These nine women, as if by prior arrangement, all walked toward the gray-clad member of the Fu family who had been kneeling on the ground, tugging at his clothes and shouting at him.
Ouyang Yue laughed: "Oh, so this matter really is related to the Fu family. That makes things much easier. The previous Fu family's bank ledgers didn't show any problems, but these are the Fu family's bank ledgers. It's very easy for them to find a few people to withdraw money and manipulate the inflow and outflow records. Unless the Fu family can prove that those dozen or so depositors and withdrawers have absolutely no connection with the Fu family, this matter is definitely related to the Fu family."
“Princess Consort Chen, don’t talk nonsense. How could my Fu family be involved in such a matter?”
Ouyang Yue shook her head: "It's not that I'm talking nonsense, but these victims are saying it. I, the princess, did nothing."
Fu Meier's expression changed drastically. Had all her efforts been in vain? She was unwilling to accept it. Today, her Fu family was supposed to take over Meiyi Pavilion, a lucrative business that would bring in a fortune every day. Even the Fu family would be envious. Now, her plans had been ruined by a few quack books. Didn't Li Quan claim that he was very familiar with the procedures? Why hadn't Li Quan ever mentioned these books? How hateful! So hateful!
"I...I was blinded by greed and didn't like the Beauty Pavilion, so I did it in secret. This has nothing to do with the Fu family. It was all me, all done by me alone." The gray-robed youth suddenly knelt on the ground, trembling, his face deathly pale.
Ouyang Yue smiled as she looked at the man. She had just seen Fu Lin wink at him, and then someone behind him kicked him to the ground before he admitted it in fear. But none of that mattered to her: "Oh, this man seems to be the manager of a branch of Fu's Money Shop. Just like how everyone is held responsible when Meiyi Pavilion gets into trouble, this man is, after all, from the Fu family. Master Fu's poor choice of personnel has damaged Meiyi Pavilion's reputation, causing it to be closed for more than ten days, resulting in heavy losses for Meiyi Pavilion. It seems that the Fu family will have to pay for these losses."
Fu Lin opened his mouth, but the words of rebuttal remained unspoken. He gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, this matter was indeed due to my improper use of personnel. I am willing to compensate for the losses suffered by Meiyi Pavilion." Fu Lin could naturally deny it to the death and delay paying the compensation, but he knew even better that if this matter were to escalate further, it would not benefit him at all and might even cause a greater crisis for the Fu family. He had to put on a responsible and willing-to-admit-mistake performance.
Ouyang Yue sneered: "The Meiyi Pavilion and Meiren Pavilion have always had good business. Assuming an income of 30,000 taels per item per day, and considering that the business has been suspended for twelve days, the total amount is 720,000 taels of silver. Master Fu, you should prepare the silver within a month."
"What! Seventy-two thousand taels of silver!" Fu Lin and Fu Meier exclaimed at the same time. The total annual income of all the businesses in the Fu family was only a little over three hundred thousand taels. This seventy-two thousand taels was the income of two or three years. Giving away this seventy-two thousand taels of silver would be no different from emptying the entire Fu family.
Fu Lin's face was extremely ugly: "Princess Consort Chen, you are asking for far too much. Are you trying to force my Fu family to its death?"
Ouyang Yue sneered, "If my Meiyi Pavilion hadn't escaped this time, you would have forced me to my death. And I'm not just making this up. Although my Meiyi Pavilion and Meiren Pavilion don't have many customers each day, each one is the most distinguished guest in the Langya Continent. On average, each person receives 3,000 taels, so ten people would receive 30,000 taels. And often, there are more than ten customers a day. Moreover, everything in my Meiyi Pavilion and Meiren Pavilion is of the finest quality, with extremely high costs, so the net profit isn't very good. If we're talking about losses, 720,000 taels is just the bare minimum. I haven't even asked for a million taels yet. The Fu family is so large and powerful, surely Master Fu can't afford to pay. But if he really can't afford it, there is a solution. Tomorrow, Your Highness will go to the palace to request an imperial decree, and then the Emperor will issue an order to have someone liquidate the Fu family's assets. I think the Fu family, with such a large fortune, can liquidate 720,000 taels of silver."
