Yun Jinnian asked very seriously, very frankly.
She really wanted to see just how shameless these people could be, daring to covet the items bestowed upon her by the Princess Royal.
Although some matters had not been made public, Yun Jinnian knew somewhat about Mrs. He and the old lady embezzling the birthday gifts and silver notes her mother sent her every year.
Mrs. He felt extremely uncomfortable inside.
The items from the Princess Residence were certainly of the highest quality, and those five or six large chests must be worth quite a sum of silver.
Naturally, she hoped Yun Jinnian would take them out and share, to give some to her sisters and to show filial piety to the elders.
"It’s nothing much, I just wanted to ask about these items..."
"Oh!" Yun Jinnian showed an expression of sudden realization, "Just have someone take these items to Niannian Garden, and as for the zongzi, please bother Auntie to divide them out!"
She would distribute the zongzi, but the items gifted by the Princess Royal were definitely not going to be foolishly shared.
Hearing this, Mrs. He’s face changed slightly, thinking to herself who would care about those two zongzi.
"Um, let’s do as you say then!"
Yun Jinnian bowed to Mrs. He, "I shall return to Niannian Garden first, thank you for your trouble, Auntie!"
Having the items carried back to Niannian Garden and leaving the two baskets of zongzi behind, she left with remarkable poise.
Upon returning to Niannian Garden, Mrs. Yuan was overjoyed to learn that the Princess Royal had awarded so many fine items.
"Miss, I will record them into inventory right away!"
Yun Jinnian smiled faintly, "Nanny, reward everyone with ten taels of silver each, and later Mother wants to take me to watch the Dragon Boat Race, will you be joining?"
"I shall not be going. You take Hemei and Henuan with you. I will stay behind to watch over the house, to prevent those petty thieves from sneaking in!" Mrs. Yuan said, laughing.
Nowadays, with life being easy and comfortable, with plenty to eat and wear, Mrs. Yuan grew ever more vigilant over Niannian Garden.
"And what about Nanny An and Yaniang?" Yun Jinnian further inquired.
"They won’t be going either!"
Yaniang had been silent for many years, yet her culinary skills were exceptional.
Nanny An’s face had been disfigured by a great fire, and even after repairs, it was still somewhat frightful; hence, she rarely went out.
Upon opening the chests, they were indeed full of items.
Over a dozen lengths of pale blue soft gauze, two bolts of Yunyan Brocade, raw gems and precious stones, along with medicinal herbs, vase ornaments, gold and silver hair accessories, bracelets—all exquisitely made and highly valuable.
"My goodness, how much silver is this worth?" Mrs. Yuan exclaimed.
Yun Jinnian glanced at them and said nothing.
Nanny An held up two fingers.
"Two hundred thousand taels?" Mrs. Yuan asked in a low voice.
"Two million taels!" Nanny An clarified, looking toward Yun Jinnian, noticing her casually faint smile, seemingly not placing much importance on these items.
"My heavens, that’s so much!"
Mrs. Yuan was simply incredulous.
A while ago, the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence also sent quite a few things, several large chests that seemed very valuable at the time, but now with the Princess Royal’s gesture, it was all taken to the next level!
Mrs. Yuan immediately approached Yun Jinnian, "Miss, with so many valuable items, are you going to keep them all at the residence? Not sending some to the Han Family?"
Yun Jinnian laughed, "The items sent from the small river village City Lord Residence are all at the Han Family. Once we accumulate enough silver, I’ll buy an estate outside and move everything there!"
"Then I’ll go and guard it for Miss!" Mrs. Yuan quickly offered.
Yun Jinnian laughed, "Didn’t Nanny say she would always take care of me? How come you’re so eager to guard the silver now!"
"Oh, my dear Miss, what in this world does not require silver? Back then we toiled over embroidery work and secretly had someone sell it, just to barely keep us fed and warm. I’m certainly done with that kind of life. From now on, Miss comes first, and silver comes second, but neither should be neglected!"