Tianliangyuan

Chapter 286 First a Reprimand, Then a Reward

After giving them a dressing down, Xu Zhaozhao only kept a few managers, both big and small.

Of course, Granny Lin was among them.

“Yesterday I heard that someone dared to steal the young master’s belongings for their own use. You all know who I am. Once this matter is verified, I will definitely hand it over to the authorities for prosecution.”

Everyone trembled with fear and bowed their heads in agreement, their hearts filled with turmoil.

Because there were only two managers who had access to the young master's storeroom: one was the young master's wet nurse, Granny Lin, and the other was the young master's personal attendant.

However, this time, the Crown Prince's wife summoned them but did not invite that person over, which made everything all too clear.

Lin Mama did not expect that the young master's wife would be so ruthless as soon as she started to take charge.

Although she knew that this mistress came from an extraordinary background, she couldn't quite grasp her personality, so she naturally didn't dare to say much, much less take the initiative to stand up and admit her mistake.

Xu Zhaozhao didn't really want to embarrass her in front of others, after all, she was Xie Zheng's wet nurse, and she had to give Xie Zheng some face.

Moreover, if word got out that Granny Lin had embezzled the young master's money, it would be detrimental to Xie Zheng's reputation.

After all, Xie Zheng had valued this wet nurse for many years.

If Lin Mama's crimes were to be exposed, people in the Duke's mansion would probably laugh at Xie Zheng for being blind.

After giving a few more simple instructions, Xu Zhaozhao dismissed everyone, leaving only Granny Lin to wait for her questioning.

"Granny Lin!"

Lin Mama's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately replied, "This servant is here."

“I heard that the gold filigree hair ornament with rubies and kingfisher feathers that your daughter-in-law wears is quite extraordinary, and it looks very similar to one of my late mother-in-law’s dowry items. Also, I heard that when your eldest grandson was born, you generously gave him a red gold dragon-patterned necklace. If I’m not mistaken, that must be the one my husband wore when he was a child, right?”

Is there anything else that Granny Lin doesn't understand?

The mistress had already pointed out the name of the item and even knew which one it was used on, so she clearly already knew everything.

With a thud, Granny Lin knelt down on the ground.

"Please have mercy, Madam. I know I was wrong and will definitely put everything back in its place."

Seeing that she was a sensible person who didn't try to argue or cause trouble, Xu Zhaozhao knew that she could still be used.

"Since you have this attitude, I am not the kind of person to be aggressive. The two items I just mentioned will be given to you on behalf of the young master. The rest must be returned to their places before dark. If they have already been pawned, they must be retrieved within three days. If they cannot be retrieved, you will have to pay the difference yourself."

"Yes, this servant will certainly do as you command. This servant thanks the young master's wife for the reward! However, those things are precious, and we are really not worthy to wear them, so this servant will definitely send them along with the items."

In fact, Granny Lin herself knew that the thing her eldest daughter-in-law was wearing on her head was an overstepping of her bounds.

The gold filigree hairpin inlaid with rubies and kingfisher feathers is something that can only be worn secretly. If anyone sees it, they will surely be reported to the authorities and punished for the crime of usurpation.

But who wouldn't like something this good?

Therefore, the eldest daughter-in-law often secretly wore it at home.

Lin Mama was certain that her eldest daughter-in-law was not the type to cause trouble. In other words, she hadn't even left their courtyard, yet the young master's wife knew about it. This showed that the mistress of the house was incredibly powerful and could not be fooled by servants like them.

"Well, it was my oversight."

How could Xu Zhaozhao have been careless? She deliberately used these two items to test her.

Seeing that she knew the gravity of the situation and understood that it was a crime of overstepping her bounds, they realized that Granny Lin had completely surrendered.

"clove."

"The servant is here."

"Go and fetch two silver ingots, and also the silver hairpin with the double happiness symbol that I had previously ordered made. Oh, and I remember there was also a matching pair of silver bracelets; bring those too. Also, bring six small gold locks."

Why six?

Because Granny Lin has six grandchildren.

Xu Zhaozhao didn't have any of the traditional ideas about favoring boys over girls, so since she was going to reward them, she would reward them in full.

In this way, Lin Mama's sons and daughters-in-law would also know that as long as they serve Xu Zhaozhao loyally, she would not mistreat any of them.

“Take these things back with you. I know your second daughter-in-law works in the kitchen. I heard she makes excellent soups. Tell her to stew a few bowls of pear soup this afternoon and send them to the old lady and the elders in each household and courtyard. Also, save a portion for the young master.”

"Yes, I have remembered it."

Lin Mama knew that the mistress was praising her second daughter-in-law. After all, there were more than twenty ladies working in the kitchen, as well as six or seven kitchen maids.

In recent years, the second daughter-in-law has been doing only so-so in the kitchen. She wants to get ahead, but she has never had the chance.

Right now, the Crown Prince's wife has been delivered right to our doorstep.

Lin Mama didn't dare to harbor resentment towards Xu Zhaozhao in the first place, mainly because she knew that what she had done was wrong.

If handed over to the authorities, such an astronomical fortune would be punishable by beheading, and the entire family would be exiled.

The owners would handle it privately, either by beating them to death or by selling them off.

The Crown Prince's wife has already shown her extraordinary kindness.

Lin Mama's thinking was so insightful that Xu Zhaozhao felt this person was capable.

Being greedy for money isn't a big deal.

Xu Zhaozhao naturally understood the principle that "if the water is too clear, there will be no fish."

But through today's events, she also wanted to tell Granny Lin that she and Xie Zheng were the masters, and if they were willing to give, then the servants should be grateful. But if they dared to steal without her permission, they would have to be careful whether their claws would be able to stay in their hands.

It must be said that Xu Zhaozhao did a brilliant job.

Because it was never mentioned in front of others, and because Lin Mama took quite a few gifts with her when she left, it was as if Lin Mama's face was preserved. In the future, Lin Mama would still be a head nanny in Jinxiu Garden, and who would dare to disrespect her?

Jinxiu Garden is essentially a small three-courtyard house.

The front and back yards were simply divided into a front and back yard, which wasn't very formal.

Xie Zheng's study and the place where he usually practices martial arts are both in the front yard.

Normally, Jian Qi and Jian Jiu would wait for instructions in the front yard.

After passing through the hanging flower gate, Lin Mama was in charge from then on.

Today, the mistress summoned several stewards but did not mention the replacement of the stewards of the inner quarters. Therefore, everyone tacitly believed that Granny Lin was still highly valued by the new mistress.

Sure enough, once the servants learned that Granny Lin had brought out a reward, they understood the situation even better.

That evening, most of the valuables were returned by Granny Lin and her two sons.

Xu Zhaozhao did not meet with her, but instead arranged for her personal maid, Xu Mama, to handle the handover.

"Sister Lin, this is something Madam specially asked me to bring over, saying that I should take it back for my family to try."

Granny Lin was taken aback, and a sense of fear crept into her heart.

"This is?"

"This is the famous Osmanthus Black Tea that's renowned throughout the capital! But don't drink it tonight, try it during the day."