Gu Qinlan snorted: "Look at what you've done now, where is there even a trace of loyalty left? You've caused the Prince Duan's mansion to suffer heavy losses for your own selfish interests, isn't that betrayal?"
Butler Zheng raised his head and argued without batting an eye, "It was indeed Miss Zheng Huiyi who personally approved the accounts. I was merely an assistant manager. How could I possibly influence Miss Zheng's decision? I have a clear conscience."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qinlan, the heir apparent of the Duan Prince's mansion, curled her lips into a cold smile. She sat up gracefully, her gaze sweeping across Steward Zheng's face like an icy blade: "Steward Zheng is truly cunning. With just a few words, you've absolved yourself of all responsibility while putting the young lady in the eye of the storm. Do you think you can get rid of suspicion like this?"
Butler Zheng's expression changed slightly, but he still argued stubbornly, "Princess Consort, you misunderstand. I have no intention of shirking responsibility; I am merely stating the facts. After all, Miss is my mistress, and as a servant, I naturally have to obey her orders."
Gu Qinlan snorted coldly: "If the young lady asked you to kill someone, would you do it?"
Butler Zheng was taken aback for a moment, then quickly explained, "Princess Consort, you can't say things like that. The eldest young lady is the jewel of the Duan Prince's mansion, how could she do such a thing?"
Gu Qinlan's eyes turned cold: "Butler Zheng, are you questioning my words? Or do you think I'm framing the young lady?"
Steward Zheng's forehead was beaded with sweat. He knew his situation was extremely precarious, and if he continued to argue, he would likely get himself into trouble. So, he changed his tune: "Princess Consort, I had no such intention. I just felt that the Eldest Miss was a kind person and would never do such a thing. As for the accounts, I was merely an assistant; the responsibility does not lie with me."
Gu Qinlan smiled lightly: "Steward Zheng, do you think you can clear your name like this? Don't forget, the accounts are a serious matter. If problems are found, you, as the assistant manager, will also be held accountable."
Steward Zheng's face turned pale. He understood that Gu Qinlan's words were not a threat, but the truth. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to say, "Princess Consort, I admit that there were indeed oversights in the accounts, but that was because of the eldest young lady's orders. If I had disobeyed the eldest young lady's wishes, I would probably have been kicked out of the Duan Prince's Mansion long ago."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly: "Steward Zheng, do you think you can make me believe you just by saying that? Don't forget, you are an old servant of the Duan Prince's Mansion. If you were truly loyal and reliable, how could you have made such a low-level mistake?"
Butler Zheng was speechless. He knew he had fallen into Gu Qinlan's trap, but he couldn't explain himself. He could only lower his head and wait for Gu Qinlan's next move.
Seeing this, Gu Qinlan was secretly pleased, but she didn't let her guard down. She knew that if Butler Zheng really had a problem, he would definitely try his best to exonerate himself. So, she decided to continue probing: "Butler Zheng, do you really think the matter of the accounts can be covered up?"
Butler Zheng raised his head, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes: "Princess Consort, I... I really don't know what's wrong with the accounts. If I had known, I would have reported it long ago."
Gu Qinlan chuckled softly: "Butler Zheng, do you think I'll believe you? Do you think you can clear your name like this?"
Butler Zheng remained silent, knowing that his explanations would seem weak and powerless in front of Gu Qinlan.
Seeing that Steward Zheng was no longer arguing, Gu Qinlan had already made up her mind.
Gu Qinlan looked at Butler Zheng and said coldly, "Butler Zheng, do you think I'm so easily fooled? Let me tell you, I'm not like Zheng Huiyi. She might easily believe your sweet talk, but I'm not so easily fooled."
Upon hearing this, Steward Zheng's expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected Gu Qinlan to be so direct in revealing his thoughts. He quickly smiled and said, "Your Highness, you misunderstand. How could I dare to deceive you? It's just that some things are indeed inconvenient to say directly."
Gu Qinlan sneered: "Can't you just say it directly? Then I'll send someone to the yamen right now to borrow twenty yamen runners and take them to the house with the big willow tree at the entrance of Baiyu Lane to bring the people inside over."
Upon hearing this, Butler Zheng's face turned pale instantly. He hadn't expected Gu Qinlan to know about that place. He had always kept it well hidden, and he never imagined that Gu Qinlan would find out.
"Princess Consort, what do you mean by this?" Butler Zheng asked, trying to remain calm.
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes: "Why should I tell you? You only need to know that what I want, I will definitely get."
At this moment, the maid Fuyu walked in. She looked at Gu Qinlan with a hint of worry in her eyes: "Princess Consort, are you really going to do this?"
Gu Qinlan took out the Prince Duan's private seal from her bosom, glanced at Fuyu, and said calmly, "Fuyu, you are my most trusted maid. You should understand my determination. My mind is made up. You only need to obey my orders."
Fuyu accepted the order, took the prince's private seal, left the Prince Duan's residence, and quickly ran to the yamen. She then led twenty yamen runners straight to Baiyu Lane.
...
Gu Qinlan smiled, silently observing the changes in Butler Zheng's expression, as if admiring a vivid painting. Beads of sweat gradually gathered on Butler Zheng's forehead, sliding down his cheeks. He nervously bit his lip, his expression shifting unpredictably.
At this moment, Fuyu led the yamen runners and a group of people into the main hall of the Prince Duan's mansion. The eight servants, bound behind their backs, hung their heads, not daring to meet Gu Qinlan's gaze. However, the mother and child being escorted attracted everyone's attention.
The young woman was wearing an elegant dress. She had a beautiful face and smiling eyes, but at this moment her smile was tinged with sadness.
The child was about five or six years old, with a chubby face and a very cute appearance. He held his mother's hand tightly, his eyes revealing his expectation for Steward Zheng.
Gu Qinlan lightly flicked her sleeve and said calmly, "Steward Zheng, do you know this mother and son?"
Steward Zheng's eyes widened, and he shook his head in a panic: "Princess Consort, I... I don't know them at all."
Upon hearing this, the young woman burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably: "Zheng Fei, have you forgotten? We spent those years together, you are my husband, and he is your child! How can you be so heartless?"
Butler Zheng trembled, but still stubbornly insisted, "I...I have never met you before, you mustn't talk nonsense!"
The child couldn't help but cry out, "Daddy, I'm your child! Why are you doing this to us? My mother and I are so scared! Please save us!"
Steward Zheng glared at the child, a flicker of panic crossing his eyes, but he quickly concealed it. He turned to Gu Qinlan and pleaded, "Princess Consort, please have mercy and spare me! I am willing to accept any punishment, I only beg you not to tear our family apart."
Gu Qinlan smiled lightly, her eyes revealing endless indifference: "Steward Zheng, do you think you still have a chance? You betrayed the Duan Prince's Mansion, deceived your superiors and subordinates, do you think you can easily escape the consequences of your crimes?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com