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

The story of Zhang Youcong passing the imperial examination to become a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) only caused a stir in Xiahe Village and even Ping'an Town for a short time, but the story of Lin Lang passing the imperial examination to become a Jinshi (a scholar who passed the highest level of the imperial examinations) was something that could be directly recorded in the county annals.

The Lin family's banquet was extremely large.

For a county to produce a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) is an extremely important event. Not only the Lin family, but the entire Ruyang County feels proud of it.

The Lin family started making preparations half a month ago, sending out invitations all over the surrounding villages and towns. They hired eight chefs, set up more than sixty tables inside and outside the courtyard, and even erected a tent at the entrance of the alley.

Chen Wanxing and Amber arranged to meet at the alley entrance. As soon as they arrived, they saw Lin's father standing at the gate to greet them.

He wore a newly made crimson robe, greeted everyone with a bow, and spoke politely. He was more energetic than many young people.

As Chen Wanxing and his group walked over, Lin's father saw them from afar. When they came to greet them, his face beamed with a wide smile. He first bowed to Wang Yanning and said, "Yanning, Wenbai, you've arrived! Come in, please."

He then smiled at Chen Wanxing and Amber and said, "There are a lot of people today, so find a place to sit yourselves."

Chen Wanxing smiled and congratulated him, saying, "Uncle Lin is very busy today, so we won't keep you from welcoming our guests."

Mr. Lin waved his hand and laughed heartily: "What's the rush? No matter how busy I am, I still have to take care of you. Come in, come in, let's talk inside."

The servant was already waiting nearby. Lin's father gestured with his chin and said, "Take these people to the main courtyard and find them a good spot."

The servant responded and led the four of them inside, through the front courtyard, around the main hall, amidst the lively atmosphere of clinking glasses and toasts.

Chen Wanxing saw that Magistrate Zhou was also there, talking to several local gentry. He noticed Wang Yanning and waved for him to come over.

So the four of them separated. Wang Yanning talked with Qian Wenbai in the front yard, while Chen Wanxing and Amber went to the back yard.

Upon arriving at the backyard, Lin's mother was standing on the porch greeting guests, accompanied by two young women: Lin Lang's wife and Lin Wei.

Zhou's mother was also sitting at the women's table, talking to someone with a smile on her face, her demeanor much more amiable than usual.

Lin Wei, with her sharp eyes, spotted them immediately and hurried over to greet them.

"Wanxing, Hupo, you've finally arrived." Lin Wei held their hands, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

Chen Wanxing glanced at her. Today she was dressed exceptionally neatly, her complexion was rosier than usual, and she exuded a joyful aura.

Lin's mother also came over, took their hands and exchanged a few pleasantries, then asked about the elderly and children in her family, being very warm and friendly.

After exchanging a few words, Lin's mother said to Lin Wei, "Your sister-in-law and I will look after things here. Why don't you take Wanxing and Amber to your room to talk? It's rare for them to get together."

Lin Wei responded and pulled the two of them towards her courtyard.

Lin Wei's courtyard was very large, and she kept it clean and tidy even after she got married.

She had her maid serve tea and snacks before sitting down and letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Finally, I can rest for a while." She picked up her teacup, took a sip, looked at Chen Wanxing and Amber, and complained, "You have no idea how busy I've been these past few days. My mother wanted to invite the whole city over for a feast."

Chen Wanxing laughed and said, "Your mother is so happy. Her son passed the imperial examination and she's walking with a spring in her step."

Lin Wei smiled and nodded, "That's true. I've never seen her so happy in my life. By the way, why didn't you bring the child with you?"

Chen Wanxing waved his hand, leaned back in his chair, and showed a rare hint of laziness: "We take the kids out every day. Today we finally got to go out for a drink, so Wang Yanning and I sent the two little ones to their grandparents' place. Let them bother the old folks. We can have some peace and quiet too."

Amber nodded in deep agreement: "My three mischievous monkeys are a real pain in the neck every day."

You didn't see it, but when I went out today, one person was clinging to my leg, another was tugging at my sleeve, and yet another was rolling around in the yard, insisting on following me no matter what.

I said, "What are you all doing going there? Going to a banquet? Is that going to a banquet? That's going to dismantle someone else's banquet."

Lin Wei laughed so hard she almost fell over, and only after she had finished laughing did she say, "Those three in your family are really tough."

My little one is only three years old, and he's always teasing cats and dogs, never quiet for a moment. Just a few days ago he broke a vase in my room, and I was so angry..."

As she spoke, she suddenly sighed and looked at Chen Wanxing: "Your Shi An is so much better. That child is so mature, like a little adult at such a young age. How did you raise him?"

Chen Wanxing thought for a moment and then smiled, "He wasn't really taught much. He's probably just like his father; it's innate."

Lin Wei clicked her tongue twice, "You're really showing off in a low-key way."

The three laughed for a while, then Lin Wei suddenly said softly, "You know what? My mother-in-law is here today too."

Chen Wanxing nodded: "I saw it outside just now."

Lin Wei twitched the corners of her mouth, her smile somewhat complicated: "She's been so nice to me lately. In the month since I came back, she hasn't said a single harsh word to me. She even asked me if I was tired and told me to rest more."

Today, in front of so many people, he even praised my abilities, saying that Wenbo was lucky to marry me.

Amber raised an eyebrow: "Isn't that great?"

"It is good." Lin Wei nodded, lowering her eyes. "But you all know, I've been married to Wenbo for four or five years. When has she ever been this good to me?"

Lin Wei continued, "Back then, when Brother Wenbo wanted to marry me, she absolutely refused, saying that my family was merchants and not good enough for her son."

Wenbo persisted for so long, almost turning against her in the end. Then my father suddenly gave me forty-eight loads of dowry, and only then did she relent. I thought things would be alright after we got married, but who knew…”

She paused, then gave a bitter laugh: "It's even harder after marriage."

She would find all sorts of ways to torment me, making me stand in a proper manner and serve her by dressing and washing her. It was alright when Brother Wenbo was around, but after he left to study in Kaifeng, she became even more outrageous.

Every time Wenbo came back, he would argue with his mother, but what good did it do? As soon as he left, his mother became even more aggressive. Later, he had no choice but to take me with him to Kaifeng.

As she spoke, she picked up her teacup and took a sip, her tone softening: "These past years in Kaifeng have been tough, but comfortable. Qiaoxinzhai has grown bigger and bigger, and its brand has become well-known."

Every time I come back, I'm filled with anxiety, wondering how she'll find fault with me again.

She looked at Chen Wanxing, her eyes filled with emotion: "And guess what? When I came back this time, my brother passed the imperial examination, and she immediately became incredibly polite to me."

Amber chuckled, "That really is..."

She wanted to say something sarcastic, but then she remembered that she was Lin Wei's mother-in-law, so she held back and didn't say anything.