If Chapter 8 isn't enough, make up the difference with silver.

Song Zhimian's expression remained calm and composed, as if she knew nothing about what was going on.

While Song Kaishan was giving Wen Shaoqing a perfunctory reply, he would occasionally glance at Song Zhimian.

He wondered whether what happened today was deliberately orchestrated by his daughter, or if it was all just a coincidence.

If it really was designed by this daughter, then he'll have to deal with it carefully.

But... how could the usually timid eldest daughter possibly cause such trouble!

...

Half an hour had passed, and Ding and Fan Shaoshi, who had gone to the storeroom to take inventory, still hadn't returned.

Song Kaishan was getting restless. He was about to send someone to see what was going on when he saw Wen Shaoqing pick up his teacup.

"My lord, counting the dowry is a small matter. You are in charge of important matters, so you don't need to worry about it too much."

Madam Song is a well-known and capable matriarch among the noble families of the capital; she can handle such a small matter well.

The tea at your residence is truly excellent! This must be top-quality Taiping Houkui!

"They're not any worse than those that are not late in spring!" Wen Shaoqing joked with a smile.

Song Kaishan could only give an awkward smile.

Song Zhimian sat quietly to the side, waiting to see the big show that was about to unfold.

After another incense stick's time, Lady Ding finally arrived with Fan Shaoshi.

Ding looked terrible, and Fan Shaoshi's face... was completely expressionless.

Song Kaishan hurriedly looked at Ding Shi, but saw that Ding Shi dared not look at him.

"What's wrong? Did the inventory not go smoothly?" Song Kaishan asked in a low voice.

Before Ding could speak, Fan Shaoshi spoke first.

"My lord, my lord, I just went to the storeroom with Madam Song to take inventory. According to the dowry list, less than half of the dowry items on the list are still there."

Antique porcelain, jade and gold artifacts, as well as some tribute silks and satins, and some ornaments and jewelry, are all in short supply.

even……"

Fan Shao gave Ding a look of utter contempt.

"Even what?" Wen Shaoqing asked calmly.

"Even the coffin that Miss Song's mother left for her... has disappeared without a trace," said Master Fan with dissatisfaction.

Song Kaishan looked very unhappy.

He knew about that coffin. When Ding's father passed away, they couldn't find a suitable coffin for him, so they took that coffin away.

"That coffin..." Song Kaishan was about to say something to smooth things over.

"Miss Song, do you know where that coffin went?" Wen Shaoqing asked Song Zhimian.

Upon hearing this, Song Zhimian quickly put on a blank expression.

"That coffin? What coffin?"

Song Kaishan, Ding Shi...

Wen Shaoqing gave a cold laugh.

"Miss Song's dowry was short, and she herself didn't even know it."

"It seems there's a traitor in the household! They even dared to steal the dowry, and even the coffin! Aren't they afraid of shortening their own lifespan?" Wen Shaoqing spoke without any politeness.

Ding's face turned pale, and she dared not utter a single word in her defense.

Although the Wen Shaoqing before me only holds the rank of fifth grade, he is a member of the Censorate.

Everyone in Chongqing knows that the people in the Supervisory Commission are not to be trifled with; if you do, you'll be in for a world of trouble!

Song Kaishan looked terrible. But after hearing Wen Shaoqing mention that there was a traitor in the mansion, he had a sudden inspiration.

"Last year, our household was indeed robbed, and we lost a lot of valuables."

Because it was the Imperial Concubine's birthday, I didn't make a fuss about it.

"Much of Mian'er's dowry was also stolen around that time," Song Kaishan hurriedly said.

Wen Shaoqing narrowed his eyes.

The people in the Inspectorate usually deal with officials from the Six Ministries and merchants with cunning and scheming minds. How could she not hear the threat in Song Kaishan's words!

This is using the most favored Consort Wu to suppress himself!

Song Kaishan meant that he was on the side of Consort Wu's son, and the Censorate should give those two princes some face!

It's such a pity!

The Censorate is loyal only to the Emperor and never takes sides!

"If that's the case, those petty thieves are quite something! They managed to move something as big as a coffin out of the Song residence."

"It seems they packed all those valuables in a coffin and carried them away!" Wen Shaoqing said sarcastically.

Song Kaishan didn't speak, he just looked at Wen Shaoqing.

Only then did Wen Shaoqing put down the teacup in his hand.

"Young Master Fan, according to the list, how many items are missing?" Wen Shaoqing asked.

"A total of eighty-four pieces of jade artifacts, including jade rings, jade pendants, and jade hairpins; twelve antiques; three sets of porcelain; and twenty-eight pieces of jewelry."

