Chapter 126 You're too kind

When the two boxes were opened, Shangguan Jin was almost blinded by the light.

Oh my! A box full of thumb-sized pearls, all white and perfectly round.

There was also a box containing two smaller boxes, each filled with colorful gems.

Red, yellow, green, blue, and some colorless...

Every color is perfect! Pigeon blood red, vibrant yellow, royal blue, and a green like an elf's eye...

Shangguan Jin felt like she couldn't see enough with her eyes.

Pearls and gemstones, all natural—if these were at Christie's or Sotheby's, they could be exchanged for countless ocean-view apartments...

"These...are all for me? You're being too kind!"

"Come on over! Why bring a gift?"

Swallowing hard, Shangguan Jin was a little incredulous.

"Yes, living expenses for the household." Shen Huaichen's back was now as straight as it could possibly be.

Shangguan Jin still didn't believe it.

Why is this guy suddenly sending so many treasures?

No one gets up early without a reason; there's no such thing as a free lunch; unsolicited kindness is usually suspicious; and those who are eager to please aren't necessarily in a good business...

A string of words stuck in her throat, but Shangguan Jin gritted her teeth and didn't say them.

Now that Shen Huaichen is rich and powerful, I'd better not indulge in idle chatter.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Didn't you hold out your hand asking me for living expenses when I came back last time?"

Shen Huaichen spoke with great confidence.

Shangguan Jin chuckled and then touched the smooth pearl.

"Are you... really sure you want to give me these things?"

"Nonsense, of course I'll give it to you. I'm the head of the family, isn't it my duty to support the family?" Shen Huaichen said proudly, his head held high.

Shangguan Jin nodded, said nothing more, and turned to walk outside.

Shen Huaichen was taken aback. What was going on? Was he so happy he went crazy?

After all, I gave him so many pearls and gems, what's wrong with him saying a few more words to me?

"Where are you going?" Shen Huaichen grabbed Shangguan Jin's sleeve.

For the sake of those pearls and gems, Shangguan Jin did not mind Shen Huaichen's behavior of tugging at her sleeve.

"I'll go to the study to get paper and pen," Shangguan Jin explained.

"Why are you taking paper and pen? To keep accounts? Can't you do it after I leave?" Shen Huaichen said in a low voice.

"I'm asking you to write a certificate of voluntary donation. What if we fall out someday and you ask me for these things again?"

Even close brothers should keep clear accounts, let alone us who aren't even brothers." Shangguan Jin patiently explained.

Shen Huaichen...

"Miss Shangguan, I have a question for you!"

"Please speak!" Shangguan Jin was very cooperative.

"Did anyone see me deliver something to you? Are there any witnesses? Is there any video or video evidence?"

"Are there any transfer records?" Shen Huaichen asked.

Shangguan Jin...

Yes, there was nothing there; it was just the two of them in the house.

Who saw it?

"Oh! I was overthinking it. How could you possibly be that kind of person!"

Look, it's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! How are you, Your Excellency? You must be tired from the journey!

You must be tired and hungry after such a long journey!

"It's alright, dinner will be ready in two hours. I'll have Dongmai boil a big bucket of water for you then, so you can wash up properly in that tunnel."

As Shangguan Jin spoke, she sized up Shen Huaichen.

They looked travel-worn, their hair seemingly covered in dust.

Traveling over a thousand miles from the north to the capital must have been quite a journey...

Shen Huaichen snorted and then sat down cross-legged against the inside of the bed.

Seeing Shen Huaichen's reaction, Shangguan Jin thought for a moment and then asked the question.

"Are you back because you're not planning to leave again, or is there something else going on?"

"I just came back to take a look. If I had come any later, the north would probably have been covered in heavy snow and it would have been difficult to travel."

Don't worry, I'll only stay here for three days at most. Someone is waiting for me outside the capital.

As Shen Huaichen spoke, he looked around the room.

It's still the same as before, nothing has changed.

Shangguan Jin didn't believe it.

Why travel such a long way back just to come back and visit?

Hehe, let's fool the little fools!

She's not a fool!

Seeing that Shangguan Jin was just staring at him without saying anything, Shen Huaichen thought for a moment and decided to say something that Shangguan Jin would believe!

So that she won't think I'm up to something bad, or trying to take advantage of her...

"I mainly wanted to come back and find out what was going on. I couldn't believe what I heard from other people."

After all, I have to be worthy of the original owner of this body. She fought hard for her country, and I used her body; I can't just ignore it!

Shangguan Jin believed this to some extent.

Just like her, isn't she also worried all the time about what would happen to her family if the Duke of Dingguo's mansion were raided?

They are all kind and good people, so they will definitely have more to worry about.

"It seems alright for now. At least with that person around, no one will touch the Shen family." Shangguan Jin glanced in the direction of the palace.

Shen Huaichen immediately gleaned useful information from that sentence.

In other words, if Emperor Xiao Jing is gone, the one who takes the throne will definitely make a move against the Shen family.

This means that Shangguan Jin must have thought about the future and was making plans.

"You're not going to just sit here and wait to die, are you?" Shen Huaichen teased.

Shangguan Jin rolled her eyes at him.

That's a completely pointless question. If you know what will happen in the future, who would just sit and wait to die?

We are prepared for both possibilities.

Ideally, it shouldn't be one of those two who rise to power; currently, that seems quite difficult, but it's not impossible.

"However, even if one of those two goes, I'll have a backup plan in advance," Shangguan Jin said softly.

Shen Huaichen nodded.

That's right, it's good to prepare in advance.

"No wonder your eyes light up when you see anything related to money!"

That makes sense; they definitely need to make a killing before they run away!

Miss Shangguan, why don't you learn from the Marquis of Wuding's mansion and have a small banquet every three days and a large banquet every five days?

"Accept more gifts, and since you're giving the impression of being an orphan and widow, and Emperor Xiao Jing feels guilty towards you, he'll definitely support you," Shen Huaichen continued jokingly.

Shangguan Jin glared at him fiercely.

Am I really that worthless?

What I just said was only done under the most unfavorable circumstances.

We haven't reached that point yet, but aren't I working hard too?

Who knows, maybe my nephew has a chance to ascend the throne?

Back then, didn't I also enjoy wealth and luxury?

Upon hearing this, Shen Huaichen quickly stretched out his hands and clapped lightly at Shangguan Jin a few times.

"I knew it! Miss Shangguan is best at facing difficulties head-on and is most adept at playing when things are going against her."

This is the Miss Shangguan I know!

Shangguan Jin glared at Shen Huaichen.

This guy is spouting such obvious truths!

Even though it's all the truth, it just feels so awkward!