"Did Mother misunderstand? Or did someone spread rumors behind Mother's back, slandering her daughter-in-law?"
Gu Jiu's eyes swept across everyone's face one by one, as if he wanted to determine who had slandered the princess.
Many people subconsciously avoided her gaze.
Some people didn't care and responded to her gaze openly.
Bang!
Pei slammed the table, pointed at Gu Jiu, and angrily said, "Don't drag someone into this. You moved the items from Bixi Pavilion, that's a fact. So many people saw it, and you're still trying to deny it?"
Gu Jiu shook his head and said, "My daughter-in-law didn't want to deny it. She did ask someone to move the items from Bixi Pavilion, but she did so because she was following orders.
Without her father's permission, the daughter-in-law would never dare to touch anything in the Bixi Pavilion.
Mother thought carefully, there are so many guards, eunuchs, and strong servants in Bixi Pavilion.
With so many people watching, even if the daughter-in-law had a hundred guts, she wouldn't dare to move the items from the Bixi Pavilion in a high-profile manner without the father's permission.
Those guards are not incompetent. They can knock my daughter-in-law down with one move. If my mother doesn't believe me, you can send someone to Bixi Pavilion to ask my father. You will know that what my daughter-in-law said is true.
Pei frowned, this statement made some sense.
The guards of Bixi Pavilion are not just for show. How could they just watch Gu Jiu move things away and remain indifferent?
Xiao Qin'er jumped out and said, "Sister-in-law is very eloquent. Who knows if she used some trick to trick father into agreeing to let you move the items from Bixi Pavilion?"
Gu Jiu turned around, stared at Xiao Qin'er, and asked, "Is Fourth Sister-in-law questioning Father's judgment? Father is young and strong, and his wisdom is unparalleled. What is Fourth Sister-in-law's intention to slander Father for being old and confused and being influenced by me?
How could I possibly influence my father's judgment? Fourth sister-in-law, I never imagined that while you appear respectful and filial, you secretly hope that my father will grow old and become a fool.
"I didn't, don't slander me." Xiao Qin'er was anxious, her eyes red.
"Mother, my sister-in-law has slandered me, twisted my words, and stabbed me in the heart with every word. With her sharp tongue, she can make even the dead seem alive. She even dares to accuse me of ill intentions. It's clear she's turning the tables. Please, Mother, help me."
Xiao Qin'er knelt in front of Pei, crying and looking like she had suffered a great injustice.
Pei narrowed her eyes and looked around. "Someone, go to Bixi Pavilion and ask the prince whether the eldest lady had his consent to move the items from Bixi Pavilion."
The servant took the order and left.
Pei continued, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly and will never wrongly accuse anyone. But, Dalang's wife, you are truly good at spreading rumors. I almost believed you."
Gu Jiu said calmly, "My daughter-in-law dares not gossip. If you really want to investigate, please ask your mother to ask your fourth brother's wife what her real intentions are. Does your fourth brother's wife think that since my young master is imprisoned, he can take his place?"
Xiao Qin'er knelt on the ground, while Gu Jiu remained standing.
The two men, one tall and one short, seemed to be a step behind Gu Jiu in terms of momentum.
So she jumped up from the ground, pointed at Gu Jiu, and said angrily: "I have never thought about it this way. Sister-in-law, please don't make random guesses and wrongly accuse a good person."
Gu Jiu looked at her with a half-smile, "This is exactly what I wanted to say to my fourth sister-in-law. Please be kind and don't make false accusations."
"Mother!" Xiao Qin'er started crying again.
She sobbed and looked very pitiful.
Pei remained indifferent.
She has seen too many people cry in her life.
There were so many women coming and going in the palace, but few had not cried in front of her.
It's wishful thinking to expect that crying can soften her heart.
Xiao Qin'er cried for a long time, but Princess Pei did not respond.
She was embarrassed at that time.
She covered her face, lowered her head, and her eyes moved wildly. Should she continue crying or take this opportunity to stop crying?
