Shangguan Jin pondered the matter further and felt it was far from simple.
The current ruler of the Great Yu Dynasty was Emperor Xiao Jing, Xiao Yuqi, who could be considered the third emperor of the dynasty.
As for Dingguogong Shen Huaichen, his ancestors were among those who followed Taizu to conquer the realm.
Later, when it came to Shen Huaichen’s generation, he sided with Prince Zhou, Xiao Yuqi, who was not yet emperor at the time.
After overcoming countless obstacles and with the support of the Empress Dowager and Huanghou, Xiao Yuqi finally ascended to the throne.
During this period, Shen Huaichen’s contributions were evident to all.
Emperor Xiao Jing even publicly declared that Shen Huaichen was like a brother to him.
After Emperor Xiao Jing ascended the throne, the borderlands were in crisis, with foreign forces invading. Once again, it was Shen Huaichen who led the army to stabilize the frontiers.
To put it bluntly, if Emperor Xiao Jing could firmly hold his throne, Dingguogong Shen Huaichen deserved the foremost credit.
But on the other hand, Dingguogong Shen Huaichen’s achievements were so great that they overshadowed the emperor himself.
Thinking of this, Shangguan Jin seemed to understand a little.
Perhaps, Shen Huaichen’s disappearance was the best news for Emperor Xiao Jing!
But, the original body’s younger sister, Shangguan Yao…
Shangguan Jin dared not think further.
If she continued, she might even consider packing up valuables and fleeing for her life.
Forget it. Since Emperor Xiao Jing was pretending to be oblivious, they would all pretend along.
Dingguo Gongfu was still a Guogongfu. They would host a banquet and invite guests, and everyone would still have to attend.
Not only must they attend, but they also couldn’t come empty-handed.
Thinking of this, Shangguan Jin felt resolved.
What was so bad about being a Duchess? It was actually quite good.
With her husband absent and no troublesome individuals in the household to deal with, she was the highest authority in Guogongfu. Wasn’t that just fine?
However, when she thought about how she had been holding up the entire Guogongfu alone for the past three years, Shangguan Jin suddenly felt uneasy.
She had always been the one ordering others to work. How could she let herself be the only one busy while everyone else idled?
And by “everyone else,” she meant Shangguan Jin’s children.
“Call Sister Yao and Brother Jun, along with all their siblings,” Shangguan Jin suddenly said to the young maid standing by the door.
“Madam, do you mean to call all the young masters and young ladies?” the maid asked uncertainly.
It was already dusk. Was it appropriate to summon the young masters and young ladies at this hour?
“Yes, call them all!”
In less than the time it took to finish a cup of tea, Shangguan Jin’s three sons and two daughters had arrived.
The eldest daughter, sixteen-year-old Shen Qingyao, stood on one side with the youngest daughter, Shen Qingyu.
The eldest son, fourteen-year-old Shen Qingjun, stood on the other side with twelve-year-old Shen Qingming and ten-year-old Shen Qingrui.
“Mother!”
The three sons and two daughters respectfully bowed to Shangguan Jin.
Shangguan Jin’s eyes twitched.
It seemed the original Shangguan Jin and Dingguogong truly had a deep marital bond. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have had a child almost every other year.
The entire Guogongfu had only these five children, all born to Shangguan Jin.
Thinking of this, Shangguan Jin instinctively touched her abdomen.
She hadn’t paid attention when she arrived, but what state must her belly be in after all that? Was it even presentable?
“Mother, is there something you need to tell us?” Shen Qingyao asked softly.
Shangguan Jin, who had been preoccupied with whether her belly was marred, snapped back to attention.
“Mother, I have been diligently studying with my younger brothers,” Shen Qingjun said respectfully.
“Mother, I have also been reading, writing, and painting with my younger sister, making sure she doesn’t act mischievously,” Shen Qingyao quickly added.
Shangguan Jin sighed.
Children this age, in later generations, would also be expected to study diligently every day, wouldn’t they?
However, it seemed the children of the Guogongfu were a bit more polite.
Unlike children in later generations, who would talk back after just a few questions from their parents.
“Stop bothering me, you don’t understand anything.”
“I don’t know, don’t bother me, I’m busy!”
……
“I called you siblings here to tell you that the old lady’s birthday is in ten days,” Shangguan Jin said with a smile.
The five siblings, Shen Qingyao and the others, exchanged glances, feeling a bit puzzled.
Wasn’t Grandmother’s birthday in two months? Why was it moved up?
But on second thought, Mother must have her reasons for doing this—she wouldn’t move it up without cause.
“Mother, we understand. We will prepare Grandmother’s birthday gifts carefully,” Shen Qingyao quickly assured.
“That’s right, Mother, please rest assured. I will also lead my younger brothers in preparing gifts for Grandmother,” Shen Qingjun also clasped his hands and pledged.
Shangguan Jin waved her hand.
“This year is different from previous years. It’s not just family members celebrating the old lady’s birthday.
This year, we will hold a grand celebration, inviting all the families we have connections with.
The old lady is getting older, and such lively occasions are rare—only once a year. The household will surely be busy these next few days.
So…” Shangguan Jin paused.
The five siblings waited for Shangguan Jin to continue.
“You will follow Mama Lin and Concubine Dong to see how you can help.
There aren’t many people in the household who can be relied on right now, so you need to see what you can contribute.
After all… you are all members of the Dingguo Gongfu. This is your home,” Shangguan Jin continued.
The five siblings were stunned.
Did Mother just say they should follow Mama Lin and Concubine Dong to help?
This…
In the past, no matter what major events occurred in the household, Mother never seemed to involve them.
At most, when there was a big event in the household, they would have to make two extra sets of clothes, and Shen Qingyao and her sister would have to prepare two extra sets of jewelry.
Now…
“What? Do you have any objections?” Shangguan Jin asked with a smile.
Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingjun quickly shook their heads.
“No! Mother’s instructions are correct!”
“Mother, please rest assured. We will definitely follow Mama Lin and Concubine Dong and help diligently.”
……
Shangguan Jin was pleased.
That’s more like it! The Dingguo Gongfu wasn’t hers alone. Why should she handle everything while others just stood by and watched?
Even the young masters and misses couldn’t be exempt.
Shen Qingyao soon led her younger siblings out.
On the way, Shen Qingming couldn’t help but ask, “Eldest Sister, Eldest Brother, does Mother’s arrangement have any special meaning?”
Shen Qingyao nodded without hesitation.
“Definitely. I think Mother wants us to grow up sooner so she won’t be so tired.”
“That’s right. After Father disappeared, our Dingguo Gongfu may still be a Guogongfu on the surface, but there are plenty of people gossiping behind our backs.
Mother wants us to stand on our own sooner so we can restore the Guogongfu’s reputation,” Shen Qingjun also said solemnly.
Upon hearing this, the other three also thought it made sense.
Mother was the Eldest Miss of the Shangguan Family and received the best education.
Even though Father has been missing for three years, Mother has managed the Guogongfu in an orderly manner.
So, Mother must have her own plans in making this arrangement now.
“Don’t overthink it. Just follow Mother’s lead.”
“Brother Jun, tomorrow morning at 7:45, after we finish breakfast, we will go find Mama Lin and Concubine Dong. Let’s not worry Mother any longer,” Shen Qingyao instructed.
The younger siblings immediately agreed.
The news that the Dingguo Gongfu, which had been quiet for three years, was suddenly planning a grand celebration for Old Madam Shen’s birthday quickly spread.
Families in Jingcheng who had dealings with the Dingguo Gongfu began discussing the matter at once.