轉碼失敗！請您使用右上換源切換源站閱讀或者直接前往源網站進行閱讀！Chapter 3: Realizing I'm in the World (Part 2)
"My name is Ah Xue. May I ask for your honorable name, miss"
"I am Qiaoer. Just now I heard Mama mention a new arrival who will be sharing my room, so she asked me to come and take a look. Not all novel websites are the first to feature romance novels; you'll know this if you search for '151 看書網'." Saying that, Qiaoer walked over and took Qi Lin's hand. Even though her face was hidden by a vermilion mask, she still gave off an amiable impression. She led Qi Lin around to get familiar with the surroundings while they chatted happily along the way. "This is our quarters for the servants, although it cannot compare to the living spaces of the misses and ladies, it's very quiet here. If you go out from this place and turn left, there’s the dining hall. If you go right, that leads to the elegant pavilions where the misses and ladies reside. Walk further along and pass through Maple Path, and there lies the front hall, which is bustling with visitors."
Qi Lin nodded in agreement. The place was indeed vast and well-arranged, with many rock formations complemented by flowing water and lush vegetation everywhere. It wasn't inferior to Suzhou's classical gardens at all. Drunken Flower Building filled the air with a scent of flowers.
Hearing Qiaoer's introduction, Qi Lin found it quite suitable as a place for her to settle down; she supposed that the damned prince intended to abandon her in this den of vice, leaving her fate entirely up to chance.
Well, the environment here can't compare to that in the mountains, nor can it match the freedom there, but at least it's better than dying. I wonder how Xiao Bai and the others are doing Have they been hurt
"Ah Xue Ah Xue."
Qi Lin was brought back to her senses by Qiao Er's calls. When she came to herself, they had already arrived at a courtyard surrounded by maple trees; crimson leaves were scattered everywhere and some of them landed in the small stream beside it, making everything look particularly tranquil. At this moment, Qiao Er stood before a door, gently pushing it open as she turned back toward Qi Lin.
"Ah Xue, this is our residence. The other sisters' residences are also here. Come inside and take a look." After saying that, Qiao Er went in first and stood in the middle waiting for Qi Lin to follow her in.
Qi Lin walked in and took a look around; the room wasn't big but was simply furnished. The two small beds were clean. Overall, it was much better than the crowded employee dormitories—this place felt like five-star treatment. Qi Lin smiled and nodded as she went over to hold Qiao Er's hand and said, "Qiao Er, I'm new here and don't know anything. Please look after me, okay Wherever I'm clueless, please enlighten me."
Qiao'er smiled slightly and held Qi Lin's hand in return, "Ah Xue, you're too kind. I've only been here for a month. Our family is poor, so my father sold me here to pay off our debts. This way, at least I have some peace. Otherwise, the creditor would take me as his concubine—I heard that he’s an old man in his sixties, quite terrifying. We are destined to meet here; shall we call each other sisters from now on"
"Sure, sure." Upon hearing Qiao'er's background, Qi Lin didn't feel particularly sympathetic—this was a common occurrence in this era, and her empathy had long been dulled by the darkness of modern society. At present, she felt that compared to Qiao'er’s situation, hers seemed much better, as she still needed to think about how to keep herself alive.
"Really" Excitedly, Qiao'er held Qi Lin's hand tightly; her dark eyes blinked rapidly, almost welling up with tears. "I'm not yet fourteen this year, but Ah Xue looks like you're more than seventeen—would it be alright if I call you Sister Xue from now on"
More than seventeen! Qi Lin's eyes widened in surprise; she was already twenty-five years old. To hear that she looked only around seventeen and a half was the best compliment she had ever received. Wahahaha, she must be turning back into a young girl.
Without an explicit response from Qi Lin, Qiao'er anxiously watched her. Seeing Qi Lin's happy expression, it seemed like she agreed. Nonetheless, Qiao'er cautiously asked, "Sister Xue Do you not agree"
Huh Qi Lin shook her head, blinked her eyes at Qiaoer's nearly tearful expression, patted Qiaoer's face, and said with a laugh, "Haha, where did you get that idea I'm overjoyed myself. Little sister Qiaoer, since I have no brothers or sisters, don't even know where I came from, having another younger sister is indeed a blessing bestowed by heaven. We'll rely on each other from now on."
Upon hearing Qi Lin's words, Qiaoer joyfully threw herself into Qi Lin’s embrace, laughing like a little bird.
In the following days, apart from rising early and going to bed late, washing clothes, and doing miscellaneous chores, Qi Lin was getting along well. Qiaoer was clever and efficient; she did most of the work, so nobody troubled them either.
Qi Lin found that the rules here were quite strict—each maidservant had her own designated area to work in, with tasks clearly defined, preventing conflicts between individuals. However, maidservants were divided into three ranks: First-tier servants served directly in the young lady's quarters, enjoying the protection of their mistress’s status and reputation; they naturally led an easy life with abundant rewards, living alone in well-appointed rooms. Second-tier servants would serve tea and water in the main hall but did not have to do too many menial tasks; they also lived alone though their room furnishings varied according to their abilities. Third-tier maidservants like them could not enter the main hall, shared a room with another servant, had simple furniture, and were often bullied by older women; however, fortunately, most of the girls in this courtyard were easygoing companions, and sometimes they hardly exchanged words even after a whole day. When busy washing clothes, their hands would split from the cold as winter approached.
In summary, as long as one did not provoke others or harbor escape thoughts, it was tolerable. Qi Lin looked behind her and saw no more male guards watching; presumably she had been behaving well these days, hence the madam removed the watchers. In reality, it wasn't that she didn’t want to run away but rather because she had no plan for what would come after.g. Then he placed the other end of the vine on top of the white plum in the white jade bed before stepping back to one side.The blood flowed like a little snake looking for an escape route on the whit...