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The New Year passed in a blur of hosting and being hosted. Soon, it was the fifteenth day of January, the Starfall Fes There were many celebrations and festivals, and Rafael planned to take Sophie to see the fireworks later in the evening.
However, by noon, freezing rain began to fall..
Snow would have been easier to manage, but freezing rain was a disaster.
The fireworks would have to be canceled. Instead, they needed to focus on disaster relief.
Although Rafael was the head of the Supreme Court, he was also the commander of the Capital Guard and was extremely busy. He even had to send someone back to tell Sophie to stay put and not wander around.
The weather was bone-chillingly cold, with water freezing into ice.
In the backyard, the freezing rain had toppled several trees Helen had previously moved. There was a willow tree near the southeastern corner of the wall, which had also collapsed halfway, bringing down part of the wall with it.
The estate was also abuzz with activity. Fortunately, Jacob managed things with great efficiency, overseeing the orderly. clearing of fallen branches and broken bricks. Repairs would have to wait until the weather improved.
The long-awaited fireworks were canceled, and with the added. burden of the freezing rain disaster it was obvious the public was frustrated. Moreover, disasters often attracted looters. With everything in such disarray, many families had their belongings stolen and complained to the authorities.
Ryan’s uncle, Anthony, was overwhelmed. He had to personnel from the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court to handle the flood of cases. However, there were many who took advantage of the situation, claiming losses they hadn’t really suffered. Sorting out the truth from the false reports was quite challenging.
The freezing rain continued for two days, and it took more than a month for all the official departments to get things under control. However, the damage extended beyond the capital.
The freezing rain had affected areas all the way to Valken, with many homes crushed under the weight. The government had to spend money to provide disaster relief, offering temporary shelter to those who had lost their homes and preventing them from freezing to death.
Yet, the lack of clothing and food was another severe problem.
Among the nobility, there was an elderly woman revered as a saint. She was the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family, the Clayton family. Her name was Mary Grayson, and she was ninety-three years old this year, though she remained quite healthy. Usually reclusive, the scale of the disaster caused by the freezing rain compelled her to act. She sent her grandchildren and great-
grandchildren to assess the damage and, upon hearing the reports, couldn’t sleep.
The next day, accompanied by several of her granddaughters-in-law, Mary visited noble families to gather donations for the disaster victims. She had a high standing, and she had walked instead of sitting in a carriage in such cold weather.
With her actions, who could refuse her request for aid?
The extent of the donation varied, but the gesture itself held significant value When she arrived at Heil Monarch Estate, Sophie personally went out to greet her She welcomed Mary warmly, and offered hot lemon tea and stew to ensure the latter comfort.
Mary was already quite exhausted. Upon receiving the hot drink and food at the estate, she heartily drank two large bowls of stew and even asked if she could have another bowl.
Sophie placed a stack of banknotes, amounting to ten thousand silver coins, along with the stew on the table. Mary’s eyes widened in shock; she looked up at Sophie, visibly trembling with awe and emotion. She had spent two days raising only seven hundred silver coins.
As Mary struggled to find words in her astonishment, Helen. interjected from the side, “Bring me the box for storing the banknotes. Give her twenty thousand silver coins.”
As Sophie’s mother-in-law, it was only right to support her daughter-in-law, and to do so generously.
Mary stood up in excitement, her tears nearly spilling over.
“Please, don’t be so overwhelmed. Sit down, Madam Clayton,” Sophie said, concerned that the old woman’s emotional response. might lead to a health issue.
Mary’s granddaughters-in-law couldn’t help but be moved to tears as well.
One of them, unable to hold back, said, “When we went to the
Jaffe family today, we didn’t intend to ask them for a donation. We knew they had their own difficulties with successive marriages. But Grandmother was exhausted and thirsty, so we hoped to get a bowl of stew.
“To our surprise, as soon as we knocked on the door, Madam Freyal came out and asked why was our grande other, at her age, out begging? it was disgracefull But how com Grandmother have even ? Copper com in her pocket? She alread,nated most of her own private funder Silence Mary scolded sharply.
Despite her reclusive nature, Mary knew well about the past Vetween the Jaffe family and the Hell Monarch’s princess consort. Such matters were not to be brought up 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 Sophie 25 generously donated made me efhotional Thope you will forgive my indiscretion, Lady Sophie.”
Flustered and at a loss for words, Mary’s granddaughter in law desperately wished to clanty that she had no ill intentions and was only wiring 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 finish her words, Garissa Interjected, “Madam Clayton, you’re performing an act of kindness Kind deeds often invite coticism. It is this endurance of hardship and eritietam that earned you the title of ‘sant. Please don’t let this bother you.”
Helen changed her tuns, saying, “Vee, not everyone will understand Your true intentions. There will always be those who assume the worst of others. Vie should focus on doing our part and not be concerned with the opinions of such people
Helen had become quits adept at ng nating conversations like this.
Mary smiled gratefully.
“Lady Helen, Lady Cerissa, you’re both quite right. It’s from the bottom of my heart that I say this: once you undertake a good deed, you should not 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 a batch of cotton clothing, but it was only a small contribution. With these funds now, we can do so much more.”
“Your kindness will surely bring you more blessings and a long life,” Sophie 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 up to leave.
Before that, she turned and formally addressed Helen and Sophie, ‘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 Sophie.”
After they left, Helen expressed her confusion, “Is Freya 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 at the residence and was in a fit of anger. Seeing Madam Clayton’s arrival and knowing she was there for donations, Freya lashed out. She’s known to be a little crazy 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.”
Speaking of which, it had indeed been a while since anyone had paid attention to the affairs of the Jaffe family
With Blake having two wives now, they would surely be able to attend to Rebecca properly
Helen remarked, “Yes, that’s true After people argue, they often say hurtful things No matter who comes, they’ll just keep insulting, and they use the most vicious words “
As Helen spoke, she shrunk back slightly, clearly feeling a bit quilty
Violet smiled and said, “It sounds like there’s a story behind this
Helen smiled wryly. “Back when I had a quarrel with Dakota and lost, the late king came to console me. I was so upset that I almost caused a major disaster by directing my anger at him. Fortunately, my sister came to the rescue, or I would have likely ended up in at secluded residence far from the main palace, weaving spider webs.
Sophie and Violet exchanged amused glances. Helen did sometimes speak without regard for the occasion.
Victoria did indeed dote on Helen, and only now that Helen was a mother-in-law did the former offer criticism. Helen had stayed in the palace with Victoria for several days during the New Year. It must have been because Victoria had given her lessons on how to be a proper mother-in-law.
in any case, since returning from the palace, Helen had been event kinder to Sophie than before.