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

After exchanging a few more words, they said goodbye. On the way back, Chen Shiyi kept chattering away, asking all sorts of questions:

"Brother Youcong, Uncle Qian passed the exam, what about you? Did you pass?"

Zhang Youcong said earnestly, "Brother Youcong also won."

Chen Shiyi was stunned for a moment, then cheered, "Brother Youcong is so amazing, even more amazing than my dad back then!"

By the time I got home, it was already dark.

The courtyard gate was ajar. Chen Wanxing pushed it open and went inside. She saw a small figure sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, holding a book and reading it by the last bit of daylight.

Hearing the noise, Wang Shi'an looked up, put down his book, stood up, and respectfully called out "Mother." He then looked at Zhang Youcong and called out "Brother Youcong."

Chen Wanxing walked over, looked at the book in his hand, which was a copy of the Analects, and turned to the "Xue Er" chapter.

"Why don't you watch it indoors? The light outside is bad, it strains your eyes," she asked.

Wang Shi'an shook his head and said seriously, "There's still some light outside. Turning on the lights now would be a waste."

Chen Wanxing couldn't help but laugh when she saw his mature demeanor and reached out to pat his head.

Chen Shiyi had already slid off Zhang Youcong and ran over to grab her brother's hand, chattering, "Brother, brother, Youcong passed the exam! And Uncle Qian, he passed this year too! They're both so amazing!"

Wang Shi'an's eyes lit up as he looked at Zhang Youcong and smiled, "Congratulations, Brother Youcong."

The sound of bowls and chopsticks clattering came from the kitchen, along with the aroma of food.

Chen Wanxing glanced inside and saw Wang Yanning carrying a plate of food out, still wearing an apron. He looked more like a cook than a scholar.

He saw the people in the courtyard and smiled slightly: "You're back? Perfect timing, dinner's ready."

Chen Shiyi ran over, looked up at him, and asked, "Dad, what are we having for dinner today?"

Wang Yanning looked down at her and smiled, "I have your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs."

Chen Shiyi cheered and grabbed his hand, running into the house.

Chen Wanxing followed her inside. Bowls and chopsticks, four dishes and a soup, were already laid out in the main room, steaming hot. Wang Yanning took off her apron and casually draped it over the back of a chair, then began serving rice to everyone.

Chen Shiyi had already climbed into her seat, staring longingly at the plate of ribs. Wang Shi'an served rice and sat down next to her, naturally reaching out to straighten the crooked chopsticks in front of her.

Zhang Youcong washed his hands, picked up two bowls of rice, and sat down. He then carefully placed one of the bowls in front of Chen Shiyi.

Wang Yanning brought the dishes to the table, placed the rice she had served in front of Chen Wanxing, served herself a bowl, and then sat down next to her.

No one felt there was anything wrong with it.

Yunzhu was redeemed two years ago. She had signed a ten-year contract with Granny Li. When the time came, she wanted to redeem herself and go home. Chen Wanxing agreed without hesitation and even gave her some money as a dowry when she left.

Now she is married and her husband's family is from the same village. They are doing well. Last year, when Chen Wanxing returned to Kaifeng, she somehow found out and even brought some gifts to visit them.

Granny Li had never been redeemed from her servitude. She raised Shi'an and Shi'yi from a young age, treating them like her own grandchildren.

Until last year, when Shiyi turned four and was old enough to be taken care of, Wang Yanning said that the family didn't need so many people, so Li Mama went back to her hometown to reunite with her son.

At the time, Chen Wanxing was thinking of buying two more servants, but Wang Yanning stopped him.

He had already taken over the task of drawing Chen Wanxing's eyebrows and doing her makeup, and now he wanted to take on the cooking and caring for her as well.

"If we don't buy servants, how will we manage all this housework? I'm used to being waited on, and I don't want to do any work."

"Someone will take care of me," Wang Yanning said without looking up.

Chen Wanxing raised an eyebrow: "Who?"

"I."

He spoke with conviction, but his face flushed slightly. He paused, then continued:

"I don't like having outsiders in the house. Besides, I can do all the chores they do. I'll take care of you from now on."

Chen Wanxing was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

He said this more than once. When they first got married, she asked if they should buy two more maids, and he said no. Later, when Yunzhu redeemed herself and left, she asked again, and he still said no.

"You're a scholar who passed the imperial examinations and a teacher at the county school. What kind of behavior is it for you to serve me tea and water every day?"

"You can say whatever you want. Besides, there are no scholars or officials in the family, only your husband. You can order him around as you please."

……

The dining table was set up in the main room, with several steaming home-style dishes: braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens, sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed seafood, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a bowl of rice wine and egg drop soup.

Chen Shiyi ate with her mouth full of oil, talking about what happened at the city gate that day, how Aunt Wei came back, how Brother Youcong passed the exam, and how Uncle Qian also passed the exam. Her little mouth chattered non-stop.

Wang Yanning was quite surprised to learn that Qian Wenbai had also participated in the academy examination and even passed it.

He listened, nodding occasionally, and then picked up a piece of pork rib and put it in Chen Wanxing's bowl without saying anything before lowering his head to eat his own meal.

Chen Wanxing looked down at the rib in the bowl, then looked up at him. He was wiping the grease off Shi Yi's mouth with a very natural gesture.

Wang Shi'an sat next to Shi Yi, eating politely like a little scholar. He also imitated his father's way of serving food to his mother, occasionally putting a piece of food into his younger sister's bowl.

It was already completely dark outside the window, but the lights inside the room cast a warm, yellowish glow that enveloped everyone at the table in cozy shadows.

The steam from the food rose up, mingling with laughter and chatter, filling the entire room.