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

Amber hesitated, unsure what to say next.

Others may not know, but she watched Chen Wanxing rise from a lowly maidservant when she first entered the Marquis's mansion to where she is today.

When she was in the Marquis's mansion, most of the people there, from the masters to the servants, liked her very much. She had almost never seen her make a mistake; she was always calm and likable.

So she didn't understand why Chen Wanxing would suddenly change his mind. Just a few days ago, when she was asked to meet that father and son, she had been so resistant.

But Amber was ultimately happy for her, for she was finally willing to face this bond of family ties, and her heart was filled with both bitterness and relief.

But this joy was quickly overshadowed by a subtle worry. Having been hurt by a close relative herself, she knew all too well that the greater the hope, the more painful the disappointment could be.

Amber's lips moved, but ultimately she uttered a cautious confirmation: "Are you really sure? Why don't you wait a little longer and find out more details?"

Chen Wanxing looked at her, a hint of warmth appearing in her eyes, and nodded gently: "Yes, I've thought it through."

She turned her gaze to the slightly surprised Granny Li and Yunzhu, and her tone became even gentler, "Granny, Yunzhu, I am a person of a cold nature and am used to being alone."

I used to think that whether or not I had that blood tie, I could live a happy life, and there was nothing wrong with that.

She stirred the contents of the bowl with a spoon, her voice lower but more sincere: "But seeing how Madam Zheng protected the child yesterday, I realized that some things, you can't just say you don't want them and then you really don't want them."

She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright, with a hint of unabashed honesty, "I also long for the feeling of being remembered and cared for."

These words, spoken by someone who is usually calm, composed, and even somewhat aloof, carry a powerful and moving force.

Her words brought tears to Yunzhu's eyes.

Waaah, she misses her father and mother too. Luckily, she's not like the girls, living in a secluded mansion, so far from her hometown that she can't even see her parents. Her parents can come to Kaifeng to see her when they miss her.

Upon hearing that Chen Wanxing wanted to return to his hometown, they immediately nodded vigorously in support.

Li Mama's reaction was more practical. She still didn't know about the Chen family father and son. When she heard Chen Wanxing's words, she was stunned for a moment and didn't understand why the young lady didn't go to look for her relatives as soon as she returned to Kaifeng, but instead brought it up suddenly now.

Her brows furrowed with worry, and disregarding etiquette, she said directly, "Miss, it's almost the twelfth lunar month, the weather is freezing cold, and the roads are the hardest to travel on. Why don't we wait a little longer?"

"Wait until spring, when the weather is warmer and the roads are easier to travel, then it won't be too late to go. Prices will be cheaper then too."

She genuinely cared for Chen Wanxing, fearing she would suffer hardships on the journey.

Chen Wanxing observed their reactions one by one, understood their thoughts, but remained unmoved.

"Granny, I understand your intentions. But now that the thought of returning home has taken root, I can't wait a moment longer, especially with the end of the year approaching."

Her voice carried a gentle insistence: "The Lunar New Year is just around the corner, a time for family reunions. Since I've decided to go back, why should I, and others, have to wait another winter?"

If we could get them the news before the New Year and let them have a family reunion, wouldn't that be better than anything else?

She paused, her gaze drifting slightly into the distance, as if she could already see that scene, and her tone carried a hint of urgency that she herself didn't realize:

"Besides, when a person's mind isn't on something, they can wait for eight or ten years. But once their mind starts wandering, even a single day feels like an eternity."

Seeing the glimmer of expectation in her eyes, Granny Li swallowed back all the words of dissuasion that were about to come out.

She understood this feeling and ultimately offered her full support, saying softly, "Yes, this old servant was mistaken. Reunion is the most important thing. Miss should go back, she should go back..."

Since we've decided to go back now, we should hurry rather than go too late. The longer we wait, the colder it will get, and the harder it will be to travel.

The next question was who would accompany them. The room fell silent as three pairs of eyes fell on Chen Wanxing, waiting for her instructions.

Chen Wanxing's gaze was calm as she slowly swept over the three people, already having made up her mind.

She first looked at Granny Li, "Granny, you are getting old. The journey to Runing is long and arduous, and the weather is freezing cold. I really can't bear to let you suffer like this. You should stay at home."

Granny Li opened her mouth, though she was worried, she understood that this was the most reasonable arrangement. She was afraid that if she went along, she would only be a hindrance, and who would take care of whom. "This old servant will listen to you, Miss, and will definitely take good care of the house until you return."

Then, Chen Wanxing's gaze turned to Yunzhu. The little girl immediately straightened her back and stared at her expectantly.

"Yunzhu," Chen Wanxing's voice softened, "you're young and nimble, so you can come with me this time."

"Yes, Miss." Yunzhu almost jumped for joy in response, her face instantly breaking into a smile. She was genuinely happy to be able to share the burden with the young lady.

Finally, Chen Wanxing's gaze fell on Amber.

"Amber," Chen Wanxing's voice was steady, carrying a soothing power, "you have to stay."

"Why?" Amber suddenly looked at her and immediately asked, her tone somewhat sharp. "I said I would stand by your side, even if it meant going through fire and water with you. I'm worried about you taking Yunzhu alone. What if something happens and you don't even have anyone to talk to?"

Chen Wanxing gently shook her head, her eyes calm and rational. She lowered her voice, but her tone was very solemn: "Precisely because we don't know their current situation and are afraid of encountering something, you must stay."

She leaned forward slightly and said to Amber, "Amber, think about it. If we all plunge in headfirst and encounter any difficulties, wouldn't we be helpless and have no one to turn to?"

Your staying in Kaifeng is my backup plan, my way out.

In case—and I mean in case—I really need help over there, or if things go wrong, at least you'll know where I am and can find a way to get me. If we're both stuck there, then it's truly the end.

Seeing Amber's suddenly serious expression, she explained her thoughts: "Once I've settled down over there, I'll write to you to let you know I'm safe."

Most importantly, if I don't return in the near future, and you don't receive my letter after the agreed time, then something must have happened. You can decide what to do then.

You need to understand that here, besides myself, you're the only person I can rely on.