Wen Wan listened to them talking, her face full of confusion.
Did she really guess it right? Were those things really her mother’s relics? Why did Dad wait so many years to dig them up?
After dinner, Granny Song took Song Fang to the kitchen to clean up, and Old Song found an excuse to chat with Song Wei outside, leaving the main room to the Wen father and daughter.
Father Wen noticed his daughter’s many doubts and reached out to open the lid of the box.
Inside were all jewels and jewelry, well-preserved, each being a high-quality valuable piece.
Wen Wan was startled, could this...really be her mother’s relics?
Father Wen spoke, half-true, half-false, "Your mother wasn’t from Pingjiang County. She was born into wealth, and when she got married, she brought a lot of good things. Back then, every family was poor, so she didn’t dare to show them off, afraid of attracting thieves, and buried them underground. She said it was for her daughter’s dowry in the future.
What I said to your parents-in-law was to avoid telling too much about your mother to others. As for these things, I can testify that they were left to you by your mother. The missing Jade Bracelet can’t be retrieved, but here are the thirty taels of silver that Shunzi sold for it. Dad put them inside for you."
As Father Wen spoke, he took the silver ingots out of his pocket and placed them in the box.
Wen Wan, not yet recovered from the shock of seeing the boxful of gold and silver jewelry, saw her father put silver inside and quickly stepped forward, shutting the lid and pushing the box towards Father Wen. The gesture meant that after all these years of being raised by her father, she had no reason to take all these, whether or not they were left by her mother for her dowry. Her father should keep them, sell some, and improve their household well-being.
Father Wen didn’t agree and sighed, "This was your mother’s last wish. If you don’t keep them, I’d fail her, and I wouldn’t have the face to visit her grave during festivals."
Wen Wan thought for a moment, dragged the box back, opened it, took out the thirty taels of silver ingots, and grabbed a handful of things to give to Father Wen. She glanced at them: there were some Jade Pendants, bracelets, and a golden hairpin.
Without giving Father Wen a chance to refuse, she stated directly: "Dad said these things are mine, so how to use them is my business. I wish to offer some filial piety to you—isn’t that reasonable?"
Father Wen chuckled helplessly, "You’re something else, child..."
Wen Wan smiled and hugged Father Wen.
She remembered how her dad played both father and mother roles to raise her. After marrying into the Song family, life had indeed improved. She thought about supplementing her maternal family at times, but considering that the money wasn’t earned by her, it was ok for personal use, yet using it to supplement her maternal home might invite gossip and dissatisfaction from her in-laws. Thus, she didn’t dare.
Since there was an opportunity today, she absolutely couldn’t take all these things.
She understood her in-laws’ temperaments: there was no need to mention the good character of her father-in-law and husband; as for her mother-in-law, though sharp-tongued, she has her principles and wouldn’t covet her dowry.
Moreover, her in-laws wouldn’t let her use her dowry anyway.
Thinking about it, these gold and silver jewels in her hands would only gather dust, making no difference whether she had them or not.
Thinking of this, Wen Wan let go of Father Wen and grabbed another handful for him.
Father Wen took a step back, playfully blaming, "Don’t be silly, girl. I’ve already taken plenty. I shouldn’t take more."
Wen Wan looked displeased if her father didn’t accept her offer.
Father Wen advised, "Listen to your father. Since the Third Son took the exams, I’ve known he would one day reach the Capital. The prices there are high, and he’ll surely need to spend a lot if he goes. These things might help him, so keep them well! When your lives get better in the future, remember to buy Dad a few more pounds of wine when you visit your old home. That’s my only indulgence."
Wen Wan’s eyes reddened as she nodded, choking up.
Just after Father Wen left, Wen Wan felt something ominous. That brainless woman, Mrs. Zhou, unable to get Mrs. Lu’s jewelry, returned to her natal home to complain to Mrs. Wu. Mrs. Wu gave her a bad idea—to spread the word about the big box of gold and silver jewelry left for Wen Wan by Mrs. Lu.
In her premonition, the Song family would attract thieves tonight.