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

Chen Wanxing gave a soft "hmm," not rejecting the care shown to her.

The ashes from the stove, still warm inside the quilt, continued to radiate residual heat. After adding another quilt, Chen Wanxing, who had been tormented by the cold all night, finally felt the biting chill being gradually dispelled.

Exhaustion washed over her like a tide, and her heavy eyelids could no longer stay open. She curled up in the warm bed that had been restored, and her consciousness quickly sank into a deep and sweet dream.

This time, she slept much more soundly.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but in her hazy state, she felt someone gently pushing her shoulder.

"Sister? Sister? Are you awake?"

Chen Wanxing opened her eyes with difficulty, and her blurry vision gradually focused. She saw a little girl standing by the bed. It was her younger sister, Chen Qinghui, whom she had met yesterday.

The little girl's cheeks were rosy, and her bright eyes were fixed on her.

"Sister, Mom told me to wake you up for dinner."

Seeing that Chen Wanxing was awake, Chen Qinghui raised her voice slightly, with a hint of excitement at having completed her task, "Breakfast is ready. Mother said that if you're still sleepy, you should eat first and then go back to sleep."

Outside the window, it was already bright daylight, and sunlight streamed through the window paper, casting bright spots of light into the room.

Chen Wanxing sat up, still wrapped in the blanket, feeling somewhat refreshed after her nap. Although she still felt a bit weak, it was no longer the overwhelming exhaustion and cold she had felt before.

She nodded, her voice still languid from just waking up: "Okay, I got it. Thanks, Qinghui, for calling me for dinner."

Hearing the thanks, Chen Qinghui smiled shyly and said, "I'll go tell Mother you're up." With that, she turned and ran out like a happy little sparrow.

Chen Wanxing watched the little girl's disappearing figure, took a deep breath, and felt the aroma of food mingling with the crisp morning air of the countryside.

Chen Wanxing dressed, quickly combed her hair, and then stepped out of the room. The men of the Chen family were all gathered under the courtyard wall, repairing farm tools, weaving baskets, and doing odd jobs in the winter sun.

Meanwhile, Chen's mother and sister-in-law were busy in and out of the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the family.

Grandma Chen sat on a small stool by the main door, a winnowing basket on her lap, picking through the soybeans in her hands. When she saw Chen Wanxing come out, a smile appeared on her face: "Awake? Did you sleep soundly this time? There's hot water on the stove, go wash up, dinner will be ready soon."

"It's alright, Grandma," Chen Wanxing mumbled in response. Qinghui had already mixed the water for her to wash up. She touched it tentatively and found that the water wasn't cold, but it wasn't hot either, probably because there wasn't enough hot water in it. It was only lukewarm.

The splash of water on her face brought her fully awake.

After washing up, breakfast was ready. As usual, the whole family sat around the large table in the main room.

But today's meal is probably what they usually eat, which is much worse than yesterday's: cornbread made from mixed grains, pickled vegetables, and clear soup.

The only difference was that there was also a bowl of steamed salted meat slices on the table, thinly sliced ​​and not much in quantity. Chen's mother even pushed the bowl of salted meat towards Chen Wanxing.

Seeing that they had almost finished eating, Chen's mother put down her chopsticks, wiped her hands on her apron, looked at Grandma Chen sitting at the head of the table, and said in a consultative tone, "Mother, there's something I'd like to discuss with you and everyone else."

Everyone at the table looked over. Chen Wanxing also put down her chopsticks and listened quietly.

Mrs. Chen took a breath and continued, "Wanxing must have caught a chill last night. Our quilt looks thick, but the child has been through a lot outside these past few years, and her health isn't very good."

I was thinking, should I go to town today and buy some more cotton to make the quilt thicker? Or, should I buy some cheap charcoal and light a brazier in the house tonight to drive away the dampness?

As soon as she finished speaking, her third aunt frowned. "Sister-in-law, the quilt Wanxing is using is a brand new cotton quilt that Mother has kept at the bottom of her trunk. It's the thickest one in the house. Didn't we all go through this? Even Jin-ge'er went through this. He'll get used to it."

Her tone was a bit sharp, not entirely directed at Chen Wanxing, but she was always very calculating when it came to matters of money.

Chen's mother's face flushed slightly, but she straightened her back and her voice became clearer: "Third sister-in-law is right, that quilt is indeed the best in the house. But the child can't stand the cold after just coming back, we have to make sure she's warm, otherwise what if she gets sick in this freezing weather? This money..."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone at the table before finally settling on Grandma Chen's face. "This money is considered an advance for our eldest son's family. Mother, please put it in the account, and when the family is divided later, it can be deducted from our eldest son's share. Alternatively, before the division, our eldest son's family will definitely make up for this money and will never let the family suffer a loss."

There was a moment of silence at the table after he said that.

Advance payment for the family division? This topic is a bit sensitive. The second uncle and aunt exchanged glances. The second aunt lowered her head, her eyes flickered, and she remained silent, seemingly lost in thought. However, the third uncle frowned upon hearing this.

Grandma Chen lifted her eyelids, glanced at Chen's mother, and then at her sons and daughters-in-law, each with a different expression. She slowly chewed the food in her mouth, without immediately expressing her opinion.

Third Aunt was taken aback by Chen's mother's suggestion of advance payment for the family property, but she was still somewhat indignant and muttered under her breath:

"That's not how it works. Whether it's still owed or not, only Mother knows."

"Alright." Grandma Chen put down her chopsticks. "There are some things I originally wanted to say later. But since we've already gotten to this point, let's just be frank today, so that we don't have our own agendas and create unnecessary distance."

I told you before, if I can find Wanxing before I close my eyes, then this inheritance will be divided equally among you three brothers, and the little savings I've accumulated will be used separately as a dowry for Wanxing.

She paused, her tone calm yet firm: "Now that Wanxing is back, I think it's best to divide the family property now."

These words were like a stone thrown into calm water.

Auntie's eyes lit up. Divide the family property? Now?

She quickly calculated in her mind that her two twin sons were still young, unmarried and without established careers. If they were to separate now, it would indeed be a loss in terms of the number of people in the household.

But the old lady is getting on in years. Although she is in good health, who can guarantee that she will live to see Bao-ge and Gui-ge get married? What if the old lady passes away before seeing the two brothers get married? If the family divides the property then, our family will truly be left with nothing.

Besides, even if we could wait that long, it would still be many years. The public funds would inevitably have to be used first to pay for Che-ge'er and Xin-ge'er's weddings. By the time it's our own two younger children's turn, how much would be left?

She didn't want to take advantage of others, but she also didn't want others to take advantage of her. Since there were fewer people in her family now, they had less to eat and spend, so it was better to separate the assets as soon as possible. She felt more secure keeping the money in her own hands and could also save more money for her children.

Just as she was about to agree, Uncle Chen, standing beside her, frowned and objected in a muffled voice: "Mother, what are you saying?"

"While our parents are alive, we don't separate the household; that's the old tradition. You're still healthy and strong, so let's all live our lives as a family. Why would we need to separate?"