The ledgers were filled with blurry and unclear records of many expenses, and some important expenditures were not even recorded.
In the end, not only was the national treasury completely empty, but there was also a deficit of 10,000 taels of silver.
Su An couldn't help but twitch her lips, and anger continued to spread in her heart.
She wondered how big the deficit could be. The palace rules were strict, and the people in the Imperial Household Department certainly wouldn't dare to act too blatantly. She originally thought it would be at most a few thousand taels of silver, but she didn't expect the deficit to be as high as ten thousand taels!
Good, good, this damn emperor has left her with such a huge mess.
Su An took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, glanced sideways at Steward Yang, and said coldly:
"A full ten thousand taels of silver! As the head of the Imperial Household Department, you were so careless and lazy in managing the accounts, causing such a huge deficit in the national treasury. What should your punishment be?"
Upon hearing this, Steward Yang didn't take it seriously, stiffened his neck, and gave a light snort.
"The Imperial Household Department is in charge of all kinds of affairs in the palace. The affairs are complicated and it is inevitable that there will be some oversights. Why is the lady making such a fuss? As for the deficit, there have been more or less in every dynasty. It's really nothing to be surprised about."
Then, as if afraid that Su An would seize on his mistakes, he narrowed his eyes, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and gave a smug threat in his eyes.
"Lady, you may not know this, but I am now working for the Empress Dowager. Even the Empress Dowager praises my abilities. Are you trying to embarrass the Empress Dowager by saying this?"
He thinks he can use the Empress Dowager to suppress her? Dream on.
Su An sneered, his gaze sharp as a knife as he stared directly at Steward Yang.
"The Empress Dowager's judgment is undoubtedly correct, but people can change. Perhaps you were indeed exceptionally capable back then, which is why the Empress Dowager valued you. But now you have neglected your duties, leading to a deficit in the national treasury, which is your dereliction of duty."
"If the Empress Dowager knew that you were neglecting your duties so much, she probably wouldn't protect you!"
These words caused Steward Yang's expression to change drastically.
He raised his hand, pointed at Su An, his lips trembling, and said angrily.
"you……"
Before he could speak, Su An slammed his hand on the table and shouted towards the door, "Guards! Steward Yang has neglected his duties, resulting in the disappearance of several sums of money and a deficit in the national treasury. Take him to the Dali Temple to await trial!"
The Imperial Household Department has always been managed by Chief Steward Yang.
When the female official suddenly arrived, all the officials, big and small, of the Imperial Household Department forgot about their work and gathered outside the door to eavesdrop on the conversation inside, all with the intention of watching the excitement.
Seeing that she was about to condemn Steward Yang with just a few words, everyone outside the door was shocked.
It seems this female official is no pushover!
Su An waited for a long time, but there was no movement outside the door.
Manager Yang raised his chin smugly, gave her a cold snort, and warned her.
"I address you as Lady-in-waiting, and you actually take it for granted? I've been in the Imperial Household Department for at least ten years, and everyone here only recognizes me. I'd like to offer you some friendly advice: don't be too rigid in your actions; be more flexible."
"What arrogance! I'll see who's so presumptuous!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Fu Zhun, dressed in a dark brocade robe, stepped into the main hall with a cold expression.
Behind him followed a group of sword guards, each with a solemn expression, gripping their sword hilts, exuding an imposing aura.
Town, the King of Zhenbei...
How did he end up here?
Steward Yang's face changed drastically, his legs went weak, and he almost knelt down.
Fu Zhun glanced coldly at Steward Yang and said in a deep voice, "The law of the land is inviolable. How dare you disregard it? Take the person away!"
The guards quickly stepped forward and helped Steward Yang up.
Steward Yang's face turned ashen. He struggled to try to explain, but Fu Zhun waved his hand, and the sword guards dragged him out of the main hall without any mercy.
Indeed, if you want others to submit, you still have to rely on strength!
Watching Steward Yang's departing figure, Su An clicked his tongue in amazement and got up to greet him.
"Fu Zhun, what brings you here?"
"Today is your first time visiting the Imperial Household Department, and I was naturally worried about you, so I came to check on you. Besides, the Imperial Household Department is a mixed bag, and you are all alone here. I was afraid you would get tired, so I found you a few good helpers and brought them here for you to see."
Fu Zhun smiled calmly, his gaze softening slightly.
As he spoke, he raised his hand and patted it gently.
As the applause subsided, several accountants carrying abacuses filed in.
"They are among the best accountants in the capital. Just do whatever you need to do and don't be polite to them."
Su An's gaze swept over them one by one.
They all had shrewd faces and sharp eyes; they were clearly experienced and skilled.
She counted them carefully; there were ten in total.
Over the years, the Imperial Household Department has only kept five account books, which is somewhat unusual. Many accounts need to be reviewed again, which will indeed require a lot of manpower.
Fu Zhun not only stood up for her in a timely manner, but also found so many helpers for her. He was really thoughtful.
Su An was deeply moved, her watery eyes filled with gratitude. She raised her hand, patted Fu Zhun's shoulder, and thanked him.
"You're so good to me. I'm grateful without saying thank you. I'll treat you to dinner after this is all done!"
Fu Zhun chuckled softly, a hint of doting affection in his eyes.
He raised his hand and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, then pursed his lips and replied, "Okay."
The officials who had been eavesdropping outside the door scattered the moment Fu Zhun appeared.
As everyone knows, the Prince of Zhenbei is indifferent to worldly affairs and cold-blooded.
But now, he actually went to the Imperial Household Department in person for the sake of a female official, and even stood up for her, ordering someone to send Chief Eunuch Yang to the Dali Temple, which shows how much he valued this female official.
The officials couldn't help but lament that things were about to change for the Imperial Household Department, and they became increasingly cautious in their actions.
They were terrified that they might do something wrong and end up like Steward Yang.
The commotion caused by the Imperial Household Department was quite significant and quickly reached the palace.
Upon hearing the news, the Empress Dowager hurriedly sent her personal maid to deliver the message.
The old woman bowed slightly to Su An and conveyed the Empress Dowager's words in the same tone: "Miss Su, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has instructed that if the Imperial Household Department has any investigations to conduct, our Cining Palace will fully cooperate without any objection."
"Alright, then please thank her for me, Granny."
Su An responded with a smile.
But the moment the old woman disappeared, the smile on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a solemn expression.
She frowned and sighed uneasily.
The Empress Dowager's actions were so swift that she couldn't help but become suspicious.
If Chief Steward Yang is indeed the Empress Dowager's man, then this matter may also be related to the Empress Dowager.
Was her sending the nanny to deliver a message a warning or a test?
Su An couldn't figure it out for a moment, feeling utterly confused.
I thought that as long as I found out the missing accounts and found a way to fill the gaps in the accounts, that would be enough. I never expected that it would involve such a wide range of issues. This job is not simple!
Thinking of this, she irritably rubbed her hair and let out a soft sigh.
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