Gu Qinlan glared at Zheng Longyu, looked around, and said to everyone, "Zheng Longyu embezzled treasury funds, a crime deserving of death! Now bind him and send him to the government office, confiscate his family property, and recover the silver he has embezzled over the years."
As soon as the words were spoken, Zheng Longyu's parents immediately knelt down, weeping bitterly. Zheng's mother hugged Gu Qinlan's leg and pleaded, "Your Highness, please have mercy and spare Longyu! He was just greedy for a moment, and now we regret it too late. I am willing to make up for all the money, I just beg you to spare his life."
Gu Qinlan looked at Zheng's mother, a hint of sympathy flashing in her eyes, but her tone was firm: "Zheng's mother, do you know that the crime of greed is no small matter? If I let him go today, more people will follow suit tomorrow. How can the treasury of the Prince Duan's mansion become private property? I must act according to the law."
At this moment, the kitchen of Prince Duan's residence was completely silent. Everyone watched the scene, not daring to utter a sound. Father Zheng knelt on the ground, his voice trembling, and said, "Your Highness, I beg you to spare Long Yu for the sake of the Zheng family's loyalty. We are willing to use all our family's wealth to compensate you, we only ask for your mercy."
Gu Qinlan looked coldly at Zheng's father and said, "The Zheng family is all loyal and virtuous? Shouldn't Zheng Longyu's embezzlement of treasury funds also be considered an act of 'loyalty and virtue' for the Zheng family? Father Zheng, are you defending your son or defending yourself?"
Father Zheng was speechless, unable to utter a word. Mother Zheng, tears streaming down her face, still clung to Gu Qinlan's leg, sobbing, "Your Majesty, I'm willing to serve Long Yu like a slave, I only beg you to spare his life. Please have mercy!"
Gu Qinlan looked at Zheng's mother, her heart filled with emotion. She knew that Zheng's mother was acting out of maternal love, but she could not let personal feelings override the law. She took a deep breath and said to Zheng's mother, "Zheng's mother, I understand your feelings, but a country has its laws, and a family has its rules. I cannot easily forgive Zheng Longyu's crimes. If you are truly repentant, then help me recover the money Zheng Longyu embezzled, and perhaps I will consider reducing his sentence."
After hesitating for a moment, Zheng's mother finally nodded, indicating her willingness to cooperate. Gu Qinlan ordered her men to take Zheng Longyu away and simultaneously sent people to seal up the Zheng family's assets.
Inside the kitchen, Zheng's mother tearfully bid farewell to her son, while Zheng's father stood silently to the side, his heart filled with indescribable emotions.
Gu Qinlan summoned Zheng's mother to the study and asked, "Zheng's mother, do you know where the money Zheng Longyu embezzled went?"
Madam Zheng hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, Long Yu once mentioned to me that he lent some of the money to friends and used some of it for gambling."
Gu Qinlan frowned and said, "In that case, you should go and retrieve these silver coins to prevent Zheng Longyu's crimes from becoming more serious. I will send someone to assist you."
Madam Zheng looked at Gu Qinlan gratefully and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, I will do my best to recover the silver."
Thanks to Zheng's mother's efforts, some of the embezzled silver was recovered. Seeing that Zheng's mother was genuinely remorseful, Gu Qinlan pleaded with the authorities to reduce Zheng Longyu's punishment.
The authorities ultimately sentenced Zheng Longyu to three years in prison and confiscated his property.
...
As soon as Gu Qinlan left the kitchen, Princess Duan rushed over with a group of maids and servants. She wore a magnificent purple silk dress, and her brows exuded an undeniable air of authority. She glanced in the direction of the kitchen, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes.
"Mother, you've arrived." Gu Qinlan turned around and bowed slightly.
Princess Duan nodded slightly, her sharp gaze sweeping over the scene in the kitchen. She walked to the stove, picked up a burnt piece of bread, and said coldly, "Why is this bread burned like this?"
Gu Qinlan respectfully replied, "Mother, it was indeed a mistake due to the servants' negligence. I have already instructed them to remake one, which will be done in a moment."
Princess Consort Duan snorted coldly and threw the cake on the ground: "Negligence? This is not negligence, this is disrespect to the Duan Prince's Mansion!"
Gu Qinlan's expression changed slightly. She took a deep breath and said calmly, "Mother, I understand your concerns. But servants are human too, and mistakes are sometimes inevitable. As the steward, I will strictly supervise them to ensure order in the Duan Prince's residence."
Princess Duan glared at Gu Qinlan, her eyes revealing her displeasure: "Are you defying me?"
Gu Qinlan quickly shook her head: "I wouldn't dare, Mother. I just feel that we should be strict with servants, but also have moderation. Being too strict might cause dissatisfaction among the servants."
Princess Consort Duan remained silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She looked at Gu Qinlan and softened her tone slightly: "I know you mean well, but the rules of the Duan Prince's Mansion cannot be broken. I cannot ignore your attitude towards the servants just now."
Gu Qinlan lowered her head and said softly, "Mother's teachings are correct. I am willing to accept the punishment."
Princess Consort Duan sighed and looked at Gu Qinlan with concern in her eyes: "Qinlan, I know you are a smart and capable woman, but your status is different now. You are the heir consort of the Duan Prince's Mansion, and your actions represent the entire Duan Prince's Mansion. Therefore, you have to be more cautious in some matters."
Gu Qinlan raised her head, her gaze firm: "Mother, I understand your concerns. I will be more careful with my words and actions, and live up to the reputation of the Duan Prince's Mansion."
Princess Duan nodded slightly, looking at Gu Qinlan with a hint of relief in her eyes: "I believe in you."
As the two were talking, the old woman from the kitchen came in carrying a plate of freshly baked pancakes. She carefully placed the pancakes in front of Princess Duan and whispered, "Mother, please inspect them."
Princess Duan picked up a piece of cake, took a small bite, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face: "Very good, it's not burnt this time."
Gu Qinlan breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Princess Consort Duan looked at Gu Qinlan and said earnestly, "Qinlan, I hope you can use your talents in the Duan Prince's Mansion to make it more prosperous. But remember, as the steward, you must be both kind and strict, so that the servants are both in awe and grateful."
Gu Qinlan bowed respectfully and replied, "Mother's teachings are true, and I will always keep them in mind."
Princess Duan nodded, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes as she looked at the scene in the kitchen. She turned and left, with Gu Qinlan following closely behind her.
Back at Princess Duan's residence, she sat in a chair and looked at Gu Qinlan thoughtfully: "Qinlan, what do you think of the rules of the Duan Prince's residence?"
Gu Qinlan paused slightly before replying, "Mother, the rules of the Duan Prince's Mansion are strict, and the servants perform their duties in an orderly manner. However, I think that we can relax the rules a bit in some minor matters so that the servants can feel the warmth of the Duan Prince's Mansion."
Princess Duan smiled slightly, looking at Gu Qinlan with admiration in her eyes: "You're right, that's what I thought too. But this matter needs to be handled slowly."
Gu Qinlan bowed and left the room.
As soon as Gu Qinlan left the kitchen, Princess Duan rushed over with a group of maids and servants. As soon as she entered, she saw several cooks standing trembling to one side of the kitchen, their faces filled with fear.
Princess Consort Duan raised her eyebrows, coldly surveying the room before finally fixing her gaze on Gu Qinlan. She snorted coldly and said in a deep voice, "Princess Consort, what are you doing? So harsh on the very first day of managing the household? Are you trying to disrupt the order of my Duan Prince's residence?"
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