Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 173 - 172: Blinded by Wealth and Status

When it comes to hospitality and interactions, large families have always made it difficult for ordinary people to find fault.

Especially families like the Ding Family, who pride themselves on their scholarly lifestyle; even if they don’t like your visit, they will politely invite you in to sit for a while.

Having seen enough of the disdain wealthy families have for commoners at Fan Xiucai’s place, Liu Ji was utterly surprised by the warmth.

He thought of the supposedly difficult Mrs. Ding, as described by Qin Yao and Ding Xiang, and immediately felt they were judging her unfairly with their predisposed notions.

Look, how kind Mrs. Ding is, treating them, country folk, with such courtesy, even sending a steward to politely invite them to sit in the side hall, saying that Mrs. Ding is taking a nap but will call them when she wakes up.

The room was heated with warm coal and had incense burning, the faint sandalwood aroma permeating the room was delightful.

They were even served with snacks and tea, free to indulge.

A maid and an older woman stood quietly in a corner, awaiting orders, occasionally smiling at them and checking if they needed anything.

Liu Ji politely cupped his fist at the two, before sitting upright on a round stool covered with an embroidered cushion.

He didn’t notice the flash of surprise on the maid’s and the older woman’s faces, who then covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and giggled secretly.

Being someone who claims to be educated, why is he greeting us, who are mere servants?

Now it looks like this country farmer is trying to imitate scholars, yet slipping up with muddy boots under his cotton robe, amusing indeed!

However, despite the laughter, this man is truly handsome, causing both the maid and the older woman to sneak frequent glances.

When they realized they’d been caught looking, they made courtesy gestures, asking if there were any instructions.

They did their duties as servants without letting him feel awkward or embarrassed.

But slowly, Liu Ji began to notice something odd about the maid and older woman serving them.

He glanced at Qin Yao several times, noticing her calmly sipping tea, seemingly unfazed by others’ opinions.

Such poise made his own concerns seem petty. Liu Ji felt troubled for a moment but soon decided to eat and drink as he pleased.

After drinking a whole pot of tea, Mrs. Ding still hadn’t woken up; instead, he felt the urgency to relieve himself.

"May I ask where the restroom is?" Liu Ji asked the two servants awkwardly.

The maid and older woman exchanged a look, then the older woman gestured, "This way, sir."

Liu Ji informed Qin Yao and followed the older woman out of the side hall slowly.

Along the way, he truly witnessed what a wealthy household looked like.

The three-section courtyard, with just the small garden being larger than his whole house, paved with bluestone tiles and pebbles pieced together in patterns.

The wooden buildings, all painted in dark lacquer, had paper screens on the windows, letting light in to illuminate the whole house brightly.

Unlike their home, where they couldn’t afford paper for the windows; instead, they had double layers, the inner being a window, while the outer was a solid board for weather protection, keeping out all light, leaving the house dim during rainy or snowy days.

Most importantly, the courtyard was fragrant with various incenses, without a hint of chicken or horse manure smell.

The older woman stopped in front of a Treasure Bottle Gate house, and Liu Ji curiously asked, "Whose room is this in your estate?"

It was so spacious, four to five times larger than his little room.

Then he saw the older woman looking at him with a peculiar expression, awkwardly explaining:

"This is the lavatory for the estate’s servants, please go ahead, sir, I’ll be waiting next to you."

Feeling a surge of embarrassment, Liu Ji quickly gathered his robe and entered this room, which was several times larger than his own.

Upon smelling the distinctive lavatory odor inside, he felt slightly relieved.

After washing his hands, on the way back with the older woman, Liu Ji dared not speak lightly, observing everything in surprise at the Ding Family’s wealth.

Returning to the side hall, he caught Qin Yao’s sideways glance, he looked troubled, waiting for the maid and older woman to retreat to the corner before whispering to Qin Yao about the luxury of the estate’s lavatories.

He intended for someone equally inexperienced as him to share his amazement.

Unexpectedly, Qin Yao merely nodded, without any change in expression.

Just a nod! Liu Ji was astonished, wasn’t this worth a village woman’s shock?

Seeing his unsettled look, Qin Yao couldn’t help but laugh lightly, "I’ve had enough tea, how about you?"

Liu Ji was momentarily stunned, what did she mean?

Yet he honestly murmured, "This old lady sure can sleep, over half an hour has passed."

Having said that, his keen insight to read the room made him realize that Mrs. Ding might not be as hospitable as he initially thought.

Earlier, he was dazzled by the wealth of the Ding Family, now it was time to wake up.

Liu Ji extended his hand towards Qin Yao, "Give me the formula."

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, "Can you handle it?"

"You don’t like these messy dealings, let me handle it." Liu Ji chuckled awkwardly, recognizing his role, why else would a shrew bring him along?

Qin Yao rarely gave him a satisfied smile, then handed over the soap formula she kept in her coat.

Liu Ji then asked her for twenty copper coins, before getting up and walking towards the hall door.

The maid quickly stepped forward, asking if he needed anything, ready to run errands for him.

Liu Ji initially declined politely, saying he wanted to personally deliver something good to Mrs. Ding to show his sincerity.

Alarmed, the maid struggled, and the older woman rushed forward to explain, trying everything not to let Liu Ji go to Mrs. Ding himself.

Consequently, when Liu Ji insisted on seeing Mrs. Ding, his tone suddenly shifted, implying he would barge in if they didn’t help, secretly slipping ten copper coins into the older woman’s hand, along with the soap formula.

The older woman, unable to read, only knew it was an important document, fearing Liu Ji might create a scene if unchecked, left with a somewhat grudging expression to deliver it on his behalf.

She did not return the copper coins, instead, she chuckled, storing them in her money bag.

The maid, her wide eyes fixated on Liu Ji, was mesmerized by his outstanding looks when the light hit his face, lowering her gaze hurriedly upon realizing it.

Liu Ji took her hand, placing five copper coins in her palm, closing it with a smile, "Thank you, sister, for your hard work."

He then turned, calmly standing behind his wife, arms folded as they waited.

Qin Yao watched as he pocketed the five coins.

However, the maid, who was earlier simply standing by watching with amusement, now showed understanding, stepping forward to pour tea for the couple, informing them that Mrs. Ding wakes at this time daily and they should be able to see her soon.