The number one rebel of the Great Wu

"Xiao Gengzi? Him?"

Shen Qingci chuckled.

He had only been in the mansion for a day when he was punished by being sent to the janitor's office.

If he really could earn such a large sum of money, then Shen Qingci could only marvel at his great ability!

Seeing Shen Qingci's disbelief, Steward Lin immediately became anxious!

"Your Highness, everything I've said is true!"

"Xiao Duozi and Steward Wang are both witnesses. You just need to send someone to search his residence, and you're sure to find the stolen money!"

Chen Changgeng smiled faintly and looked at Steward Lin.

Steward Lin and Steward Wang are clearly birds of a feather.

I reckon that as soon as Steward Wang's hat was taken off this morning, Xiao Duozi went to inform Steward Lin.

Although Shen Qingci doesn't believe it now, if things really come down to it, this woman will eventually dig out the money.

If things get out of hand, it'll be a huge mess. It's better to expose it now.

"That's right, I earned two thousand four hundred taels."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear inside the hall.

I earned this money through my own abilities, without cheating or swindling, and it was all for the purpose of helping the Crown Prince, so why shouldn't I be allowed to take it!

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci, who had just been smiling, froze instantly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes.

"Your Highness, look! He's already admitted it!"

"Please punish them immediately! Lest you discourage the servants in the household!"

Steward Lin shouted loudly and knelt down on the ground!

Instantly, Shen Qingci's expression changed slightly.

How dare a servant threaten me! He's utterly audacious!

Putting aside the fact that Chen Changgeng is her man, just considering that he is the only one who can save the Crown Prince, Shen Qingci would not punish him hastily!

"Little Gengzi, do you have any further explanation?"

Shen Qingci looked at Chen Changgeng with a serious expression.

"Your Highness, I did indeed receive two thousand four hundred taels of silver."

"But this money wasn't obtained through abuse of power for personal gain."

"I entered the manor yesterday and was punished by being sent to the chores room to do odd jobs. How could I have any authority over this?"

"How do you explain impersonating the Crown Prince's close attendant and swindling money from others?!"

Manager Lin was dumbfounded, and quickly looked up to emphasize!

Chen Changgeng smiled.

"Her Highness the Crown Princess appointed me as the Crown Prince's study companion, and I just accompanied the Crown Prince to meet His Majesty today."

"And where does this talk of impersonation come from?"

"I sold an article using my own talent, and the buyer was overjoyed. It was a mutually agreeable transaction, so how can it be considered fraud?"

Manager Lin's mind was buzzing, his eyes were flashing, and finally he gritted his teeth!

"How do you know the buyer is happy and it's a mutual agreement? I think that's just your side of the story!"

Shen Qingci listened with great interest and praised Chen Changgeng's response highly.

Seeing that the atmosphere had been set, he casually asked a question.

"Yes, how can you prove that?"

Chen Changgeng put his hands behind his back and looked in the direction the Crown Prince had left.

"Whether the buyer is happy or not, Your Highness, you can find out by summoning the Crown Prince and asking him."

Shen Qingci was taken aback at first, but then suddenly realized what he meant.

"I see. You mean the birthday greeting in the Crown Prince's possession was written by you?"

Chen Changgeng nodded.

"Fun! Fun!"

Shen Qingci laughed so hard her body trembled.

She had been worried that there might be problems with the Crown Prince's birthday address, but now that she heard it was written by Chen Changgeng, she was naturally relieved.

Seeing the two talking back and forth, Steward Lin, who was kneeling to the side, was sweating profusely!

How could he have imagined that the final buyer would be the Crown Prince!

Moreover, judging from Shen Qingci's appearance, he has no intention of punishing Chen Changgeng at all!

Now I've just run into a brick wall!

"Steward Lin, is there anything else you'd like to ask? Please speak up!"

"I... may I ask again for you?"

Shen Qingci turned her head away. Although her tone was normal, to Lin Dequan it sounded like a death sentence.

Lin Dequan trembled and immediately kowtowed violently.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"

"It's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding...!"

"It was all...it was all because I was confused for a moment and listened to slander."

"I hope you won't take this to heart, Manager Chen!"

Lin Dequan is now filled with remorse and wishes he could immediately drag Xiao Duozi over and beat him a hundred or eighty times to vent his anger!

Chen Changgeng walked up to Lin Dequan with a smile and squatted down.

"You're not just listening to slander; you're blinded by greed and your judgment has been clouded by money."

"As the Grand Steward of the Crown Prince's Palace, instead of properly managing his servants and organizing the affairs of the palace, he is involved in these baseless rumors."

"Tsk tsk tsk!"

Chen Changgeng shook his head, his tone disappointed.

After all, Lin Dequan was his direct superior, so Chen Changgeng didn't say anything too harsh.

Moreover, with the Crown Prince not present, Shen Qingci alone cannot dismiss him from his post, so this grudge can only be remembered for now.

Since he's walked right into his own trap, Chen Changgeng will give him a little warning. He got what he asked for.

"Manager Lin, do you know what to do?"

Seeing that Chen Changgeng had already expressed his opinion, Shen Qingci asked with a smile.

Lin Dequan turned pale and quickly replied.

"Yes, sir, I understand."

"I'll go back right away and arrest Xiao Duozi, then punish him severely!"

Shen Qingci nodded in satisfaction, and with a wave of her hand, Lin Dequan quickly withdrew.

Seeing this, Chen Changgeng also tried to slip away, but Shen Qingci quickly opened his mouth.

"Little Gengzi, your business isn't over yet!"

"Two thousand four hundred taels, that's no small sum."

Chen Changgeng cursed inwardly, knowing that this woman would never let him go!

He could only look up and force a smile.

"I had no choice but to do this because I was short of money!"

"Besides, if I want to assist the Crown Prince in the future, I will have to spend money on all sorts of things, from bribing officials to managing relationships."

Shen Qingci simply snorted, completely unmoved by her act.

"Since you say the money came from the Crown Prince, then these two thousand four hundred taels will be considered part of your salary."

"Considering that you intended to help the Crown Prince, I will not pursue this matter further."

"But if there is a next time, we will... punish them severely without leniency!"

Chen Changgeng was suffering in silence!

That damn woman, she's really good at calculating!

He silently withdrew half of his salary; he's even more ruthless than Zhou Bapi!

Seeing Chen Changgeng's bitter expression, Shen Qingci knew that she had won back this time, and was naturally in a great mood.

"Alright, go back and think of a solution regarding the Crown Prince's confinement."

"The Crown Prince must appear at the birthday banquet seven days from now!"

"If you can handle this matter well, I will reward you accordingly."

What reward? And you'd even offer yourself in return!

Chen Changgeng rolled his eyes, readily agreed, and immediately withdrew.

No sooner had he left than a young eunuch came to announce his arrival at the door.

"Your Highness, someone from the Jiang family has come to pay a visit!"

"It's General Jiang and the young general!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci, who had just picked up her teacup, was overjoyed.

"Quickly, go and summon the Crown Prince!"

"I will personally go to greet you!"

She had heard that the Jiang family had been summoned by His Majesty and would arrive in the capital soon, but she didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

Now that the Shen family has openly supported the Crown Prince, if they can also gain the support of the Jiang family, then the Crown Prince will be unstoppable!

Shen Qingci stood up, beckoned two maids to tidy his clothes, and silently recited a prayer.

"The Crown Prince had previously intended to befriend the Jiang family, but all the gifts he sent were rejected."

"I wonder what exactly changed their minds, that even General Jiang personally came to pay them a visit!"

Suppressing her excitement, Shen Qingci took a deep breath and quickly went out to greet them.