A glint of light flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes as she asked, "Aunt Lian, do you think the price difference between the capital and Ruyang is too large?"
Aunt Lian smiled slightly and said, "Miss Gu, this is the law of the market. As the capital of our country, Beijing has a large population and high demand, so prices are naturally higher. Moreover, there are many high-ranking officials and nobles in Beijing who have high requirements for their quality of life, which is also one of the reasons for rising prices."
Gu Qinlan nodded slightly and said, "Aunt Lian is absolutely right. However, I would like to know if the recent war has affected prices?"
Aunt Lian sighed and said, "War will naturally affect prices. But thanks to the court's timely policy adjustments and the efforts of local officials, prices have remained stable for the time being. However, if the war continues, prices will probably rise again."
Gu Qinlan frowned and said, "Aunt Lian, how do you think our Prince Duan's Mansion should deal with the price fluctuations caused by this war?"
Aunt Lian pondered for a moment and said, "Miss Gu, the Duan Prince's Mansion is a large and wealthy family, so we should prepare in advance. On the one hand, we can stockpile some grain and necessities to cope with rising prices; on the other hand, we can adjust our household expenses appropriately to reduce unnecessary waste."
A hint of approval flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes: "Aunt Lian is absolutely right. I will convey your suggestion to the Crown Prince so that we can deal with this war together."
Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Aunt Lian, do you think the management of the kitchen in our Prince Duan's residence is reasonable?"
Aunt Lian smiled slightly and said, "Miss Gu, the kitchen of the Prince Duan's residence is very well managed. The ingredients are fresh, the dishes are plentiful, and the servants in the kitchen are all diligent and capable. However, I feel that we could save a little money on the purchase of ingredients."
A hint of doubt flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes as she asked, "Aunt Lian, what do you mean by that?"
Aunt Lian explained, “Miss Gu, I’ve noticed that the kitchen’s ingredient procurement is a bit too particular. In fact, many common ingredients can also be used to make delicious dishes. If we can save money on procurement, the household expenses will be reduced accordingly.”
Gu Qinlan suddenly realized and said, "Aunt Lian is right. I will discuss with the head of the kitchen how to save money as much as possible while ensuring the quality of the dishes."
Gu Qinlan glared coldly at Zheng Longyu, who was bowing his head and trembling with fear, and asked angrily, "Zheng Longyu, how extravagant are you? On the day of the Prince's wedding, a mere chicken cost two hundred taels of silver. Are you trying to empty the Duan Prince's treasury?"
Zheng Longyu hurriedly raised his head, his face pale, his lips trembling as he tried to explain, but he was speechless for a moment.
At this moment, Aunt Lian looked at Zheng Longyu with surprise, her eyes revealing dissatisfaction and doubt. She walked to Gu Qinlan's side and asked softly, "Princess Consort, what exactly is going on? Zheng Longyu's actions are truly perplexing."
Gu Qinlan glanced at Aunt Lian and said in a serious tone, "Aunt Lian, look at these accounts. The chicken alone cost two hundred taels of silver. That's outrageous!"
Aunt Lian picked up the account book and examined it carefully, her expression growing increasingly grave. She looked at Zheng Longyu and said sternly, "Zheng Longyu, how dare you squander the Prince's mansion's funds like this!"
Zheng Longyu hurriedly knelt down, banging his head against the ground, and said in a trembling voice, "Princess Consort, Aunt Lian, I was wrong. I acted impulsively and made such a mistake. Please forgive me. I am willing to bear all the consequences."
Gu Qinlan snorted coldly and said, "Zheng Longyu, do you know your crime?"
Zheng Longyu trembled all over, not daring to raise his head, and said in a weak voice, "Princess Consort, it was indeed a momentary oversight that caused the error in the accounts. It was not an intentional act of embezzlement."
Aunt Lian stepped forward, her sharp eyes fixed on Zheng Longyu, and sneered, "Negligence? Two hundred taels of silver, that's no small sum! Do you think the Crown Princess and the Prince Duan's residence are easy to fool?"
A cold glint flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes as she said firmly, "Aunt Lian is right, this matter must not be let off easily. Zheng Longyu, do you know your crime?"
Zheng Longyu's face was pale, and he said in a trembling voice, "I know my crime, please spare my life, Princess Consort and Aunt Lian."
At this moment, the atmosphere in the kitchen of Prince Duan's residence was extremely tense. All the cooks stopped what they were doing and stared intently at the interrogation.
Gu Qinlan snorted coldly and said, "Zheng Longyu, do you know how many poor people we could help with these two hundred taels of silver? Yet you used it to buy chicken. What a waste!"
Zheng Longyu lowered his head and remained silent, filled with remorse.
Aunt Lian couldn't help but interject, "Princess Consort, we must investigate this matter thoroughly. If it is truly as Zheng Longyu said, a momentary oversight, then why would such an error appear in the accounts? There might be something fishy going on."
Gu Qinlan nodded and said, "Aunt Lian is right. Someone, take Zheng Longyu to the accounting office and thoroughly investigate this matter."
Two servants rushed forward, grabbed Zheng Longyu, and carried him away. Zheng Longyu struggled, tears streaming down his face, and pleaded, "Your Highness, I was truly negligent for a moment. Please have mercy and give me another chance."
Gu Qinlan remained unmoved and said coldly, "Opportunity? You have already made a mistake, so you must bear the consequences. If it is found that you have embezzled money, don't blame my Duanwang Mansion for being impolite."
After Zheng Longyu was taken away, Gu Qinlan turned to Aunt Lian and said, "Aunt Lian, you keep a close eye on this matter and make sure to get to the bottom of it. If Zheng Longyu really embezzled, the Duanwang Mansion will never tolerate such a scoundrel."
Aunt Lian replied respectfully, "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will do my utmost to investigate this matter thoroughly."
On this day, Gu Qinlan and Aunt Lian came to the kitchen again and made the investigation results public.
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