When a normal person learns that a secret code can be used to obtain a large sum of money, most people would subconsciously think of the largest bank in Dayong. Just like Shen Heqing, who, out of preconceived notions, thought of the largest and most prestigious bank in the capital city, the one most favored by the nobility.
Shen Haiyan shook his head. Based on his previous experience, he explained, "That bank is only located in the capital city, and one must be introduced by an acquaintance. Second Aunt was recommended by her own aunt."
"There are three rules for depositing money in that bank. The first rule is that the bank only recognizes the token and the secret code. As long as you have the token and know the secret code, you can withdraw the money. If you are the depositor and accidentally lose the token, you won't be able to get the money."
"Moreover, you have to visit the bank every few years to prove that you're still alive. Otherwise, the bank will keep the money."
"Brother, what do you mean when you say the old hag is on guard against you?"
Shen Heqing wasn't quite sure if the Old Madam Shen had really forgotten to mention the location of the bank or was just testing him.
He asked in a low voice, "Is that bank well - hidden? I mean, if one doesn't know the address, can they find it?"
Shen Haiyan shook his head firmly. "Absolutely not!"
"Whether she's on guard or not, we'll find out by giving it a try. Where is that bank? How long does it take to get there and back?" Shen Heqing asked as he pulled Shen Haiyan along.
Half an hour later.
Shen Haiyan led Yan Mingli back to the prison cell with a lot of food. Yan Mingli bribed the jailer with money, while Shen Haiyan distributed the food to the Shen family members.
The Old Madam Shen asked seemingly casually, "Haiyan, where's your elder brother?"
"Elder brother? He got the money and went back to handle some matters," Shen Haiyan replied off - handedly.
Busy distributing the food, Shen Haiyan didn't even look up and didn't notice the terrifying look that flashed across the Old Madam Shen's face and then quickly disappeared. Yan Mingli shuddered and suddenly understood why Shen Haiyan called her the old hag.
According to the plan, he exposed Shen Haiyan's lie. "What money? The money you used to buy this food is mine. You two brothers are penniless, yet you still act like rich men."
The First Madam Shen, who was eating, was startled. "Where's the money? We didn't get the money. What shall we do? How could we not get the money!"
Shen Haiyan glared at Yan Mingli and explained, "This guy is talking nonsense. Elder brother is going from one bank to another to get the money. Once he gets it, I'll pay him back."
These attempts to cover up were too obvious, and anyone could tell it was a lie.
The Old Madam Shen knew Yan Mingli. Shen Haiyan had brought him to the Shen family a few days ago. Their conversation was reasonable and there were no loopholes.
Hearing that Shen Heqing was looking for banks one by one, the Old Madam Shen felt relieved. She had thought too much. Heqing was always a well - behaved and obedient child. He couldn't possibly collude with others to scheme against the family.
Shen Heqing's guess was right. The Old Madam Shen was indeed on guard against him and was also testing if Shen Heqing had known that the wooden hairpin was the token and had deliberately come to ask for the secret code.
Although the Shen family's property was seized, the Mu family was wealthy. General Mu only had the Princess Jingning as his daughter. The gold, silver, jewels he obtained from his military campaigns and the rewards from the emperor all belonged to the Princess Jingning.
In the Old Madam Shen's mind, she had long regarded the Mu family's property as her own. As the eldest son of the Princess Jingning, Shen Heqing couldn't be short of money. Moreover, Shen Heqing had a great reputation in the capital city and was even praised as the Number One Young Master. This good reputation was not due to the Shen family's planning but entirely based on Shen Heqing's true talent and learning.
Therefore, even if something happened to the Shen family, Shen Heqing wouldn't be short of money.
However, nothing in the world is absolute. The Old Madam Shen was locked in the prison and didn't know the situation outside. So when she told Shen Heqing the secret code, she deliberately held back and didn't tell him the specific location of the bank.
If Shen Heqing had come specifically to inquire about the secret code, he must have known the address of the bank and would have taken the money directly.
The Old Madam Shen just didn't expect Shen Heqing to be so naive. He actually went from one bank to another to look for it. What a good child. She had been too cautious and misunderstood him.
Thinking of Shen Qingshan in the neighboring cell, who was sometimes crazy, the Old Madam Shen made up her mind. Heqing was whole - heartedly devoted to the Shen family. Maybe she could disclose that matter to him.
The Old Madam Shen didn't hesitate any longer. Pretending that she had just remembered, she said, "I'm so muddle - headed. Haiyan, go and call Heqing quickly. I'll tell him which bank it is."
