Chapter 456: House Confiscation

The following year, just after the Dragon Boat Festival, the sweltering heat arrived.

Summer came exceptionally early and was exceptionally hot that year.

Once the dog days of summer begin, people can't even leave their homes and have to spend their days hiding in shady places.

The academy also ushered in its first-ever extended holiday: summer vacation.

The period lasts forty days, from the three days before the start of the hottest period of summer to the seven days after its end.

Daiyu finally had a rare moment of leisure and could relax and rest for a while.

That day, she felt unbearably hot when she woke up early, but Daiyu still gently waved her round fan and rode in a sedan chair to the Rongguo Mansion.

Today she wore a simple, moon-white shirt, with only a white jade hairpin in her hair, making her look exceptionally elegant.

When the sedan chair arrived at Ningrong Street, the atmosphere was different from usual.

Several unfamiliar vendors appeared at the street corner, but their eyes kept glancing towards the Ningguo Mansion.

Daiyu understood immediately that the vanguard of the raid on the house had arrived.

Upon arriving at the Rongguo Mansion, Grandmother Jia was sitting under the eaves enjoying the cool air. When she saw Daiyu arrive, she was overjoyed and hurriedly had an embroidered stool brought over: "Yu'er, what brings you here today?"

Daiyu smiled and bowed, saying, "I haven't seen my maternal grandmother for several days, so I've come to pay my respects." She deliberately avoided mentioning the Ningguo Mansion and instead told some interesting stories from the academy, which made Grandmother Jia smile broadly.

Just as they were talking and laughing, they suddenly heard a commotion coming from the Ningguo Mansion next door.

Grandmother Jia frowned: "What's going on next door? Making such a racket in broad daylight."

Madam Wang's expression changed slightly, and she quickly said, "Perhaps they are holding another banquet. Old Madam, you don't need to worry about it."

Daiyu put down her teacup and said softly, "Grandmother, I have something to report."

She slowly recounted the impending confiscation of the Ningguo Mansion's property. As a result, Grandmother Jia's face gradually turned pale, and Lady Wang was so shocked that she dropped the fan in her hand.

"What...what should we do?" Grandmother Jia said in a trembling voice, "Although the Ningguo Mansion has indeed acted poorly in recent years...they are still family after all!"

Daiyu grasped Grandmother Jia's hand: "Grandmother, don't worry. I came here today specifically because I was afraid that those officials would disturb our household. I have already taken care of them, and they won't dare to come and cause trouble."

As they were talking, the noise from next door grew louder and louder, and they could vaguely hear shouts and cries.

Grandmother Jia was very anxious upon hearing this and wanted to send someone to inquire about it.

Daiyu quickly stopped her, saying, "Grandmother, you must not interfere at this moment. If we get involved in the court's case, it will only give them something to talk about."

She turned to Madam Wang and said, "Aunt, immediately give the order to keep the doors tightly closed and forbid all servants from entering or leaving at will. If anyone comes to inquire, say that you know nothing about it."

Madam Wang then came to her senses, readily agreed, and hurriedly went to make arrangements.

Grandmother Jia held Daiyu's hand, her eyes brimming with tears, "Good child, it's so kind of you to think of everything so thoughtfully. But... Zhen-ge'er and the others..."

Daiyu said softly, "Everyone has their own destiny. Do you really think Grandmother is unaware of what the Ningguo Mansion has been doing all these years? It's just that the time has come."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

The steward came to report that the officials confiscating the property wanted to see the head of the household.

Grandmother Jia immediately tensed up. Daiyu, however, calmly said, "Please invite them to the front hall to talk."

The man who arrived was a physician from the Ministry of Justice. He was clearly taken aback when he saw Daiyu there, and then bowed and said, "This humble official did not know that the princess was here. I am sorry for the disturbance."

Daiyu said calmly, "Sir, you are busy with official business, so there is no need for formalities. However, since everyone in this household is a woman, please do us a favor."

The physician hurriedly said, "Princess, rest assured, I have already given instructions not to disturb your household. However..." He hesitated, "The Ning family has seized some items, which they say are related to your household. I have come here specifically to verify this."

Daiyu raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What kind of object is it?"

The doctor took out an account book: "These are some accounts between the Ning family and your family, involving a considerable amount of money. I need to ask the steward of your family to confirm them."

Daiyu took the account book and flipped through a few pages, already having a good idea of ​​what was going on.

She said calmly, "These accounts are from a long time ago and need time to be verified. Could you please grant me a few more days?"

The doctor hesitated, "This... I'm just following orders..."

Daiyu smiled slightly: "Don't worry, sir, I won't make things difficult for you. Here's what we'll do: I'll keep the account books for now and return them to you in three days. If anything is missing, just hold me responsible."

Seeing her say this, the doctor had no choice but to agree. Before leaving, he whispered, "Princess, this matter concerning the Ning family has far-reaching implications. You... should prepare in advance."

After seeing the officials off, Grandmother Jia asked anxiously, "Yu'er, is there anything wrong with the account books?"

Daiyu closed the account book and sighed softly, "It's better that Grandmother doesn't know. These matters can be handled by Yu'er."

She immediately summoned Wang Xifeng and handed her the account books, saying, "Second sister-in-law is the most shrewd. See if you can tamper with these accounts."

Wang Xifeng opened the package and her expression changed drastically: "These...these are all..."

Daiyu nodded: "So we have to deal with it as soon as possible. What needs to be erased should be erased, what needs to be changed should be changed, in short, we can't let it involve our household."

Wang Xifeng understood and immediately took Ping'er to get busy.

Watching from the side, Grandmother Jia suddenly burst into tears: "I've lived to such an old age, and yet the younger generation has to worry about these things..."

Daiyu gently comforted her, "Grandmother, what are you saying? A family should support each other. But after this incident, our household should be even more careful with its words and actions in the future."

For the next two days, Daiyu stayed at the Rongguo Mansion, helping to handle various affairs. She specially transferred several students who were proficient in accounting from the Jin Guo Academy to help reorganize the account books; she also had those items of dubious origin replaced.

On the third day, when the officials came to collect the account books, Daiyu presented the revised account books and also prepared a generous gift: "Sir, you have worked hard. Please accept this small token of my appreciation."

The physician opened the account book and saw that the key parts had been corrected. He understood and went along with it, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. I have checked, and these accounts have nothing to do with your household. They were all done by the Ning family themselves."

After seeing the officials off, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Lady Wang held Daiyu's hand, filled with gratitude: "We owe you so much this time, Yu'er! If it weren't for you, our household would probably have been implicated!"

Grandmother Jia also said, "That's right! I always thought Yu'er was just talented, but I never expected her to be so experienced in handling things!"

Daiyu showed no joy, but said softly, "After this incident, we should be more vigilant. Wealth and glory are fleeting, only by keeping to our proper place can we last."

Just then, the steward came running in a panic: "Madam, something terrible has happened! The master... the master has been taken away by the Ministry of Justice!"

Everyone was shocked. Daiyu, however, seemed to have expected this and calmly said, "There's no need to panic. My eldest uncle has close ties with the Ning family, so it's inevitable that he'll be taken in for questioning. I'll go to the Ministry of Justice right away."

She immediately changed her clothes and headed straight for the Ministry of Justice.

The Minister of Justice, seeing that she was a favorite of the Emperor, dared not be negligent, but was in a dilemma: "Princess, it's not that I'm being disrespectful, it's just that Jia She is too deeply involved..."