Chapter 64 Aunt Xin

After the Duke of Dingguo's funeral, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion was quiet for a few days, but it quickly returned to normal.

After the first and fourth seven days had passed, the people in the mansion felt that things were not much different from before.

The only difference is that everyone needs to pay more attention to their clothing.

All the masters and servants in the mansion must observe a three-year mourning period.

Because of the mourning period, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion basically had no contact with the outside world.

Even if someone had a wedding or funeral, Shangguan Jin would at most send her steward to deliver the gifts.

As for the people, they won't go.

This saves Shangguan Jin from having to argue with others a lot.

Furthermore, the Marquis of Wuding's residence dared not mention Shen Qingyue's marriage anymore.

Finally, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion could close its doors and live its own life in peace.

Shangguan Jin knew that this was a great gift from Shen Huaichen.

Everything he arranged was to force Emperor Xiao Jing to treat the Shen family well.

Even if Shangguan Jin herself wanted to be a couch potato and just lie down.

With the foundation laid by the Duke of Dingguo, she could be guaranteed a life of wealth and honor.

Shen Huaichen has completely handed over the Shen family to her.

Thinking of this, Shangguan Jin recalled what Shen Huaichen had said before he left.

"Shangguan Jin, you are the smartest woman I have ever met. You certainly won't be content to be a stay-at-home wife, right?"

So have fun! I've got you covered!

If I can't make it in Beihu any day, I'll come back and come to you.

Don't worry, I definitely won't steal your peaches.

Or, if you can't make it in the capital, come find me in Beihu; I'll definitely be able to pick you up.

Thinking of this, Shangguan Jin couldn't help but smile and shake her head.

Let's take it one step at a time. No matter what, even if others think that the original Duke of Dingguo is gone, there is still the heir apparent, isn't there?

Four years later, won't there be a new Duke of Dingguo?

Therefore, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is still the same Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

All I need to do is calm down and live my life properly.

Thinking of this, Shangguan Jin suddenly remembered something.

If you're living behind closed doors, shouldn't the first rule be that everyone in the household is of one mind?

But the concubine who lived in the west wing, bestowed by the palace...

Shangguan Jin then remembered.

She's been here for over three months, and she doesn't think she's ever met Aunt Xin before!

Of course, it wasn't that Aunt Xin was arrogant or that she didn't come to pay her respects because she was bestowed by the Empress Dowager and had a different status.

Rather, it was back when she entered the mansion that Shangguan Jin had already said that this concubine, bestowed by the Empress Dowager, was of noble status and she dared not accept her courtesy.

Then she was exempted from coming to pay her respects every day.

Actually... it's just that the original Shangguan Jin didn't like her at all and didn't want her standing in front of him in his way.

Who knows what Aunt Xin is up to! What if she's trying to harm someone? Or what if she's plotting against someone?

Therefore, keeping a distance is the right thing to do.

But the problem now is that everyone knows the Duke is gone, so what about this Concubine Xin...?

"Dongmai! Let's go see that Aunt Xin!" Shangguan Jin suddenly stood up.

Winter wheat was startled.

To visit Aunt Xin?

Why are you staring at that concubine? Does the young lady want to be like the ladies of other families?

When the master of the house passed away, the concubines and mistresses he left behind, as long as they had no children, were either sold or sent to distant estates.

Or, like the ruthless Lady Wuding, they might simply strangle her and dump her in a mass grave...

"Miss, let's just ignore her!"

"Don't get your hands dirty!" Dongmai quickly pulled Shangguan Jin along.

"Huh? Get your hands dirty? What do you mean?" Shangguan Jin didn't react at first.

“Miss, even if you dislike that Concubine Xin, she was still a gift from the Empress Dowager.”

Although the Empress Dowager has not liked her in recent years, she was still a gift from the Empress Dowager. What if the Empress Dowager suddenly remembers her one day?

Forget it, you're so magnanimous, just consider it as having another maid!

"If you really don't like her, then move her to another courtyard, somewhere far away where you can't see her," Dongmai patiently advised.

Shangguan Jin...

Winter wheat is overthinking things again.....

"Don't worry! I won't kill her or sell her."

I just wanted to ask her what she thought: did she want to stay in the Duke's mansion and just wait around, staring at the sky in the courtyard every day, or did she have some other ideas?

If she wants to leave, we'll give her some money and let her go.

If you don't want to leave...

"Yes, if she doesn't want to leave, then let's see what she can do."

We can't keep saying that the Duke's mansion will support her forever!

With the Duke gone, it's uncertain whether the imperial family will even recognize the annual allowance of one thousand taels of silver!

Miss, come with me, let's go and see what that Aunt Xin is capable of.

Kitchen, sewing room, accounting room—you must be good at at least one of these!

"Forget about the accountant; I'm afraid she'll run off with the Duke's money."

Before Shangguan Jin could finish speaking, Dongmai helped her walk outside.

Shangguan Jin...

Actually, her original intention was just to give him some money to travel and send him away.

I really didn't intend to stuff it into other parts of the mansion.

The master and servant walked for quite a while before finally reaching Aunt Xin's west wing.

It has to be said that this west courtyard is really far from Shangguan Jin's courtyard!

At the very back, in the very corner.

The moat is right outside the wall.

To put it nicely, it's quiet and secluded; to put it bluntly, it's the cold palace of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Shangguan Jin looked around the small courtyard.

It's spotless. Originally, there should have been peach wood charms carved on the door, but now it's covered with a layer of white paper.

Dongmai knocked on the door, and after a while, she heard footsteps coming out.

"They're here! They're here! What are they doing here at this hour? It's not mealtime yet..."

The moment the door opened, the little girl, who was still cracking sunflower seeds in her mouth, was startled.

After a moment of stunned silence, the little girl quickly dropped the melon seeds in her hand and knelt down with a thud.

"lady......"

Shangguan Jin glanced at her.

It's alright; dressed in plain clothes, he at least followed the rules of the manor.

"Where is your master?" Dongmai helped Shangguan Jin step in.

"Auntie...Auntie is painting!" the little maid said quickly.

Shangguan Jin nodded, signaling the little maid to get up, and then led Dongmai towards the main house in the west courtyard.

The little girl's legs were trembling.

The lady has never been here before.

Did something important happen that you came all of a sudden today?

Or is it that, like the ladies of other mansions, they are going to sell Aunt Xin off?

The little girl felt a chill run down her spine at the thought.

If Aunt Xin is sold, does that mean I have to sell myself too?

Does that mean I'll no longer be a member of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion?

What if the person who buys my things is an old man in his seventies or eighties?

Waaaaah... What can I do if I don't want to be sold?