"You!" These words really hit Wu Jin'er's sore spot.
"What about me?" Wu Jingying looked at her indifferently. "Isn't it true? Throughout history, have you ever seen a concubine's daughter become a princess?"
"..." Wu Jin'er's face turned pale as she was told to speak. She looked around, afraid that the maids in the courtyard had all heard.
"Shut up!"
Wu Jin'er retorted without thinking, "You think you can get the job if I can't? Take a look at yourself!"
"Also, your mother probably doesn't know that you were the one who instigated me to embarrass that Lady Qin in public in the garden today, right?"
"..."
Wu Jingying's expression changed slightly.
"You don't want that Lady Qin to marry Father as a concubine, do you?" Wu Jin'er was somewhat pleased that she had guessed her thoughts.
"Think what you want."
"However—" Wu Jingying suddenly lowered her voice and leaned closer, whispering in her ear, "Do you know who that Lady Qin is?"
"She is the sister of the current regent."
The last two words were deliberately uttered by Wu Jingying in a breathy voice, but they made Wu Jin'er's hair stand on end instantly.
"..."
Wu Jin'er froze on the spot, and it wasn't until Wu Jingying had been gone for a long time that she finally reacted. She subconsciously took a step back and finally fell to the ground.
"The Regent's...sister..."
No... Rong Shi definitely didn't know Qin Sheng's identity at first. If she had known, she would never have had the guts.
I was so stupid!
If only I hadn't humiliated Qin Sheng in the garden in front of everyone from the start, I could have just waited for Rong Shi to bring this upon herself.
What do we do now?
Wu Jin'er pushed away the maid who was supporting her and tried to run out, but was stopped by two rough old women at the courtyard gate. "Fourth Miss, please wait!"
...
The day after the spring banquet at the Marquis of Wuping's residence.
Qin Sheng went out as usual. Yu Fu found several suitable shops, which she needed to check out one by one.
During this time, Qin Sheng had learned quite a bit about the major families in Ningzhou Prefecture.
Ningzhou is wealthy with many rich people, and its annual tax revenue is naturally substantial. However, as the money passes through layers of officials, there are bound to be some who cannot resist the temptation of money.
I wonder if Yue Rongheng will have a lot of trouble dealing with this matter during his trip?
Before Qin Sheng could even worry about others, she herself got into trouble.
The business of dim sum shops, while not exactly plummeting, was declining day by day, especially among wealthy families.
This has been the case for three consecutive days.
Qin Sheng sent people to inquire around.
Qiao'er went to inquire and returned with a gritted-teeth expression. "My lady, I don't know how those words that Miss Wu the Fourth said at the Marquis of Wuping's mansion got out. The ladies at the Wu family have been saying increasingly outrageous things behind your backs, all saying that you are unscrupulous!"
No wonder.
Qin Sheng closed her eyes briefly. "It's true what they say, it's easy to spread rumors."
Qiao'er frowned and said, "That's right, if she keeps spouting such nonsense, we'll suffer a huge loss!"
"My wife, we can't just let this go like this!"
"Of course we can't just let it go like that."
Qin Sheng thought for a moment, then asked Qiao'er to call a few people in and gave them some instructions in a low voice. The people immediately went to do so.
...
Yue Rongheng went out during the day, and by the time he returned to the house where he was staying, it was already quite late.
The matron from Princess Wenhua's side arrived, bringing a list and portraits of the young ladies.
"...the eldest daughter of the Minister of Personnel, the second daughter of the Minister of Rites, the third daughter of the Minister of Justice, and Miss Wanyi from the maternal family of the late Princess Su..."
The old woman said cautiously, "The Princess said that these girls are all very good in every way. Your Highness, you don't need to rush to choose. Just keep your options in mind."
"..."
Yue Rongheng had absolutely no recollection of the girls the nanny had mentioned.
The old woman was uneasy, but remembering the princess's instructions, she still mustered up her courage and said, "The princess said that if you have no objections, she will arrange for you to meet all these girls after you return to the capital."
"Um."
When Yue Rongheng uttered an "Mmm," it sounded to the nanny as if he had finally given in, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then, this old servant will go back and report to the Princess?"
Yue Rongheng instructed Yun Yin to personally escort the old woman back.
No sooner had the old woman left than Xiao Yuehai and Yuan Xiuhuai returned. The two of them had been busy running around the yamen recently.
When they met Rong Heng's gaze, both of them shook their heads with wry smiles.
Clearly, in the past two years, the tax revenue accounts of Ningzhou Prefecture have appeared to be without any problems.
"but---"
Yuan Xiuhuai said, "Your Highness, at least this proves that there must be two copies of this tax ledger."
One document is to be made public to deal with emergencies... such as the regent suddenly coming to Ningzhou Prefecture to audit the accounts.
As for where the other copy is...
Yue Rongheng's gaze was still fixed on the outside of the courtyard, his voice indifferent: "It seems it's time to investigate the Marquis of Wuping's residence."
...
Qin Mansion.
Qin Sheng had previously sent people to find several beggars and ask them to help spread a rumor in the streets and alleys.
For example, recently, Madam Qin and the fourth daughter of the Marquis of Wuping's mansion both took a liking to the same piece of jewelry. However, since Madam Qin paid for it first, the jewelry naturally belonged to Madam Qin.
Holding a grudge, Miss Wu deliberately ruined Madam Qin's reputation in front of everyone at the Spring Banquet at the Marquis of Wuping's residence.
Once the beggars received the money, they naturally got things done efficiently.
In less than half a day, the rumor spread throughout the streets and alleys.
At this critical juncture, a customer arrived at Qin's Dim Sum Shop. She appeared to be a wealthy lady, dressed in fine clothes.
Moreover, they arrived in a carriage, followed by maids and servants.
Qin Sheng happened to be in the shop when he saw this young lady and suddenly felt that she looked somewhat familiar.
The other person smiled and spoke to her first: "This must be Madam Qin, right? The osmanthus cakes in your shop are delicious; my husband and children especially love them."
Qin Sheng smiled and had tea served.
A maid went to the counter and told the clerk she wanted to buy some pastries. The clerk quickly took the pastries and packed them up.
Qin Sheng was talking to this young woman who looked somewhat familiar.
The other person said, "I've also heard about what happened at the Marquis of Wuping's residence that day, Madam Qin, you—"
Before she could finish speaking, a maid rushed in from outside, saying hurriedly, "Madam, Master has... uh... gone home again. The Old Madam wants you to go back right away!"
Realizing they were outside, the maidservant quickly stopped herself from saying what she was about to say and then changed her mind.
"..."
The young lady visibly trembled upon hearing the maid's words, and Qin Sheng noticed it.
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