Chapter 408
Mary was exhausted. After receiving a hot drink and food at the estate, she heartily ate two large bowls of stew and even asked for another. Carissa placed a stack of banknotes, amounting to ten thousand silver coins, on the table with the stew. Mary's eyes widened in shock; she looked up at Carissa, visibly trembling with awe and emotion. She had spent two days raising only seven hundred silver coins.
As Mary struggled to find words, Helen interjected from the side, “Bring me the box for storing the banknotes. Give her twenty thousand silver coins.” As Carissa's mother-in-law, it was only right to support her daughter-in-law generously.
Mary stood up, her tears nearly spilling over.
“Please, don’t be so overwhelmed. Sit down, Madam Clayton,” Carissa said, concerned that the old woman's emotional response might cause a health problem. Mary’s granddaughters-in-law were also moved to tears.
One, unable to hold back, said, “When we went to the Warren family today, we didn’t intend to ask for a donation. We knew they had their own difficulties. But Grandmother was exhausted and thirsty, so we hoped to get a bowl of stew. To our surprise, as soon as we knocked, Madam Aurora came out and asked why our grandmother, at her age, was begging. She said it was disgraceful. But how could Grandmother even have a copper coin in her pocket? She’d already donated most of her private funds.”
Mary scolded her sharply, silencing her. Despite her reclusive nature, Mary knew about the past between the Warren family and the Hell Monarch’s princess consort. Such matters were not to be discussed at this moment.
The granddaughter-in-law, chastised, quickly apologized, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up. Seeing how Lady Helen and Lady Carissa generously donated made me emotional. I hope you will forgive my indiscretion, Lady Carissa.”
Flustered and at a loss for words, Mary’s granddaughter-in-law desperately wished to clarify that she had no ill intentions and was only voicing her grandmother-in-law’s grievances.
Realizing that Mary’s granddaughter-in-law was talking about her daughter-in-law’s old adversary, Helen became enraged.
Before Helen could speak, Carissa interjected, “Madam Clayton, you’re performing an act of kindness. Kind deeds often invite criticism. It is this endurance of hardship and criticism that earned you the title of ‘saint.’ Please don’t let this bother you.”
Helen changed her tone, saying, “Yes, not everyone will understand your true intentions. There will always be those who assume the worst. We should focus on doing our part and not be concerned with the opinions of such people.” Helen had become quite adept at navigating such conversations.
Mary smiled gratefully.
“Lady Helen, Lady Carissa, you’re both quite right. It’s from the bottom of my heart that I say this: once you undertake a good deed, you shouldn’t worry about criticism. If you fear criticism, then you should refrain from doing good. Previously, I used some of my private funds to send over cotton clothing, but it was only a small contribution. With these funds, we can do so much more.”
“Your kindness will surely bring you more blessings and a long life,” Carissa responded warmly.
“That is not what I seek. I only wish to act with a clear conscience,” Mary said, smiling and waving her hand.
After Helen’s donation was prepared, Mary stood to leave. Before doing so, she formally addressed Helen and Carissa: “I will send a donation list to the authorities. Whether they will publicize or commend the contributions, I do not know. But I will always remember your kindness, Lady Helen, Lady Carissa.”
After they left, Helen expressed her confusion, “Is Aurora out of her mind? How could she dare to insult the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family? She’s a revered and respected figure.”
Violet replied, “Perhaps she had just quarreled with someone and was in a fit of anger. Seeing Madam Clayton’s arrival and knowing she was there for donations, Aurora lashed out. She’s known to be a little…unpredictable now. Let’s not worry about her. We should focus on doing good ourselves. I’d donate some money too if I had more on hand.”