Liu Zhao returned from the Princess fu to the wang fu to report.
“Reporting to fuwang, I have not failed my mission. The fuma has received twenty strokes of the rod.”
Ning wang laughed heartily. “Excellent!”
Princess Huyang’s heart trembled. “How is the fuma?”
Liu Zhao cast a cold glance at Princess Huyang and said indifferently, “Not dead!”
A sharp pain pierced Princess Huyang’s heart, as though someone were taking a knife and gouging at it again and again.
Her expression was filled with misery. “Wangxiong, your heart is truly cruel! Liu Zhao, the fuma is your own gufu. Couldn’t you have gone a little easier on him?”
Liu Zhao declared firmly, “No!”
If Princess Huyang had not made such a scene today, perhaps Liu Zhao really would have gone a little easier.
However, relying on her status as an elder, Princess Huyang had treated him rudely and had even blamed him for her lack of spending money. He was a man who never forgot a grudge. How could he possibly show mercy?
The twenty strokes had not beaten the fuma to death only because he had shown consideration for family ties. Otherwise, he would have cut him down with a single stroke.
Princess Huyang looked utterly miserable. “Wangxiong, meimei’s life is so bitter.”
Ning wang remained unmoved. “Enough. Stop crying. Save your tears and go cry in front of the fuma . Let him feel sorry for you.”
Pei shi almost burst out laughing.
Princess Huyang choked on her words. Several times she opened her mouth, yet nothing came out.
Ning wang then said to Pei shi, “Have the accounting office send over six thousand taels.”
Pei shi’s face fell in displeasure. “It’s the New Year. The fu needs money everywhere…”
The rest of her words were cut off by Ning wang’s stern gaze.
Pei shi smiled awkwardly. A plan came to mind, and she instructed Qin mama beside her, “Go tell the da furen to prepare six thousand taels and bring it over.”
Liu Zhao narrowed his eyes and stared at Pei shi. What exactly was she trying to do by making Gu Jiu provide the money?
Pei shi looked completely composed. “Laoda’s wife ought to be given more opportunities to train herself.”
Ning wang nodded and told Qin mama to hurry.
Without revealing any emotion, Liu Zhao decided to wait and see.
Gu Jiu truly had not expected that Princess Huyang’s annual handout-seeking would somehow end up on her shoulders.
She looked at Qin mama, who had come to deliver the message. “Wangfei niangniang truly said that I am to prepare six thousand taels and deliver it to Huyang gumu?”
Qin mama nodded. “That is correct. da furen, please hurry. Princess Huyang is still waiting.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly. “Very well. Mama, come with me to the accounting office.”
Qin mama waved her hands repeatedly. “Nubi still has to return and report. I will not accompany da furen to the accounting office.”
With that, Qin mama tried to leave.
Wang Yi stepped forward and blocked her path.
The two young eunuchs guarding the doorway also stared at her menacingly.
Gu Jiu smiled at Qin mama. “That won’t do. Mama must come with me. Wangfei niangniang did not give me a tally token, so you are the tally token. Surely once the accounting office sees you, they will hand over the money without hesitation.”
Gu Jiu pulled Qin mama out of the main room.
Qin mama cried out, “Oh dear, oh dear! Nubi’s chest hurts. I can’t go on. Da furen, please spare me.”
Gu Jiu turned back and looked at Qin mama with an amused smile. “You’re unwell, is that it?”
Qin mama nodded repeatedly while continuing her cries of pain.
Gu Jiu signaled to the two young eunuchs. “The two of you carry Qin mama and come with me to the accounting office.”
“As you command!”
The two young eunuchs, Rong Xin and Bai Zhong, deftly lifted Qin mama.
Qin mama immediately began shouting.
Rong Xin chuckled. “Don’t worry, mama. We’re experienced with this sort of work. We guarantee you won’t be hurt.”
Smiling, Gu Jiu continued toward the accounting office.
Along the way, servants stopped what they were doing and stared at the astonishing sight.
Qin mama, wangfei’s most trusted servant, was actually being carried by young eunuchs behind the da furen. It was truly laughable.
Just listen to her cries, they sounded like a pig being slaughtered.
“Shh, don’t talk nonsense. If Qin mama bears a grudge, you won’t know what hit you.”
Thus Gu Jiu paraded openly through the manor with Qin mama in tow and arrived at the accounting office.
The two young eunuchs set Qin mama down.
Gu Jiu said to the accounting manager, “Wangfei niangniang ordered benfuren to withdraw six thousand taels from the accounting office for Princess Huyang. Qin mama can testify to this.”
