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

The patriarch's main room was more spacious than the Chen family's, and there was a faded New Year picture and a simple "longevity" character hanging on the wall.

After everyone was seated, the clan chief's daughter-in-law brought out two bowls of steaming brown sugar water as a courtesy to the guests.

"Seventh Sister-in-law, it's wonderful news that the person has been found. But if I may ask, the money for the ransom must have been quite a sum, right? Is your family able to manage it all at once? If things are really difficult, although the clan's public account isn't very full, we can discuss borrowing some money to tide you over."

Upon hearing this, Grandma Chen pursed her lips slightly. Logically, she could answer the clan leader's question without much trouble, but she hesitated, unsure whether Wanxing was willing to bring it up.

Chen Yongde noticed this brief hesitation. Just as he was wondering what was going on, Chen Wanxing leaned forward slightly and took over the conversation in a respectful and natural manner.

Her voice was clear and steady as she spoke, "Grandpa Clan Chief Rongbing, I'm sorry to have troubled you with the family. However, Wanxing's return this time did not require the family to spend any money to redeem her."

"Oh?"

Chen Yongde's graying eyebrows twitched slightly, clearly surprised. No money? How could he possibly escape slavery and return unscathed?

Chen Wanxing continued unhurriedly, "I was fortunate enough to serve in the inner courtyard of the Marquis of An's mansion in the capital. Over the years, I have been dutiful and dutiful, which is why my master did not abandon me. Some time ago, there were some changes in the mansion, so my master showed special favor by not only releasing my indenture but also rewarding the An family with some silver."

She omitted all the details and only gave a general overview.

"After I left the Marquis's mansion, I was required to return to Henan to change my household registration certificate, so I settled down in Kaifeng. It was fate that I soon met my father and elder brother who were looking for me, and that's how I was able to reunite with my family and return to my hometown."

Chen Yongde listened quietly, then looked Chen Wanxing up and down again. Her skin was fair, her nails were neatly trimmed, and there wasn't a single callus on her hands. She sat casually, looking neither stiff nor awkward; she was quite beautiful.

Her gaze when she met my eyes, and the clear, soothing tone of her voice, all exuded manners and refinement.

"So that's how it is," Chen Yongde thought to himself. "No wonder her demeanor was so different from the village girls; she must have lived in a noble family in the capital."

No wonder people say, "It's better to marry a maid from a wealthy family than a girl from a poor one." People who have seen the world are different.

Thinking of this, Chen Yongde's gaze towards Chen Wanxing unconsciously became more serious. Judging from the meaning behind her words, she probably held her own even in front of the master of the Marquis's mansion.

Chen Yongde had prepared some words of instruction about living a peaceful life and the village rules, but he didn't say them out loud.

He nodded slowly, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out to reveal a warmer smile: "So that's how it is. Good, good, this is your good fortune. Now that you're back, what are your plans?"

Chen Wanxing lowered her eyes slightly, "I've been away from home for so many years, so right now I definitely need to stay home and spend time with my grandma and parents to get back into the swing of things. I haven't had time to think about the future yet."

Chen Yongde nodded and didn't ask any more questions. "Yes, no rush. Going home means going back to your roots. Take a good rest. If there's anything the clan needs to do or help with, just let us know."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Grandma Chen took Chen Wanxing and got up to say goodbye. She then led Chen Wanxing to visit several other families in the village who were of high seniority or who had frequent interactions with the Chen family.

The process was largely the same. Grandma Chen introduced it loudly, and everyone was surprised, amazed, and offered their congratulations.

Grandma Chen listened intently, her smile never fading, while Chen Wanxing quietly observed. As more people learned of her return, the villagers' gazes towards her gradually shifted from pure curiosity to a hint of envy.

As the sun gradually passed its zenith, the winter sunlight brought a touch of warmth. Grandma Chen, after all, was getting on in years, and after serving for so long, a hint of fatigue appeared on her face, yet she still felt she hadn't had enough.

"That's about enough," Grandma Chen said, glancing at the sky and estimating the houses they had passed. "We've met the elders we needed to see. We can talk about the rest if we bump into them on the road later. Let's go home. You must be tired after walking for so long."

As they approached the Chen family's courtyard gate, under the large locust tree, several girls were squatting there, engrossed in playing. Dongmei and Qingsui from their family were there, along with a few other girls.

Dongmei held her breath, tossed the pebble in her hand high into the air, swiftly grabbed the four scattered pebbles on the ground, flipped her hand over, and deftly caught them all in her palm before steadily catching the falling pebbles. The series of crisp and clean movements drew a low cheer from her sisters.

It's called catching pebbles, but these pebbles aren't made of stone; they're all ground from the bottom of a bowl.

When someone breaks a bowl, they pick up the thick bottom, dip it in water, and rub it gently until all the sharp edges are gone, shaping it into a round "piece" the size of their palm. It's lighter than a stone, has a cool, smooth porcelain sheen, and makes a clear, crisp sound when touched.

It was the twelfth lunar month, and there wasn't much work to do in the fields or at home. This was the perfect time for the children to play freely without getting scolded. Seeing them return, Qinghui's eyes lit up, and she called out in a clear voice:

"Grandma, eldest sister, you're back!"

Qing Sui's clear shout made the girls playing jacks under the locust tree look up. When they saw Chen Wanxing, the girls shrank back shyly and exchanged glances.

Chen Wanxing smiled gently at the group of energetic village girls, her attitude very mild. Grandma Chen responded to the call and waved to them, saying, "Go ahead and play."

The two continued walking home, pushing open the slightly ajar courtyard gate. The courtyard was quieter than usual; the doors and windows of the main house and side rooms were all tightly shut. "Where is everyone? Have they all gone out?"

Grandma Chen muttered something to herself, then called out, "Eldest son? Second son?"

The curtain in the other room of the east wing moved slightly, and Qiuju from the second wife peeked out, clutching her embroidery hoop. "Grandma, after my mother finished breakfast, she said she missed my maternal grandmother, so she went to Willow Bay."

"You went back to your parents' home? Why didn't you tell me? What did you bring with you this time? There's nothing good left in the kitchen." Grandma Chen looked puzzled.

Qiuju shook her head: "Mother didn't bring anything this time, she went empty-handed, I don't know how much trouble she'll suffer from my grandmother again."

Grandma Chen's unease deepened; her second daughter-in-law's sudden return to her parents' home was highly unusual. But with no one else home, she suppressed her suspicions and continued to ask:

"What about your eldest uncle, your father, and your third uncle? Aren't they home either?"