Fu Lin and Fu Meier turned pale instantly. If Emperor Mingxian issued an order to settle accounts, what difference would it make from the Cao family? Even if they still had to pay 720,000 taels of silver, the entire Fu family would be completely ruined!
Fu Lin's entire body trembled uncontrollably, his face twitching repeatedly: "Seven...seven hundred and twenty thousand taels, I can't come up with it, I beg...I beg Princess Chen to have mercy." Fu Lin had been a businessman for many years, always smooth and worldly-wise, and had never suffered such a huge loss before. However, today he had failed, failed because of what he thought was his most perfect annexation plan.
Fu Meier's face turned ashen, and she pleaded in a trembling voice, "Princess Consort Chen, please... please have mercy." Fu Meier had never imagined that she would admit her mistake to her enemy, especially since this person was Xuan Yuan Yue, whom she had always hated to the bone. Unfortunately, she now had to lower her noble and proud head.
Looking at Fu Lin and Fu Meier, Ouyang Yue slightly smoothed her sleeves: "Seven hundred and twenty thousand taels of silver is only the minimum loss for Meiyi Pavilion and Meiren Pavilion for twelve days. This is the minimum I, the Princess Consort, can offer, unless..."
Fu Lin and Fu Meier said at the same time, "Unless something!" Although they knew there was no hope, a sliver of possibility still arose in their hearts.
Ouyang Yue revealed a sinister smile, which immediately made Fu Lin and Fu Meier tremble, their bodies stiffen, and their hearts clench tightly. They felt a deep fear from the bottom of their hearts!
☆、183、A monumental case!
Even everyone in the main hall looked at Ouyang Yue in bewilderment. Although Ouyang Yue was indeed making outrageous demands, asking for 720,000 taels of silver, this was a rare opportunity. If it were anyone else, they would definitely seize this chance to fleece the Fu family. Once such an opportunity arose, it would be extremely difficult to get another one. Given such a chance, who else would pass it up? It wasn't hard to see in the main hall earlier that Fu Meier was intentionally making things difficult for Ouyang Yue. Anyone in this situation wouldn't let the Fu family off easily.
These people looked at Ouyang Yue with great curiosity, but Ouyang Yue laughed and said, "Yes, there is an exception. This matter is not entirely without room for maneuver. Moreover, for Master Fu and Consort Fu, they should be considered to have gotten a good deal."
"A bargain?" Fu Meier and Fu Lin exchanged a glance. Their faces were extremely grim. Like the others, they didn't believe Ouyang Yue would let them go so easily. Moreover, Ouyang Yue's smile earlier had made them even more uncertain. However, they couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope because of Ouyang Yue's words. "Princess Consort Chen, is what you mean by 'unless'?" Fu Lin asked cautiously.
Ouyang Yue looked at Fu Meier with a friendly expression, and finally glanced at Fu Lin before saying, "This princess can also accept only a small fraction of two hundred thousand taels."
Fu Lin's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but say, "Two hundred thousand taels!" He said this not because it was too much. Compared to seven hundred thousand taels, it was extremely little, and it was within the Fu family's means. If it were only two hundred thousand taels, he wouldn't have even needed to beg Ouyang Yue, and he would have been inferior to her.
"But there's one more thing," Ouyang Yue said with a smile. "This princess also wants your Fu family's shop on Langhuan Street, across from the Meiyi Pavilion."
Upon hearing this, Fu Lin's expression changed, becoming somewhat stiff. Finally, his expression darkened, and he coldly said, "That shop will neither sell nor give it away."
