Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 6: Trouble in the Backyard
Before I knew it, more than half a month had passed.

There was a sudden heavy snowfall last night, which didn't stop until this afternoon.

Outside the window, everything is white, with occasional snow falling from the branches, making a rustling sound.

Although Zhao Han did not awaken the system during this time travel, he still discovered that his physical fitness and memory were far superior to those of ordinary people.

It would take an ordinary person at least a month to completely memorize the contents of a book, but he only needed three days.

Now I can easily lift weights that are several times heavier than my body weight.

Even so, Zhao Han still did not dare to slack off. Today, as he was sitting at his desk studying hard.

A major event happened quietly in the Sheng family's backyard.

Mrs. Guan, the kitchen manager, lost nearly a year's salary.

Lin Qinshuang, who holds the power of the household, is sending several maids and servants to search the backyard.

It happened that Sheng Hong had just returned from the Tongpan Yamen. He was furious when he heard about this from the servant.

If there is a thief in the family, it may be considered as the servants' dishonesty, or in a more serious sense, it means that the family is not managed properly and has brought disgrace to the family.

If he is not severely punished, the servants in the mansion will become more unscrupulous in the future, and once the news gets out, it will damage his official reputation.

Sheng Hong immediately ordered all doors in the mansion to be closed, vowing to conduct a thorough investigation to rectify the family rules and maintain a good family tradition!

When the old woman searched Wei Xiaoniang's residence, Lin Qinshuang leaned sideways, and a strand of hair hanging in front of her forehead swayed gently in the cold wind.

She stepped forward and said softly, "Honglang, Sister Wei is pregnant. I think we should not search her yard."

Wei Xiaoniang stood on one side with Minglan and two maids, Xiaotao and Xiaodie.

Hearing this, she frowned slightly, wondering what Lin Qinshuang wanted to do today.

Sheng Hong's face was solemn as he glanced at Wei Xiaoniang's yard indifferently. He had no intention of making an exception just because she was pregnant.

"The thief hasn't been caught yet. If we're going to investigate, we've got to do it thoroughly to avoid any future gossip."

When Lin Qinshuang heard this, a hint of a triumphant smile flashed in her eyes, but she sighed in pretended worry.

"Honglang is right, but Sister Wei has always been weak. It would be terrible if something went wrong."

Wei Xiaoniang twisted her handkerchief, bit her lip, and said, "Sister Lin, don't worry about me. Catching the thief is more important, so that the other person can be cleared of all charges."

Wei Xiaoniang's tone was gentle, but there was a hint of stubbornness in it.

Sheng Hong turned his head and looked at her without saying a word.

After receiving the order, the old women immediately rushed into the side rooms and rummaged through the drawers and cabinets. Their movements were rough and the noise was constant.

Seeing this, Xiaodie couldn't help but step forward to stop it, but Wei Xiaoniang quietly pulled her back and shook her head at her.

Minglan and Xiaotao stood close to Wei Xiaoniang, their clear and bright eyes looking around vigilantly.

Minglan is only eight years old this year, and Xiaotao is one year younger than her.
Although they were young, they could sense that the atmosphere in the mansion was unusual today.

About a cup of tea later, a high-pitched and shrill voice came from Xiaodie's house.

"Master, the thief has been caught!"

The old woman came quickly to Sheng Hong with two purses filled with small change.

Madam Guan took a quick look and impatiently pointed to one of the purses and said, "Master, this purse with the Guan character embroidered on it is the one I lost. There are exactly ten taels of silver in it!"

"Good Liu Xiaodie, I just wanted to stop you from getting more charcoal. I've had a few arguments with you."

"I didn't expect you to deliberately seek revenge and steal my monthly allowance!"

Xiaodie opened her eyes wide and looked at Madam Guan in disbelief.

"You're talking nonsense! The reason I argued with you was because you were shortchanging the charcoal and passing it off as good quality!"

Madam Guan snorted coldly and said with her neck stiffened: "The kitchen accounts are recorded clearly, and you are still talking nonsense!"

The maids in each courtyard had to leave their fingerprints on the ledger when they went to the kitchen to collect charcoal and food. Wei Xiaoniang didn't want to cause trouble, so even though she didn't receive the full amount of charcoal and food each day, she still made Xiaodie leave her fingerprints.

This means that even if Xiaodie wants to expose Madam Guan now, she has no concrete evidence.

Madam Guan has Lin Qinshuang's support, so she is naturally fearless.

Lin Qinshuang was a little surprised when she saw two heavy purses found.

After hesitating for a moment, she looked up at Sheng Hong, with a hint of self-blame and guilt in her eyes.

"Honglang, it's all my fault."

"I was negligent for a moment and allowed a thief to stay in Sister Wei's courtyard. He did something so shameful that it brought disgrace upon our family. I hope the Lord will punish me."

As he said this, he pretended to kneel down.

Sheng Hong looked at Lin Qinshuang's charming and delicate appearance, and his heart softened. He hurried forward and stretched out his hand to help her up.

"This matter has nothing to do with you. The servant deliberately wanted to steal something, so he must have tried every possible means to conceal it from others."

"You're already working incredibly hard managing the affairs of the harem, how can you possibly take care of every single thing?"

Lin Qinshuang placed her hand on Sheng Hong's arm, her eyes moving as she said softly, "Thank you, Honglang, for your understanding."

"Having dealt with the traitor today, I promise to be more cautious in the future and never let such dirty things disturb Mr. Hong's peace again."

Wang Ruofu, who rushed over after hearing the news, saw this scene, her heart was beating fast, and she couldn't help rolling her eyes at her.

He cursed Lin Qinshuang in his heart, calling her a vixen who deserved to be punished by God.

at this point.

Wei Xiaoniang finally understood that Lin Qinshuang was clearly coming for her and Xiaodie today.

She raised her eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "Master, Xiaodie has served me wholeheartedly over the years. Her loyalty is evident to all."

"She would never commit a theft. I am willing to protect her with my life."

"I beg the Master and Madam to conduct a thorough investigation and clear Xiaodie's name."

Wang Ruofu was moved when she saw Wei Xiaoniang speaking up for Liu Xiaodie despite her bulging belly.

Besides, she bought Wei Xiaoniang into the mansion to check and balance Lin Qinshuang.

It is not a good thing for him that Wei Xiaoniang has lost power.

She said quietly, "Liu Xiaodie has always been well-behaved. I don't think she's dishonest."

"Sir, please don't just listen to one side of the story and jump to conclusions."

Sheng Hong didn't want to offend Wang Ruofu, so he picked up the two purses he had found in Xiaodie's room, weighed them, and then asked the servant to bring a scale.

After weighing the silver in the purses, Sheng Hong's eyes darkened slightly.

"One of these two purses contained the ten taels of silver that Guan had pointed out, and the other contained a full fifteen taels."

"You only make 500 coins a month. Where did you get the money in this purse?"

Upon hearing this, Xiaodie looked up at Wei Xiaoniang, and for a moment she didn't know whether she should tell her what happened in their courtyard.

Wei Xiaoniang stroked her bulging belly. She knew that if she didn't tell the truth now, Xiaodie would not be able to escape unscathed.

So, she said in a serious tone: "Why don't you confess to the master and the lady?"

Xiaodie nodded, wiped her tears, and told Zhao Han everything about how the kitchen maid withheld charcoal for food, how she went out of the house to exchange charcoal for charcoal, and how she met Zhao Han by chance.

Minglan stepped forward and tugged at Sheng Hong's sleeve, sobbing, "Daddy, please have mercy on us! If it weren't for Young Master Zhao's money, my mother and I would have been frozen sick long ago."

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(End of this chapter)