Too high to reach

Chapter 318 Desperate
That day, Granny Zhao was checking the accounts methodically.

Each item was checked very carefully.

Therefore, Consort Feng had a hard time. The weather was hot, and she was soaked in sweat several times.

Madam Song hurriedly gathered all the silver notes she could find.

After a while, the person who went out brought back the silver notes from her cousin and cousin-in-law.

Consort Feng made an excuse to go out and secretly put the silver notes into the treasury where gold and silver were stored.

She roughly tallied the amounts, but her mind was in a mess, and she couldn't remember how much all the accounts should add up to.

It's definitely bad!
But if you add back all the properties she acquired, there will definitely be a lot more!

She has genuinely made a profit over the years.

However, although he had the house deeds in his hands, the names on them were all his cousin and her husband.

We did this initially to be on the safe side.

But now... she deeply regrets it. She should have used her own name; it would have been easier to come up with an explanation... How could she possibly explain it?
She was organizing different explanations... to see which one made the most sense.

Granny Zhao carefully checked the accounts and made notes.

Feng Liniang saw it all, but she didn't know what she was writing.

By observing the people in charge of each position, one can analyze Feng Liniang's priorities and the degree of intimacy between them.

After analyzing the monthly wages and various rewards and benefits, Granny Zhao discovered that Feng Liniang was very generous to her subordinates, especially those in key positions... at least much better than when she was in charge.

Her blessings even extended to the families of those close to the prince, benefiting them during festivals, New Year's celebrations, births, weddings, illnesses, and funerals. Her generosity was considerable!

They really know how to win people's hearts.

These are all hidden pitfalls.

If Princess Mo takes over in the future, and everyone's lives are not as good as before, that will be the beginning of trouble.

There are many wealthy families in the capital, as well as various princely mansions. The treatment of servants in these mansions follows certain unspoken rules.

You can treat your servants well, but you can't go too far.

Otherwise, the Qi Prince's Mansion would disrupt the balance and cause resentment from other families.

Therefore, Feng Liniang's actions were quite annoying.

Suddenly, she remembered Zhou Dong.

When his wife first came to the capital, Feng Liniang received exceptionally preferential treatment. Even the courtyard she was given was arranged in a way that drove away the prince's relatives.

Whenever they saw Madam Tu again, she would always fawn over Feng Liniang with a solicitous expression...

They had a past friendship, plus the support they were currently giving each other. Zhou Dong… he wouldn't be foolish enough to get involved in anything, would he?
Granny Zhao's hands tightened as she flipped through the account books; she hoped everything was still in the early stages...

The day ended with Consort Feng appearing calm on the surface, but inwardly in a state of utter panic.

"That's enough for today," said Granny Zhao with a smile. "However, since we're going to check the accounts, let's seal up everything except the kitchen's accounts and the storeroom. Don't touch anything else. If there's any urgent need for funds, just let me know."

Are they going to freeze the accounts?

Consort Feng forced a smile and asked, "Granny Zhao, how many days do you plan to investigate?"

"We'll see how it goes! It'll take as many days as it takes. Is Consort Feng facing any difficulties?"

"No!" Consort Feng replied.

"Alright!" Granny Zhao had the storerooms sealed off. "We'll come back tomorrow morning."

As Consort Feng watched Zhao Mama's retreating figure, she realized that this matter was unlikely to end well.

She sat alone for a long time, and finally gritted her teeth, got up and went to the front study.

The gatekeeper didn't stop her and she went straight to the front study. Someone was guarding the door: "Your Highness, Consort."

Is Your Highness in?

"Your Highness, the Prince has not yet returned!"

When will he be back?

She was desperate.

Suddenly, he made up his mind: rather than let Granny Zhao find out and question him in front of everyone, making it known to all.

It would be better to go to the prince, kneel down and beg for forgiveness, and simply confess the truth. Although she misappropriated some of the silver in the treasury, it didn't cause any actual loss. In fact, it generated more profit than leaving it to gather dust in the treasury.