Ouyang Yue laughed: "Oh, in my estimation, that shop's business is just average. It's only breaking even, and the interior decoration isn't exactly top-notch. Even if I were to take it over, it would need to be renovated. I just wanted to find a shop near Meiyi Pavilion to store goods. Even if I took over the whole shop, it probably wouldn't be worth 100,000 taels. Including the cash I want, it would only be 300,000 taels. Master Fu is a businessman; he should be very good at calculating this deal. It's quite surprising that he disagrees."
The onlookers couldn't help but discuss among themselves. They knew the shop owner was a clothing vendor, just an ordinary clothing store, using the Fu family name and selling expensive items. But across the street was the Meiyi Pavilion, a novel and unique shop. Even though they weren't in the same business, there was still some influence. Besides, the original shop dealt in high-end goods, but trends in the capital were fleeting, and timing was difficult. His shop, even with its higher prices, was basically a one-off business, barely making ends meet. If it weren't for the Fu family's immense wealth, there would be no point in running a shop that could only break even, let alone cause them trouble.
Fu Lin's expression changed drastically, and he smiled and said, "To be honest, Princess Chen, that shop was one of the first ones I set up in the early years. It has a different weight for me and the Fu family. It can be considered a signboard for the Fu family. Without that shop, I would feel like I have no backbone. So this is indeed something I cannot meet Princess Chen's requirements."
Ouyang Yue smiled. Without a shop, there's no backbone? Fu Lin has built the Fu family into the number one imperial merchant in the Great Zhou Dynasty over the years, all because of a single shop? Is that something to laugh about? However, Ouyang Yue didn't dwell on it further, and could only say helplessly, "Since that's the case, then this princess will respect Master Fu's choice. The 720,000 taels of silver must be returned in full within a month. Oh, whether it's in banknotes or silver is irrelevant."
Fu Lin's face immediately turned extremely ugly, and he gritted his teeth. However, this time he did not say anything to ask Ouyang Yue for leniency or that he could not produce the money. Ouyang Yue glanced at Fu Lin indifferently, then turned to the Prefect of the Capital: "Prefect of the Capital, shouldn't the verdict be handed down now?"
The Prefect of Jingzhao was already on tenterhooks. Who would have thought that Ouyang Yue could turn the situation around so easily? It was completely unexpected. Even he was still a little stunned. The Fu family had lost 720,000 taels of silver as a result. It was hard to say whether the entire treasury of the Great Zhou Dynasty could even hold that much silver for a year. Ouyang Yue had just gotten that much silver for nothing. Anyone who heard this would be green with envy. However, the Prefect of Jingzhao dared not think that way at all. He said repeatedly, "Yes, yes, I hereby declare that after investigation, it has been proven that Meiyi Pavilion operates with strict and serious methods, conducts fair business, and does not cheat the young or the old. Everyone in Meiyi Pavilion is innocent and released. Those who dared to maliciously frame Meiyi Pavilion are all imprisoned. The nine women, along with Li Quan and the Fu family members involved, are sentenced to immediate execution for malicious framing and causing death. All other involved personnel are exiled three thousand miles away and their descendants are to serve as servants, never to enter the capital again!"
"Your Honor, I'm innocent! Your Honor, spare my life!"
"My lord, I know I have committed a crime. Please have mercy on me."
"My lord, spare my life..."
Suddenly, the hall erupted in wailing and lamentation. Those who had falsely accused Meiyi Pavilion were now sobbing uncontrollably, begging for mercy. But no one in the hall sympathized with them. How were people who could maliciously frame others, causing Meiyi Pavilion great losses and even taking lives any different from those who committed intentional murder? They even felt that such behavior was more heinous and that every single one of them should be killed!
Ouyang Yue suddenly raised her hand and said, "Wait!"
Everyone in the hall immediately looked at her. Was the Princess Consort of Chen going to save these people? They looked at Ouyang Yue with expectant eyes, but Ouyang Yue said, "Now the people from Meiyi Pavilion have been released without charge, but I have a case to report. Where is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?"
