Chapter 26 The Dragon Fetus Is in Danger

Since their parting at Xiefang Pavilion, Jiang Ling had only met Consort Gao once, at Emperor Yuanming's birthday celebration. He wondered if she had moved into the main house yet.

Consort Gao twisted her handkerchief and said angrily, "I understand that Consort Jiang has no experience in managing affairs before. It's normal that she was a bit flustered when she took over the job of the Lamp and Candle Department. But after a few days, the Lamp and Candle Department is still in a mess, which is really unacceptable."

Jiang Ling understood Gao Cai Ren's words; she was mocking her own incompetence in managing the lamp and candle department.

Sure enough, there was a raging fire at the candlelight spot; there had been no peace since she took over.

Because of a single candle, too many things had been brought up. Jiang Ling, unwilling to complicate matters further, sincerely asked, "Gao Cairen, what exactly do you want with me?"

"I'm a little confused. Is Lady Jiang truly unaware, or is she feigning ignorance?" Lady Gao raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise and confusion.

Jiang Ling frowned and said, "I really don't know, Gao Cairen, you don't need to beat around the bush."

Consort Gao lowered her eyebrows and chuckled twice: "According to the rules, I should have two beeswax sticks and two candles every day, one tallow candle for each of the maids and eunuchs serving me, and two oil lamps. Now, I haven't even seen a trace of beeswax, only one white candle, and the maids and eunuchs have a total of two tallow candles and half an oil lamp. I don't know if the storeroom is short of candles or if Consort Jiang has been negligent. After these days of darkness, I've come here in person today to collect them and demand a clear answer. What is the reason for the lack of those candles?"

It turned out that the candles and lamps had been withheld. Jiang Ling had been withheld before; such things were commonplace in the harem. She wouldn't completely believe Consort Gao's words, though.

After all, beeswax had caused a death, so Jiang Ling had to be extremely cautious. She considered it for a moment and said, "Let me check the accounts and then I'll give you an answer. If your candles are truly missing, I will make sure to replace them in full."

Gao Cai Ren flung her handkerchief aside, raised her voice, and angrily said, "Does Jiang Mei Ren think I'm lying?"

Her voice was shrill, attracting the attention of someone in the storeroom. Jiang Ling, starting to feel a headache coming on, gently advised, "Gao Cairen, please calm down. Take the candles back for today. I will give you an answer soon."

After saying that, Jiang Ling said no more and walked past Gao Cai Ren.

"Ouch!" Consort Gao suddenly stumbled backward. The two maids attending her rushed forward to support her, asking anxiously, "Consort, Consort, what happened? Did you fall?"

The narrow passage was wide enough for a spacious carriage to pass through, and with her and Gao Cairen's figures, the five of them could easily walk side by side.

Jiang Ling was startled and immediately thought of many palace intrigue scenarios, looking warily at Consort Gao.

Gao Cairen raised her hand and gently touched her chest, her face still showing panic, biting her lips and remaining silent.

Jiang Ling was on high alert, thinking to himself that Gao Cairen's level was not high, and his intention to cause trouble was too obvious.

There were dark corners and blind spots at the alleyway, and even ten mouths wouldn't be able to explain things clearly. Jiang Ling didn't linger any longer and hurriedly left the place of trouble.

Wenjuan followed closely behind and whispered a reminder: "My lady, I think that Consort Gao is deliberately trying to cause you trouble. Please don't fall into her trap."

Jiang Ling nodded and said, "I will stay away from her."

News of Fang Si Deng's death spread, and the palace maids of the Si Deng Division gathered in twos and threes on the west side of the storeroom, whispering and gossiping. When they saw Jiang Ling approaching, they quickly stopped talking, lowered their heads, and dispersed.

Jiang Ling looked back and saw that Gao Cairen and her group were still at the entrance of the alley. She quickly said, "Wait a moment."

The palace maids looked at each other, standing there motionless. Jiang Ling stepped forward and asked, "Where is the Lady-in-Waiting?"

The female historian was a palace maid who managed account books and documents, and had no official rank. Two pretty palace maids, about seventeen or eighteen years old, stepped out from the crowd, curtsied, and said one after the other, "This servant is Qiaoxin." "This servant is Lanyun. What are your orders, Your Highness?"

Jiang Ling looked her over and had some impression of Qiao Yun. He remembered that she was very quick-witted and could speak without anyone interrupting her.

"Let me see the ledger," Jiang Ling said.

As the time for receiving the candles approached, the account book was already laid out on the table. Qiaoxin turned around, picked up the account book, and presented it to her.

Jiang Ling took the ledger and quickly flipped through it, secretly groaning in dismay.

The ledger recorded the total amount of candles and lamps spent from the treasury, the daily withdrawal amount from each palace, and the signatures of those who came to collect the candles and lamps. Except for Chonghua Palace and other palaces, the amounts for all other places were exactly in accordance with the monthly allowance for each rank, without the slightest discrepancy.

Jiang Ling never saw beeswax while she was at Xiefang Pavilion, but the accounts clearly showed that she received two sticks of beeswax every day.

