Liao Bufan glanced at Yu Qingkui and said calmly, "This young lady is quite well-informed. In addition to the public portion of the auction, including some private auction items, the total amount is indeed over 500,000 taels. But why did I only receive 50,000 taels for the purchase? You should ask Lord Ye, the Minister of Rites, what explanation can I give you?"
Song Luo blushed when he heard this, but he couldn't say anything. He shouted, "Okay! I'll go find Ye Jin right away!"
After saying that, he turned around and left. Seeing this, Zhou Zhilu glanced at Liao Bufan and hurriedly followed him.
Everyone walked all the way to Ye Jin's house, and Song Luo kicked the door open with a bang.
She shouted, "Where's Ye Jin? Come out here! I have something important to discuss with you!"
The butler beside him was so scared that he knelt down, not knowing what to do.
Ye Jin hurriedly walked out of the house. Seeing that it was Song Luo, he quickly saluted and said, "This humble official greets Her Royal Highness the Seventh Princess. I wonder why Her Royal Highness is looking for this humble official..."
"Stop talking nonsense!" Song Luo interrupted. "I'm asking you, what's going on with all those defective medicinal herbs circulating in the city? The auction clearly sold them for 500,000 taels, so why did Liao Bufan only receive 50,000 taels for the purchase? Tell me! Was it embezzled by someone?!"
Ye Jin was so frightened when he heard this that cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He stammered for a long time but couldn't explain what was going on.
Zhou Zhilu frowned upon seeing this and said, "Master Ye, since you are the official in charge of the Saint Doctor Festival, it is impossible for you not to know about such a big thing. Now that the Seventh Princess has learned about this, it is impossible for this matter to just let it go. What else do you want to cover up for those people?
"Or... is your Lord Ye also one of them?"
Song Luo quickly drew out a long sword, pointed at Ye Jin and shouted angrily, "If you, Ye Jin, are also corrupt, I will put an end to you here and now, report to my father, and find another official to be responsible for this matter!"
At this time, the Ye Mansion's housekeeper crawled over and exclaimed, "Your Highness, this is unacceptable. The master has absolutely not embezzled a single cent of the relief funds. If you don't believe me, why not open the master's bedroom and take a look?"
Song Luo hesitated after hearing this, walked to the bedroom door, pushed it open, and was stunned when he saw the scene in front of him.
The room was empty except for a simple bed, and a basin of water was placed on the ground next to the bed.
The housekeeper cried, "Since the master came to Jiangkang Prefecture, he donated all his money and food to the refugees outside the city. He only left a bed in this room and even sold the stand for the washbasin, just to donate an extra ounce of silver. He usually eats simple meals!"
"The master always said that if we can't take care of others, then we should take care of ourselves. So please understand, Your Highness, the master will never embezzle a single cent of the relief funds!"
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