"Your humble servant, Yu Dequan, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, greets Prince Chen, Princess Chen, the old Princess of Ning County, and the Princess..." At this moment, the crowd outside the hall suddenly parted, and a middle-aged man dressed in a gray long robe and with his hair tied in a bun with a cloth belt, led four attendants into the hall of the Jingzhao government. He immediately knelt down and bowed to Ouyang Yue and the others.
"Lord Yu, I now suspect that the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture accepted bribes from those who maliciously framed Meiyige, abusing his power for personal gain, and subjecting the people of Meiyige to torture before the trial to force them to confess. Can you accept this case?" Ouyang Yue's voice was calm, but it was like a thunderclap that exploded in everyone's ears.
The Prefect of Jingzhao was so frightened that his face turned pale. For a moment, he was stunned and didn't react. When he jumped up to explain, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had already clasped his hands and said, "Reporting to Princess Chen, this official has taken over the case."
The Prefect of Jingzhao's face stiffened. The official system differed slightly from dynasty to dynasty. At the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, internal and external troubles plagued the court, and many corrupt officials caused frequent wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice, leading to widespread suffering. The founding emperor, realizing this was a serious matter harming the country and its people, continued to employ the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, increasing its rank and authority to a second-rank official. This minister had the power to investigate and handle wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice throughout the country. Of course, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review also handled cases that were not publicly known, including those involving serious crimes committed by members of the royal family. Officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty also had the right to adjudicate such cases.
Now that Ouyang Yue wants to sue the Prefect of Jingzhao, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is naturally one of the avenues. And most importantly, this Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is also one of Emperor Mingxian's men, promoted by him. However, due to their work relationship, the Prefect of Jingzhao is in charge of the security of the capital, and both are higher-level departments in various regions. Both are located in the capital, and while they share some similarities, they also have conflicting aspects. Ouyang Yue's power is always being eroded, so how could the relationship between the Court of Judicial Review and the Prefect of Jingzhao be good? Wouldn't the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review take this opportunity to frame him? Moreover, the Prefect of Jingzhao himself isn't exactly clean, so Ouyang Yue is naturally afraid.
"Princess Consort Chen, I was wrong. I previously thought this case was too far-reaching, involving several lives, so I acted too hastily. I am guilty and will certainly plead guilty to His Majesty. Regarding this matter..." The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture looked at Ouyang Yue with a pale face and a nervous expression. After all, the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture was personally appointed and promoted by the Emperor. However, as the Emperor's man, anyone in the court who wanted to touch him had to think twice, considering whether the Emperor would be displeased. Under normal circumstances, things wouldn't be handled too badly, especially since she was just a servant of the Beauty Pavilion. If it were someone else, a little money and some promises would be enough to get rid of her. Unfortunately, the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture completely misjudged Ouyang Yue.
Putting aside Ouyang Yue's tendency to protect her own, the fact that the Fu family dared to target Meiyi Pavilion and her this time, and the Prefect of Jingzhao readily agreed for a small gain, shows that although Ouyang Yue holds the titles of Princess Mingyue and Princess Consort of Chen, they are merely nominal. Many people in the Great Zhou Dynasty outwardly comply with her but inwardly fear her. If she lets this go this time, only accepting the Fu family's compensation, and the Prefect of Jingzhao can get away with it, then next time someone targets her, wouldn't there still be officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty willing to take the risk? Without turning the Prefect of Jingzhao upside down and delivering a heavy blow, everyone will think Ouyang Yue is easy to bully!