A nine-panel glass screen with floral and auspicious designs, and a set of rosewood dressing table.

Two bolts of Tencel satin, two bolts of Shu brocade, two bolts of Suzhou embroidery, and four bolts of brocade satin.

In addition, there is a set of fine cypress coffins.

"The only thing that wasn't missing was a box of rare ancient paintings," Fan Shaoshi replied.

"How much silver is the lost item worth?" Wen Shaoqing continued to ask.

Fan Shaoshi calculated the number in his head and then gave a number.

"The total estimated value is around 86,500 taels. Even if there is a discrepancy, it will be within 100 taels."

Wen Shaoqing nodded, then looked at Song Kaishan.

"My lord! Just make up the difference according to this amount! If something is lost, it can only be replaced with an equivalent amount of silver."

“It was stolen by a thief! We shouldn’t need to replace it!” Ding muttered, trembling.

Wen Shaoqing immediately looked at Ding Shi.

"Madam Song, I have already given the Marquis face."

You should know in your heart where those things went!

You don't have to pay the difference! Then let's report it to the authorities! The Shuntian Prefecture will definitely give us an explanation about what happened to Miss Song's dowry.

Furthermore, the entire dowry donated by Miss Song was recorded in the accounts of the Censorate after they received the dowry list from Shuntian Prefecture.

It is your fault that the dowry is incomplete.

What? Are you suggesting that our Inspection Department should make up for the missing part of the dowry?

Or should we have Lord Ye come to the Marquis's residence in person to demand it? Wen Shaoqing looked at Madam Ding with a half-smile.

Ding swallowed hard, not daring to utter a single word.

Song Kaishan thought of the stern and unsmiling Inspector General and suddenly felt a little scared.

The prince once said that His Majesty trusted that Inspector General very much, even more than he trusted the princes at one point…

"Don't worry, Lord Wen, our household will definitely make up for the missing part as soon as possible."

"It was our family's mistake to begin with, how could we let Lord Ye worry about it!" Song Kaishan immediately stated.

"My lord..." Madam Ding immediately became anxious.

"Shut up! You can't even keep an eye on the house properly. So many things have gone missing from the mansion. Don't you bear any responsibility?" Song Kaishan scolded Ding Shi in a low voice.

Ding's family...

Wen Shaoqing acted as if he couldn't see the exchange of glances between the couple.

"My lord, in three days our Inspectorate will be reconciling the accounts for the donations raised for the soldiers in the north this month."

Please make up the outstanding amount of silver within three days, my lord.

Also, please send someone to the Censorate, Lord Marquis; I won't make the trip myself.

After all, nobody in the capital likes the Censorate coming to their door.

My lord, farewell!

Miss Song, may we meet again someday!

Wen Shaoqing first bowed to Song Kaishan, and then bowed to Song Zhimian.

When Song Kaishan returned the greeting, she winked at Song Zhi.

Song Zhimian understood.

Three days later, the second grand gift she would send to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence would arrive.

...

After Song Kaishan saw Wen Shaoqing off at the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence, when he returned, Ding was staring fiercely at Song Zhimian.

Song Kaishan also glared fiercely at Song Zhimian.

Song Zhimian was not intimidated at all. She slowly curtsied before looking at the imperial plaque.

“Father, that Lord Wen just said that this plaque was bestowed upon me by His Majesty. Should I move this plaque to my courtyard?” Song Zhimian asked.

Song Kaishan, Ding Shi...

Song Kaishan doesn't want to see this plaque at all right now.

"Fine, then move out!"

Also, you shouldn't go out during this period; stay at home and prepare for your wedding!

"Although you donated your dowry, I am still your father, and I will definitely prepare a special dowry for you." Song Kaishan looked coldly at Song Zhimian.

Song Zhimian wasn't worried at all. She simply bowed respectfully again and then turned to walk towards her own courtyard.

"Please arrange for someone to deliver the plaque to my daughter's courtyard, Mother. I am too weak to carry it!" Song Zhimian left only these words.

Ding was so angry she almost vomited blood.

"My lord, what do you think..."

"Alright, she won't be arrogant for long. General Wu is coming to the capital soon, and that girl will suffer then."

"Now, gather all the usable silver in the manor, so we don't let the inspectors come knocking on our door," Song Kaishan said, suppressing his anger.

"My lord, no matter how much we try to gather the money, the manor can't possibly come up with 86,000 taels of silver!" Madam Ding was so anxious she was practically fuming.

"Don't you have any? Then go borrow some!"

"We can't afford to offend the people in the Inspection Department at this critical juncture!" Song Kaishan said through gritted teeth.

...

Song Zhimin was in a very good mood when she returned to her courtyard. Her calculations had indeed been correct...