novelraw Chapter 1265: 1264: Jinhoo Returns to the Capital
Chapter 1265: 1264: Jinhoo Returns to the Capital
Chapter 1265: Chapter 1264: Jinhoo Returns to the Capital
Wang Yongzhu had long heard the sound of someone eavesdropping outside, as well as the hurried footsteps of two people leaving afterward.
She noticed when they were approaching and, knowing Old Granny Zhang’s character, she was at ease letting them listen in.
Sure enough, even if Old Granny Zhang’s words reached the ears of the Gu family, no one would likely pick out any faults.
Thus, she felt reassured.
Initially, she thought that if she were to leave with Song Chongjin, leaving Old Granny Zhang with the Gu family to be taken care of would be better than following them far away.
After all, Old Granny Zhang was getting on in years, and the travel might be too much for her.
However, she hadn’t expected that even a quiet family like the Gu family wouldn’t be without its troubles.
She hesitated, pondering whether to continue leaving Old Granny Zhang with the Gu family. If Old Granny Zhang were wronged and they were far away, there’d be no one to stand up for her.
It seemed this matter needed careful consideration.
But now wasn’t the time to discuss it. She hid her concern, joked with Old Granny Zhang for a while, and soon heard that Old Lady Gu had sent someone to say the old lady had awakened and wanted them to come over.
Wang Yongzhu supported Old Granny Zhang to Old Lady Gu’s room, and saw boxes piled up on the kang table.
Seeing the mother and daughter, Old Lady Gu quickly waved them over, “Yongzhu, come quickly and take a look. As I said last time, your grandmother wants to add to your dowry. See if these items are to your liking?”
Pointing at the things on the kang table.
Wang Yongzhu realized that one of those who were eavesdropping earlier was likely sent by Old Madam Gu.
Feigning ignorance, she graciously declined, “We are close relatives, there’s no need for such formality, grandmother. These things are too precious for me to accept.”
Old Lady Gu waved her hand, “You’re my legitimate granddaughter, why wouldn’t you accept them? These things are meant for your mother and will eventually be passed to you, so it’s just giving them a bit earlier. See if you like them first?”
With this, she personally opened the boxes.
Inside, the radiance of the jewels and ornaments was dazzling, filling the room with light.
Nearby, there was a separate small box containing several property deeds.
Old Lady Gu introduced them one by one, “These were the jewelry I wore when I was young. Recently, they’ve been refashioned with trendy designs that suit you best now. Even if you can’t wear them during mourning, you can use them later. These adornments are symbols of one’s dignity, and you shouldn’t let others look down upon you.”
“Inside is a small villa, not large, with fields, a pond, and a small hill, just over twenty acres of land. The production isn’t much, but it’s peaceful to visit for a few days’ retreat outside the city.”
“There’s also a shop on Vermilion Bird Avenue, although not in the busiest spot, it yields several hundred silver in rent each year—”
This generous gesture stunned Wang Yongzhu momentarily before she responded, “This is too precious! I dare not accept them! I appreciate grandmother’s kindness, but why not just take the box of adornments?”
She picked out a box with inconspicuous pearl ornaments. These pearls were silver-gray, extremely understated.
But Wang Yongzhu knew these were precious South Sea pearls, the kind of understated luxury she could wear even now, neither the highest nor lowest value among the collection, making them just right.
Old Madam Gu saw that the jewelry Wang Yongzhu chose was neither high nor low in price and not conspicuous, so she understood immediately.
She exclaimed, “What? Are you treating me as a distant grandmother? I only have your mother as my daughter, naturally most of my things will go to her! Let alone how your other brothers, sisters-in-law, and sisters have taken quite a bit from me over the years. You can rest assured to accept them! If you don’t, are you not recognizing me as your grandmother or what?”
With the conversation at this point, Wang Yongzhu glanced at Old Granny Zhang.
Old Granny Zhang, knowing Old Lady Gu’s generous nature, thought that even if she gave up the private properties of the old lady and Old Lady Gu, these things, though valuable, were far less.
As a grandmother giving extra dowries to her granddaughter, who could object? So she nodded, signaling Wang Yongzhu to accept them.
Wang Yongzhu then solemnly thanked Old Lady Gu and accepted the items.
Old Lady Gu then turned from anger to joy.
After chatting for a while, Wang Yongzhu excused herself and returned to the Duke’s Mansion.
Upon returning to the mansion, she heard that Da Zhuang and his brother from the front yard were asking for an audience, saying a person named Shopkeeper Zhang had sent a message, and the messenger was still waiting outside.
Wang Yongzhu paused, Shopkeeper Zhang? Zhang Yinbao? He must have brought a message with a purpose.
She quickly asked to have it brought in and immediately smiled upon seeing it. As it turned out, this message was indeed sent by Zhang Yinbao, stating Jinhoo had returned to the Capital City with the caravan, having arrived the previous evening, and today he sent a message to Wang Yongzhu.
The letter said Jinhoo knew Wang Yongzhu, Old Granny Zhang, and Song Chongjin had arrived in the Capital City and wanted the family to meet.
This was only natural.
Wang Yongzhu hadn’t seen Jinhoo in almost a year and was concerned about him. After reading the letter, she thought for a moment and instructed Da Zhuang to tell the messenger that Jinhoo should go to the house they purchased earlier in the capital the next day.
There were countless eyes on the Duke’s Mansion, and Wang Yongzhu didn’t want Jinhoo to get mixed up in it.
She also had Da Zhuang and Er Zhuang brothers, one to tell Yang Zongbao that Jinhoo would arrive tomorrow, and to prepare a room for him to stay.
The other to inform Old Granny Zhang that she would take her to the house the next day to gather together.
In the evening, Song Chongjin returned and heard that Jinhoo had arrived in the Capital City, and showed rare joy, “You all gather first, I will come to get you after work tomorrow.”
The two of them planned this before retiring to bed.
Early the next morning, Wang Yongzhu took a carriage to the Gu family, first picked up Old Granny Zhang, then headed to the courtyard they had bought.
Old Granny Zhang was now content with everything, thinking of her sons and grandchildren, she no longer despised them as before, and was instead delighted, “Jinhoo really returned? That’s great! Good to be back safe! He’s not young anymore, being out there and working hard is tiring, but unpredictable things are more worrisome.”
“Now life is better, we can’t just stand by and let him suffer, even if he likes doing business and doesn’t want to return to Qilidun. We can find him a position in the Capital City and look for a wife for him. Once they marry, we’ll buy them a small house, which would repay him.”
With them today was a sister from Old Lady Gu’s side, who also had her own intentions, wanting to see what Niuniu’s grandson was like.
After hearing Old Granny Zhang’s words, the sister couldn’t help but say, “Auntie, now that you are the eldest lady of the Gu family, for your grandson’s marriage, just giving a house, outsiders might not understand and it could be unfavorable for your reputation if they hear about it.”