DDR – Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Discovered?

All credit to original author: 独步云霄

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“Mother will make better jewelry for you in the future! Right now, your mother needs some money to turn around, so just give these to me.”

Shen Jingya stared at her: “Mother, it’s New Years soon! How can I not have any jewelry? People will laugh at me!” Seeing her beautiful jewelry being taken away, how could she be willing? The New Year was the most important time to wear new clothes and jewelry and she wasn’t a child anymore, she couldn’t lose out to others, right?

Guo Yuanshuang pushed her aside, ignoring her daughter’s complaints: “Just be obedient and mother will give you some new ones in a few days!” Seeing that Shen Jingya refused to give her the jewelry, Guo Yuanshuang was naturally a little angry, feeling that her daughter didn’t understand priorities.

She had taken out so much money and used the family’s public funds for loan sharks. This was a big deal! If anyone found out, she would never be able to regain the old madam’s trust in this life. She had to come up with the three thousand taels, even if she had to sell all the jewelry and savings she had secretly saved up over the past few years. She had to make it work!

“Mother…” Shen Jingya looked at Guo Yuanshuang, aggrieved. Under her mother’s management of the household, her life was not much different than Shen Jingshu. She already considered these things as what she deserved and was used to spending money extravagantly. She had so much jewelry that all of her peers were very jealous. There was no way she could stand to see them taken away.

Guo Yuanshuang said sternly: “Ya’er, mother has no choice but to do this. You are an obedient girl and mother will definitely make it up to you! I’ll buy you twice as much jewelry, how about that?” In truth, she actually felt a bit guilty taking her daughter’s jewelry but what could she do? She had to deal with this matter first and then everything would be easier once the return from the loan sharks came in.

Just bear it!

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“Mom, do you mean it?” Shen Jingya hesitated.

Her mother nodded, looking very sincere: “Of course!”

Shen Jingya was half convinced but there was only one problem: “But what about the New Years celebration? I can’t look shabby!”

Guo Yuanshuang waved her concern away, smiling: “Don’t worry. Your mother is just temporarily having a problem. I will have more money soon and definitely buy you some good things!”

“Okay, I understand. You can take them, mother. It’s just that you have to leave at least a few of them for me…” Although she trusted her mother’s promise, she still couldn’t bear to lose so much jewelry all at once.

“I already left some for you! The ones I’ve taken are older and you don’t wear them as often, I left the ones you like the most. Don’t worry!” Even if Guo Yuanshuang wanted to take these, it was impossible. Shen Jingya always had at least some jewelry on. If she suddenly had nothing, it would be too suspicious.

The price of those newer jewelry was more expensive, so of course Guo Yuanshuang would have preferred them but there was no rush. She could just take these other ones first.

Shen Jingya sighed: “Alright, remember to buy the new ones for me quickly! Otherwise, I will be too embarrassed to go out and meet people.” In the past, she had always had a lot of jewelry and clothes, which made people envious. As the eldest legitimate daughter of the second branch, her life was richer than some noble families. It was something she had always been proud of, she couldn’t risk looking like a joke this year.

“Yes, yes, but you must remember not to tell anyone about this matter.” Guo Yuanshuang warned her, “Otherwise, mother will not be able to get anything for you in the future, understand?” She didn’t dare to tell anyone about the loans. Other than her personal servants, no one could know.

“I understand, mother!” Shen Jingya nodded. Although she didn’t know about her mother’s loans, she knew that her good life was due to her mother’s management of the household. She would never risk jeopardizing her mother’s position, she wasn’t stupid.

“It’s good that you know.” Guo Yuanshuang smiled, patting her daughter fondly. “Continue to copy your books, I will find a way to ask your grandmother to let you out soon.”

Shen Jingya pouted. “You have to hurry, mother. New Years is almost here, how can I stay locked up in my room?” New Years was the time that everyone came and praised her, it was her favorite time of the year.

“Qi’er is still not healed and your grandmother is still angry,” Guo Yuanshuang shook her head. “Once Qi’er is better, I will take you to pay your respects to your grandmother and speak for you. Your grandmother shouldn’t refuse. You must be very obedient for now, copy more and take them to your grandmother to see. She will be in a better mod and naturally won’t blame you.”

