, everyone went back to their rooms to make some preparations. Chen Wanxing also went back to her room, took out the thickest cotton coat from her trunk and put it on, and then added a cotton vest that Granny Li had specially made for her.

Just as she finished tidying up, Grandma Chen waved to her from the doorway: "Wanxing, come here, Grandma wants to say something to you."

Chen Wanxing followed her grandmother into her room. Grandma Chen closed the door, rummaged under the bed for a while, and took out a small elm wood box that was still locked. Then she took out a key from the very back of the wardrobe.

Then he took out a heavy-looking red cloth bag from the box and walked up to Chen Wanxing. It probably contained all the cash the Chen family had.

Chen Wanxing glanced at it and saw a few pieces of loose silver, which looked to be about twelve or thirteen taels. The rest of the bag made it look heavy, mostly copper coins, strung together with hemp rope.

Grandma Chen reached inside and took out a string of copper coins, stuffing them into her hand without saying a word.

"Take it." Grandma Chen's tone left no room for argument.

This string of copper coins should contain a hundred coins. Chen Wanxing felt the weight in her hand and quickly refused, saying, "Grandma, I can't take this. I have silver on me."

"What you have is yours. Besides, you're just a maid; how many months' wages can you expect? You should save your money. You're not young anymore; you should save even more. Having savings in hand will give you peace of mind."

Grandma Chen held her hand and said earnestly, "Take this money. It's from Grandma. When you take your younger siblings out, they're young and will inevitably be tempted by things like sugar figurines and pastries. They'll pester you to buy them. I reckon you won't be able to refuse, knowing your personality."

And if you see anything you want to buy, buy it; don't be stingy, just use this money.

"Grandma, really, you don't have to..." Chen Wanxing was touched, but even more unwilling to accept it. Her third aunt was already complaining that her grandmother was biased, and if she saw this, it would probably cause another uproar.

Seeing that her granddaughter insisted on refusing to accept the money, Grandma Chen frowned, her face showing an unusual stubbornness and a hint of displeasure: "Why are you so stubborn, child? Grandma is giving you money to spend, isn't that enough? Or do you think it's not enough?"

"Grandma, how could I have meant that?" Chen Wanxing quickly shook her grandmother's sleeve and explained with a smile:

"I think you're getting old and should keep your money for yourself. How could I take your money? Besides, you manage the household accounts. If people find out I'm giving you money, they'll say you're being biased."

"What do you mean 'yours' and 'mine'?" Grandma Chen interrupted her, her tone becoming more forceful. "This money was originally intended for you. It's my own personal savings, and it has nothing to do with the public funds."

I told you before, this little bit of my savings was for your dowry. I'm just taking a little out of it in advance for your allowance today. Why is that not okay? You insist on refusing it. Do you not recognize me as your grandmother anymore? Don't you consider yourself a member of the Chen family?