Chapter 112: Qingyun Relinquishes Stewardship Authority

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Shen Qingyun stepped forward to kneel and express her gratitude. She quietly handed over the prepared pouch to Yicui. The chief eunuch secretly weighed the pouch in his hand. Well, he hadn’t expected the newly titled County Lady to be so generous. After exchanging a few polite, smiling words, he turned and left.

Both the matriarch and Shen Zhifeng wore complicated expressions. They were pleased that the Shen Duke’s Mansion had received the imperial decree of commendation, yet troubled that the reward was given solely to Shen Qingyun.

Shen Sisi’s face turned pale, her teeth clenched tightly.

How could this be? Shen Qingyun, a girl from the countryside, why was she granted the title of County Lady?

It’s fine, it’s fine. So what if she’s a County Lady? No one wants her, no one will marry her. But I am about to marry the heir apparent!

Shen Sisi tried hard to comfort herself, unaware of what was about to come.

Shen Qingyun paid no mind to Shen Sisi’s petty scheming. She was still quite surprised herself; when she had donated those supplies, she never imagined she would be rewarded with the title of County Lady.

Shen Zhifeng remained silent for a moment, then frowned and asked, “Qingyun, where did you get so much money to purchase these supplies?”

The matriarch snapped out of her shock and scrutinized Shen Qingyun with growing suspicion. “Qingyun, you’re just a young lady who has been back at the mansion less than a year, yet you have been managing the household affairs. Could it be that you have learned some improper habits?”

“No way!” Shen Sisi timidly exclaimed, “I believe my sister wouldn’t do such things.”

This was a veiled accusation of Shen Qingyun embezzling funds.

“Sisi, you are just too innocent and kind,” the matriarch snorted coldly. “If not, then where did those forty-nine carts of supplies come from?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhifeng also found the suspicion reasonable.

The Shen Duke’s Mansion had lived in luxury before. Since Shen Qingyun took charge of the household affairs, many expenses had been cut. After Lady Han’s divorce, she took away many precious items, causing a stark contrast in the mansion’s fortunes.

“Qingyun, I don’t know how you manipulated the household accounts, but since you’ve been made County Lady, I won’t pursue it further. However, the mansion’s previous standards must be restored. The gifts from the emperor should belong to the entire Shen Duke’s Mansion.”

Pearl was furious and wanted to argue, but Shen Qingyun stopped her. “Father, the imperial decree clearly states that these rewards are given to me. If you think the emperor’s arrangement is unfair, you may petition His Majesty yourself.”

Shen Zhifeng’s face flushed with embarrassment. Did he dare to question the emperor?

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Shen Qingyun turned to face the matriarch. “Grandmother, since you doubt my management of the household, I will hand over control of the domestic affairs to you. If you find any shortcomings in my work, please advise me.”

With that, she instructed Yicui to bring the accounts, the keys to the storerooms, and all relevant items.

Seeing Shen Qingyun hand over such authority without hesitation, the matriarch felt uneasy. But having not held power for so long, she was also somewhat eager to try again.

Shen Sisi thought that if the matriarch took control, things would surely improve. She tugged at her sleeve and said, “Grandmother, whether Han or my sister managed it, I believe you will do even better.”

The matriarch nodded proudly. Her dear Sisi was completely devoted to her, and her gaze softened.

Shen Qingyun handed over the household affairs and walked away without looking back.

The three of them stared enviously at the gold and fabric bestowed by the emperor, silently exchanging a glance: they intended to seize those rewards!

But Shen Qingyun naturally wouldn’t give them the chance. She registered every single item and conducted inventories every few days.

If they dared to steal the imperial gifts, she wasn’t sure if they could withstand the consequences!

The thought of casting off the mess that was the Shen Duke’s Mansion made Shen Qingyun feel a great relief.

Previously, she had been learning to manage the household and cultivating her own staff and informants. Now that those arrangements were mostly settled, she could use this opportunity to free herself and pursue her own ambitions.

After years, the matriarch was delighted to regain control of the household. With a wave of her hand, she ordered an additional dish for today’s meal.

She didn’t dare to be wasteful, though. Without Han Rou’s dowry supplementing the accounts, the finances were obviously tight.

The servants began to split into two factions. Some believed that although Shen Qingyun had the title of County Lady, she would eventually marry out. Since the matriarch had regained control of the steward’s duties, they sided with the Yansong Hall. Others hoped to bask in the County Lady’s favor and tried to appear more frequently before Shen Qingyun, visiting the Jianjia Courtyard more often.

Shen Qingyun paid no mind to these fence-sitters, letting them fall as they might. Those willing to work for her would be well treated.

Things appeared peaceful, but after less than a month, the matriarch found herself troubled.

The expenses of Shen Sisi and Shen Zhifeng that month had exceeded the budget significantly, requiring funds from elsewhere to compensate. Yet where was money not needed?

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“No wonder Shen Qingyun handed over the reins so quickly!” the matriarch sighed, her temples throbbing.

Madam Liu, who had served the matriarch most of her life, also felt moved. She rubbed the matriarch’s forehead and whispered softly, “A penny can defeat a hero. It was better back when the former mistress was here.”

The matriarch wanted to object but ended up sighing deeply.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. Previously, Lady Han had subsidized the Shen Duke’s Mansion financially. Now that she was gone, the position of Duchess was vacant. Why not have Shen Zhifeng remarry a noble lady as his new wife?

Madam Liu frowned. “The divorce hasn’t fully faded from memory. At this moment, finding a suitable match is difficult. Besides, the new wife’s temperament must be gentle.”

It was only because Lady Han was mild-tempered and easy to handle before; otherwise, if she met a fiery woman, she and the matriarch would have clashed fiercely again.

The matriarch considered this and said, “We must at least look.”

Several days passed, but no candidate’s family background, appearance, or temperament surpassed Han Rou’s.

Madam Liu pondered for a moment. “Matriarch, if the Duke remarries as his principal wife, it must be a careful and slow choice. But if he simply takes a concubine, that would be easier.”

That made sense. The matriarch went to ask Shen Zhifeng’s opinion.

Shen Zhifeng had refrained from taking concubines for over a decade to maintain appearances. Hearing the matriarch’s suggestion, he was more than willing. If he had the money, he would have liked to take half a dozen or more beautiful concubines. He immediately began making arrangements.

Since it was only concubines, the criteria were simple: attractive, wealthy, and easy to control. Low status was not an issue.

With this mindset, they indeed identified several candidates.

Together, they agreed that Wang Qingrui from the Wang family was a good choice.