Shen Haiyan looked at Yan Mingli imperceptibly. The latter understood and stepped forward, taking the food from his hands and staying in the cell to watch over the Shen family members. Shen Haiyan then ran out to call Shen Heqing.
...
The Princess Mansion.
Inside the room, Shen Baozhu was sitting on the ground making clay figurines. Qiuqiu was sitting on a small stool beside her, embroidering. A few meters away by the window, the Fourth Prince was practicing calligraphy properly.
The Dragon King: [The cute one and Qiuqiu look so pleasing to the eye together.]
Lin Yu: [Where's the Prince Rui?]
The Dragon King: [Old Man Gu felt bored and went for a walk in the garden.]
The Qingyun True Man: [Is Baozhu making little figurines?]
Lin Yu: [The little figurines are as cute as Baozhu.]
Seeing the subtitles, Shen Baozhu subconsciously covered the little figurine in her hand. "You're not allowed to peek."
The Dragon King: [Peek? Why won't you show it to me?]
The Dragon King: [Could it be that the clay figurine is for me?]
The Dragon King was just joking, but Shen Baozhu got nervous. Her hand accidentally touched the bronze mirror beside her.
Lin Yu also joked, [Could it be that Baozhu is looking at the mirror and making the clay figurine in her own image to give to us?]
"Brother Lin Yu guessed it?" Shen Baozhu said dejectedly as she let go of her hand. She had wanted to give it to the immortals as a surprise, but unexpectedly, they had seen it.
Then she became happy again. Since it had been discovered, she didn't have to make the clay figurines secretly. She would go to Brother Su Qian tomorrow and ask him to make one first, and then she would make one following his example!
The Dragon King: [Lin Yu really guessed right? I want the first one!]
The Dragon King: [Give the first one to me, to me, to me.]
The Dragon King: [Did the cute one see? See? See?]
Lin Yu: [Then I'll take the second one. What do you think, True Man?]
The Qingyun True Man: [Sure. The first little figurine Baozhu made is with me.]
The implication was that he already had a little figurine and didn't want to compete with them for the order.
The Dragon King: [If you don't want to talk next time, just keep quiet.]
The Qingyun True Man: [Okay.]
Shen Baozhu took out the clay figurine she had brought from Xiangyun Country and handed it to Qiuqiu. "Qiuqiu, look at this little figurine. The hat, shoes, and the goldfish on it can all be taken off!"
"How amazing!" It was the first time Qiuqiu had seen such a clay figurine. She put down the small handkerchief in her hand and started to play with the clay figurine.
After the Fourth Prince finished writing a large character, he also came over, looking at the clay figurine curiously with wide eyes.
Seeing that the Fourth Prince was interested, Qiuqiu was a bit reluctant. After some hesitation, she took the goldfish from the clay figurine's hand. "This belongs to Baozhu. Let's take turns to play. You can play with it first."
"Baozhu, look at this little goldfish. It's so beautiful."
The three of them played for a while. The Prince Rui, who had been on a walk, strolled back.
Seeing the clay figurine in the Fourth Prince's hand, he asked curiously, "Does the Fourth Prince like this? Do you want me to find some for you to play with?"
The Fourth Prince had never seen many toys. Most of the toys in Shen Baozhu's room were educational toys prepared by Shen Heqing. The clay figurine was brightly colored and exquisitely made, and the Fourth Prince liked it at first sight.
Holding the clay figurine, he was very happy and nodded at the Prince Rui. "I like it. Let Mother give the money."
The Prince Rui waved his hand. "Give what? According to seniority, you should call me great - grandfather. By the way, where did this clay figurine come from?"
After learning that the clay figurine was from Xiangyun Country, the Prince Rui didn't believe it. It wasn't that he was biased, but Xiangyun Country was famous for its spices and some cloth. The clothes and hat on the clay figurine were in the style of Dayong. Obviously, it was a clay figurine made in Dayong. How could it be from Xiangyun Country?
The Prince Rui paced back and forth a few steps and asked Shen Baozhu to borrow the clay figurine. He would take it to the emperor and ask the emperor to make a few better ones. They must be more beautiful than the clay figurines from Xiangyun Country!
The Dragon King: [My competitive spirit is up. Cute one, don't tell him that the clay figurine is from Dayong. Let him be anxious.]
Hearing that the Prince Rui was going to the palace, Shen Baozhu's eyes lit up. "Grandpa Gu is going to the palace? Baozhu wants to go too!"
Qiuqiu followed suit. "If Baozhu goes, I'll go too."
The Fourth Prince was a bit slower. "If Baozhu and Qiuqiu go, I'll go too."