Liu Zhao returned to the palace from the princess's mansion to report.
"Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my mission. Your Majesty has received twenty strokes of the cane."
Prince Ning laughed loudly, "Very good!"
Princess Huyang's heart trembled, "How about the prince consort?"
Liu Zhao glanced at Princess Huyang expressionlessly and said in a cold voice, "Not dead!"
Princess Huyang felt pain in her heart, as if someone was holding a knife and cutting her heart again and again.
She looked miserable, "My brother, you have such a cruel heart! Liu Zhao, the prince consort is your uncle, can't you be a little gentler?"
Liu Zhao said in a resounding voice: "No!"
If Princess Huyang hadn't caused such a scene today, Liu Zhao might have been more lenient with her.
However, Princess Huyang, relying on her status as an elder, treated Liu Zhao harshly and even put the blame for her lack of money on him. He was a vindictive man and would not show mercy.
After twenty strokes of the cane, he didn't kill the prince consort, which was a gesture of mercy out of consideration for their relationship. Otherwise, he would have definitely killed the prince consort with one blow.
Princess Huyang had a miserable expression on her face, "Brother, I am so miserable."
Prince Ning was indifferent. "Alright, stop crying. Save your tears for when you get home and cry in front of your husband, so he'll feel sorry for you."
Pei almost laughed out loud.
Princess Huyang was choked and opened her mouth several times but couldn't say a word.
Prince Ning then said to Mrs. Pei, "Ask the accountant to send over six thousand taels."
Pei's face fell, and she was unhappy. "It's New Year's Day, and the mansion needs money everywhere..."
The rest of his words were interrupted by Prince Ning's cold eyes.
Pei was embarrassed, and she thought of a plan. She told Nanny Qin beside her, "Go, tell the eldest lady to prepare 6,000 taels and send them over."
Liu Zhao narrowed his eyes and stared at Pei. What did he mean by asking Gu Jiu to take the money?
Pei said calmly, "The eldest daughter-in-law should exercise more."
Prince Ning nodded and told Nanny Qin to go quickly.
Liu Zhao remained calm and prepared to take a look first.
Gu Jiu really didn't expect that Princess Huyang would be the one to extort money from her.
She looked at Nanny Qin who had delivered the message, "Did the Princess really ask me to prepare six thousand taels to send to Aunt Huyang?"
Nanny Qin nodded: "That's right. Madam, please hurry up, Princess Huyang is waiting."
Gu Jiu smiled, "Okay, Ma'am, come with me to the accounting office."
Nanny Qin waved her hands repeatedly, "I still have to go back and report, so I won't follow the Madam to the accounting office."
After saying that, Nanny Qin wanted to leave.
Wang Yi stepped forward, blocking Nanny Qin's way.
Two eunuchs were guarding the door, also watching with eager eyes.
Gu Jiu smiled at Nanny Qin and said, "That won't do. Nanny, you'd better come with me. The princess hasn't given you the right card, so you're the ready-made one. I'm sure the accountant will be very happy to give you the money when he sees you."
Gu Jiu pulled Nanny Qin out of the upper room.
Nanny Qin cried out, "My heart aches. I can't hold on any longer. Please spare my life, Madam."
Gu Jiu turned around and looked at Nanny Qin with a half-smile, "You're not feeling well, are you?"
Nanny Qin nodded repeatedly while crying out in pain.
Gu Jiu winked at the two eunuchs and said, "You two carry Nanny Qin and follow me to the accounting office."
"Yes, sir!"
Two eunuchs named Rong Xin and Bai Zhong lifted Nanny Qin with nimble hands and feet.
Nanny Qin screamed.
Rong Xin smiled and said, "Don't be alarmed, Ma'am. We are used to doing this kind of work. We guarantee that we won't hurt you."
Gu Jiu smiled and continued walking towards the accounting office.
Along the way, servants stopped and looked at this amazing scene.
It was ridiculous that Nanny Qin, the most useful lady to the princess, was actually carried by the eunuchs and followed behind the lady.
Listen to Nanny Qin's screams, it sounds like a pig being slaughtered.
"Hush, don't talk nonsense. Be careful not to make Madam Qin hold a grudge against you, and you'll be in big trouble."
In this way, Gu Jiu brought Nanny Qin through the streets and came to the accounting office.