“Is Fourth Brother alright?” Although she didn’t have any deep feelings for Shen Ziqi, Shen Jingya still felt a little distressed for her younger brother.

“He’s healings slowly. The wound will scar but he should be up and moving around again in a few days. It’s just that he hurt his head and was very frightened, so his spirit isn’t good. But don’t worry too much.” Guo Yuanshuang said vaguely.

In truth, Shen Ziqi was fine but he knew that it was Shen Jingya who had hit him and hated her to death. He constantly screamed about revenge to the point that even Guo Yuanshuang was helpless.

The palm and the back of her hand were both her flesh and she felt pity for them both. But one was the son she had been looking forward to for many years. She herself was reluctant to touch a finger but Shen Jingya had smashed a hole. Naturally, Guo Yuanshuang was a little uncomfortable.

“Really? It’s good that he is fine.” This was the first time she had ever hurt someone and Shen Ziqi’s appearance that day had really scared Shen Jingya. Terrified of being punished, she had run away to hide. Now that Shen Ziqi was fine, she could breathe a sigh of relief.

Guo Yuanshuang stood up. “Alright, just stay in the house and let your grandmother see your sincerity. After a while, her anger will subside. Don’t worry, she still loves you.”

“Maybe she loved me in the past but I don’t know if she still loves me.” Shen Jingya said sourly. When she was the only granddaughter, everyone treated her well and her grandmother loved her. But now?

Ever since her eldest uncle came back, Shen Jingya had been suppressed left and right. Where was the former treatment?

Hadn’t her uncle been doing very well in Jiangnan? Why come back?

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“Ya’er, you can’t talk nonsense like this!” Guo Yuanshuang scolded her. “Why would your grandmother not love you? Don’t talk like this, it will make people laugh!”

Shen Jingya’s eyes brimmed with tears: “Mother, why can’t I say it! Grandmother loves my cousin the most now! Where is my place in her heart?” When it was just the children of the second branch with no comparison, the second branch naturally seemed excellent. But now that they were side by side, Old Madam Shen couldn’t be blamed for her bias. The difference was too great.

“Don’t say this again! If your grandmother hears it, she will be angry!” Guo Yuanshuang glared at her daughter reproachfully, thinking that Shen Jingya was a little ignorant. However, she knew that her daughter was still young and wouldn’t be able to calm herself down. “Even if you have such thoughts, you can only bury them in your heart, understand? Otherwise, you will look petty and fussy.”

Shen Jingya wiped her tears and sighed: “Then what should I do?”

After the confinement is lifted, go and learn from your cousin. Go relieve your grandmother’s boredom each day and talk with her, make sure to give her massages. This is your filial piety. Once your grandmother feels it, she will naturally love you—”

“But I don’t know how!” Shen Jingya cried out. She was a pampered young lady, how would she know how to serve someone?

Deep down, Shen Jingya actually looked down on Shen Jingshu for this, thinking that she had lowered her status.

“Then learn!” Guo Yuanshuang snorted. “Watch your cousin. Doesn’t she do a good job? Why wouldn’t the old madam be partial to her now? It’s all because of her good work. Learn from her, it won’t do you any harm.”

“She has a scheming heart, deliberately embarrassing me in front of grandmother and making grandmother dislike me!” Thinking of how she constantly failed in front of Shen Jingshu made Shen Jingya’s heart tighten!

“She can do this but you can’t?” Guo Yuanshuang shook her head. “Don’t forget, your grandmother watched you grow up. How could this kind of affection compare to a granddaughter who just came back? What’s more, you are your father’s daughter. He has been her favorite since he was a child. As long as you are willing to put in the effort, how can your grandmother not like you?”

This was their advantage. No matter how hard Shen Jingshu tried, Old Madam Shen would always be on their side.

Shen Jingya looked hopefully. “Really, mother?” Guo Yuanshuang’s words sounded very reasonable but thinking about recent events, Shen Jingya inevitably felt a little uneasy.

