The mother and daughter chatted intimately for a while longer. Qi Zhenzhen handed Yun Shi a stack of banknotes. "Mother, take this."
"Where would I need this? It's you who needs money now, living in the Duke's mansion." Yun Shi declined.
"Mother, have you forgotten? The kimchi business alone yields tens of thousands in dividends annually. And the dishes I partnered with Qian Yuanbao Restaurant on bring in significant monthly income," Qi Zhenzhen explained. "Although I donated a lot during winter, Ah Nian has compensated me handsomely after our marriage. Don't worry, your son-in-law isn't poor."
"What Ah Nian gives you is yours. You can't take it back to support me," Yun Shi worried. "Ah Nian giving it to you shows he cares about you. Even though it's given to you, it's still for both of you as a couple. To take it out again..."
Qi Zhenzhen understood Yun Shi's concern, which was essentially that Gu Sinian might mind.
"Mother, just take it. Ah Nian isn't that kind of person. He even told me himself that you're managing the household now. You need to keep the stewards, big and small, in line, and you can't be without funds. Mother, keep this money for safekeeping, or use it to invest in some property! In any case, you must accept it. You can't just think of me; you have to think of Yi Ge'er too. In a couple more years, he'll be of marriageable age. You'll need to prepare something for him!"
Yun Shi was deeply touched and finally accepted the banknotes without further refusal.
"Your uncle sent a message," Yun Shi had been holding this in for some time and had hesitated, but finally couldn't keep silent.
Uncle? Qi Zhenzhen immediately thought of Qin Lang.
"What did he say?"
"He said it was all orchestrated by your father, just to get me."
Qin Lang had said something similar before.
At that time, due to Yun Shi's predicament, Qi Zhenzhen had been inclined to believe it.
However, after returning to the Marquis of Changping's mansion, Qi Zhenzhen had observed things covertly. She felt that while Marquis Changping had some minor cleverness, it was unlikely he could orchestrate such a significant event. (Qi Tianming: This Marquis is exceptionally intelligent, how is it impossible? You are discriminating!)
Therefore, either Qin Lang was lying, or there was an inside story that Qin Lang was unaware of.
"Mother, what do you think?" Qi Zhenzhen asked Yun Shi.
Yun Shi hesitated, "I don't think your father is that kind of person. Back then, although he wasn't as favored by your maternal grandfather as your uncle, he was still your maternal grandfather's last disciple. Moreover, your father has always valued the future of the Marquis's mansion since he was young. He wouldn't rashly do something like that for me, after all, the consequences would be unimaginable if it were discovered."
"What about your uncle's character?" Yun Shi asked.
"He treated me very well and was very popular at the academy. Your maternal grandfather also admired him greatly and once praised him, saying he was born to be an official," Yun Shi recalled.
When the incident occurred, she had been disheartened and had considered ending her life, even following him in death.
But now, many years had passed, and with children, that thought had gradually faded.
"After your uncle escaped, did he inform Mother immediately?"
Yun Shi shook her head. "In all these years, the first time I saw Qin Lang was the time we met him together last."
Qi Zhenzhen had a plan in mind. Regardless of whether Qin Lang's words were true or false, this incident showed that perhaps Yun Shi was not that important to him. If she were, he would have known Yun Shi was deeply in love with him and might do something impulsive after his incident. Even so, he did not notify Yun Shi immediately. Even if the situation was tense at the time, it wouldn't be impossible to find an opportunity for many years.