Two eunuchs put Nanny Qin down.
Gu Jiu said to the account clerk, "The princess ordered me to go to the account office and withdraw six thousand taels for Princess Huyang. Nanny Qin can testify to this."
The accountant was stunned for a moment, "Well, does the Madam have a matching card?"
Gu Jiu said, "It is precisely because there is no matching card that I ask Nanny Qin to be my witness."
The accountant said, "In that case, please have Madam and Nanny Qin sign the account respectively. After that, I will hand the account book over to the Lord of the Household, and the Lord of the Household will check the account with the Princess."
Gu Jiu nodded, "That's great. Nanny Qin, please sign first."
Nanny Qin was still panting, "Slave girl, I don't have the seal."
It’s not difficult to not have a seal. Gu Ji took her hand, dipped it in ink, pressed it hard, and left a clear thumbprint on the receipt.
The flesh on Nanny Qin's cheeks trembled continuously, "Madam, you..."
Gu Jiu smiled, his white teeth showing as if he wanted to eat someone.
She said to Nanny Qin, "Nanny, this is the rule. You are an elder by the Princess' side, so there is no way you don't know it."
Nanny Qin trembled, "This, this money..."
"Don't worry, this money is for Princess Huyang, and it will be clearly stated on the receipt."
After saying that, Gu Jiu took out the seal and signed.
With Gu Jiu's signature and Nanny Qin's handprint, the accountant ordered someone to open the warehouse and withdraw six thousand taels.
The purpose column on the document also stated that the money was for Princess Huyang.
Qingmei accepted the six thousand taels of silver notes for Gu Jiu. After counting the amount and finding no problem, she put it in an envelope and went to Bixi Pavilion with Gu Jiu.
In the Bixi Pavilion, Princess Huyang, who was originally crying, immediately smiled happily when she saw the banknotes.
She counted the money and found it was six thousand taels, no more, no less. She happily said to Prince Ning, "Thank you, my brother. You have solved my great problem. Tomorrow I will bring my children to wish you a happy new year."
Prince Ning said nonchalantly, "Don't come to me for money again. It's better than anything else."
Princess Huyang smiled and said, "I have always been thinking about you, my brother. I will come to visit you as soon as I have time."
Pei cursed in her heart: Bitch.
Prince Ning said, "No thanks! If you come less often, I can live a few more years."
Princess Huyang didn't care at all about Prince Ning's ridicule.
Similar situations have happened countless times in the past and we have become accustomed to them.
Princess Huyang took the money, but she was so worried about her husband that she stood up, said goodbye, and hurried back without even eating.
Prince Ning still wanted to hug the beauty and drink with her, but he couldn't feel comfortable with his wife, children and daughter-in-law present.
So he said impatiently: "Everyone, please leave. I am tired."
Pei knew from Nanny Qin's expression that things were not done well.
She stood up first, "Your Highness, please take care of yourself."
Prince Ning muttered, "What a noise."
Pei snorted, "Zhao'er, Dalang's wife, please leave with me."
Gu Jiu followed Liu Zhao and left Bixi Pavilion with Princess Pei.
After leaving the courtyard, the princess turned back and stared at Gu Jiu, "Did you withdraw the money from the accounting office?"
Gu Jiu nodded with a smile, "Exactly!"
The princess said, "Efficient work, not bad."
The princess left with her people.
Liu Zhao raised his hand and tucked the loose hair around Gu Jiu's ear behind her ear.
Gu Ji turned his head and tried to dodge, but it was obviously impossible.
Liu Zhao asked her, "Is there a problem?"
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "No problem."
Princess Pei wanted her to take the blame, but she saw through it immediately and naturally would not fall into the trap.
In fact, Pei’s plan was very simple.
She asked Gu Jiu to bring the money over, but did not give him the matching cards, because she wanted Gu Jiu to bear the six thousand taels alone.
If someone was not on guard, they might have found out that they didn't have the right cards when they got to the accounting office after Nanny Qin left. They couldn't get the money without any evidence.
The princess was in a hurry, and since it was her first time, the new bride wanted to save face and complete the formalities afterwards. She would probably use her private money to make up the six thousand taels first.
Afterwards, Princess Pei could ask her to complete the formalities. She could easily delay. A month, half a year, a year of delay would make the six thousand taels a dead account.
