Real Empress from a Noble Family

Chapter 292 The First Branch Seems Too Idle, Make Them Busy!

Before they could speak, Empress Jiang began to laugh, “Then do as you say! Don’t say I’m harbouring people from my own family. Qiu Dian is in charge of investigating the Tao Family. As for the Duan Family, Dalisi will investigate!”

After she finished, she looked provocatively at Empress Dowager Gu, “What do you think, Mother? If Duan Jin is innocent, he definitely won’t miss this opportunity to prove his innocence, right?”

Empress Dowager Gu was full of bitterness. Empress Jiang sacrificed her own family for the battle. What else could she say? If she opposed the investigation, it would give the Empress’s party another good reason to screw Duan Jin to death! But if she agreed to investigate, Duan Jin was innocent or not... Everyone knew he was certainly not innocent!

Duan Jin was a dead man already!

Empress Dowager Gu had to nod and agreed to the suggestion. After Duan Jin saw it, he sat limply on the ground as if his bones had been taken out – Seeing him like this, anyone would know how the investigation had turned out.

The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice was investigated and imprisoned. And the Empress’s party sacrificed the Tao Family but won the battle. However, they had no time to celebrate. After the court was dismissed, they gathered again in the Marquess’s Mansion study to discuss what to do next!

“Yashuang’s suggestion sounds good. Yashuang, how did you come up with the idea to start with the dowries of the Princess?” Although Jiang Yashuang was not even qualified to participate in today’s court discussion, the people in the study praised his good suggestion, especially Sir Jibei, who had spent most of his life in the military and just returned to the capital as an officer last year. His only son, Jiang Tiancan, had remained in the capital as an officer. Jiang Tiancan spent a lot of time with his nephew Jiang Tianchi. So the bond between them was intimate.

As the saying went, “love me, love my dog.” Therefore, for Jiang Tianchi’s son Jiang Yashuang, Sir Jibei felt closer. Jiang Yashuang was young, but he could make a plan to make the Empress Dowager’s party suffer a big loss. Sir Jibei began to praise him, “This year, the royal family has several weddings. Everyone is just watching. However, only you proposed this good idea. In this way, you also incidentally cleaned up the Tao Family who helped the outsiders secretly! You are worthy of being the grandson of Marquess Qin...”

“Well, Sir Jibei, stop praising him. He just proposed a plan. That’s all.” Marquess Qin said. He was also pleased in his heart. However, he was worried that Jiang Yashuang would be proud of himself because of it. At the same time, he was also worried that Jiang Tianao and the others would feel awkward. Therefore, he hurriedly interrupted Sir Jibei, “You should know that there are many people who really use their brains to make it possible. Don’t give all the credit to him alone!”

The always smiling Jiang Yashuang took the opportunity to say, “Yes, grandfather. It is coincidental. I thought that Zhaoyi Miao favoured Ningyi’s sister and intended to make her as Princess of Wei? But the prospective Princess of Wei’s family and her uncle’s family are not well-off, so they can’t come up with a rich dowry. They were worried like ants on a hot pot. After Ningyi knew about it, she was also very anxious about them. She even wanted to contribute a part of the dowry for Princess of Wei. However, her idea was firmly rejected by the mother of the prospective Princess of Wei...”

“Stop speaking! Do you think we don’t know what you are thinking about?” Marquess Qin interrupted him without good grace. He continued, “The Empress ordered Dalisi to investigate the Duan Family. You feel happy now?”

Yuan Wenhong, the Secretary of the Dalisi, was not a member of the Empress’s party but a member of the neutral party – So he would never get involved in this mess! He would be “sick” soon, as Marquess Qin and others knew him. He would be so sick that he would have to leave things to his men. But he would get better until his men finished the job.

The officer who was one level below the Secretary of the Dalisi was the Chief Minister – Lian Jianhai was the newly promoted Chief Minister. As long as he was not stupid, after investigating the Duan Family’s property, he would know Wang Qingqian’s dowry would be on his table!

