Chapter 288 Checking the Accounts

Imperial Palace, Ziyun Hall.

Yan Yuze, wearing a moon-white robe embroidered with gold, came to ask for an audience with Emperor Liang.

"Sixth brother, have you made any progress in your investigation?"

Yan Yuze's beautiful fox eyes drooped a little, as if he was struggling with how to start speaking.

He found out that twenty years ago, there was a fire in a side hall in the palace very close to Concubine Lan's bedroom. There was chaos at the time, and a baby happened to enter the palace during that time.

It was because of that incident that the rumor of "replacing the prince with a cat" spread, but no substantial evidence about the prince's identity has been found so far.

Yan Yuze secretly glanced at Emperor Liang and saw that he was reading the memorials and was not paying attention to his expression.

After much thought, he decided not to mention this matter for the time being. Otherwise, once the seeds of suspicion were planted in his brother's heart, it would inevitably affect his relationship with the prince.

"Brother, I am still investigating. However, I discovered in the past few days that my student...seems to be involved in this matter as well. She is also looking for the former maid of Concubine Lan."

"Well, is it Zhu Lan?" Emperor Liang's voice was very calm, but it surprised Yan Yuze.

"Brother Emperor... already knows about this?" Yan Yuze was slightly startled. "This matter involves royal secrets. Should we not let her get involved..."

Emperor Liang put down the memorial in his hand, with a faint smile on his weathered face, "You naturally know your student better than I do. Now that she is involved, it is not up to her whether she can withdraw."

"Cough cough cough..." Emperor Liang coughed a few times and looked at Yan Yuze, his eyes seemed to have deep meaning.

"I value the reputation of the Crown Prince, but as the Emperor, I need to know the truth. Sixth brother, you are in the middle of the situation, and I am afraid that you may not be as decisive as others in doing some things."

A trace of guilt flashed in Yan Yuze's eyes, "I am ashamed."

Emperor Liang did not point it out, but only asked Yan Yuze whether he thought Zhu Lan was capable of finding out the truth of the matter.

Yan Yuze thought seriously for a moment and nodded slowly.

Indeed, I have too many concerns in this situation and it is inevitable that I am restricted in doing many things, not to mention that I am in a high position and there are countless eyes watching me.

Zhu Lan is a thoughtful, upright and shrewd boy. His previous performance in Long'an County and Northern Frontier was impressive. He is indeed a good candidate to investigate this matter.

"Okay." Emperor Liang nodded solemnly, "But this matter ultimately involves the reputation of the Crown Prince. You can only watch over her in secret, and I will not give her any orders."

"I understand. I will find a way to force her to investigate." Yan Yuze frowned and said.

…

Qiao Youyou finally delivered all the plaques. Before going home, she had to go back to the Ministry of Revenue to record today's duty situation.

Unexpectedly, I ran into Wenren Yuebai at the door of the household registration office.

"Xiaobai, Xiaobai, Xiaobai!"

Qiao Youyou waved at him from a distance, and her eyes, which had originally been dull due to tiredness, suddenly burst into light.

She ran towards Wenren Yuebai happily, but when she was almost in front of him, she tripped over something and suddenly stumbled.

Wenren Yuebai was startled and subconsciously leaned forward and stretched out his arms.

But Qiao Youyou has already stood firm on her own.

Wenren Yuebai calmly withdrew his hands, leaned back in the wheelchair, and looked at her indifferently.

"Why didn't you come to work yesterday? I thought something happened to you..." Qiao Youyou squatted down, came up to him and asked.

Wenren Yuebai met that bright gaze and was dazed for a moment, then he remembered how she had hidden from him that day.

He dropped his eyes and gently pushed the wheelchair back a few inches.

Lao Yan behind Wenren Yuebai explained, "Miss Qiao, our young master has almost finished his work at the Ministry of Revenue. He was transferred back to the Hanlin Academy yesterday. Today we are here to hand over the last few matters."

"Are you leaving?" Qiao Youyou was stunned.

Wenren Yuebai hummed softly, as if with a hint of distance.

Qiao Youyou just felt a little depressed in her heart. She opened her mouth slightly, but didn't know what to say for a moment.

At this time, the person on duty at the Ministry of Revenue came out and urged them to go in quickly and do what they should do, and not to delay their duty on their day off.

"Don't leave later, I have something to tell you!" Qiao Youyou kept looking back before leaving.

She hasn't explained clearly what happened last time!

Qiao Youyou just went back to the yamen to record the duty situation, and it was done in a moment.

She came to the yard and poked her head out, but did not see Wenren Yuebai. Only Lao Yan was waiting outside the office.

Qiao Youyou stepped forward and asked Lao Yan when Wenren Yuebai would come out.

Old Yan thought for a moment, "Just now when the young master and the person who was to be handed over went in, he told me to go back home first and not to wait for him. From the tone of his voice, it should take a while. But I am worried that it will be inconvenient for the young master to go back home alone, so I'd better wait for him here."

As Old Yan spoke, he couldn't help but look at Qiao Youyou from a close distance.

The young master seemed to treat Miss Qiao in a special way. He was so happy before because of her, and he was depressed these days because of her. Even when he was sad, he couldn't help but go out to see her when he heard that she was being bullied.

Although he didn't know how she had made the young master sad, Old Yan still felt a little relieved.

After all, the young master now has emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. He looks much more lively than the still water without any sadness or joy before.

Hearing that it would take a long time for Wenren Yuebai to come out, Qiao Youyou decided to wait for him in the yamen and would not give up until he came.

People have mouths to speak, and misunderstandings must be explained!

If she delays any longer, she will go crazy.

At this time, Qiao Youyou heard that Anju Real Estate finally delivered the account book. She originally planned to deal with it tomorrow, but now she had to wait for Wenren Yuebai and had nothing to do, so she might as well look through the account book to kill time.

So Qiao Youyou asked Lao Yan that if Wenren Yuebai came out, he must go to the Duzhi Division to tell her that he had something important to say to Wenren Yuebai.

Old Yan smiled and told her not to worry.

If the two of them could talk it out, perhaps the knot in the young master's heart for the past few days could be resolved.

…

When Qiao Youyou returned to the Ministry of Revenue, she saw the account books that Anju Real Estate Company had previously refused to submit to the government office.

She picked up the nearest book and started flipping through it, making some scratches on the rough paper with a pencil.

As she painted, the corners of Qiao Youyou's mouth began to gradually rise.

The accounts of this Anju Real Estate Company are extremely detailed and seem flawless at first glance. Whether it is the payment of taxes, operating costs, or profit status, they all show that the business of this real estate company is booming and its prospects are bright.

It’s just that - Lanlan had said before that this real estate agency was likely colluding with those fraudulent brokerage firms and gaining improper benefits.

Qiao Youyou was well-informed and started to check the family's income one by one, and indeed found some suspicious points.

Since there are doubts, it is certain that the 12,000 taels of silver from Anju Real Estate Bank will not be obtained until the doubts are clarified.

Before long, Qiao Youyou had a general understanding of the operating conditions of this real estate agency, which were basically within her expectations. The manipulation of the accounts might deceive ordinary people, but how could it deceive her?

However, the next moment, her eyes fixed on several transaction records in the account book, and her expression gradually became strange.