As a daughter-in-law, I don’t have the nerve to ask my mother-in-law for money again and again.
In the end, he could only blame himself for his bad luck and lost six thousand taels in vain.
Gu Jiu was prepared. When Nanny Qin was about to leave, she immediately sent someone to stop her.
Only with Nanny Qin's thumbprint could Gu Jiu successfully get the money from the accounting office.
When Liu Zhao saw Gu Jiu smiling proudly, he knew that there was really no problem.
He said, "I will have dinner at the mansion tonight."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I'll ask the kitchen to prepare a banquet, and we can have a drink tonight."
“Very good!”
Liu Zhao was extremely excited and only regretted that the night fell so slowly.
Can the night come sooner?
Princess Pei returned to Chunhe Hall and called Nanny Qin to her side.
"It didn't work out?"
When Pei learned that the six thousand taels were withdrawn from the accounting office, she knew that her little plan had failed.
But she still wanted to ask in person.
Nanny Qin bowed and said, "I am incompetent and have not done the job well."
Pei snorted, "Someone said you were carried to the accounting office. Is this true?"
Nanny Qin said aggrievedly, "This is absolutely true. I wanted to leave, but the Madam stopped me. I used the excuse of feeling unwell, but the Madam actually ordered someone to carry me and insisted that I go with her to the accounting office."
Pei looked at Nanny Qin with disdain. She was so useless that she couldn't even handle the smallest thing.
"Your Majesty, the eldest lady is too unrefined in her actions. She uses such despicable means in public. She deserves severe punishment." Nanny Qin complained.
Pei gave her a sidelong glance. "Severe punishment? She was ordered to go to the accounting office to get the money. What's wrong with that? Do you want this princess to make a fuss and find fault with everything?"
"I dare not." Nanny Qin immediately backed down.
Pei said with a stern face, "Be more considerate next time. This princess won't be so passive."
Nanny Qin nodded repeatedly.
The maid came to report that the young master wanted to see her.
Pei immediately laughed, "Yi'er is here, let him in."
As soon as Liu Yi entered the room, he asked with concern, "Has mother been wronged?"
Pei smiled and said, "Your aunt Huyang is a person who is greedy for money. With money, everything will be easy."
Liu Yi was a little dissatisfied, "How much money did Aunt Huyang ask for this time?"
"Don't worry, she was only given six thousand taels. Your father also ordered his son-in-law to be beaten with twenty lashes."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yi laughed out loud, "Finally, I've helped my mother vent her anger."
Pei's face was filled with satisfaction. "After all these years, what your father did today is the most pleasing to me."
Liu Yi hesitated for a moment, "Mother, Qin'er has realized her mistake. Can you forgive her?"
Pei glanced at her youngest son and asked, "Did your wife ask you to come?"
Liu Yi shook his head, "Not really. My son and Qin'er just wanted to share mother's worries."
Pei sneered, "Tell Xiao Qin'er that she won't cause trouble for this princess. That will be her greatest achievement."
Liu Yi was embarrassed, but he continued, "Mother, please forgive her for the sake of your son and this is her first offense.
Did the mother really want to let the eldest and second sisters-in-law take the spotlight and embarrass Qin'er? If she was embarrassed, her son would be embarrassed too.
By then, people will say that my son is not as good as my eldest brother, and even Qin'er is not as good as my eldest sister-in-law. Qin'er and I are outshined by my eldest brother and sister-in-law. How can my son hold his head high in the future?
Pei was displeased when she heard this. "Don't be so self-deprecating. You're no worse than your elder brother. People are often blinded by a single leaf. Why should you take other people's opinions to heart? As for Xiao Qin'er, she actually dared to conceal the debt. This time, she must be punished. Go back and tell her that we can discuss the housekeeper's matter after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month."
Having said that, Liu Yi knew very well that there was no room for maneuver and that he had to wait until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
He lowered his head and replied, "Son, I listen to my mother."
Pei encouraged him again, "Do your job well and help your father relieve his worries."
"Son understands."
…
East Courtyard.
The banquet was served, and Liu Zhao pulled Gu Jiu to drink.
His desire was written all over his face. He wanted to get Gu Jiu drunk and see what she looked like when she was drunk.
