Keep the contract safe.
Robert spoke up: “Next, I will explain the manor’s rules, security measures, some basic precautions, and Viscount Willy’s preferences. I hope you all keep them firmly in mind.”
“Yes.”
The maids obediently responded in unison.
“As for our Viscount, that is Viscount Willy.”
Robert paused briefly before beginning his introduction.
After his detailed explanation, Xu Yinsheng formed a preliminary understanding of the manor’s owner, the mysterious Viscount Willy.
Viscount Willy should have been the ideal heir to the manor, destined for a happy childhood.
But a devastating fire in his youth claimed his parents, leaving a centuries-old family lineage on the brink of extinction.
At the same time, that fire left him with unimaginable psychological trauma.
For decades, he has been undergoing therapy but remains far from recovery.
When Robert reached this point, his expression turned solemn as he repeatedly warned them not to disclose the Viscount’s mental illness to anyone.
The maids nodded rapidly, showing complete agreement.
But Xu Yinsheng’s mind harbored doubts.
Another mental illness?
Zhao Yicheng was one, Chen Kedi half counted, and now here was another.
Was she somehow at odds with the mentally ill?
Next, Robert continued reciting the various rules within the manor—prohibitions, maid duties, and the etiquette the maids must learn.
His explanation stretched on for nearly an hour, until the sun had long set.
Xu Yinsheng’s backside grew sore from sitting, but the other four maids listened intently, their eyes sparkling like little stars.
At first glance, they seemed very serious, but in truth, each had their own private thoughts.
By the time Robert finished his detailed briefing, twilight had fallen. Countless tiny stars dotted the night sky, resembling a boundless Milky Way, brilliantly shining.
Just as Xu Yinsheng was about to doze off from boredom, Robert glanced at the clock and informed them it was time for dinner.
At that moment, Xu Yinsheng instantly felt wide awake and sprang up from the sofa, leaving everyone else speechless.
Night had fully settled; candlelight flickered softly. Xu Yinsheng and the others took their seats arranged by Robert.
As the senior maid had said, the only thing a maid needed was to amuse the master and properly serve the manor’s noble guests.
In other words, they were just ornamental showpieces.
The tableware was crafted entirely from pure silver—exquisite and elegant.
The chairs were carved from rare, precious wood.
Plush cashmere rugs covered the floor.
The dining hall was spacious enough to seat more than a dozen people at once.
The table was laden with stunning delicacies: fruit platters, pastries, salads, champagne, various desserts, and more fruit salads.
Xu Yinsheng’s mouth watered as she inwardly admired:
No wonder this is a manor with centuries of legacy.
Before the meal began, Robert introduced a middle-aged woman around her forties or fifties—the previous head maid of the manor, who would be responsible for teaching them the proper maid etiquette.
After the maids exchanged greetings with the head maid and completed the formalities, everyone sat down.
The head maid smiled and said, “Ladies, please enjoy your meal.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Xu Yinsheng rushed to grab a plate to pick out her favorite foods.
“Cantaloupe slices—yes! A portion of vegetable salad, please. Marinated hairy crabs—make it extra!”
This was her first dinner after securing the maid position.
While the others tried to cozy up to the head maid, Xu Yinsheng simply filled her plate with whatever she wanted.
The other maids nibbled delicately, showing grace and poise, but Xu Yinsheng downed more than half a bottle of champagne in one go and then let out a satisfied burp.
While the others carefully poured tea for the head maid, doing their best to leave a good impression, Xu Yinsheng ate and drank heedlessly, paying no attention.
Manners?
Forget it.
Noble etiquette?
Get lost.
Drinking culture?
What even is that?!
Xu Yinsheng declared that even as a maid, she would stand while eating if she pleased.
After all, she was only working here for a month.
After that, she’d dust herself off and return home to live as a wealthy young lady.
She cracked open a hairy crab by hand.
The tender crab meat and flowing crab roe made her inhale deeply in delight, ignoring the murderous glare from the head maid.
To maintain their figures and appearance during their service, maids rarely ate overly greasy or spicy foods; most meals were low oil and sugar, or simply fruits and vegetables.
By the end of the meal, among the five maids, Xu Yinsheng was the only one to leave a truly deep impression on the head maid.
***
“Yinsheng, wake up! Yinsheng, wake up!”
Xu Yinsheng’s headache from the shouting broke through her fog.
She opened her eyes and saw Qin Yumo dressed in a blue and white maid outfit.
Xu Yinsheng had previously noted Qin Yumo’s figure and appearance were ordinary, but her pure and innocent aura was very captivating.
If she spent a few tens of thousands on minor cosmetic tweaks, she could easily become a white lotus–style beauty with a pure temperament.
Xu Yinsheng rubbed her temples, feeling some lingering dizziness—likely from the earlier mix of Erguotou, champagne, and that blue larva drink.
“What’s up, Yumo?”
She shook her head, trying to dispel the remaining intoxication.
“It’s time to work, Yinsheng.”
Qin Yumo pulled her up and nudged her arm.
At the mention of work, Xu Yinsheng finally sobered a bit.
Right, she was here to be a maid—not to enjoy luxury.
She shook her head groggily, sat up on the sofa, and glanced around.
The room was empty except for a dimly lit lamp.
Only then did she realize she had somehow returned to the maid’s quarters—she must have drunk too much and napped on the sofa.
“Where’s everyone else?”
“They’ve all gone to work.”
Qin Yumo rolled her eyes and poured her a cup of sobering tea.
“Yinsheng, if you sleep any longer, the butler will have to come wake you up.”
Xu Yinsheng knew exactly what she meant and awkwardly rubbed her nose.
Full stomach and a nap was her usual style.
One careless moment and she reverted to her true nature.
She took the sobering tea and drank a sip, feeling the drunkenness fade somewhat.
Looking at Qin Yumo, she rubbed her tired eyes and yawned, asking, “Yumo, what’s our task?”
“It’s not ours, it’s yours.”
Qin Yumo rolled her eyes again.
She shook a bamboo stick in her hand, motioning for Xu Yinsheng to look, then said, “The head maid said our daily tasks are assigned by drawing lots.”
“Drawing lots?”
Xu Yinsheng glanced around the room.
Sure enough, on the large brown round table sat a bamboo tube, inside which stood a single slanted bamboo slip.
She set down her teacup, walked over, and drew out the bamboo slip.
It was quite long—over ten centimeters—with small characters painted in gold ink: Maid Task: Warming the Bed.