It’s so hard to choose.
Xiao Qin'er gritted her teeth and blamed Gu Jiu for all this.
Gu Jiu is a troublemaker.
The servant who went to Bixi Pavilion to inquire about the news has returned.
"Your Highness, the prince said that the first lady was acting on orders. It just so happened that the prince wanted to change the furnishings in the side hall, so he asked the first lady to take care of it."
Pei frowned, "Did the prince really say that?"
The servant nodded, "This servant dare not deceive your majesty."
"Back off."
"Yes, sir."
Pei looked at Gu Jiu and said, "Since you are following orders, I will not hold you responsible for this matter. But next time, you'd better inform me in advance."
"As ordered by my daughter-in-law."
Then Pei continued, "You are sisters-in-law. This princess hopes that you can live in harmony. Do not make false accusations or stir up trouble. If anyone stirs up trouble and refuses to stay in peace, this princess will naturally not be polite."
Xiao Qin'er shuddered and took the opportunity to stop crying, "I will follow your mother's instructions."
Pei was just about to send everyone away when a servant came to report that Princess Huyang had arrived.
Princess Huyang still lived in the prince's palace and did not return to the princess's mansion.
What she meant was that she didn't want to go back to the Princess's Mansion, fearing that once she did, she would think of the tragic death of Prince Consort Chen.
Since Princess Huyang had arrived, everyone sat still, wanting to see what Princess Huyang was doing.
After a while, Princess Huyang was invited to the hall.
Princess Huyang's eyes were red and swollen, obviously she had just cried.
She looked miserable, "Sister-in-law, I dreamed about my husband. He was so miserable. He must have died with his eyes open."
Pei frowned. Although she disliked Princess Huyang, she couldn't add insult to injury.
She soothed him, "Don't let your mind wander. As the saying goes, you dream at night what you think about during the day. You need to find something to do to distract yourself."
Princess Huyang shook her head repeatedly, "No. My husband told me in a dream that he was in such a miserable state, his body was incomplete, and the King of Hell was going to fry him in oil. Sister-in-law, what do you think I should do?"
Concubine Shen suggested: "Why don't we go to the temple and perform a ritual for Prince Consort Chen."
Princess Huyang looked at Pei eagerly.
Pei frowned, "This is about Prince Consort Chen. You should make the decision on this matter, Huyang."
Princess Huyang said, "I'm planning to go to the temple and perform a ritual for my husband, and give him a few thousand taels of money to help him find a good life in his next life. However, I'm short of money, and my father has fined me three years of my title and salary. I hope my sister-in-law will be generous and give me some money."
Pei was so angry that she fell backwards. It turned out that Princess Huyang came to ask for money.
She said with displeasure, "Don't you know the situation in the mansion? The Ministry of Revenue is clearing up the arrears, and the prince has emptied his family coffers to scrape together a few tens of thousands of taels, which were all taken to the Ministry of Revenue for payment. Now, apart from this month's food expenses, the mansion has no money left."
Princess Huyang said, "But I heard that Brother Wang used the Southwest Silver to replace the official silver. In this way, the palace should still have 40,000 to 50,000 taels of official silver left.
Since you have money, why does sister-in-law have to complain about being poor in front of me? No matter how poor the palace is, can it be as poor as me? Or is it that sister-in-law doesn't want to lend me money?
Pei was furious. "You also said that the Ministry of Revenue was clearing its arrears, but instead of thinking about how to raise the money to pay it back, you were only thinking about adding a few thousand taels of incense money to perform a ritual for Prince Consort Chen. You're quite generous."
"You spend thousands of taels of silver at once, and you don't even think about who this money belongs to? If the news gets to the palace and His Majesty asks you if you have money to pay the incense money or not, how will you answer? Have you ever thought about it?"
Princess Huyang's eyes reddened, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I know what you said, sister-in-law. But the prince consort died so tragically! Can't you be kind? Can you really bear to watch the prince consort die with grievances?"
