For a moment, the parlor was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. As soon as Baochan mentioned the phrase 'two-timing', Shopkeeper Wu deflated like a deflated balloon.

Everyone knew that the Xue family's ancestors had the title of "Zi Wei Lingren".

Zi Wei referred to the Zi Wei flowers outside the Hanlin Academy and the emperor star Zi Wei in the sky.

The position of "Lingren" had been established since the Qin Dynasty. It was first seen in "Zhou Li Di Guan". Later generations were close to the emperor.

Zi Wei Lingren was the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat. It started in the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasty, became the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and finally became the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat of the Imperial Secretariat. Its power was greatly reduced, and it was only responsible for writing documents.

This position was supposed to be filled by people with literary qualifications. Xue family was not suitable for this position.

Not to mention writing documents and taking charge of making imperial edicts, when they came to Xue Pan, they bought and gave away the position of xiucai, and the whole family shed tears of gratitude. Ancestors who could read business documents were considered scholars. If they went out with the words "Zi Wei Lingren", people who didn't know would think that the emperor was laughing at their family.

They couldn't help but think more about it.

In her previous life, her mother gave up the foundation of her ancestors to get her brother out of the death row prison.

Baochai remembered that before and after her brother was exposed, the Jia family was in a precarious situation. When she followed Feng Jie's plan and married into the family, her aunt asked if she had any official seal. She shook her head and said she didn't know anything.

Later, her aunt didn't ask again. Baoyu was always silly and naughty, so she didn't take it to heart.

Later, the Jia family told people to report many crimes against the law, private affairs, and human lives. Her brother couldn't escape the gourd case. He was arrested and thrown into prison that day.

That night, she vaguely heard the servants say that the Jinyi Guards went to Xue family and took something. The next day, a decree came and allowed them to pay for their lives.

She gritted her teeth and arranged for Shu Yue to be given to Baoyu. Only then was she able to go home. At this time, her brother was crying in her mother's arms.

The thing that was taken away was probably the origin of the Xue family's Crape Myrtle Hermit.

The present Emperor was already in his prime, the princes under him were growing up day by day. Seeing the foul wind and the rain of blood was unavoidable, he had to tear the Jia Family apart first, and then he had to sell this hot potato for a good price.

For merchants like them, they didn't even think about the merit of ascending the throne. When a new emperor ascended the throne, there had to be someone to carry the sedan chair. When the time came, they could get a mouthful of hot soup to drink. It was better than being killed as a chicken for the monkeys to see!

Therefore, Baochai would never allow the shopkeeper to bribe someone to steal a large sum of money from the purchasing account.

Even if they didn't tell her, she could roughly guess where the money went.

The head housekeeper had been outside for the past few days and had already checked the mouths of the shopkeeper's families. Manager Wu's youngest son had married a beautiful wife last year, who happened to be the niece of the Zhen family's wife. If they hadn't spent a large sum of money, they wouldn't have been able to fork out such a large sum of money. It was estimated that the main family had mourned for three years, and the tens of millions of taels of silver that they lacked in the account had all gone into the pocket of the Fifth Prince, the son of the Consort Zhen.

When the time came, if something went wrong, the Xue family, a fat sheep that had been squeezed dry, would fill in the hole. In the end, it was the subordinates who made the mistake. The princes were high and mighty, so naturally, even their shoes wouldn't be stained with dust.

Baochai sat behind the curtain and carefully looked at the faces of the other shopkeepers. Everyone's faces were filled with fear and fear. Only the pawnshop shopkeeper's face was ashen. The shopkeeper of the brush and ink shop, on the other hand, looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He had a feeling that 'it's finally here'.

At that moment, he only ordered the servant to watch over Manager Wu. He only ordered Shopkeeper Li of the pawnshop and Shopkeeper Zhao of the brush and ink shop to come out. Then, he sent the other shopkeepers to the east wing's study.

Shopkeeper Li didn't look at Manager Wu, who was paralyzed on the side. After the other shopkeepers left, he trembled and knelt down and said, "Replying … replying to Miss, Manager Wu previously brought people to our pawnshop to pawn a batch of things. Because he was a family member, we didn't look at it carefully. We only issued the tickets based on the unique copies of paintings and paintings … Miss!" Baochai didn't wait for him to finish and said, "Was it because you didn't look at it carefully, or … didn't dare to look at it carefully?"

Shopkeeper Zhao, who was next to him, sneered, "How could it be that you didn't dare to look at it carefully?

