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

Seeing that her grandmother was truly angry, Chen Wanxing sighed inwardly, knowing she couldn't refuse her again. She remained silent for a moment, then took her grandmother's rough hand and softened her tone: "Grandma, please don't be angry, I'll accept the money."

Grandma Chen's expression softened slightly.

But Chen Wanxing immediately added, "However, you have to promise me that this money, as you said, is an advance from the personal savings you were preparing to leave me. You have to keep track of it and not touch the public funds, okay?"

She proposed a compromise that accepted the old woman's wishes while clearly defining boundaries, avoiding taking advantage of other family members and putting her grandmother in a difficult position.

Looking into her clear and firm eyes, Grandma Chen felt both gratified by her granddaughter's understanding and principles, and a touch of sadness. Finally, she sighed and nodded, "Alright, it's your way. It'll be deducted from your share. Grandma will remember it."

Chen Wanxing carefully put away the string of coins. The coins were heavy, and so was her heart.

"Thank you, Grandma."

"Go ahead, come back soon, and take good care of your younger siblings." Grandma Chen waved her hand, then carefully tied the bag, put it in the box, and locked it. Then she fumbled to put the box back in its original place, her hunched back making her look a little stooped.

Chen Wanxing carefully tucked the heavy copper coin into the depths of his sleeve pocket, took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and then lifted the curtain to step out of the room.

In the courtyard, several people changed into their neatest clothes, their faces filled with barely suppressed excitement and anticipation as they gazed at her expectantly.

"Sister, can we go now?" Qing Sui couldn't hold back any longer and ran over, but stopped in front of Chen Wanxing in time, subconsciously straightening her clothes.

Qiuju and Dongmei followed, calling out softly, "Big Sister."

Chen Yanche stood a little further away, also wearing a slightly worn blue-black cotton-padded jacket and trousers, his hair neatly combed with water, and his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Everything's ready? Let's go then."

The group left the Chen family's courtyard and walked along the village path. When they arrived at Chen Hua's house in the village, the old flatbed oxcart was already harnessed, and two women were waiting for them.

Chen Hua's eldest son, Chen Rong, was feeding the cattle with a bundle of hay. Seeing them arrive, he greeted them with a smile, "You're here? Are you all going to Ruyang County?"

Qing Sui replied in a clear voice, "Yes, Brother Rong. Look, this is my eldest sister. She said she'd take us to the county town for a stroll, and my grandma and the others agreed. We have enough people. Hurry up and call Uncle Hua out so we can set off."

"Okay." Upon hearing this, Chen Rong called out into the house, "Dad, we have enough people. Let's set off now." Then a middle-aged man with a limp came out of the house.

The oxcart wasn't very spacious, and it was a bit crowded when they all sat down, but that was fine too, as it would block the wind. Chen Yanche naturally sat in the outermost part of the cart and stretched out his arm to shield them.

Qing Sui, Qiu Ju, and Dong Mei squeezed together next to Chen Wanxing on the cart, holding onto the edge of the cart with a mixture of excitement and caution.

The oxcart slowly started moving, leaving the village entrance and heading onto the official road leading to the county town.

After a while, the oxcart stopped in an open space outside the county town gate, which was designated for parking rickshaws. The sun was high in the sky, dispelling some of the chill. The county town gate was bustling with people, much more lively and noisy than the villages.

Chen Hua parked the car and said to them and the other two women in the car, "I'll wait around here. Come find me when you're done. We'll wait until the very end, so be careful not to miss it."

"Okay, we understand." Chen Wanxing replied and got out of the car with her younger siblings.

Qinghui and Dongmei, who had never been to the county town before, were immediately captivated by the scene before them.

This city wall is really high, and this city gate is really big. One person can't close it, can he?

Chen Qinghui's eyes kept darting around, and she stayed close to Chen Wanxing and Chen Yanche, not daring to stray too far.

The towering city walls, the bustling crowds, the stalls set up outside the county town, and the gatekeepers dressed in uniform who looked very tall and imposing—all of this was incredibly novel to them.

Chen Wanxing led them to the inn where Yunzhu was staying. As soon as Yunzhu saw Chen Wanxing and his group, a relieved smile appeared on her face, and she quickly came to greet them.

"Girl, you've finally arrived."

"Have you been waiting long?" Chen Wanxing nodded slightly, also nodding to the two bodyguards and the coachman, "Thank you for your hard work, masters."

When Yunzhu saw Qinghui and the others following behind Chen Wanxing, she also curtsied and said, "Greetings, young masters and young ladies."

Qinghui and the others had never been treated like this before, and were immediately at a loss for words, their faces turning red. They then waved their hands repeatedly, saying, "No need, no need..."

Chen Wanxing said gently, "We're all family, no need for formalities." She gestured for Yunzhu to go aside to talk, and asked Chen Yanche to sit down and rest with his three younger sisters in a corner of the inn, and ordered a pot of hot tea.

"Young lady, are you alright? At home..." Yunzhu asked anxiously, lowering her voice.

"My family is very good to me, so don't worry about me," Chen Wanxing said simply, then got down to business, "You should set off back to Kaifeng today, you don't need to wait here any longer."

"Ah? Miss, do I have to go back with them too?" Yunzhu asked again anxiously.

"Okay, you go back first. I won't go back to Kaifeng yet. I'll spend the New Year at home. We've gotten along well these past two days, so there's definitely no danger."

Yunzhu didn't have much luggage to pack, and as soon as she heard Chen Wanxing's instructions, she immediately prepared to call the two bodyguards and the coachman to set off.

Just then, Yunzhu suddenly exclaimed "Oh dear!" and gently patted her forehead, reminding her, "Miss, have you finished writing the letter to Sister Amber? I almost forgot about it."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wanxing paused. Since returning to Ruyang, she hadn't encountered any danger and had completely forgotten about the incident. A little embarrassed, Chen Wanxing touched her nose.

"I had completely forgotten about this. Luckily you remembered. It's not too late to write it now. Go to the street later and buy me a ream of paper, and a set of writing brush, ink, and inkstone. They don't need to be too fancy, just ordinary ones will do."

Yunzhu immediately replied, "Yes, miss."

After Yunzhu hurriedly went out to buy paper and pens with the money, Chen Wanxing went to see the two bodyguards and took out the silver money he had prepared in advance from his sleeve and handed it over.

"Master Zhao, Master Zhou, this trip went so smoothly thanks to you two. These two extra days we agreed upon will be two taels of silver each. Please accept them. On the way back to Kaifeng, I will need your help to look after Yunzhu."

The two bodyguards accepted the money and smiled, clasping their hands in greeting, "You're too kind, young lady. It's our duty. We will make sure to get Miss Yunzhu back to her residence safely."

"Okay, you guys pack your things first. I asked Yunzhu to buy me some things, and we can leave when she gets back."

After settling the bill, Chen Wanxing walked to the table where her younger siblings were resting. She saw them sipping hot tea, but their eyes kept glancing at the passersby and street scenes outside the inn, and occasionally glancing back into the inn. Qinghui, in particular, could hardly sit still.

"Wait a little longer, until Yunzhu returns, then we'll go for a stroll in the streets," Chen Wanxing said gently.

"Mmm." Qinghui nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling. Qiuju and Dongmei also smiled, their lips pursed in anticipation.