When Mama Lin and Dongmai heard that Shangguan Jin wanted to host a banquet or something at Guogongfu, their first thought was that she was going to hold a funeral for the Guogong who had been missing for three years.
Three years had passed without any news. Rumors were spreading outside that Dingguogong was already gone, and Dingguo Gongfu could no longer avoid facing the truth!
Mama Lin thought that if Shangguan Jin could consider this, it meant she had come to terms with it and was ready to accept the fact that Guogong was gone.
Dongmai thought the same as Mama Lin.
However, Dongmai had more on her mind.
Ah, it seemed they would have to follow the stories and set up a cenotaph. She wondered which set of clothes the young lady would choose to place in the coffin.
“Young lady, which family should we order the coffin from? I suppose good coffins aren’t easy to find these days. Why not ask the Shangguan Family for help? Old Madam and the Madam both care for you deeply and will surely help you find a solution,” Dongmai suggested.
Mama Lin was about to nod in agreement.
Indeed, Dingguo Gongfu had once stored a fine coffin, but Dingguogong had given it away. Nowadays, good coffins weren’t so easy to come by!
“Coffin? What coffin? Why would we go to Shangguan Fu to look for a coffin?” Shangguan Jin was taken aback.
Mama Lin, Dongmai…
“Wasn’t… wasn’t it you who said you wanted to hold a funeral for Guogong?” Dongmai muttered softly.
Shangguan Jin…
“A funeral? Why would we hold a funeral for no reason? I said I wanted to host guests, but hosting guests doesn’t necessarily mean holding a funeral! Besides, Guogong is only missing. The one in Gongli hasn’t even declared Guogong gone, so why should I rush into it?” Shangguan Jin said seriously.
“Then… what reason do you plan to use for hosting the guests?” Dongmai asked again.
Shangguan Jin thought for a moment.
“Old Madam’s birthday is in less than two months, right?”
“Yes, in fifty-two days. I’ve already prepared the birthday gifts for you, and even reserved the longevity noodles and longevity peaches,” Dongmai replied promptly.
Shangguan Jin nodded.
“Let’s move it up! We’ll celebrate Old Madam’s birthday early. Tell everyone we consulted a master who said it’s better for Old Madam to celebrate her birthday early this year. As for the date… let’s set it for ten days from now!” Shangguan Jin declared.
Mama Lin, Dongmai…
This… celebrating Old Madam’s birthday early was one thing, but why such a tight schedule?
Ten days…
So many things weren’t prepared yet—the ingredients, the invitations needed to be written and sent out immediately. Could they make it in time?
“It’s settled. We’ll celebrate Old Madam’s birthday in ten days. As for Guogong’s matter, we’ll deal with it later!” Shangguan Jin quickly made the decision, leaving no room for the two to argue.
Mama Lin and Dongmai were initially puzzled, but after thinking it over for a moment, they seemed to understand what was going on.
Mama Lin thought that her mistress’s decision was the most correct one.
Guogong had been missing for three years, and the rumors outside were growing increasingly outrageous. But as long as Guogongfu did not hold a funeral, Guogong was merely missing. On the border, it wasn’t unheard of for someone to be missing for seven or eight years.
As long as no funeral was held, Dingguo Gongfu would remain Dingguo Gongfu, with its title unchanged.
If a funeral were held, it would mean Dingguo Gongfu had acknowledged Guogong’s death.
At that point, whether Dingguo Gongfu would remain a Guogongfu was uncertain.
After all, the young masters were still very young, and even if they were to inherit the title, according to custom, their rank would be reduced by one level. Moreover, the young masters were so young and had no achievements to speak of.
Therefore, at this time, it was best for the Guogongfu to acknowledge nothing. This way, even if the Guogong was missing, the Guogongfu would remain the same Guogongfu.
As for the future…
There would be plenty of time. Once the young masters grew up, they could slowly plan things out.
Thinking of this, Mama Lin couldn’t help but look at Shangguan Jin with admiration.
She truly was the Eldest Miss trained by Old Madam Shangguan and the Duchess.
Her thoughts were far more extensive and long-term than ordinary people’s—truly worthy of being the Duchess in charge.
