Chapter 24: A Matter of Urgency

Shen Mengli smiled softly but said nothing. This blessing was more than she could bear; she had no desire to compete for favor with a concubine. Men only served to slow down her pace of making money. It was better to leave Qi Yunyan to his true love.

Once she entered the storage room, Shen Mengli was blinded by the dazzling golden light filling the space. Qi Yunyan’s private treasury was piled high with all manner of rare and exquisite treasures. In her previous life, she had been a first-rank titled lady, accustomed to grand occasions and fine things, yet even she was astonished by the riches before her.

Marrying into a noble family truly made all the difference. The slightest treasure slipping through the fingers of the elite was enough to sustain a humble family for generations. In her former life, she had married Zhuo Hua and toiled tirelessly to elevate him to the rank of first minister, but that only allowed her to graze the edges of wealth. Now, without lifting a finger, simply by marrying into the prince’s household, she possessed fortunes that others might never exhaust in several lifetimes.

Shen Mengli surveyed the room, touching this and that, relishing the sight. Afterward, she instructed Magpie to pick out all the pure gold items and set them aside to be gathered into cloth sacks. She left the other precious items untouched, as they were too conspicuous and difficult to take without notice.

Pure gold was different; it could be melted down and recast without drawing attention, providing her with the funds needed to expand her business empire across the nation. However, since Hu Mama was the steward of Snow Bamboo Residence, she would need Hu Mama’s help to discreetly cover up the fact that she was using Qi Yunyan’s wealth for her enterprise.

Noticing Hu Mama’s eyes fixed on a gold and jade bracelet, Shen Mengli approached and slipped it onto her wrist. “Hu Mama, this bracelet suits you very well.”

Startled, Hu Mama waved her hands fervently. “Young Mistress, this is far too precious—I cannot accept it.” She immediately tried to remove the bracelet to return it.

Shen Mengli gently held her hand to stop her. “Hu Mama, this is not something too valuable. I’ve heard that you cared for the Young Master when he was a child. He has never forgotten your kindness and holds you in great respect. If he knew this was a gift for you, he would be delighted. Besides, look—there are many more here. Losing one won’t make a difference.”

Moved by her words, Hu Mama’s resistance softened, though she murmured, “This isn’t right...” Yet the delight shining in her eyes was unmistakable.

Patting Hu Mama’s hand with a smile, Shen Mengli said, “What’s not right about it? It’s yours now. Please don’t refuse.”

“Thank you, Young Mistress, for this generous gift. If ever you need anything from this old servant, just say the word. I will always follow your lead,” Hu Mama replied gratefully. Having served as a maid her entire life, she wished to secure a better future for her descendants, and none of that was possible without money. Recently, her grandson had a task that required some silver, and funds had been tight. This bracelet came as a timely blessing.

Hearing Hu Mama’s words, Shen Mengli nodded in satisfaction. “I will be counting on you from now on.”

At that moment, a deep sense of contentment filled Shen Mengli’s heart. She had used Qi Yunyan’s possessions as a means to build loyalty without lifting a finger—a truly costless investment.

Once the pure gold items were packed, she instructed Hu Mama to move them to Snow Bamboo Residence. Then, handing a gold hairpin to Magpie, she said, “This is for you.”

Overcome with emotion, Magpie’s eyes brimmed with tears as she knelt to kowtow. “Thank you, my lady, for your generosity. You have been so kind to me. From now on, I would gladly face any hardship for you without hesitation.”