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墨書 Inktalez
Manager Liu was quickly brought into the study. He appeared to be in his forties, slightly plump, dressed in satin garments, with an expression that hinted at both shrewdness and slickness. Upon entering, he noticed both me and Scholar Shen present, and a flicker of panic crossed his face, but he quickly composed himself and bowed respectfully, saying, "This old servant greets the master and the young lady."
"Manager Liu," Scholar Shen's voice was deep and commanding, devoid of anger yet filled with authority. "Take a look at these account books."
Manager Liu took the account books and casually flipped through a few pages, a puzzled expression emerging on his face. "Master, is there something wrong with these accounts?"
"Something wrong?" Scholar Shen scoffed. "Hot Spring Manor has been losing money year after year, and the maintenance costs are exorbitant! The shop in the south of the city has been supporting over a dozen employees but has been operating at a loss for years! Explain this to me!"
Sweat began to bead on Manager Liu's forehead, yet he remained obstinate. "Master, the estate is located in a remote area, and it has fallen into disrepair over the years; maintenance costs are indeed high. As for the shop... business has been poor these past few years, coupled with high labor costs; it's truly... a tight squeeze."
"Poor business? High labor costs?" I stepped forward, picking up the shop's account book and flipping to the page listing employees. "Manager Liu, look at this list—Wang Wu, Li Si, Zhao Liu... where are these people now? Why do the old workers in the shop say they have never seen them?"
Manager Liu's face turned pale instantly, his gaze evasive. "This... this must be a mistake... or they were temporary workers..."
"Do temporary workers need to be paid monthly?" I pressed on. "And regarding the estate's maintenance fees—last year was smooth sailing; where did such enormous repair costs come from? I have heard that last summer, Prince Jing and Second Miss stayed at the estate for a short while to escape the heat. Is this true? Could it be that these repair fees were used to entertain esteemed guests?"
I directly exposed Zhao Yan and Shen Ling's secret meetings while also pointing fingers at Manager Liu for embezzling funds to curry favor with the powerful.
Terrified, Manager Liu fell to his knees with a thud, trembling all over. "Young lady, spare my life! Master, please! This old servant... I was momentarily confused! It was... it was Madam and Second Miss who instructed me to do so; they said... said it was to entertain the prince and must not be neglected..."
He indeed implicated Liu and Shen Ling!
Scholar Shen trembled with rage as he pointed at Manager Liu. "You... you..."
"Father, calm down; take care of your health." I supported my father. "Manager Liu, do you know what grave crime you have committed? Embezzling family assets—what punishment do you deserve? If you confess honestly, perhaps you can receive leniency. But if you utter even half a lie..."
Manager Liu repeatedly kowtowed. "This old servant dares not! I will confess everything! The estate and shop have indeed been quite profitable, but most of the earnings... were taken by Madam and Second Miss... The accounts were also prepared under Madam's instructions..."
He spilled everything about how Liu and Shen Ling had instructed him to falsify accounts and how they had appropriated the profits from both the estate and shop—how they even used some of that money to support Prince Jing.
Scholar Shen listened with a pale face, remaining silent. The atmosphere in the study became stifling.
Once Manager Liu finished speaking, Scholar Shen took a deep breath and looked at me. "Wei'er, how do you think we should handle this matter?"
He was clearly furious but found it difficult to make a decision considering both Liu and my impending status as Consort Jing.
After pondering for a moment, I said, "Father, Manager Liu's betrayal is unforgivable; we should deal with him according to family rules. As for Mother and Sister... this matter involves many parties; if it escalates further, not only will our family's reputation be tarnished, but it may also affect my marriage with Prince Jing. Why not..."
I paused before continuing, "Why not first dismiss Manager Liu from his position and investigate him to recover the embezzled funds? From today onward, let me personally manage the estate and shop. As for Mother and Sister... let Father privately advise them to be more discreet in their actions moving forward. What do you think?"
My suggestion seemed like an attempt to ease tensions but was actually ruthless. Dismissing Manager Liu would sever one of Liu's arms; reclaiming control of the estate would cut off their financial resources; while privately advising them appeared lenient but would plant a thorn in my father's heart—making it much harder for Liu and Shen Ling to regain his trust in the future.
After contemplating for a moment, Scholar Shen nodded. "Let it be as you say. Someone! Take Manager Liu away, recover the embezzled funds, and punish him severely according to family rules! From today onward, Hot Spring Manor and Chengnan Shop will be under the full management of the young lady!"
"Yes!" The attendants dragged away the limp Manager Liu.
In the study, only my father and I remained.
"Wei'er," Scholar Shen looked at me, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "These years... I have wronged you."
He finally realized how much this seemingly fragile daughter had suffered under the hands of the Liu and Shen Ling.
I shook my head gently and said, "Daughter has not been wronged. As long as Father is well and the Shen Family is safe, I am content."
In that moment, the guilt and pain in my father's eyes deepened. I knew I had successfully placed the Liu and Shen Ling in his mind as "untrustworthy."
"Good child, good child," Scholar Shen patted my hand. "You may go now; focus on the matters of the estate. If you encounter difficulties, just come to me."
"Yes, Father." I bowed slightly and exited the study.
Outside, the sun shone brightly, causing me to squint slightly. The Liu and Shen Ling's greatest support was my father's favor and their wealth. Now that their wealth was lost, their favor was also wavering.
Next, it would be your turn, Shen Ling.
I returned to Zhi Lan Courtyard, where Qing Zhu had already come to greet me, her face filled with joy. "Miss, has everything been taken care of?"
I nodded. "Manager Liu has dealt with it. The estate and shop have been reclaimed."
"That's wonderful!" Qing Zhu exclaimed excitedly. "Let's see how they act so arrogantly from now on!"
I walked to the window, gazing at the blooming Autumn Chrysanthemums in the courtyard, my expression calm.
Arrogant? They would soon find it difficult to maintain their arrogance.
I instructed Qing Zhu to bring me paper and ink and began to write a letter.
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