Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 31 Why is this?

After a quick tour and following Qinghe around, Chen Xuan soon became confused about the directions. The layout of the Gao family mansion was indeed quite complicated.

This made him wonder, if there was a daring thief who came to steal, wouldn't he be confused and fall into a trap? Then he thought, if such a person really existed, he wouldn't be so stupid. He would definitely scout the place in advance, such as finding the craftsmen who built the courtyard to figure out the layout.

However, Chen Xuan also understood that the reason why he felt the terrain was complicated was simply because he was new there and not familiar with the place, and it was impossible for the Gao family to turn their house into a maze.

During this time, Qinghe occasionally introduced to Chen Xuan the purpose of each building and who lived there. However, it was getting dark, and the rain was pouring down, so he couldn't see clearly, so he just listened in vain. He didn't have a photographic memory, so how could he remember everything all at once?

After turning around a bit, Qing He pointed to a separate courtyard and said, "Xuan Ge'er, we're here. You'll live here from now on. If you don't change your place of residence, I think you'll have to live here for quite a few years."

As they were talking, they passed through the moon gate and entered the courtyard.

She said she would probably live here for a long time, so Chen Xuan couldn't help but take a closer look.

Although it is a small courtyard, its area is no less than one-third the size of a basketball court. There is a two-story building with a one-story house on the left and a small sloping-roof house on the right.

In addition, a cluster of green bamboos is planted at the corner of one side of the courtyard, and there is a small rockery close to the base of the wall. There is also a small pond on this side with a few koi carps in it.

On the other side is a plum tree. The plant is thick but not tall, and its branches cover one-fifth of the yard. There is a stone table and stone bench under the plum tree. The petals of the plum tree have completely fallen off, and it is covered with tender leaves. The tender leaves are lush and green under the rain.

As he looked around, Qing He patiently introduced, "Xuan'er, the main building of this courtyard is the young master's residence. It has two floors. The lower floor has three rooms. The left side is the study, and the middle is the dining area. However, the young master usually doesn't eat here at home. He always goes to the mistress to eat together. The right side is the bathing place. The second floor has two rooms and a terrace. The left side is the young master's bedroom, and next to it is the personal maid's quarters. The terrace is where the young master can usually drink tea, read, and enjoy the surrounding scenery."

"Besides, there's the side house next to the main building, which is also where you'll live. It also has three rooms. The bedroom on the left has all the necessary daily necessities prepared. If you need anything, just let us know and we can get it from the warehouse. If the warehouse doesn't have it, we'll buy it outside. The middle is where you'll eat, and the right is where you'll wash your hands."

"See that little sloping-roofed room next to the main building? That's the toilet. You go there when you need to use the restroom. There's a toilet in the room, so you can use it there. The servants clean it every morning, so you don't have to worry about these trivial matters. By the way, you can just leave your clothes in the bathroom, and the servants will wash, dry, and bring them back."

Hearing this, Chen Xuan was a little surprised. This treatment was too good. Not only was he living in a 'suite', but he also had someone to clean up the mess and even wash his clothes. How could this be considered a purchased servant? This was probably the treatment that a young master from an ordinary wealthy family would receive.

If that's the case, what the hell does it matter that I used to work myself to death for a few thousand dollars a month and live in a depressing coffin room?
Not knowing what he was thinking, Qing He continued, "That's basically it. You have to remember, only you and the young master can enter the study in the main building. Even the personal maid is not allowed. You have to keep an eye on the servants when they come to clean. If anything goes wrong, you will be punished. Also, on the second floor of the main building, except for you and the young master's personal maid, no one else can go up there."

In other words, when the servants come here to clean, their scope is limited to their own side rooms and courtyards, as well as the two rooms on the right side of the first floor of the main building.

Rich families have many rules, and Chen Xuan, out of caution, asked weakly, "Sister Qinghe, do you mean the place where other people can't go, including the master, mistress, housekeeper He, and you?"

"Brother Xuan is really fun. Of course the master and the mistress are not included, but Steward He and we have to inform each other before we can set foot here," Qinghe laughed immediately, amused by Chen Xuan's words.

Well, Chen Xuan also felt that he was a bit of a nitpicker.

Smiling, Qing He looked at the plum tree and said, "Xuan'er, remember this. This plum tree needs to be monitored regularly. If any disease occurs, report it promptly and ask the gardener to take care of it. Li Shu, Li Shu, this is a reminder to the young master to be polite. It's very important."

Chen Xuan was secretly shocked when he heard this. There was actually such a rule.

After the introductions were almost over, Qing He walked towards the side room and said, "Come, Xuan Ge'er, let's take a look at your place. If there's anything you need, we can have someone deliver it to you as soon as possible."

Then the two of them entered the side room and took a look. They found that all the daily necessities, beddings and quilts were complete and new. Chen Xuan didn't notice anything missing at the moment. Qinghe just said, "Let's leave it like this for now and tell us when we remember."

Then she and Chen Xuan came to the middle room of the side house and pointed to the corner seriously and said, "Xuan'er, do you see the bell and three ropes over there?"

"I see, Sister Qinghe, do you have any explanation for this?" Chen Xuan nodded.

