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

Grandma Chen was already beckoning Amber inside. She walked slowly, her steps steady and graceful, typical of older people.

He kept turning back to talk to Amber as he walked:

"You've been traveling for days! You must be exhausted!"

Amber was nervous the whole way, but once she arrived at the destination and met the people, she became more composed, and her nervousness subsided considerably.

"We were on the road for eight days. We're all young, and we walked relatively slowly, so we weren't very tired."

"Eight days, that's quite a long time," Grandma Chen said. "Have some hot water first when you come in to warm yourself up."

Amber nodded, her fingers, which were gripping the bundle, loosened slightly.

Grandma Chen led them into the house first, followed closely by Chen's mother, who quickly lit the brazier in the kitchen.

Only a few women were at home; Chen Yanche and the family's children had gone off to play somewhere, none of them were there.

Grandma Chen asked Amber to sit down by the brazier, and then sat down next to her. She picked up the fire tongs and poked at the charcoal to make the fire burn brighter.

"My home is simple, please don't mind."

Amber quickly said, "Grandma, please don't say that, it's fine."

Grandma Chen smiled but didn't respond. She simply said, "Wanxing is a decisive person. The fact that she brought you back means you're someone she trusts."

Amber paused for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Grandma Chen added, "She's all alone in Kaifeng, but she has people she knows well looking after her, so we at home feel at ease."

Amber understood the meaning behind those words, and a warmth suddenly welled up in her heart. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but felt that nothing she said would be quite right.

Grandma Chen didn't let her speak, but simply pushed the brazier towards her: "Stick your hands out and warm them, it's cold outside."

Amber obediently stretched out her hand and placed it on the brazier.

Before the group had been sitting for long, Aunt Chen came in with several bowls of hot porridge and handed one to each of the returning group.

"Have some porridge first, to fill your stomach." She placed the tray on the small table next to her. "Dinner will probably have to wait a while; your second aunt is cooking it on the stove."

Amber took the bowl, held it in her hands, and felt the warmth on her face.

Chen Wanxing took the bowl of porridge, took a sip, and looked up, saying, "Third Aunt, no need to bother anymore. We'll be back in a bit; there's so much to pack."

Grandma Chen glanced at her: "Going back?"

Chen Wanxing nodded: "Yeah, it's just a few steps away. It's too much trouble for so many people to eat in the old house."

Grandma Chen didn't reply; she simply put the fire tongs on the ground.

"What's the trouble? There are only a few of you. When your dad and his family are home, there are many more people than you. It's not a problem at all."

Grandma Chen spoke, her voice flat, "You're my granddaughter, back for the New Year. You're home for the first time, and instead of eating at home, where are you going?"

Chen Wanxing opened her mouth.

Grandma Chen continued, "Han Feng and the others may take care of you, but today is the day you're coming home. How can I, as your grandmother, not even provide a meal? What kind of behavior is that?"

Chen Wanxing paused for a moment, then smiled.

She knew Grandma Chen too well. The old lady wasn't really angry when she said that, but if you pushed her again, she would get really angry.

"Okay, okay," Chen Wanxing raised her hands, "I'll listen to Grandma and eat here."

Grandma Chen then looked away and softened her tone: "That's more like it."

She then looked at Amber: "You eat here too, you're not allowed to leave."

Amber paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Chen Wanxing.

Chen Wanxing nodded to her.

Amber agreed, "Okay, I'll listen to Grandma."

Grandma Chen was satisfied and picked up the fire tongs to stir the charcoal fire again.

Chen Wanxing stood up and said, "Then I'll go tell Yunzhu and Granny Li to go back over there and pack up first. Amber and I will eat here, and the two of them can go over there."

Grandma Chen nodded.

As Chen Wanxing walked out, Qing Sui jumped out from next to Amber: "Sister, let me take them there."

Chen Wanxing glanced at her and smiled slightly. "Alright, lead the way."

After Qingsui ran off happily, Aunt Chen sat down next to Amber, looked her up and down, and asked with a smile, "How old is Miss Amber this year?"

Amber said, "Nineteen."

"Nineteen? That means you're two years younger than Wanxing?" Aunt Chen looked at Chen Wanxing. "Then you'll probably be in the Marquis's mansion a little later than our Wanxing?"

Amber shook her head: "Third Aunt, I was born into the household and have been living in the mansion since I was a child. When Wanxing entered the mansion, I was already in the Madam's courtyard."

Grandma Chen said "Oh," and then asked, "So, you've known each other for over ten years?"

Amber thought for a moment: "Pretty much. She was eight when she came, and I was six, so it's been thirteen years now."

"That's a bond that's been strong since childhood," Aunt Chen said with a smile. "No wonder Wanxing wanted to bring you back for the New Year."