Pei said angrily, "Don't mention Prince Consort Chen. Prince Consort Chen's downfall is all your fault. Even now, you still refuse to repent. Do you want to destroy the palace?"
Princess Huyang suddenly raised her voice and burst into tears, "Sister-in-law is stabbing me in the heart. Since the incident, I have never left the palace and have been law-abiding every day. But sister-in-law is shouting at me to kill me and blaming me for involving the palace. If that's the case, why don't I go to the palace now to see my mother."
Pei sneered, "If you have the guts, go into the palace. I'm not afraid of you. I'm just afraid that as soon as you enter the palace, His Majesty will get the news and call you in for questioning."
I'd like to know how you will handle His Majesty's questions. Don't end up getting yourself into trouble and being fined three years of your title and salary."
This is also the reason why Huyang did not dare to enter the palace.
She was afraid of being punished by the emperor and afraid of facing the emperor.
The emperor issued an edict sentencing Prince Consort Chen to be beheaded and thrown into the market, which really frightened Huyang.
She really doesn't have the courage to enter the palace now.
But she still knows how to bluff.
She sat up from her chair and said, "Okay, since my sister-in-law wants me dead, I will go to the palace now. If my father really wants to punish me, I won't be able to survive without money. I will just sell the Princess Mansion and use the money to support the three of us, mother and son."
She pretended to walk outside.
Concubine Shen hurriedly advised: "Princess, please don't act on impulse. You should perform the ritual for Prince Consort Chen. This is what you should do.
Just adding several thousand taels of incense money at this critical moment is really too much of an eye-opener. Please think twice, my lady.
It would be better to reduce the incense money a little. The palace is really in trouble now and can't come up with money.
We've all pooled our savings to make some money for you, what do you think?"
Hu Yang cried, “It’s still Sister Shen who cares about me.”
Pei was furious, "Who are you calling sister-in-law?"
Hu Yang deserves to be beaten for calling Concubine Shen his sister-in-law.
Hu Yang wiped his tears and said, "Concubine Shen also has the Jade Butterfly Golden Book, and she also gave birth to children for my brother. Shouldn't she call me sister-in-law?"
"No, please don't call me sister-in-law. Princess, you are too kind to me." Concubine Shen looked terrified, but she was very happy in her heart.
Seeing Pei's face turning blue with anger was really satisfying.
Pei pointed at Princess Huyang and said, "Given your attitude, you still want to take money from me? I'm telling you, no way. Go back to the guest house and stay there honestly. You are not allowed to leave the palace."
Hu Yang snorted, "This is the prince's residence, you have no right to interfere with me. If you don't give me the money, I will go to the prince."
Princess Huyang ran out angrily.
Pei touched her forehead and said, "I'm so angry. I'm so unlucky to have such a sister-in-law. I'm so unlucky."
"Princess, please be more open-minded. You have come this far over the years, why bother with Huyang?" Concubine Shen advised sincerely.
Pei stared at Concubine Shen, "Shut up, my princess. You and Princess Huyang are singing the same tune. Do you really think I can't see it?"
Concubine Shen yelled, "I am wronged! The princess is angry with Huyang, why is she taking her anger out on me?"
Pei's face was filled with impatience. "Get out, all of you, get out!"
She thought that in this life, she would really die at Hu Yang's hands.
Huyang is definitely here to quell her.
No, she couldn't just watch Hu Yang take the palace's money out.
"Come here, keep an eye on Bixi Pavilion for me. Report any disturbance immediately."
The servant took the order and left.
Everyone has left Chunhe Hall by now.
Concubine Luo quietly asked Concubine Shen, "Does the accountant really still have 40,000 to 50,000 taels of silver in deposit?"
"Who knows." Concubine Shen said indifferently.
Concubine Luo muttered quietly, "If it's true that the prince used Southwest silver to replace the official silver, then the palace must have a large amount of money. If so, why does the princess claim to have no money and ask us to cut the expenses?"
Concubine Shen laughed, "They are all excuses."
Concubine Luo thought about it and caught up with Gu Jiu.
