Chapter Ten: Resolution

Yu Guangquan immediately ordered someone to bind the steward.

That steward was surely acting on the princess’s orders. A new official always starts with a blaze of authority, but since she was the favored consort’s person, Yu Guangquan sneered coldly: “I serve the consort. If anyone is to be punished, it should be by her. Even if you claim to act under the princess’s command, you have no right!”

“Exactly!” The steward’s mother suddenly had a bright idea. Indeed! Their mistress was the favored consort—what did the princess amount to? Could a daughter-in-law ever be greater than her mother-in-law? Since ancient times, the relationship between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law had been fraught; the princess’s actions were clearly a slap in the face to the favored consort.

Straightening his back, another spoke up, “We all serve the favored consort. Any disciplinary actions should come from her! On what grounds do you punish us?”

Indeed! They were all Zhang family people. His sister was still serving as steward under the lady of the Zhang household.

Yu Guangquan was already simmering with anger. He had diligently served his mistress with great care and effort, yet these others, mere servants like him, seemed less devoted. Still, he was the grand steward of the manor!

How could this minor steward outside live so comfortably? Why?

They all relied on their master’s household. He served his mistress faithfully behind the scenes—why should they get to enjoy luxury and lordship out front?

He sneered coldly, “See this? The favored consort’s order! The princess is in charge of the manor now, and the favored consort has already passed down the message! She naturally supports the princess! You greedy lot dare to question your mistress? Take them away at once!”

The steward’s face paled when he saw the order. “Steward Yu, that’s not what I meant—”

“What you mean does not matter! Take them away!” Yu Guangquan snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping across the room. Those caught under his stare lowered their heads obediently and stood to one side.

Feeling satisfied, Yu Guangquan held his head higher.

He turned to Qingzhu. “Miss Qingzhu, shall we move on to the next place?”

“Please, steward,” Qingzhu said, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes.

After their thorough search, many problems were indeed uncovered.

Because of the Qishan manor, everyone was already on edge. News quickly spread.

It was the grand steward of the manor and the princess’s chief maid conducting the inspection.

Everyone knew what kind of man Yu Guangquan was. Some even tried to bribe him, but before the money could be handed over, they met the cold, clear gaze of the young lady in green. Yu Guangquan promptly kicked the would-be bribers out.

“This steward is here by the princess’s order to inspect! We are impartial and strict! Behave yourselves!”

There had even been a fire in the account room, but Qingzhu had arranged early for personnel to transfer the ledgers.

When Yu Guangquan arrived at the manor, he took the main seat without a word and began interrogating immediately, with Qingzhu following to question next.

In the account room, the sound of abacus beads clicking sharply echoed, striking chords of anxiety in the steward’s heart.

Now everyone knew these people meant business! The princess’s maid was young and not easily fooled, revealing what kind of person the princess truly was.

---

The confiscated silver totaled one hundred thousand taels—a vast sum that even Fu Cen found alarming. By the time he received the news, Lin Menghua was already counting the silver.

Watching the silver displayed in the main hall, and the swift fingers manipulating the abacus beads, Fu Cen’s lips moved slightly. After sitting for a while, he stood up.

“Princess, your efforts are much appreciated.”

“You are too kind, Prince,” Lin Menghua finally looked up at him with indescribable humility.

Fu Cen was momentarily taken aback—something felt odd, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Unable to make sense of it, he went to visit Pei Zhenzhen at the Yilan residence.

After he left, Lin Menghua smiled faintly.

Though the favored consort had passed the order to her steward, it was limited to within the manor.

Qingzhu had done well this time. Even without appearing herself, she had engraved her name in their minds and shown them her methods.

From now on, managing both inside and outside the manor would be much easier!

Heh...

Zhou Shi glanced coldly at Yang Yin, who glared at him. He sneered, “Heh...”

He had only given some silver to Xin Niang, yet this woman was making such a fuss.

Her intention to bring Xin Niang into the household was truly sinister!

Yang Yin, fuming, clutched her chest. “If you want to keep a concubine, use your own monthly allowance. Why take He Ge’er’s silver? What, do you need your son’s money to support your concubine? He Ge’er has started his education; even buying paper and brushes requires money!”

Zhou Shi felt uneasy. “I’m only borrowing it temporarily. I’ll repay He Ge’er later. Besides, why don’t you just buy what he needs? You are his mother after all!”

“You’re still his father!” she snapped.

Zhou Shi’s face turned dark with anger. Nothing irritated him more than being reminded he had a son with another woman—it felt like a betrayal of Xin Niang.

“I’m not bothering to argue with you!” With a sweep of his sleeve, Zhou Shi stormed off.

Because of Yang’s last disturbance, his father was mocked at court. In anger, his father stopped his monthly allowance.

Why should his silver be cut off? It was clearly Yang’s fault!

Zhou Shi left the Zhou family compound, face full of resentment. Staring at the road ahead, he hesitated.

---

If he couldn’t produce money this month, what would become of Xin Niang?

He lingered at the street corner, conflicted, before finally sighing and heading toward Xin Niang’s residence.

He walked eastward aimlessly until he heard a young woman’s voice.

“Oh? Isn’t this cousin-in-law?” Lin Qingwan had just returned from the Lin household.

Yes, her family had moved out of the Marquis’s manor and back to their old courtyard.

This time, upon returning, she had been scolded harshly by Lin Zhiyuan.

Because her parents had left the marquis’s manor, she sensed a subtle change in the Jiang family’s attitude toward her.

Hmph! She clenched her handkerchief, silently resenting that old cold-hearted Lin Zheng!

Fortunately, Jiang Ping remained as kind as ever. Life was far better than in her previous life.

She had originally wanted to gather news about Lin Menghua at the manor, but with such strict management, her agents found no hint of anything untoward.

It was obvious the old hag Consort Zhang was behind this, controlling her son’s inner household tightly, allowing no freedom. She had already experienced it firsthand!

Lin Menghua’s days would certainly be difficult.

Thinking this, she felt a little relieved. She lifted the curtain to look outside—and saw Zhou Shi.

She recognized him. Zhou Shi had passed the imperial examination last life, the same cohort as Jiang Ping.

But she knew Zhou Shi’s success wasn’t just due to the exam but because he had a favored concubine who made the legitimate wife’s life unbearable.

Last life, she had even felt a kinship with Yang Yin.

For some reason, she called out to him.

“Cousin-in-law?” Sitting in her sedan chair, Lin Qingwan’s tone carefully masked her contempt.

Hearing the term, Zhou Shi immediately knew she was another relative of Yang Yin. He sneered, “I’m not worthy of being called husband, much less cousin-in-law.”