Nalan Jinlian was quite surprised, because she intended to discuss the same matter.
She had thought of the phrasing all along the way.
Nalan Bo sighed, "In this small border town, even if she doesn’t act, no one dares to trouble you. But once you return to the Imperial Capital, it will be different; your mother must be present for everything, and your father is likely to be promoted to the third rank upon returning. Your mother will also be granted a title, and soon after, it will be time for your coming-of-age ceremony!"
Nalan Jinlian fell silent.
Coming-of-age, how old am I now? This text is hosted at NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Her mind went blank, unable to recall anything.
She did not feeling.
Nalan Bo looked at Nalan Jinlian, sighed, "Don’t overthink it. Once we return, your grandmother will surely hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony for you!"
Nalan Jinlian nodded.
This was not what she was worried about.
Once Nalan Bo spoke, Nalan Jinlian personally went to invite Mrs. Xu. Mrs. Xu did not put on airs at all and returned to the main courtyard after freshening up and changing clothes, where she summoned her butler in this small town.
She gave a few instructions.
The shopkeeper seemed to have a slight limp, walking with one foot deep and the other shallow.
Nalan Jinlian watched him depart, wondering how he injured his foot and if it could be fully restored if re-injured and mended again.
And for this, medical skills were required.
Nalan Jinlian remembered that there were no medical books in the Lotus Garden.
Even miscellaneous notes were very superficial, yet she could paint well and had excellent calligraphy.
Logically, the Lotus Garden should have had some of her calligraphy or paintings stored, things she found exceptionally good and wanted to keep for the long term.
But there was nothing.
Mrs. Xu started managing affairs and took Nalan Jinlian out the next day to buy gifts to bring back.
Mrs. Xu was very generous with her spending, and it was only then that Nalan Jinlian realized her mother was very wealthy.
Reportedly, they had four or five shops in this small town, and while returning home, they didn’t sell them but left them to the original shopkeepers.
They only took the profits from these years.
"Selling those shops would also fetch a lot of silver!"
Mrs. Xu laughed, "Indeed they would bring a lot of silver, but they are not comparable to human sentiment. Over these years, I haven’t managed the shops, yet they haven’t embezzled a single tael of silver. This integrity is worth ten times more than those shops, and what about the people in the shops if I sell them? Don’t even think about bringing them back to the Imperial Capital; it is not as good as imagined. Leaving them here might bring unexpected rewards someday!"
Nalan Jinlian nodded, indicating her understanding.
These shopkeepers probably already had families, which would eventually lead to children.
While the children might not have achieved much before, the future would be different; with a stable income-giving shop, they would cultivate their children.
Even if the children’s generation doesn’t have much achievement, what about the grandchildren’s generation?
Mrs. Xu had not only left a backup path for herself but also paved the way for future generations.
Mrs. Xu not only bought things for herself but for Nalan Jinlian as well.
She would purchase anything beautiful, luxurious, and exquisite, willing to spend the money and even bought precious gold items for the people at the Marquis Residence, with novel and beautiful designs.
These reportedly were goods imported from Tianchu Country.
Nalan Jinlian toyed with the gold hairpin in her hand.
Tianchu Country, what kind of place is it?
"Lianlian, what do you think of this jade pendant?" Mrs. Xu’s voice interrupted Nalan Jinlian’s pondering.
"Mother’s taste is naturally excellent!"
"Hehe, you child, this is for your coming-of-age ceremony!"