"Whatever you have to say, wait until the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review has finished his trial, then the Prefect of the Capital can say it." Ouyang Yue looked coldly at the Prefect of the Capital, knowing that he was also a greedy person. Back then, Meiyi Pavilion handed over 10,000 taels of silver, which was definitely a lot of money. Even if it wasn't enough for the Prefect of the Capital to protect her for life, the fact that he would do something to harm Meiyi Pavilion for money showed how corrupt he was in private. He didn't dare to gamble with him, but she did. If Emperor Mingxian were to use this opportunity to harm her, a corrupt official like him, Ouyang Yue would naturally have no expectations of him. After being married to Baili Chen for so many days, she had already discovered that Baili Chen was not as favored as she had imagined, and his relationship with Emperor Mingxian was far from good. However, Baili Chen never mentioned this, so she couldn't ask him directly, but she couldn't help but worry. She decided to take this opportunity to see what Emperor Mingxian was thinking. If Emperor Mingxian didn't make any moves, it would mean that he was very open-minded. If he took this opportunity to make trouble, it would mean that Emperor Mingxian's treatment of Baili Chen was worse than she had imagined. Only then would she make further preparations.
The Prefect of the Capital City turned ashen-faced. Amidst the cries of injustice from the crowd, Ouyang Yue, Baili Chen, and the other onlookers left. The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, however, said in a sarcastic tone, "Prefect of the Capital City, this time you are doomed!"
"You want to settle a personal score!"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review sneered, "You're right, so what? If you're innocent, you have nothing to fear. Unfortunately, I know very well just how corrupt you've been all these years. If I don't bring you down this time, all my years as Minister of the Court of Judicial Review will have been for nothing!"
"You...we've served as officials in this great dynasty for many years, do you really wish me dead that much?!"
Yu Dequan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, sneered: "Yes, you should die. You have always been subordinate to me in official rank, yet you dared to disrespect me. This time you have fallen into my hands, and I will torture you to death!"
"I will definitely see the Emperor; I will plead with him for mercy."
Yu Dequan sneered: "Then let's see if you can see the Emperor!"
The Prefect of Jingzhao shuddered, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted!
In the Prince Chen's mansion, as soon as Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue returned, Baili Chen immediately dismissed the servants, leaving only the two of them in the room. The two went to the desk, and Baili Chen actually ground the ink himself. Ouyang Yue sat at the desk, deep in thought. After a while, she took out a blank notebook, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and began to quietly write something in the notebook. Baili Chen quietly ground the ink on the side, and when he saw that there was enough, he sat quietly to the side, watching Ouyang Yue intently.
However, Ouyang Yue sat there, sometimes frowning, sometimes gesturing, occasionally writing or drawing in the booklet. She spent a full half hour on it. Suddenly, Ouyang Yue let out a long sigh of relief. Baili Chen stood up and hurriedly asked, "How was it?"
Ouyang Yue nodded, then flipped through the booklet: "No, something's missing. What is it?" Ouyang Yue pondered earnestly, and Baili Chen didn't disturb her. After a while, Ouyang Yue suddenly exclaimed with delight, "I've got it! It's 'three' here, not 'one'."
Baili Chen walked over, hugged Ouyang Yue, and gave her a big kiss: "Wife, it's all done!"
Ouyang Yue put down her pen and nodded: "There shouldn't be any problem. According to my memory, this ledger is at least 97 or 98 percent similar to the ledger of the Fu family's money shop that I saw in the lobby before, and the few differences can be ignored."
Baili Chen's eyes immediately curved into a smile: "My wife, have you noticed anything wrong?"
Ouyang Yue sneered: "Actually, I've had my suspicions for a long time. Fu Lin's rise to power is truly intriguing. However, the Fu family has its own system, employing people they know and absolutely trust. Obtaining account books from them is extremely difficult. It just so happens that the Meiyi Pavilion incident allowed me to obtain the account books from the Fu Family Bank. The Fu Family Bank is not only the number one bank in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, but also the place where the Fu family manages the inflow and outflow of all its assets. Therefore, the current bank also reflects various problems within the Fu family's businesses. Unfortunately, Fu Lin doesn't know that I have enhanced memory, which is what people often call the ability to remember everything at a glance. Now, making a copy is no problem at all."
