Xi'er had heard of some of the rules for serving as a maid in wealthy households. She knew that maids had to be cautious in everything, understand their place, and never anger the master of the house. Otherwise, they might be beaten, cursed at, or simply thrown out the door.
She had finally found a place to settle down, so she could not break the rules. If she angered the young master and was driven out, that would be troublesome.
Chen Cheng smiled faintly. "My family doesn't stand on such ceremony. Just listen to Xiaowan."
"Alright." Xi'er answered seriously, then looked around the courtyard and ran to the water vat to scoop up water and wash her face.
The moment she entered, she had noticed that the Chen Family's courtyard was spotless, and both the young master and young miss were clean as well. She was filthy from head to toe; she could not let the young master and young miss take a dislike to her.
Mu Xiaowan slapped her forehead and smiled. "I still have some old clothes. I'll bring them for Xi'er to wear first."
With that, she went inside to fetch the clothes, then busied herself heating water for Xi'er to bathe.
After bathing and changing into clean clothes, Xi'er looked like an entirely different person.
She was eleven this year, delicate and pretty, with bright, jet-black eyes that held a lively cleverness. Her frame was somewhat slight, but she was in reasonably good health.
"Alright, let's eat." Mu Xiaowan liked Xi'er more the longer she looked at her, and she took her hand into the kitchen.
Xi'er had grown up in a poor family and was extremely hardworking. Without needing Mu Xiaowan to call on her, she helped set out the bowls and serve the food.