Lian Jianhai might also make Lian Ding’s reputation better with a little luck.

This was why Empress Jiang assigned Dalisi to investigate the Duan Family – When offering the plan, Jiang Yashuang stressed again and again that his wife Qiu Yelan was concerned about the dowry of his cousin Wang Qingqian! Considering her anxiety, he came up with the plan!

His plan killed two birds with one stone. He dealt with his public and private affairs once in all. After the business was done, he pestered Marquess Qin to cash in on his private business reward. This gave grandfather a headache. If Marquess Qin lectured Jiang Yashuang, he felt that Jiang Yashuang had just made merit. His merit was because of the private matter that came to mind. Therefore, it could be seen that he had not reversed his priorities; if Marquess Qin did not lecture Jiang Yashuang, Marquess Qin felt that Jiang Yashuang was always thinking of doing something for his wife. As a man, his mind always focused on pleasing his wife, which made the elders who had high hopes for him worried. They, of course, would worry that sweet words might ruin him!

Marquess Qin began to talk about the main topic when he lamented that each of his sons and grandsons was a cause for concern. “Today’s incident happened very suddenly. Duan Jin certainly did not have time to destroy many account books. Next, we have to take advantage of his relationship with Qingfeng Ji and then investigate others through Qingfeng Ji – especially Tang Zimo!”

Although Jiang Tianxiao was Jiang Yashuang’s uncle, he was not much older than Jiang Yashuang. Because he was the son of a concubine and his talent was not particularly outstanding, Marquess Qin didn’t take the time to train him. Although he was qualified to sit here, he could only understand a little bit of what they said. He asked, “Father, Duan Jin’s relationship with Tang Zimo is much closer. Why do we have to go through Qingfeng Ji to investigate him instead of investigating him directly? Anyway, he must have embezzlement. And, he will definitely go to jail. After he goes to jail, we definitely have ways to make him confess as well.”

“Confess?” Marquess Qin sneered, “I believe that within two hours, there will be news that he is dead.”

“Tianxiao, think about it. Duan Jin is the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice. He must know very well what will happen to him after he is imprisoned.” Jiang Tianao explained to him, “He has a very laid-back life. It’s unlikely that he can carry the life as a prisoner. Nor could he necessarily bear the humiliation of going from the minister of a country to a prisoner. Such a blow would make him think of death. In that case, Empress Dowager Gu and Tang Zimo could find a reason to pardon his family. Therefore, there is no hope for us to start with him. We can only start with Qingfeng Ji!”

“...” Jiang Tianqi, who originally also wanted to explain to Jiang Tianxiao, looked at him coldly. Jiang Tianxiao was his own brother!

Jiang Tianao pretended not to see him. Although he was a cousin, he was the oldest of his generation. What was wrong with him helping his brother say a few words?

Marquess Qin and Sir Jibei ignored the little spat between the brothers. Anyway, there had been a contradiction between Jiang Tianao and Jiang Tianqi for a long time. The contradiction couldn’t be reconciled even though they spoke it out now. It was better to deal with the Empress Dowager’s party first and then come back to reconcile them.

“The people of Qingfeng Ji, such as Gu Zonghao, may be silenced.” Marquess Qin said in a slow voice, “Of course, Qingfeng Ji is, after all, a long-established store throughout our country. To take care of such a big business, it can’t be done by a few dozen people! It is impossible to kill so many people in a short period of time. This time is our chance! Before the court meeting, they have sent people out to do this. Now, I guess all the people who should be arrested have been arrested. The next step is to interrogate and send them to the capital alive. Remember to be alert on this.”

When the opportunity came, one must also be able to seize it. So Marquess Qin simply explained the approach and direction, and then he adjourned the meeting. He wanted everyone to hurry up and get to work!