Bai Lichen couldn't help but laugh smugly: "That old fox Fu Lin, so many people have tried to find something on him over the years, but he always managed to escape. Who knew he would fall into my wife's trap? But then again, this ability to remember everything he sees is just a legend, no one has ever actually seen it. Who would have thought my wife would have it?"
Ouyang Yue smiled. In her previous life, she was a special agent. One of the training methods for special agents was to deepen their memory. It wasn't about photographic memory, but rather that their memory was better than that of ordinary people. Moreover, she also had the mental cultivation method that Su'er had brought from below. Although it was for practicing the second sense, practicing this mental cultivation method could also make her mind clear. She was only left with the last stage of the three stages of the mental cultivation method, but no matter how she practiced, she couldn't break through it. However, she still insisted on practicing for half an hour every day. It was conceivable that her memory was naturally amazing.
Previously in the lobby, everyone thought she was just flipping through the pages, but no one knew that she had quickly memorized the contents with just a glance, something Fu Lin could never have imagined.
"My wife, have you noticed a problem?"
Ouyang Yue squinted: "The ledger seems fine on the surface, but if you look at the last line of each page, the numbers form a very strange combination. And you should have noticed that when I offered to exchange the shop across the street from Meiyi Pavilion for 520,000 taels of silver, Fu Lin found all sorts of excuses to refuse. It's just a shop that doesn't make any money; how can that compare to 520,000 taels of silver that could potentially drain the Fu family's coffers? If it were someone else, 200,000 taels plus a shop would have been enough to make them compromise."
Bai Lichen gently stroked Ouyang Yue's hair: "My wife is indeed clever. When I was looking for your dowry before, it was Fu Lin who robbed the diamond. Back then, my wife even had a dispute with Fu Meier over the Meiyi Pavilion. When Leng Can reported back, I had already sent people to keep an eye on all the Fu family's properties. Now, combining all the suspicious points, I have a good idea of what's going on, and I've already guessed why Fu Lin jumped up back then."
Ouyang Yue was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "What's the reason?"
Bai Lichen smiled mysteriously, leaned down and whispered in Ouyang Yue's ear, "What a Fu Lin! He's so bold!" Ouyang Yue's eyes widened in surprise.
Baili Chen then sat on Ouyang Yue's lap with his arms around her, his hand caressing her slender waist: "Wife, how do you suggest we play this game?"
Ouyang Yue tilted her head and looked at Baili Chen: "You already have a plan, why are you asking me?"
Bai Lichen smiled immediately: "Of course, there are always flaws in a plan that I come up with on my own. I need my wife to smooth things over. Only when we come up with something together as a couple can we maximize its advantages and minimize its disadvantages, and avoid any mistakes." Ouyang Yue chuckled, "You're trying so hard to please me. What if something goes wrong?"
Baili Chen smiled. "Of course, we can't handle this ourselves." Ouyang Yue reached out and lifted a strand of Baili Chen's dark hair, twirling it in her hand and playing with it. "Hmm, who should we use as a pawn?" She didn't notice the deepening look in Baili Chen's eyes because of her action. By the time she realized something was wrong, Baili Chen had already pressed her down in the chair, his entire body pressed against hers, his eyes like those of a predatory wolf, instantly drawing Ouyang Yue into a state of utter surrender. She drifted and swayed, forced to passively endure...
At the Fu residence, Fu Lin's face twisted with ruthless rage. Upon returning, he swept and smashed everything in the house, roaring and cursing. Fu Mei'er, who had followed him, was also enraged by his frenzied state, trembling with rage. Seventy-two thousand taels of silver! Just given to Ouyang Yue like that? How could this be? This concerned the safety of the Fu family! Giving it away to Xuan Yuan Yue would severely damage the Fu family, taking at least ten years to recover. Moreover, such a large loss would cause worry for those who had deposited their money in the Fu family's bank; the Fu family might not even have enough funds for operations.
