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

Chen Wanxing decided to settle on that abandoned house as her future home, and solemnly entrusted the land purchase to Chen Yongde.

After the major upheaval of dividing the family property, the household seemed to have entered a new, somewhat delicate period of calm.

Although the large stove in the public hall has not been dismantled immediately, the three households have already quietly started planning their own small stoves. The days slip by in this process of adjustment, which everyone is somewhat unaccustomed to.

Without their mother-in-law to keep them in check, the three daughters-in-law of the Chen family were all at a loss. Usually, Grandma Chen would take care of everything, from the grain to the crops, and they only needed to obey her.

Now that they are in charge, everyone is putting in their best effort to manage things meticulously. In particular, Aunt Chen is usually a bit stingy and calculating, and now she is even more afraid that if she doesn't calculate carefully enough, she will eat too much and fall behind others.

This caused Bao Ge'er and Gui Ge'er to cry every day at mealtimes because they weren't full. One time, when Chen's mother saw the children crying so pitifully, she wondered what was wrong and went over to comfort them. However, Chen's third aunt saw this and, feeling ashamed, improved their meals, and the matter was finally resolved.

The north wind grew stronger, making the bare branches whistle. On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, starting from the latter half of the night, fine snowflakes began to fall softly. By morning, they had turned into large, fluffy snowflakes, which soon covered Xiahe Village with a thick, clean, silvery-white layer.

The distant fields, the nearby rooftops, the firewood and paths in the yard all lost their original outlines, covered with a layer of white. The air was cold and crisp, and inhaling it gave one a unique sense of clarity and a stinging sensation.

The children couldn't wait any longer and went out in their bulky cotton-padded coats, chasing and playing in the snow in groups of three or five.

Grandma Chen looked out at the snow-covered world, sat in the warm kitchen tending the fire, and every now and then she would put a couple of pieces of firewood in. Then she would put her hand on the stove where the firewood was stored, where there were also sweet potatoes roasted for Chen Wanxing.

After the family division, the burden on her shoulders seemed lighter, but the tension in her heart hadn't completely eased. Especially regarding the second branch of the family. On the day the division was completed, after everyone had left, she specifically called Uncle Chen to her side and earnestly gave him some advice:

"Second son, now that you're in charge of the household, you know your wife's personality better than I do. From now on, you'll need to be more attentive to the household finances and even social obligations, and take charge of the overall management. It's not that you can't let her handle things, but you need to keep a clear understanding of the accounts and not be confused anymore."

Uncle Chen blushed, but he knew his mother meant well. Even if she hadn't brought it up, he wouldn't have let Liu manage the family's money. Now that she had, it was just in time. He immediately nodded emphatically, "Mother, don't worry, I'll remember. I will definitely manage this household well."

In the past few days, news has been coming from village head Chen Yongde. He has been inquiring about Chen Wanxing's purchase of land.

Just as he expected, during the winter off-season and the year-end, some families were indeed in urgent need of money and willing to sell their land. He was very methodical in his work, not rash, and carefully selected each piece of land and negotiated the price.

That afternoon, Chen Yongde arrived at the Chen family home through the snow. His breath was white and his face and body were covered in snowflakes. He took out a list and handed it to Chen Wanxing, on which he had listed his achievements over the past period in neat small characters.

Three mu of medium-sized land on the northern slope of Zhangzhuang Village, Ping'an Town, Ruyang County, priced at eighteen taels of silver. It is dry land at the western end...

The total land area is 22.3 mu, and the total amount of silver is 115.5 taels.

"Wanxing, the land deeds for these twenty-two acres have already been processed and changed to your name. Now we just need to wait until after the New Year to go to the county government office to process a formal red deed. Today is the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the day of the Kitchen God Festival, which means we have officially entered the end of the year. We probably won't be able to find it before the New Year. If you want to buy more after the New Year, we can look for it then."

Chen Wanxing took the list and looked at it carefully. He was very satisfied. The more than 20 acres of land included both small plots and large ones. Some were contiguous fields of thin soil that were easy to manage, while others were scattered fields of medium to high quality. Moreover, most of the land was located around Chenjiazhuang or in neighboring villages, so it was not too troublesome to manage.

More importantly, the total price was less than she had originally estimated, which shows that Chen Yongde had really put in the effort and carefully calculated the cost for her.

"Grandpa Village Head, thank you for your hard work. This land is exactly what I wanted, and the price is right. I'm so grateful for your help." Chen Wanxing thanked him sincerely and immediately took out a small cloth bag from her sleeve, which contained a tael or two of loose silver. She thought it was a way to thank Chen Yongde for his hard work.

Chen Yongde didn't take it; instead, he wore a gentle, slightly reproachful smile, like an elder: "Wanxing, what are you doing? Why are you putting on this act with your grandfather? Put it away."

Chen Wanxing insisted, "Grandpa Village Head, you've been braving the wind and snow to inquire about my matter these past few days, going to great lengths to talk to people. You've already worked so hard. This is just a small token of my appreciation. You can use it to buy some wine or snacks for your children. You must accept it."

Chen Yongde waved his hand firmly, his expression becoming serious: "You child, you're being too polite. I am your great-uncle, and also the clan head and village chief of Xiahe Village. It is my duty to handle matters for the clan members. Your ability and willingness to settle down and build a home in our hometown is an honor for our Chen family."

"I'm happy to see you doing this. Running errands is nothing. You're a junior, just back, and there are many things you need to spend money on. Keep this money safe and use it wisely. If I accept your trouble fee, what would that make me look bad? What would people think of me? What would the other elders in the clan think of me?"

He spoke earnestly and sincerely: "It's not easy for our Chen family to have successful descendants. Although you are a woman, you thought of coming back and even managed to acquire property. The clan will naturally help you if it can. I absolutely cannot accept this money. If you refuse again, I will really get angry."

Seeing his resolute attitude and earnest words, Chen Wanxing knew that this was not just polite talk, so she stopped insisting on giving him the money. She took back the silver and said sincerely, "Grandpa Village Head, Wanxing misunderstood. Please don't take offense. I will remember your kindness."

Seeing that she no longer insisted on giving him money, Chen Yongde's expression softened, and he smiled again: "That's right. We're family, no need for formalities." He thought for a moment and then instructed, "Keep the land deed safe for now. After spring, when the government office issues the seal, I'll accompany you, or your father will accompany you, to the county to officially register the deed and put it in your name. Only then will it be completely secure."