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

The courtyard gate closed gently behind Wang Yanning, shutting out the faint noise of the street.

He strode quickly across the courtyard, which was warmed by the spring sunshine, and stopped in front of her.

A faint smile appeared in Chen Wanxing's eyes, a smile that dispelled the dust of Wang Yanning's journey and the turmoil in his heart, causing him to almost subconsciously relax his tense lips as well.

"You're back?" Chen Wanxing rose from the bamboo chair, her skirt swaying slightly, and looked up at him. "Young Master Wang, you must be tired from your journey."

Her voice was soft, her tone natural, carrying the familiarity of acquaintances who didn't need pleasantries. As she spoke, she gestured to the warm teapot and clean cups on the stone table.

"I received your letter today and learned that you're back. I happened to have some free time today, so I came to check on you. The tea was just brewed and it's still warm. Would you like a glass of water?"

"Yes." Wang Yanning responded almost immediately, her voice a little lighter than usual, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her.

Even the important matter of "going to Kaifeng," which had troubled him all the way and made him think about discussing it with her when they met, had temporarily receded into the corner of his mind. His heart and eyes were only on the person in front of him who had been thinking about him for so long.

He walked a few steps to the stone table and sat down on the bamboo stool opposite her as instructed. His movements were more hurried than usual, but when he took the teacup she handed him, he carefully avoided touching her fingers with his fingertips.

The warm cup soothed his palm. He lowered his head and took a sip of the tea. The familiar aroma made his tense shoulders and neck relax unconsciously, and he let out a soft sigh.

Today, the sound of gongs announcing good news in Ping'an Town was so loud and lively that the news had already spread far and wide.

Before Chen Wanxing arrived, his family had mentioned it at the dinner table, talking about how the Wang family's son had become successful and how his parents were biased.

Looking at the boy sitting obediently in front of her, holding a teacup, his eyes showing a hint of weariness but still revealing his clear and bright spirit, she suddenly didn't know where to begin with the words she had prepared in her heart.

Should we first congratulate him on passing the imperial examination, or ask him about his family and the fact that he has already met his parents, or should we first tell him that we are going back to Kaifeng in a while?

He's just returned, travel-worn, and he's already talking about leaving?

As she pondered silently, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of silk thread around her cuff, Wang Yanning seemed to have recovered somewhat. She looked up and carefully examined Chen Wanxing, her eyes reflecting the dappled sunlight, her smile genuine.

"You've lost some weight," he said softly, setting down his teacup, his tone filled with undisguised concern. "Have you been working too hard building houses lately?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wanxing looked up, a hint of warmth appearing in her eyes. "I'm fine. With my father and brothers watching over me, I haven't put in too much effort."

She glanced at his face and said, "As for you, you've been traveling and taking exams lately, which has been very tiring and exhausting."

Everyone looks a bit thinner; the trip to the prefectural city must have been quite difficult.

When Wang Yanning saw her looking over, she lowered her head shyly. "It was a bit tough, but it was worth it."

He paused, a hint of barely perceptible excitement in his voice, as if seeking praise, "On the day the results were released, seeing my name ranked twenty-seventh, I finally felt at ease."

He spoke casually, but his slightly straightened back and the glint in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

Chen Wanxing saw this and a genuine smile curved her lips: "Of course it's worth it. Twenty-seventh place in the academy examination, that's impressive. Congratulations, Young Master Wang."

Her congratulations were sincere and warm, making Wang Yanning feel more pleased than hearing a hundred compliments from others.

"Thank you, young lady." He pursed his lips somewhat shyly, his fingertips unconsciously twisting his cuffs.

Suddenly, as if remembering something important, his expression turned serious, and he carefully took out a small sky-blue purse from his pocket.

The purse fabric wasn't particularly expensive, but the stitches were fine, and it was embroidered with simple auspicious cloud patterns in the same color silk thread.

He gently placed the purse on the stone table and pushed it in front of her, his movements deliberate.

"When we were in the city, Young Master Lin and I went to Qingxu Temple outside the city. We heard that the peace charms there are quite effective." He spoke more slowly than usual, his gaze fixed on the brocade pouch, his ears slightly red.

"I invited a dish, thinking that the young lady could take it with her for peace of mind."

After he finished speaking, he looked up at her with clear eyes, filled with the sincerity unique to young people, and a hint of nervousness that was hard to detect, as if he was trying to make sure she liked the gift he had given her.

Chen Wanxing looked at the small, solemn-looking purse on the table, reached out and picked it up; it felt light in her hand.

Her fingertips brushed over the intricate auspicious cloud embroidery, and she looked up to meet his slightly nervous gaze: "I've heard of Qingxu Temple. It's very popular. It's kind of you to be thinking about these things with your exams so close by. Thank you for your concern."

Her voice was softer than usual, carrying a clear sense of cherishment.

Seeing that he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and his eyes brightened, she carefully untied the drawstring of the brocade pouch, took out the yellow talisman paper folded into a triangle, and without unfolding it, only glanced at the intricate runes drawn with cinnabar on it before carefully putting it back in its place.

"I accept this token of my appreciation." She held the brocade pouch in her palm, looked at him, and said earnestly, "Thank you, Young Master Wang. I also wish you all the best in the future, and that you will be safe and sound."

"I'm glad you don't mind the rough style, young lady." Wang Yanning's eyes were almost overflowing with joy when she saw that she had accepted it. Her previous tension had vanished, leaving only her heart full of happiness.

He paused, then added, "The Taoist priest at the temple said that you can carry it with you or put it under your pillow."

"Yes, I will." Chen Wanxing nodded and carefully put away the purse. Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting shimmering spots of light on the stone table, as if time had slowed down.