Once he turned around, he saw Jiang Yashuang standing in place without moving. He frowned, “Are you sure you want me to write you a letter before you dare to go back and explain to your wife?”

“That’s not what I meant. Ningyi doesn’t even know that I came up with this idea!” Jiang Yashuang curtly came up to him, squeezing his shoulders and pounding his back. He laughed, “I just want to talk about Tao Junior!”

“Hmm?” Marquess Qin asked lazily, “She’s almost well enough. She should have moved back into her house. What’s wrong with her again?”

Jiang Yashuang had always been straightforward in front of him, “Duan Jin is finished. The Tao Family is also going to be finished. Although this is their own fault, Tao Junior did not get involved in their affairs! In the past years, since she got married, she has been very virtuous. You know it. Since ancient times, there have been three not-to-divorce rules...”

Here, the marriage law of the time should be explained again – Unless it was compulsory divorce, there were three cases in which a husband was not allowed to discard a wife. One, the girl’s parents were alive when she married, and at the time of divorce, there was no one left in her mother’s family; two, the wife had been in a mourning period for her father-in-law or mother-in-law for three years; three, the husband was poor when she married him, and later became rich. These rules were the law on protecting women’s rights at that time, although only three rules...

As the Tao Family declined, Madame Tao Junior met the first one. That was “the girl’s parents were alive when she married, and at the time of divorce, there was no one left in her mother’s family”. The Tao Family was now gone. If Madame Tao Junior was divorced, she had no place to go.

Marquess Qin understood Jiang Yashuang’s meaning and nodded, “Tao Junior is indeed very virtuous, but Jiang Yadan has always been unruly! Before the Tao Family declined, he had already bullied her wife many times. Now that the Tao Family is in trouble, if I don’t stand up for Tao Junior, Tao Junior’s future will be challenging indeed.”

This kind of thing, for Marquess Qin, cost nothing. What he would do could appease Madame Tao and Empress Jiang and do a favour for Jiang Yashuang. So Marquess Qin quickly called someone over, “You go to my private treasury to pick a set of the best headdress jewellery, take a few good herbs and clothing, and send them to Tao Junior. Then, you tell her not to think too much. Since she is a member of our family, everything that happens outside has nothing to do with her!”

Jiang Yashuang sighed with relief – After Marquess Qin took a stand, Madame Tao Junior’s position was considered solid as a mountain in the family.

“I hope Qiu Yelan’s deceptive words to her will come true. No matter whether it is a boy or a girl, it would be good for Madame Tao Junior to have her own child!” He prayed this in his heart and smiled as he excused himself.

On this day, they figured out how to get the dowry for Wang Qingqian and solidified Madame Tao Junior’s position – Jiang Yashuang happily returned to the courtyard to take credit with his wife. Unexpectedly, Qiu Yelan was not there. Qiu Yelan asked Chen Shui to leave a message for him, “I’m going to see Sheng Shishui and her daughter. I will have dinner there today and not return until evening.”

Sheng Shishui gave birth to a daughter in the middle of October. But at that time, He Shuijin’s miscarriage and Jiang Jingzhui’s committing suicide happened. The Jiang Family was in a mess because of these. Although she gave birth to a daughter, the Jiang Family did not have a big banquet. Hence, her new-born baby did not attract too much attention. In the Jiang Family’s great-grandchildren generation, Sheng Shishui’s daughter was the twenty-first child, which proved there were many children in the family before her daughter. Besides, Jiang Yazhu was not very important to the family. So, others just followed the rules to send gifts for the new-born baby. The ceremony was very uneventful.

Qiu Yelan was the only one who often went over to visit her.

But...

Jiang Yashuang looked at the sky and frowned, “Why will you not come back until evening? Won’t Jiang Yazhu come back for dinner today?”

“I think Prince Yazhu just went out. He’s going out of town on a business trip, and won’t be back until a few days later,” Chen Shui explained promptly.

