Chapter 145 All the money has been spent

After delivering the festival gifts, Granny Pei returned to the General's Mansion. Granny Pei chuckled and repeated to Yu Qingci everything that Zhang Shi and the others from the Earl's Mansion had said, even their expressions. The master and servants couldn't help but laugh.

Tong'er said with satisfaction, "They want our family's good stuff? No way! We're not giving it to them, let's see what they do then."

Yu Qingci said, "The Earl's family is so wealthy and powerful, what good things can't they have? It's just a matter of spending some money, so let's keep a low profile and not show off."

"Let's not talk about them anymore. I'll have to trouble Granny Pei to go to Liuli Lane again tomorrow to deliver the New Year's gifts we prepared for Mother."

Granny Pei: "It's all my duty as an old servant, nothing hard about it."

Yu Qingci: "Oh right, there are also the New Year's gifts for the clansmen. Have you shown them to Mother? Is Mother satisfied?"

Although Madam Ning is no longer in charge of the household, it would be best to let her take a look at these gifts and exchange items.

Pei Mama hurriedly replied, "The old lady has seen it. The New Year's gifts for various parts of the clan were personally prepared by this old servant and Wang Mama based on the precedents of previous years. As instructed by the young mistress, the gifts for Second Uncle and the other two clan elders have been increased by 20%. The old lady is very satisfied with them. Young mistress, please rest assured."

Yu Qingci: "That's good."

During her first New Year after marrying into the General's Mansion, Yu Qingci had to prepare gifts for more than just one or two families. In addition to gifts for relatives, friends, and clansmen, she also prepared generous gifts for the Li State Duke's Mansion, General Wu's Mansion, and Lord Li's Mansion.

When the family divided their property, the other party offered to help. Out of gratitude, we should give them a generous gift to express our thanks.

Yu Qingci: "And there are also my second uncle and fourth uncle's families. They just separated from their original families, so we can't miss out on the New Year's gifts."

Granny Pei smiled and said, "Don't worry, young mistress, they will receive their share. However, since they have separated their families, they are now considered collateral branches. The New Year's gifts for them should be the same as those prepared for the clan members. There's nothing more."

Tong'er rolled her eyes and said, "Should we reduce the gift by fifteen taels for each family? When the Second Master and Fourth Master came last time, I remember that Steward Lu gave each of them an advance of fifteen taels."

Everyone laughed again at his words.

Yu Qingci pointed her finger at Tong'er's forehead and said with a smile:

"You little rascal. I haven't even asked you yet, but did Yun Chu accept all the things I asked you to send there?"

Tong'er nodded vigorously: "I've accepted them all. Miss likes them very much. She's been thanking you so many times."

Yu Qingci nodded. As long as Yun Chu liked it, it was worth the effort she had put into choosing it.

Since those two families moved out, the mansion suddenly lost more than half of its masters and nearly half of its servants, making the huge general's mansion seem much quieter.

However, the three mistresses of the eldest branch were quite happy with this situation. Without those people, they could do whatever they wanted.

This year, Yu Qingci made a fortune in her shop and her household accounts were quite full. Yu Qingci was not a stingy person, so she spent a lot of money to have many items added to the courtyard of the old lady and Lu Yun Chu.

For example, a batch of fine huanghuali furniture was replaced at Songbaitang, and several pots of expensive flowers and green plants were added to the house and courtyard to create a fresh and festive atmosphere.

As for Lu Yun Chu, Yu Qing Ci selected several large boxes of fine things for her sister-in-law in one go: jewelry, silks for all seasons, fur coats, expensive ornaments, and trinkets that young ladies like. She sent them in one by one, and even replaced the curtains on her sister-in-law's canopy bed with brand new ones.

Of course, all the accounts taken were from the General's Mansion.

Even if she gets along well with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law in this life, she will not easily use her dowry to supplement the family income. For a married woman, a substantial fortune is the greatest guarantee for her to make a living.

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao appears.

"Sister-in-law, I've come to see you."

As the voice faded, Lu Yun Chu, draped in a lake-blue brocade robe and surrounded by a rabbit fur cloak, entered amidst the wind and snow.

Several charcoal braziers were placed in the inner and outer rooms of Yu Qingci's room, making the room warm as spring. As soon as Lu Yunchu entered, she took off her cloak, revealing a well-tailored moon-white brocade jacket with a cinched waist, paired with a pleated skirt embroidered with lilies in gold thread. At her waist was a long string of dark and light green jade beads, which swayed gently as she walked, showing the girl's charming liveliness.

Lu Yun Chu walked up to Yu Qing Ci, raised her hands, gently turned around, tilted her head, and asked:

"Sister-in-law, is it pretty?"

"She looks good. Yun Chu looks good in anything."

Yu Qingci looked Lu Yun Chu up and down with satisfaction, then took his hand and asked:

"Does my little sister like it?"

Lu Yun Chu lowered her head shyly yet happily, swaying her skirt twice, and said, "Of course I like it. Thank you, sister-in-law, for preparing the new clothes, jewelry, and all the nice things in the house for me."

Lu Yun Chu was startled when the items were delivered to her courtyard. Later, after hearing from Tong'er that these things were for her, she was both happy and apprehensive. At this moment, she grabbed Yu Qing Ci's arm and began to confirm again:

"Sister-in-law, did you really give me all those things?"

Yu Qingci chuckled and pointed her slender, jade-like finger at her nose, saying, "Anything delivered to your courtyard is naturally yours."

Lu Yun Chu's face immediately lit up with a smile: "My sister-in-law is the best to me. I've never received so many good things before."

Lu Yun Chu was not lying at all, so she was grateful to her sister-in-law from the bottom of her heart. Even her mother had never spoiled her like this since she was a child.

But back then, it was no wonder that my mother was upset. Whenever she wanted to get something for her, her two aunts would bring their children over and say that they were all girls raised in the same household, and only her sister-in-law's daughter had it, while their daughter could only watch.

The mother was so frightened by their commotion that she simply treated everyone equally when it came to making purchases. As a result, even though Lu Yun Chu was the only legitimate daughter of the eldest branch of the General's Mansion, she received the same treatment as all her sisters in the mansion and was never given any special treatment.

Only when her brother occasionally returned home from outside and brought her some nice things did those people dare not say anything.

Now her sister-in-law has suddenly given her so many clothes and accessories, all of which are exquisite and valuable, which has really made her feel flattered.

"But when I get to my mother's place, she'll definitely scold me for wasting money again."

The little girl pouted, looking somewhat disappointed.

Yu Qingci also thought of this. She had finally accumulated a large sum of money in the account, but in the blink of an eye, she had spent most of it. Even if Old Madam Ning didn't say anything, she would be heartbroken behind her back.

Yu Qingyan: "Don't worry, I've already thought of what to say to my mother. We'll just have to coax her a bit."