Guo Yuanshuang smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ve already thought of some countermeasures. You read a few more books these days and learn some rules. It will be good for you.”

“I understand!” Her mother was explaining these things to her because she was afraid that her daughter’s mood would be impetuous and annoy Old Madam Shen. Fortunately, although Shen Jingya was a little anxious, she still had some brains. After listening to Guo Yuanshuang, she calmed down and copied the books dutifully, not doing anything out of the ordinary.

At the same time, Guo Yuanshang had managed to scrap a lot of things together and finally collected three thousand taels to send to Mingyue.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Although the pain in her heart was severe, she had to keep smiling: “Mother, the money has been delivered.” She announced.

Old Madam Shen smiled, pleased: “What did the divine doctor say?”

“Divine Doctor said thank you.”

“I should be the one saying thank you.” Old Madam Shen laughed. “My legs are much more relaxed these days and I feel better than ever. A divine doctor is indeed worthy of being called a miracle worker.”

Guo Yuanshuang nodded. “The divine doctor’s skills are naturally excellent. Seeing that mother’s complexion has improved a lot, I am also happy! Mother’s health will definitely get better and better.”

Old Madam Shen sighed happily: “I am indeed more comfortable and energetic. Let’s hope that it stays. Even if it doesn’t get better, it’s good if it stays like this for a few years.”

“Mother, don’t say that! Mother will live a long life!” Guo Yuanshuang said sweetly.

“That’s just your flattery.” Old Madam Shen waved her away, smiling. “You still have work to do, so you go on.”

“Yes, mother.” After this, the matter was settled and Guo Yuanshuang was relieved. But whenever she thought of the missing things from the warehouse, Guo Yuanshuang always felt a little anxious. She couldn’t escape the feeling that something would go wrong.

It seemed that she needed to be more careful these days. The loan payment would cone in soon and she could redeem everything to fix the deficits. Until then, she would just have to hope she could cheat the sky.

Little did Guo Yuanshuang know that her uneasy feeling was all based on Shen Jingshu’s calculations.

At this moment, Shen Jingshu was sitting in her room with Chun Mei standing beside her. Pouring a cup of tea, Shen Jingshu asked: “Did she send the money?”

“Yes, miss.”

Shen Jingshu chuckled: “She must have sold a lot of things this time, right?” Hehe, did she really think that just because she was the second madam of the Shen family she could sell whatever she wanted?

Chun Mei smiled: “Yes, this servant watched her sneak into the warehouse last night and take away a lot of things. Although I did not see what they were, they must have been expensive to get so much money!”

“She’s been very lawless these days. I estimate she’s sold almost eight thousand taels worth and even my cousin’s jewelry has been pawned. I’m afraid there must not be much cash left.” It seems that in this life, Guo Yuanshuang had put everything she had into those loan sharks. Who knew what her expression would be when the time came?

“Miss, should we report Second Madam’s actions to the Old Madam? Let the Old Madam judge her?” Chun Mei asked. After all, everything the Second Madam had sold belonged to the Shen family. Combining what she had taken recently with everything she had taken over the last ten years, who knew how much her greed had swallowed!

Shen Jingshu shook her head, smiling: “Don’t worry. She’s taken so many things over the years, the consequences won’t be so cheap.” Even if she would never get those things back, she’d never let the second branch take any advantage.

Chun Mei nodded. “Do you have a plan, Miss?” Shen Jingshu always had her own ideas but she hadn’t shared them, only ordering her maids to secretly pay attention to the movements of the Second Branch. It seemed that she had expected something like this and had already had a plan in her heart.

“Wait a few more days, there will be news soon.” Not making a move, naturally she was waiting for an opportunity. This time, she knew that she would definitely wipe out her Second Aunt!

“Does Miss want us to continue paying attention to the second branch?” Chun Mei asked excitedly.

Shen Jingshu nodded. “Naturally!” After so many years, Guo Yuanshuang had likely collected quite a few secrets by now. And now that she had no money to the point that even her daughter’s jewelru had been sold…

Hehe, it was finally time for her to strike!

