Chapter 71 Prince Heng sneaks onto the Princess's roof
Butler Cheng said, "After all, the Princess Consort is the head mistress of the Prince's Mansion, and she should learn to manage the household affairs of the Prince's Mansion."
Xie Shang suddenly asked, "Since the princess married into the palace, has she bought anything, such as clothes or jewelry?"
"She did buy them, but the princess always paid for them herself. She never took a single copper coin from the public account," Butler Cheng said truthfully.
Xie Shang pinched the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted. He hadn't slept well all night, and his back felt like it was being pricked by needles, so he couldn't fall asleep no matter what. He forced himself to stay half asleep until dawn, and only after leaving the Sandalwood Courtyard did he feel completely relaxed.
Then Steward Cheng slowly continued, "The people of Lan Yue Pavilion never complain about the food sent from the kitchen. Even if Granny Xu asks the kitchen staff to buy ingredients to make the pastries that the princess likes, she will secretly take the money."
The Jiang family also frequently sent clothes and jewelry, especially the princess's second sister, who would promptly deliver anything of value to the princess's residence—brocade dresses, fashionable fans, gold and silver jewelry, all sent to the princess's courtyard. The princess's eldest brother would also often send unusual items to amuse her; the princess lacked nothing at all.
Xie Shang wondered: Why doesn't Jiang Fenghua spend my money? Is it because her family thinks she's been mistreated in the palace, or does she think I'm poor?
Seeing that he remained silent, Steward Cheng boldly continued, "On the contrary, the people of the Sandalwood Courtyard make all sorts of demands. Even Chef Zhao from the kitchen laments that he can't afford to serve this concubine and the maids in her courtyard."
Xie Shang casually replied, "Wanwan has always loved eating meat. She grew up in the border region, and that's how the customs and traditions are there. Let Chef Zhao take care of her."
Xie Shang then took the waist token and handed it to Steward Cheng, saying, "Take some silver from my private account to settle the debt."
Butler Cheng was shocked. "Your Highness, what you're doing is unfair to the Princess!"
Xie Shang was stunned, then said, "When will you question my decision? Don't alarm the Princess and Wanwan about this."
"Yes, this old servant understands." Steward Cheng shook his head. The prince has really married a vampire into the mansion. If this continues, the mansion's fortune will be squandered by Consort Su. He wonders what the prince's intentions are and whether he is willing to hand over the power of managing the household to the consort.
If it were given to a concubine...
Steward Cheng trembled with fright. He quickly went to the accounting office to ask Mr. Du to calculate the accounts in detail. After repaying this debt, he could not allow anyone to extend credit to her again. Although the prince had a lot of private property, and tens of thousands of taels of silver were nothing, it was still the Empress's plan for the prince. He could not let Consort Su squander it all.
Steward Cheng is from the Empress's family and was specially sent to manage Xie Shang's residence. He is extremely loyal to Empress Cheng, so naturally the Empress would be informed of this matter.
Steward Cheng also heard that the Prince went to rest at the Sandalwood Courtyard last night, and that even though the Prince was so ill, he was still thinking about his concubine.
He had nothing to say, so he just shook his head and waved before leaving the study.
Lin Feng brought in the medicine again, his attitude also unpleasant, "Your Highness, it's time to take your medicine."
Xie Shang took a sniff, and it seemed even more unpleasant than yesterday's medicine.
He drank it all in one gulp without thinking, and afterwards he felt strange and almost couldn't catch his breath.
He frowned, and after he calmed down, he asked, "Why is today's medicine different?"
"Is Your Highness feeling particularly unwell and not wanting to drink?" Lin Feng said sarcastically. "If Your Highness doesn't want to drink, you don't have to. That way, you won't have to go to Lan Yue Pavilion."
Xie Shang's eyes flashed with a cold light as he glanced coldly at Lin Feng. "Why are you so concerned about whether I go to Lan Yue Pavilion or not?"
Lin Feng was also good at reading the room, so he naturally wouldn't say that he thought the maids at Lan Yue Pavilion were good. He took the medicine bowl and left the study. Xie Shang was baffled to see him so angry.
He was exhausted, his illness was not yet fully cured, and he had no interest in official business. He had planned to rest on the soft couch, but he just couldn't fall asleep.
What he was thinking was, "Has Jiang Fenghua gotten up yet? Has she taken her medicine? How's her throat?" Lin Feng was talking so much, but he didn't pick out the important things. He could at least tell us what the princess was doing.
Xie Shang couldn't sleep any longer, so he got up from the soft couch and went to Lan Yue Pavilion.
Today, instead of going through the main gate, he climbed over the courtyard wall and slipped into the yard through a "crooked path".
Lianye watched from afar, initially thinking it was some daring thief who dared to break into the Heng Prince's mansion. But when she realized it was His Highness the Heng Prince, she pretended not to see him and hurriedly entered the room, whispering a few words in Jiang Fenghua's ear.
Jiang Fenghua was sitting in front of her dressing table getting ready. She was wearing a pomegranate red long dress with flowing sleeves, and the layered skirt was embroidered with fluttering butterflies, making her look stunning.
Her hair was piled high in a bun, adorned with jade hairpins, and white jade earrings dangled from her temples. She had a long, fair neck, a slender figure, and a strapless long dress that hugged her full breasts.
Looking down at the rooftop, Xie Shang felt his blood boil; he shouldn't have sneaked up there.
She applied light makeup and then a touch of bright red lipstick to her lips, instantly becoming radiant. She rose from her seat and strolled gracefully, swaying with captivating charm.
Lianye carefully served her from the side, and deliberately said, "If the princess were to leave the manor dressed like this, I'm afraid everyone who sees her would be so mesmerized that they wouldn't be able to walk properly."
Jiang Fenghua playfully tapped Lianye's forehead, "I see you two are walking quite well, you didn't fall down! Stop making a fuss."
Seeing that she was about to leave, Xie Shang was so anxious that he almost slipped. It had been raining for two days and the roof tiles were covered with moss. He could only try his best to keep his balance so that no one would notice that he was peeping on the roof. Otherwise, where would his dignity as a prince be?
Just as Jiang Fenghua left Lanyue Pavilion with two maids, Xie Shang came down from the roof. Lin Feng suddenly appeared behind him, "Your Highness."
Xie Shang was startled. "What are you doing, appearing and disappearing like that? You startled me."
"If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear. Your Highness, are you so afraid? Could it be that you have done something wrong?" Lin Feng looked up at the roof and then at Xie Shang.
Xie Shang steadied himself, stood ramrod straight, his handsome face remaining calm, and asked, "Where is the Princess going so early?"
"Why doesn't Your Highness ask the Princess Consort yourself?" Lin Feng refused to answer.
Xie Shang directly threatened, "This month's allowance will be reduced by one..."
"The Zhang family's daughter sent an invitation to the Princess, inviting her to visit the Zhang State Duke's residence," Lin Feng said.
"Even when visiting someone's home, you shouldn't go this early!" he wondered.
Lin Feng said, "I heard from Hongxiu that the princess is going to stroll around the streets first and buy some gifts for the Zhang family."
Xie Shang thought to himself: If you're going to give a gift, you can just ask Butler Cheng to prepare it. Why do you have to go to the street to buy it yourself?
Seeing that he was about to leave, Lin Feng deliberately said, "Is Your Highness going to the yamen? Steward Cheng asked Your Highness for three days' leave, and this is only the second day."
"I will also go for a stroll in the streets to observe the people's conditions," he said.
Lin Feng didn't point it out, "Will Your Highness ride a horse or a carriage? I'll have someone prepare."
"The carriage," Xie Shang said coldly.
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