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

"Madam, Amber has arrived."

Linglong was still kneeling on the ground when Zhang's mother came over with Amber to give her a reply.

Li waved her hand, signaling Linglong to step down.

"Yes, Madam." Linglong kowtowed three more times before respectfully rising.

She didn't glance at Amber once throughout, and walked steadily out.

Her steps were steady, deliberately maintaining a natural rhythm, until the heavy curtains fell completely behind her, isolating her from everything inside the main room.

Just as the curtain fell, Amber's voice, faintly heard from inside, was choked with sobs.

Linglong paused almost imperceptibly, then without the slightest hesitation, quickened her pace and fled towards her room.

She didn't need to know how Amber would defend herself, nor did she want to hear what would happen next.

Li might still consider our relationship and give me a way out, but if the Marquis and the Old Madam remember me, will they give me a choice in order to eliminate any future troubles?

Linglong quickly returned to her room, bolted the door, and leaned against it before allowing herself to reveal a trace of lingering fear. She raised her hand and even gently closed the window, trying to completely block out any possible sounds from outside.

She dared not think too much about it, but no matter what, Linglong was secretly delighted to suddenly have the hope of leaving the manor.

At this point, she was somewhat relieved that Madam Li had chosen her to be a maidservant.

All she needs to do in these last few days is to stay in the hospital as much as possible, preferably in her own room. Once she gets her indenture and becomes a free citizen, the world will be hers to roam freely.

Linglong had thought there would be a few more days, but the Marquis's family took this matter far more seriously than she had anticipated.

That very evening, after she had finished helping Madam Li wash up and was about to retire to her own room, Madam Li called her back.

She didn't say much, but took a flat wooden box from the drawer of the kang table and pushed it in front of Linglong.

"Your indenture is here," the lady said calmly. "In addition, there are one hundred taels of silver notes, plus ten taels of loose silver."

Once you return and clear your name, you can use the silver notes to buy some property and land, and your later years will be secure. You can also use these ten taels of silver on the road.

You should leave the manor first thing tomorrow morning; there's no need for you to come and say goodbye.

Linglong's gaze fell on the small wooden box, and her breath almost stopped. She reached out her hands, her fingertips trembling almost imperceptibly, and took the box, holding it tightly in her arms.

Free? Just like that... simple?

She had waited and planned for so many years, and when this moment finally arrived, Linglong was at a loss. But then, an indescribable bitterness welled up, mixed with complicated memories of the past ten years in this secluded mansion and uncertainty about the future.

Linglong took a deep breath, suppressed her turbulent emotions, knelt down respectfully, and kowtowed deeply.

When she looked up again, her eyes were already slightly red, and tears were welling up in her eyes, which she forced back to keep from falling.

She looked up slightly at the lady, her voice carrying a hint of suppressed sobs and reluctance:

"This servant thanks Madam for her years of cultivation and for her kindness." She paused, as if she had used up all her strength, before uttering her final farewell.

"Madam, please take good care of yourself. Even if I am thousands of miles away, I will pray for you every day and hope that you will be safe and well."

Seeing her like this and hearing her tearful voice, Li's hardened heart softened slightly.

She waved her hand, her movements still decisive, but her tone unconsciously softened slightly: "Alright, I understand your intentions. Try to live a good life after you get out."

"Yes, madam."

Linglong kowtowed deeply again before rising, her head bowed, her posture respectful yet tinged with sadness, and she retreated step by step.

She left the main room, clutching the wooden box, and hurried back to her own room. She bolted the door before opening the box with trembling hands. By the dim candlelight, she found inside the indenture with her fingerprint on it, along with a silver note and a small bag of loose silver.

Linglong picked up the contract and examined it repeatedly in the dim light. Her fingertips gently traced her name, and she finally confirmed it—

She's free!

The immense joy finally settled in her heart. She had no time to reminisce; she had to pack up her belongings before dawn.

The most valuable items have already been stored in the space; now all that's needed is to get rid of the things that are visible.

She called Qiuyue in, "Qiuyue, take these."

Linglong quickly pushed her small dressing case, hand warmer, and some items she couldn't take with her in front of Qiuyue, speaking faster than usual, "Madam, please have mercy and let me leave the manor. I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning. Pick what you want from these, and distribute the rest to the maids in the courtyard."

Qiuyue's eyes widened in shock. Before she could process the news, Linglong stuffed her hands full of things.

"Sister, why...why the rush?"

"Um."

Linglong nodded, took her hand and squeezed it tightly, "From now on, be careful in everything you do in this manor, speak less and do more, and if you encounter trouble, avoid it if you can."

She spoke her last words of advice with utmost seriousness.

Qiuyue's tears welled up instantly, and she bit her lip hard to keep from crying out. She knew that this parting might be the last time they ever saw each other in this life.

Linglong felt a pang of sadness. Looking at Qiuyue, who was crying and clinging to her tightly, she blinked several times before she could hold back her own tears.

He patted Qiuyue on the back and said resolutely, "Don't cry, remember what I said. Go back and rest."

After Qiuyue left, the room was completely empty. All the things she wanted to take were packed into a box and moved to the doorway.

Her traces were quickly erased. Linglong took one last look around the small house that held ten years of her joys and sorrows, and then blew out the light.

In the darkness, Linglong was wide awake. She felt a surge of joy at breaking free from her cage, but also a worry that something might go wrong that night.

She stayed awake until dawn. As soon as the first light of day appeared outside the window, she immediately got up, did one last check on the small house where there was no longer any trace of her, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

Qiu Yue was already standing under the eaves outside the door, having waited for who knows how long, her eyes were still a little red.

"Sister." Qiu Yue rushed forward when she saw her come out, her voice still a little hoarse but exceptionally firm, "I asked Madam for leave last night, thinking that you have a lot of things and it would be difficult for you to carry them all by yourself."

Linglong looked at her, her heart warmed, and the sorrow of parting lessened somewhat. She didn't say much, only nodded: "That's good, I just need a helper."

The two returned to the house and carried out the elmwood box, which was not too big but quite heavy.

Inside were mainly some clothes and jewelry that she used regularly. Although Linglong was just a maid in the mansion, she was still a maid who often followed the mistress. She could never embarrass her mistress when meeting people, so none of the clothes she wore or the jewelry she carried were cheap. These were all Linglong's own property, so of course she had to take them with her.

This box contains all her belongings that she left for outsiders to see.

Linglong thought she would first call a carriage, move her luggage to the inn, and settle down temporarily. Then she would look for a reliable escort agency or inquire if there were any caravans going to Luozhou that she could travel with.

The two of them struggled to carry the box, silently making their way through the quiet alleyways of the Hou Mansion in the early morning, toward that familiar foot gate.