The manager was taken aback. “Well… does da furen have the tally token?”
Gu Jiu replied, “Precisely because I do not have the tally token, I brought Qin *mama as proof.”
The manager said, “In that case, da furen and Qin mama will each need to sign and seal the document. Afterward, xiaode will submit the account book to the steward for verification with wangfei niangniang regarding this expenditure.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Excellent. Qin mama, you sign first.”
Qin mama was still panting. “Nubi… nubi doesn’t have a seal.”
No seal? That was simple enough. Gu Jiu grabbed her hand, dipped it in ink paste, and firmly pressed it onto the document, leaving a clear thumbprint.
The flesh hanging from Qin mama’s cheeks trembled continuously. “Da furen, you…”
Gu Jiu flashed a smile, her white teeth making her look as though she might devour someone.
She said to Qin mama, “Mama, this is procedure. As one of wangfei niangniang’s longtime attendants, surely you know that.”
Qin mama stammered, trembling, “This… this money…”
“Don’t worry. This money is for Princess Huyang. The receipt will clearly state that.”
After speaking, Gu Jiu took out her seal and stamped the document.
With Gu Jiu’s seal and Qin mama’s thumbprint, the accounting manager ordered the treasury opened and six thousand taels withdrawn.
On the receipt, under the column for purpose, it was clearly stated that this money was for Princess Huyang.
Qing Mei accepted the six thousand taels’ worth of banknotes on Gu Jiu’s behalf. After verifying that the amount was correct, she placed them in an envelope and accompanied Gu Jiu to Bixi Pavilion.
Inside Bixi Pavilion, Princess Huyang, who had been crying moments earlier, immediately beamed with joy at the sight of the banknotes.
After counting them and confirming that the amount was exactly six thousand taels, she happily said to Ning wang, “Many thanks, wangxiong. You’ve solved a major problem for me. Another day, I’ll bring the children to pay you a New Year visit.”
Ning wang said indifferently, “As long as you stop coming to ask benwang for money, that’s better than anything.”
Princess Huyang grinned. “I’ve always kept wangxiong in my thoughts. Whenever I have time, I come to visit you.”
Pei shi cursed inwardly: Bitch.
Ning wang, however, said, “Spare me! If you came less often, benwang would probably live a few more years.”
Princess Huyang paid no attention whatsoever to Ning wang’s mockery.
Similar scenes had happened countless times before. She was long accustomed to them.
Having obtained the money and worried about the fuma, Princess Huyang did not even stay for a meal. She rose to take her leave and hurried back home.
Ning wang still wanted to drink with his beauties. With his wife, children, and daughter-in-law present, how could he relax?
So he impatiently said, “All of you leave. Benwang is tired.”
From Qin mama’s expression alone, Pei shi knew the matter had not gone as planned.
She stood up first. “Wangye should at least take care of your health.”
Ning wang muttered, “Nagging.”
Pei shi snorted. “Zhao’er, dalang’s wife, come with benwangfei.”
Gu Jiu followed beside Liu Zhao as they left Bixi Pavilion with Pei shi.
After leaving the courtyard gate, wangfei turned and stared at Gu Jiu. “Was the money withdrawn from the accounts office?”
Gu Jiu smiled and nodded. “Indeed.”
Wangfei gave an “oh.” “Efficient work. Not bad.”
Then she left with her attendants.
Liu Zhao raised a hand and tucked the loose strands of hair beside Gu Jiu’s ear behind it.
Gu Jiu turned her head, wanting to avoid him, but it was obviously impossible.
Liu Zhao asked her, “Any problems?”
Gu Jiu pressed her lips into a smile. “No problems.”
Pei shi had wanted to make her take the blame. Gu Jiu saw through it immediately and naturally had no intention of stepping into the trap.
In truth, Pei shi’s scheme was very simple.
She had instructed Gu Jiu to bring the money over but had not given her the authorization token. Her intention was to make Gu Jiu personally bear responsibility for the six thousand taels.
Someone without sufficient vigilance might only discover after Qin mama left and they arrived at the accounts office that they had no authorization token. Without proof, they would never be able to obtain the money.
The wangfei was urging the matter urgently. A new daughter-in-law handling a task for the first time might wish to save face and complete it properly. It was very possible she would temporarily cover the six thousand taels with her own private funds and deal with the paperwork afterward.
Later, when requesting Pei shi to complete the formalities, Pei shi could simply delay.
A month, half a year, a year of delays, and the six thousand taels would become a dead account.
As a daughter-in-law, how could she repeatedly ask her mother-in-law for money?