If the beeswax wasn't embezzled by Aruo Fanghe, then the storeroom's records must have been tampered with. The truth is difficult to ascertain in a short time.

Gao Cairen stood at the entrance of the alley, looking towards the eaves. Jiang Ling made a quick decision, handing the account book to Qiaoxin and saying, "Give Gao Cairen today's candles first, and then give her ten days' worth of candles according to her monthly allowance. I will make up for the cost of the extra ten days' worth of candles."

The lamps and candles were handed over for only seven days. The extra three days were to be given by Jiang Ling to the talented Gao.

Let's pay to avoid trouble and get rid of her quickly.

Qiaoxin and Lanyun were astonished upon hearing this, their expressions complex. However, neither of them asked any further questions, and instead instructed a palace maid to fetch candles.

At this moment, palace maids came one after another to collect the candles, and Consort Gao slowly approached. Jiang Ling saw that her face was pale and her eyes were red, and instinctively took two steps back.

Gao Cairen stopped by the desk, curtsied, and asked loudly, "Has Consort Jiang reviewed the account books? Could she clear my name?"

Qiaoxin and Lanyun were about to hand the candles to Consort Gao's maid when Jiang Ling, quick-witted, stepped forward and stopped them: "Consort Gao, I haven't finished looking at the accounts yet. You can take today's money first."

If Gao Cairen were to publicly proclaim this, regardless of whether Jiang Ling actually provided her with extra candles, it would confirm her corrupt and embezzling activities.

Once Gao Cairen was supplied, everyone else followed suit and asked for supplies, making Jiang Ling look like a fool who had to pay out of his own pocket to manage things!

Jiang Ling subconsciously felt that Gao Cairen's sudden appearance at this time was no coincidence, and that someone was most likely behind it.

Gao Cairen immediately became aggrieved, dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, and said loudly, "Jiang Meiren, since that's the case, why don't we all judge this together? They think we're easy to bully and are withholding the candles."

More and more people came to collect their candles, and seeing that a commotion had broken out, they all stepped forward to inquire, "What happened?"

Someone said, "It seems that regarding the matter of embezzling candles, Consort Gao came personally to question her and got into a quarrel with Consort Jiang."

“It’s not uncommon for people to be cheated out of their money. You and I have been cheated out of our money more than enough. Finally, someone is indignant and has started to make a fuss.”

"Shh, keep your voice down, or the people from Fuqing Palace will hear you."

Consort Zhao of Fuqing Palace used to be in charge of the lamps and candles. The palace maid who had been speaking shrank back and dared not utter another word.

Jiang Ling's heart sank. It was clear that Consort Gao had come prepared; even if she escaped today, there would be tomorrow. If it were only to expose the embezzlement, it wouldn't be the most serious matter, because it was Emperor Yuanming who had pressured her to manage the lamps and candles.

The cause of Fang Sideng's death remains unclear and shrouded in mystery.

Jiang Ling was extremely agitated. He picked up the accounts on the table and said in a deep voice, "Gao Cairen, you need to speak with facts. Your maid's signature is on the accounts of the lamp and candle department!"

"Accounts? What accounts? Jiang Meiren, do you dare to show us the accounts..."

Gao Cairen stretched out her arm, reaching over the table to snatch the accounts. Jiang Ling saw the table shaking and sensed something was wrong, so she quickly let go.

Just then, Gao Cairen staggered backward, just like he had done at the alleyway, and screamed "Ah!" as he clutched his lower abdomen in pain.

Jiang Ling stared blankly, and his mind went blank for a moment.

Gao Cairen's lotus-root-colored dress was stained with bloodstains.

The palace maids rushed forward, supporting the groaning Consort Gao, and screamed in panic, "Consort Gao, Consort Gao, wake up! Blood... the imperial fetus in Consort Gao's womb, the imperial fetus in Consort Gao's womb is gone!"

A note from the author:

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The next chapter will be available for purchase on VIP. Thank you for your support; red envelopes will be given away in the comments section from time to time.

My next book is "A Guide to Resisting Violence in Ancient Times," a story about domestic violence in ancient times. The synopsis is below; please add it to your favorites.

Cheng Nian transmigrated into the body of the youngest legitimate daughter of the Cheng family, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in the capital. She was only six years old and had an older brother and sister.

Father, Vice Minister Cheng: He was a refined and elegant man with exceptional abilities, and rose to the position of Vice Minister at a young age.

Mother Madam Shen: She was literate, came from a family of scholars, and was gentle and loving.

Cheng Nian, a corporate slave who toiled and struggled in his previous life and eventually died suddenly: This time I can finally relax.

Until this day, Cheng Nian noticed that Madam Shen's arm, which she had inadvertently exposed, was covered in bruises. Some of the marks had faded, clearly indicating that old wounds had not healed and new ones had been added.

It turns out that the crying she vaguely heard in the middle of the night was not a dream.

It was Madam Shen who was being tortured and beaten by Vice Minister Cheng.

Not only Madam Shen, but the other concubines were the same.

She was subjected to domestic violence by Vice Minister Cheng.

Everyone is mired in a quagmire.

Reading Guide:

This is fictional; please do not attempt to verify its accuracy.