The male supporting character was actually myself.

By the way, I have hired a carriage as you instructed, so that Old Man Lin and his wife can slowly come this way. I estimate that it will take them quite a while to get here, with stops along the way.

Last night, when I was making inquiries, I overheard the butcher next door to Lin Mubai mention that after recovering from his illness, not only did Lin Mubai's personality change drastically, but he also developed a strange habit of looking people upwards.

"What does 'glance upwards' mean?" The little white cat looked puzzled, then rolled its eyes after trying it itself.

Jiang Chen habitually rubbed his temples, grabbed a handful of silver melon seeds, handed them to Han Hong, and instructed, "You've worked hard these past few days. Go back and wash up and get some rest."

Today is the master's special day, I need to get ready to go.

"Keep a close eye on Lin Mubai."

"Alright, sir!" Han Hong returned the greeting playfully and said with a smile, "Running errands is nothing to tire me out. You go to the master's place first."

I'll get myself ready and go serve the master!

The pageboy left like a gust of wind. Jiang Chen pondered for a moment and chuckled, "I can probably guess what kind of system the protagonist has."

"Huh?" The little white cat tilted its head, looking confused. "Host, does the protagonist really have a system?"

Why isn't the storyline showing up?

What type of system will it be linked to?

"The plot hasn't shown it yet, most likely because the protagonist is bound to a very hidden auxiliary system."

In addition, given the butcher's observation that Lin Mubai glanced upwards when looking at people, I suspect that Lin Mubai might have seen something.

For example, a death countdown;

For example, future fortune.

In short, the plot doesn't need annotation and it won't affect the overall plot development.

The fluffy ball stared blankly, "Death... Death countdown?"

If that's the case, it would explain why he chose to target the Xue family.

Both father and son were nearing the end of their lives and possessed immense wealth, with enormous riches readily available—something that could tempt anyone.

"It's just a guess."

"Today is a big day, the main character will definitely be there, let's see what happens." Jiang Chen stood up, holding onto the table, and told the head maid to comb her hair and change her clothes.

The Xue residence was bustling with activity today, the courtyard decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, creating a festive atmosphere.

However, this was limited to his own household, since it was just taking a concubine, not marrying a wife.

There's no need for the traditional three letters and six rites, nor for a wedding ceremony; a small sedan chair can simply be carried in through a side door.

The main reason was that Master Xue was in a good mood, so he held a banquet and gathered with his close friends to have some fun. Therefore, the mansion was filled with joy, but the outside of the gate was no different from usual.

As Lin Mubai carried the load of large red flowers, he attracted a crowd of onlookers, with many mischievous children following behind to see what he was up to.

Red flowers are usually tied like this only when betrothal gifts are given, but who would use such an ordinary carrying pole for betrothal gifts?

Besides, he's already married, so who else could he give betrothal gifts to?

"Strange, is the Xue family really that unpopular?" As Lin Mubai walked to the gate of the Xue mansion, he was completely bewildered to see only a row of everyday sedan chairs parked next to the stone lions on both sides of the gate.

No one came to give a congratulatory gift for my wedding?

He hesitated on the street, not daring to go forward casually. After thinking for a while, he walked towards the side gate he usually went to.

"Hey pancake seller, what are you doing?" A few people sitting on benches at the side gate of the Xue residence, chatting idly and waiting for their master's instructions, saw him and asked, "What's wrong with you, all this rambling and nonsensical manners?"

Lin Mubai: (?ω?｀ll)

Oops!

The original owner was too poor and honest, and knew nothing about the rules of the upper-class gentlemen.

I was afraid of arousing suspicion by asking too many questions, so I didn't ask any more.

It seems that this "innovative" approach is somewhat contrary to custom and rules.

"I've heard that Master Xue is having a very happy occasion today..."

Before he could finish speaking, the manager's face fell and he scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about! My master has neither married nor had children, so how could there be any great joy?"

If you can't speak properly, then shut up!

"Why scold him?" an older man advised. "Some country folk don't know manners and can't even speak properly."

You pancake seller, if you don't understand, don't talk nonsense.

Today is my master's special day, so we won't bother you anymore. Go back and sell your steamed buns."

Convex (fuck dish)

Damn it!

Why do you have to beat around the bush when you're just talking?

Lin Mubai was very annoyed, but he couldn't give up his plan, so he could only smile and say, "I would be grateful if some gentleman could pass on my message. It would be a small token of my appreciation."

Chapter Ten: The Gates of a Noble Family Are as Deep as the Sea

"A token of appreciation?" The steward, with his protruding belly, picked his teeth with a bamboo skewer and said with a disdainful look, "On our master's special day, what do you mean by sending a basket of steamed buns?"

Blowing air and getting sick is such bad luck!

