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

"Granny Wang, thank you for today. Did that little girl give me any message when she went to see you?"

"No, that little girl just cried anxiously, and her words were incoherent. After giving me the things, she hurriedly went back."

After their previous encounter, Granny Wang had developed a strong liking for Chen Wanxing and had been keen to befriend her. When Granny Wang saw that Chen Wanxing indeed recognized the jade pendant, she thought she had come to the right place.

Clearly, Chen Wanxing had something to do at this point, so Granny Wang tactfully took her leave.

"Seeing that you're busy right now, I'll take my leave. If there's anything I can do to help, please feel free to come and find me."

Chen Wanxing thanked her again and personally saw Wang Mama out.

The fact that Amber can still send out her maidservants means that her situation is relatively stable for the time being, and it hasn't reached a critical point yet.

That silly girl, since she knew to send someone to deliver the jade pendant to me, why didn't she think to have the maid deliver a message or write a letter?

Sigh, Amber is really her nemesis; she promised herself she would never be soft-hearted again.

She had originally decided to sever all ties with the old acquaintances of the Marquis's mansion and live her own life in peace, but now, for the sake of Amber, she had to find her old friends from the Marquis's mansion.

Chen Wanxing called to Li Mama, who was already dressed and ready to go out and gather information at any time:

"Granny, please go and walk around the entrance of Osmanthus Lane and listen to what's going on, but don't force yourself, I have other arrangements."

After Granny Li left, Chen Wanxing returned to her study and took out the account book from her spatial storage.

Her ledgers not only recorded money, but also detailed the amount and timing of every steward who had given her a bribe.

Following that was a simple list she had compiled before leaving the manor, containing names of the capable stewards and their families who had dealt with her at the old residence of the Marquis.

Chen Wanxing's fingertips traced over several names, finally stopping at two.

One was Manager Zhang, who oversaw a thousand-acre grain farm in the west of Kaifeng. He was relatively upright and honest.

Years ago, an old account on his estate went wrong, and he was about to be severely punished by the accountant from the capital. It was Chen Wanxing who checked the details of the transactions and found that it was the previous owner's work. He also explained the situation to his wife, which saved his position and dignity.

Manager Zhang was a straightforward person, and from then on, every time he came to Beijing, he never forgot to bring her some bottles and jars, local specialties from her hometown, etc.

The other was Steward Liu, who managed the two largest silk and cloth shops and a mulberry garden of the Marquis's family in Kaifeng.

This man was more shrewd and resourceful. His eldest son wanted to find a job in the capital, and it was Chen Wanxing who spoke to his wife, which made the matter possible.

Moreover, he had often come to her to inquire about information every time he went to Beijing, and had received many seemingly unintentional but actually crucial tips from Chen Wanxing. As a result, Manager Liu owed her a lot of favors.

The selection of these two individuals was made after careful consideration.

They were in charge of the Marquis's important businesses in Kaifeng Prefecture, holding a superior position. Their information network was far more extensive than that of the stewards of the old mansion, and they had better access to the flow of power and money.

Based on Chen Wanxing's understanding of the two men, they were both decent people and had a blood relationship with her.

However, she wasn't going to let these two favors slip away here. She was only visiting her elders today to pay her respects and, incidentally, gossip and gather some information.

Chen Wanxing brainwashed herself in her mind.

"Yunzhu," Chen Wanxing called out, "go prepare two decent gifts. Never mind, you can prepare one set."

Go to Moyazhai and buy a nice tea set and a can of good tea. Remember to rent a horse-drawn carriage. Also, on the way back, go to Suluoji and buy two packs of pastries.

She had to make the trip herself.

Having decided who to visit, the next question arose in my mind: should I go to Steward Zhang's house first, or Steward Liu's house first?

Chen Wanxing pondered for a moment at her desk, her fingertips unconsciously tracing patterns on the surface. The personalities, circumstances, and the depth of her relationship with the two stewards were clearly laid out in her mind.

Manager Zhang is an honest and upright person who values ​​old friendships. He has a close relationship with her, and if he knows the inside story, he probably won't hide it from her. She is a reliable ally.

But he was in charge of the estate's general affairs, and he spent most of his time holed up on the estate, dealing with the tenant farmers.

His sources of information were relatively simple, and he didn't have much contact with the old house. Moreover, he wasn't good at investigating and manipulating those shady dealings, so what he knew was probably limited.

If you go directly to him, you might get some basic information, but there's also a high chance you'll return empty-handed.

Manager Liu, on the other hand, lived in the city and managed the silk and cloth shop and mulberry garden, which were the most lucrative businesses. He also had closer ties with the people in the old mansion. The amount of money and personnel he handled each month was probably equivalent to Manager Zhang's annual income.

Moreover, he is quick-witted and sharp-eyed. The shady exchanges of interests and climbing of relationships within the old house could hardly escape his notice; he must know more and more about the inner workings.

However, it is precisely because he is shrewd that he weighs the pros and cons. Now that she is no longer by the Madam's side, she has no value to him anymore. He might choose to treat her differently based on her status, assessing whether she or the Amber family is more important or valuable.

He might reveal some things out of consideration for our past relationship, but he might hold back. He knows in his heart what he can and cannot say.

"We must go to the Liu family first."

Chen Wanxing's eyes sharpened, and she made a decision.

First, go to Manager Liu and start a conversation; try to extract as much key information as possible.

Even if he conceals something, the quality and depth of the information he provides will most likely surpass that of Steward Zhang.

When she visits Manager Zhang again, she will have a clear direction, unlike now, when she is completely confused and doesn't even know what happened.

Having figured this out, Chen Wanxing no longer hesitated and took out the fan that the young master had asked Shunzi to give him before he left, as well as the fine sheep hair brush, from his spatial storage.

Looking at the fine jade cicada on the fan pendant, Chen Wanxing touched it with some reluctance. The jade was of excellent quality, smooth and lustrous, and could probably be exchanged for a lot of silver at a pawnshop.

She wanted to change the fan pendant, but the fan and pendant that the young master gave her seemed too cheap and not quite appropriate to present.

Waaah, her money! Once she gets the amber out, she'll definitely make her pay for it.

As for the fan, Chen Wanxing didn't feel any remorse at all when giving it away.

Since she's useless to me anyway, I might as well use her to my advantage.

Using the pretense of a gift from a young master in the capital not only shows thoughtfulness but also serves as a natural way to start a conversation about the changes in the capital.

While waiting for Yunzhu, Chen Wanxing redid her makeup and dress up.

She changed into a brocade stand-up collar jacket with a diagonal front, and put a gold filigree ginkgo leaf hairpin inlaid with beeswax in her hair. She also wore the pearl earrings that the lady had given her. She looked both noble and dignified, just like when she was in the Marquis's mansion.

Chen Wanxing looked at herself in the mirror with satisfaction. When Yunzhu returned with the carriage, she was already waiting in the courtyard with her things.

As soon as Chen Wanxing settled into the carriage, he instructed the driver:

"It's still early, let's go now, directly to the Brocade Cloth Shop in the south."