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

Although she didn't say it aloud, Lin Wei seemed to know what she was implying, and smiled along, this time a more relaxed laugh:

"Who says otherwise? I've figured it out now. What's good or bad depends entirely on your ability. My brother passed the imperial examination, so I'm his sister. She has to look up to me."

Chen Wanxing listened without saying anything, but simply reached out and patted the back of her hand.

Lin Wei grabbed her hand in return and laughed, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about me anymore. Let's talk about you guys. Amber, how have you been lately?"

Amber put down her teacup and said slowly, "I'm doing fine. My parents are good to me, and the Qian family doesn't have any troubles."

"Qianjia Restaurant is really impressive now, they've opened so many branches! Wenbo and I even ate at the branch they opened in Kaifeng."

Amber nodded, a smile curving her lips: "Yes, business has indeed improved a lot in the past few years."

I don't have many students now, so sometimes when I have free time, I think about recipes, and they actually come in handy. Customers like them, and business naturally improves.

Lin Wei clicked her tongue and said, "You've used all the tricks of the Marquis's mansion?"

Amber laughed and said, "Of course. Having lived in the Marquis's mansion for so many years, I've seen and eaten more than others. Since I'm just idling around anyway, I might as well think about something and help out my family. Isn't that great?"

Lin Wei looked at her with envy in her eyes: "You're so lucky. Your in-laws treat you well, and your husband is so easy to manage."

Amber waved her hand and smiled, "Everyone has their own destiny. Aren't you feeling better now?"

Lin Wei nodded, then looked at Chen Wanxing. Suddenly remembering something, she straightened her expression and said seriously, "Wanxing, there's something I've been holding back for a long time, and I have to ask you about it today."

Chen Wanxing raised an eyebrow: "What?"

Lin Wei said, "Back then, the three of them took the imperial examination together. Brother Wang was the first to pass. He failed the provincial examination twice and said he would give up. Didn't you try to persuade him?"

Chen Wanxing lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Lin Wei continued, "He passed the imperial examination at such a young age and is very knowledgeable. A few years ago, my father-in-law always mentioned Wenbo when talking about him. If he tries harder, maybe he will pass the exam too?"

Why don't you try to persuade him to put in some effort and study harder? A man should have some ambition...

Chen Wanxing picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and listened silently to her rambling without interrupting. She understood that she was doing it for her own good.

Seeing that Lin Wei had been rambling on for a while before stopping, and after taking a sip of tea, she was about to continue trying to persuade him, Chen Wanxing finally said, "I'll listen to him. If he says he doesn't want to take the exam, then he won't. If he says teaching at the county school is good, then he'll teach. I won't interfere with him."

Lin Wei was getting anxious seeing her nonchalant attitude. She opened her mouth, wanting to persuade her again, "But..."

Seeing her anxious expression, Chen Wanxing patted her hand reassuringly and said, "Wei'er, everyone has their own destiny. Your young master Zhou and young master Lin are both ambitious, that's your destiny."

Yan Ning and I are both the kind of people who aren't ambitious. He thinks our lives are fine as they are, and so do I.

Lin Wei was somewhat puzzled: "But he's a man..."

"What's wrong with men?" Chen Wanxing interrupted her, her tone still gentle. "Men have to think about fame and fortune every day, about climbing the social ladder?"

He's now a teacher at the county school, and he's not busy every day. In his free time, he can spend time with me, or cook and take care of the children at home. This peaceful and stable life is exactly what I've always wanted.

As for fame and fortune, Yan Ning and I don't care much about them. He has already secured an official position in the county with his status as a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination), which is already quite good.

If I actually pass the imperial examination and am assigned by the court to take up a post outside the capital, I'll be in a completely unfamiliar place, and I'll have to start all over again. I really don't want to do all those social obligations.

There's an old saying that goes something like, "I regret urging my husband to seek fame and fortune," so things are really good as they are now, and I'm very content.

Lin Wei opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.

Amber chuckled beside her and patted Lin Wei's arm: "Don't worry about it. It's a matter between the two of them, they know what they're doing."

Lin Wei looked at Amber, then at Chen Wanxing, and suddenly sighed, shook her head, and smiled.

"Alright, alright, I was just being nosy," she said. "But honestly, I've really never seen many people like you."

Chen Wanxing smiled slightly but didn't reply.

The sun was shining brightly through the window paper, casting a warm glow on the floor. The aroma of tea wafted through the air, mingling with the faint sounds of laughter and conversation from outside, making this little world exceptionally peaceful.

The three of them sat there, drinking tea and chatting.

After talking for a while, Lin Wei suddenly remembered something and said, "By the way, you must come again in a few days. I'll have someone cook some nice dishes for you."

Amber laughed, "Again? Haven't you had enough of your family's feast?"

Lin Wei glared at her: "That's different. Today is the Lin family's banquet, and in a few days it will be my invitation to you. How can they be the same?"

Also, remember to bring the children along. I brought each of them a gift in Kaifeng before I came back.”

Chen Wanxing and Amber exchanged a glance and both smiled.

"Okay, got it."