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

As the weather warms up day by day, the biting cold of the first month of the lunar calendar gradually fades away. Although it is still chilly in the mornings and evenings, the afternoon sun is quite warm, making people feel lazy.

Chen Wanxing noticed that tiny, almost invisible, fuzzy buds were sprouting from the stiff branches of the old locust tree in front of the door.

Every morning she would make a point of checking on them, watching the buds grow fuller day by day, their color changing from dark brown to light brown, with a hint of green showing through.

The changes in the fields are even more obvious. Before the winter snow, the wheat seedlings were only showing their tips, sparse and scattered. Now, standing on the ridges of the fields, all that can be seen is a refreshing expanse of lush green.

The wheat seedlings have grown taller, their leaves unfurling and swaying gently in the spring breeze, like a soft green carpet.

When Chen Wanxing became interested, he followed his father to see the eight mu of land that had been allocated to their family. Chen's father squatted down, parted a clump of wheat seedlings, and carefully examined the soil around the roots and the condition of the seedlings. A satisfied look appeared on his face.

"This year there's been plenty of snowmelt, and the spring has been warm, so it looks like it's going to be a good year. These two acres of top-quality land are growing especially well. Wanxing, look how strong these seedlings are."

Chen Wanxing squatted down like her father, touching the tender green leaves with her fingertips; they were cool and springy.

The damp scent of earth wafted towards her, mingled with the fresh aroma of green grass. She took a deep breath; this was the scent of the land, the scent of spring.

The land she recently bought does not include the crops on it. She can only reclaim the land after the crops for this season are harvested. So she doesn't need to worry about how to arrange the land for the time being.

When the time comes, let the Korean wave...

Chen Wanxing silently planned in her heart that she would definitely rent out her fields to collect rent, but she had to carefully select the tenants.

When I returned from the fields, the sun was already setting.

Chen's mother and Hui Niang were busy in the kitchen, cooking vegetables that were simmering in a pot, filling the air with their aroma. Chen Qinghui was drawing lines on the ground in the yard with a twig, muttering to herself.

"What are you writing so seriously?" Chen Wanxing walked over and patted her sister's head.

Chen Qinghui looked up, her eyes sparkling: "Sister, I'm writing my name. Look, am I writing the character 'Chen' well?"

Although the handwriting on the ground was immature and the strokes were a bit crooked, the structure was correct. Chen Wanxing smiled and praised, "It's really well written, much better than yesterday."

Chen Qinghui smiled broadly after receiving the praise, then buried herself in her practice.

During dinner, the family sat together, and Mr. Chen started talking about Chen Wanxing's house, saying, "Wanxing's house is under construction, and it'll probably keep us busy for a while."

He took a bite of rice and said, "With so many people coming and going at home, you kids shouldn't run around, especially Qinghui and Youcong."

Chen Youcong puffed out his little chest: "Grandpa, I'll watch over Auntie and make sure she doesn't run around!"

Hearing this, Chen Qinghui, somewhat embarrassed and angry, slapped his little bottom, not to be outdone: "You little brat, what are you saying? You're being disrespectful."

After saying that, she seemed a little unwilling and gestured towards Chen's father with her chin: "Dad, I'm a very good girl."

Chen Wanxing couldn't help but laugh as she watched them goofing around.

As night fell, the village gradually quieted down. A cool night breeze brushed against our faces, but it was no longer biting. Looking up, the stars sparsely shone in the deep blue sky, and a crescent moon hung on the treetops, its light as clear as water.

A few barks came from afar, making the night seem even more tranquil.

Chen Wanxing leaned against the window, quietly gazing at the night. However, the image of those embarrassed, red ears she had seen under the eaves the previous night would occasionally flash through her mind.

After that day, the man sent two or three small items here and there. The first one was a collection of poems he had copied by hand, with an antique-style, exquisitely crafted brass bookmark tucked inside.

