Chapter 1397: Establishing a Charitable School
Chapter 1397: Chapter 1397: Establishing a Charitable School
Song Ci wanted to leave something behind in this era of the Great Qing, and now she had thought of it—establishing a school.
"What, a charitable school?" Nanny Gong looked at her utterly confused.
Song Ci smiled and said, "It’s just a charitable school."
Nanny Gong: "..."
Alright then, a charitable school, she understood that. Generally speaking, the old Madam seems to be feeling a bit bored and is playing around with silver.
"Are you serious about this? You do know it’s not easy to run a charitable school."
Song Ci blinked and said, "Who am I?"
Nanny Gong paused, here we go again?
"I’m the Grand Madam of your house, a first-rank Imperial Decree holder. If I say I want to establish a charitable school, isn’t it just a matter of a few words?" Song Ci said proudly, "Don’t you know what it means when the upper mouth says it and the lower legs work tirelessly?"
Nanny Gong: "..."
Got it, the old Madam is going to fully utilize her noble status!
But the way she said it really makes you want to give her a slap.
"Where is Steward Ping in the house right now, go and fetch him."
Nanny Gong asked, "You want to give this task to Steward Ping and not Grand Steward Jiang?"
"Old Jiang has a lot on his plate. With the current situation, the eldest often needs him, he’s quite busy. This matter of mine is a spur-of-the-moment decision, just wanting to do a good deed. For such a small matter, there’s no need to bother the Grand Steward." Song Ci said, "Steward Ping usually helps manage household affairs and keeps a good account, it’s suitable to consult him."
Nanny Gong saw that she was making a well-reasoned argument, so she had Xiaoman go and summon him.
While waiting, Song Ci also asked Chun Fen to bring the account book to calculate her own private savings. Since it’s her initiative to start, she naturally wanted to use her own funds to support it. After all, you can’t take it with you when you die, might as well do some good deeds, and perhaps bring fortune to the Song Family.
Steward Ping soon arrived at Chunhui Hall with Xiaoman, and as soon as he entered the door, he kneeled to pay his respects to Song Ci.
"Steward Ping, there’s no need for such formalities, please rise. Chun Fen, offer Steward Ping a seat and some tea." Song Ci said with a smile, raising her hand.
Steward Ping hastily said he dared not: "This servant will stand and listen."
"Have a seat, it’s not something that can be settled in a jiffy."
Upon hearing this, Steward Ping thanked her, then tentatively sat down on the edge of a bench, glancing towards Song Ci, ready to take on his task.
Song Ci was in no rush, simply asking him how many years he had served the mansion, who were his family members, and what positions they held in the household. Hearing that he recently welcomed a new granddaughter, she smiled and congratulated him.
"I remember making a pair of small silver bracelets earlier, which are too small for Dan’er to wear. Nanny Gong, please find them and let Steward Ping take them back, it’s a gift from this old Madam for the little girl." Song Ci said to Nanny Gong.
Nanny Gong smiled and curtsied.
Steward Ping was overjoyed but stood up apprehensively, saying with trembling: "How could we accept this. Grand Madam, you’re too generous, how could that girl deserve such a gift."
"What’s undeserved about it; you’ve been an old servant in the household, and your son and daughter-in-law also serve here, all loyal to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. A pair of small bracelets isn’t worth much." Song Ci smiled, "Besides, the Prime Minister’s Mansion has been experiencing continuous joy lately, and this little girl from your Ping Family is lucky to catch such fortune."
Nanny Gong had already taken out a small pair of bracelets wrapped in a wallet and handed them to Steward Ping.
Steward Ping politely declined for a while, but finding it impossible to refuse, he accepted, then kneeled down to give Song Ci a formal bow: "Later, I’ll have her mother bring the girl over to pay respects to you, madam."
Song Ci waved her hand with a smile: "Alright, just sit down. The reason I called you over today is for an official matter."