I'm afraid that even a cat would lead the way for a mouse. Now you're thinking of protecting yourself. "

Shopkeeper Li turned around and glared fiercely at Shopkeeper Zhao, "Who doesn't have pot bottom ash on them? Don't pretend to be innocent here!

Miss, you must know the difficulties of us servants. We really can't afford to offend both sides. There's really, really no other way! "

"No other way?

I think all of you are quite resourceful.

After three years, you've actually gotten so much money from Xue family. Aren't you afraid of getting bitten?! "Baochai threw out a stack of account books, which contained old accounts from previous years.

Because none of the shopkeepers put Mrs. Xue and her two children in their eyes, they were even careless when it came to falsifying the accounts. Anyone who knew a little about economics could see that there was something fishy going on, not to mention the old stewards with years of experience.

The shopkeepers all blushed. Baochai suppressed the anger in his heart and sipped his tea, "Today's matter, no one is allowed to speak of it outside.

The Xue family is already facing imminent disaster. If there's really no other way, they can still give up their family's wealth to save their lives. You can decide whether you live or die.

Your wife is too kind. It just so happens that I've passed the prefectural exam in a few days, so it's not suitable for blood to be seen.

Since it's like this, I'll have to ask you to send a message home and say that you'll be staying here for a few days. Once the treasury is finished and everything is explained, we'll settle the accounts! "

Their lives were already in the hands of others. Who would dare to say no?

Shopkeeper Zhao immediately sat at the table and quickly wrote a letter home. Then he cupped his hands in greeting towards Baochai, "Miss Bing, I, Old Zhao, am willing to be the vanguard for Miss Bing. I only hope that my family won't be implicated and that I have a clear conscience."

Baochai sat in the inner room and stared blankly for a moment. For a moment, he didn't feel his pulse. He only heard Shopkeeper Zhao continue, "Manager Wu also stuffed something into our ink and brush shop last year. At the time, he said it was a first-rate blank account book. When I opened the box and examined it, the top layer was indeed a clean account book made out of xuan paper."

"When I saw the customers out, I only felt that those laborers were suspicious. Their shoulders and waists were round and even their heads were about the same height. They didn't look at all like the Musketeers who made a living on the streets. Therefore, when I came back at night, I secretly opened the box and looked through it. I found that the bottom layer was filled with account books and records of various subjects. I vaguely saw that it was … river engineering!"

Baochai was so scared that the teacup in his hand fell to the ground and shattered. When it came to river engineering, who didn't know that corruption and abuse were closely followed. This was what really killed people. No wonder Shopkeeper Zhao stuck to him. He really couldn't escape unscathed by himself. If he were to join the Xue family's boat, his entire family wouldn't be wiped out.

"Uncle Zhao, let's not beat around the bush. Whether or not the Xue family will be able to pass this hurdle is another matter. However, since you're open and honest, I won't doubt the people I use.

I'll leave it to you to bring a few servants to each storeroom. If there's any problem, bring them here. As for those account books, I'll use the books in your shop that haven't been sold for years and the old almanac to replace them. After that, you can pretend that nothing happened and go back to do what you're supposed to do. "

Baochai picked up the newly replaced teacup. The chief steward picked a few servants and followed Shopkeeper Zhao out. Only Mama Su and Bai Lu were still waiting in the reception pavilion.

Baochai stood up and slowly walked around the hall a few times. He was constantly calculating the key points in his mind.

If it was said that the Zhen family had borrowed and stored things in each shop, it was obviously impossible.

The account books were in the ink and brush shop, the stolen goods were in the pawnshop, and the shopkeeper who purchased the goods was in the middle of the shop. The Xue family had already been emptied out in the capital. On the surface, they were only the scapegoat. The person behind the scenes was really ruthless!

This matter was related to the river project. Holding these things in his hands was like holding a death warrant. He could only stab them in front of the higher-ups to protect the Xue family … The problem was, how should he stab them?

After walking around a few times, the chief steward ran back from outside and reported in a low voice what he had seen and heard in the ink and brush shop's storeroom. Baochai only asked him, "Uncle, did everything go smoothly?"

The chief steward took the warm water from Bai Lu's hand and drank it in one gulp. He then cupped his hands and said, "Replying to Miss, Shopkeeper Zhao is really relying on us. The things in his shop are really terrible.

When we went in, we only said that the owner wanted to go to the capital. The storerooms of the other shops were checked for lost goods. That's why we sent people to check again. Everything went smoothly.

