Chapter Twenty-Four: No Lack of Money, Wildly Indulgent

"I've made it," Song Ci murmured as she gazed at the neatly arranged storeroom.

Hongyu and Hongzao, her two maidservants, were puzzled and asked, "Madam, what did you say?"

Song Ci replied with a soft "Ah," and said, "Nothing."

She lifted her eyes to the rows of tall shelves inside, where precious items were organized by category. "Is all of my personal wealth stored here?" she asked.

Hongyu felt a jolt of worry—could it be that Madam had lost her memory after her illness?

Hongzao, quick of tongue, laughed and replied, "How could that be, Madam? You are blessed with good fortune, and the Prime Minister, Second Master, and the others are all filial sons and grandsons. Whenever they find something good, they present it to you. There are also gifts for festivals, birthdays, and rewards from the palace—how could a single storeroom hold them all?"

"Madam, you must have forgotten you have three large storerooms in total," Hongyu said, watching Song Ci carefully.

Song Ci’s heart skipped a beat, and she feigned melancholy. "I could never forget, but I was just wondering how much I've accumulated in my lifetime. I've never really counted, and I don’t know how to divide it among the children when I’m gone."

Just then, Granny Gong entered, keys in hand, and caught that last sentence. She frowned, glaring at Hongyu and Hongzao—what were they talking about to make Madam say such ominous things?

The two maidservants were flustered and hurried to say, "If you wish, Madam, we can take the inventory book and check every item in the storerooms for you."

Granny Gong stepped forward. "Madam, are you worried your private possessions haven't been recorded? Rest assured, every time there's a gift or reward, we register it at once. Nothing has ever been overlooked. In all these years, not a single item has gone missing from your storerooms."

Song Ci gave an awkward chuckle. "I didn't mean to accuse anyone of stealing. It’s just that, seeing so many things, I’ve forgotten what treasures I actually have. Besides, wealth is just worldly matter—you can't take it with you. It should be used wisely."

"Madam has great foresight," Granny Gong praised her with a smile.

"Listen to yourself. I'm an uneducated old woman. What great plans could I possibly have? I speak this way only because I have confidence," Song Ci laughed awkwardly.

"???"

Song Ci declared proudly, "I am never short of money—so I can be capricious."

Everyone: "......"

Madam truly is remarkable.

The group moved to another storeroom, this one filled with various prized vessels and exquisite ornaments. There were several screens, not to mention valuable vases and bowls of every kind. The materials ranged from jade, gold, and silver—if it existed, it was here.

Song Ci was utterly amazed.

The largest storeroom contained not only fabrics, but also gold and silver, jewelry, rare books, curios, and more.

"Wicked capitalism," Song Ci couldn't help but sigh as she held a jade crown.

The others exchanged bewildered glances—what did she mean by that?

Her eyes lit up when she saw a potted red coral tree nearly half a meter tall. "This red coral is beautiful. Move it to my room," she ordered.

Granny Gong was surprised. That coral bonsai had been a birthday gift from Third Master for Madam's fiftieth birthday, but it had always remained in the storeroom, as if Song Ci had forgotten about it. She had never mentioned it before.

But surprise aside, once Song Ci spoke, the servants dared not object. Someone immediately carried the bonsai into the main room.

Song Ci stroked the brightly colored silks, feeling their delicate, soft texture with envy. If made into traditional dress, how lovely they would be.

Yet, she was an old woman—how could she wear such vibrant colors? Deep red, black, dark blue—those were her shades.

She reluctantly closed her eyes and instructed, "Take out these bolts of silk and send them to the Lady of the House. Let her distribute them among the women and children, and have a few sets of summer garments made."

Ah, so much reluctance, yet one must still let go!