Is the beginning of a catastrophe? The little farm cook is raising a family with a full warehouse.

The hazy morning mist spreads through the alleys like a veil. The bluestone road still carries the moisture of last night, emitting a moist cold light in the dim light. Occasionally, a few crisp bird calls can be heard from the branches, further highlighting the quietness of this world.

A luxuriously decorated carriage slowly drove into the alley. The wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs, making a "gurgling" sound, breaking the tranquility of the early morning. The entire body of the carriage was painted vermilion, and every texture on the shaft was delicate and subtle. It was obvious at a glance that it came from a wealthy family.

Next to the carriage, riding a tall horse was Mu Qingfeng, the steward of the Ji Mansion. He was wearing a navy blue brocade robe, the corners of which fluttered in the wind. Around his waist was a belt inlaid with beautiful jade, which made his figure look more upright.

The title of manager is just a title to make it easier to manage things. Mu Qingfeng is Ji Yanchuan's confidant and also his eyes in the outside world. Unlike the ordinary servants who seek progress while keeping steady, he has a bit more fierce momentum.

Mu Qingfeng dismounted, walked quickly to the door of Cheng Yuntao's house, raised his hand and gently knocked on the doorknob.

With a creak, the door slowly opened and Cheng Yuntao appeared at the door.

She had expected the Ji family to send someone to pick her up, but she hadn't expected it to be so early. Wasn't it a dinner party they had agreed to host? Cheng Yuntao now even suspected she would have to host the luncheon as well. However, she only dared to mutter these words in her heart. On the surface, Cheng Yuntao remained extremely respectful. After all, Boss Ji's token had helped her a lot, and she couldn't afford to be rude to him.

After seeing the person, Mu Qingfeng couldn't help but reveal a moment of surprise in his eyes.

The girl's black hair was neatly tied up and fixed lightly with a wooden hairpin. A few strands of hair fell beside her fair cheeks, adding to her liveliness.

She wore a moon-white dress, the hem and cuffs embroidered with delicate orchids, the silk threads shimmering softly in the morning light. The edges of the collar and cuffs were delicately outlined with fine white cotton thread. A pale blue sash swayed gently in the breeze, like a lily blooming in the mountains.

Coming back to his senses, Mu Qingfeng bowed slightly with a perfect smile on his face: "Miss Cheng, my master sent me to pick you up at the agreed time."

A hint of doubt flashed in Cheng Yuntao's eyes. She really couldn't understand why Boss Ji sent someone to pick her up in such a high-profile manner when she was just a little cook?

Before she could think, Mu Qingfeng moved aside and gestured for her to walk towards the carriage. He continued, "Miss Cheng, you may not know that normally, I would not personally handle such trivial matters as picking you up. But this time, the master specifically ordered me to pick you up, which shows how much he values ​​you."

Although she was puzzled, Cheng Yuntao still wore a polite yet distant smile on her face and replied softly, "Then I'll have to trouble Manager Mu."

Just as he was about to get on the carriage, a servant suddenly stepped forward and knelt beside the carriage with a plop, his back facing upwards, his head lowered, not moving at all. Cheng Yuntao was startled by this sudden action and could not help but take a step back, his brows furrowed, his eyes full of astonishment.

Seeing this, Mu Qingfeng quickly stepped forward to explain, "Don't be alarmed, Miss Cheng. This is just a 'horse stool'. It's there to make it easier for you to get on the carriage. You just need to step on its back."

Cheng Yuntao's attention was suddenly attracted by the figure kneeling on the ground. She saw that the servant who acted as a "horse stool" was quite tall and had broad shoulders. He was obviously a strong man.

He was dressed in the uniform of the Ji Mansion's servants, his entire body tense, like a bow poised to spring. His head hung low, almost touching the ground, the muscles in his neck taut, the veins clearly visible, like a serpentine snake.

His whole body was trembling slightly, and he didn't know whether it was because of the pain from maintaining this posture for a long time, or the deep-seated nervousness and fear about this job.

Cheng Yuntao looked at this scene with mixed feelings.

She really couldn't understand why those powerful people had to use such a ridiculous way to show their nobility. Just looking at the appearance of the servant made her feel unbearable, let alone actually stepping on him.

In her opinion, everyone should live with dignity, rather than being treated as a lifeless tool like this.

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anger and pity in her heart, and said in a firm tone: "I can get on the carriage by myself, there is no need to do this." After that, she ignored the kneeling servant again, borrowed strength from the side, and jumped onto the carriage.

Mu Qingfeng looked at this scene with a hint of embarrassment on his face.

He originally thought that Cheng Yuntao would gladly accept the Ji Mansion's usual "rules" for entertaining guests. After all, in his opinion, this might be a kind of honor for those who aspired to curry favor with the Ji Mansion, but Cheng Yuntao's reaction was completely beyond his expectations.

Mu Qingfeng sighed helplessly and waved to the kneeling servant, signaling him to stand up. The servant stood up trembling slightly as if he had been pardoned, but still kept his head down and did not dare to look at anyone.

Cheng Yuntao sat in the carriage and looked around. The interior was jaw-droppingly luxurious.

Every corner of the carriage is decorated with exquisite embroidery and carvings. Even the canopy above is painted with gorgeous patterns. The cushions underneath are filled with fine silk and are as soft as clouds.

But this extreme luxury made Cheng Yuntao feel cold all over. She already knew that Ji Yanchuan was from a wealthy family, but seeing with her own eyes his arrogant behavior that looked down on ordinary people, she still felt shocked and uncomfortable.

The slave who had just served as a horse stool and the square interior of the carriage now made her feel suffocated and breathless, as if she was trapped in an invisible cage.

Cheng Yuntao's heart grew increasingly uneasy. She simply couldn't fathom what Boss Ji was up to. If he had been condescending and bossy, she could have comforted herself by saying that rich people were like that. But this seemingly respectful "courtesy" now left her feeling uneasy.

The carriage was moving slowly on the street, and the wheels made a dull sound when rubbing against the ground. Cheng Yuntao raised her hand, lifted the curtain of the carriage, and looked outside.

Jiang Yu disappeared into the crowd, but he always kept a distance from the carriage. Cheng Yuntao recognized him at a glance, and her heart was relieved a little.

The carriage continued to move for a while and finally came to a slow stop. The moment the wheels stopped turning, Cheng Yuntao's heart suddenly tightened and she subconsciously sat up straight.

Outside the car, Mu Qingfeng dismounted from his horse with smooth and graceful movements.

He walked to the front of the carriage, raised his hand and knocked lightly on the carriage, his tone respectful but with a hint of unquestionable meaning: "Miss Cheng, we have arrived at the Ji Mansion, please get off the carriage."

Cheng Yuntao took a deep breath, trying to calm her heartbeat. She raised her hand and lifted the curtain. The sunlight suddenly shone into the car, a little dazzling. She squinted her eyes slightly and took a moment to adjust before she could see the scene clearly.