Get lost, get lost, you're so annoying to be coming to the door every day.

Do you understand that our master is not someone a lowly commoner like you can aspire to?

You have no dignity whatsoever, yet you want to climb the social ladder?

"If you can really get into this courtyard and stay perched on this high branch for a long, long time, then I'll be truly convinced!"

The others laughed and jeered, some telling him to leave and others mocking him.

Lin Mubai's face flushed red and then turned pale, unsure of what to do as he carried the load.

A single gate and a pack of watchdogs completely severed the connections they had painstakingly built!

Indeed, the gates of a noble family are as deep and unfathomable as the sea.

"A transmigrator of my own caliber, yet I'm worse off than a servant in a wealthy family." He chuckled self-deprecatingly, looking down at his shabby, patched-up clothes, then at the servants dressed neatly and smartly, and a sense of resentment welled up within him.

After waiting for a while and seeing no hope of getting in, Lin Mubai suddenly had an idea.

Back then, taking advantage of Nannan's favor, don't be greedy for money. Even just asking to get a job in the Xue family would have been enough!

While I can strike up a conversation with Master Xue, I'll make the suggestion; he'll definitely agree. That way, I can at least have the advantage of being close to him.

It's a pity that the opportunity was too fleeting and was missed.

Lin Mubai was filled with regret. He had been thinking that if he got more reward money, he could make soap or glass and get rich quickly.

Who would have thought that life in ancient times was so difficult?

The gap between ideals and reality is too big!

If only I could work at the Xue household, at least those watchdogs wouldn't dare bark and bite me so easily...

Just as he was racking his brains trying to figure out how to meet Master Xue, Jiang Chen suddenly received a task from the main system.

[Mission: Help Lin Mubai successfully enter the Xue family mansion as a servant, primarily working in the study. Reward: A one-time C-grade item.]

"Huh?" The little white cat, who was happily devouring a chicken leg under the table, stopped eating. Its fluffy face was bulging out, and it mumbled, "Host, is this what the protagonist urgently needs? Does he want to take this opportunity to learn?"

Jiang Chen excused himself by saying he felt tightness in his chest and slowly walked out of the banquet hall, glancing at the script, which was still being updated.

"Clearly, I've completely blocked the protagonist's path to the Xue family. He's now at his wit's end and doesn't want to wait patiently for the best opportunity, so he's resorting to desperate measures."

He lowered his head and sniffed a newly blooming, delicate flower, and chuckled, "What a pity, Lin Mubai probably only reads time-travel novels and doesn't know the real situation in ancient times."

Servant?

That's slavery!

The protagonist probably took the hidden talents of the servants in novels and movies as reality.

Ah, once you lose your freedom and enter slavery, and sign a contract of servitude, regaining your freedom is as difficult as climbing to heaven.

Unless the master is willing to release them, even the children are slaves belonging to the master.

Even if someone is beaten to death by their master, all they need to do is pay a fine to the government and report it; they won't be held responsible.

If you don't like something, you can buy or sell it at will, or even exchange it with others.

Even a pregnant concubine being replaced with a horse is considered a beautiful story, let alone a lowly servant?

The little white cat was stunned. "Was ancient times really this scary?"

"What do you think? It's very difficult to break the hierarchical system in this mission world right now, since there's no imperial examination system, only the recommendation system. Local officials examine and select talents, recommend them to higher authorities, and then appoint officials based on their performance after a unified trial period."

Unless an ordinary person performs a great deed that shocks the world, there is no possibility of being recommended out of turn.

Otherwise, usually only the descendants of wealthy merchants, gentry, or bureaucrats could get the opportunity.

Therefore, the plot arrangement of the protagonist establishing his character and acquiring the Xue family's property is all paving the way for his exceptional promotion to officialdom.

Lin Mubai clearly didn't understand these things.

He's now obsessed with getting into the Xue family, and he's already disrupted the original plan.

Since that's the case, why don't I just do as he wishes and complete the task properly?

Just then, the steward at the side gate came looking for him. Upon seeing him, he ran up to him, bowed, and reported, "Young master, that pancake seller is here again!"

He carried a load of steamed buns on a shoulder pole, saying he wanted to give them to the master.

He wouldn't leave even if they chased him away, and now he's attracted a lot of people to watch the commotion at the side gate.

If this continues, the master will find out sooner or later. What should we do?

Or should I take a few servants and send him away?

"No need." Jiang Chen waved his hand and revealed a gentle smile. "If you take the servant and forcibly send him away, outsiders might think that our Xue family is abusing our power."

"Let him in. I want to see what Lin Mubai is up to."

The steward took the loose silver and left to carry out his orders.

Taking the opportunity, Jiang Chen returned to the hall and whispered a few words to the slightly tipsy Master Xue.