Chapter 348 - 349: Speculation

Chapter 348: Chapter 349: Speculation

Seeing that she still refused to admit it, Xiao Shi Yu said bluntly, "But they claim to have evidence. They’ve been investigating you quite a bit these past few days. You should think hard—is there something you didn’t clean up properly?"

"Sister, why won’t you believe me? If you don’t believe me, you can go to the Shuntian Government Office and ask. The Niu Family made a scene about this back then, too. They were dead set on pinning the crime on me.

But the constables who came at the time all said that the master died of a sudden illness and that it had nothing to do with me.

That Jin woman is so vicious, fabricating charges out of thin air. Is she trying to drive me to my death?"

As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief and dabbed the corner of her eye, her face a mask of utter grievance.

"There are no outsiders here, just us two sisters. Can you not tell me the truth? Do you have any idea what a devastating catastrophe it would be for our entire Xiao Family if this is proven?" Xiao Shi Yu said, trying to persuade her softly through gritted teeth.

Xiao Wanyu retorted, "What is there for me to admit, Sister, when I’ve done nothing? It seems that Jin woman is quite eloquent, managing to turn you against me so thoroughly. We are both daughters of the Xiao Family. Do you really think I wouldn’t consider our family’s welfare?"

Xiao Shi Yu stared at her face but could see no crack in her facade. With a flick of her sleeve, she started to walk out. "It had better be."

"Sister, where are you going?"

Without turning her head, Xiao Shi Yu replied, "I’m returning home, of course. I’m not as free as you are. I still have a mother-in-law to serve.

And while you may not have a mother-in-law or husband to attend to anymore, you should still go home and see the two children. No matter what, you are their mother in name. It won’t look good if word gets out that you’re so neglectful."

The moment Xiao Shi Yu disappeared through the doorway, Xiao Wanyu’s expression darkened. Beside her, Yu Xiaoju quickly shrank into a corner.

"Little Jue, do you also think that I, your Madam, am a ruthless person?"

Hearing that chilling voice, Yu Xiaoju shivered and quickly shook her head. "That’s because the Eldest Miss doesn’t understand you. She was deceived by someone else’s plot."

"Even a maid like you understands such a simple truth. Tell me, why would my dear sister be so suspicious?"

"This servant does not know..."

"You’d best maintain that ignorance. They say ignorance is bliss, don’t you agree?"

"..."

「In the carriage.」

Lichun and Li Qiu arranged the cushions, allowing Jin Qianqian to lean back more comfortably.

"Do you think my speculation was wrong?"

Lichun replied, "I wasn’t sure before, but now I’d say there’s a fifty percent chance you’re right. Lady Huang must have been suspicious early on. I saw her clenching her fists several times. I think when you asked your questions, Madam, you were voicing her own doubts."

Jin Qianqian said, "I thought I would have to deal with them for a while longer. It seems that after this, things should quiet down a bit.

But how did they know our itinerary? When we get back to the residence, find someone to look into it."

"Yes," Lichun acknowledged. She knew this matter likely involved someone from their own residence. Otherwise, how could someone have been lying in wait for them so soon after they had left?

Some of the servants in the residence weren’t brought over from Dao City; they were hired from a baby broker after we arrived in Shangjing. To think there was a security lapse after all.

With her eyes closed, Jin Qianqian instructed, "Tell our scouts to keep a close watch. By startling the snake, we’ve made our move. Xiao Wanyu will probably try to cover her tracks again."

"Yes."

「Later.」

Ancient Wen Heng was handling his affairs as usual when Gong Zhengping sent someone to summon him.

"Lord Gong, Mr. Zhang." Ancient Wen Heng hadn’t expected the two Grand Scholars of the Hanlin Academy to be gathered together today, especially with no one else around.

"Wenheng, sit." Gong Zhengping smiled amiably. The more he looked at Ancient Wen Heng, the more he liked what he saw.

He had only recently heard from Zhou Shixiong that the young man owed his life to Ancient Wenheng and his wife.

His old friend had only that one descendant. He shuddered with lingering fear just thinking what would have happened if Zhou Shixiong hadn’t run into Ancient Wen Heng at that exact moment.

Zhang Daji gave Gong Zhengping a baffled look. ’Isn’t this old fellow being a bit too enthusiastic?’

"I dare not presume. May I ask what instructions you two lords have for me?"

Zhang Daji explained, "The Holy Emperor has decreed that the various ministries must take turns conducting self-audits. Although our Hanlin Academy doesn’t have many transactions, we’ve also been ordered to audit ourselves.

Each ministry is now seconding two people to a team for mutual supervision, and Lord Gong and I are in agreement that you should be one of them."

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t dare underestimate the wisdom of the people of this era. ’They’re already learning to extrapolate,’ he thought. ’This system completely eliminates any opportunity to cook the books.’

"There are many in the Hanlin Academy with more seniority than I. Is it appropriate for me to go?"

’This is a rare opportunity to gain recognition and build connections with the other ministries,’ Ancient Wen Heng thought. ’I can’t imagine the others in the Hanlin Academy aren’t tempted by it.’

"Lord Gong and I have our reasons for choosing you. Besides, you won’t be alone. He Nan will be going with you."

Zhang Daji had anticipated that some people would object, but as of now, Ancient Wen Heng was the best at mathematics in the entire Hanlin Academy. Sending him out wouldn’t disgrace the academy.

As for He Nan, Ancient Wen Heng had tutored him privately a few times, so he was naturally far ahead of the others.

If anyone else raised objections, that reasoning would be enough to silence them.

Ancient Wen Heng certainly wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to burnish his professional record. He asked a few more questions about the audit before returning to his office.

Just as he was about to continue reviewing the archives, He Nan came running over.

Seeing him grinning foolishly, Ancient Wen Heng shot him a glance and returned to his work.

"Aren’t you excited?" He Nan grinned so widely his eyes narrowed into slits. "This is the Six Ministries! We actually get to make a tour of them."

"The doors to the Six Ministries aren’t locked. If you want to take a tour, you can go right now," Ancient Wen Heng said, setting down the scroll in his hand. "Wipe that expression off your face. I have no desire to attract everyone’s envy and resentment along with you."

He Nan vigorously rubbed his face. "I was just so happy I lost control for a moment. How do I look now?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Don’t let the corners of your mouth curl up so high. Anyone who doesn’t know better might think you’re mocking them."

He Nan immediately let his face fall. "How about this?"

"Now you have a face like a bitter melon. The two Grand Scholars will think you’re unhappy with the assignment. The prize might just slip right through your fingers."

"This won’t work, that won’t work... maybe I should just cover my face with a cloth."

Ancient Wen Heng actually nodded in agreement. "I’ll have my butler send a condolence gift to your home later."

"Send a what...?" He Nan realized in an instant. He stood there pointing at Ancient Wen Heng with an exaggerated expression. "And I thought you were my friend! How can you be so merciless?"

Ancient Wen Heng spread his hands. "Weren’t you the one who just said it? If it really came to that, it would be wrong of me not to send a gift, wouldn’t it? After all, you consider me your friend."

"You..." He Nan sputtered for a moment before finally getting the words out. "You have such a sharp tongue..."