Chapter 252: Naturally
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“Su Jin, go find Li Quanxin for me and tell him to bring the household’s personnel register and financial records for the past three years.” Mingzhu thought for a moment, then added, “Also ask him to bring the account books for personal exchanges and favors.”
Su Jin immediately complied and went to find Li Quanxin for the account books.
It seems that His Majesty hasn’t ordered this… Zheng Momo felt somewhat worried. Seeing that there were no servants from the royal palace, only close and trustworthy ones present, she stepped forward and bowed to Mingzhu, smiling, “It’s reasonable for the Wangfei to want the personnel register and financial records for three years. You are the mistress of this mansion, with His Majesty handling external affairs and you managing internal affairs. However, I must ask boldly about the account books for personal exchanges. Has His Highness mentioned this matter?”
Mingzhu casually looked at the flowers painted with gold powder on the coral bead, smiling, “Is there a difference?”
Zheng Momo said seriously, “There is a big difference. The personnel register and financial records are for public viewing and can be seen by anyone, while the account books for personal exchanges are strictly confidential and should not be touched by anyone except trusted individuals.”
These account books for personal exchanges recorded all the families and forces that had dealings with the royal palace, who was close and who was distant, all at a glance. Even if there were a second set of accounts, those skilled in accounting could still detect clues from the first set. In normal times, there wouldn’t be so many concerns and taboos, but since these were extraordinary times, it was different. Who dared to say that the entire royal palace was completely clean and aboveboard? Even the Fu family, which considered itself the most loyal, wouldn’t dare to claim that every income and expenditure and every personal exchange were completely problem-free.
It could be said that once these account books for personal exchanges were understood, one could basically discern the hidden cards and forces of the royal palace, as well as their intentions, to a certain extent. No one would easily hand over such important things to a wife who had been married for just over a month, especially someone like Yuwen Chu.
“As I see it, this thing is probably in the hands of Zhu Changsheng. He won’t easily produce it, and I’m afraid he’ll continue to cause trouble. If we’re not careful, it’s like handing him a handle on a silver platter.” Zheng Momo explained anxiously, afraid that Mingzhu wouldn’t understand for a moment and would touch things she shouldn’t touch, causing unnecessary suspicion and discord between the young couple.
Of course, Mingzhu understood this. This time before her marriage, she wasn’t as ignorant and neglectful as last time, when she didn’t care about anything. She had spent some time learning household chores with her Mother and sister-in-law. She understood the need to avoid suspicion, but she asked for these account books to deal with Zhu Changsheng.
She didn’t want to explain to Zheng Momo, “Momo, don’t worry. His Highness told me last night that it’s rare for the Wangfei to be so wise, to be able to see that this mansion isn’t a monolithic entity. With so many people with their own thoughts, I alone can’t handle everything. Since you see it clearly, then help me with this favor. He also told me that you only need to understand the situation of the mansion for the past three years by looking through these account books. This is crystal clear, meaning he wants me to manage the household affairs. Besides, I am the mistress of the Ying Wang palace, the dignified Ying Wang Wangfei. I should share His Highness’s worries. Anyone who tries to stop me from sharing His Highness’s worries is harboring ulterior motives, defying the intentions of the two empress dowagers and the emperor, and trying to undermine the bond between me and His Highness. It is unforgivable!”
She said this with a domineering and majestic air, as if it were only natural. Zheng Momo fell silent for a moment and then bowed, “Wangfei, what you said is very true. Her Majesty appointed you to His Highness, hoping that you would share his worries and be a good wife. Anyone who tries to stop you, Wangfei, deserves to die. I will definitely share your worries, Wangfei.”
That’s right, an outstanding stewardess should be like this. If there are doubts and worries about the master, they should be raised frankly, which is being responsible; if the master doesn’t listen and insists, then they should spare no effort to protect and assist, which is loyalty. Mingzhu was very satisfied with Zheng Momo’s performance, “Momo, rest assured, I will give you a chance to show your skills in the future.”
After a while, Su Jin replied, “Steward Li only has the personnel register and financial records in his hands, and they have already been sent for. They will be delivered shortly. As for the account book for personal exchanges and such, they are all with Steward Zhu. I’ll go inform Steward Zhu to listen.”
Mingzhu furrowed her brows angrily, “What’s the use of Steward Li Quanxin? Isn’t it just to relay my orders to both the inner and outer households and have them follow procedures accordingly? I told him to fetch something, whether he can fetch it or not is his business. But instead, he’s saying it’s not with him. Does he want me to convey the message again? If so, what’s the point of having him as the steward? Anyone around me can do his job. Why bother?”
Su Jin had never seen Mingzhu so angry and quickly knelt down to apologize, “It’s my fault. I should have waited for him to handle it properly before relaying the message.”
Mingzhu slammed the teacup down, “If you knew, why didn’t you hurry up?”
These days Li Quanxin had been at odds with Zhu Changsheng, eager for a chance to discredit him. The reason for this testing was just to see if her attitude was firm and whether she had enough confidence. If her attitude was firm and her confidence high, Li Quanxin would dare to gamble with her; if she softened first, then Li Quanxin wouldn’t accompany her in the game. A good master must be willing to protect those under their command, so she had to show great fierceness and anger. Even if they didn’t overthrow Zhu Changsheng, it would still give Li Quanxin a way out—a result of the Wangfei’s coercion. Then they could continue playing slowly next time.
Su Jin dared not even take a breath and hurriedly left.
Zheng Momo somewhat understood and stepped forward to pour tea for Mingzhu, “The Wangfei should show such majesty and authority.”
The two of them exchanged glances, understanding each other’s calculations. If the inner household was restless and constrained everywhere, how could they compete with outsiders? Such people were a nuisance and must be eliminated. If there was a chance, they should be eliminated, and if there was no chance, they should create one.
Soon after, Su Jin returned again, “Steward Li said he knows his mistake and should have come to apologize to the Wangfei, but he’s afraid the servants won’t relay the message properly and will delay the task. So, he went to find Steward Zhu himself. I believe they will come together soon to report to the Wangfei.”
Sure enough, Li Quanxin sent people to carry several boxes of account books. The one in the front was the personnel register, and underneath were the income and expenditure records of Ying Wang’s Mansion for the past three years. Accompanying them was an accountant with a goatee, who respectfully knelt outside the curtain and reported, “Your Highness, I, Hu Yi, pay my respects. If there’s anything unclear in the account books, please feel free to ask me.”
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