Through this fragrant array of flowers, it was a quiet courtyard, enclosed by a circular arch gate that separated the courtyard from the garden. Stepping through the arch gate, the first thing that caught the eye was a pair of small connected houses, adorned with green bricks and red tiles. Inside, there was only a bed, a table, and four chairs. Although the furnishings were quite simple, they were a significant improvement compared to the thatched hut outside.
Lin Wanrong nodded in satisfaction, pleased with the cozy nest he now possessed. He looked around, attempting to find Uncle Fu, but there was no sign of him.
Could this old man be slacking off during work hours? Lin Wanrong thought helplessly, scanning the surroundings. Finally, he shouted loudly, "Uncle Fu, Uncle Fu, where are you?"
A voice came from the flower bushes, "I'm here, Lin San."
Following the sound, Lin Wanrong saw Uncle Fu squatting among the flowers, tending to a peony. His figure was hidden by the branches, explaining why Lin Wanrong couldn't spot him earlier.
Lin Wanrong grinned awkwardly, walking over and saying, "Uncle Fu, I'm here to report."
Uncle Fu nodded, "I see you. So, how do you feel about my garden?"
Taking a deep breath of the full-bodied floral fragrance, Lin Wanrong exclaimed, "The scent of flowers envelops the surroundings; may it linger beneath the flowers during sleep."
Uncle Fu laughed heartily, "Just wait. With your appreciation for the fragrance, the cultivation of flowers and plants in the Xiao residence will rely on you in the future."
"Wait a moment, wait a moment," Lin Wanrong was taken aback. He was here to idle away time, not to become a gardener. If he were to make a mistake and tarnish Uncle Fu's reputation, he couldn't bear the consequences. So, he quickly said, "Uncle Fu, you are in your prime. The responsibility of tending the garden should still be yours. I don't know anything about this. If, by any chance, I make a mistake and damage your reputation, I won't be able to bear that responsibility. Therefore, I'd rather stay by your side and assist you."
Uncle Fu gave him a glance, "You have a bit of self-awareness, little one. Follow me from now on, learn well, and with this skill, I guarantee you won't worry about food and clothing for the rest of your life in the Xiao family."
Although Lin Wanrong didn't plan on staying in the Xiao family forever, he was a clever person. Knowing that he had to spend a year here, Uncle Fu was a protective umbrella. He had to play the flattery game.
Seeing Uncle Fu standing up, Lin Wanrong quickly brought a stool for him, inviting him to sit. Then, he went inside to fetch water for Uncle Fu to wash his hands. Finally, he brewed a pot of hot tea and handed it respectfully to Uncle Fu. Not content with that, he took out a folding fan and gently fanned beside Uncle Fu, exhibiting utmost diligence. This was a stark contrast to his forceful demeanor when entering the main gate—it was like dealing with two different people.
"Uh, Lin San, it's late autumn now. Isn't this fan a bit too cool?" Uncle Fu kindly reminded him.
"No problem, no problem, Uncle Fu is still vigorous and fiery. These gentle movements won't affect you in the slightest," Lin Wanrong confidently flattered.
Uncle Fu didn't say much, enjoying the attentive service.
After chatting with Uncle Fu for a while, Lin Wanrong learned about the situation in the gardening department. Although there were many servants in the residence, there were only two gardeners—himself and Uncle Fu. Uncle Fu had refused multiple proposals to increase the workforce. If it weren't for his old age and Lin Wanrong's compatibility, he wouldn't have sought help.
Bitterness arose in Lin Wanrong's heart. This old man insisted on preserving his dignity and suffered alone. No need to say more—Lin Wanrong realized that all the gardening tasks in this vast estate would fall on him. How could he not feel annoyed?
Uncle Fu, oblivious to Lin Wanrong's thoughts, shared tales of his glorious past. Lin Wanrong had no interest in his illustrious history. Leaning against the flower bushes, he felt drowsy, unknowingly pressing a few peonies beneath him.
After enduring Uncle Fu's endless chatter, it was already noon. From Uncle Fu's conversation, Lin Wanrong learned that they didn't reside here. These veterans had special accommodations provided by Madame Xiao, allowing them to enjoy their retirement.
So, this small courtyard would be Lin Wanrong's territory in the future. Listening to this information somewhat lifted Lin Wanrong's spirits.
When lunchtime arrived, Lin Wanrong, carrying a rice bowl, headed towards the servants' dining area.
Uncle Fu had already explained some rules to Lin Wanrong, particularly regarding the etiquette of being a servant in a prominent household. The servants could only eat after the master had finished their meal, and they had to sleep only after the master retired for the night. The servants' dining area was essentially a simple canteen, a place specifically for the miscellaneous servants to have their meals. The lunchtime today was a bit later than usual, and Lin Wanrong's stomach had long been growling.
Entering the dining area, Lin Wanrong roughly surveyed the place. It was extremely plain, with rows of wooden tables and chairs. Several large pots contained cooked meals, and there were two prominent signs—one for intermediate servants and another for lower-level servants. Senior servants wouldn't dine here; their status was different, and they naturally disdained eating with these younger generations.
In the intermediate servant area, about a dozen people sat scattered around, many of them looking at the new servants with mocking eyes, finding some long-lost pleasure in these newcomers.
On the other hand, the lower-level servant area was packed, with roughly thirty or forty people. Thinking about the thousands who had queued up for the servant interviews, yet only a few dozen were selected, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but feel sorry for those who didn't make it. It was undoubtedly a publicity stunt orchestrated by the shrewd Miss Xiao.
Thinking of this Miss Xiao, Lin Wanrong did find her somewhat interesting. After all, she was a strong woman. Pursuing someone like her would be worthwhile; get involved and then move on. It would be quite an achievement. Moreover, after making a small fortune with her portrait, it seemed fitting to express some gratitude. Lin Wanrong chuckled a few times, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
Filling his bowl with food, Lin Wanrong was about to start eating when a commotion ahead caught his attention. "Madame is here, Madame is here, Madame has come to visit us newcomers."
A mature and beautiful figure walked in from outside, radiating warmth and exuding an elegant temperament—Madame Xiao.
Beside her were Steward Wang and Assistant Steward Pang. Judging from their respectful attitude, it was evident that Madame Xiao held high prestige in the Xiao household. Thinking back to those days, when Madame Xiao, as a widow with two young daughters, managed the vast Xiao family estate, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but admire her. People with capabilities were always worthy of respect.