Free Web NovelChapter 140: Chapter 65: Giving Silver
"Thank you for your concern, Noble Consort. I’m eating well and sleeping soundly, doing just fine," Xie Linlang said playfully.
The First Madam laughed at Xie Linlang’s words. Song Yexi and Song Jinxuan, who were standing together, also turned to smile at Xie Linlang.
Xie Linlang knew how to get along with people. Aside from her lukewarm relationship with Song Qinghan, she had recently been getting along very well with Song Yexi and Song Jinxuan. She had even started visiting the First Madam more frequently.
Song Yunzhao looked at Xie Linlang and smiled. "Back when I entered the palace for the selection, besides the silver my aunt and father gave me, you also gave me some to spend. I have never forgotten that kindness."
Xie Linlang was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Yun Zhao to link that past gift of silver to her palace selection. She quickly said, "It was only a small amount of silver. Please don’t give it another thought, Noble Consort."
"It may have been an insignificant amount to the Xie family, but it was very important to me," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.
’Xie Linlang knew Yun Zhao was saying this for the Song Family to hear. She was making sure the First Madam understood her gratitude to the Xie family, which would ensure the Song Family would take care of the Xie family in the future.’
’Warmth spread through Xie Linlang’s chest. She knew Yun Zhao must also be worried that she would be married off as a concubine; that was why she was doing this.’
At this thought, Xie Linlang stepped forward and took a palm-sized brocade box from her sleeve. "This is something you left at my place, Noble Consort. I’ve been meaning to return it to you, so I brought it today."
Song Yunzhao chuckled softly. "I had completely forgotten about it, yet you still remembered." As she spoke, she glanced at Xiangxue.
Xiangxue hurried over to take the box, then stepped forward and presented it to the Noble Consort with both hands.
Song Yunzhao took it and opened it. Her eyelid twitched, but she calmly closed the lid, handed the box to Xiangxue to put away, and then said, "Go to my study and bring me those boxes."
Xiangxue quickly acknowledged the order and went to the study. She soon returned with Shizhu, both of them carrying a stack of boxes.
Song Yunzhao said with a smile, "These are some small gifts I’ve prepared for everyone."
The First Madam was about to refuse. ’Yun Zhao was only recently made a Noble Consort,’ she thought. ’What fine things could she possibly have? It would be better for her to keep them for herself.’ Just as she was about to speak, she heard Yun Zhao say, "First Aunt, please don’t refuse. It’s just a small token of my appreciation."
The First Madam sighed softly. "Thank you for your generosity, Noble Consort."
Xiangxue had already memorized which box was for whom. She went around and distributed them one by one. There were also several other brocade boxes for the men of the family who had not come to the palace, like Third Master Song, as well as for the few female cousins from the first branch who were born to concubines. All the young masters of the Song Family, including Song Bu Yue, received one. Of course, the gifts inside each box were different.
On the surface, at least, Song Yunzhao gave no one any reason to find fault.
For instance, while Xie Linlang had given her a stack of silver notes, Song Yunzhao gave Xie Linlang two storybooks and a golden hairpin with the "palace-made" inscription. A hairpin like that would give her confidence. If she wore it when visiting others or attending banquets, people wouldn’t dare to look down on her.
Not just anyone could possess something made in the palace.
Song Yunzhao was also thinking of Jiangxiang, Xiangcao, and Mrs. Luo, so she brought them up with the First Madam.
The First Madam knew the Noble Consort would ask about them. ’She’s such a loyal person,’ she thought. She quickly said, "Mrs. Luo is getting on in years, so your father decided to let her return home to retire. He also arranged for her grandson to work in the front courtyard of the manor. As for Jiangxiang and Qiancao, they served you for many years and earned great merit. Your father entrusted me with finding good husbands for them. When they get married, we will return their indenture papers to them, bringing their time as your servants to a fitting end."
Song Yunzhao knew her father wouldn’t have just stood by and done nothing. Her eyes stung slightly as she said, "Father is very thoughtful. Thank you for going to the trouble of arranging things for them, First Aunt."
"It was the least I could do. They served the Noble Consort well, and they deserved it," the First Madam said with a smile.
Song Yunzhao then said softly to her aunt, "Since Jiangxiang and Qiancao are getting married, I, as their former mistress, should add something to their dowries. And since Mrs. Luo has retired, please, First Aunt, also help me take some silver back for her retirement." frёewebnoѵēl.com
Upon hearing this, Xiangxue went back inside, brought out the remaining brocade boxes, and handed them to the First Madam, who quickly reached out to accept them.
"For the Noble Consort to be so mindful of them is truly their good fortune. I’m not just saying this to flatter you, but not every servant is so lucky as to have a mistress like you." The First Madam was truly moved. She knew Yun Zhao would remember her former servants, which was why she had put her full effort into helping with the arrangements, but she had not expected her to be this thoughtful.
’The more she thought about it, the more the First Madam felt that Mrs. Cai was an absolute fool. How could she have raised such a wonderful daughter, only to turn her into an enemy?’
