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

Having accomplished two major tasks at once, Chen Wanxing was quite happy to return to the inn.

The next morning, shortly after Chen Wanxing finished breakfast, the innkeeper knocked on the door to announce that Granny Sun from Dexin Brokerage had arrived with a group of people.

Chen Wanxing was slightly surprised. Dexin Brokerage Firm looked small, but its efficiency was extremely high.

She straightened her sleeves and said calmly, "Please invite them up."

The door opened, and Granny Sun's shrewd and warm face peeked in first, then she stepped aside to lead a group of people in single file. The once spacious guest room suddenly felt somewhat crowded.

Granny Sun brought seven or eight people, young and old, who stood in two rather haphazard rows in the room. They all lowered their heads and kept their hands tightly clasped in front of them, not daring to breathe loudly.

"Look, young lady," Granny Sun said with a smile, her voice even brighter than yesterday.

"Old woman, I've picked out all the best men I have in store for you. They're exactly what you're looking for: steady, clean-handed, and good-looking. I guarantee you'll find one you like."

Chen Wanxing's gaze swept calmly over the faces before her, some tense, some bewildered, and some filled with anticipation. She felt little emotion; she was used to such scenes in the Marquis's residence.

Chen Wanxing sat upright in her chair, not asking any questions immediately. Instead, she had the eight people state their names, hometowns, and ages in turn. She listened quietly, her gaze slowly sweeping over their faces, hands, and postures.

Observe its shape and listen to its sound.

This is the most basic method of judging people that she learned in the Marquis's residence.

After they finished speaking, a tense silence fell over the room once more. Chen Wanxing then spoke, her voice low but clear enough to reach everyone's ears:

"I only need two people by my side. A matron who can manage household affairs and set rules, and a clean-minded and diligent maid."

She paused, then turned her gaze to the several older women standing in the front row. "Gentlemen, I'm sure you're all experienced. I only have one question: if I were to establish rules in the future, and any of my young maids violated them, how would you handle it?"

This question may seem ordinary, but it reveals the most about one's thoughts.

A fair-skinned, bright-eyed old woman immediately volunteered to answer:

"Replying to Miss, of course she should be punished severely according to the rules, with a slap on the hand and a deduction from her monthly allowance, so that she will remember the lesson and dare not do it again!" Her tone was somewhat ingratiating, eager to show off her strictness and competence.

The other one, who looked a bit dull, stammered, "Well, it depends on what happened. If it was unintentional, a few words of reprimand will suffice..."

Chen Wanxing remained noncommittal, her gaze falling on the last nanny who had not yet spoken.

"In response to your question, young lady, this old servant believes that establishing authority does not depend on severe punishments, but on clear rules. The rules should be explained clearly beforehand, one by one, so that they understand the consequences."

If someone commits a first offense, they should be publicly reprimanded to serve as a warning to others; if they repeat the offense, they should be punished according to the rules, and all servants should be informed to demonstrate fairness. If someone repeatedly fails to correct their behavior, then they are considered to have impure intentions, and keeping them around is of no benefit.

These words were spoken calmly and clearly, and what was even more remarkable was the composure they exuded—something that ordinary village women or unskilled maids could never possess.

A genuine look of surprise flashed across Chen Wanxing's eyes. She carefully examined the old woman, who appeared to be in her forties and dressed in a faded dark blue cloth robe, looking no different from the others.

Her hair was neatly combed, and although her hands were rough, her nails were very cleanly trimmed.

"Mother's insights are quite remarkable. I wonder if you are new to this profession, or if you previously served in a high-ranking household? Perhaps you worked in a scholar's family?"

Upon hearing this, a complex emotion flashed in the old woman's eyes, a mixture of pain and a desire to maintain her dignity.

She curtsied again, her voice slightly hoarse as she replied:

"Young lady has a good eye. My surname is Li. I did serve in the household of a scholar in Pingyang before, as part of the lady's dowry. However, before the new year, the master of the house was involved in a lawsuit, and all of us servants were sold off."

It turned out to be the head maid of the scholar's household.

"Are you all alone? Does your husband have any other family members?"

"My husband passed away many years ago. I only have one son, and his wife and their family lived with my master. Now I don't know where they are."

Chen Wanxing instantly understood.

But this background also made her heart sink slightly. Would someone with such a background bring her trouble?

Is the case of that scholar now closed? Will anyone come looking for him?

The thought flashed through her mind, but she immediately realized that Kaifeng was four or five hundred miles away from Pingyang, and that her master had previously been just a scholar without any official position.

Since Granny Li has been sold off, the relationship is over.

More importantly, she is now a law-abiding citizen with a clean record, not a slave hiding a criminal.

There may be risks, but they are negligible. The value that a true head stewardess can bring far outweighs these minor risks.

Opportunity always comes with risk. In a flash, she made her decision.

Then, she turned her gaze to the remaining five young maids, who all looked to be fourteen or fifteen years old. She wondered where Granny Sun had found them. It was impossible for the teeth she had bought when she was young to have been nurtured for so many years.

Instead of asking the maids empty questions, she deliberately dropped a clean handkerchief on the ground and observed their reactions.

Most of the maids saw it; some immediately lowered their heads and dared not utter a sound, while others subconsciously looked to Granny Sun for instructions.

Only one girl, a petite girl with bright eyes standing on the far right, almost instinctively and silently stepped forward, deftly picked up the handkerchief, held it in both hands, and gently placed it back on the table next to Chen Wanxing, her movements so light that they made almost no sound.

After doing all this, she quickly returned to her original position, still with her head down, as if nothing had happened.

Unassuming, yet adept at seizing opportunities. Neither obsequious nor timid, observant, quick-witted, and discreet. This is precisely the kind of integrity and resourcefulness Chen Wanxing needs.

Having made her final decision, she turned to Granny Sun, pointing to Granny Li and the little maid who had picked up the handkerchief: "These two will do. Please trouble Granny to arrange for the government to draw up the contract as soon as possible."

Granny Sun smiled and said, "Now that the young lady has made her choice, we will go to the government office tomorrow to draw up the deed and transfer the property."

According to the rules, I bought this person with a death contract, and you paid the same price. But don't worry, when we get to the government office, the clerk will ask you whether you'd rather die or live, and you can decide on the spot.

She paused, then added, "But if I may say something, although this contracted service seems generous, the servants' monthly wages are actually lower. After all, you've given them something to look forward to, haven't you? The servants on fixed contracts are easier to manage, but their monthly wages are much higher."

"I understand."

Seeing this, Granny Sun knew the deal was done, and her face lit up with a smile. She quickly agreed and led the rest of the people out.

"Miss, I'll leave these two people with you. I'll bring their household registration documents to the yamen gate tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM) and wait for you there. We'll take them to the government office together to amend the documents."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wanxing simply nodded in response.