Chapter 5 Madam Shen's Private Belonging
Madam Shen's attitude was so sincere that Shangguan Jin felt a little embarrassed.
There was no other way; celebrating the old lady's birthday was the best option.
No matter which company it is, as long as there is any business dealing with them, they will definitely have to go through this process.
Once you're here, you can't come empty-handed. All those congratulatory gifts you sent out before will come back to you.
After chatting with Old Madam Shen for a few more minutes and inquiring about her daily life, Shangguan Jin prepared to return.
Just as she stood up, Old Madam Shen stopped her.
"You all go out first. My wife and I have a few words to say."
Shangguan Jin was taken aback, thinking that Old Madam Shen was going to ask about the Duke of Dingguo again.
Seeing that all the maids had left the room, Shangguan Jin was about to comfort Old Madam Shen again.
Madam Shen waved her hand at her, then reached into the soft pillow she was leaning against.
It took him a while to pull out a slightly worn small purse.
She opened the purse in front of Shangguan Jin and took out the contents.
Upon closer inspection, Shangguan Jin realized they appeared to be several silver notes.
"Jin'er, it is a blessing for the Shen family to marry you."
When Huaichen was alive, the Duke's mansion was doing alright.
Three years ago...
Shangguan Jin didn't know what the old lady meant by suddenly saying this.
Oh, the Huai Chen she mentioned is the Duke of Dingguo, Shen Huai Chen, who has been missing for three years.
"Forget it, I won't say anything more. It's too late to say anything now."
These past three years have not only been tough for me, but I know yours have been even tougher.
You are suffering more than anyone else.
You must grit your teeth and support the entire Duke's Mansion.
As for me, I'm just an ignorant old woman who doesn't understand anything. It's only thanks to your care that I can live the life of an old lady.
I can tell that things aren't going well for the Duke's mansion right now, and you're already throwing me a birthday celebration.
I know you're trying to save face for the Duke's mansion and ensure the Shen family can maintain a foothold in the capital.
But I also know that things are getting harder and harder for this family.
I don't know how I can help you.
This is my personal savings accumulated over the years. I don't need my monthly allowance or anything like that, so I've kept it all here.
The total is three thousand eight hundred taels of silver.
Also, I have two big boxes filled with things you gave me over the years. The keys are with Aunt Qiu.
When it's late at night and there aren't many people around, I'll have Aunt Qiu find two rough-working women to carry it to your yard.
You should find a less well-known pawnshop, pawn your money, and make sure no one sees it.
After saying this, Madam Shen stuffed the silver notes from her purse into Shangguan Jin's hand.
Shangguan Jin stared at the silver note in her hand for a long while.
"Mother, you...you've given me all of this, what will you use in the future?" Shangguan Jin asked subconsciously.
Madam Shen smiled, patted the soft pillow, and then placed it behind her to lean against.
"Didn't you have someone outside melt down a lot of small gold and silver cakes for me before?"
I kept a whole box of them; they're enough to keep as little toys for the kids, or as tips.
Also, I kept a jewelry jade pendant from a vanity box.
They'll keep these for when Yao and Yu get married, and also for when Jun, Ming, and Rui get married.
"Don't worry, I've kept a little bit." Old Madam Shen said with a smile.
Shangguan Jin felt the silver notes in her hand were a little too hot to handle.
Without a second thought, she stuffed the silver note back into Madam Shen's hand.
“Mother, this is your private savings, I can’t accept it, please take it back.”
Also, keep all your little trinkets to yourself.
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen became somewhat anxious.
"How can this be allowed?"
Although I'm no longer in charge of the household, I still know how much this mansion spends each year.
Especially in the past three years, the government's income has been low while its expenses have been high, and sending people to the border to find Huaichen has cost a lot of money.
We can't let you keep using your dowry to subsidize the Shen family!
Seeing Madam Shen's anxious expression, Shangguan Jin quickly took her hand.
"Mother, your calculations are correct."
But the Duke's mansion has not yet reached the point where it needs to use your private funds.
I will definitely make the Duke's mansion live a good life again. Please keep all this money.
"Do you believe me?" Shangguan Jin looked at Madam Shen earnestly.
Looking at Shangguan Jin, Old Madam Shen thought to herself, "No matter how capable you are, you can't cook without rice!"
But he still nodded seriously.
"I definitely believe you."
"Just trust me, Mother. Don't worry, after your birthday celebration, I will definitely fill your little storeroom again," Shangguan Jin assured Old Madam Shen, holding her hand.
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen's eyes lit up instantly, despite her initial worried expression.
"Yes! I forgot, when it's my birthday, other people will definitely send me gifts."
For the past few years, I've been quietly celebrating my birthday, while sending gifts to other people's homes.
Ah, I'm getting old, I've completely forgotten about that.
By the way, Jin'er, don't send all those congratulatory gifts you received to me.
Put some money in the public account to make up for the subsidies you made.
"The rest, I'll just pick the less flashy ones, to bring some good fortune to my room," said Madam Shen cheerfully.
Shangguan Jin nodded and agreed.
It seems that the old lady likes things like gold and jade. After her birthday celebration, I will definitely pick out a few very expensive ornaments for her.
"Also, Jin'er, I know that there are many customs and traditions in your large families."
There are certain customs and etiquette involved in giving gifts to others.
I think that when giving gifts to those noble families, you should choose more bottles and jars.
They like those.
"As for those vulgar things like gold and jade, let's not bother them. We'll keep them for our own use in the mansion," Old Madam Shen said softly.
Shangguan Jin nodded.
Yes, that's what she thought too.
Double-eared vases, double-eared vases, and flared vases—they all shatter into pieces if you break them. They're really not as good as gold or silver!
If you encounter a disaster or something, who would carry these things? Wouldn't everyone carry gold and silver?
"I've remembered everything Mother said, and I'll definitely pay attention in the future," Shangguan Jin replied with a smile.
Only then did Madam Shen lean back on the soft pillows, satisfied.
"Jin'er, as long as the sky hasn't fallen, everything will be alright."
"The Duke's Mansion is still there, and the imperial family hasn't made any final decision yet, so our family will remain the same Duke's Mansion as before," said Old Madam Shen calmly.
Shangguan Jin nodded.
That's right, no matter what happened before, we still have to live our lives now.
After leaving Madam Shen's courtyard, Shangguan Jin returned to her own room.
In the side room, Mama Lin, along with Dongmai and Chuntao, the maids who had accompanied her as part of the dowry, were discussing something while looking at account books.
Shangguan Jin did not disturb them and went straight back to her room with her maid.
All she has to do is give the orders; the actual work is handled by others.
However, Shangguan Jin's mind also started to work.
The Duke of Dingguo has gone missing, and the palace should, in principle, provide an explanation.
But it seems the imperial family has forgotten about this matter.
Also, her younger sister, Shangguan Yao, who became a virtuous concubine, suddenly passed away, seemingly about half a month before the Duke of Dingguo disappeared.
Only the seventh prince, who was not yet ten years old, remained...
this......
Shangguan Jin was startled. Could it be that the Duke of Dingguo's family and the Shangguan family were involved in something terrible?
Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence!
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