Chapter 270 Taking advantage of a loophole
Grandma Ye seemed oblivious to the expressions on Song Zhimin and the other two's faces, and turned to introduce them to other sights.
Which family near the village makes the best rice cakes? Which old lady makes the best tofu? And which family makes the best crab roe sauce?
Around the Mid-Autumn Festival, crabs are sold everywhere in and around Suzhou.
Many scholars and literati from Nanjing come here specifically to eat crabs!
"When the crabs are plump this year, I'll have some sent to the capital. They'll be packed in large wooden buckets with a little water inside; the crabs will stay alive for ten days to half a month," said the old lady of the Ye family with a smile.
Song Zhimian and the other two quickly agreed.
At this moment, Madam Ye also smiled and said a few words.
"It's perfect to send Silang there. His tutor, who gave him his first education, also came to the capital this year. He used to love eating crabs."
Every time crabs are in season, there must be crabs on his table.
He even came up with creative ways to eat crab: stuffed oranges with crab, crab roe tofu, crab roe buns, and crab stewed with rice cakes—he tried them all.
The reason the father and son agreed to work at the Ye family's restaurant was because the crabs from one of their ponds were so good.
However, that father and son were truly talented; in just five years, they produced three scholars and one imperial examination graduate for the Ye family!
Upon hearing this, Song Zhimian, Princess Shou Kang, and Princess Yongxin quickly offered their praise.
"The Ye family's children are intelligent and have such good teachers; they are sure to achieve great things in the future."
The old lady of the Ye family laughed heartily twice.
"We don't want to strive for the highest honors; just being able to recognize a few characters will suffice."
They were already very fortunate to have passed the imperial examination at the county level; at least each of them would be entitled to eighty mu of land exempt from land tax. Although the Ye family looked down on this, it was still a favor from the imperial court, wasn't it?
Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin both chuckled in agreement.
Song Zhimian, however, suddenly realized something...
In addition, a few words spoken by Song Zhijing outside the city before they even entered the city helped Song Zhimian connect some of the previously confusing clues.
She seemed to know where the problem with taxes in Jiangnan lay.
...
I stayed at the Ye family's farm for two days, and the wife of the former educational commissioner from Jiangnan next door even came to visit with her daughters.
The old lady of the Ye family also gave them a warm welcome.
Over the past two days, Song Zhimian and the other two have truly experienced the beauty of Jiangnan.
After returning from the estate, Song Zhimian and the other two continued to live in the residence prepared by the Suzhou Prefectural Government.
...
In the Ye family's old residence, the old lady of the Ye family was still lying on her side on the chaise longue, watching a tabby cat playing in the hall.
Madam Ye sat in the lower seat.
"Mother, these past two days... those three noble ladies didn't seem to ask any questions," Madam Ye said softly.
The old lady of the Ye family didn't take it to heart.
"It is best not to ask for the Ye family's sake. If we do ask, the Ye family will become the target of criticism and condemnation in Suzhou and even the entire Jiangnan literati and clans tomorrow."
Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin might not have thought of anything, but that Lady Song...
She was clearly taken aback when I told her that the scholar in my family could be exempted from the tax on eighty mu of land.
"Perhaps they're already thinking about this right now," the old lady of the Ye family said calmly.
Madam Ye quickly agreed.
...
Princess Shou Kang and all the servants were driven out of the house where Song Zhimian and the other two lived.
"It must be that former Jiangnan education commissioner who was corrupt. Otherwise, where would an honest education commissioner get so much money to buy land?" Princess Shou Kang was a little agitated.
She felt she had learned something incredibly important.
During their trip to Jiangnan, they didn't quite understand the local taxes, but they did uncover a major corrupt official.
That should be considered an explanation, right?
Princess Shou Kang now wishes she could immediately order someone to tie up the former Jiangnan Education Commissioner and interrogate him thoroughly.
Princess Yongxin's thoughts were not so simple.
She rested her chin on her hands, looked at the candlelight on the table, and shook her head.
"I feel like it's not that simple. We know that the former Jiangnan Education Commissioner had so much land, which was probably shown to us by the old lady of the Ye family."
But later, when the wife of the former Jiangnan Provincial Education Commissioner came to visit with her daughter, the old lady of the Ye family's warm attitude seemed genuine!
Anyway, I feel that what the old lady of the Ye family wanted us to see was definitely not this issue.
More importantly, how could someone as intelligent as Old Madam Ye do something so obvious!
We had just left Yejiazhuangzi when they arrested the former Jiangnan Education Commissioner?
Isn't it obvious that this matter is related to the Ye family?
The Ye family still has several sons who will take the imperial examinations. The current Jiangnan Education Commissioner is a student of the former Jiangnan Education Commissioner. Would the Ye family treat the future of their sons as a joke?
"This matter is definitely not that simple," Princess Yongxin said with certainty.
Upon hearing this, Princess Shou Kang calmed down.
Yes, the Ye family isn't that stupid. Even if the old lady of the Ye family wanted to do something, she wouldn't so obviously involve the Ye family in this matter.
Princess Shou Kang also sat down in front of Princess Yongxin, resting her chin on her hands just like Princess Yongxin.
"So... did the old lady of the Ye family really just want us to stay at the Ye family's estate for two days?" Princess Shou Kang asked in a low voice.
Princess Yongxin didn't speak, but only glanced at Song Zhimian, who was busy at her desk.
Princess Shou Kang then looked at Song Zhimian.
"Song Zhimian, what are you doing!"
After returning from the Ye family's estate, you've been writing and drawing, and often seem lost in thought. Have you discovered something?
If you find anything, you should tell us…
Before Princess Shou Kang could finish speaking, Song Zhimian stood up.
Song Zhimian did not answer Princess Shou Kang's question first, but went outside and called over the person Ye Yunshu had arranged to be by her side.
"Go to the Suzhou Supervisory Office and get this ledger for me."
After watching the person leave, Song Zhimian turned back to look at Princess Yongxin.
"Princess, let the people from Gusu Chunbuwan investigate something!" Song Zhimian said with a smile.
"What is it? Tell me!" Princess Yongxin immediately sat up straight.
"Check how many students there are in Suzhou—the young scholars, the licentiates, and the candidates for the imperial examinations!" Song Zhimian said.
Princess Yongxin was about to say that she could just ask the people in the Suzhou government office about this matter...
“Alright, I’ll have someone investigate right away! I’ll definitely do it discreetly!” Princess Yongxin readily agreed.
After doing all that, Song Zhimian sat down at the table where the two of them were sitting, and even took a piece of pastry from the plate and put it in her mouth.
"The pastries from Jiangnan are indeed exquisite and delicious!"
...
The next day, everything Song Zhimin wanted was delivered.
After reading it, Song Zhimian summoned Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin over.
“That former Jiangnan education commissioner wasn’t corrupt, but he did exploit some loopholes in the court’s policies!” Song Zhimian said softly.
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