Jiang Yazhu probably went to deal with those Qingfeng Ji’s top brass outside the capital – Jiang Yashuang sighed and said listlessly, “Well, make tea for me!”

“Yes, sir!” Chen Shui respectfully said. While she was about to go to make tea, Caiqi suddenly came in to report, “Prince, Young Prince Ou is here!”

“Ou Bicheng?” Jiang Yashuang was a little surprised. He immediately stood up, being about to welcome him. Ou Bicheng had already rushed into it. If Jiang Yashuang did not dodge quickly, the two almost collided!

When Jiang Yashuang saw him, he quickly asked Chen Shui to serve tea. Then he dismissed the maids, leaving two alone in the hall. He asked in a low voice, “What’s so urgent?”

“A pigeon letter has come from the north!” When Ou Bicheng saw that all the maids had left, his face turned serious, “Jiang Yayue was slightly injured and had to go back to the capital to recuperate!”

If it were just like this, it would not be worth Jiang Tianchi arranging his men to send such an urgent message, and Ou Bicheng wouldn’t be in such a hurry to come over to report the news – Jiang Yashuang understood as soon as he heard it, “Can’t get along in the Northern Army? Want to hold the Western Army then? There was no war in the north, and Jiang Yayue was not an important person in the northern army. How could he be injured and need to return to the capital to recuperate?

“Hey, his idea may really come true!” Ou Bicheng reminded him with a cold smile, “He is in the Northern Army. Although he has Major General to take care of him, he has no real power. But he must have learned a little bit from Major General as he stayed with him all the time! He may not have the ability to lead an army, but, we can’t underestimate him! He is now back in the capital, recovering from his injuries. When Qiu Jinglan has finished dealing with the father and son of the Kuang Family, the Western Army will have no leader. He will then ask Marquess to send him there, helping manage the army – Marquess has always taken better care of the people in the first branch. And at the same time, Marquess would not allow the Western Army to fall into Qiu Jinlan’s hands. Hence, Marquess definitely would agree with his proposal?!”

The Jiang Family was willing to send men to protect Qiu Jinglan along his westward trip with the power of the entire family because they wanted to wipe out the Empress Dowager’s party and seize the military power of the Western Army. There were no odds that the Jiang Family would do this just because of Qiu Yelan, a grandson’s wife.

Therefore, when Qiu Jinglan succeeded in revenge, the Jiang Family also began to reap the rewards – Both the Jiang Family and Qiu Jinglan himself knew it very well. They were using each other. Without the Jiang Family’s help, it would be impossible for Qiu Jinglan to take revenge; and the Jiang Family could not give every care for Qiu Jinglan just because his sister married one of the grandsons of the Jiang Family.

But, the harvest of the Jiang Family was not equal to the harvest of all Jiang Family members!

Among them, only Jiang Yashuang worried the most about this. He was the closest to Qiu Jinglan. How could he possibly tolerate Jiang Yayue sitting on his hands on behalf of the first branch?

“It seems that the eldest uncle’s family has been too idle lately. They even have time to covet the Western Army.” Jiang Yashuang sneered, “Since that’s the case, I’ll find something for them to do!”

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Chapter 293 Still Suffered From Old Illness, One Disaster After Another!

Jiang Yashuang just walked Ou Bicheng out when Qiu Yelan came back. They bumped into each other at the door. She was frowning and upset. Seeing that, Jiang Yashuang was suspicious. He held her hand and asked softly, “How are Shishui and the twenty-first niece?”

“Our niece is so adorable and causes others no trouble,” Qiu Yelan nodded. She took him a few steps towards the yard and then whispered, “Did the eighth sister-in-law come or send anyone here?”

“No wonder you stayed at Shishui’s place until now,” Jiang Yashuang was stunned. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “It turns out that you were afraid that eighth sister-in-law would come to plead with you.”

