After talking about the deep love between sisters, Zhou Yuexue turned the conversation to the prince:
"When I left the government yesterday, I heard the people in the market talking about the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue and the Xue family of the imperial merchants. I heard that the Xue family and the Ministry of Revenue colluded with each other to evade the salt tax. The amount was staggering. His Majesty was furious. Now, we have sent Master Gao’s entire family and the main branch of the Xue family to prison, and we are now investigating all the people involved.”
Lin Jinyan was surprised: "Is it so serious?"
"Not only the Gao family and the Xue family, but also His Highness the Crown Prince were implicated. In the court, His Majesty got angry and reprimanded His Highness the Crown Prince, and also ordered His Highness the Crown Prince not to interfere in this matter."
Speaking of this, Zhou Yuexue looked around, approached Lin Jinyan, and lowered her voice:
"Many people are talking privately, saying that His Majesty is really angry this time, and will replace the candidate if the reserve position is not possible."
Lin Jinyan covered her mouth and said, "Real or false?"
Zhou Yuexue nodded and said, "That's what everyone is talking about outside."
Lin Jinyan frowned and sighed: "I just slept for half a month, and such a big thing happened. It's really unpredictable."
Zhou Yuexue: "Who says otherwise? I heard that the Second Highness made His Majesty angry because he wanted to plead for His Majesty the Crown Prince. He knelt down at the door of the royal study all afternoon as a punishment. However, Concubine Rou couldn't bear it and went to beg His Majesty before she gave up."
Lin Jinyan: "Your Highness is so kind-hearted with such deep brotherhood."
During the chat, Zhou Yuexue talked about a lot of good things that Chu Chengyao had done without leaving any trace.
Lin Jinyan also listened attentively and echoed with compliments from time to time.
After chatting for a long time, the maid came to report that it was Mrs. Hong Anbo and sent someone to the house to ask Zhou Yuexue to pick up the cloth.
After sending Zhou Yuexue away, Lin Jinyan sat gloomily in the yard until Bai Zhi came back after finishing the medicine and persuaded her to drink it before returning to the house.
Not long after entering the house, Bai Zhi came out and said to Yutong:
"The lady asked me to go to the Prince's Mansion. You can go in and take a closer look."
Yu Lan, who was slowly putting away the tea cups, listened carefully and saw Yu Tong entering the house, then turned to look at Bai Zhi's back as she hurried out of the yard.
evening.
Lin Jinyan took the letter from Hong Jiu, read it carefully and then burned it:
"Tomorrow, bring a message to Boss An, saying that the Queen Mother's birthday is a good day. Where did my cousin go after she left the house?"
Hong Jiu: "My cousin first followed Hong Anbo's wife to pick some cloth from the shop. After we parted, we went to Taihe Restaurant to drink tea for an hour."
Bai Zhi: "In recent days, my cousin has suddenly become possessed by a spirit. By chance, she has helped many officials and family members. Officials and family members are invited to her almost every day."
Lin Jinyan continued to look at the account books and said without raising her head:
"Once is a coincidence, more than once is a coincidence made by man. Bai Zhi, you should take good care of your cousin when she comes to the house as a guest. Pay more attention to Tingyuge's diet, and you should pay more attention to your cousin's health."
After Bai Zhi agreed, she took two lamps from elsewhere and placed them next to Lin Jinyan's hand:
"Miss, be careful. You have too many account books to look at. Hong Jiuyutong and I can also help you with them. Don't be too tired."
Lin Jinyan: "You are all our own people. It's not that I'm not worried. It's not that no one has done the accounting for me, nor is there anything wrong with doubting the accounts. I just want to go through everything and keep it in my mind. If there is something or If you want to think of something, you don’t have to waste time searching for it, and you’ll have a clearer mind.”
Bai Zhi: "I will do whatever the young lady says. I just want the young lady to take good care of myself. I always feel that you are tense and don't dare to relax for a moment. It hurts to see you."
(End of chapter)
