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

With everything largely arranged, Chen Wanxing was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief and relax.

Chen Wanxing was engrossed in reading a sketchbook she'd bought at the bookstore on her way there when Yunzhu tiptoed in and whispered:

"Miss, the innkeeper sent a waiter to report that when you arrived at the inn, a girl who came with you came looking for you and wants to see you. The innkeeper asked if you should let her in?"

Chen Wanxing was slightly taken aback. Since they parted that day, she had been busy with the An family's affairs and had almost forgotten about Amber.

Why did she come here? I wonder if she's feeling any better?

"Please let her in."

After not seeing him for a few days, Amber was in much better condition than when he returned, and his face had regained some color.

"Sister Linglong," Amber said, her voice carrying a hint of timidity and dependence.

In fact, ever since Madam Li intended to promote her to be the eldest young master's concubine, her relationship with Amber had been very tense, and calling her "sister" was something that had happened many years ago.

This time, she called out "Sister Linglong" again.

"Amber? Come in and sit down. When did you arrive? Are you feeling much better?" She led Amber to the table and gestured for Yunzhu to make tea.

"Also, I'm not called Linglong anymore. When I changed my household registration, I changed it back to my old name, Chen Wanxing. Wan as in night and Xing as in stars."

Amber paused for a moment, then obediently called her name again before replying, "Sister Wanxing."

"I've been home for seven or eight days. I was sick a few days ago and stayed home to recuperate, which was really boring."

I don't know anyone in Kaifeng Prefecture. Thinking that only my sister is here, I took the liberty of coming to talk to you.

"We grew up together under Madam's care and left the mansion together. In this foreign land, it's only natural that we should visit each other more often," Chen Wanxing said politely, pushing a cup of tea in front of Amber.

"Are your family members all doing well? Are you settling in alright?"

When her family was mentioned, Amber pursed her lips and smiled, "They're all fine. Now that I'm at home, it's not like before when I was in the manor, where I was always busy."

My uncles and aunts all treated me very well. When they saw me come back, they were overjoyed and even bought me a little maid to serve them.

Chen Wanxing took a sip of tea without saying a word: "That's good. Having family to take care of you is better than being all alone."

"Yes," Amber responded softly, her fingers unconsciously tracing the warm teacup. After a moment of silence, she finally couldn't help but look up, her eyes filled with genuine confusion and sorrow, and whispered:

"Sister Wanxing, I keep dreaming about Kyoto these past few days, about the Marquis's mansion, and about the hibiscus tree I planted in the courtyard on the day the young master was assigned to a different courtyard. It hadn't bloomed when we left, but it's in full bloom now. I wonder if anyone is taking good care of it."

Her voice choked, as if a thousand words were stuck in her chest, but she didn't know where to begin.

Seeing her like this, Chen Wanxing sighed inwardly. Amber was still the same Amber; her world still revolved around the bygone days of the Marquis's mansion and that unattainable boy.

Her visit today was not a casual chat; she clearly came to find someone who could understand her sense of loss and resentment, someone who could share her grief and mourn the past.

For the next two weeks, Chen Wanxing settled down in the inn. Every day, apart from occasionally going to Baishi Lane to check on the furniture progress, he would read books and teach Yunzhu some rules, setting the rules for their future family in advance.

Life should have been wonderful, if it weren't for Amber's occasional visits.

Almost every two or three days, Amber would come looking for him. She seemed to have truly made Chen Wanxing her only source of emotional support in this unfamiliar place.

That day, autumn rain drizzled outside the window, and Amber came again. She sat down by the window, gazing at the raindrops, looking even more lonely.

"Sister Wanxing, do you remember? Last autumn, the young master dined with the madam in her courtyard..."

Chen Wanxing paused slightly in her hand holding the teapot. She looked up at Amber's profile, which was lost in memories, and felt an impatience that she couldn't suppress.

If it weren't for their childhood friendship and her reluctance to see her in her current situation, she would have already...

For the past two weeks, similar conversations have been playing out repeatedly. Amber's topics always revolve around the Marquis's mansion and the young master.

From the young master praising her in a certain month and year to the lady rewarding her with a hairpin of a certain pattern, the details were clear and the emotions were sincere. Listening to these stories, Chen Wanxing's feelings were complicated.

She was naturally grateful to the Marquis's mansion. From the age of eight when she entered the mansion to the age of twenty when she left, a full twelve years had passed.

It was the Marquis's mansion that gave her a place to live and allowed her to save enough money to support herself. She remembered all of this.

But she knew all too well that none of this had come for free. From a lowly maid to a favored senior maid by the lady's side, almost every step she took was a reward for her merits. If anyone should be thanking someone, it should be the Marquis's mansion.

Ultimately, the release from the manor was less a favor from the lady and more a reckoning based on self-interest.

Chen Wanxing knew very well that if she really affected the young master's future, the madam would not give her a chance to defend herself and would kill her directly.

That high and mighty lady, who was affectionately holding her hand and hinting at her future prospects in the young master's courtyard a moment ago, could ruthlessly sweep them, these old things, out the door the next moment, as if afraid that they would be an eyesore to the future mistress.

Isn't this decisiveness a kind of cold-bloodedness in its bones?

Therefore, she didn't have the same deep nostalgia for the Marquis's mansion as Amber. It was a place where she had worked, nothing more. Now that her contract had ended, she only wanted to start her own life.

Amber continued to ramble on, her tone filled with a sadness at the changes in things and the loss of loved ones.

Chen Wanxing gently interrupted her, pushing a plate of newly bought candied fruit in front of her, "Try this, it's made from local fruits from Kaifeng. Although it can't compare to the exquisite ones in the capital, it has its own unique flavor."

The past is the past; dwelling on it is pointless. Now that you're home, let bygones be bygones; the days ahead are what truly matter.

Amber picked up a piece of candied fruit, put it in her mouth, and the sweetness melted on her tongue, but she didn't seem to listen to Chen Wanxing's words. She just murmured, "In the future? What future do I have now?"

Chen Wanxing silently clenched her fists, wanting to punch her and bring her back to her senses.

She's so hesitant and timid these days; she's so different from the vibrant and cheerful person she was back in the Marquis's mansion.

The days slipped by quietly in this state of being sometimes busy and sometimes disturbingly quiet.

Almost a month later, Granny Li came to report that the furniture, which had been prepared and was being dried for painting a few days earlier, had now been placed in the house and was ready to be moved in.

Chen Wanxing personally inspected the furniture and was satisfied with its solid workmanship and smooth finish.

She settled the final payment promptly, so in total, the cost of the furniture he purchased, including materials, labor, and gifts, amounted to about twenty taels of silver, and he still had about seven or eight pieces of wood left.

After settling into her new home, Chen Wanxing, along with Yunzhu and their meager belongings, officially bid farewell to the inn and moved into her own little courtyard.