roccoschili Chapter 27 The Reason
Chapter 27 The Reason
When Yin'e came out of the Ninth Prince's residence, his steps were as light as if he were walking on clouds.
He tried his best not to laugh out loud inside the sedan chair, but he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.
"It was worth it," he silently said to himself. "It was totally worth it."
Having only been here for two or three days, and after all this turmoil, we've finally managed to resolve the biggest crisis we've faced.
Everything is moving in a positive direction.
As the sedan chair turned out of Tieshizi Hutong, Yin'e suddenly lifted the curtain and called out to Fuquan in front, "Stop."
Fuquan quickly waved for the sedan bearers to stop, then jogged to the sedan window and said, "Sir, what are your orders?"
"Let them go back first," Yin'e climbed out of the sedan chair, straightened his clothes, and said, "I'll just stroll around the streets by myself."
Fu Quan paused for a moment, then hesitated, "Sir, it's getting late, you're alone..."
"What, are you afraid someone will rob me?" Yin'e glanced at him. "Under the emperor's nose, who has the guts to do this?"
"Just go back now, and move the sedan chair away. Don't block the alley entrance."
Fuquan dared not say another word, responded, and instructed the sedan chair bearers to lift the empty sedan chair and leave in a flash.
The sun was already setting in the west, but the street vendors did not close their stalls as it grew dark.
The sounds of hawking, shouting, and bargaining rose and fell.
Yin'e strolled around the street. He first turned into "Guixiang Village" on the south side of Qianmen Street, which was the most famous southern-style pastry shop in the capital.
The jujube paste pastries, mung bean cakes, and osmanthus cakes he made were loved even by the ladies of the palace.
He packed three portions in one go, wrapped them all in oiled paper, tied them with thin hemp rope, and carried them in his hand.
After leaving Guixiang Village, Yin'e stopped again in front of a roadside grocery stall.
The stall was filled with all sorts of trinkets.
Clay figurines, dough figurines, sugar paintings, bamboo dragonflies—a colorful array—filled the entire table.
Yin'e squatted down and looked at the items for a while, then took a liking to several of them.
Although it's not valuable, it's unique.
Yin'e carried the snacks and trinkets, and slowly walked back.
These things were bought to appease the Princess Consort.
The last meal went quite well; although the ice between us hadn't completely melted, it had at least cracked a few times.
He decided to strike while the iron was hot and put in even more effort.
More importantly, he needed to know where the princess had put the money.
By the time they returned to the manor, it was almost dark.
Yin'e did not return to his study, nor did he have anyone announce his arrival. Carrying some snacks and trinkets, he went directly to his wife's courtyard in the backyard.
The servants in the manor already know about the meal last time; there are signs that the relationship between the Tenth Prince and his wife has improved.
Therefore, it did not seem abrupt for Yin'e to go directly to the Fujin's courtyard this time.
The princess's courtyard was on the east side of the backyard, with two crabapple trees planted at the entrance. The flowering season had passed, but the leaves were still a bright green.
A young eunuch named Xiao Shunzi stood at the courtyard gate. Upon seeing Yin'e, he paused for a moment, then quickly bowed and said, "Greetings to the Tenth Prince!"
"Get up." Yin'e waved his hand. "What is the Princess Consort doing?"
Xiao Shunzi bowed and replied, "Reporting to Tenth Prince, the Princess Consort is in her room, talking to Miss Su Ma."
The girl named Su Ma was Su Mo'er. She was a maidservant brought by the Fujin from the grasslands. She had been with the Fujin for more than ten years, from the grasslands to the capital, and was the Fujin's closest person.
Yin'e nodded and stepped into the courtyard.
A thin layer of evening light shone on the blue brick ground in the courtyard. A clump of green bamboo and a few canna lilies grew in the corner of the wall. The flowers had already faded, but the leaves were still green.
He didn't rush into the house, but sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard.
He summoned the book "Overheard," opened it, found the name of the Princess Consort, and tapped it with his fingertip.
Immediately, two clear voices entered his brain.
It was the voice of the Fujin and Su Mo'er.
"...That's not what I meant, Madam. Please don't misunderstand. I just feel that this matter cannot be delayed."
"What can we do if we can't delay?" The princess's voice was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger. "The money has already been given; can we expect it back?"
"But that's silver from the Tenth Prince's mansion. What if the Tenth Prince finds out?"
"Tenth Master has been so good to you these past few days, treating you to meals and giving you gifts. What if..."
"What if what?" The princess's voice suddenly turned cold. "What if he discovers that some money is missing from the household and comes to me to settle accounts? Would he dare?"
Su Mo'er was taken aback, remained silent for a moment, and then cautiously spoke again: "That's not what I meant."
What I mean is, even if the Tenth Prince doesn't come to settle accounts with you, this hole still needs to be filled.
If the figures on the books don't match, it will be discovered sooner or later.
Fourth Master is chasing after debts again, and Tenth Master is already overwhelmed with problems. What if the audit gets to this...?
"Investigate if you will." Although the Fujin's voice was still cold, it was clear that she lacked confidence. "I am the primary Fujin, and I have the right to manage the affairs of this household."
Besides, I didn't spend that money; it was to help my brother in his emergency. How could I just stand by and do nothing about his situation?
Su Mo'er sighed: "Madam, I know you are thinking of your family, but you can't keep filling the hole on your maternal uncle's side indefinitely."
Last time it was 50,000, and this time it's 80,000. In total, it's over 100,000 taels.
Besides, what exactly happened to your maternal uncle? Why don't you tell Tenth Master? Maybe he can help?
"Tell him?" The princess's voice carried a hint of disdain. "That good-for-nothing can't help at all. He'll be lucky if he doesn't make things worse."
Su Mo'er sighed again and didn't reply.
The room was quiet for a moment.
"Besides," the Fujin's voice rang out again, "I've noticed that he seems... a little different than before."
"Right!" Su Mo'er's voice suddenly rose a few decibels. "This servant thinks so too! Everyone in the manor is saying that the Tenth Master has changed a lot recently."
This servant thinks that the Tenth Prince has finally come to his senses.
"Fourth Master is chasing you so hard for the debt, but Tenth Master hasn't made a move against you."
If he really wanted your dowry, he could have just asked directly. Why bother with all this hosting and gift-giving? I think Tenth Master is sincere this time.”
Honestly...who knows?
"Then you..." Su Mo'er asked tentatively, "Should we talk to Tenth Master about the matter of the eldest uncle?"
Perhaps he really does have a way? After all, he's a prince; his status and position speak for themselves.
The princess did not answer immediately.
The room was quiet for a while.
"We'll see, I haven't decided yet."
Yin'e overheard most of the conversation outside and already had a general idea of what was going on.
The money was given to the wife's brother, the son of Prince Urjingalap, who was also her brother-in-law.
This explains why there were such large holes in the accounts.
Yin'e closed "Overheard," stood up, straightened his clothes, and cleared his throat.
"My lady," he called into the house, "I've brought you some good things."