Qiu Yelan was frustrated, “The eighth sister-in-law is the most ill-treated person in the Tao Family. But considering how the eighth sister-in-law is, do you think she’ll sit by and watch her family suffer in distress? On one hand, I don’t want to plead for her. On the other hand, I’m not in the position to plead. I can’t bear watching her being sad. I just have to hide! I thought even if she knew that I went to Shishui’s place and followed me there, she wouldn’t have a chance to talk about it with Shishui and the twenty-first niece interrupting!”

Jiang Yashuang also knew how Madame Tao Junior was. The Tao Family wanted to kill her before. Now that the Tao Family was going down, let alone gloat, she couldn’t even sit by and watch!

He smiled and said, “Then you should cook for me tomorrow! I deliberately asked grandfather to grant the eighth sister-in-law a reward after everyone left. She’s always smart. I think she could get grandfather’s implication!”

Marquess Qin granted his granddaughter-in-law a reward and asked her not to worry about the misfortune in her maiden family. It was a comfort and also a reminder. It reminded her that she was already a member of the Jiang Family and she didn’t need to worry about the Tao Family!

Even if Madame Tao Junior still didn’t want to give up, she would have to plead with Marquess Qin. Because Marquess Qin said that himself. Who else dared to defy Marquess Qin?

However, speaking of the Tao Family’s misfortune, they asked for it themselves. While those outsiders in the Empress’s party were waiting and seeing, the Tao Family, as the most important in-law to the rise of the Jiang Family, changed their side before others! Now that the Jiang Family freed their hands, who else would they go after in order to set an example other than the Tao Family?

Besides, the Tao Family was really stupid to betray the Jiang Family. Considering their connection with the Empress’s party, if the Empress’s party won, the worst case scenario would be that they wouldn’t be able to benefit from it as long as they didn’t mess up like what they did at that moment. But their safety could be guaranteed. If the Empress Dowager’s party won, would Empress Dowager Gu who hated Empress Jiang’s guts and wanted to eat her alive let the Tao Family off the hook because they changed their side?

It was an important choice which concerned their lives and the survival of their family! The Tao Family actually chose Empress Dowager Gu’s side in a rush of thought when Marquess Qin’s condition wasn’t clear.

The Jiang Family didn’t do anything to them until now, because they wanted to benefit from their lives. Everyone in the Jiang Family was satisfied with taking down Duan Jin as a bonus at that moment including the daughter of the Tao Family, Madame Tao!

If Madame Tao weren’t Empress Jiang’s mother or she weren’t capable, with what happened in the Tao Family, she even didn’t need to isolate herself. How would she face the juniors? Other than their kids, people at her age valued their prestige the most!

So, after Jiang Yashuang told Qiu Yelan that Marquess Qin had comforted Madame Tao Junior himself, they stopped talking about what would happen to the Tao Family. They began to talk about something they cared about more.

Jiang Yashuang surely continued to take credit for his achievements. Hearing that the Empress and Marquess Qin both agreed to let Lian Jianhai investigate the Duan Family’s property in order to get enough money for Wang Qingqian’s dowry, Qiu Yelan was beyond happy. Not only would it save Qiu Jinglan money, but also because she only mentioned it once in front of Jiang Yashuang and he remembered it. Having a husband who cared so much, how could a wife not be happy?

So, after they went into the room, Qiu Yelan kissed him without hesitation. They fooled around for a while and then got up to tidy themselves panting for more.

While they were flirting and cleaning up the next morning, He Shuijin’s maid Xian came.

They were both surprised, “What does Shuijin want from us this early morning?”

They got dressed in a hurry and summoned Xian in to ask her. They found out that the account books which Qingfeng Ji didn’t have time to destroy had been delivered to Marquess’s Mansion stealthily since last night. He Shuijin was the best person who could find out the connection between Qingfeng Ji and Empress Dowager’s party and benefit from it!

