Chapter 17: Are There Still Things I Don't Know?

Upon hearing that word, Aunt Jiang’s eyes immediately brightened.

What she needed most was money!

Chen’s eyes flickered slightly, involuntarily recalling Shen Yong’s words.

Moreover, Aunt Jiang had already demanded quite a bit of money from her; she felt protective over the Shen family’s funds.

“You received quite a generous reward yesterday. If you’re willing, why not help your aunt? It could also serve as a welcome gift for your newborn niece. What do you think?” Chen asked gently.

Shen Yuan agreed.

She then sent Liuyan to fetch the fragrant wooden box from the dressing table.

Aunt Jiang rubbed her hands together, tears welling in her eyes. “Ah, Yuan, you’re so kind, caring for your elders and helping them! When I return, I will surely tell your second uncle to remember you well!”

“Aunt Jiang, you’re too polite.”

Liuyan quickly returned, holding the fragrant wooden box with both hands and entered the room.

Shen Wannian squinted, examining the box—it looked somewhat familiar.

“If Aunt Jiang doesn’t mind, please accept all the jewels inside the box. Mother is right; this can be my welcome gift to my little niece,” Shen Yuan said earnestly, having Liuyan hand over the box.

Simply looking at the outer case, inlaid with jewels, Aunt Jiang was already eager to open it.

Would it contain gold or silver? Or perhaps jewelry?

“Yuan, you’re really thoughtful. I will certainly thank you properly another day…”

But the moment Aunt Jiang opened the fragrant wooden box, the hopeful light in her eyes gradually faded.

She pushed the box aside with a stern expression and asked sharply, “Shen Yuan, what do you mean? Even if you don’t truly want to help me, there’s no need to insult me with this rubbish!”

Shen Wannian had already realized the truth.

That was clearly the very jewelry she had given to Shen Yuan, and now it was being passed on to someone else?

Shen Yuan was stunned. Upon looking inside the box, she found it indeed contained some broken items.

However, it was still possible to discern their original appearance.

Some beads were missing, others broken in half, and most had lost their luster!

“Aunt Jiang, I’m really sorry! This isn’t my box! Judging by its condition, it seems like Wannian gave it to me?” Shen Yuan quickly took responsibility, smoothly directing the question toward Shen Wannian. “Is that right, Wannian?”

Chen had already recognized the contents as the discarded jewelry Shen Wannian had given to Shen Yuan.

Each piece had been carefully selected and purchased by her.

Over time, either due to flaws or dislike, they had been thrown away.

Unexpectedly, they had been given to Shen Yuan?

Chen frowned. She had thought to improve the relationship between the sisters and had allocated a considerable sum to Wannian to prepare some fine jewelry as gifts for Shen Yuan.

“Elder sister, are you mistaken? The fragrant wooden box I gave you contained many valuable pieces worth a fortune. How did it turn into this pile of junk?” Shen Wannian denied it vehemently. Her mind raced, and almost immediately she turned to Green Luo beside her, demanding sternly, “Did you put the wrong box? Go back and search properly! Sending the wrong items is one thing, but making my sister wrongly accuse me is a serious matter! Aren’t you going now?”

If it were behind closed doors, Shen Wannian might have admitted it.

But Aunt Jiang’s mouth was loose, and tomorrow this would surely become the talk of the town.

Green Luo understood Shen Wannian’s meaning and hurried back to the Splendid Garden to search.

Soon, she returned to the Quiet Garden holding an identical fragrant wooden box.

“Reporting to Miss, I… I accidentally packed the wrong box. Please punish me!” Green Luo knelt, holding the box high with both hands, repeatedly taking the blame.

Shen Wannian’s eyes showed a hint of satisfaction. Pretending to scold her, she said, “You can’t even handle a small task properly! You almost ruined the harmony between me and my sister! You’ll have to punish yourself later!”

“It’s all my fault. I will accept the punishment,” Green Luo responded, lying on the floor without a trace of respect.

Liuyan couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Shen Wannian handed the newly fetched fragrant wooden box to Shen Yuan, casually showing a few pieces of jewelry—just a few items were enough to cover an ordinary family’s expenses for a year.

“Elder sister, look. These are the gifts I prepared for you. Every piece was carefully selected.”

Shen Yuan pushed the box directly toward Aunt Jiang, smiling faintly. “If Aunt Jiang doesn’t mind…”

“Not at all, not at all!” Aunt Jiang hurriedly dumped the jewelry out to examine it. She even bit on a piece to confirm its authenticity, smiling so widely she could barely close her mouth.

Seeing Shen Yuan not even glance at the jewelry and hand it straight to Aunt Jiang, Shen Wannian couldn’t keep her composure. Her mood shifted, and tears began to fall.

“Elder sister, are you still angry with me?”

“Yes, Yuan. You have so much jewelry, so why give away the gifts Wannian gave you to Aunt Jiang? Isn’t that wasting her kindness?” Chen also spoke up.

Shen Yuan explained, “Since these were gifts from Wannian to me, they belong to me to dispose of as I see fit. Aunt Jiang is having a difficult time, so I voluntarily gave them to her to help with household expenses. Does mother think I’m wrong?”

“How could that be? It’s good you’re thinking of Aunt Jiang. But Wannian put a lot of thought into those gifts. Why trample on her sincerity? Didn’t the Empress Dowager bestow many jewels on you? Any single piece could support Aunt Jiang for years. Why not…”

“Mother means I should give the imperial gifts to Aunt Jiang?” Shen Yuan thought she had misheard. Disbelief flickered in her eyes as she hesitated, “Does mother think Wannian’s gifts are more important than those from the Empress Dowager?”

If so, wouldn’t that invert proper rank?

Chen realized her mistake and quickly shook her head, explaining, “Look at me, I’m muddled. Since Wannian gave you the gifts, they’re yours. You can give them to whomever you wish. It’s entirely up to you.”

Only then did Shen Yuan nod in satisfaction.

Aunt Jiang, having gained such a windfall, eyes sparkling, clutched the wooden box tightly, afraid they’d change their minds.

Shen Wannian felt inwardly regretful.

She had spent the money, yet the credit went to Shen Yuan?

What a thankless task!

Aunt Jiang’s purpose for coming to the Shen residence was fulfilled.

After exchanging a few polite words, she prepared to leave.

Shen Yuan rose and smiled warmly, “It’s getting late. Let me see you off, Aunt Jiang.”

Having received her treasures, Aunt Jiang was overjoyed and agreed without hesitation.

Once outside the Quiet Garden, Shen Yuan politely asked about the Chen family’s situation, subtly easing Aunt Jiang’s guard. Then she sighed, “If Grandmother were still alive, I would send these jewels to please her. Now that she has passed, keeping so many jewels and wealth serves no purpose. Aunt Jiang, if you face hardships in the future, come to me at the residence. I will help as much as I can.”

Her sincere words deeply moved Aunt Jiang.

Moreover, it was already known that Lady Luo, the matriarch of the Shen family, had bequeathed all her private property to Shen Yuan. With her support, the Chen family’s empty treasury could surely be replenished!

With that thought, Aunt Jiang glanced back to ensure no one was following, then lowered her voice, “Yuan, you are the only one in the Shen family who truly cares for Aunt Jiang. Even your mother is hypocritical! To be honest, since we’re relatives, I don’t want to deceive you.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuan’s eyes flickered with unease.

Feigning ignorance, she asked with a blank expression, “What does that mean, Aunt Jiang? Is there something I don’t know?”