Zheng Longyu gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness, this old servant truly did not know. But this old servant dares to swear that this old servant has never embezzled a single grain of food from the kitchen."
Gu Qinlan looked coldly at Zheng Longyu.
Zheng Longyu lowered his head, his eyes filled with terror and despair, and said in a trembling voice, "Princess Consort, my... my loyalty to the Prince's Mansion is as clear as day and night, without a single falsehood. I beg you to have mercy, please don't..."
Gu Qinlan stared coldly at Zheng Longyu, her eyes revealing deep suspicion and distrust. She said in a cold voice, "Zheng Longyu, you keep saying you are loyal to the Prince's Mansion, but your actions make us doubt your loyalty. Since you are so loyal, then cut open your heart and let us see if it is as red as you say."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Longyu's face turned deathly pale, his legs buckled, and he knelt on the ground. He looked at Gu Qinlan in a panic and pleaded, "Princess Consort, please have mercy! I... I really didn't do anything wrong. My loyalty to the Prince's Mansion is as clear as day. Please believe me."
At this moment, Zheng Longyu's father and wife rushed in upon hearing the news. Seeing the scene of Zheng Longyu about to have his heart cut out, they were terrified. They hurriedly knelt on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy.
Tears streaming down his face, Zheng Longyu's father pleaded, "Princess Consort, please have mercy and spare Longyu. He is truly innocent. Our whole family can vouch for his loyalty to the Prince's Mansion. Please don't harm him."
Zheng Longyu's wife was also crying, her face streaked with tears. She hugged Zheng Longyu tightly, sobbing uncontrollably, "Princess Consort, please spare him. He is our lifeblood. If he dies, our family will not be able to survive. Please have mercy and spare him."
Seeing the miserable state of Zheng Longyu's family, Gu Qinlan's heart wavered. But she still said firmly, "Zheng Longyu, if you are truly loyal to the Prince's Mansion, then cut open your heart and let us see your true feelings. Otherwise, don't blame me, Gu Qinlan, for being ruthless."
Zheng Longyu looked at Gu Qinlan, his eyes filled with fear and unease, and said in a trembling voice, "Princess Consort, I... I really did not betray you, please investigate!"
Gu Qinlan glanced at him coldly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. She parted her lips slightly and said firmly, "Zheng Longyu, do you know that your actions have crossed the line of the Duan Prince's Mansion? How can I tolerate such betrayal!"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Longyu's father, Lord Zheng, immediately crawled over on his knees and rose to say, "Princess Consort, please forgive my son! He acted impulsively and did not truly betray you! Please give him a chance to reform!"
Zheng Longyu's wife, tears streaming down her face, knelt trembling before Gu Qinlan, pleading, "Princess Consort, please have mercy and spare my husband! We are willing to serve the Duan Prince's Mansion to atone for his mistakes!"
Looking at the tearful couple, Gu Qinlan felt a pang of unease. But the thought of Zheng Longyu's betrayal strengthened her resolve. She said coldly, "Lord Zheng, you have failed in your duty to raise your son, which has led to this situation. I will spare you this matter out of consideration for your advanced age and frail health. But Zheng Longyu must pay the price!"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Longyu's face turned deathly pale. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, but he still said firmly, "Princess Consort, I am willing to accept any punishment, I only beg you not to cut open my heart. I... I really did not betray you!"
Zheng Longyu's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he lowered his head, saying, "This sinner has indeed lied about the accounts and used public office for private gain. I deserve to die a thousand deaths."
Inside the kitchen of Prince Duan's residence, smoke swirled and steam rose. Gu Qinlan sat at the head of the table, her expression serene. She wore a red brocade robe, her features exquisite, and her elegant demeanor was so refined that it was almost unbearable to look directly at her.
Hongye picked up an account book, cleared her throat, and began to read: "First, Zheng Longyu falsely reported fifty taels of food purchase expenses on the fifteenth of last month."
Upon reading this, Zheng Longyu's face turned even more ashen. He lowered his head and remained silent, filled with remorse.
Gu Qinlan sneered, "Zheng Longyu, how dare you lie about the accounts in the Duan Prince's mansion? Do you think I didn't know?"
Hongye continued reading: "Secondly, Zheng Longyu falsely reported thirty taels of food purchase expenses on the 20th of last month."
Zheng Longyu trembled, cold sweat pouring down his face. He looked up at Gu Qinlan, his eyes pleading for mercy.
Gu Qinlan remained unmoved and said coldly, "Zheng Longyu, do you think your little tricks can escape my eyes? You're wrong. I already know everything about your actions."
Hongye read aloud: "The third point is that Zheng Longyu falsely reported the cost of purchasing ingredients as twenty taels on the twenty-fifth of last month."
At this moment, the atmosphere in the kitchen became increasingly tense, and the servants held their breath, fearing that they would be implicated.
Gu Qinlan said coldly, "Zheng Longyu, do you know your crime?"
Zheng Longyu remained stubborn and silent.
Seeing this, Gu Qinlan snorted coldly and ordered her attendants, "Go and invite Aunt Lian in!"
Before long, a maid led Aunt Lian in. Although Aunt Lian was over fifty, she was in good spirits and had a kind face. She wore a simple blue cloth shirt and wooden clogs, and her steps were steady. When she saw Gu Qinlan, Aunt Lian smiled slightly and nodded in greeting.
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, kindly helped Aunt Lian up, and said, "Aunt Lian, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down and let's talk."
After Aunt Lian sat down, Gu Qinlan said, "I've heard that Aunt Lian runs a general store in Ruyang City and knows the prices inside and out. Today I would like to ask Aunt Lian if you could give me a detailed introduction to the prices in the capital and Ruyang City?"
Aunt Lian said confidently, "Miss Gu, I do have some knowledge of the prices in these two cities. As the capital of our country, the prices in the capital are naturally higher than in Ruyang. But I would like to elaborate on the specific items."
Gu Qinlan nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Aunt Lian. Please report the prices of grain, oil, and vegetables in Ruyang City first."
Aunt Lian smiled slightly and said, "Okay. In Ruyang City, one shi of rice costs about five hundred taels of silver, one jin of eggs costs about one tael of silver, one live chicken costs about three taels of silver, one jin of fat costs about four taels of silver, and one jin of lean meat costs about five taels of silver."
Gu Qinlan frowned slightly and asked, "Aunt Lian, do you think these prices are reasonable?"
Aunt Lian pondered for a moment and said, "Miss Gu, these prices have remained stable in Ruyang City for some time now. Although there have been frequent wars recently, prices have not fluctuated significantly for the time being. As for whether they are reasonable, that depends on the supply and demand relationship and market conditions. However, I think these prices are fair."
Gu Qinlan nodded and said, "Aunt Lian is right. Then, may I ask, what is the situation in the capital?"
Aunt Lian pondered for a moment and said, "Prices in the capital are naturally higher than in Ruyang. One shi of rice costs about 700 taels of silver, one jin of eggs costs about 2 taels of silver, one live chicken costs about 5 taels of silver, one jin of fatty pork costs about 6 taels of silver, and one jin of lean meat costs about 7 taels of silver."
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