But He Shuijin couldn’t look through all the account books herself. And the Jiang Family couldn’t announce that all the account books of Qingfeng Ji were delivered to their mansion. After all, Dalisi was the department investigating Duan Jin for corruption and the culpability of others. So, they couldn’t bring in a lot of people from outside. They only had a few accountants at home. Even they had already hired some help, how could those few people look through all the account books of such a large commercial house which had been open for decades?

So, He Shuijin had been sending people out looking for help since the early morning, “Madame Yelan, please do help. Otherwise, Madame Shuijin will be up to her ears in work!”

It was a matter of victory or defeat in two Empresses’ fight. Qiu Yelan surely wouldn’t reject, “Okay. Shall I go now?” She turned around and asked the servants to bring her some desserts from the kitchen. She planned to eat those on the way to the third branch.

Hearing that, Jiang Yashuang said in a hurry, “No need to be in such a rush! Go after having breakfast!”

Xian smiled and bent her knees, “Young Master Yashuang really adores Madame Yelan... Madame Yelan, you don’t need to be in such a rush. Madame Shuijin is already sorry for sending me to bother you so early in the morning. How could she let you go there without having breakfast? Please have a proper breakfast and then go there. Otherwise, Madame Shuijin will punish me after I go back!”

“You haven’t eaten either, have you?” Qiu Yelan instructed Su He, “Go to the kitchen and pack some fresh desserts for Xian. Don’t starve yourself running around with an empty stomach!”

Xian didn’t refuse. She thanked Qiu Yelan with a smile and then left.

While instructing the servants to serve breakfast, Jiang Yashuang said, “We’ve already hired dozens of accountants in advance and kept them in a quiet corner of the front yard. They are waiting to look through the account books of Qingfeng Ji. But Shuijin is still so busy that she has to look for help in the early morning. It looks like we didn’t hire enough people!”

“We couldn’t hire more. Our family is a big family and we draw a lot of attention. Hiring dozens of accountants could get past Empress Dowager’s informants. But if we hire hundreds of them, not to mention the business of those shops without accountants, how could Empress Dowager’s party not notice?” Qiu Yelan took over a hot cup of tea and took a sip. She said, “If they find out we are going to go after Qingfeng Ji through Duan Jin and get prepared, it’ll be a huge loss for us!”

“It can’t be done in a short time. Don’t get too tired when you are there,” Jiang Yashuang told her to take care of herself and not to worry too much, “Those accountants are hired to do their jobs. You are only there to help. Don’t exhaust yourself. Shuijin knows her stuff well. Leave everything to her. You...”

All his nagging could be summarized into one sentence: You didn’t need to actually do something!

Qiu Yelan felt warm at heart. But she teased him, “I know, I know. Judging by my skill at keeping accounts, I can’t give much help even if I want to! But I think it’s a good opportunity to learn from Shuijin. My properties are managed by the people my brother hired. I don’t know whether those are good or not.”

“Brother adores you so much. The people he hired surely are reliable.” Breakfast was served. Jiang Yashuang peeled a salted duck egg. He put the egg yolk dripping with oil in his wife’s bowl and left the egg white in his porridge. He said with a smile, “Eat your porridge in case it’s getting cold in this cold weather!”

Qiu Yelan finished her breakfast under the care of her husband and arrived at the third branch happily. She felt the atmosphere was weird before she reached the door. When she reached the door, she saw guards everywhere. The patrolmen’s eyes were sharp, and their hands were on the hilts. It looked like they were going to root out the spies whenever and wherever they were!

Qiu Yelan was a little stunned by what she saw. Then she realized that the Empress’s party was going to take down Empress Dowager’s party once and for all via Duan Jin! So, they arranged these doughty bodyguards to guard the third branch in case the words got out or any accident happened!

Not just these people, two of the butlers of the third branch were at the door. Their jobs were to identify people, “This is Madame Yelan of the fourth branch who Madame Shuijin sent Xian to invite this morning.”