If you are honest and have a good attitude... then your good deeds and bad deeds can be offset?

"The prince didn't say," the gatekeeper said honestly.

“Then… when the prince returns, tell him I have urgent business with him.” She walked back, her legs weak and disheartened.

All those years of hard work, have they all come to nothing?

……

While the Prince Qi's residence was busy auditing accounts, the Crown Prince's residence received some good news.

Xiao Shuan'er arrived at Mo Yuan's courtyard: "Madam Mo, the Crown Prince requests your presence."

Mo Yuan, unaware of what was going on, tidied herself up and followed him to the front study.

In front of others, Xiao Shuan'er never spoke much to Mo Yuan.

Mo Yuan treated him no differently than anyone else, smiling and making casual remarks.

Upon entering the study, she found only the Crown Prince there. Seeing her arrive, he greeted her with a smile, "Yuanyuan, come here!"

"Your Highness, something good must have happened? You look so radiant! Sharing happiness is worse than keeping it to yourself, so tell Yuanyuan and let her share in your joy!"

She spoke softly as she walked over.

The crown prince pulled her over, made her sit on his lap, and hugged her tightly...

"You finally got a reply to the message you gave me last time. That's right! Someone is indeed annexing land and recruiting soldiers in a roundabout way. My men have already started to take action!" The Crown Prince's eyes shone brightly.

"Really?! You figured it out in such a short time? You're really capable, sir!"

The Crown Prince was even more delighted. "Everything has been investigated! The land and the number of people involved... and the method used. I'm afraid you don't understand, but when it comes to food and people, there are no small matters! This is a big deal! Once it's all sorted out, we'll present it to Father, and the credit will be guaranteed!"

The crown prince was extremely excited; such a great achievement hadn't taken much of his effort.

The key point is that this was taken from the seventh brother, making it doubly satisfying!
"Then, who is the main culprit? Has he been caught?" Mo Yuan asked.

"I don't have many men at my disposal, so I went straight for the main culprit. It was a prefect surnamed Ma, but he escaped. However, the evidence is all there. I've already arranged for his arrest. He can't get far!"

"My lord, you are truly wise and fortunate. Originally, I only heard some random news and mentioned it to you casually. I never expected that you could analyze such a big matter from it. Moreover, you resolved it in the blink of an eye, truly swift and decisive! Judgment, action, and such a good result... I am truly impressed!"

Mo Yuan bowed with her hands clasped in greeting.

She downplayed her own contributions and praised the crown prince highly.

The prince laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"You're too modest, little Yuanyuan...you're my lucky star!"

Seeing Mo Yuan's bright eyes and expectant expression.

The Crown Prince smiled again, "I will definitely keep my promise to you! I will now request the title of concubine for you!"

"Really!? You're so kind, Master!" Mo Yuan jumped up.

"Yes. If you're good, I'll treat you well. You did a good job this time, let's keep up the good work! Yuanyuan, don't tell anyone... If I reach that day, you'll definitely get the position of Imperial Concubine!"

Mo Yuan trembled slightly with excitement; this was her dream!

……

With a "crack," a fine Jun porcelain teacup shattered on the ground, turning to dust...

Immediately afterwards, teapots, fruit plates, and other items fell to the ground...

The Prince of Yong'an paced back and forth in anger, like a caged beast...

He muttered under his breath, "Damn it! You ruined my plans! That bastard!"

"How did he know? That place...who are his people?" He impulsively reached into the cabinet, grabbed a notebook, and angrily flipped through it...

How many people were evacuated?

"Sixty percent of them have evacuated to Yongzhou. It's all arranged. Only Prefect Ma was exposed, so he also evacuated. He's found a replacement... Sir, Prefect Ma doesn't know you, so please rest assured, they won't be able to trace you here."

"Can't find it? But this is something I've been working on for years! The key is, this method has been exposed..." How is he supposed to raise troops now?

"That damned Li Huan, he dares to mess with me? Does he think I don't have anything on him?"

With a sinister grin, he said, "Alright! Let's have some fun!"