novelraw Chapter 586 - 517
Chapter 586 - 517
Yu Xiaolian slightly furrowed her eyebrows, seeing Ma Xiyue’s meaning was that she absolutely had to help.
She had already said that her child at home was too young and couldn’t be away from their mother, yet Ma Xiyue pretended not to hear a thing.
Since you’re feigning ignorance, she won’t be polite anymore. Anyway, she has nothing to gain from clinging to Ma Xiyue. As for the relationship between Prince Cheng’s heir and Cao Guangqiao, she’ll find out in due time, there’s no rush.
"Could the Princess Consort tell me what these ledgers are?" Yu Xiaolian asked calmly.
Ma Xiyue curled her lips in a smile, "To be candid, these are all my dowry items. Though my father has passed away, fortunately, the family’s wealth is substantial. Moreover, my maternal grandfather gifted quite a bit, so much that handling the estates, shops, and farmlands has become overwhelming, so I have entrusted them entirely to the servants.
The steward who was originally managing for me was born into my family, someone I trusted implicitly; however, upon checking the accounts at the end of this year, the deficits were significant. Having sought several teachers to calculate, each came up with different amounts of deficit. Just as Mr. Yu arrived, whom I trust the most, I kindly ask Mr. Yu to bear the burden and help me out?"
Yu Xiaolian couldn’t quite comprehend Ma Xiyue’s intentions; was Ma Xiyue merely flaunting her wealth of dowry before her?
Or perhaps these ledgers weren’t ordinary ones but had some other significant meaning?
Yu Xiaolian was momentarily conflicted.
Sun Manyue timely spoke, "Madam, the girl over there needs you; we must return!"
Yu Xiaolian stood up and said to Ma Xiyue, "If the Princess Consort trusts me, then have the servants deliver the ledgers to my residence, and I’ll make time to organize them and quickly calculate the deficit amounts."
Ma Xiyue furrowed her brows; she didn’t truly need Yu Xiaolian to work out the accounts, merely wanted to humiliate Yu Xiaolian a bit, but didn’t expect Yu Xiaolian to show no regard for her position as Princess Consort.
Hmph, since she came to Yangzhou, she should know whose territory this really is.
"Can’t Mr. Yu start organizing and calculating now?" Ma Xiyue’s face darkened.
Yu Xiaolian slightly moved her brows, instantly understanding, "Truly, there is no wet nurse at home, and a few-month-old child can’t be left alone. I can’t help the Princess Consort today, my apologies.
If there’s anything at Ciyou Hall that needs my help, let the Princess Consort inform me then. Today, I must return."
Next time, she’d directly find an excuse not to come.
"Nonsense!" A weakened yet angrily tender voice sounded, followed swiftly by a young man in a wheelchair pushed into the hall.
Yu Xiaolian hadn’t seen Prince Cheng’s heir before but neither heard of the princely heir being disabled; this person...
"If you need to organize dowry accounts, I can lend you competent accountants; Xiyue, how could you trouble Mrs. Su?"
The wheelchair-bound person spoke, confirming for Yu Xiaolian his identity as Prince Cheng’s heir.
"Greetings, Heir!" Yu Xiaolian made a formal salute with clasped fists.
"Heir, you may not know, but I’m kind of like a fellow townsman with Mr. Yu. We knew each other back when we were in Luocheng; I asked her for help because we’re close, not formal." Ma Xiyue, upon seeing Prince Cheng’s heir, started speaking in a more coquettish tone.
The princely heir raised his brow slightly upon hearing Ma Xiyue’s words, "Oh? Xiyue, you know Mrs. Su?"
Yu Xiaolian sneered inwardly, keep acting!
The couple was here giving her a double act?
No matter what their intentions were, now that the heir made an appearance, the answer should not be too far off.
"Yes, I knew Mr. Yu since our time in Luocheng!" Ma Xiyue behaved as if she knew Yu Xiaolian quite well.
The princely heir looked at Yu Xiaolian, "I’ve heard Mr. Yu is quite knowledgeable in mathematics; seeing you today is truly a great honor!"
Yu Xiaolian deepened her frown.
For a princely heir to praise her like this, claiming there’s nothing suspicious behind it—she wouldn’t believe it.
Yu Xiaolian wasn’t flattered but instead grew more cautious.
"The heir is too kind; Xiaolian is not worthy of such praise!" Yu Xiaolian clasped her hands again in salute.
Yu Xiaolian thought the princely heir might say more, but unexpectedly, nothing more was said, just instructed Yu Xiaolian to leave.
On the way home, Yu Xiaolian continuously felt today’s events were peculiarly odd.
Upon returning, Su Jingchen wasn’t at home, leaving Yu Xiaolian no one to consult, which made her start to let her thoughts wander.
Amidst her wild pondering, He Jian returned with a letter, saying it was from Fu Qionglin.
"Master has already read this; he asked that madam remember to burn it immediately after reading!" He Jian said, and then turned away.
Yu Xiaolian urgently grabbed the letter to read.
Upon reading, Yu Xiaolian was truly shocked.
Fu Yi had died; Fu Qionglin’s letter said the Emperor might plan to call Yu Xiaolian to the Capital alone, not for any other reason but that a leader was needed in the Examination Office for mathematics, and Yu Xiaolian was the perfect candidate, praised by Fu Yi in life.
However, contemplating separating Yu Xiaolian and Su Jingchen to different places, the Emperor found it somewhat inappropriate, thus hadn’t made a firm decision yet.
But according to Fu Qionglin’s understanding of the Emperor, latest by next summer, he would definitely summon Yu Xiaolian to the Capital.
Because aside from the Examination Office, the Empress also desired Yu Xiaolian to be the instructor for the princesses.
Fu Qionglin stated that if they didn’t want to be forced apart, they must resolve the Lianghuai Salt Field issue within half a year. Then it would be possible to petition the Emperor to recall Su Jingchen to the Capital as well.
The deeper Yu Xiaolian looked, the deeper her brow furrowed.
The Lianghuai Salt Field wasn’t the Emperor just recently dealing with it? Why...
Could it be, the Emperor’s purpose for calling them here wasn’t merely for appointment?
It appears the giant behind the corruption isn’t Lord Yin but someone else entirely!
Moreover, this person, the Emperor either knows or suspects, but lacks evidence, or this person provided doubts or concerns for the Emperor.
With this in mind, the answer became almost obvious!
The Emperor had five brothers, besides Prince Cheng, the others met misfortune, leaving only Prince Cheng enjoying freedom with no interest in state affairs—making it impossible for the Emperor to find his fault.
Linking to the mysteriously wheelchair-bound princely heir, Yu Xiaolian felt she was nearing the truth.
Yu Xiaolian burned the letter and summoned brothers Wei Guang and Wei Xiong via Cao Gen.
"Investigate why Prince Cheng’s heir is in a wheelchair, and the relationship between Cao Guangqiao and Prince Cheng’s heir."
There must be a connection between Cao Guangqiao and Prince Cheng’s heir, certainly.
"Yes!" Wei Guang and Wei Xiong took their orders and departed.
Yu Xiaolian looking at Cao Gen, "Inform the gatekeeper that if anyone from the Heir Mansion comes again inviting me, say I’ve just arrived in Yangzhou and am unwell from acclimatization, not fit to go out!"
Cao Gen nodded, "Yes!"
Yu Xiaolian sat before her desk for a while, raised the brush, then put it down again, feeling deeply torn.