Not just Qiu Yelan, her maids also needed to identify themselves. Those who were not henchmen or able to help with account checking were all sent back to their yards. And they were ordered to keep it a secret!

In the end, Qiu Yelan only went in with Chunran and Xiaran. Within a few steps, she could feel the work they were doing inside was in full swing. They were shocked when they went into the first Ming Hall!

The Ming Hall was huge enough for a horseman to show his skills. At that moment, the screen, the bed, the antiques... were all moved away! Only a row of chairs and tables was below the west window. Boxes of account books were piled high in the vacant space. Most of the piles were as high as a person. There was a man-high censer burning incense in each corner of the hall which was tended by servants. Even so, it still couldn’t dilute the musty smell!

A few accountants wearing the clothes of the man of letters sat behind the tables below the west window. They were focussing on checking the accounts. When Qiu Yelan went in, they didn’t even have time to look up, let alone rise to salute!

“So many account books?” Qiu Yelan knew there must be a huge number of account books of Qingfeng Ji. But what she saw was still beyond her imagination. At that moment, she wanted to throw in the towel on the heavy work ahead. The maid who was leading the way answered with a bitter smile, “These are the ones which Madame Shuijin categorized as not so important. So, only a few people are here... The major part is at back!”

Hearing that, Qiu Yelan was about to collapse. Instead, Chunran and Xiaran obviously had seen similar scenes with Qiu Jinglan before. They held her calmly and said, “In this case, Madame Yelan, we’d better hurry and go find Madame Shuijin now!”

The task would be done sooner or later. There was no point in delaying!

Qiu Yelan went to the back and found He Shuijin with a bitter face. In fact, He Shuijin wasn’t destined to have an easy life. It had been over a month since she miscarried. But she miscarried because of fear. So, she was physically damaged. And she knew that someone did it to her. But she couldn’t say anything because that person was from her maiden Family. She suffered both mentally and physically. She had been ill on and off since she miscarried. She almost recovered two days ago.

Now she was about to embark on her busy and trivial duty. Seeing He Shuijin’s pale face and the tight belt on her head which was meant to ease her migraine, Qiu Yelan sighed, “Shuijin, I know you are busy. But you should take...”

He Shuijin shoved a pile of account books into Qiu Yelan’s hand before she could say the word “care”, “Yelan, I’m so busy. So, I’ll make it short. I heard that you were not good at checking accounts. So, these have already been checked. You just need to see if the calculation is right!”

Then she pointed to the seat next to Madame Dou Junior. Four treasures of study, abacus, and tea had been prepared. And a maid from the third branch was serving. Before Qiu Yelan turned around, He Shuijin dragged Chunran and Xiaran, “Since you guys are here, I assume you know how to check accounts? Stop looking at Yelan. There’s someone serving her. I also prepared places for you guys. Go check these account books!”

“...” Qiu Yelan held the brush pen and looked around. She noticed that none of the maids serving Madame Dou Junior and others who arrived before her were their original maids. Their maids were all busy calculating. She couldn’t help laughing at herself, “It’s not my help that she wants. She obviously has her eyes on Chunran and Xiaran!”

He Shuijin really lived up to her reputation. She got help from the masters and the maids. It relieved some of the pressure causing by the lack of accountants.

However, the account books of Qingfeng Ji were way too many. Even if the whole harem of the Jiang Family was mobilized, it was only a drop in the bucket. Worst of all, He Shuijin hadn’t fully recovered. And it’s said that she had been up all night last night and just took a nap in the morning. She continued to be in charge at that moment. She lasted to the afternoon. When she was instructing a few accountants in a hurry, she suddenly closed her eyes and fell back!

Thanks to Juan’s quick response, she held her at once to keep her from hitting the ground! The startled crowd gathered around her. They pinched her at the philtrum, shook her, and called out her name. She slowly woke up after a long time. She continued to instruct the accountants without opening her eyes. Then her head tilted, and she fainted again!