Poor

As soon as Shen Li entered the palace, Zhong Ning came to meet her.

Zhong Ning asked with concern, "Li'er, how was it outside today?"

Shen Li exchanged glances with Xiao Shuang and gave a vague answer, "It's pretty good. I'm back now."

Zhong Ning heaved a sigh of relief when she heard the answer.

"That's good."

Shen Li and Zhong Ning had been relying on each other for the past few years, and no one could find fault with Zhong Ning's behavior as a stepmother.

However, the two of them rarely had heart-to-heart talks, mainly because of their personalities.

Even after Shen Li's arrival, she did not have much to talk about with Zhong Ning.

After making sure that Shen Li was fine, Zhong Ning turned around and was about to leave.

Shen Li thought of her own plan and decided to tell Zhong Ning about it as soon as possible.

However, before that, she had to figure out the actual situation in the palace. Shen Li stopped Zhong Ning and blinked.

"Mother, I went out to buy something two days ago and spent a lot of silver. Do you still have...?:

Shen Li stopped there. Zhong Ning was stunned for a moment before she reacted. She looked sheepish.

She had spent all the money she had ever saved on Shen Li's dowry. They were truly penniless now.

Shen Li rarely asked for money from her. Now that she had finally asked for it, she was afraid that there was nothing she could do.

Zhong Ning tried to answer.

"When this month's salary comes down, I'll give it to you all at once."

Shen Li had wanted to take this opportunity to sound out Zhong Ning and see how rich their family was. However, when she heard Zhong Ning's answer, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

It was such a big house! They were nobles with absolutely no savings?! From what Zhong Ning was saying, it seemed that she had to wait for a salary.

Shen Li resisted the urge to vomit blood and asked further questions.

"Doesn't our family have any land and stores? How can our family be this poor?"

Even though Shen Li was trying her best to restrain herself, her words still sounded a little aggressive.

Zhong Ning's face was red. She sounded embarrassed.

"There was originally a field and a shop, but after your father passed away, your grandmother said that I still had to take care of you and wouldn't have the time to manage it. So, she handed it over to your first aunt."

Zhong Ning sensed Shen Li's burning gaze and quickly added, "But we agreed that she would give us a bonus every month."

Shen Li did not know what words to use to describe her feelings at this moment. She said with a face of despair, "So, how much do you get?"

Zhong Ning lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong, her tone heavy.

"They said that business has been bad, and that they don't make much money."

So, it's not much. No wonder.

Shen Li felt a headache coming on. It was obvious that this was the work of her grandmother, who valued men over women.

In her impression, her grandmother, Madam Yin, had never liked her mother. She probably did not like her either, not to mention Zhong Ning, who "jinxed" Shen Hai to death the moment he entered the family.

Shen Jiao's mother gave birth to two sons, so naturally, she could get Yin Shi's favor.

Shen Li sighed and stated dejectedly, "Then, the house and land deeds must have been given to them too."

Zhong Ning replied quickly, "No, no. After I discussed marriage with your father, before he was about to go to the borders, he suddenly changed the land under his name to my name, saying that it was a betrothal gift.

That's why my name is on the title deed now."

Shen Li was suspicious for a moment. She had heard of generous betrothal gifts, but she had never seen anyone betting all their assets on it.

However, this trace of doubt was quickly replaced by excitement.

She said in a lively tone, "Hurry up and let me take a look."