The next morning, Gu Qinlan got up early and went to the front courtyard. The morning light shone on her face, and her eyes showed a hint of determination and courage. The front courtyard of the Prince Duan's mansion was bustling with activity. Servants and servants stood or sat in twos and threes, and their voices rose and fell.
As soon as Gu Qinlan stepped into the courtyard, she heard a buzzing murmur of discussion.
"Have you heard? The old lady actually handed over the reins of the household to that merchant's daughter, Gu Qinlan!"
"Yes, our Prince Duan's Mansion is a dignified hereditary royal mansion. How can we let a merchant's daughter manage things?"
"Look at her, what good can she possibly do?"
Gu Qinlan's expression changed slightly. She slowly walked into the crowd, a sharp glint in her eyes. The servants did not stop their gossip upon seeing her arrival; some even glanced at her sideways, a contemptuous smile on their lips.
Gu Qinlan coldly surveyed the crowd, her gaze settling on the gossiping servants. She slightly raised her chin, her expression carrying an undeniable air of authority: "What are you talking about?"
Everyone was taken aback and fell silent, the courtyard instantly becoming quiet. A bolder servant mustered his courage and answered, "Princess Consort, we were discussing the matter of the Old Madam handing over the reins of the household to you."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, but her eyes grew even colder: "Discuss? Are you questioning my abilities?"
The servants dared not answer and all lowered their heads.
Gu Qinlan continued, "I know you are dissatisfied and think that I, being from a merchant family, am not qualified to manage the Duan Prince's Mansion. But I want to tell you that the old lady entrusted me with the power of managing the household because she values my ability and character. If I am not competent, she will rescind her order. But if I am competent, all of you will have to obey my command."
The group exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions turning grim.
Granny Zhao from the kitchen couldn't help but speak up: "Princess Consort, we are not questioning your abilities, but we are worried that once you take power, it will delay the affairs of the manor."
Gu Qinlan's eyes turned cold as she stared directly at the old servant: "If there has been any delay, it is my responsibility. But if you dare to gossip behind my back and interfere with the affairs of the manor, don't blame me for being impolite."
Granny Zhao turned pale and retreated dejectedly.
Gu Qinlan looked at Granny Zhao in the kitchen and asked sternly, "Granny Zhao, do you know who you're talking to?"
Granny Zhao curled her lip and said dismissively, "She's just a princess consort, what's so great about her? I've served in the kitchen for so many years, and I've never seen such a pampered mistress as you."
Gu Qinlan's expression grew even sterner, and she said coldly, "It seems you're tired of living, daring to be so rude in front of me."
At this moment, the maid Hongye couldn't help but interject, "Princess Consort, don't get angry with this kind of person, it's not worth it. I'll teach her a lesson."
Hongye walked up to Granny Zhao and angrily rebuked her, "Granny Zhao, this is insubordination! Do you even know the difference between superiors and inferiors? You're courting death!"
Granny Zhao widened her eyes and retorted, "Hongye, what right do you have to lecture me? You're just a maid."
Hongye was so angry that her face turned pale. Just as she was about to lash out, Fuyu walked over. She glared at Granny Zhao, slapped her twice without hesitation, and then kicked her in the back of the knee, making her kneel down.
Granny Zhao was in so much pain that tears streamed down her face. She looked at Fuyu in horror, unable to believe that this usually gentle girl would actually hit someone.
Gu Qinlan said coldly, "Old Zhao, do you know that your rude behavior has crossed my line? Now, I am going to punish you."
Granny Zhao turned pale with fright. She struggled to stand up, but was pushed to the ground by several servants.
"Twenty strokes of the cane!" Gu Qinlan ordered.
Several servants rushed forward and began to administer the caning. At first, Granny Zhao was defiant, but after several strokes, the pain made her beg for mercy and admit her mistake.
"Princess Consort, I was wrong, I will never dare to do it again, please forgive me!" Granny Zhao cried out.
Gu Qinlan looked at Granny Zhao and said firmly, "Granny Zhao, this is disrespectful and insubordinate. You must be punished so that you will remember this lesson."
Fuyu looked at Granny Zhao with a cold expression, thinking to herself that such a person should be punished so that she would understand the proper order of respect.
After the caning was over, Granny Zhao was beaten until her skin was torn and bleeding. She lay on the ground, groaning in pain.
Gu Qinlan looked at Granny Zhao and said in a serious tone, "Granny Zhao, remember this, the Prince Duan's mansion is not a place where you can cause trouble. From today onwards, you must reflect on your behavior, otherwise, the punishment next time will be even more severe."
Granny Zhao nodded repeatedly; she no longer dared to have any thought of resistance.
Everyone else in the kitchen watched this scene, secretly relieved that they hadn't been as rude as Granny Zhao, otherwise they would be the ones being punished now.
Gu Qinlan looked around and ordered, "Someone, bring me the account books of the Prince Duan's residence."
The maids immediately withdrew, and soon returned with an account book, which they handed to Gu Qinlan.
Gu Qinlan opened the ledger, her eyes sharp as she scanned each page. She suddenly realized that the numbers in the ledger were vastly different from what she had seen in the kitchen.
"Zheng Longyu, the kitchen purchasing manager, come here."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Longyu immediately stepped out from the crowd. Dressed in a blue robe, with a respectful expression, he walked up to Gu Qinlan, bent his knees, and knelt down until he was three feet away from the Crown Princess.
"Your Highness, I, Zheng Longyu, await your orders." Zheng Longyu's voice was low, yet it revealed a firm resolve.
Gu Qinlan's eyes were sharp, fixed on Zheng Longyu like a hawk, and her tone was calm: "Zheng Longyu, do you know your crime?"
Zheng Longyu was taken aback, then shook his head: "I am utterly loyal and have never deceived my superiors. I wonder what crime the Crown Princess is referring to?"
“Zheng Longyu, come and see, did you write these numbers in the ledger yourself?” Gu Qinlan stared coldly at Zheng Longyu, her tone full of doubt.
Zheng Longyu hurriedly knelt down, staring frantically at the account book, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He said in a trembling voice, "Princess Consort, I truly wrote this by hand, without the slightest falsehood. I am utterly loyal to the Prince Duan's Mansion and would never dare to deceive my superiors."
Gu Qinlan sneered, her eyes sharp as she looked at Zheng Longyu: "Loyal? Your wife, Granny Zhao, has already been punished. You still dare to call yourself loyal?"
Zheng Longyu's face was pale, his lips trembled, and he clenched his fists tightly, saying painfully, "Your Highness, I truly know nothing about Granny Zhao's matter. If she has done anything wrong, I am willing to take responsibility. But please investigate thoroughly, Your Highness. I have worked in the Duan Prince's kitchen for many years and have never made the slightest mistake."
Gu Qinlan frowned. Zheng Longyu had always performed well in the kitchen, but the figures in the ledger made her suspicious.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and asked, "Zheng Longyu, do you know why the food and ingredients in the kitchen are much more than what's in the ledger?"
Zheng Longyu was stunned. His eyes widened, and he was speechless for a moment.
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