"Father, what should I do next for you?"
After smashing things, Fu Lin calmed down and gave Fu Meier a cold look. It was Fu Meier who had mentioned taking revenge on Meiyi Pavilion. If it weren't for Fu Meier, the Fu family wouldn't be facing such a big crisis today. Fu Meier shrank back slightly under his gaze, feeling very guilty.
Fu Lin was silent for a while before saying, "Then why did Xuan Yuan Yue suddenly want the shop across the street from Mei Yi Ge? There are many other shops nearby, and a shop worth less than 100,000 taels of silver is worth 520,000 taels of silver. Xuan Yuan Yue isn't stupid. Why would she willingly give up the opportunity to rip us off and take this shop?"
Fu Meier asked, puzzled, "Father, what do you mean?"
Fu Lin's expression suddenly changed drastically: "Oh no! Could it be that Xuan Yuan Yue knows about our clandestine business? If that's the case, she will definitely take action against the Fu family as soon as possible. If this matter gets out, the entire Fu family will be finished." After saying that, Fu Lin rushed out, calling out, "Steward, steward!"
"Master, this servant is here. What are your orders?"
"Quickly, summon the managers of all the shops in the Fu family mansion. Remember, it must be done secretly. They must come in through the underground passage so that no one can discover them. Go now!" Seeing Fu Lin's urgent and stern expression, the Fu family steward knew that this matter could not be delayed. He nodded repeatedly and rushed out to find the people.
Fu Meier was so frightened that her heart skipped a beat: "Father... this is impossible. Even if Xuan Yuan Yue has extraordinary abilities, he shouldn't be able to find out. Besides, the Fu family has been doing this business for so many years without any problems. How could Xuan Yuan Yue suddenly find out?"
Fu Lin shook his head irritably: "No, we must be careful about this. I still have some goods there that need to be sent out as soon as possible. Ever since the trial of the Meiyi Pavilion case started, I've been feeling uneasy, and now that feeling is even stronger. I'm afraid something bad might happen!"
Fu Meier's face was dark. She didn't know what grudge Xuan Yuan Yue had against her in her past life, that he had been her enemy from beginning to end, and this time he had even caused the Fu family so much loss. She had to get revenge! As for the possibility her father mentioned, Fu Meier didn't care at all. The Fu family had been doing this business for over twenty years, and only a few high-ranking members knew about it. Even some of the favored concubines and illegitimate daughters in the family didn't know about it. How could it be discovered? It was too risky, and there was absolutely no need for it!
In the Crown Prince's residence, in Consort Lin's courtyard, Lin Yingying was sitting in front of her dressing table, having servants hold up exquisite headdresses to her head. Her delicate brows were furrowed, and after a while, she suddenly shouted angrily, "Take them away! Take them all away! What are these things? How can they be worthy of this consort? They are all useless things!" Lin Yingying scolded angrily.
The servants immediately lowered their heads and dared not speak, putting the jewelry back where it was and standing aside without saying a word.
Lin Yingying, however, looked at her beautiful and graceful reflection in the mirror, her face darkening. Recently, another woman had entered the Crown Prince's residence, but she was merely a lowly courtesan, secretly brought in by the Crown Prince. Since her arrival, the Crown Prince had been spending significantly less time in the various courtyards. Just yesterday, out of boredom, she went for a stroll in the most secluded garden of the Crown Prince's residence, only to find it guarded by many attendants who wouldn't let her in. When she was forced to leave, she noticed a strange sound coming from there. Upon closer listening, she realized that someone was engaging in illicit sexual activity in the garden in broad daylight.
Lin Yingying's mind went blank for a moment. Who could put on such a grand display and dare to do such a thing in the Crown Prince's residence? Yet, Lin Yingying still refused to believe that the man she had always worshipped like a god would do such a thing. However, when she pretended to leave and secretly hid to watch, she finally saw the Crown Prince carrying that vixen out as if she were holding a precious treasure. Lin Yingying was furious and angry. That night, she refused to even see the Crown Prince when he came in person, causing him to storm off.
