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

"You did a great job embroidering Qiuju, all thanks to you."

Chen Wanxing suddenly spoke, his tone much more serious than before.

Amber paused, her fan still in her hand: "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

Chen Wanxing didn't reply, but simply handed her a silver ingot.

Not a lot, but not a small amount either.

"What are you doing?" Amber looked up at her, her brows furrowing.

Chen Wanxing sat down next to her, her voice flat: "Qiuju is my sister. It's only right that she lives here and eats here."

But she learned the craft from you; you taught her. Her progress today, and the money she earns from embroidering these fans, is all thanks to you.

Amber opened her mouth, as if to say something.

Chen Wanxing didn't let her speak and continued, "As her older sister, I have to thank you on her behalf. Keep this money; it's not from me, but a token of Qiuju's filial piety."

Amber looked at the cloth bag in her hand, then at her, and suddenly laughed.

"You," she shook her head, pushing the cloth bag back, "I taught Qiuju without complaint, even giving her some of my most treasured possessions, not for these things."

Chen Wanxing didn't answer, she just looked at her.

Amber added, "I saw that she has talent and is willing to learn. Of course, the most important thing is that her surname is Chen, and she is your sister. Now that I'm giving her this money, is she trying to be so clear about how to keep it from me? It's like we're becoming distant."

Under the moonlight, the two people looked into each other's eyes.

Chen Wanxing pressed the silver ingot into her palm and smiled slightly: "Keep it. When Qiuju earns more in the future, let her thank you herself."

Amber looked down at the silver ingot in her palm; it gleamed white in the moonlight.

Seeing Chen Wanxing staring at her intently, she finally gave in and sighed, "Alright, alright, I'll keep it, okay?"

She placed the cloth bag on her lap, glanced at Chen Wanxing again, and softened her tone: "Why are you so serious?"

Chen Wanxing smiled and said, "It's only right."

Amber didn't speak again, looking down at the silver coin, lost in thought.

The night breeze blew in gusts, and the two people's conversation, along with the incessant chirping of cicadas, wasn't too noisy. The shadows of the pomegranate tree swayed on the ground, fragmented and disordered.

"You heard what Sister Zheng said today. She wants to formally become my apprentice and asked me to take her on as a disciple."

She paused, her fanning slowed, and her voice lowered: "I've been thinking about this for the past couple of days, and taking on apprentices isn't necessarily a bad idea."

Amber gazed at the pomegranate tree beside her; the moonlight cast dappled patterns of light and shadow on its leaves.

"Someone like me will probably never get married in this lifetime. Without my own children, I'll need someone to take care of me when I get old."

I'll take on two apprentices. When they're young, they'll help me out and lend a hand when I'm busy. Once they've learned their skills, they'll be able to take on jobs and earn money on their own.

When I get old and can no longer move, they will remember our time as teacher and student and at least look after me a little.

Chen Wanxing listened, her brows furrowing slightly.

"How do you know we won't get married?" she asked.

Amber turned to look at her, pursed her lips, smiled, and fell silent, not continuing the topic.

The two were silent for a while. Chen Wanxing knew what she meant, so she didn't press the matter further or reopen the wound.

After a while, Amber suddenly spoke again, her voice softer than before: "Seriously, do you think taking on apprentices is a viable option?"