The Hand of Confession – Chapter 56

Volume 3: Days of Working at the Manor

Oil Painting

No painting features the same main character.

It was only when they got outside that they realized all four people from their house had already arrived.

The NPC standing in the middle of the crowd cleared his throat and said, “I am Brent, responsible for giving you a short-term training.”

The game lasts only seven days, so this so-called short-term training is likely just this afternoon.

The group stood obediently and listened to him say, “The owner of the manor is a baron. As for his name, you are not yet qualified to know it. He is a gentleman with a highly charismatic personality, and the entire estate is his private property…”

He was clearly a die-hard fan of the manor’s owner, boasting about the baron’s magnificent achievements with hundreds of words. Finally, he sincerely thanked the baron for providing them with jobs, clothes, and food, before continuing, “There are four young ladies in the manor, and the eight of you will be evenly divided among them.”

He gestured to group the four maids and four guards into a small circle: “Your task is to take care of the young ladies’ daily needs and ensure their safety. The manor pays you a salary of ten silver coins monthly. The benevolent baron, fearing that you might miss your loved ones if separated for too long, also allows you one day off per month to visit home.”

Shen Maomao was daydreaming, thinking that this job surely wouldn’t come with a labor contract or social insurance and housing fund.

A man with freckles agreed, “The baron is truly too benevolent! Thank you, Baron!” like a brainwashed cult follower.

Others looked at the freckled man with disdain, but Brent appreciated him, nodding at him: “You’re right.” He even encouraged others to learn from him, praising the baron at every opportunity and striving to be the baron’s bootlicker.

After the eight of them, the next one arranged was Golden Retriever.

Golden Retriever was a bit anxious, waiting nervously for his job assignment.

Brent said, “The coachman needs to pick roses with morning dew from the garden and bring fresh hay from the farm daily to feed the baron’s horses. These tasks must be completed daily, or you’ll face punishment!”

Golden Retriever thought, “?” How is this a coachman? It’s more like a “Bima Wen”! (Cultural reference to a character in “Journey to the West” responsible for managing horses)

“When there aren’t enough coachmen in the manor, you’ll also need to drive the owners around. Your salary and leave days are the same as the maids and guards.” Brent didn’t care what he thought, continuing to instruct the next person, “The cook’s job is quite simple, so the salary is slightly lower. You can start by assisting the head chef with tasks. Failure to complete tasks will also lead to punishment!”

Newcomer He Yongchang wiped the sweat from his forehead, nodding repeatedly: “I understand, thank you, Mr. Brent.”

Brent, being addressed as “Mr.,” was very satisfied, raising his hand to pat He Yongchang on the shoulder: “Work hard, and you can get a raise when you become the head chef.”

He Yongchang was tearfully grateful: “Thank you, Baron, thank you, Mr. Brent. I will definitely work hard.”

Shen Maomao gave a thumbs-up to the new big brother. Look at his adaptability and acceptance; Ye Tingnan and Shao Mei should learn from him!

Even timid people have their ways of adapting to survive, but it’s unknown what mistake someone like He Yongchang made.

The last one was Lou Jingmo, the gardener.

“The gardener needs to trim the flowers, plants, and trees in the garden, ensuring the style of the trees is different every day. The young ladies will have afternoon tea in the garden, and you must finish your work before they drink tea, or you’ll face punishment!”

He mentioned punishment so many times, undoubtedly reminding the players that failing to complete tasks is one of the death flags. Knowing this, players naturally take their work more seriously and avoid slacking off.

Thinking this way, the game should have miraculous effects on treating procrastination, Shen Maomao thought, finding joy amidst hardship.

After going over all the work precautions, Brent emphasized, “Gardeners and coachmen should not enter the central castle where the owners live unless summoned. Maids and guards must also leave before dark to avoid disturbing the owners’ rest. Understood?”

A sparse chorus of replies came from below, “Understood.”

Brent didn’t care whether they were enthusiastic about their work. He believed he had said everything necessary, so he concluded, “Alright, the official work starts tomorrow. Today you can take a walk around the manor, but don’t let curiosity lead you into places you’re not supposed to go. Maids, guards, and the cook, follow me; I’ll show you to your workstations.”

Finished! She had to act alone now!

Shen Maomao cast a glance for help at Lou Jingmo, who waved her off, indicating she could explore on her own. She then felt relieved, walking at the back of the group, closely following Brent’s steps as they entered the luxurious manor.

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Time flowed backward, seemingly taking them back to real medieval Europe.

