Old Madam Shen’s attitude was so sincere that Shangguan Jin felt a little embarrassed.
There was no other way—hosting a birthday celebration for the Old Madam was the best option.
No matter which family it was, as long as they had dealings with the Shen Family, they would surely have to attend.
And once they came, they couldn’t come empty-handed. Wouldn’t all the congratulatory gifts sent out before come back?
After chatting a bit more with Old Madam Shen and asking about her daily life, Shangguan Jin prepared to leave.
But just as she stood up, Old Madam Shen held her back.
“All of you, step outside for now. I have a few words to say with the Madam.”
Shangguan Jin was taken aback, thinking Old Madam Shen was going to ask about Dingguogong again.
Watching as the maids, both young and old, exited the room, Shangguan Jin was about to comfort Old Madam Shen again.
But Old Madam Shen waved her hand dismissively and then reached into the soft pillow she was leaning against.
After a while, she pulled out a slightly worn small pouch.
In front of Shangguan Jin, she opened the pouch and took out its contents.
Shangguan Jin looked closely—it seemed to be a few silver notes.
“Jin’er, it is the Shen Family’s blessing to have you as our daughter-in-law.
Back when Huaichen was around, life in the Guogongfu was still manageable.
Three years ago…”
Shangguan Jin didn’t understand why Old Madam suddenly brought this up.
Oh, the “Huaichen” she mentioned was Dingguogong Shen Huaichen, who had been missing for three years.
“Never mind, I won’t dwell on this anymore. What’s done is done, and saying more won’t change anything.
These past three years haven’t just been hard for me—I know your life has been even tougher.
Your heart aches more than anyone else’s.
You’ve gritted your teeth and held up the entire Guogongfu.
As for me, I’m just an ignorant old woman who knows nothing. It’s only under your care that I can live the life of an Old Fengjun.
I can see that times are tough for the Guogongfu now, and you’re even planning a birthday celebration for me.
I also know that you’re doing this to uphold the Guogongfu’s reputation and ensure the Shen Family can stand firm in Jingcheng.
But I’m aware that the family’s situation is growing increasingly difficult.
I don’t know how else to help you.
This is the private savings I’ve accumulated over the years. I don’t need my usual monthly allowance, so I’ve saved it all here.
It totals three thousand eight hundred taels of silver.
Also, I have two large chests filled with valuable trinkets you’ve given me over the years. The keys are with Mama Qiu.
Tonight, when there aren’t many people around, I’ll have Mama Qiu find two sturdy maids to carry them to your courtyard.
You should find a less well-known pawnshop to exchange them for silver, and make sure no one sees you.”
After saying this, Old Madam Shen pressed the silver notes from the pouch into Shangguan Jin’s hands.
Shangguan Jin stared at the silver notes in her hand for a long moment.
“Mother… if you give all this to me, what will you use in the future?” Shangguan Jin asked instinctively.
Old Madam Shen smiled, patted the soft pillow, and leaned back against it again.
“Didn’t you have people outside melt down small gold and silver ingots for me before?
I kept a whole box of them—enough to give to the children as little trinkets or use as rewards.
Also, I kept a jewelry box with hairpins and jade pendants.
I’ll save them for when Yao and Yu get married, and for when Jun, Ming, and Rui take wives.
Don’t worry, I’ve kept a little for myself.” Old Madam Shen said with a laugh.
Shangguan Jin felt the silver notes in her hand grow uncomfortably warm.
Without a second thought, she pushed the silver notes back into Old Madam Shen’s hands.
“Mother, this is your private savings. I cannot accept it. Please take it back.
Also, those trinkets of yours, you should keep them for yourself.”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Shen grew somewhat anxious.
“How can that be?
Although I no longer manage the household, I still know roughly how much the estate spends each year.
Especially over the past three years, the estate’s income has been low while expenses have been high. Searching for Huaichen at the border also cost a considerable amount.
We cannot let you keep subsidizing the Shen Family with your dowry forever!”
Seeing Old Madam Shen’s anxious expression, Shangguan Jin quickly grasped her hand.
“Mother, your calculations are not wrong.
But the Guogongfu truly hasn’t reached the point where we need to use your private savings.
I will definitely get the Guogongfu’s affairs back on track. Please keep your silver safe.
Do you trust me?” Shangguan Jin looked earnestly at Old Madam Shen.
Old Madam Shen looked at Shangguan Jin. Although her heart thought, ‘Even if you are capable, the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice!’, she still nodded seriously.
“I certainly trust you.”
“As long as you trust me, Mother, rest assured. After your birthday celebration, I will definitely refill your little treasury.” Shangguan Jin held Old Madam Shen’s hand and promised.
Old Madam Shen, who had been looking worried, instantly brightened up upon hearing this.
“That’s right! I had forgotten. For my birthday, other families will surely send congratulatory gifts.
These past few years, I’ve been quietly celebrating my birthdays myself, always sending gifts to others.
Ah, I’m getting old, I actually forgot about this.
By the way, Jin’er, don’t send all the congratulatory gifts you receive to me.
Put some into the public account to replenish what you subsidized.
As for the rest, pick some that aren’t too ostentatious to add a bit of fortune to my room.” Old Madam Shen said cheerfully.
Shangguan Jin nodded and agreed.
It seemed the Old Madam particularly liked gold and jade items. After the birthday celebration, she must pick a few ornaments that looked very expensive for the Old Madam’s room.
“And also, Jin’er, I know you noble families have your own customs.
There are particular ways to send congratulatory gifts to others.
I think, when sending gifts to those ducal and marquis households, you should choose more vases and jars.
They like those.
As for those vulgar things like gold and jade, don’t offend their eyes with them. We’ll keep those for our own estate’s use.” Old Madam Shen whispered.
Shuangguan Jin nodded.
That’s right, she thought the same.
Things like double-eared vases, pierced-eared vases, dish-mouthed vases—if they fall, they shatter into pieces everywhere. They really aren’t as good as gold and silver!
If we ever had to flee or something, who would carry those things? Wouldn’t everyone take gold and silver?
“I’ve noted everything Mother said. I’ll be sure to pay attention in the future.” Shangguan Jin replied with a smile.
Only then did Old Madam Shen, satisfied, lean back against the soft pillow again.
“Jin’er, as long as the sky hasn’t fallen, it’s fine.
The Guogongfu is still here, and Tianjia hasn’t made any definitive judgment. Our family is still the same Guogongfu as before.” Old Madam Shen said calmly.
Shangguan Jin nodded.
That’s right, no matter what it was like before, we still have to live our present lives.
After leaving Old Madam Shen’s courtyard, Shangguan Jin returned to her own rooms.
In the side room, Mama Lin was already discussing something with Dongmai and Chuntao, her dowry maids, while holding account books.
Shangguan Jin did not disturb them, taking her little maid straight back to her own room.
She only needed to give the word; the specifics would be handled by others.
However, Shangguan Jin’s mind began to turn.
Dingguogong had gone missing—by all reason, Gongli should have made a statement.
But it seemed as though Tianjia had forgotten the whole matter.
Also, her younger sister Shangguan Yao, who had become Xianfei, had suddenly passed away—apparently about half a month before Dingguogong’s disappearance.
Leaving behind only the Seventh Prince, not yet ten years old…
This…
Shangguan Jin was startled—could it be that the Dingguogong family and the Shangguan Family had gotten entangled in something extraordinary!
Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence!