Chapter 70 Auditing the Accounts
With curfew approaching and Yu Mingshu still not back, Wu Qiuniang waited anxiously at home. Several times she got up and went out to peek into the streets and alleys, but when she couldn't see him, she returned to sit down in the hall.
On the table was a separate serving of dinner reserved for her, which had already gone cold. She beckoned Qingque to take it to the kitchen to reheat it.
Jiang Ruan poured a glass of water and handed it to her mother-in-law, saying, "Perhaps my elder sister has something to do today and has gone back to Chongrenfang."
Wu Qiuniang shook her head and said, "Tomorrow is the victory celebration banquet. Even if she doesn't come back tonight, she will definitely send someone to let us know."
Jiang Ruan thought to himself, "Luo Yan stayed in Yongning Ward, and Yu Mingshu has no one to serve her. Even if she wanted to send a message, she probably wouldn't have anyone to use."
Just then, voices came from outside the courtyard. Wu Qiuniang's brow furrowed, and she hurriedly went out to see if her daughter had returned.
As soon as the door opened, she was immediately terrified by what she saw.
"Is it my eldest sister who's back?"
Jiang Ruan followed, and as soon as he finished speaking, he saw the scene outside the door and was so shocked that he opened his mouth and couldn't react.
Yu Mingshu was "escorted" back by a group of guards. Judging from the scene, it was more like being escorted than escorted.
The head guard, without changing his expression, said to the three men, "By order of the emperor, you are not allowed to leave or enter the house, nor are you allowed to receive any guests, until this case is investigated."
Wu Qiuniang and Jiang Ruan were shocked and looked at Yu Mingshu.
Yu Mingshu agreed to the guard's instructions, turned around and led his family back into the courtyard, whispering, "Let's talk inside," and then let the guard lock the gate from the outside.
Back in the main room, Wu Qiuniang and Yu Mingshu sat down, and Qingque brought up the reheated food.
Jiang Ruan asked anxiously, "Elder sister, who have you offended this time?"
Yu Dan came from the East Courtyard and heard this as soon as he entered. He clicked his tongue lightly. Jiang Ru'an looked up at him, realizing he had misspoke, but he didn't want to take it back.
“Someone impeached me for bribing Chen Qu and helping Sanlang cheat in the imperial examination.”
Under the anxious gazes of her family, Yu Mingshu recounted everything that had happened in the Taiji Hall.
She had already gone through a debate in the main hall, and now she was repeating it again, her throat was so tired and hoarse, and it was also slightly sore.
Jiang Ruan poured her a glass of water, her voice anxious: "What about tomorrow's banquet? The invitations have already been sent out. Are we going to invite people over to laugh at us first thing in the morning?"
Yu Mingshu took the cup of water and drank most of it down. His throat was less dry and sore before he continued, "There are no secrets in Chang'an. They should know by now, not just tomorrow morning."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ru'an's expression fell. The Yu family members standing nearby exchanged glances, and she muttered something under her breath, "How embarrassing."
Is this something to lose face?
Wu Qiuniang looked solemnly into Yu Mingshu's eyes, "If the person who framed us goes all out and makes sure the crime is completely eradicated, what will we face?"
Yu Mingshu put down her cup and gestured with her chin toward Yu Dan beside her.
“You are more familiar with the laws of the Great Liang than I am.”
Yu Dan took a deep breath, as if he had just come back to his senses.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke clearly: "Bribing examiners will result in dismissal and imprisonment at best, and exile at worst. In addition, candidates who cheat will face a permanent ban from taking the exam."
A few frightening words drew Jiang Ruan's attention, pulling her out of her frustration at the cancellation of the celebration banquet and belatedly realizing the seriousness of the situation.
She stood up in horror, shrieking, "This won't do! My husband..."
Yu Mingshu interrupted her directly, "You can rest assured. The evidence is incomplete, and the charge of bribery is unfounded."
The discovery of gold in the Chen family's home may at most confirm that Chen Qu accepted bribes, but who can prove that she was the one who sent the embezzled money?
The censor surnamed Zheng insisted that the money was a gift from her, but where did her money come from?
If these two issues cannot be clarified, the imperial court will be unable to convict the perpetrator.
How could Jiang Ru'an possibly feel at ease?
"What about the cheating? Censor Zheng found those two witnesses, and they gave very convincing accounts. It seems the rumors have already spread, and within three days everyone will know about it! Even if the court can't convict him, how many people will believe in the young master's innocence?"
"Elder sister, gossip can be a terrible thing!"
Yu Mingshu looked at her and asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
When the question was actually posed to her, Jiang Ruan fell silent.