The large floor-to-ceiling windows were adorned with multicolored glass, casting brilliant and beautiful light patterns on the floor when penetrated by sunlight.

Opulent curtains were hung high, and the walls by the windows were adorned with handmade tapestries interwoven with gold thread, as well as many incredibly realistic and beautiful oil paintings of women.

A spiraling wooden staircase was covered with a deep red carpet, and the banisters carved with exquisite designs, making the entire house resemble a delicate work of art.

The environment of medieval European aristocratic life was displayed before them, and the players were almost dazzled.

Shen Maomao kept looking back at those beautiful oil paintings.

She had just glanced around. In the entire first-floor hall, including the ones on the staircase walls, there were about a dozen paintings, each depicting a very beautiful young European woman, each different.

Where did all these lovely young ladies come from? Are they the baron’s daughters? Or his mistresses? Where are they now? Do they all live in this manor together?

It’s still unknown.

Brent first took them to the kitchen, handing the newcomer over to the head chef, and then paired the remaining eight players, taking them to meet the four young ladies.

The guard paired with Shen Maomao was Freckles. For some reason, Shen Maomao didn’t like him at all, her aversion even surpassing the initiator of the newcomer-robbing lottery.

“I have never seen women as beautiful as the four young ladies! They are the most beautiful treasures I’ve seen in the manor over the years! No previous young lady has been as beautiful as they are! They are like ripples on Rose Lake, sparkling under the sunlight. In their presence, even the sunlight seems dim!”

This servant did his utmost to describe the young ladies’ beauty. According to him, these four young ladies were actually the baron’s adopted daughters. The kind baron funded an orphanage and would select four eighteen-year-old beautiful girls from it each year to adopt. He let them live in the manor, assigned them servants, taught them noble etiquette and survival rules in high society, and then married them off to other nobles the following year, ensuring a lifetime of prosperity.

At this point, Brent showed a look of envy: “Why am I not a beautiful woman? That way, I wouldn’t have to work every day…”

No one commented on his sentiment, and Brent was left in awkward silence. He stopped his knowledge dissemination and silently led the eight players up the stairs to the second floor.

The entire second floor was carpeted, making it feel like walking on clouds. The hallway’s apricot-colored ceiling was carved with unknown patterns, with one transparent glass window after another on the left side. Between the windows hung crystal wall lamps. Even though it was daytime, the lamps were lit, the flickering candlelight demonstrating what it means to be wealthy and willful.

Opposite the windows were various locked doors, with the walls also decorated with various oil paintings of women.

The group walked to the left of the corridor, with Shen Maomao making eye contact with the paintings, feeling a bit uncomfortable but unable to pinpoint what was strange.

None of these paintings featured the same person, proving the baron’s benevolent act had been ongoing for quite some time.

At the far left was one of the young ladies’ rooms. Brent knocked on the door, and a gentle voice inside said, “Please come in.” He then signaled two people to follow him, leaving the others to wait at the door, and opened the door to enter.

In the brief seconds of opening and closing the door, Shen Maomao had already seen the inside—

A woman with a cold and beautiful appearance was sitting on the sofa behind the door, holding a delicate feather fan, covering half her face. Her exposed eyes looked calmly ahead, devoid of any emotion, as cold as a robot’s.

Shen Maomao felt a pang of heartache, hurriedly retracting her gaze, obediently looking down at the patterns on the carpet.

With the door completely closed, the remaining five people breathed a sigh of relief and began whispering.

The initiator of the lottery said, “That woman has a problem.”

A short maid glared at him but dared not say more.

Freckles agreed, “Let’s be cautious. Usually, nothing happens on the first day. Try to get more information and see if there are any unusual places in the house.”

Another maid, with an ordinary appearance and a tear mole at the corner of her eye, said, “If possible, we can try to find the two tutors. They have a higher status than us and might know more.”

The others nodded in agreement.

It seems the intelligence of this batch of players is still intact…

Shen Maomao didn’t express her opinion. Regardless of what anyone said, she nodded along, like a “vegetable chicken” (novice) without any opinions after leaving the big leg (Sister Lou).

Before long, Brent came out alone. He gently closed the door and waved to the remaining six people, “This is the eldest lady; she has a cold temperament and likes quietness. When you see her, don’t speak too loudly, or she will be displeased.”

Another flag.

Brent should be a normal NPC, responsible for telling players what taboos not to touch. However, Shen Maomao didn’t dare to fully trust him, as they had been tricked by NPCs in the previous two worlds.

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