Lin Yingying deeply regretted this, but her heart was filled with pain and resentment!
With a loud "smash!", Lin Yingying suddenly slammed her hand on the dressing table, even knocking over the bronze mirror. She then sneered, "I've always been very magnanimous. How can I ruin my reputation and disappoint the Crown Prince because of that lowly woman who's slept with countless men? Go, pick out a few pieces of jewelry and send them over as a welcome gift for her to the Crown Prince's residence. Even without me, there's still Mu Cuihuan, and a few other troublesome wretches in the manor. I'd like to see how many days she can enjoy her carefree life in the Crown Prince's residence!"
The servants immediately obeyed and selected several pieces of jewelry that looked quite nice, and sent them over. That same day, the Crown Prince came to Lin Yingying's courtyard with a look of longing on his face. Lin Yingying's cheeks were flushed with a faint blush, and she nestled against the Crown Prince's shoulder like a little bird, not wanting to leave for even a moment. She said, "Cousin Crown Prince, are you angry with me? Yesterday, Yingying was being childish. Because I hadn't seen you for several days, I was both angry and missed you, so I actually chased you out. Yingying didn't sleep a wink all night yesterday."
The Crown Prince immediately held Lin Yingying's face with heartache: "Hmm, she does look a little pale. My poor Yingying, is she really that inseparable from me?"
"Your Highness, you're so mean! You know perfectly well that Yingying can't live without you, yet you still tease her like this." As she spoke, Lin Yingying hugged the prince tightly, her breath sweet as orchids as she looked at him, instantly making the latter's heart flutter.
However, just as lust flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes and he was about to carry Lin Yingying to the bedside, a commotion suddenly broke out in Lin Yingying's courtyard. Both of them immediately darkened their faces: "What's going on outside? Why is it so noisy? I'm with Consort Lin. Who's so foolish as to bother me?"
The guards outside immediately reported, "Your Highness, it is Miss Ming, who has recently entered the residence. She is crying and demanding to see you."
Baili Cheng's face immediately darkened. He hated women who didn't know their place. He had only spoiled this woman for a few days, and she had already become arrogant. Lin Yingying sneered. This lowly woman was indeed not worthy of respect. She didn't understand the thoughts of someone she had never been able to reach before. Now she was reaping what she had sown. After this incident, she would definitely be disliked by the Crown Prince.
"Consort Lin, I know you look down on me, but you can't insult me like this! I've never dared to fight for anything, and I only wanted to be closer to the Crown Prince because I admire him. If I had known you cared so much, I would have stayed far away from him. You don't need to threaten me like this." A very soft and charming voice came from outside. This Miss Ming was one of the three most famous actresses in the capital's theaters. She could produce any tone she wanted. At this moment, her voice was soft and charming with a hint of hoarseness, and it also carried an endless sense of grievance. Even the emperor would feel his bones soften upon hearing it.
The Crown Prince looked at Lin Yingying, his brows furrowed: "What's going on? You brought people to bully Minghua. Yingying, you are the legitimate daughter of the Lin family. You must not lose your composure. Didn't your imperial aunt teach you that? Besides, Xunyang was brought in by me. You personally went to humiliate her. Are you trying to teach me a lesson?"
Lin Yingying was utterly bewildered, her face showing anger: "Your Highness, Yingying is innocent! Your Highness and I grew up together. Don't you know what kind of person I am? I'm not such a petty person. I was so happy to have a new person in Your Highness's residence, someone to serve you alongside me, that I even sent her some jewelry. It's one thing for Minghua not to be grateful, but she can't just falsely accuse me! I'm truly wronged!" As she spoke, two streams of tears flowed down Lin Yingying's face as she sobbed pitifully, her shoulders trembling, her face turning deathly pale with anger. Even the Crown Prince's heart softened at the sight of her.