Chapter 51: The Dowry List

Lin Jinyan examined the list carefully. It contained everything imaginable: various kinds of gold, silver, and precious gems, antiques, calligraphy, paintings, shops, manors, and farmland.

In her past life, when she married, she had distributed more than half of it to fill the gaps in Chu Chengyao's coffers. She had never bothered to calculate exactly how much there was, but looking at it now, it was truly of immense value.

Lin Jinyan murmured, "Did Grandfather give half of the General's Mansion as Mother's dowry back then?"

Gu Momo smiled and said, "When the Young Mistress married, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say her dowry stretched for ten miles. I don't know how many people envied her. It's just a pity... that she passed away at such a young age... *sigh*."

Lin Jinyan looked up to comfort her. "Momo, you shouldn't be so sorrowful for my mother's sake. If you fall ill, would my brother and I be able to rest easy leaving you to take care of others?"

Gu Momo hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, please don't think too much of it. Look at my mouth, bringing this up again."

Lin Jinyan smiled. "It's fine. My father should be returning around this hour. Momo, please go to my father and ask for a map of Tai'an. Tell him I want to mark all the locations of my mother's dowry to see where they are situated."

Gu Momo complied and turned to leave. After the time it took to burn an incense stick, she returned with the map, took the items from the table, and spread them out on the desk.

Lin Jinyan found paper to transcribe the names of the shops and attached numbers to them, marking them one by one on the map. The manors and farmland, however, were located outside Tai'an City and could not be seen on the map.

Lin Jinyan frowned. "This map is only a rough sketch and isn't very detailed. It would be wonderful if there were a detailed map of the entire Tianchu."

Gu Momo replied, "How could such classified items be easily obtained? At most, one can see general maps of mountains, rivers, and trade routes."

Lin Jinyan's eyes lit up. "The General's Mansion should have one, shouldn't it?"

Gu Momo said, "Of course they do, but they are kept under very tight control. Aside from the General and his inner circle, no one else can see them."

Lin Jinyan had formed a plan in her mind. She dismissed Gu Momo and began to study the map before her intently.

Her finger slid back and forth over the marked locations, finally stopping at a grain shop. After a long period of deliberation, she rose, folded the map and the dowry list, and locked them in the bookcase.

Early the next morning, Lin Jinyan rose early and waited for Lin Wanrong so they could go to Songmao Hall together to pay their respects.

When they arrived, the Old Lady was speaking with Zhou Yuexue. The two sisters performed their salutations, and the Old Lady said with a beaming smile, "Good, good. Now there is one more person to pay respects. Have you eaten yet?"

Lin Jinyan smiled and said, "Not yet. Yan'er and Sister Wanrong have come to Grandmother's place to sponge a meal."

The Old Lady laughed. "Qi Momo, go to the kitchen and instruct them to serve the two young ladies their breakfast here in Songmao Hall. Add two extra dishes. If they don't finish, don't let this little monkey leave."

A well-dressed elderly maidservant nearby smiled, accepted the command, and went out. Zhou Yuexue smiled and asked, "Is this Wanrong, the younger sister from Second Uncle's house?"

Hearing this, Lin Wanrong instinctively looked toward Lin Jinyan. Lin Jinyan said, "This is Grandmother's grand-niece, Cousin Zhou Yuexue. You can just call her Cousin."

Lin Wanrong stood up, performed a bow, and said obediently, "Hello, Cousin."

Zhou Yuexue stepped forward to help her up and said kindly, "Sister Wanrong, there is no need for such formality. You can just call me Sister Yuexue. I knew Second Uncle had a younger sister but never had the chance to meet her. I have finally met her today; what a beautiful girl, one cannot help but like her at first sight."

Lin Wanrong had never been praised so warmly before; she felt shy and whispered, "You are the one who is as beautiful as a flower, Sister."

Lin Jinyan smiled. "Don't be shy, Sister Wanrong. Cousin is always this sweet-tongued with everyone. She said the exact same thing when she first met me. You'll get used to it once you see it more often."

Hearing Lin Jinyan's words, Zhou Yuexue felt a sting in them, but looking at Lin Jinyan's smiling face, she felt she was overthinking it. How old was this girl? She was likely just complimenting her.

(End of Chapter)