Too high to reach

Chapter 317 Caught off guard
When Li Jing got home, she was feeling down.

Mo Yi, who was brewing tea nearby, shook her head and said, "Actually, I can understand Feng Liniang's desire to become a princess. She not only wants to think about herself, but also about Shao'er. It's just that she's too insidious..."

“What she’s thinking, how could I not understand?” Li Jing took a sip and put down his teacup. “But… that’s just how things are. And it’s not just the Qi Prince’s mansion that has this rule. She’s been learning from Granny Zhao for several years, doesn’t she know that following me will lead to this?”

"Your Highness... Everyone understands the principle, but when it comes to themselves, they might think they're just lucky."

Li Jing snorted coldly.

"I don't know about Yongle's affairs, what role she played in it..."

"Hmph..." Li Jing sneered, "Haven't you noticed that these two things are similar in method and have the same effect!"

Mo Yi nodded. "She set up a trap beforehand, and struck as soon as the opportunity arose. Then the evidence was destroyed, and nothing could be traced back to her. However, Your Highness, although the methods are the same, the essence is still different. She had her own purpose in the matter of Princess Zhou. One was for herself and her son, and the other was to avoid creating a scandal that would embarrass Your Highness."

But if Yongle's actions were her doing, it would be horrifying. From what I know, Granny Zhao only had a mentoring and guiding relationship with her; she never harmed her.

"Silly girl, she was taught and mentored by Granny Zhao back then, but later, the roles reversed. After she became a concubine, she thought she was Granny Zhao's mistress. They had a close relationship, so Granny Zhao should rightfully be her person. But things didn't go as planned, so she was just venting her anger."

"..." This statement sent chills down Mo Yi's spine. "In my opinion, there is definitely something wrong with the accounts, but whether it's the Prince's Mansion or the Princess Zhou's dowry, there probably won't be any actual losses, and they might even make a profit. So, this matter can be big or small. If she uses this excuse to plead for leniency, how will you handle it?"

“Checking the accounts is just a means to an end, to find the mistakes so we can move on to the next step… She’s been managing the household for several years, she needs to figure out her connections. She can’t stay in the manor anymore.” After saying that, Li Jing gave a bitter smile, put her hand on Mo Yi’s shoulder and murmured, “I don’t even know how she will treat me when I become an obstacle.”

Mo Yi smiled: "In my opinion, given the current situation, the person she is most likely to target is me. As for you, she knows what kind of person the Crown Prince is. If it weren't for you in the Qi Prince's mansion, and she was just taking care of a young child by herself? The Ninth Prince would probably devour them both without the Crown Prince even lifting a finger."

Li Jing shook her head, "What you can think of, she may not be! Take the Yongle affair for example, she devised such a scheme, but what benefit could it possibly bring her?"

That very evening, news broke from the study in front of Prince Qi's residence that one of the prince's properties had run into trouble.

But no one knows which industry it is or what the problem is.

The prince was very angry and threw a tantrum in front of him.

Of course, Feng Liniang also heard the news, but she didn't take it seriously.

Sure enough, when they had breakfast the next day, Li Jing had a dark expression on his face.

Everyone was on edge, and even Qianqian didn't dare to speak.

Granny Zhao arrived. "Your Highness, Your Highness." She had a good rest yesterday, and today she seemed to be in good spirits.

"Hmm." Li Jing put down his chopsticks and coughed.

Seeing this, everyone put down what they were holding and wanted to hear what the head of the family had to say.

"Feng Liniang," Li Jing called out.

“Your Highness.” Consort Feng stood up.

"Today, Granny Zhao will begin investigating the people, accounts, and storerooms in the manor. Prepare everything you have with you; provide whatever she needs to investigate."

Consort Feng's expression immediately changed. "Your Highness, is there something wrong with me?"

"Whether there's a problem or not, we'll know after the investigation." Li Jing said coldly, "This isn't just targeting you. The front study, as well as the surrounding properties and accounts, all need to be reviewed. It also includes the portion under your management that belongs to Xiangxiang's mother."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangling exchanged a glance with Zhou Jiu.

"The household accounts were previously managed by Granny Zhao, so it's more convenient for her to investigate. In this matter, Granny Zhao represents me. If there are any disagreements, you don't need to resolve them. Just write them down and we'll reach a consensus later."

"This..." Consort Feng was completely stunned.

My mind was racing, but I didn't know what to think.

We caught her completely off guard.

Is there something wrong with her accounts?
Of course!
The accounts themselves aren't the biggest problem. The real issue is the money in the warehouse...

She wouldn't let so much silver sit idle in the storeroom gathering dust, so she kept only what was needed for daily use in the household and put the rest to good use.

These are generally not needed; they can be transferred back when needed.

It's not hard to find out... How should I explain myself?

"Alright! I have other matters to attend to ahead of me, you all go ahead with your business!"

Li Jing stood up impatiently and left.