Yu Dan looked left and right, and hesitated before speaking: "Anyway, I did not do well in the exam this year. If it really comes to it, please ask Your Majesty to cancel my results and let me retake the exam next year."
"Have you thought this through? Next year will be the first year of the new imperial examination system," Yu Mingshu said, frowning.
Seeing that Yu Dan's eyes were firm, as if he was about to nod in agreement, Jiang Ru'an quickly covered his mouth and held his chin tightly with her other hand, afraid that he would nod.
"No!"
Yu Dan was suffocated and almost couldn't breathe. His eyes widened and he made muffled noises.
But Jiang Ru'an said anxiously, "Our whole family has seen how hard our son has worked this year. Why should he have to start all over again just because someone else has framed him? What if something goes wrong next year and our son fails the exam and doesn't do as well as he did this year? Wouldn't that prove the rumors outside true!"
Yu Dan pried her palm open and said with absolute certainty, "I will definitely not do worse than I did this year if I retake the exam next year."
"just in case……"
"There's no chance of anything happening, don't you trust me?"
Jiang Ru'an paused, then stared intently into his eyes again. "Fine, I believe you. But what if everything goes smoothly for you next year, and you achieve the top score in the Mingfa examination?"
"If others simply follow the same method and find a few actors to falsely accuse you of cheating in front of the Taiji Hall, how many mouths do you have to defend yourself?"
"I……"
"What do you mean, 'you'? Am I wrong?"
Yu Dan was speechless, his face turning red, and he could only silently mouth the words "shrew".
Yu Mingshu glanced at Jiang Ru'an, who was still angry, and then at Yu Dan, who had no way to express his suffering. He silently gestured to his younger brother—"Let's talk privately later."
Wu Qiuniang couldn't help with these matters and was anxious for a long time. She could only advise, "Let's eat first."
Many people in Chang'an were unable to sleep soundly that night.
Under the cover of night, Yu Dan ran to the west courtyard, skillfully climbed onto the roof, where Yu Mingshu was already waiting for him with wine.
"Sister, when did you become addicted to alcohol?"
Yu Mingshu looked down at the wine jar in his hand and was speechless for a moment.
"I didn't understand why alcohol was addictive before, but after having many worries, I realized that drunkenness can relieve all sorrows."
Yu Dan sat down next to her, rested his hands on the roof tiles, and looked up at the hazy moon in the sky. "Have you ever regretted it?"
"Regret what?"
"If I stayed in the Bureau of Justice, I could live a peaceful and uneventful life without competing or fighting for anything..."
“Not competing or fighting is not my style.” Yu Mingshu’s eyes darkened. “However, I do regret it. I shouldn’t have dragged you into the hatred I brought upon myself.”
Yu Dan shook his head. "What's there to talk about between family members?"
Yu Mingshu took a sip of wine and said, "Let's get back to business. I don't approve of you retaking the imperial examination next year, but if you're determined, I can't stop you."
"Why?"
His question was clearly why he didn't approve of retaking the exam.
Yu Mingshu looked at him and said, "As the proposer of the new imperial examination, only by taking the initiative and having your closest relatives stand with the students of the world to be the test subjects of this first new imperial examination can you silence the gossip of the world."
“But Sanlang, I chose this path myself. I don’t need my family to prove my path.”
Yu Dan remained silent for a long time, then suddenly laughed, "Sister, you've had too much to drink. I... I'm just a little unwilling."
“My elder sister was the top scholar in the imperial examination of the twentieth year of Fengle. My brother was the third in the imperial examination of the twentieth year of Fengle. As for me? I didn’t even rank in the top ten in the imperial examination of the Mingfa examination.”
He took the wine jar handed to him by the person next to him and took a small sip.
"Sister, I'm not reconciled."
Yu Mingshu blinked hard, clearing the blur from his eyes, trying to see how genuine his emotions were.
"If this is what you want... then take the exam, so you won't have any regrets."
Seeing the light return to Yu Dan's dim eyes, she added, "Don't tell your sister-in-law that I instigated it; she hates me to death."
Yu Dan readily agreed, “Then you pretend to stop me. If I insist on doing it my way, we’ll have a big argument, and you’ll have no choice but to agree.”
"Do we really have to argue?" Yu Mingshu raised an eyebrow disapprovingly. "Isn't it disturbing the neighbors late at night?"
Yu Dan said, "Let's just consider this a quarrel. I'll go back now, drunk and trying to suppress my anger."
Yu Mingshu thoughtfully reminded him, "You've been drinking, be careful when you go down, don't fall."
