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

Time flies, and the first month of the lunar calendar is over in the blink of an eye.

The embroidery school in Kaifeng was about to start classes, and Amber, thinking about the students there, discussed it with Chen Wanxing for a few days and decided to set off in early February.

More people are going this time than last year.

Qing Sui naturally went. She was clever and had been a great help to Amber during the few months that she had run her embroidery workshop. She was considered Amber's right-hand woman.

Qiuju didn't hesitate either. She had just gotten the hang of embroidery and wished she could stay by Amber's side every day. Even Chen Yanche was tempted.

"Sister, can I go to Kaifeng with you and take a look? Dad and my older brother have been there before," he said at the dinner table. "I've also been thinking of finding a job for a few months to broaden my horizons, and then coming back when the harvest season is over."

Before Chen Wanxing could speak, her mother directly refuted Chen Yanche's words:

"Your father and brother went to Kaifeng on important business. You have nothing to do, so why did you make this trip?"

Besides, this trip is on your way, but what if you need to come back after the busy farming season? We can't expect your sister to make a special trip again, can we? That would waste so much time and money!"

Chen Wanxing didn't think much of it and said, "Mother, if Yanche wants to go out and have a look, let him go out and have a look. When it's busy farming season, if I don't come back, I'll just find someone from a security escort agency to send him back. It won't cost much."

Mother Chen still shook her head: "Don't you have to pay the people from the escort agency? How much would that round trip cost? It's not like it's absolutely necessary to go..."

She was rambling on and on when, just as Chen Wanxing was about to speak, Amber, who had been silent all along, suddenly looked up.

"Sister Wanxing," she said, "Brother Qian Wenbai, do you have to go back to Runing Prefecture to take the imperial examination this year?"

Chen Wanxing was stunned for a moment.

Amber continued, "Didn't we say before that he didn't pass the academy exam last year? I remember that Young Master Wang and Young Master Zhou both passed, but he didn't."

He later followed me to Kaifeng, and I think he's been preparing for this year's exams, right? Judging by the dates, they should be taking place sometime around April or May."

Chen Wanxing looked at her, not responding for a moment; she hadn't even thought of it.

Last year, Qian Wenbai failed the imperial examination and came to Kaifeng with Wang Yanning. He has been going in and out of the city with Wang Yanning all year, to the point that she almost forgot that he failed the examination last year and that he was going to return to Runing Prefecture to take the provincial examination in April or May this year.

However, while she forgot, Amber remembered. Amber not only remembered that he failed last year, but also that he would be taking the exam again this year, and that it would be sometime between April and May.

Amber felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, lowered her eyes, and took a sip of tea to cover up her discomfort. "I just remembered that Auntie mentioned that Yanche came back without anyone to accompany him, so I just mentioned it casually."

However, I think this is indeed a good idea. After Brother Qian finishes the exam, whether he passes or not, he will definitely have to go back to Ruyang County to tell his family, right?

"Let Yanche come back with him then, so he'll have company on the way, and you won't have to find someone to take him."

Chen's mother didn't notice the subtle exchange between Amber and Chen Wanxing, but upon hearing it from the side, her eyes lit up: "That's great! Having an acquaintance along the way is much more reassuring than hiring a security escort agency."

"Miss Amber, is that Young Master Qian really coming back for the exam this year?"

Amber nodded: "Yes, pretty much right."

Chen Wanxing withdrew her gaze, smiled, and said, "Then it's settled." She added, "I'll tell Brother Qian later and ask him to take Yanche with him when he comes back."

Only then was Chen's mother relieved and agreed to let Chen Yanche go with her. She didn't forget to remind her youngest son, "When you're with your eldest sister, you have to behave yourself and don't cause her any trouble."

When Chen Wanxing went back this time, she originally thought she wouldn't bring Li Mama with her. The mother and son had only been reunited for a few months, and she couldn't bear to separate them again.

She told this to Granny Li, who didn't say anything at the time, but the next morning, Granny Li stood at her door.

"Miss," said Granny Li, "I've thought about it all night, and I still have to go with her."

Yunzhu is a very attentive servant, but how can she manage everything on her own? I'm worried about the young lady not having a reliable person by her side.

She paused, then lowered her voice: "I spoke with Han Feng, and he agreed. It's a joyous occasion that mother and daughter have reunited. There's a long road ahead, so a little while won't make a difference. My daughter needs someone by her side, so I have to go with her."

On the sixth day of the second lunar month, just as dawn was breaking, two horse-drawn carriages stopped in front of the Chen family's house.

Grandma Chen stood at the door, holding Chen Wanxing and Amber's hands and giving them instructions for a while before letting them leave.

Since Qiuju refused to marry him on the eighth day of the lunar new year, Uncle Chen brought it up at home several times. Although Grandma Chen scolded him back each time, he was still unwilling to give up and went to see Qiuju twice more.

After being firmly rejected by Qiuju, Uncle Chen felt that he had lost all face as a father. Whenever he saw Qiuju, he would either glare at her or simply ignore her.

Qiuju felt heartbroken. He was her father, but in his heart, he was not worth ten taels of silver. So the father and daughter basically stopped talking to each other.

Aunt Chen held Qiuju's hand, wanting to say something, but didn't say it. She just pulled her into her arms and hugged her.

As the carriage started moving, Qinghui lifted the curtain and waved vigorously to the back. Grandma Chen, standing at the door, also waved back.

The carriage traveled further and further away, gradually disappearing at the end of the dirt road. After returning to Kaifeng, life resumed its previous rhythm.

The embroidery workshop started classes, and Amber led the students in their work every day. Chen Wanxing would also go over to check on them every few days. The courtyard was full of eight- or nine-year-old children, chattering away and making a lively scene.

It's been two or three months since I left Kaifeng before the Lunar New Year and came back now. I haven't seen Wang Yanning for that long.

That afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, so Chen Wanxing went over to his place. The courtyard gate was ajar, and when she knocked, no one answered.

Pushing open the door, the courtyard was quiet, with only one person sitting on the veranda reading a book—it was Qian Wenbai.

He looked up at the noise and, seeing it was Chen Wanxing, quickly stood up with a smile: "Miss Chen? Here to see Yan Ning?"

Chen Wanxing nodded: "Is he here?"

"He went out with Brother Wenbo. They said they had something to discuss with their teacher." Qian Wenbo put down the book in his hand. "Why don't you come in and sit down? I reckon he'll be back in a bit."

Chen Wanxing thought for a moment and then sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard.

The two exchanged a few casual words when Chen Wanxing suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, are you going back to Runing to take the exam this year?"

Qian Wenbo paused for a moment, then smiled: "Yes, I'll have to leave in a little over two months. What's wrong, is something the matter?"

Chen Wanxing then told Chen Yanche about his situation: "My younger brother came to Kaifeng this time to broaden his horizons. He has to go back during the busy farming season. If you're going back to take the exam, could you please give him a ride?"

Qian Wenbo readily agreed: "Sure, leave it to me. Just have my brother come with me, and I'll make sure he gets back safely."

As the two were talking, the courtyard gate was pushed open. Wang Yanning stood at the door, saw Chen Wanxing, paused for a moment, and then her eyes lit up.

"You're back."

"Yes, I'm back."

When Chen Wanxing left, she said to Qian Wenbai, "Then I'll leave it to you. Do your best on the exam this time, and I wish you success in passing."

Qian Wenbo waved his hand, smiling somewhat embarrassedly: "Thank you for your kind words, I'll do my best."