In the eyes of these people, our Xue family is already dead. They don't even look up to us. "

Bai Lu cried out in alarm. Mama Su pulled her back and gently shook her head. The two of them held their breaths and looked at Baochai, "Miss!"

Baochai sat down with a teacup in his hand. He muttered to himself for a moment, then raised his head to look at Mama Su and said, "Mama, right now the knife is already on my neck. If I stay in this back residence, only death will await me!"

"Don't worry, Miss. No matter how strict this back residence is, can it be more secretive than the palace?

It's not that this old one wants to talk big, but with this Jia family's sieve-like back courtyard, you can go in and out without worry.

There's just one point. It's easy to go out, but if the news is leaked outside, your reputation will be completely ruined.

Nowadays, the world is difficult. It's not easy for a woman to be a person. You have to think carefully. "

Mama Su was not an inflexible person. Naturally she knew how to choose between life and death. She only pitied Baochai, who at such a young age, had no choice but to think about the big and small of his family. Obviously he was a girl raised in the boudoir without any worries. Why did he have to roll up his sleeves and fight to the death?

She also knew that Baochai had already made up his mind, so she didn't try to persuade him any further. She only looked at the chiming clock on the chest of drawers and said, "In the morning and evening when you pay your respects, you must be in the courtyard. During the other three festivals and two birthdays, you must not go out. For the rest of the time, you only need to act as you see fit. Leave Ying 'er here to keep watch." This meant that he agreed to cover up for her.

The river project could easily lead to millions of corpses. Even the strictest Mama knew how dangerous it was. How could the Xue family, who played a role in this and was dishonorable, have a good end?

Immediately they finished their discussion. Baochai ordered the head housekeeper to take the account book from the famous pen and ink shop to the Pear Courtyard and hide it well. He also whispered a few words in the housekeeper's ear before letting him go. He turned around and said to Mama Su, "Right now we don't know anything about the outside world. We'd better take care of the matter at hand first.

Mama, go on my behalf and tell Old Madame Jia that later on I want to invite the womenfolk to gather together and have fun. Treat it as a celebration for my Gege's passing of the prefectural examination.

Right now it's late spring. The tuber flowers have all withered away, so we'll call it the Flower Sending Feast.

Also, let Ying 'er invite the girls in the courtyard. Don't forget Auntie and the Lady Xing of the first branch. "

After sending everyone out, Baochai covered his chest and gasped for breath.

A little carelessness unexpectedly led to another exile. He really didn't know when the fire was burning his eyebrows.

She counted with her fingers. In her two lives, she had seen and heard of people close to the central government. Other than her uncle, Wang Ziteng, there was only her younger sister, Daiyu's father, the Imperial Salt Inspector Lin Ruhai.

It couldn't be that she hadn't thought of handing the things over to her uncle. However, in her previous life, when the Jia family failed, the Wang family's nephew was ruthless enough to sell his own niece to a brothel. Her uncle from the Lin family had passed away early. Calculating the time, it should have been only a few months ago. She didn't know if he had been implicated or not.

At this time, the entire family's life was at stake. How could she dare to be careless?

For a moment, she didn't know where to start.

Forget it. In any case, it wasn't the time for her family's affairs to be exposed yet. She might as well take it slow and take it easy.

In the evening, Mama Su and Ying 'er both returned and reported to her, "Old Madame, Madame, and the other young ladies all nodded and said they wanted to come and have fun. What should we do now?"

Baochai calmly and unhurriedly said, "Tomorrow morning we'll go and pay our respects to Old Madame. Let her know where she wants to put the food for the banquet. When the time comes, we'll tell her what kind of cups, bowls, plates, and plates she wants to use.

There's nothing else we can do. Tell our farm workers to prepare some fresh food, flowers, and leaves that can be used for the banquet. Let Bai Lu calculate the amount of money needed for the banquet and put it in the outer room. When the time comes, we'll buy the things we need and send them directly to the Jia Mansion's kitchen.

If Old Madame wants to use it, no one will dare to embezzle it. "

Immediately they went to rest and didn't mention it again.

The next morning, Baochai and Ying 'er leisurely went to the main courtyard where Old Madame lived. Old Madame Jia had just finished her breakfast and was idly watching Baoyu play with the young maidservants. When she heard Yuan Yang's message that Baochai had come in, she hurriedly called for him to come in.