…
The next morning, a loud knocking sound echoed through the sky.
Yu Mingshu removed the bolt from the door from the inside, and the guards outside removed the chains. They pushed open the courtyard gate, and a faint fragrance of incense wafted out from outside.
At first glance, the leading censor of the Censorate was dressed in a red robe, which was ironed without a single crease. His beard was neatly combed and smooth, and the hat on his head was so upright that it was comparable to a textbook example of demeanor.
This person is quite particular.
After bowing, Yu Mingshu stepped aside to make way, pointing to the boxes of scrolls in the courtyard behind him, "These are all the income and expenditure accounts of the Yu family since my father came to the capital. Please review them, Imperial Censor."
The stern-faced censor said nothing, but the officials who came with him to check the accounts were stunned by the spectacle.
"so much?"
Yu Mingshu shook the abacus in her hand. "Shall we start the investigation now?"
The censor raised his right hand, and several officials behind him immediately pulled out their own abacuses and entered the room with bitter and resentful expressions.
The censor asked sternly, "Lord Yu, do you have another residence in Chongren Ward?"
"Yes." Yu Mingshu nodded. "That room is rented, should we search it too?"
The censor nodded. "Lead the way."
The audit lasted for five days.
Five days later, Yu Mingshu was invited to the main hall of the Censorate.
Since the charges against her had not yet been substantiated, the clerk treated her relatively kindly, inviting her to sit down and talk, and even serving her hot tea.
“Lady Yu, we have already checked the accounts, and there are no major irregularities.” The censor looked at her expressionlessly.
"However, we found several items in your home that were not recorded in the ledgers. Please explain the source of these items."
As soon as he finished speaking, the clerk came forward carrying a light pink robe and a pearl lotus crown.
"Upon verification, the fabric used for this robe is of the highest quality, costing approximately 3,600 cash per bolt, and is not sold in ordinary cloth shops in the capital. As for this pearl crown, it is made of top-grade South Sea pearls, which are said to be worth one bushel of gold per bushel."
“These two items are the most valuable possessions in your household, estimated to be worth more than the Yu family’s income for nearly a year. Yu Sheren, I have reason to suspect that you have other sources of income outside of the accounts.”
Yu Mingshu was speechless, met the censor's questioning gaze, and coughed lightly.
"These two items... are birthday gifts given to me by General He Zheng."
Upon hearing this, the officials in the hall fell into an eerie silence. The minor officials in the corner turned to look at each other, exchanging knowing glances.
The censor directly above froze in mid-air, then moved the suspended brush away after a long while, his brow furrowing.
"Both of them?"
"The robe is from last year, and the pearl crown is from this year."
The censor didn't ask any more questions, but wrote down her testimony and turned to his subordinates, saying, "Go to the Marquis of Anyuan's residence and find out the truth."
The An Yuanbo couple did not know what He Zheng had given Yu Mingshu, but they did find two large expenditures in his account books, both two or three months before her birthday.
In this way, the accounts for the two gifts are reconciled.
"You can go back now."
After the censor finished speaking, eight guards immediately entered and stood on either side of Yu Mingshu.
Yu Mingshu thought to himself, having bodyguards escorting me when I go out means I've enjoyed the treatment of a celebrity.
After reviewing the audit report on the Yu family's accounts, Imperial Censor Zheng remained silent for a long time.
Xie Huaijin leisurely sipped his tea, glancing at him. "So, it seems that Yu Sheren didn't meet the conditions for bribery. Shouldn't the seal on the Yu family's property be lifted?"
Imperial Censor Zheng said, "Registrar Xie, how can you be so sure that the Yu family has no other income?"
Xie Huaijin laughed and said, "You say the Yu family has other income, what is your basis for that? Is it just your unfounded conjecture? Then may I boldly speculate that Imperial Censor Zheng, you are secretly hiding a dragon robe in your home, intending to rebel?"
"You're slandering me!" Imperial Censor Zheng immediately jumped up, his old face turning red with anger and his beard flying wildly. "You're welcome to dig up my house three feet deep. If you can find the dragon robe, I, Zheng, will twist my own head off!"
Xie Huaijin's smile deepened. "How can I be sure you don't have other residences?"
Imperial Censor Zheng was speechless.
While no concrete evidence could be found to prove the bribery, the gold was indeed found in the Chen family's warehouse. After much discussion, the investigating officials took away the Chen family's steward and several servants who had entered and exited the warehouse.
On April 13, the Censorate ordered the removal of the seals from the Yu family's residence, and the guards stationed outside the gate were also dismissed.
