Chapter 140 Unable to Explain Oneself

Originally, Xie Qingran was aloof and detached from worldly affairs, but after seeing these accounts, she couldn't suppress her fierceness and anger, which even shocked Xiao Jue.

"You bastard!"

Xie Qingran slammed her hand on the table in anger and cursed viciously.

"Redwood, redwood!"

"Summon all the servants in the manor to the courtyard immediately!"

Xie Qingran looked fierce and menacing, so Hongshan didn't dare to ask any more questions and could only turn around and go about her business.

"Baozhu, prepare the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone."

"From this moment forward, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will no longer harbor parasites!"

Xie Qingran stood up and strode outside, not glancing at Xiao Jue even once.

She was in charge of the affairs of the inner quarters anyway, so there was no need to consult Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue was a little curious, wondering what Xie Qingran had seen that made her so angry.

He silently turned the cart and followed Xie Qingran into the courtyard. The couple sat side by side, and all the servants in the courtyard trembled with fear.

Xie Qingran took the roster and called out names one by one, then gave a cold laugh: "In just three to five years, the family has accumulated a deficit of more than ten thousand. Well, you all really know how to do your jobs!"

"I'm innocent!"

Everyone knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.

However, Xie Qingran shook her head directly and said calmly, "Today, I am not here to listen to your explanations. No matter what, the managers cannot escape responsibility. I am too lazy to waste time. Sell all the managers off. I want to see who dares to do such a thing in the future!"

What?

Everyone originally thought Xie Qingran would give an explanation or a plan, but they never expected her to make such a sweeping decision and kick them all out.

Even though they weren't particularly clean to begin with, they never imagined that Xie Qingran would be so neat and efficient!

Seeing that pleading with Xie Qingran was useless, all eyes turned to Xiao Jue.

"Your Highness, we have been in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion for decades. We beg Your Highness to have mercy!"

"Your servants will certainly not dare to act recklessly in the future, and will definitely serve you well!"

Xie Qingran glanced at Xiao Jue, her eyes cold and indifferent.

"The Crown Princess has the final say in matters concerning the inner quarters."

Xiao Jue touched his nose, having no intention of getting involved in this matter at all.

That's more like it.

Xie Qingran coldly looked at these stubborn people and said coldly, "If you were just stealing some things under normal circumstances, that would be one thing. But now, everyone knows what kind of state the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is in. At a time like this, you still want to kick him when he's down and ruin the entire Duke's mansion like this. Don't even mention selling you off, even if I beat you to death, it wouldn't be unjust!"

"Men, drag them all out immediately and sell them all to the frontier for hard labor!" Xie Qingran snorted coldly, brooking no argument.

In an instant, the entire courtyard was filled with wails.

Those who were dragged out begged for mercy, but the maids and servants who were left behind were all trembling with fear, not knowing how Xie Qingran would deal with them!

Xie Qingran carefully examined the roster in her hand, and then continued to call out names: "When your name is called, state your background, what you can do and what you cannot do, and record it."

Xiao Jue smiled slightly as he looked at Xie Qingran. He had seen many smart girls, but he had never seen one as smart as her. This trick was really effective.

Soon, Xie Qingran had a clear understanding of the situation at home. In just one day, the entire Zhenguo Duke's Mansion had been completely transformed.

Lotus Garden.

Qin was somewhat surprised when she heard the news. Over the years, she had struggled to support her family and had been tormented by these unruly servants. However, she never expected that Xie Qingran would get rid of them all on her very first day.

Amazing, absolutely amazing! That clean and efficient technique is exactly like Xiao Jue's. No wonder the two of them could become husband and wife; birds of a feather flock together.

The maid Xiao Huan looked at Madam Qin with some worry: "This Crown Princess is so powerful, who knows how she will deal with us in the future? Madam, we should also plan for ourselves."

"What do you want me to do?" Madam Qin raised an eyebrow, looking at Xiao Huan with some curiosity.

Xiao Huan was Qin's maid who came with her as part of her dowry, so she was extremely loyal to her. Upon hearing this, Xiao Huan immediately said, "No matter what, Madam, you are the eldest sister-in-law, so you absolutely cannot let the Crown Princess surpass you!"

"I am the widow of the Xiao family, and she is the Crown Prince's consort. Our status is inherently higher than hers." Madam Qin smiled and looked at Xiao Huan, then said calmly, "I don't care about anything else. I only ask that my child grows up safely, and that's enough!"

“But…” Xiao Huan looked at Madam Qin: “I’m afraid it’s not that simple. This Princess Consort is ruthless and merciless. I’m afraid she won’t have an easy time in the future!”

Looking at the little baby still playing on the rocking horse on the ground, Madam Qin smiled gently: "I don't care about these things from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. As long as I don't compete with her, she won't make things difficult for me. As long as the child grows up healthy, that's more important than anything else."

Hearing this, Xiao Huan nodded and said with a smile, "Yes, as long as our young master is well, this servant dares not ask for anything else."

A day has passed, and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has undergone tremendous changes. Even though a group of unruly servants have been driven away, the affairs of the household have not been delayed. Most importantly, Xie Qingran immediately promoted those with clean backgrounds and abilities to the positions of stewards, and asked Baozhu to buy some clean maids from outside to serve them well.

That evening, Xie Qingran thought about it and decided that she should sleep outside.

But Xiao Jue sat at the door, coldly looking at Xie Qingran: "We are husband and wife, where are you going?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Qingran instantly understood. The fact that they hadn't slept together the previous night had been discovered by the Imperial Concubine. Therefore, there were likely still some spies in the mansion, and their every move was probably being monitored. Not only the Imperial Concubine, but even His Majesty wouldn't let them off easily.

Since that's the case...

Xie Qingran sighed, turned around and went back to the bedside, naturally beginning to undress.

"What...what are you doing?"

Xiao Jue was stunned for a moment, then turned his face away, his face flushed, and dared not look again.

"Didn't the young master say he wanted to sleep?"

Xie Qingran blinked, looking at Xiao Jue with an innocent expression.

It was as if Xiao Jue's thoughts were so offensive and despicable.

But unfortunately, Xiao Jue wasn't that kind of person, so he was left speechless.