When she saw him, she frowned and complained, "I haven't seen you for the past few days, yet you haven't come to see this old woman." Baochai hurriedly smiled and bowed to beg for mercy, "Old Madame, please forgive me.

It's just that these past few days my brother is taking the exam, causing the whole family to be restless. I'm afraid I'll go out and make a fool of myself. That's why I haven't come to pay my respects to you. "

Old Madame Jia laughed and took her hand and patted it, "Pan Geer has such a good family background. Your family has finally endured." She turned her head and said, "Your mother is also ruthless. For a family like ours, why must we force our children to walk on the road of the imperial examinations?

My grandson couldn't take it and was forced to die young, causing this old woman to have to send off her grandson. "As she said this, tears unexpectedly fell from her eyes.

The surrounding group of maidservants and women coaxed and comforted her before she stopped crying.

Baochai suddenly didn't feel embarrassed and continued to sit steadily, "Mother is also distressed. Isn't it because there's no other way?

Men were always the pillars of the family. If this pillar were to collapse, what would happen? She didn't really want her brother to take this path for the sake of becoming an official. She really wanted him to focus on his work and stop idling around all day long and not do proper work.

If everyone is as talented as Brother Bao, wouldn't everyone in this world be the top scholar? "

Old Madame Jia only laughed when she heard this. Baochai took the opportunity to talk about the flower banquet, "It's just an excuse for everyone to gather together. Ever since I came back from the selection, I haven't spent much time with my sisters. It's not a good idea to just invite them and leave Old Madame and Old Madame aside. Might as well invite them all together. When the banquet is over, there won't be enough fun."

Old Madame Jia pointed at her and laughed loudly to the maidservants beside her, "You're using a chicken feather as a token of authority. Borrow this old woman's raft for you sisters to have fun. Go, go.

This banquet will be placed in the garden at the back. Next to the lake, there's a clump of tea leaves. Looking at the water will make your eyes clear. If you need any porcelain, just tell Yuan Yang and let her open the storehouse to look for it. "For a moment, the group of maidservants laughed again. Outside, a maidservant came to report that Lady Wang had arrived.

Lady Wang had family matters to report. Seeing this, Baochai asked Old Madame Jia, "How come I don't see Lin Family's younger sister today?"

Old Madame Jia replied, "Your younger sister Lin said she wasn't feeling well last night. She's still lying down today. She's in the green screen cabinet at the back. You should go and see her."

Baochai obeyed and got up, bowed, and excused himself. Bypassing the antique shelves at the back, he walked a few steps to the east and saw a small building. The maidservant that Old Madame Jia had given to Daiyu, Zi Juan, was sitting outside. She was fanning herself and brewing medicine with a concoction.

Because of the dispute between the two of them in his previous life, Baochai intentionally or unintentionally avoided this teardrop beauty. If it wasn't for the fact that he couldn't find an excuse to leave Old Madame Jia's sight, he wouldn't have mentioned seeing her.

When Zi Juan saw Baochai coming over, she hurriedly got up and shouted, "The Pao Girl is here." Turning around, she lifted the curtain and took a step back to let Baochai in.

Baochai led Ying 'er in and saw an embroidered bed, bookshelves, a writing desk, and a writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone in a very narrow green screen cabinet.

Outside, there was a half-pulled compartment. Presumably, this was Baoyu's room.

Baochai sighed in his heart. Old Madame Jia really was a troublemaker. Walking closer, he saw Daiyu lying on the mattress with a pale face and flushed cheeks. She seemed to be sobbing quietly.

"What's wrong?

What are you crying for? "Turning around, she didn't see Daiyu's maidservant, Xue Yan, so she added," Where's Xue Yan?

Are you the only one in the room? "

Daiyu was afraid that she would laugh at him, so she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. Sitting up, she said, "It's just that my chest feels stuffy. It's nothing serious. I've troubled Jiejie to come and see me."

As she spoke, she coughed twice and said, "Xue Yan, go to the main kitchen for me. Today, I want to eat some light vegetarian dishes."

Just as she was speaking, Xue Yan angrily walked in from outside. She didn't even raise her head as she said, "Miss, I went to order water shield soup. Who would have thought that the main kitchen said that the water shield soup was used up yesterday, and the ones I bought haven't been sent in yet. They also complained that it was too troublesome to remove the thin bass meat. They almost pointed at my nose and scolded …" Halfway through, Zi Juan coughed and stopped. When she raised her head, she saw Baochai and Ying 'er, master and servant, sitting by her master's bedside and looking at her.