Chapter 24: Lu Jinxiao’s Head Maid

Upon hearing her mention this, Mother Lu immediately cast aside the earlier matter.

"The three-day post-wedding visit to the bride's family is a major event. You had just married into our family when Xiao-er left for the battlefield; truth be told, our Lu family has failed you."

Therefore, the gifts for the homecoming could not be meager, or others would surely criticize the General’s Mansion for lacking propriety. However, Mother Lu did not want to bother with the details, so she said, "Take the keys to the storehouse and go pick out some gifts yourself. Take plenty."

Lin Wanqing smiled bashfully. "Mother, this... wouldn't that be against the rules?"

Mother Lu waved her hand dismissively. "It’s nothing. Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Pick whatever you like, don't be shy. If you look good, the General’s Mansion shares in the honor."

Hearing this, Lin Wanqing stood on ceremony no longer. However, once she stepped into the storehouse, she truly wished she had never come.

The storehouse was spacious, yet remarkably empty. The large cabinets built against the walls were mostly vacant, and the smaller boxes intended for trinkets were nearly hollow. The actual silver and gold amounted to only two small caskets, appearing to be no more than a thousand taels in total.

Lin Wanqing gestured toward the contents of the room and asked the accountant, "Is this all the assets the General’s Mansion has?"

The accountant replied respectfully, "Yes, Madam. All the public assets of the General's Mansion are right here. If you wish to see, here is the ledger."

Lin Wanqing waved a hand; she had no interest in looking at that pile of dismal accounts right now. She had considered many possibilities, but she had never imagined this. The grand General’s Mansion was nothing more than an empty shell, and one that was about to be dropped into her lap. Lin Wanqing felt a splitting headache.

The accountant, lacking any sense of the situation, asked, "Madam, which items would you like? Shall I fetch them for you?"

Lin Wanqing turned and walked out. "No need. Lock the storehouse." With so little, she was truly afraid of bankrupting the mansion. Besides, a quick glance told her that more than half of the items on the shelves were gifts from the palace, which were absolutely off-limits. The remaining portion looked like it had significant provenance and was also untouchable. So, what was she supposed to take? Air?

It was no wonder Lin Xianyun had been so full of resentment in her past life. If it were her, she wouldn't be able to stay calm either. With one or two hundred people in the household relying on this storehouse for their daily needs, how long could this pittance last?

Banxia and Zisu also took a long while to recover from the shock. "My Lady, what are we to do?" Tomorrow was the day for the homecoming; with the mansion in such a state, were they to let their mistress return empty-handed? That would surely make the Qin woman and her daughter laugh themselves to death!

Lin Wanqing pondered for quite a while before saying, "Let’s go. Take the General’s personal seal and let’s check his private treasury." Since she had married into the Lu family and had to look after the mansion, it would require much toil and effort; was it so wrong to take a few things for her homecoming gift? She certainly couldn't use her own dowry. That had all been registered and cataloged back at the Lin residence. With Qin’s personality, she would make it known to the entire world that Lin Wanqing had used her own dowry for the homecoming. She had no choice but to tap into his private coffers.

Zisu hurried to retrieve Lu Jinxiao’s personal seal. The mistress and her maids headed to Lu Jinxiao’s courtyard. Upon entering, the four concubines-in-waiting—Chun, Xia, Qiu, and Dong—ran over to pay their respects. "This servant greets the Madam."

Having not yet been formally "opened" as concubines, they still held the status of maidservants, though they were distinct from ordinary ones. The four were heavily powdered and wore bright, vivid colors, making for a rather pleasing sight.

Lin Wanqing nodded. "Rise. Guard the courtyard well for the General and do not cause any trouble." The four women obediently complied. They were not fools; the new Madam had formidable methods. In just two days, she had not only won over the old mistress but had also punished the second young master and humiliated the eldest young lady. If they offended her, they wouldn't even know how they died.

With the General away and their status yet to be formalized, there was nothing to fight over. Once the General returned and they were officially recognized, with his favor, their glorious days would be ahead of them.

Lin Wanqing didn't waste much concern on them. After dismissing them, she went straight to the private treasury. It was managed by the General's head maid, a woman named Lianyin.

Seeing Lin Wanqing approach, Lianyin greeted her with a lukewarm attitude. "This servant greets the Madam. May I ask why you are here?"

Banxia and Zisu exchanged a look; this maid was not right. Lin Wanqing acted as if she hadn't noticed and said directly, "I am here to inspect the General’s private treasury. You manage it, so go open the door."

Lianyin stood her ground. "Madam, the General’s private treasury cannot be opened by anyone without his personal consent, even by the Madam herself."

Banxia lost her patience. "Presumptuous! How are you speaking to the Madam?"

Lianyin bowed slightly to Lin Wanqing, but her attitude remained cold and even faintly arrogant. "My apologies, Madam. It is not that I am unwilling to accommodate you, but the General has given strict orders. Please do not make things difficult for this servant."

Banxia was incensed by her tone. "You—you—"

Lin Wanqing raised a hand to stop Banxia and appraised Lianyin. She was quite pretty, dressed simply and neatly. Unlike the delicate charm of typical young women, there was a sense of heroism in her features; at a glance, she looked less like a maid and more like a wandering swordswoman. Such a style was unique in the General’s Mansion. It seemed this Lianyin held an extraordinary position in Lu Jinxiao’s eyes. No wonder she was so brazen.

Lin Wanqing smiled faintly. "I have no intention of making things difficult for you. Tell me, other than the General's direct consent, is there any other way to get you to open the door?"

Lianyin’s arrogance deepened as she lifted her chin. "Only if you possess the General’s personal seal. To see the seal is to see the General himself. Aside from these two methods, there is no other way. So, Madam, please return."

Lin Wanqing curled the corner of her lips and produced the seal. "Is it this?"

Lianyin’s arrogant expression instantly turned to shock. "Why is the General’s personal seal in your hands?"

Banxia scoffed coldly. "If the seal isn't with the Madam, should it be with a mere maid like you? You unruly thing, a servant daring to question the affairs of her master! Hurry up and open the door!"

Lianyin couldn't believe it. "This... this is impossible. The General never lets this seal leave his person. How could he..." How could he possibly hand it over to this merchant’s daughter who had just married in?

Lin Wanqing smiled calmly. "If you find it so hard to believe, why don't you verify the authenticity of the seal?"