The gifts were not valuable, and not a single word was left behind. The only message was "thank you for your kind words that day," revealing a thoughtful consideration of wanting to express one's feelings while being careful not to be presumptuous or presumptuous, and maintaining a proper distance.

However, perhaps Chen Wanxing's acceptance of the gift gave him some confidence, because the second gift he sent was a gold-flecked yellow jade bracelet and a simple letter. The jade was warm and smooth, and the golden patterns resembled sunlight-drenched stream water lying quietly on a velvet cushion.

Then came yesterday. This time, the gifts were more ordinary: two boxes of pastries. He said they were from a newly opened shop in the county town, and he thought they tasted very good, so he bought them so that Chen Wanxing could try them too.

This time, Chen Wanxing didn't just accept it and leave it at that. After a moment's thought, she prepared a herbal tea that she had personally blended as a return gift, along with a reply letter.

Chen Wanxing picked up the slightly cool bookmark on the windowsill, twirled it between her fingers, and the hazy moonlight gave it a very faint silver edge.

A few small items were exchanged a couple of times without any explanation, but when Chen Wanxing thought of that person, the corners of her lips unconsciously curved up, and she quickly suppressed this ripple of thought.

She put the bookmarks into her vanity case, closed the window, and blew out the candles.

The tenth day of the second lunar month is auspicious for breaking ground and construction.

A dozen or so able-bodied men from the village gathered in front of Chen Wanxing's homestead. They were all invited by Chen's father and Chen Yongde, and most of them were relatives or neighbors with whom he had a close relationship.

The men, carrying shovels and pickaxes, chatted and laughed as they waited for Chen's father to speak.

After lighting a string of short firecrackers, Chen's father bowed three times towards the southeast amidst the crackling sounds, chanting auspicious words. When the firecrackers stopped, he loudly announced, "The auspicious time has arrived; let's break ground."

The men responded immediately, shovels went into the ground, picks fell, and the land, silent all winter, was turned over with a dull thud.

Chen's mother, along with Hui Niang and several familiar women, busied themselves preparing lunch for the workers. Chen's second and third aunts also assisted.

A large pot was simmering pork, cabbage, and glass noodles, while a bamboo basket next to it held freshly steamed mixed grain buns, filling the air with the aroma of the food.

It's customary to provide meals for helpers, but the quality of the food depends on the employer's sincerity. Chen Wanxing doesn't lack this, so he naturally won't skimp on their meals.

However, when Aunt Chen saw how well Chen Wanxing was feeding the people who came to work, she couldn't help but mutter a few words to Chen's mother. Chen's mother just smiled and gave her a perfunctory reply.

However, Aunt Chen only complained to Chen's mother, but they knew perfectly well that Chen Wanxing had his own methods, so they shouldn't go up and say anything.

The first day's work mainly involved clearing the site and leveling the foundation. The men worked enthusiastically, while Chen's father and elder brother directed from the sidelines, occasionally lending a hand.

By noon, the aroma of food was even stronger, and Chen's mother called everyone to take a break and eat. The men washed their hands and faces and sat down around the long wooden planks that had been temporarily set up.

Looking at the oily stew and plump white steamed buns in the large bowl, someone laughed and said, "Brother Chen, your family's meals are really hearty."

"Everyone has worked hard. You need to eat well to have the energy to work." Mr. Chen smiled kindly and added another spoonful of vegetables to everyone's bowl.

Chen Wanxing didn't join in the fun. She simply explained her requirements to her father in detail, including the layout of the main house and side rooms, the size of the courtyard, where to open windows, and where to build stoves. She also drew a simple diagram.

Seeing her father nod in understanding, she truly stopped keeping a close watch on him every day.

When it comes to building a house, especially the main construction work such as laying the foundation, building the walls, and raising the beams, the key is to use solid materials and workmanship. The rules and methods are passed down from generation to generation and are largely the same. With the father overseeing the process, there is little chance of making a big mistake.