In the end, she would have no choice but to admit defeat and lose six thousand taels for nothing.
Gu Jiu had been on guard from the start. The moment Qin mama tried to leave, she immediately sent people to stop her.
Only after obtaining Qin mama’s thumbprint was Gu Jiu able to smoothly withdraw the money from the accounts office.
Seeing Gu Jiu’s smug smile, Liu Zhao knew there truly had been no problem.
He said, “Tonight I’ll be having dinner at the residence.”
Gu Jiu’s face brightened with a smile. “I’ll have the kitchen prepare a banquet. We can have a drink together tonight.”
“Excellent!”
Liu Zhao was secretly quite excited and only hated that nightfall was taking so long.
Could darkness arrive a little sooner?
After returning to Chunhe Hall, Pei shi summoned Qin mama to her side.
“The matter wasn’t handled?”
Once she learned that the six thousand taels had been withdrawn from the accounts office, Pei shi knew her little scheme had failed.
Even so, she still wanted to hear it personally.
Qin mama bowed and said, “Nubi is incompetent. The matter was not handled properly.”
Pei shi snorted. “Someone said you were carried to the accounts office. Is that true?”
Qin mama said aggrievedly, “It is absolutely true. Nubi wanted to leave, but da furen refused to let me. Nubi claimed to be feeling unwell, but da furen actually ordered people to carry nubi there and insisted that I accompany them to the accounts office.”
Pei shi looked at Qin mama with disdain. Useless. She could not even handle such a small matter.
“Niangniang, da furen’s conduct was far too improper. In full view of everyone, she used such despicable methods. She should be severely punished,” Qin mama complained.
Pei shi shot her a sideways glance. “Severely punished? She was carrying out orders to obtain money from the accounts office. What fault is there? Do you want benwangfei to make trouble without reason and find fault where none exists?”
“Nubi would not dare.” Qin mama instantly wilted.
With a stern face, Pei shi said, “Next time, handle matters more thoroughly. Then benwangfei won’t be put in such a passive position.”
Qin mama lowered her head and repeatedly agreed.
A maid came to report that Gongzi Yi had come seeking an audience.
Pei shi immediately smiled. “Yi’er is here. Let him come in.”
The moment Liu Yi entered, he asked with concern, “Has mufei suffered any grievances?”
Pei shi smiled and said, “Your Huyang gumu is the sort who only sees money. With money in hand, everything becomes easy to handle.”
Liu Yi was somewhat dissatisfied. “How much did Huyang gumu ask for this time?”
“Don’t worry. We only gave her six thousand taels. Your fuwang also ordered someone to give the fuma a beating, twenty strokes.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Yi burst out laughing. “At last mufei has gotten this grievance off her chest.”
Pei shi looked completely satisfied. “In all these years, what your fuwang did today is the one thing that truly suits my heart.”
Liu Yi hesitated for a moment. “Mufei, Qin’er already knows she was wrong. Could you forgive her?”
Pei shi glanced at her youngest son. “Did your wife send you here?”
Liu Yi shook his head. “No. Qin’er and I only wish to help ease mufei‘s burdens.”
Pei shi sneered. “Go tell Xiao Qin’er that if she doesn’t cause trouble for benwangfei, that alone will be her greatest contribution.”
Liu Yi felt embarrassed, but continued nonetheless. “Mufei, for your son’s sake, and since this is her first offense, please forgive her.
Must mufei really allow dasao and ersao to steal the spotlight while Qin’er loses face? If she loses face, your son will lose face as well.
Then people will say your son is inferior to da ge, and that even Qin’er is inferior to dasao. If both Qin’er and I are overshadowed by da ge and dasao, how will your son hold his head high in the future?”
The moment Pei shi heard this, she became unhappy. “You need not belittle yourself. You are not inferior to your elder brother in the slightest. Most people are blinded by appearances. Why take others’ opinions to heart? As for Xiao Qin’er, she dared conceal the accounts and not report them. This time she must be taught a lesson. Go back and tell her that the matter of managing the household will be discussed again after the fifteenth day of the first month.”
Now that things had reached this point, Liu Yi understood clearly that there was no room for negotiation. They would have to wait until after the Lantern Festival.
He lowered his head and replied, “Your son will obey mufei.”
Pei shi offered him a few more words of encouragement. “Do your duties well and help your fuwang bear his burdens.”
“Your son understands.”
…
Eastern Courtyard.
The banquet dishes were set out, and Liu Zhao pulled Gu Jiu into drinking with him.