Yu Mingshu stood with his arms crossed, watching them leave. Once they had completely disappeared into the alley, he tilted his head at Xie Huaijin beside him.
"The source of that box of stolen goods hasn't even been determined, and you're just going to let me go like this?"
“The Yu family’s accounts are very clear. Even if you sold the house you’re living in now, you wouldn’t be able to get a thousand taels of gold. So this matter has nothing to do with you.”
Xie Huaijin shook his head helplessly and handed her a talisman he had obtained from Xijing Temple to ward off misfortune.
"You still believe in this?" Yu Mingshu asked in surprise as he took the book.
"To wish for good luck."
Yu Mingshu thanked him and then remarked, "It seems poverty has its advantages."
…
On the afternoon of the day the suspicion was cleared, Yu Mingshu returned to the East Palace and went straight to Zhaohua Hall.
Liang Yuanjun looked up and saw her come in, somewhat surprised. "You were just released today, why don't you rest for the afternoon?"
Yu Mingshu smiled and said, "I have been unemployed at home for many days. I am afraid that Your Highness will suddenly realize that Zhaohua Palace will not be affected much without me. If Your Highness sends me back to the Sijing Bureau, I will have no one to cry to."
Hearing her words, Liang Yuanjun couldn't help but laugh, and Yang Leyi and the palace maids on both sides also covered their mouths and chuckled.
After everyone had finished laughing, Liang Yuanjun raised her left hand, and the palace maid, with great insight, consciously withdrew from the hall.
"Since we're here, let's see something good."
Yu Mingshu looked at the fold-out document pushed in front of him, and without much hesitation, immediately got back into work mode, quickly flipping through the first page.
This is a seemingly ordinary report on the appointment and removal of local officials compiled by the Ministry of Personnel.
What's unusual is that among the dozens of names, several familiar place names and surnames appeared.
The moment Yu Mingshu put down the folded document, he had completely figured out what was going on.
"What Fuhua Tower is auctioning is not treasures, but official positions. The origin of the auctioned treasures corresponds to local official positions, and the names of the treasures may also contain hints about specific ranks or departments."
“Not bad.” Liang Yuanjun raised an eyebrow. “As for who is behind Fuhua Tower, daring to sell official positions under the emperor’s nose… investigating this case will definitely be a tough battle.”
Yu Mingshu's palm, which was covering the folded paper, was covered with a thin layer of sweat.
"No matter how difficult it is, we must investigate."
"If this case were handed to you, would you dare to take it?" A sly smile appeared on Liang Yuanjun's handsome face.
This is another job that will offend people. If the person behind the scenes finds out that she is investigating the business of Fuhua Restaurant, she will probably have to be accompanied by bodyguards when she goes out.
Yu Mingshu didn't want to accept it, but then she saw Liang Yuanjun take off a bronze fish-shaped talisman and place it on top of the document in front of her.
"With this token, you can mobilize the personal guards of the Right Guard Commander's Office."
Upon hearing this, she was taken aback and met the other person's eyes. Liang Yuanjun said nothing more and waited quietly for her reply.
This fish-shaped tally represents both the Crown Prince's trust in her and his guarantee of her rights. If she were to refuse it now, she would be giving up more than just a task.
After a long while, Yu Mingshu put away the fish-shaped tally, cupped his hands to the person opposite him, and said, "Your subject obeys the order."
As the sun sets, crimson clouds fill the sky.
Outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, the Xie family carriage first opened a curtain, and seeing Yu Mingshu riding past at high speed, Xie Shichang clenched his fists.
"Master, is the Censorate just going to release her like this?"
"This time, I had a backup plan. Who would have thought that the Yu family couldn't even withdraw ten thousand strings of cash..."
Xie Zhang asked in a deep voice, "What should we do next?"
A cold glint flashed in Xie Shichang's eyes, and after a long pause, he finally spoke: "Let's clean up the mess first."
That night, the cool moonlight streamed into the women's prison cells through the skylight high up.
Inside the cramped cell, the woman's body was curled up, her restless sleeping face revealing exhaustion.
The jailer passed by, his keychain jingling.
The noisy noise came and went. The woman was soon awakened and frowned as she looked at the jailer patrolling back and forth in front of her door.
Soon, she noticed the silver longevity lock that had appeared on the jailer's waist.
The woman looked up in fear, meeting the jailer's cold face. Soon the jailer walked away as if nothing had happened, leaving her huddled in the corner, trembling slightly.
The rain poured down in the dead of night, and despite the deafening noise, the woman's expression gradually calmed down.
She looked up at the impossibly high skylight, her gaze finally settling on the brick wall.
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