These three nannies did not enter Weiyang Palace with Ji Wushuang from the beginning.
Ji Wushuang was determined to marry the emperor, but this violated the Ji family's ancestral precepts, so on the surface, Ji Wushuang was expelled from the Ji family.
When she entered the palace, she only had Suzhi, who had grown up with her since childhood, with her. After she became pregnant, her brothers, worried about her situation in the palace, secretly sent some people and money into the palace.
However, these three nannies were specially sent to the palace by the young masters of the Ji family to protect their younger sister and nephew after they learned that the younger sister and nephew had been bullied in the palace.
However, before the three nannies could even demonstrate their abilities after entering the palace, Consort De was demoted to Consort Chen and lost even her power to manage palace food.
Ji Wushuang was unwilling to be the one to kick someone when they're down. She felt that Consort Chen had always loved to wield power, and now that she could only cower in Yichun Palace, it must have been more painful for her than killing her. So when the three matrons asked her how to punish Consort Chen, she only said to reduce her expenses, cut back on her food, and torment her.
However, there is still the Second Prince in Yichun Palace, and Ji Wushuang herself has children. She would not do anything to deprive or abuse her children, so her so-called punishment of Consort Chen is practically meaningless.
Seeing that the three nannies had no place to use their skills, Ji Wushuang suddenly had the task of managing the palace's food and drink, a task she neither liked nor was good at. After Suzhi reminded her, she completely handed over this task to the three nannies, and she herself just did nothing.
The three nannies carefully trained by the Ji family have become more experienced, reliable, and meticulous in their work after being tempered by time, never causing Ji Wushuang any worry.
Even their interrogation skills were no less than those of the prison guards of the Three Departments!
Under the torture of the three matrons, the purchasing manager and several other responsible persons did not hold out for long before they all relented and confessed everything.
The three old women handed over the collected confessions to Ji Wushuang. The confessions also included the signatures, fingerprints, and red handprints of those people.
From the moment the three matrons announced their intention to investigate the matter to the submission of their statements, it only took about half a day.
They even had this confession verified by people outside the palace, and everyone involved in the matter has been taken into custody.
"How come you're so fast? You didn't resort to torture, did you? Torture is not allowed in the palace!" Ji Wushuang asked suspiciously as she read the confession.
“Miss, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. There are no secrets in the palace. Although His Highness the Crown Prince said he would entrust this matter to you, His Majesty must already know about it. The sooner you find out the truth and give His Majesty an explanation, the better!”
"As for those who collude with people outside the palace and embezzle money, Miss, rest assured, we will not take lives lightly!"
After all, the embezzled silver still had to be extracted from them to make up for the deficit in the emperor's private treasury.
All expenses of the imperial harem were covered by the emperor's private treasury. No matter how this matter was resolved, the deficit in funds had to be made up; the only question was how much could be made up.
"This was indeed orchestrated by Chen Wanrou. She probably won't even be able to keep her concubine status now! I'm going to see His Majesty right now!" Ji Wushuang looked at the confession and became more and more excited. She immediately went to find the emperor.
"Miss, have you thought about how to explain this to His Majesty?" Granny Zhang stopped her and asked.
"Do I need to explain anything else? Isn't it all clearly written in this confession?" Ji Wushuang asked doubtfully.
“But Consort Chen was stripped of her power to manage palace food four years ago. Now, you are in charge of palace food!” Zhang Mama reminded her.
"Of course I know I have a responsibility, and I won't shirk it!" Ji Wushuang said nonchalantly.
It would be best if His Majesty could realize from this incident that she is not suitable to manage the palace affairs, take back this power, and let someone else manage it.
“You have a responsibility, but you shouldn’t bear the responsibility! It was Consort Chen who colluded with the Purchasing Department to deceive the superiors and subordinates. You are also a victim of her deception!” Zhang Mama said meaningfully.
"Don't worry, Granny, I understand." Ji Wushuang smiled at Granny Zhang.
Granny Zhang: ......
The other two nannies: ......
How could I possibly feel at ease with my young mistress's naive and innocent nature?
All they could do was give Suzhi a look, hoping that she would be quick-witted.
Ji Wushuang excitedly took her confession to the emperor.
The first rule of the Ji family ancestral precepts: Do not participate in dynastic changes, do not interfere with imperial power, and women of the Ji family are not allowed to enter the harem.
Ji Wushuang violated the ancestral precepts and was expelled from the Ji family.
However, even though she was an exiled woman from the Ji family, the emperor still had to treat her with the honor of being a Noble Consort.
This incident also allowed the emperor to witness the speed and methods of the Ji family.
In less than a day, everything was thoroughly investigated. The cooperation between those inside and outside the palace was seamless; what did they take the imperial palace for?
The emperor was furious when Zhang Shunde came tremblingly to report that the Imperial Concubine was requesting an audience.
"Your Majesty, I have been spoiled by my family since childhood. I am ignorant and incompetent, and I have failed Your Majesty's trust. I am really not capable of managing the palace's food. There are many capable people in the harem. I beg Your Majesty to find someone else!" Ji Wushuang said with utmost sincerity after Su Zhi presented her confession.
This was the first time she had ever been so humble in front of the emperor.
“Your Majesty, aren’t we here to plead guilty for embezzlement?” Suzhi stood beside her and asked softly.
What is Your Majesty doing?
At this critical juncture, instead of admitting mistakes and reflecting on them first, they immediately say they lack ability and don't want to continue?
His Majesty wouldn't think that his lady was trying to shirk responsibility, which is why she said that, would he?
That's exactly what the emperor thought.
He was already unhappy, and when he saw Ji Wushuang trying to shirk responsibility with just a few words, he tightened his grip on the confessions, almost tearing them apart.
"Why be modest, my beloved consort? In just one day, you have investigated this matter thoroughly, which demonstrates your capabilities. You are the only one qualified to take charge of the palace's food supply!" he said with a smile, though his expression was somewhat sinister.
Something that could be investigated in just one day, yet went completely unnoticed for four years before—who would believe that?
Ji Wushuang and the Ji family must have known about this for a long time, but they just didn't say it out loud, deliberately wanting to see the royal family make a fool of themselves.
It's really ridiculous. He keeps perfect accounts, with one tael of gold for a bushel of rice and two taels of silver for an egg, but everyone thinks he's a fool!
That woman Chen Wanrou is quite cunning; she colluded with people from the Inner Palace and almost emptied his private treasury!
Reminded by Su Zhi, Ji Wushuang realized that she should indeed apologize first and then bring up other matters after resolving this issue.
“Although it was Consort Chen who colluded with the Imperial Household Department and the Purchasing Department, I failed to notice the problem in time, and I am also guilty of dereliction of duty. Please punish me, Your Majesty!” Ji Wushuang said hurriedly.
"As the Imperial Concubine said, the culprits in this matter should be the Imperial Household Department, the Purchasing Department, and Consort Chen. What crime has the Imperial Concubine committed? As long as those who embezzled are punished and their embezzled funds are 'replenished,' this matter will be over," the Emperor said with a smile.
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