Qing He said, "Of course there is, Xuan'er, you have to remember this. One end of the bell leads directly to the Young Master's main building. Once it rings, it means the Young Master wants you to go over there for something. You must not neglect it, even if it's in the middle of the night. The other three ropes are also very important. If you need to tell the maid outside something, pull the rope on the left. If you need a servant, pull the middle rope. If you need a guard, pull the right rope. The corresponding person will come quickly, saving you from running back and forth."

"Okay, Sister Qinghe, I'll remember it," Chen Xuan nodded, guessing that the other end of the three-o'clock rope also led to a specific place, and there was also a bell or something like that as a hint.

Not expecting Chen Xuan to remember it all at once, Qing He clapped his hands and said, "Okay, this is probably how it is here. Now go pull the rope on the left and ask the maid to bring some food. This will help you get used to it in advance."

Chen Xuan found this lifestyle quite novel, so he pulled the rope as he was told. Sure enough, within a minute or two, a maid in blue came hurriedly asking for instructions. Then, with Qinghe's encouraging gaze, Chen Xuan told her to go to the kitchen to get some food.

The maid who came after receiving the order did not dare to neglect him, but still asked if he had any food taboos or favorite foods. Chen Xuan said it was up to him.

However, when the maid was about to leave to get the food, Qing He instructed, "Make it a bit more substantial, with four dishes and a soup. Xuan Ge'er just arrived today, and we're welcoming him, so he needs to eat well. This is what Madam has arranged."

"Okay, Sister Qinghe, I'll remember that. I'll go and tell the kitchen right away," the maid bowed and left.

Originally, given Qinghe's status in the Gao family, there was no need for her to say that it was arranged by the Madam, but she still said it. This was to remind Chen Xuan intentionally or unintentionally of the master family's favor. Even if Chen Xuan didn't understand, she had to use this method to let him feel it silently.

Not realizing this, while waiting for the food to be served, Chen Xuan couldn't help but ask curiously, "Sister Qinghe, the young master went to the academy. You said before that the young master's personal maid was staying in the main building. She's been here for a while, but why is she not here?"

"Xuan'er, you actually noticed this. It's actually very simple. Because you hadn't come before, the young master's personal maids went to the academy to serve and share your responsibilities. They are maids after all, and many things are inconvenient for them. You will replace them in the future," Qinghe explained with a smile.

Chen Xuan was speechless and asked, "They?"

"Well, the young master has two personal maids named Xiaoye and Xiaocai. They are both in their teens. You will get to know them when they come back. They are responsible for making the young master's bed, folding the quilts, and warming the bed. When the young master becomes an adult, they will also have to take on the obligation of enlightenment. Xuan'er, you are still young, don't ask so many questions," Qinghe smiled with her hand covering her mouth, and rolled her eyes at Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan blinked. "What did I ask? And what does the obligation to educate others mean? Can you elaborate?"

Not long after, the maid from before came back with a wooden tray. Qinghe took it and sent her away.

The tray contained a rich array of dishes, including a whole steamed pigeon, a plate of stir-fried beef, a plate of stir-fried vegetables, a pile of braised meat, a pot of milky white fish soup, and a serving of rice. It was truly an exceptionally sumptuous meal.

After setting the food aside, Qing He called out, "Xuan'er, please sit down and eat while it's hot. It won't taste good if it gets cold. Besides, you won't be able to eat such sumptuous meals unless it's a festival. Oh, I forgot, you're different. You can't go without food when you follow the young master."

Anyway, I was hungry. At this point, I still had to serve the Gao family in the future. Chen Xuan was not polite and invited her, "Sister Qinghe, you must be hungry too. Sit down and eat together. I can't eat so much by myself."

"Since Xuan'er is so kind, I won't be polite," Qinghe said, smiling as she sat down. However, she reminded him, "Xuan'er, don't invite others to dine with you easily in the future. When you're out, you and the young master must eat at the same table, but it's against the rules to invite others. Even if you have good intentions, it will inevitably foster pampering in others. Remember that."

"I understand," Chen Xuan nodded.

Then the two began to eat. Qinghe stopped talking. She must have developed the habit of not talking while eating or sleeping at the Gao family. However, she carefully picked up some dishes and added more rice for Chen Xuan.

I don’t know where the Gao family hired the chef from, but some of the dishes were extremely delicious. Chen Xuan’s mouth was full of fragrance and he couldn’t stop eating.

But as he was eating, Chen Xuan's mind came back to what happened some time ago.

In the dark basement, eating and sleeping are accompanied by filth.

The hard-to-swallow pancake that Erdan gave him was secretly saved by the other party. He obviously couldn't even eat it himself, but he gave it to himself without hesitation.

There was also Zhang Lanlan. On the way to Jinxia County, she couldn't bear to eat the meat pie, so she secretly hid it, not afraid that it would go bad. Perhaps people who have never experienced hunger will never understand how happy it is to have a bite to eat when they are extremely hungry.

As Chen Xuan was thinking, he became a little absent-minded until Qinghe's words woke him up.

"Xuan Ge'er, why are you crying? Is the food not tasty? Or are you missing home?"

Chen Xuan was stunned when he heard this. "I'm crying? When did I not feel anything?"
I reached out and wiped my face, and it was indeed wet.

I stared blankly at my tear-stained hands, wondering why.
It’s all in the past, life has changed dramatically, and better days are still to come, but why am I crying?

It's a joke. I'm a grown man, so I must have gotten a brick in my eye!
……

(End of this chapter)