His intentions were written plainly on his face. He wanted to get Gu Jiu drunk and see what she looked like after drinking.
Gu Jiu smiled charmingly. How could she let Liu Zhao have his way?
“I cannot hold my liquor. Husband should drink more instead.”
Liu Zhao leaned close and whispered into her ear, “You look especially beautiful when your face turns red.”
Gu Jiu lowered her head and smiled. “Husband has an astonishing tolerance for alcohol. Why make things difficult for me?”
“Drinking alone is no fun.”
“So Husband wants someone to drink with him. Why didn’t you say so earlier? Shall I call er gongzi and san gongzi over?”
“What would I call them for? Boring. Xiao Jiu, have another cup with me.”
Liu Zhao shamelessly pestered her, pulling her into drinking.
Caught off guard, Gu Jiu was forced to swallow a mouthful of wine.
She took out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth, looking thoroughly disgusted as she pushed Liu Zhao away.
“Using drink as an excuse to act crazy. Rogue.”
Liu Zhao propped his chin on one hand. The candlelight flickered as he stared at Gu Jiu with bright eyes.
A lazy smile hung on his face. “Bengongzi is being a rogue. What are you going to do about it?”
“That is what I should be asking you. What exactly are you trying to do?”
“Bengongzi wants to eat you.”
Gu Jiu picked up a chicken drumstick and stuffed it directly into Liu Zhao’s mouth. She refused to believe that with so much food around, she still could not shut him up.
Liu Zhao took large bites of the drumstick. “This drumstick is well seasoned. Perfect with wine.”
Watching him, Gu Jiu casually asked, “These past few days, you’ve been leaving early and returning late every day. Could it be that you’ve been busy with Huyang gumu‘s affairs?”
Liu Zhao was surprised. “You know?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “I don’t know. I was merely guessing.”
Liu Zhao smiled. “My Xiao Jiu is indeed clever.”
So it really was Princess Huyang’s matter.
Gu Jiu asked again, “What exactly was it that kept you running around all day?”
Liu Zhao moved closer and whispered, “I can’t tell you. The fewer people who know, the better.”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow. Could Princess Huyang have done something treasonous?
She felt it inappropriate to continue guessing and ended the topic there.
The wine had warmed their bodies and flushed their ears. No one else remained in the hall.
Liu Zhao hugged Gu Jiu and attempted some improper behavior, only to be mercilessly interrupted by her.
With obvious disgust, she said, “You stink all over. You’re not allowed on my bed. If you want to get on the bed, go wash yourself first.”
Liu Zhao leaned against her. “You wash me.”
Gu Jiu snorted. “Benfuren does not serve people. I’ll call the maids in to attend to you.”
“No need for maids. Bengongzi isn’t someone who can’t even take care of himself. I’ll wash up on my own.”
Ever since marrying Gu Jiu, Liu Zhao had refused to let servants assist with his washing and grooming.
He solemnly said to Gu Jiu, “Wait for me!”
With that, he went to the bathhouse in the Wenshu Courtyard to wash.
Gu Jiu ordered people to clear the table and prepare hot water.
After a tiring day, she too wanted a proper bath.
Steam curled upward from the hot water in the bathtub. As she stepped into it, comfort spread through her entire body.
Soaking in the tub, Gu Jiu accidentally fell asleep.
When she suddenly felt the world spinning, she opened her eyes and realized Liu Zhao had picked her up.
Their eyes met. Liu Zhao’s face was cold.
“Are you trying to drown yourself?”
Gu Jiu yawned. “I was too tired. I didn’t expect to fall asleep so quickly.”
Liu Zhao snorted and directly tossed Gu Jiu onto the bed.
Though it could be called tossing, he was actually very careful.
After being “thrown” onto the bed, Gu Jiu rolled twice, then silently rolled all the way to the innermost side, burrowed under the quilt, closed her eyes, and prepared to sleep.
Liu Zhao climbed onto the bed after her and swept her into his arms with one arm.
At this moment, Gu Jiu lacked confidence and felt rather guilty.
In a small voice, she said, “I’m very tired today.”
“Bengongzi knows.”
The look in Liu Zhao’s eyes did not seem like that of someone who knew. His thoughts, his desire to devour her, were completely undisguised.
Gu Jiu secretly bared her teeth. “Another day?”
Liu Zhao slowly but firmly shook his head.
Since their wedding, he had been leaving early and returning late every day for several days.
Today was only the second opportunity. Did she know how miserable his hunger had been?
Another day? Dream on.
Gu Jiu felt like crying without tears.
Could you hurry up a little?
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