"After we go back, no matter who asks, we must say that we were busy in the shop all night and must not mention the Huai Palace." Ling Xiang gave a strict order and took Xiaoyu and Mu Heng to the shop to quickly check the accounts.
She originally just wanted to find an excuse to cover up the fact that she did not return home at night, but she never thought that when she checked the accounts, she actually found out that there were termites.
Ling Xiang ordered Mu Heng to search for evidence throughout the shop. She then called the accountant over and threw the account book in front of him.
"You are all former members of the Ling Family Army. I have always trusted you and entrusted all matters of the mansion to you. I have never been too harsh on you. But now, for this unprovoked extra issue, you better give me an explanation!"
Ding Benben, the accountant, was a former captain of the Ling family army. Looking at the red mark on the account book by Ling Xiang, he felt ashamed and said, "Miss, it was my negligence. I didn't check the account book carefully when I recorded it."
"Then go check and find the termites. Furthermore, even if you didn't do it, you're still guilty of negligence. I'll fine you three months' salary. Are you dissatisfied?"
Ding Cheng kowtowed: "I made a mistake and deserved the punishment! Thank you for your generosity, Miss!"
Ling Xiang's expression eased slightly. "Captain Ding, I secretly came to check on the pharmacy yesterday and found that business was very good, much better than I expected! So, I stayed in the shop and checked it out all night.
"As a result, it's precisely because the pharmacy's business is booming that some people have developed illicit intentions! Besides the discrepancies in the account books, who exactly did we sell the pills to? Why did they sell so quickly? Has anyone among our people gained any undue benefits from this? This must be thoroughly investigated!"
The matter was not difficult to investigate, and soon Mu Heng arrived with evidence.
The elixir business was already booming, and even the big families in the capital were begging to buy Jishidiang's elixirs. However, because many people had participated in the boycott of the Marquis Zhenguo's shop last time, Jishidiang refused to sell them elixirs, so they began to think of other ways.
So, the shop assistants became their targets for bribery.
Those unusual purchases were nothing compared to the bribes they received.
At that time, in order to quickly overcome the crisis of isolation of the Marquis of Zhenguo Mansion, they chose to sell elixirs semi-publicly, but the disadvantages eventually became apparent.
But even if Ling Xiang was given the chance to start over, she would still choose to sell pills to survive the crisis.
"Anyone who exploits Jishitang's business for personal gain, considering their former friendship with the Ling Family Army, will not pursue the amount of money they embezzled. I will make them swear not to reveal anything about the Zhenguo Marquisate to anyone, and I will send them back. From now on, all sales of elixirs must be recorded clearly and in detail, and no more mistakes will be made."
In order to deal with the affairs of Jishidiang, Ling Xiang stayed in Jishidiang for another night, staying out all night thoroughly.
Ling Xiang did not return home that night, and the news was kept secret by the people in Xiangyuan, so no leak was made. However, it could not be concealed from the person in charge of the Marquis Zhenguo's Mansion.
After Ling Xiang returned, before even entering the door, he was greeted warmly by everyone in the Marquis Zhenguo Mansion.
Old Master Ling was worried. He pulled Ling Xiang inside and ordered the door to be closed before asking in a low voice, "Xiang'er, where did you go last night? You are the future Princess of Qin now, and you must not make any mistakes. I have suppressed this matter and will not let outsiders know. Tell me where you went, and I will take care of it for you."
Ling Xiang said with a serious face: "Something happened at Jishiditang yesterday. It was too late to deal with it, so I just stayed in the shop all night."
Old Master Ling was still worried: "In the shop..."
Ling Xiang comforted him, "Don't worry, Grandpa. Everything has been arranged. The King of Qin won't have a chance to find fault with me, and others won't have any reason to complain."
Ling Xiang handed Lian Cailiang an account book and winked at him, "The accounts at Jishiditang are not correct. There are several unusual purchases. We've already confirmed that someone embezzled money. This is a warning to everyone. Work hard and don't have any inappropriate thoughts!"
Lian Cailiang understood and gathered the people in the mansion who were in charge of the money. He said loudly, "Yesterday, the young lady was checking the accounts at the medicine shop and found that someone had tampered with the accounts, adding several unnecessary purchase expenses! The Zhenguo Marquisate has always been generous to its servants. The monthly salary and regular rewards are much more than other mansions, and yet they have let a mole get in!"
When it comes to corruption, everyone wants to prove their innocence immediately, and no one mentions the fact that Ling Xiang did not return home at night.
The next day, Lian Cailiang finished dealing with the affairs in the mansion and reported to Ling Xiang.
"Miss, those people who committed crimes in Jishidiang know that we are training. If we just send them away like this, aren't you worried that they will leak the information?"
Ling Xiang shook his head. "Don't worry. First, they've sworn an oath, and breaking it will come at a heavy price. Second, we're training guards and strengthening the farmers on the farm. It's legal and reasonable. Even the most upright Lord Yuan Zhengqing couldn't convict us."
Speak of the devil, and here he is. The upright Lord Yuan came to visit, bringing with him the yamen runners from Shuntian Prefecture.
Ling Xiang immediately went to the door to greet him: "Master Yuan, what a rare guest."
After not seeing each other for many days, Yuan Zhengqing really wanted to talk to Ling Xiang, but not in the way he did today.
"Miss Ling, someone is suing Jishitang for selling elixirs of unknown origin. Please come with me and explain the situation."
Ling Xiang followed Yuan Zhengqing to Shuntian Prefecture and met the person who sued Jishidiang in the court. He was one of the people she sent back - Gong Chou.
Gong Chou is the son of Gong Yuan, an old member of the Ling family army. Gong Yuan has been dead for many years, leaving them an orphan and a widow. Not long ago, Gong Chou's mother also passed away, leaving him alone.
When he was first brought to the Marquis Zhenguo Mansion, the former members of the Ling family army took good care of this poor man. Qi Lianghan even specially arranged for him to work in Jishidiang, the place where money can be made the fastest and easiest.
Who could have expected that not only was he ungrateful, he also accepted bribes from others and sold Jishidiang pills to people who shouldn't have sold them, and that he was the one with the most no bottom line, who sold the most and made the biggest profit among those people!
Even most of the betrayers were instigated by him!
Ling Xiang took into consideration that he grew up in a bad environment, which led to his crooked growth, so he did not bother with him. He just sent him away and left him enough money to live on for the rest of his life. As a result, he turned around and sued the Marquis of Zhenguo Mansion.
Mu Heng, who knew all this, was very angry. He was disgusted that such a scum had been produced by the descendants of the Ling family army. He pointed at Gong Chou's nose and cursed:
"Gongchou, do you have any conscience? Everyone has taken such good care of you, the young lady has been so kind to you, and she even told us to take good care of you. Not only are you betraying us, you're also framing the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion! Framed the young lady!"
Gong Chou looked at Mu Heng and Ling Xiang with hatred: "I'm telling the truth!"
He kowtowed vigorously towards Yuan Zhengqing, "Please, sir, investigate carefully! The Marquis of Zhenguo Mansion doesn't have an alchemist, yet they're selling large quantities of elixirs. There's definitely something wrong! Please investigate thoroughly!"
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