“Don’t worry, this slave will take good care of this matter!” Chun Mei trusted Shen Jingshu completely, almost to the point of worship. What Shen Jingshu said, she would never doubt.

“You’ve worked hard.” Shen Jingshu smiled.

Chun Mei shook her head, looking determined. “It’s not hard work, this is what this servant should do!”

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A few days later, who knew if it was due to Shen Jingshu’s reminder but Old Madam Shen suddenly remembered something.

Seeing Guo Yuanshuang coming to pay respects, the old madam smiled and said: “I was just planning to call for you. It’s almost New Years and the household decorations need to be updated. I remember that the Marquis of Zhongyi sent us a blue and white porcelain vase a few years ago. It looked very good and I want to put it in my rooms to add some celebration.”

Guo Yuanshuang froze: “Mother, this…” She had sold that vase off years ago because no one used it. Why would mother suddenly mention this?

But the old madam wasn’t finished: “And I recall a jade Guanyin statue that was quite good, it would be just right for my bedroom. It would be perfect for chanting scriptures and giving offerings.”

“…” Guo Yuanshuang was dumbfounded. How could the old madam suddenly recall these things? No one had cared about them for years!

“There was also a pair of ruyi that we should take out as well. I have been thinking that they would make an excellent return gift for the Duan Wang family. Their gift this year was quite heavy, so we must not lose our courtesy.” The Old Madam added cheerfully.

“Mother, why did you suddenly think of this?” Didn’t Old Madam Shen ignore these things for years? Why did she suddenly remember them?

Did she discover something?

But looking carefully at the old madam’s face, she found that the old madam looked the same as usual. Though Guo Yuanshuang was relieved, she was also a little anxious.

“Hehe, my legs have recovered and my energy has improved, so I have been thinking a little more lately. My house rarely changes and I’ve been thinking that updating the scenery will make me feel much better.”

Old Madam Shen felt that Shen Jingshu’s suggestion had a lot of merit. Although her house was luxurious and elegant, it was filled with old things that she had looked at for many years. It was good to change things occasionally.

“Really?” The smile on Guo Yuanshuang’s face flickered, unable to be held up any longer. Looking at the old madam’s beaming face, for some reason Guo Yuanshuang found it extra glaring.

“Go to the warehouse and have these things brought out.” Old Madam Shen ordered. “It should be a simple matter.”

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Guo Yuanshuang nodded, secretly twisting her fingers: “Yes, mother… it’s just that there are so many things in the warehouse now, it will take some time to find them. These things have been in the warehouse for so long, I’m afraid it will be difficult. I hope mother can give me a few days to find them!” Although this excuse was a bit weak, it was the best one Guo Yuanshuang could think of.

“Is that so?” Old Madam Shen looked puzzled. Everything in the warehouse was custom made and unique, how would it be hard to find something? Although her heart felt a little strange, Old Madam Shen didn’t want to tear Guo Yuanshuang’s face. “Alright, then find them as soon as possible.”

“This daughter-in-law will bring them back quickly!” Guo Yuanshuang promised, biting the bullet. Even if she was about to be killed, she dared not say she had pawned those things. After all, they had been rarely used and no one asked about them. Who knew that they would be remembered today by coincidence! This was really…

What was she going to do?

After forcing a smile for the Old Madam, Guo Yuanshuang returned to her room with a headache.

Those pieces were all very rare, how could she buy them back without a few thousand taels? Where could she get that kind of money from now?

This was bad.

She didn’t dare to touch the things in the warehouse anymore and all of the money and jewelry from her house was gone. Even if she could pull together some taels, she couldn’t get that much. What should she do?

Walking around the room anxiously, Guo Yuanshuang was full of calculations. However, she could only come up with a thousand taels, far from enough…

Anxious, she really had no idea!

At this time, Shen Wenli returned home. Seeing his wife walking around nervously, he was immediately displeased. “What are you doing? Running around like this, my eyes are really refreshed!”

“Husband, you’ve returned!” Seeing Wenli, Guo Yuanshuang seemed to have found hope. Although her husband was unreliable, he must have a solution!

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Chapter 90