Mo Yi wasn't full yet, and picked up another small steamed bun. Meanwhile, Feng Liniang was sweating profusely, her temples damp with perspiration.

He smiled and took a bite.

Zhao Mama smiled and said, "Your Highness, shall we conduct our business in Changlan Pavilion or here in the dining hall? This place is more spacious, and we have several assistants here as well."

Consort Feng blinked and forced a smile. "The account books are all over there. Why don't we go over there?" "Alright." Granny Zhao walked out.

Consort Feng hurriedly followed, but she found that her steps were a little unsteady.

As soon as I stepped out of the dining room, sure enough, there were several people standing outside.

Is this a serious move?

If something happened outside, why did the investigation lead to me?
A few days ago, Mo Yi even looked for Xiao Zhao. Could it be that she discovered something?
She muttered to herself as she entered Changlan Pavilion.

"Granny Zhao, Liniang would like to say a few words to you first," Feng Liniang said with a smile.

Granny Zhao turned around and said to the group of people, "Please wait in the porch for a moment."

Upon entering the main study, Feng Liniang greeted Zhao Mama with a humble and respectful demeanor, completely unlike her previous arrogant and indifferent attitude when she met Zhao Mama here.

Granny Zhao was not happy. This was someone she had personally trained and put so much effort into, only to find out that she was a poisonous snake!
"I heard from the Prince that you have returned, and I originally wanted to go and see you. But the Prince went out with his wife, so it wasn't appropriate for Liniang to go with him. I was thinking of making another appointment with you for another day. I wonder, how is the matter with Yongle going?"

Feng Liniang asked softly, looking at Zhao Mama, who was clearly in pain; she looked quite different...

Granny Zhao was still somewhat dazed. How dare she mention Yongle? The hatred in her heart almost became unbearable.

Finally, he sighed softly, "This journey has been arduous, crossing mountains, ridges, and rivers, with some roads in very poor condition. Sometimes we would walk from morning till night before we would see a village. I was exhausted, and Yongle's health... he fell ill halfway through the journey, and by the time we arrived, he was already at his last gasp."

After saying that, she shook her head.

Consort Feng looked on with deep empathy, "Yes, she'll also suffer from water and soil incompatibility. The food must not be to her liking either. She's really suffered."

"There's nothing we can do. Who told her to like Wan Daoping? People always have to bear the consequences of their actions, whether good or bad."

Feng Liniang secretly looked at Zhao Mama, trying to figure out the meaning behind her words.

"However, I also feel lucky. She dragged her sick body to this day and even gave birth to children. God has been kind to her and to me! Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. We still have a lot to do, let's get to work!"

"Granny Zhao!" Consort Feng asked anxiously, "What's going on? Why does the Prince suddenly want to check the accounts?"

“There are some things happening outside… let’s not talk about them. They’ve annoyed and worried the prince, so he’s decided to investigate everything. It’s the same in several places, not just what you have.”

These words did not reassure Consort Feng. "Then, what does Granny Zhao want to see? Could you give me some time to prepare?"

"The things you manage on a daily basis don't need special preparation. The household accounts have been in use for many years. As long as they are recorded according to the rules, there won't be any problems. Even if there are some that haven't been entered into the accounts yet, you can just do them as you go. It's not that strict..."

"Yes... shall we begin now?"

"Start now."

They called in a few people from outside, and everyone found their place and took out their work tools.

Granny Zhao smiled and said, "Shall we begin?"

Consort Feng felt her body stiffen with nervousness.

"Please trouble Your Highness, Consort, to first bring the register of the people in the inner quarters, their indentures, and... the records of their monthly wages, for the first six months. Also, bring them their rewards, clothing, food, and records of their illnesses, funerals, weddings, and so on."

Consort Feng swallowed hard. "Alright, quite a lot... I'll go tell them to get it."

When she came out, Song's mother was waiting anxiously outside. "Your Highness, what happened?"

Consort Feng shook her head. "I don't know either... Go quickly to my room and take all the silver notes from the box to the storeroom. Also, take whatever you can get your hands on. And, quickly send someone to my sister's place and get all the silver notes they have... I want to see how much we're short..."

She was anxious, so there must have been a significant difference.

How can I explain this?
"How hateful! I wasn't prepared at all... Go quickly!" she said, both anxious and angry.

Mrs. Song left quickly.

Then, Consort Feng ordered her servants to find what Granny Zhao had requested. They dawdled around for a while, finding a whole pile of things. Then they brought them to Granny Zhao.

Granny Zhao knew that Mama Song had hurriedly gone to Consort Feng's courtyard...

She smiled to herself; there was a proper order to checking the accounts.

Take it one step at a time. Give her a chance first, and fill the gap with the available funds.

This is called "closing the door to beat the dog".

I'll show you what it means to lose both your money and your life!

These past few days have been really tough...

This chapter is quite long; some parts should be moved to the next chapter. It needs to be more coherent; it's currently a jumbled mess.