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

Chen Wanxing took in her gaze without feeling anything. She gently nudged Chen Yanxin's back and whispered, "Go wash your face first."

Chen Yanxin nodded and silently followed Qiu Ju and the others to the kitchen.

The driver patted the mule's neck and turned to Chen Wanxing: "Miss, we've arrived at your place. Would you like to unload the goods? I need to hurry back before the sun sets."

"Of course, I'm sorry to have taken up your time." Chen Wanxing nodded slightly. Upon hearing the driver's words, Chen Yanche and Tian Chuan immediately began to unload everything from the carriage.

"Alright, miss, I'll be going now. Remember to come find me if you need the cart again." With that, he flicked the whip in the air, and the mule trotted off, pulling the empty cart around and heading back the way it came.

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Tian. Would you like to come in and have a cup of tea before you leave?"

Tian Chuan glanced up at Chen Wanxing quickly, but when their eyes met, he looked away immediately and said in a muffled voice, "No, it's no trouble at all. I hitched a ride back with you guys; I should be thanking you."

He paused, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only managed to squeeze out a dry sentence, "I won't drink the tea, I'll be going now."

After saying that, without waiting for Chen Wanxing to reply, he nodded hastily to Chen Yanche, then turned and strode towards the west end of the village, his figure quickly becoming smaller in the sunset.

Chen Wanxing watched him walk away until his figure disappeared around the corner before turning her gaze away. She then instructed Chen Yanche beside her, "Brother Che, don't move these things to the main room yet, move them all to my room."

Chen Yanche understood and quickly agreed, "I know, sis. I'll move it right away." Chen Wanxing didn't say anything more, gently pushed open the half-closed courtyard gate, and went inside.

Inside the main room, the Liu family had not yet left and were chatting casually with the Chen family. The atmosphere was somewhat strained because of the earlier candy-grabbing incident at the door.

Chen Wanxing sat with him for about fifteen minutes. He was already a little impatient, especially since he had gotten up early and the trip to and from the county town had taken its toll. After sitting for a while, he felt a wave of weariness wash over him.

She then stood up and said to Grandma Chen and her parents, "Grandma, I'm a little tired today and would like to go back to my room to rest for a while. Please excuse me."

Mother Chen hurriedly said, "Go and rest, you've walked all day." Grandma Chen nodded as well, "If you're tired, go inside and lie down."

Chen Wanxing returned to her room, closed the door, and finally found some peace and quiet. She walked to the table, took off all the jewelry she had worn that day, and casually placed it on the table by the window.

Then, she took off her outer garment, leaving only her inner garment, and lay down on the bed. The voices outside the window gradually faded, and she soon fell asleep.

She slept quite soundly until she was awakened by the faint aroma of food wafting from outside the window. When she opened her eyes, the room was dimly lit, and she could hear the occasional clinking of dishes and the sound of people moving around coming from the direction of the main room.

After a good night's sleep, Chen Wanxing felt much better. She sat up and rubbed her temples.

As she finished dressing and prepared to go out, her gaze fell upon the silver jewelry on the table, its surface reflecting a soft glow. She didn't like wearing these at home, finding them cumbersome, and now that it was evening, Chen Wanxing didn't want to wear them anymore, so she decided to put them away.

So she got up, walked to the table, picked up the jewelry she had casually placed on it, turned around and walked to the box by the bed, preparing to put it in.

The box contained only ordinary clothes and odds and ends. And because it was opened almost daily, Chen Wanxing, finding it too troublesome, hadn't locked it. So, just as she opened the box to put her jewelry inside, she paused.

Someone had touched her suitcase, and Chen Wanxing's eyes instantly became clear and cold.

She quickly checked; the clothes had only been moved and refolded, nothing was missing or damaged. Her small pouch for jewelry had also been opened, but the few pieces of jewelry inside were still there.

Chen Wanxing frowned and reached into the bottom of the box. There was ten taels of loose silver casually wrapped in a piece of brown coarse cloth. It should have been in that corner, which she had deliberately placed outside to avoid being noticed. But now it was empty, with only the coarse cloth crumpled up there.

Ten taels of silver have disappeared.

Chen Wanxing stood quietly, her fingers stroking the empty coarse cloth. The feeling of her private space being invaded and her clothes being rummaged through and touched by a stranger made her feel a strong sense of discomfort and anger.

What she hates most is the feeling of having her boundaries violated.

A surge of irritation welled up, but she forcefully suppressed it. She took out all the clothes, shook them out, and then folded them neatly again. Then she closed the suitcase lid, looked in the mirror, and carefully smoothed her slightly disheveled hair, tying it into a neat bun.

After doing all this, her expression returned to calm, but a hint of coldness lingered in her eyes. She straightened her clothes, pushed open the door, and walked out.

As dusk settled in the courtyard, the enticing aroma of food wafted from the kitchen. Chen Qinghui was just coming out of the main room when she saw her. Her eyes lit up: "Big sister, you're awake? Grandma was just about to ask me to call you for dinner."

"Yes, I just woke up," Chen Wanxing replied, and walked towards the main room.

Inside the main room, the food was already laid out on the table, and the family sat around it. Chen Qinghui was clinging to her mother, chattering about what she had seen and heard in the county town that day, still full of excitement.

Chen Yanxin, who had been somewhat quiet due to the afternoon's lingering tension, gradually cheered up as he listened to his sister's vivid account. Chen Wanxing, not wanting to disrupt the harmonious atmosphere, decided to wait until after dinner to discuss the stolen silver.

However, Aunt Liu seemed to have forgotten how awkward the atmosphere was when her parents left the Chen family. She just had to bring up the very thing that shouldn't be brought up. For her, her parents stepping through her door was a great honor.

Her face, however, glowed with an unusual redness, her eyes shining unnaturally, still immersed in some kind of excitement. She picked up her chopsticks, but instead of immediately taking any food, she began to mutter to herself again, this time addressing Mr. Chen, Mrs. Chen, and Grandma Chen, her tone one of genuine admiration, as if she truly felt she had a treasure to offer:

"Mother, it's not that I'm being nosy, but I'm truly filled with emotion." She sighed, as if expressing deep regret.

"Our Yaozu is truly exceptional. He has both good looks and strength. He's a master in both the fields and at home. During the off-season, he can even earn money. He's much better than those who just cling to their few acres of land."

He's a kind and honest man, loves his children, and is filial to his elders. Even my mother says that Yaozu is the most successful member of our Liu family.

Grandma Chen lifted her eyelids and glanced at Liu Shi. Over the years, apart from trying to squeeze things out of Liu Shi, the two families rarely had any proper contact.

I've only heard that the Liu family is extremely sexist, treating their daughters like dirt while their sons are treasures, and even their grandchildren are not well-liked.

However, back when she was still a young woman, Liu had a very good reputation; she was capable and hardworking. After she married into the family, she was indeed very capable. She did all the housework and farm work without complaint.

So even though she kept thinking about helping her family, Grandma Chen didn't say much, since she was in charge of the household affairs and didn't have much money herself.

But seeing her biased parents today, and Shuanzi, who was spoiled and lawless and even tried to steal things, Grandma Chen's heart sank.

With such a family atmosphere, what kind of good children can be raised? In the future, we'll have to make sure Yanxin and Dongmei go to their maternal grandparents' house less often, lest they be led astray.