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

Furthermore, Chen Wanxing was a weak woman. To rescue her from the Zhou family in Kaifeng, a place she knew no one, it must have cost a fortune and involved pawning countless pieces of jewelry.

If it weren't for Chen Wanxing's help at that time, she doesn't know what her situation would be like now.

Thinking of this, Amber felt both grateful and ashamed. She raised her head, her gaze earnest and firm:

"Wanxing, you've already put in a lot of effort for me, not to mention the food and expenses these days and the money I spent on medicine when I was sick after I came back."

Tell me the exact amount, how much did it cost in total? I'll sell the jewelry and pay you back first.

Upon hearing this, Chen Wanxing felt a mix of emotions. The gift he had sent to gather information was indeed quite valuable; that jade cicada alone would have cost at least thirty taels of silver.

But can she really pin all the blame on Amber? It seems not.

She can use this connection in Kaifeng later.

Looking at Amber's current clear-headed yet somewhat desperate state, her carefully calculated thoughts suddenly softened.

She waved her hand, her tone deliberately relaxed, with an unintentional sense of leniency: "Hey, why bring that up? All those arrangements aren't entirely for you; I have to maintain my own livelihood too."

After a moment's thought, she casually suggested a number, "Well, just give me the money you've spent on food, medicine, and odds and ends during this period. Round it up to ten taels."

"Ten taels?" Amber immediately shook her head upon hearing this. Although she hadn't calculated it in detail, she knew it was definitely more than that.

"No, sister, I know it's much more than that. Even without considering the life-saving grace, you've spent so much for me, I can't just stand by and watch you suffer."

"What do you mean by losing out?" Chen Wanxing's tone became more resolute. "I said it's not all for you. Just listen to me. Ten taels is enough for you to save up in a few months. You don't need to sell jewelry specifically for this."

Those pieces of jewelry were probably Amber's last remaining memories of her life in the Marquis's mansion.

Amber wanted to argue further, but Chen Wanxing had already turned away to do something else, clearly indicating that she didn't want to talk anymore.

Amber silently gathered the silk threads from the table, and Chen Wanxing couldn't help but inwardly curse herself.

You really know how to play the saint. You worked your butt off and saved up that money bit by bit. You started out as a stingy poor person yourself, and now you're feeling sorry for another poor person's jewelry?

Chen Wanxing, when will you get rid of this soft-hearted habit?

As dusk settled, an oil lamp was lit inside the house. Dinner was laid out on the table: a simple four-dish meal with soup, all home-style dishes prepared by Granny Li.

A dish of braised pork belly with radish features chunks of pork belly that are simmered in a sauce until they turn a glossy red and oily color. The radish chunks, soaked in the pork juices, become translucent, soft, sweet, and almost melt in your mouth.

Paired with freshly steamed, piping hot steamed buns, Chen Wanxing ate with satisfaction, her eyes narrowing slightly.

The warm lighting and simple food created a softer atmosphere than usual.

Amber held the bowl, not immediately picking up her chopsticks. She seemed to have given it considerable thought, her gaze calm and resolute as she looked at Chen Wanxing.

"Sister Wanxing, I meant what I said before dinner. I really want to sell those pieces of jewelry."

Chen Wanxing paused, her chopsticks still holding food, and looked up at her: "Didn't I tell you, those things aren't urgent..."

"It's not a matter of whether it's in a hurry or not," Amber interrupted her, her tone conveying a sense of relief and clarity.

"I truly feel that those things are useless to me now. Back in the Marquis's mansion, they represented respect and something to rely on. But now, when I look at them, they just feel like a burden."

She paused, then lowered her voice.

"Besides, I can't just stay here forever. What would it look like if I continued to live here after you've found a husband and started getting married?"

The Marquis's mansion is not my home, nor is the estate on the outskirts of the capital, so I thought I'd buy a house and give myself a home.

She raised her head, her eyes showing a calm acceptance of her fate. "Sister, you and I are ultimately different. Although we were both chosen as concubines by the madam, you have always been the madam's maid in name only, completely innocent."

But I've already served the young master, and I have no hope of ever getting married again.

"What kind of foolish idea is that?" Chen Wanxing's tone clearly showed her disapproval.

"We've gotten our indentures back; we're law-abiding citizens now, free. The rules of the Marquis's mansion, the young master's preferences—we should have thrown them to the back of our minds long ago. Are we supposed to erect a monument to our chastity and remain faithful to him for the rest of our lives just because we've left the mansion?"

Seeing that Amber's eyes widened, seemingly stunned by her shocking words, she softened her tone.

"What I mean is, we should decide what kind of life we ​​live, whether we get married, and who we're with. We can't let others set the rules for us anymore."

Looking at the still somewhat bewildered Amber, Chen Wanxing thought to herself, "This wicked old society really imposed too heavy a burden on women."

She had finally escaped from the Marquis's mansion, not to continue living a life of widowhood in another place. But getting married would bring a host of troubles: mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, the pressure of having a son—just thinking about it gave her a headache.

She has her own house, land, and savings. Isn't it good enough for her to live a carefree life? Why bother adding a few more ancestors to her head?

But to say that one should live a life of abstinence from all desires from now on would be too bitter.

If she meets someone she likes, she can date and enjoy the romance between a man and a woman. Why not? But she can't say this too clearly to Amber right now, for fear of scaring her.

Chen Wanxing looked at Amber and finally concluded, "In short, don't keep thinking that there's no hope."

The road ahead is long, we need to look forward. Wanting to buy a house is a good thing, it gives you something to rely on, but it should never be because you have no other options that you feel compelled to buy one, understand?

Amber was deeply moved by her words, understanding only vaguely. But the words "free" and "self-determination" struck her heart like a hammer blow.

She nodded blankly.

"Alright, let's eat first."

Seeing that she had taken some of the advice to heart, Chen Wanxing didn't try to persuade her any further.

"By the way, Sister Wanxing, how much did you pay for this yard back then?"

"One hundred and fifty taels." Chen Wanxing swallowed the porridge in his mouth and told the truth.

"One hundred and fifty taels?" Amber was so shocked she almost bit her tongue, her eyes widening in surprise.

"So expensive!" she immediately thought to herself.

When she was a first-class maid in the Marquis's mansion, her monthly salary was one tael of silver, which was already a very respectable income.

Nowadays, she can only earn ten taels of silver for embroidering fan surfaces every two months, which is a maximum of five taels a month, even if she is already fast and has to work overtime.

One hundred and fifty taels? That would take forever to save up.