As for Dongmai, she also felt she had understood.
The young miss meant that they shouldn’t focus on the dead for now; if they were to focus on anyone, it should be the living.
There were so many living people in the Guogongfu with names and reputations—who didn’t celebrate a birthday?
Once they had taken care of all the living, they could then turn to the dead.
Hadn’t the young miss just said it? The matter of the Guogong could be discussed later.
“Young miss, you are right. Let’s first celebrate Old Madam’s birthday. The matter of the Guogong can be discussed later,” Dongmai immediately agreed.
“Then help me arrange it. From now on, the main focus of the Guogongfu will be preparing for Old Madam’s birthday. Understood?
Mama Lin, you take Dongmai, along with Chuntao and the others, and work together.
If there are any problems you can’t solve, come and tell me, and we’ll discuss them together,” Shangguan Jin said.
Mama Lin and Dongmai both nodded in agreement.
It had been a long time since there had been any lively events in the Guogongfu, and everyone was finally going to be busy again.
Watching Mama Lin and Dongmai leave, Shangguan Jin took a sip of the tea brought by a young maid and let out a long sigh.
If there were problems, they would solve them.
If there was no money, they would find ways to make money.
For now, it seemed the most convenient way to generate funds was to host a grand banquet for guests.
Shangguan Jin was already imagining the grand scene of the Dingguo Gongfu courtyard filled with congratulatory gifts on Old Madam’s birthday.
However, before that, Shangguan Jin still had some minor matters to resolve.
For example, informing Old Madam that her birthday celebration would be moved forward.
Thinking of this, Shangguan Jin glanced outside. The sun had already set, and Old Madam should have finished her evening meal by now.
So, Shangguan Jin took another sip of tea and, with the help of her maids, put on layer after layer of clothing before heading to Old Madam’s room.
The Old Madam of Dingguo Gongfu was an honest and kind person.
Since Shangguan Jin had married into the family, this Old Madam had never acted like a demanding mother-in-law.
Setting rules was even more unheard of.
Old Madam told her old friends that the Shangguan Family was the purest of the pure, and their rules were certainly stricter than those of families like theirs, who came from humble origins.
Would she set rules for her daughter-in-law?
She would only become a laughingstock.
Thus, as soon as Shangguan Jin entered Dingguo Gongfu, she took charge of managing the household.
Even when news of Dingguogong’s disappearance arrived, Old Madam only cried for a few days. Then, with Shangguan Jin’s comfort, she quickly convinced herself that her eldest son was merely missing.
Since there was no definite news, she simply believed her eldest son was still alive.
Old Madam’s courtyard was located in the best part of the Guogongfu.
The courtyard was large, and there were many servants attending to her.
Although life in the Guogongfu had been somewhat difficult in recent years, the original Shangguan Jin had not reduced Old Madam’s allowances.
Stepping steadily into Old Madam’s courtyard, whether it was the young maids or the old mamas in charge of cleaning, all respectfully bowed to Shangguan Jin.
Shangguan Jin entered the main hall, where Old Madam was reclining on an Imperial Consort couch.
Seeing Shangguan Jin enter, she quickly straightened her posture.
“Jin’er, why have you come at this hour? If there’s anything, you could have just sent a little maid over to let me know.” Old Madam Shen said with a kindly expression.
Shangguan Jin smiled and sat down on a round-backed chair in front of Old Madam.
“Has Mother finished her evening meal? There is something I need to discuss with you—about your birthday celebration this year.”
Old Madam Shen smiled and promptly replied, “I heard about it. News just reached my courtyard that it’s in ten days. Why has it suddenly become so urgent? Is there some particular reason?”
Shangguan Jin smiled and quickly explained.
“I consulted a master who said it is sometimes done to celebrate a birthday in advance. Moreover, the day ten days from now is an auspicious date. The master said that if the most blessed person in the family celebrates their birthday on that day, the family is sure to have smooth sailing ahead.”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam immediately perked up.
“Really? The master’s words certainly cannot be wrong. Jin’er, you did the right thing. What’s most important for the Shen Family now is to get our lives back on track. Go ahead and make the arrangements with confidence. If there’s anything you need me for, just send someone to inform me.”