"Madam, please stay."
Gu Jiu turned around and said, "Concubine Luo called me to stop, but she has something to tell me."
Concubine Luo said politely, "I don't dare to take your orders. But there is one thing I want to verify."
Gu Jiu understood, but still asked, "What's the matter?"
Concubine Luo asked quietly, "Is it true that the prince used 45,000 taels of southwestern silver to replace the official silver?"
Gu Jiu nodded and agreed.
Concubine Luo said hurriedly, "So Huyang didn't lie. The palace does have a deposit of 45,000 taels of silver."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I don't know about this. Concubine Luo, why don't you ask the prince?"
Concubine Luo shook her head repeatedly. She didn't have the courage to ask Prince Ning.
"Thank you, Madam, for telling me the truth."
After saying that, Concubine Luo caught up with Concubine Shen and left in a hurry.
Nanny Fang whispered to Gu Jiu, "The princess wants to cut the expenses of each courtyard under the pretext that the palace has no money to repay its debts. Now it seems that Concubine Shen and Concubine Luo will definitely not be willing to have their expenses cut."
Gu Jiu said softly, "It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but it's hard to go from extravagance to frugality. After living a life of luxury, no one wants to be cut down on. The princess's move might just stir up a hornet's nest."
Ouyang Fu sighed, her face filled with sorrow. "When Mother cuts down on the expenses of each courtyard, she'll definitely start with the illegitimate sons. Our courtyard will soon be in dire straits."
Gu Jiu looked at her and comforted her, "The princess is just talking, she doesn't really want to cut the expenses, so don't worry too much."
Ouyang Fu shook her head. "Sister-in-law, you don't know. In fact, last year, Mother mentioned cutting expenses, but she just didn't find the opportunity. This time, the Ministry of Revenue is clearing the arrears, and Mother will definitely not miss this opportunity."
oh?
It turned out that Pei had had this idea for a long time, and it was not a sudden idea.
In this case, the Pei family is likely to really cut the expenses of each hospital.
Gu Jiu asked, "Does Second Sister-in-law know where the princess plans to cut expenses?"
If you want to cut costs, you either have to lay off employees or cut salaries, these are usually the two ways.
Speaking of which, the expenses of the palace are really scary, with monthly expenses in the tens of thousands.
The royal palace with nearly a thousand people would cost tens of thousands of taels of silver per month just for the monthly allowance.
Adding in the expenses of food, drink, entertainment, and social interactions, a month would cost at least 30,000 or 40,000 taels, which is simply not enough.
If it happens to be three festivals or two birthdays, it would be even more outrageous. I'm afraid all the 100,000 taels might be spent.
Prince Ning also has people to support, so naturally he cannot be stingy when it comes to spending money.
After calculating all these, it is no wonder that the royal palace had to go to the Ministry of Revenue to ask for money every year, and after a few years, it owed more than 300,000 taels.
It is only natural that Pei wants to cut down on expenses.
The expenses are too high. If they are not restrained, the royal palace will have to spend money beyond its means, just like Princess Huyang, who worries about money every day.
Ouyang Fu said, "They might cut staff, or reduce the servants' monthly wages."
Gu Jiu said, "Just reducing the servants' monthly wages won't save much money in a month. To solve the money problem, we still need to increase our income."
The imperial court system is here, and the area of the royal palace is so large. Such a large palace requires so many people to manage it.
Just the task of sweeping and cleaning, for such a large area, it's not like in the past when we had all kinds of vacuum cleaners and automated tools. Nowadays, it all depends on manpower to sweep and wipe inch by inch. Just imagine the workload, how many people are needed to handle it.
If the servants' monthly wages were suddenly cut, it would be easy to predict that they would be filled with resentment and would start to work passively.
If we can’t cut the monthly salary, then we can only lay off employees.
However, if the staff is cut, for example, there will not be enough people to do the sweeping and cleaning. If the cleaning is not done properly, dust will inevitably accumulate on the floor.
That's not decent enough.
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