Chapter 773 Xie Hongyou Loses Confidence
Jiang Fenghua asked, "Isn't his father outside the palace? Does Granny Wang know his father?"
Granny Wang explained, "I used to teach etiquette at Prince Heng's residence. I had dealings with Steward Cheng back then. Now that his son has become an official, he's naturally very arrogant. He even went to the palace a few days ago, took a stroll around, and then left. The Cheng family really thinks the palace is still Prince Heng's residence, and they can come and go as they please. But with the Empress Dowager's approval, no one dares to say anything."
"His father also went to see Empress Dowager Cheng?"
"Yes, he did go to see her. Steward Cheng is the Empress Dowager's man. Back then, every move of the Prince Heng's Mansion and the Emperor was under the Empress Dowager's watchful eye, and it was Steward Cheng who reported to the Empress Dowager," Granny Wang explained.
Hongxiu continued, "Before I left the palace, Xiaoshunzi came to me. He wanted me to help him check the accounts. He said there were a few accounts that he just couldn't figure out. I should have helped him check them then, but now he..."
"Why is Xiao Shunzi asking you for help?" Jiang Fenghua asked, puzzled. "If Xiao Shunzi really is reselling palace items for profit, why would he not hide and instead ask you for help to check the accounts? Isn't he afraid that his accounts will be found to have problems and he will be held accountable?"
"So I also find it strange, and I just went to find Cheng Feng to ask him about the situation in the Imperial Household Department." Hongxiu is now a little afraid of Cheng Feng. She doesn't understand why Cheng Feng has changed. Does a person really forget his original intentions once he has power?
He once told her that he wanted to make the best pastries in Shengjing City.
Seeing that she didn't continue, Jiang Fenghua put down the book in her hand. "So Wang Sheng might be lying. It's not that Xiao Shunzi led him to embezzle the money. It's very likely that Xiao Shunzi found out that Wang Sheng was stealing things from the palace to sell, and then Wang Sheng killed him to silence him, and then pretended to have found Xiao Shunzi's body."
"I will personally interrogate Wang Sheng, and also Steward Cheng. I need to know when he entered the palace, when he left, and what he did in the palace. Granny Wang, you can investigate this quietly." Jiang Fenghua said, "Lianye, go to the Imperial Household Department and have Steward Cheng bring over all the account books. I need to check the accounts."
Lianye glanced at Hongxiu, "Should I go?"
Hongxiu said, "If Her Majesty tells you to go, then go."
Lianye smiled and said, "Actually, I'm worried that the account books that Steward Cheng gave me might have been falsified. Hongxiu is more skilled at checking accounts, so it would be more suitable for her to do it."
Jiang Fenghua knew that Hongxiu had already been rebuffed, and sending Hongxiu again would only make Hongxiu lose face.
Hongxiu sighed helplessly, "How about I go with Lianye? I also want to help Xiaoshunzi check the account books he asked me to check before he died. It would be a regret if I couldn't find them. If only I had helped him back then..."
Jiang Fenghua said, "What does the affairs of the Imperial Household Department have to do with you? Don't feel sorry for Cheng Feng just because you're not on good terms with him. It just means you're not meant to be."
Hongxiu said, "Your Highness has noticed, but I just don't know how to explain this to you."
"You don't need to explain to me. Just think it through yourself," Jiang Fenghua said gently.
Hongxiu thought about it for many days, even outside the palace. She was indeed a person who hated trouble. She didn't have the courage to deal with Cheng Feng's mother, nor the strength to compete with Cheng Feng's cousin for a man. Her time was limited, and she had to do many things for that lady.
Didn't Granny Wang never marry in her entire life? Didn't Granny Wang live a good life?
At this moment, Lin Yu and Ao Xue returned with the little princess and the little princes. Lin Yu said, "It's just checking the accounts, I'll go. I can tell whether the accounts have been falsified at a glance."
Jiang Fenghua said, "Are you sure you want to go?"
Lin Yu said confidently, "I've never been more sensitive to money than anyone else in my life. No amount of fake accounts can escape my sharp eyes."
Her gaze was cold and deep. "I've only been in the palace for two days, but I've already learned that there are quite a few people in the palace who want to bully the Empress. If they try to deceive the Empress, my fists are not to be trifled with."
"What are you going to do?" Jiang Fenghua asked her. "This is the palace. Don't forget that you are about to get married. Don't cause any trouble."
Lin Yu said nonchalantly, "I'm afraid that if only two frail young women like Hongxiu and Lianye go there, they won't listen to them. My marriage and helping you don't conflict with each other!"
"And me too. With me here, no one should even think about bullying anyone in Kunning Palace," Aoxue added.
Xie Ziyan and Xie Hongyou asked, "Mother, who dares to bully you?"
Jiang Fenghua was stunned. "No, is your mother easy to bully?"
The two shook their heads. "No, if anyone dares to bully the Empress Dowager, this princess will first throw a punch, then a kick, and then an elbow."
Jiang Fenghua smiled and asked, "Who did Yan'er learn that from?"
“Aunt Lin Yu said that there are not many reasons in this world. Sometimes, fists are more useful than reasoning.” Xie Ziyan then looked at her brother, “She also said that it’s useless for Youyou to read so many books. A real man should train his fists to be tough.”
Xie Hongyou was caught in the crossfire even though he was standing by. He only wanted to study because Yan Yan was better than him, and he didn't want to be outdone by his sister. "I never said I wouldn't practice martial arts!"
"Then put down your tattered book." Xie Ziyan thought reading was very simple. She could remember it after reading it once and write it after writing it once. She understood it as soon as the tutor taught her. Youyou read all day long and didn't find it tiring.
Xie Hongyou suddenly lowered his head, looking very insecure.
Seeing that Xie Ziyan still wanted to say something, Jiang Fenghua quickly picked up the book on the table and showed it to Xie Hongyou, saying, "Empress Dowager also likes to read, but she often forgets things, so she needs to read it often."
She then winked at Lin Yu and the others, signaling them to go down and take care of their business while she left the two children behind.
After the group quietly left, Jiang Fenghua pulled her son to her knees and comforted him, saying, "Actually, your mother doesn't care whether you can study or not, she only cares whether you are healthy, safe and happy."
She pulled her daughter to her side again, saying, "There's nothing to brag about if you're good at studying. The most important thing is to live a comfortable life. If you can study, then study more. If you can't study, you can do other things. For example, Youyou is very good at taking care of her younger siblings."
Xie Hongyou was still unhappy. "But they all say that I am the eldest son of the Emperor, and I must be very capable to be the eldest brother. Otherwise, I will not be able to take good care of my younger brothers and sisters. They will follow my example. I don't want them to learn how I can't study. Since I am the eldest brother, I must be the most capable."
"Who told you that the eldest brother has to be the most powerful?" Jiang Fenghua hadn't had a heart-to-heart talk with her son in a long time.
“Father,” Xie Hongyou said.
Jiang Fenghua was stunned, and quickly said, "Your father is wrong to say that. Why does your eldest brother have to be the most powerful? He doesn't have to be powerful. Your father is the fifth son. Do you think he is powerful? His eldest brother..." She didn't know his eldest brother.
Xie Hongyou said, "Father said that his elder brother was also very capable, but he left because of some things. His grandfather used to like his elder brother the most."
Xie Shang even said these things to the child. When Xie Shang comes back, she will definitely give him a good scolding. Look at what he has driven his son to.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
