After hearing this, a hint of coldness flashed in Hong Yingrong's eyes. When the old marquis Xue Yonghuai was alive, bullying the weak was not allowed, whether in managing the household or leading the army. This behavior was simply an insult to the Xingyuan Marquisate.
"Mother Han, go call Xue Zhong." Her voice was firm, without a trace of hesitation.
Soon, the steward Xue Zhong hurried over. Mother Han had already told him what had happened. As soon as he arrived at the viewing pavilion, he knelt in front of Hong Yingrong with a look of panic on his face.
"Madam, I'm sorry for my poor performance. Please punish me."
He had met Zhou Jin's mother and daughter a few years ago, but he didn't expect them to look so miserable and haggard now. If he told outsiders that they were tenants on the farm of Xingyuan Marquis Mansion, no one would believe it.
Hong Yingrong waved her hand. "Let's put the punishment aside for now. Send the mother and daughter back to the farm and take good care of them. Then, remove Zhao Wu's account office and send him to the farm south of the city. Since he's complaining about being left alone, let him do hard labor there with his wife, to prevent him from having dirty thoughts and forcibly marrying someone else's daughter."
Xue Zhong nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, I'll do it right away."
Hong Yingrong added, "Also, tell the people at the manor that if something like this happens again, I will not tolerate it. The reputation of the Xingyuan Marquisate must not be tarnished."
"Yes, don't worry, old lady. I will discipline him strictly." Xue Zhong kowtowed and promised.
When Zhou Jinshi and Xiaohe heard the result, they burst into tears of gratitude.
Once this matter was settled, Hong Yingrong wanted to inquire in detail about another matter mentioned by Zhou Jinshi - the suspected embezzlement of grain harvest on the farm.
Nanny Zhao stood by and understood Hong Yingrong's intention.
She stepped forward and asked Xue Zhong, "Just now, Zhou Jin mentioned that there's been a case of misappropriation of rice and grain at the farm. Zhao Wu is also implicated, and it seems other village heads are also involved. Do you know anything about this?"
Xue Zhong turned pale with fright when he heard this. If it was proven that he had embezzled money, rice and grain from his master's farm, he would not have to report to the authorities and his master could just beat him to death with sticks.
He defended himself with a trembling voice, "I've been so busy with the affairs of the Marquisate these past few years that I've indeed neglected the management of the farm outside. But the young lady checks the accounts every spring and autumn and has never found any omissions."
Hong Yingrong nodded when she heard this. She had no doubt about Jiang Shuxiu.
No new land has been purchased in recent years. If there really is a case of embezzlement of rice on the farm, then the annual income will inevitably decrease, and those people will make up various excuses to cover it up, such as insect pests, rat infestations or bad weather affecting the harvest.
Zhou Jin was grateful to Hong Yingrong for handling matters impartially for her and her daughter, so she naturally would not make up lies to deceive them.
So she told him everything she knew.
"I dare not lie to the old lady in the slightest. After the spring harvest this year, the village heads and stewards often gathered in the rice warehouse to drink and gamble. The maids on the farm who were skilled in cooking took turns to cook and warm wine for them."
"One time, it was my turn. I heated up some wine and brought it over. I happened to hear Zhao Wu and another village head, drunk and tongue-tied, blurt out something about how this could bring in an extra three thousand taels of silver a year."
"At the time I thought they were just drunken ravings, but lately, the village heads, managers, and their wives have all been very generous. The wives have even started wearing gold and silver jewelry and want us, the lower class, to call them 'Grandma' or 'Madam.'"
Hong Yingrong glanced at Xue Zhong and saw that his face was also full of confusion.
The income in spring did not decrease compared with previous years, but there was an extra three thousand taels of silver out of thin air. This is really puzzling.
"Have the 2,000 dan of grain sent to the orphanage been successfully transported to the border?" Hong Yingrong asked doubtfully. She thought about it again and again, and it seemed that only this expenditure might have problems. Could it be that someone had concealed it from her and had not sent it out?
Xue Zhong bowed respectfully and replied, "Old Madam, please rest assured. The batch of grain for the orphanage has been inspected and supervised by Feng Shaoying, a counselor of the Ministry of War. It was successfully transported out via the official road three days ago."
Hong Yingrong remembered that Feng Shaoying was the son-in-law of General Zhongyong, and also a close friend of Crown Prince Xue Yuanchu.
She nodded slightly, thinking that this matter should be no big deal.
For a moment, Hong Yingrong could not figure out what the problem was, so she decided to wait for Jiang Shuxiu to return home and discuss the matter with her in the evening.
She turned to Xue Zhong and said slowly, "Take the mother and daughter back to the manor. Then go and find out what's going on. If you have any news, come back and report to me."
Xue Zhong stood at the steps of the viewing pavilion and nodded without hesitation.
Seeing Zhou Jin and her daughter turning to leave, Xue Shanqiu's eyes flickered, and he softly suggested to Hong Yingrong, "Mother, I think this little girl Xiao He is about my age, and she's diligent and hardworking. Why don't we let her stay in Fanghua Garden, do some chores tending to the flowers and plants, and keep me company on weekdays? What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Hong Yingrong nodded slightly, turned to Zhou Jinshi and asked, "Zhou Jinshi, are you willing to let your daughter stay in the mansion as a maid?"
Zhou Jin was conflicted.
She looked around and saw that the pavilions and towers in the mansion were all luxurious. She thought that if her daughter could stay here, she would have no worries about food and clothing, and would not have to work in the fields under the wind and sun on the farm, and she would not have to worry about being bullied again.
However, as a widow, she was reluctant to be separated from her daughter, which made it difficult for her to make a decision.
Her eyes were red, and she choked up and said, "Old Madam, it is her blessing to be able to let Xiao He stay in the Marquis' Mansion. But...but in my heart, I am somewhat reluctant to let her go."
Seeing this, Hong Yingrong comforted her gently, "Don't worry, Xiao He will stay in the Marquis' Mansion, and we will take good care of her. She will be indispensable for her monthly allowance and the vacation time she needs to go home to visit her family."
After saying this, Hong Yingrong turned to Xiao He and asked with a pleasant expression, "Are you willing to stay in the Marquis' Mansion and serve the Fifth Young Lady?"
Xiao He looked up at Xue Shanqiu and saw that she had a beautiful face and noble temperament, like a fairy descending to earth.
She was so excited that she kowtowed three times and said firmly, "I am willing to serve Fifth Lady. I will be loyal to you and even willing to die for you!"
Seeing her daughter's determination, Zhou Jinshi knew it was her destiny, so she nodded with tears in her eyes and said, "Thank you for your grace, old lady."
"Mother Han, take Zhou Jin to the accounting office to withdraw twenty taels of silver to calm her down. Also, tell the accounting office to pay Xiaohe's monthly allowance on time every month." Hong Yingrong instructed.
Mother Han responded and went to make arrangements. Zhou Jin was filled with gratitude. After saying goodbye to Xiaohe reluctantly, she took the carriage arranged by Xue Zhong, slowly left the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion, and embarked on the journey back to the manor.
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