The elderly lady picked up the rice paper and glanced at one page—her mood immediately soured.
Who exactly had brought these matters to her son's attention?
Were they trying to sow discord between her and her son?
"Chenchen..."
"Mother, do you realize that if these things fall into the hands of my political enemies and are proven true, and if Sister Ruonian comes out to testify, what would be the consequences?" Yun Chen asked softly.
"She wouldn't dare!" the elderly lady shouted angrily.
Yun Chen was not upset but simply said, "If the other party promises her enough food and clothing, the service of maids, and a life truly worth living as a person, what choice do you think Ruonian would make? If you were in her shoes, Mother, what would you choose?"
The elderly lady fell silent, having no response.
Yun Chen continued, "Do you remember when I impeached the former Minister of War, accusing him of failing to maintain his inner household and of the harsh treatment his second wife meted out to his first wife's legitimate eldest daughter? After all the evidence was presented to the emperor, the Minister of War was dismissed from office, bringing calamity to his whole family. His relatives were barred from court service for five generations; they couldn't even take the Scholar exams!"
The elderly lady paled with shock.
Such treatment of Yun Jinnian, if word got out, would brand her as unloving.
"Does Mother wish for her son to end up like the Minister of War?" Yun Chen asked gravely.
"No, not at all, I just..." the elderly lady frantically tried to explain.
But she didn't know where to begin.
"Mother, I still aim to rise in rank and secure an imperial decree for you, so that everyone will respect you as the Elder Lady when you go out."
The title of Elder Lady would require a first-rank imperial decree.
The elderly lady's eyes reddened.
Of course, she wanted that too.
"Did I do something wrong?" the elderly lady asked.
"Mother, you were indeed wrong in this case. If you dislike Ruonian, you could have simply ignored her; there was no need to make her kneel until she fainted, let alone order someone to throw the plum blossoms she picked back into the Niannian Garden. Our emperor values kindness and filial piety, and the Empress Dowager loves those who demonstrate such traits. If the Empress Dowager comes to know of this matter..."
Yun Chen let the consequences hang unsaid.
But the elderly lady was already frightened.
"What do you suggest we do?"
"It's simple: provide for her food, clothing, and living expenses as befits an eldest sister. Compensate her for what she's missed out on these years. Appeasing her is the priority!"
After a long silence, the elderly lady finally yielded, "Let's do as you say!"
Disliking Yun Jinnian was one thing, but her son's future was of utmost importance. Only if her son succeeded could she enjoy glory and wealth.
The Yuan Family's ancestral wealth was substantial, earning a handsome sum of silver each year. A legitimate daughter would receive fifty taels of silver monthly, but Yun Jinnian hadn't seen a single tael in years.
Looking at the silver notes in the brocade box.
"Great Uncle?"
"This is the monthly allowance you should have received over the past ten years, a total of six thousand taels. These medicinal herbs, fabrics, beaded hairpins, and jewelry should have been yours all along, only they've come a bit late!"
Yun Jinnian's eyes reddened slightly, and she bowed to Yun Chen, "Jinnian thanks Great Uncle!"
"Good child, you are sensible. These past years..." Yun Chen paused before continuing, "Let bygones be bygones. It's essential to look forward!"
"Yes!"
Yun Jinnian was demurely respectful, bowing her head.
She didn't understand why she naturally behaved this way.
Yet she was inwardly delighted.
In one day, she went from having nothing to having everything.
Yun Chen left pleased, leaving behind four maids and two coarse servants.
"Nanny!"
"Hmm?"
"Give each of them two taels of silver!"
The six thousand taels that Yun Chen had brought, including fifty notes of a hundred taels each and a thousand taels in small change were all in individual taels.
He had thought everything through.
Mrs. Yuan immediately gave out two taels of silver as a reward, and the four maids and two servant women immediately bowed joyfully, "Thank you, Fourth Miss!"
Yun Jinnian looked at them and said faintly, "I do not wish to see another Ru Xin in Niannian Garden, and I suppose you wouldn't want to follow her example!"
"We wouldn't dare!"
"As long as you wouldn't dare, just serve well. If you are truly loyal to me, I will not mistreat you. But if you commit acts of betrayal in seeking glory, Ru Xin's fate would seem mild in comparison!"