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

Upon hearing this, the lord paused for a moment, then suddenly understood.

He was so busy with his affairs that he had long forgotten about the jade pendant.

Seeing Amber's current state, I felt it was just childish entanglement, acting like this over an old object. I suddenly found it boring and even a little funny. My seriousness completely vanished, leaving only a bit of nonchalant tolerance.

He waved his hand, his tone casual and condescending: "I thought it was something important, but it turns out it's about that jade pendant."

He turned to the butler and said, "Go to the storeroom and send it to Miss Amber."

The butler obeyed and left. While waiting, the master's gaze swept over Amber's still sickly face.

Her illness ultimately stemmed from the lax management of the old house, and she felt a rare, insignificant pang of guilt, thinking that it was both a favor and a way to maintain the dignity of the old house.

The old master then casually said, "Your illness came on very dangerously. The old house also failed to properly oversee the Zhou family's affairs."

Since you still need to rest and recuperate, we happen to have some high-quality ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin in the manor. I'll have someone pack some for you to take back with you later, so you can replenish your qi and blood and not develop any chronic illnesses.

Upon hearing this, Amber immediately showed a flattered expression and, with Chen Wanxing's help, was about to bow again: "This humble woman thanks you for your generous gift, sir."

The lord waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for further formalities.

Soon, the steward not only brought the brocade box, but also a servant followed behind, carrying a rather large brocade bundle containing the medicinal herbs that had just been mentioned.

Amber first hugged the brocade box tightly to her chest, as if it were a priceless treasure, then bowed deeply again, saying, "Thank you so much, sir, for your kindness. I am deeply grateful!"

The old man had no intention of saying anything more and waved his hand.

The two respectfully took their leave, and only then did Amber slowly straighten her back, the sorrow and gratitude on her face receding like the tide.

A servant led the way, but as they walked, Chen Wanxing suddenly sensed something was wrong.

This was not the path that led to the main gate when we came, but rather a winding path that led to the back of the courtyard.

Her heart sank slightly, and she gave Amber a wink, reminding her to be careful. Neither of them made a sound, but they both secretly became more alert.

Sure enough, the servant led them to a secluded side gate. The gate creaked open, and outside was no longer the wide and quiet street they had come from, but a slightly narrow alley with densely packed houses—Osmanthus Alley.

Two figures were pacing anxiously, waiting. As soon as they saw them come out, they quickly came to greet them. They were none other than Amber's uncle and aunt, Zhou Laosan and his wife Liu.

Amber froze in place, her face turning icy cold, more chilling than the winter wind.

Her fingers, gripping the brocade box tightly, turned white at the knuckles, and she could barely contain her hatred.

With a nauseatingly fake smile plastered on her face, Liu hurried forward: "Oh, Amber, my dear niece. You're finally feeling better. Your aunt has been worried about you every day."

As she spoke, she reached out to take Amber's hand.

"stop!"

Amber suddenly took a step back, her voice sharp as ice, piercing Liu Shi and Zhou Laosan behind her with a glint in his eye.

"Who is your niece? You two have long since severed all ties with me."

Liu's smile froze on her face, and Zhou Laosan's expression also changed. He hurriedly stepped forward, trying to intimidate her with the tone of an elder:

"Amber, how can you talk like that? Your aunt and uncle were confused before, but we are still family, connected by blood. Don't be fooled by outsiders..."

As he spoke, his gaze kept glancing at Chen Wanxing.

Chen Wanxing was so angry she almost laughed. This heartless couple was really shameless, daring to sow discord right in front of her.

"Connected by blood?"

Amber seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and interrupted him before he could finish speaking.

A cold smile curved her lips, her eyes filled with undisguised hatred. "How laughable! When you imprisoned me, plotting to hand me over to that Third Master like an object, did you ever consider that I am your own niece?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was filled with tears and blood, carrying long-suppressed grievances and anger, striking the Zhou couple in the face.

The servants who occasionally passed by in the alley all turned their heads and pointed at each other.

Liu's face turned deathly pale, and Zhou Laosan, enraged, lowered his voice and shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Don't slander me!"

Although many people know about this, it has never been discussed openly, but now Amber has just blurted it out.

They had already been having a hard time in the mansion lately because they had offended the eldest and third masters, so when they heard that Amber had come to the old house today, they came over immediately.

He was also thinking about the little girl whose parents weren't around, and judging from how she was in the Zhou family before, she wasn't particularly strong-willed. If they coaxed her a little, there might still be hope for reconciliation.

Unexpectedly, upon meeting Pu, before he had even said anything, Amber's attitude became so sharp.

"Whether I am a swindler or not, you know in your hearts."

Amber didn't give an inch, taking a step closer.

"I'm making this clear today: from the day you abandoned me and didn't care about my life or death, I, Amber, have only enmity with your Zhou family, not kinship."

From now on, you go your way, and I'll go mine. If you dare to bother me again...

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the side door that had just closed, her tone chilling:

"I don't mind going to see the master again and having a proper talk about how I was so sick that I almost lost my life. Look at the rules of this Marquis's mansion, do they even care about people like you who sell out your nephews for personal gain and have such vicious hearts?"

These words were like a final thunderclap, completely shattering the composure that the Zhou couple had been maintaining. What they feared most was bringing up the old matter again and alarming the main family.

Seeing Amber's resolute expression and fierce gaze, he still couldn't figure out why the First Master would bother with such a trivial matter, while the Third Master had actually obeyed him.

Seeing the brocade box she was holding, and realizing that she had managed to get something from the master, it was clear that she wasn't entirely without support.

The two men, their faces alternating between pale and flushed, their lips trembling, ultimately dared not utter another word under Amber's cold, hateful gaze and the strange looks from those around them, and sheepishly stepped aside to make way.

Amber snorted coldly and didn't look at them again.

Seeing this, the servant leading the way quickly shoved the bundle of medicinal herbs into Chen Wanxing's hands and tried to retreat back inside.

Chen Wanxing reached out and pretended to stop him, looking calmly at the young servant whose face was filled with fear and whose eyes were darting around.

The servant felt a chill run down his spine under her gaze, cold sweat broke out, and he spoke in a trembling voice:

"Please forgive me, young lady. I'm just a gatekeeper. Aunt Zhou said she was just a relative and asked me to do her a favor. She even slipped me a few copper coins. I really don't know anything about your grudges."

He was rambling incoherently, clearly realizing that his greed for small gains might have caused trouble, offending a powerful figure who had even met with the highest-ranking official and given him gifts. His legs were trembling with fear.

It's pointless to argue with a lowly servant who can be fooled by a few kind words and a few copper coins; it would only make you look bad.

"That's enough." Chen Wanxing said calmly, interrupting his apology. "Where is our carriage?"

The servant, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, quickly pointed to one end of the alley and said eagerly, "It's just at the alley entrance up ahead. I'll have the coachman wait there."

Chen Wanxing nodded, not looking at him again, but supporting Amber, and said softly, "Let's go."

Only then did Amber open the brocade box, looking at the high-quality jade pendant with an icy calm.

She casually closed the brocade box, then rummaged through the packet of herbs and nodded: "These are some practical things."

The two walked silently through the alley. Just as they reached the alley entrance and were about to look for their carriage, they unexpectedly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure not far away.