Chapter 21 Making Trouble
Soon, Pei Xiang's troops surrounded the place.
Seeing his beloved daughter in such a miserable state in the crowd, Pei Hancai's eyes were bloodshot and his hair stood on end.
But he still managed to keep his composure and ordered his men to arrest the person who led the riot. He didn't even ask any questions and just ordered them to be executed on the spot.
"Kacha!" Two knife strikes, and the bloody head rolled down. Everyone was immediately shocked into silence, not daring to say a word...
"Where are the household officials and the county magistrate who are in charge of the relief here?" Prime Minister Pei's gaze swept over the terrified people one by one, and then he directly held the officials accountable.
Two chubby figures crawled over and knelt at Pei Hancai's feet, covered in dust.
"Is this how you two do your job?" Pei Hancai was obviously extremely angry and wanted to take his anger out on the two of them.
"Since ancient times, refugees have caused trouble either because they are greedy... or because they can no longer make a living and have no choice but to risk their lives to make a living!" As he spoke, his eyes were so bright that it seemed as if he could see through the two men's bones.
"Let me ask you two, where did you both use the disaster relief money and food?!" He spoke faster and faster, his tone became more excited, and his voice suddenly rose.
The two officials were shaking like sieves, with beads of sweat the size of beans dripping from their foreheads to the ground.
“This is…” “That is…” “Silver for disaster relief… Your humble servant…” “The grain has… all…”
The two of them chattered incoherently for a long time, but in fact they didn't dare to say a word they should say.
When they were interrogated in front of the people, there were some things they didn't dare to say!
Seeing that the two of them were hesitant and unwilling to speak for a long time, what else did Pei Hancai not understand?
The county magistrate is fine, but how could he not know what's going on with the people above him in the household department?
Seeing his precious daughter leave, Pei Hancai said, "I will personally be watching here today. Open the granary and release the grain immediately!"
"This matter won't be resolved so easily. I must report everything to the Emperor and give the people an explanation!!!"
After he said this, the two people on the ground completely collapsed, thinking about their fate... It's over, they are really finished now!
The money clearly didn't go into their pockets! Why did they have to be made scapegoats in the end?
Pei Wanqing couldn't help but lose her temper when she returned to the carriage.
She is the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Pei, the niece of the current imperial concubine, the future consort of the ninth prince, and even the future empress who will rule the country!
When she thought about how she had condescended to work so hard for so many days to feed porridge to these dirty and smelly beggars, only to be repaid with such ingratitude from them, she wished she could kill all these untouchables!
The maid who served her handed her a handkerchief and motioned her to wipe the dust and tears from her face.
Pei Wanqing snatched it away and wiped it for herself, then reached out and pinched her arm, "Are you gloating over this misfortune?"
The maid bit her lip tightly, not daring to make a sound, but only sobbing and shaking her head...
Pei Wanqing had vented her anger enough and only then began to feel scared.
This matter must not be spread out! If others knew about it, her reputation as a talented woman would definitely be affected!
Thinking of this, Pei Wanqing felt a little annoyed again.
These officials are so useless and so bold that they even dare to withhold food for disaster relief!
How many refugees died in this drought... She didn't pay much attention to these things in her previous life, but these officials are damnable!
When she returns today, she will definitely tell her father to give them a good lecture and arrest them one by one and throw them into the dungeon!
"Go and ask those refugees who are looking for my jewelry. Just tell them that I am from Wen Shu'an..." Pei Wanqing pushed the maid beside her and asked her to go back and spread rumors.
As long as we frame Pu Qiongzhi for this matter, there is no need to worry about her being implicated!
Anyway, it was she who donated the silver in the first place. Now that something has happened to the porridge stall for disaster relief, she can’t expect to end up well!
Why should all the benefits belong to her? She has to endure the stench from these people, and now she is being robbed of her jewelry!
Isn't Pu Qiongzhi always capable of doing anything? She should also experience the feeling of climbing high and falling hard!
…
Pu Qiongzhi had just heard the eldest princess talk about this matter.
Gongsun Ying was so angry that he almost rushed to the outskirts of the capital. "You don't understand, these bastards, they even stole a small amount of food from the people, what a bunch of bastards! If the late emperor were still alive, he would ride over and tie them up and roast them!"
"I just don't know where all this money went?" Pu Qiongzhi put down the teacup in her hand.
What she was most worried about was the money, which she couldn't afford to lose!
Gongsun Ying gnashed his teeth, "Who knows where these bastards hid the silver? They're now being held in custody in Kaifeng Prefecture awaiting trial!"
"If they can't pay back this money, the livelihoods of these people will be in jeopardy..."
As she spoke, her eyes kept glancing at Pu Qiongzhi.
"..." Even a blind person could see that Princess Duan Hui came here to ask her to pay.
Gongsun Ying also knew that doing so was really not right, but she really had no choice.
Over the years, most of her money has been used to appease her old subordinates, disabled veterans and their families... She is so poor!
Pu Qiongzhi sighed slightly, "Your Highness, these 800,000 taels are my entire dowry."
"To be honest, I haven't even received the keys to the Earl's Palace yet. Even my own recent expenses have been paid directly from the shop."
"You know, the shop always needs some loose change to make ends meet..."
"Alas, I know this is difficult for you. Even if you have money, I can't always give you the money! After all, this is also a matter for the court to deal with. It's just that we are really at a loss right now. We have no other options!" Gongsun Ying felt a headache. "I heard that Prime Minister Pei personally went there and beheaded two troublemakers on the spot to quell the riot."
Pu Qiongzhi raised her eyebrows slightly. "I remember Madam Lin said before that Prime Minister Pei's daughter often distributed porridge outside the capital."
"Hiss, you said Pei Wanqing encountered this?" Gongsun Ying's face showed a look of dismay. "With her personality, she must be scared to death and run away."
Pu Qiongzhi lightly changed the subject, "I just don't know who will be responsible for this matter in the end..."
"Tsk, let's get down to business. When are you going to close the restaurant? You've been attending birthday parties day after day, selling clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics like crazy, and I'm eagerly waiting! Ever since you mentioned it last time, I've told everyone to temporarily suspend business! We can't stand going without any income every day!"
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