Chapter 56: Throw away after use?

The two stood facing each other, and for a moment there seemed to be an eerie silence.

Pei Jingxu whispered, "Why are you here, sir?"

Rong Jianxue calmly put the handkerchief away and said, "I've almost finished my official duties, so I came out for a walk."

Just taking a walk?

It is quite a coincidence that I can meet her just by walking around Hua Xiangrong.

Pei Jingxu tactfully did not expose him and just nodded.

Shopkeeper Zhao, who was standing by, was originally still angry that Pei Jingxu had driven away the distinguished guest, Shen Congyue. But now, seeing the young master in front of him, he nodded and bowed, not daring to say a word of complaint.

Rong Jianxue looked at Shopkeeper Zhao and said calmly, "Where's the account book?"

"Ah?" Shopkeeper Zhao was stunned for a moment, then quickly responded, "Master Master, the rubbing has been sent to the Rong Mansion."

"It's not a rubbing," Rong Jianxue said coldly, "it's the original account book."

Shopkeeper Zhao laughed dryly: "Master Master, there is no difference between the two. You..."

Rong Jianxue's expression remained unchanged: "Since there's no difference, what's wrong with showing it to her?"

Shopkeeper Zhao smiled awkwardly, rolled his eyes, replied "yes", walked to the counter and handed over the account book in the cabinet.

"Second Madam, Master Young Master, please take a look."

Taking the account book, Rong Jianxue flipped through it for a few seconds before handing it to Pei Jingxu: "Take a look first and see if you can spot any problems."

Pei Jingxu took the account book.

She actually knew it with just a glance—

This account book is fake.

In order to avoid government inspection and audit, some shops would specially prepare double-edged account books.

This account book is the same as the rubbing sent to Rong Mansion, both are fake.

The woman's long eyelashes moved slightly, her delicate brows slightly wrinkled, and her clear eyes stared at the account carefully.

Rong Jianxue lowered his eyes to look at her, then said, "I can't tell..."

It doesn't matter.

Before Rong Jianxue could say anything, Pei Jingxu pointed at a line of expenditure on the account book. "Last year, there was a severe late spring cold snap, and the spring snow damaged the mulberry trees. The price of silk soared more than fivefold. The price on the books seems to be even lower than in previous years."

Rong Jianxue's pupils moved slightly.

He lowered his head to look at the woman in front of him, and for a moment he forgot what he was going to say.

Without hearing Rong Jianxue speak, Pei Jingxu raised her watery eyes, with confusion and questioning in her eyes: "Sir, am I wrong?"

"Yes," Rong Jianxue nodded, "I just didn't expect you to remember the price of mulberry silk."

Pei Jingxu smiled meekly, "I'm... too stupid. I can't see the problems with many of the accounts, so I can only memorize the prices of those goods by rote."

Rong Jianxue calmly shifted her gaze to the stunned Shopkeeper Zhao. "I'll report the matter of the Yin-Yang account books to the Dali Temple. Now, bring out the real account books."

Shopkeeper Zhao's eyes widened, no longer daring to play tricks. He begged for mercy and handed over the real account book: "Master, Master, spare my life! Master! It was Nanny Wang who told me to do this! This was all Nanny Wang's idea!"

Rong Jianxue took the account book and said in the same tone, "So she was kicked out of the Rong Mansion, and you are no exception."

Shopkeeper Zhao finally realized that something was wrong. He turned to Pei Jingxu in panic, "Second Madam! Second Madam, please save me! Please save me! I was blinded by greed! Please be magnanimous and let me go!"

Pei Jingxu bit her lip slightly, looking at the begging Shopkeeper Zhao, and said in a small but firm voice: "Shopkeeper Zhao, this is my Hua Xiangrong. I won't let anyone disgrace it. You and the handymen in the shop don't have to come here anymore."

After getting the real account book, Rong Jianxue asked Jiang Hui to handle the matters here, and he and Pei Jingxu walked towards the Rong Mansion.

Chang'an Avenue is bustling with people.

Pei Jingxu always stood one step away from Rong Jianxue and did not stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

Even if Rong Jianxue intentionally slowed down her pace, she would also slow down and never walk side by side with him.

Rong Jianxue frowned slightly, but didn't say anything.

The busy streets were filled with vendors and new things. Pei Jingxu lowered his head and did not look around.

Until the man in front of him stopped.

Pei Jingxu also stopped.

Rong Jianxue turned around, facing the stall beside him, and casually picked up an ink stick: "The ink sticks in the study are all used up."

These words were obviously directed at Pei Jingxu.

Pei Jingxu lowered his head and simply nodded: "Okay."

She stopped three steps away from him, waiting for his choice.

Rong Jianxue twitched her eyelids. "What kind of ink do you find most comfortable to use when writing?"

Pei Jingxu said softly: "I don't understand these things, my lord, please choose whatever you like."

Rong Jianxue put down the ink sticks and his eyes fell on the rice paper of different qualities.

"How about rice paper? What style do you like?"

Pei Jingxu looked puzzled: "Sir, don't you want to buy more stationery for the study?"

Rong Jianxue nodded: "Well, since you are studying in the study, you should also buy some things that suit your preferences."

Pei Jingxu lowered her head upon hearing this, and said softly, "My lord, there's no need to bother. I came to the shop today to take a look, and I think I can handle the operation of the shop myself."

The fingertips stroked the slightly gritty rice paper.

Rong Jianxue turned to look at her: "You mean, I don't need to teach you in the future?"

Pei Jingxu's eyes flashed with panic. She opened her mouth and then lowered her head for a long time. "My lord... you are very busy. I have almost learned the contents of the account book. I dare not bother you any further."

Above his head, Pei Jingxu heard the man chuckle.

Unable to distinguish emotions.

"Pei Jingxu, are you angry with me?" the man said in a low and cold voice, "Because I haven't seen you these past few days?"

You see, this is actually a very clever statement.

It seemed that in his opinion, his refusal to see her these days was something worth her getting angry about.

——Why does he feel so?

Could it be that it is caused by others and himself, and that he is actually selfish?

Pei Jingxu lowered her eyes and said timidly, "No, sir, I just feel... I feel that for you, sir, these things like my accounting and management are really trivial matters that are not worthy of your attention. It's not worth wasting your time and energy on them."

"Throw it away after use, Pei Jingxu. Do you really enjoy teasing others like this?"

Rong Jianxue is elegant, aloof and upright, and rarely says anything so harsh.

Pei Jingxu bit her lip slightly and leaned forward, "I am sorry for wasting your time..."

Rong Jianxue raised his eyebrows slightly, without looking at her again, and walked away.

Not until the footsteps faded away did Pei Jingxu look up at the man's back.

For some reason, Pei Jingxu had a premonition.

——Rong Xuanzhou will return to Beijing sooner than she planned.

So, she has to speed up.

--

Rong Mansion, East Courtyard.

Rong Jianxue has not come out of the study since Hua Xiangrong came back.

It seemed that he was busy with official business, and even the dinner was returned intact.

Jiang Hui held the food in his hands, puzzled.

Jiang Hui happened to see Pei Jingxu also returning to Rong Mansion. His eyes lit up and he hurried to meet him.

"Second Madam, you're back!"

When Pei Jingxu saw Jiang Hui, he curled the corners of his mouth and nodded slightly.

Jiang Hui still didn't think anything was wrong and gave a simple smile, "When will Second Madam come to the East Courtyard tomorrow? I'll prepare some refreshments for you."