Gu Jiu smiled sweetly, how could she let Liu Zhao get his wish?
"I can't hold my liquor well, please drink more, my husband."
Liu Zhao approached her and whispered in her ear, "You look so pretty when you blush."
Gu Jiu lowered her head and smiled, "My husband has an amazing alcohol tolerance, why bother to embarrass me."
"It's no fun to drink alone."
"So my husband wants someone to drink with him. Why didn't you tell me earlier? How about I call the second and third young masters?"
"What are you asking them to do? It's boring. Xiaojiu, have another drink with me."
Liu Zhao acted like a rogue and dragged Gu Jiu out to drink.
Gu Jiu was unable to dodge and was forced to drink a mouthful of wine.
She wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, looking very disgusted, and pushed Liu Zhao away.
"Being drunk and crazy, scoundrel."
Liu Zhao supported his jaw with one hand, the candlelight flickered, and he stared at Gu Jiu with shining eyes.
He had a lazy smile on his face. "I'm just being a scoundrel. What do you want?"
"I should be the one asking you this. What do you want to do?"
"This young master wants to eat you."
Gu Jiu picked up a chicken leg and stuffed it directly into Liu Zhao's mouth. He didn't believe that so much food couldn't fill his mouth.
Liu Zhao took a big bite of the chicken leg. "This chicken leg is very tasty and goes best with wine."
Gu Jiu looked at him and tried to ask, "A few days ago, you left early and came back late every day. Could it be that you were busy with Aunt Huyang's affairs?"
Liu Zhao was surprised, "You know?"
Gu Jiu shook his head. "I don't know. I'm just guessing."
Liu Zhao smiled and said, "My little Jiu is really smart."
It turned out that he was busy with Princess Huyang's affairs.
Gu Jiu asked again, "What exactly is going on? What's keeping you running around all day?"
Liu Zhao leaned close to her and whispered, "I can't tell you. The fewer people who know, the better."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows. Could it be that Princess Huyang had done something extremely treasonous?
She didn't want to continue speculating, so she stopped talking.
After a drunken night, no one was in the room.
Liu Zhao hugged Gu Jiu and tried to do something indecent, but was ruthlessly interrupted by Gu Jiu.
She said with disgust, "You stink so much, you are not allowed to get on my bed. If you want to get on my bed, go wash yourself first."
Liu Zhao leaned on her and said, "Wash for me."
Gu Jiu snorted, "This lady doesn't know how to serve others. I'll ask the maid to come in and serve you."
"No need for a maid. I am not a lazy person and I can wash myself."
Ever since marrying Gu Jiu, Liu Zhao refused to have servants help him wash and dress.
He said to Gu Jiu solemnly: "Wait for me!"
After saying that, he went to the Wenshuyuan bathroom to wash up.
Gu Jiu ordered people to clear the table and prepare hot water.
After a tiring day, she also needs to take a good wash.
Steam was rising from the hot water in the bathtub, and she stepped into it, feeling relaxed all over.
While soaking in the bathtub, Gu Jiu accidentally fell asleep.
When I felt the world spinning, I opened my eyes and found that I was being held up by Liu Zhao.
Their eyes met, and Liu Zhao's face turned cold. "Are you trying to drown yourself?"
Gu Jiu yawned, "I'm so tired. I didn't expect to fall asleep so quickly."
Liu Zhao snorted and threw Gu Jiu directly onto the bed.
Although he seems to be losing, he is actually very sensible.
Gu Jiu was "thrown" onto the bed. He rolled twice and silently rolled to the innermost part. He crawled into the quilt, closed his eyes and prepared to sleep.
Liu Zhao followed her onto the bed, embraced her with his big hands, and held her in his arms.
Gu Jiu was feeling insecure and guilty at the moment.
She said weakly, "I'm very tired today."
"This young master knows."
Liu Zhao's eyes didn't look like he knew. He wanted to eat her, but he didn't hide it at all.
Gu Jiu secretly bared his teeth, "Another day?"
Liu Zhao shook his head firmly and slowly.
Since the wedding, he has been going out early and coming back late for the past few days.
This is the second time today, you can see how hungry he is.
If you want to do it another day, just dream on.
Gu Jiu wanted to cry but had no tears.
Can you please hurry up?
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