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

Inside the main hall, the betrothal ceremony was proceeding in an orderly manner.

Today, Old Wang was dressed in a crimson-purple silk robe with floral patterns, his hair was neatly combed, and the smile on his face never faded.

He presented the gift list to Grandma Chen with both hands, his voice three octaves lower than usual, with a deliberate solemnity: "Grandma, this is a small token of the Wang family's appreciation. Please forgive any impropriety."

Grandma Chen took the gift list, but didn't look at it immediately. She just gave a soft "hmm" and placed it beside her.

She looked up at Mr. Wang, her gaze calm: "Mr. Wang, you are too kind. Today, our two families are united by marriage, and from now on we are one family. Let's not stand on ceremony."

Old Wang agreed repeatedly, but fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

This Mr. Wang, who used to boss around his employees at the town's oil mill and chat and laugh with the owners of various shops, was now sitting in the main room of the Chen family's old house, even more nervous than when he had met the important figures from the county.

Madam Wang sat beside him, her demeanor dignified and her smile gentle, but her gaze kept drifting towards the entrance of the main hall.

Two people were standing in the courtyard, under the eaves by the entrance.

One is Chen Wanxing, and the other is—

Wang Yanning.

She watched as the two stood on the veranda, two or three steps apart. Ning'er's back was straight, her hands hanging properly at her sides, but she would occasionally glance at the slender figure beside her.

His gaze was cautious, as if afraid of startling her, yet he couldn't help himself.

Madam Wang lowered her eyes, using the gesture of drinking tea to conceal the barely suppressed smile within the rising steam.

This child really can't hide anything from her.

The betrothal gifts were carried into the courtyard, one load at a time. Aunt Chen San pulled Aunt Chen Er aside to count them, her voice low but unable to hide her surprise:

"Two bolts of Hangzhou silk? That's much thicker than we expected."

"Did you see those silver bracelets? They have a twin lotus design. The craftsmanship cost for those is much higher than for plain bracelets."

"That red envelope with the dowry looks bulging; it's probably for..."

Aunt Chen San gently touched Aunt Chen Er's arm, lowering her voice even further: "The Wang family is truly generous."

Aunt Chen didn't reply. She looked at Madam Wang, who was talking to Grandma Chen in the main room, and after a long while, she sighed softly.

What does the amount of the betrothal gift have to do with them? The old lady has already said at home that the Chen family has never raised Chen Wanxing, and this betrothal gift belongs to her alone.

Sigh, if only the Wang family had taken a liking to Qiuju.

Uncle Chen was squatting in the corner of the yard when Aunt Chen pulled him up to help move the betrothal gifts. He handled them with utmost care, even more carefully than he would his own grain.

Chen's father sat in the main room, his back ramrod straight, his hands neatly placed on his knees. When Wang Laocai spoke to him, he responded in a low voice, word by word, trying to appear steady and composed.

Old Wang said, "Father-in-law, if the betrothal gifts are insufficient, please just ask."

Mr. Chen said, "Master Wang, you're too kind. It's not about the amount of the gift, but the sentiment that counts."

Old Wang said, "Then when the two children go to Kaifeng, they can take care of each other on the way."

Mr. Chen said, "Yes, Wanxing has been a very independent child since she was little, and she doesn't cause us any trouble. But she is a young lady, and we hope the Wang family will take good care of her when she goes out into the world."

Wang Laocai listened and nodded repeatedly, finally saying solemnly, "Don't worry, father-in-law, Yan Ning is my son. I know his character well."

From now on, Miss Wanxing will be the most important person in his heart. If he dares to neglect her in the slightest, I will be the first to object.

Mr. Chen didn't speak, he just nodded.

He picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip. The rising steam from the tea enveloped his face, obscuring the slightly reddened corners of his eyes.

After the betrothal gifts were tallied, Chen Wanxing personally presented the return gifts to the Chen family, and even Madam Wang received a gift.

It was a slender ebony box. Madam Wang was stunned, not expecting that she would receive one.

The plain white silk was rolled into a thin roll and tied with a faded old red cord. She did not unfold it, but only a row of small characters in the shape of a hairpin could be vaguely seen from the corner.

Inside is a scroll of longevity scriptures.

Madam Wang carefully took it, and after a while, she raised her eyes and smiled at Chen Wanxing.

There were tears in that smile, yet they were sparkling.

"Good child." Her voice was soft but steady. "I accept this token of my appreciation."

Old Wang watched from the side, secretly wiping his eyes with his sleeve, and said in a gruff voice, "Today is a happy occasion, don't cry, don't cry..."

His own voice was somewhat hoarse.

The betrothal ceremony is complete.

Old Wang and Aunt Cui got up to say goodbye, and Mr. and Mrs. Chen saw them off at the gate. Wang Yanning followed behind his parents, and when they reached the old locust tree by the gate, his steps unconsciously slowed down.

He glanced back.

A late spring breeze gently lifted a stray strand of hair from Chen Wanxing's temple. She raised her hand to press it down, and the yellow jade bracelet on her wrist shone brightly.

Then his gaze shifted to her waist, where a love charm had appeared, swaying gently with Chen Wanxing's steps.

Across the slanting sunlight and shadows of the trees filling the courtyard, across the parents still exchanging greetings at the gate, and across the gentle breeze of this spring evening, they smiled faintly at each other.

Wang Yanning suddenly wanted to paint this moment.

The wheels rumbled, drawing the direction of Ping'an Town closer and closer, while making the outline of Xiahe Village appear farther and farther away.

Wang Yanning sat in the carriage, with the return gift prepared by Chen Wanxing beside him. The set of writing implements that Chen Wanxing had specially selected was placed carefully on his lap. The handle of the purple brush was warm and smooth, and the fragrance of pine soot ink could be faintly smelled.

He had only just left, but he already felt a pang of longing for her.

He had carved that love pendant back in the prefectural city. He would make it whenever he missed her. Unexpectedly, before he even returned, the love pendant was already finished.

Inside, there is a tiny, almost invisible character for "late" and a character for "peace".

I wonder if she'll notice.

Wang Yanning lowered her head, her fingers gently tracing the delicate texture of the She inkstone on her lap.

The twilight slowly crept in through the window, bathing his profile in a soft golden glow.

He thought that he would probably have trouble sleeping again when he got back today.

Meanwhile, in the Chen family's courtyard, the guests had all left, and dusk was falling.

Chen's mother and Chen's third aunt tidied up the teacups, while Chen's father and Chen's third uncle did not linger and carried the betrothal gifts one by one to Chen Wanxing's new house.

Just as they were busy working, the door to the west wing suddenly creaked open a crack.

First, Qinghui poked her head out. She opened her eyes wide and scanned the courtyard, making sure the Wang family had all left. Then she immediately pushed the door open wider, turned back, and whispered:

"They're all gone, they've all left."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the door to the west wing was slammed open from the inside.

Qinghui was the first to rush out, with one arm around Dongmei and the other tugging at Youcong's sleeve. Behind her were Yanxin, Yangui, and Yanbao, three little radishes.

Walking at the very back was Qiu Ju, who had inexplicably followed along and hidden away.

Youcong staggered as he was pulled, but he didn't break free. He just ran while trying to straighten out the wrinkles in his clothes that he had made while peeking.

Chen Wanxing was standing under the corridor in a daze when Qing Sui suddenly bumped into her arms.