Chapter 26

Chapter 26: What Does It Have to Do with the Heir Apparent?

“Princess made the donations under the name Prosperous Hall. Lord Heir… you truly didn’t know?” the man still asked, disbelief lingering in his voice.

Qi Shu Xian’s expression grew grim.

He had never even heard the name before.

“Pros… Prosperous Hall?” A young soldier flushed from drinking suddenly poked his head through the crowd.

Qi Shu Xian turned to look at him.

The soldier smiled awkwardly, a little embarrassed. “My wife’s younger sister is the third concubine of Marshal Liang’s younger brother. I can read a bit, so sometimes I’m asked to write letters Marshal Liang finds tiresome.”

“This Prosperous Hall is apparently a wealthy household from somewhere, donating supplies to our Imperial Army’s granaries—grain, winter clothes, medicine—multiple times already. Lord Heir, are you acquainted with them?”

“If you know them, you might write a letter to Marshal Liang. He has been curious about this generous donor and hopes to petition some reward for them—hic!”

His tolerance for alcohol wasn’t good. He wasn’t drunk, just slightly dazed, and only vaguely caught the name Prosperous Hall.

Yet, those few words had left quite an impression on his heart.

As someone who enlisted only to support his family, he couldn’t comprehend the lofty idea of “using one’s wealth to aid the world.” He only secretly thought this wealthy donor rather foolish.

“So it was true,” whispered someone below, clearly hearing every word.

Seeing Qi Shu Xian’s darkening expression, there was no further doubt.

Clearly, this was Princess Qing Ning’s own decision, unrelated to the Heir Apparent.

The man cupped his hands and hurriedly departed.

Qi Shu Xian still stood frozen, trapped in shock. He beckoned Shun Zi over, whispered some orders, then suppressed his feelings to continue hosting his colleagues.

It wasn’t until the feast ended and all guests had left that Shun Zi returned, panting heavily and covered in sweat.

“My Lord Heir! Everything that man said is true. Yesterday, the Heir Consort visited Gathering Worthies Teahouse…” Shun Zi recounted carefully everything he’d learned from several taverns.

As Qi Shu Xian listened, his expression grew darker with each word.

“According to them, the Heir Consort donated at least 170,000 taels worth of military supplies. People had assumed you instructed her to do so, but after that man left…”

Qi Shu Xian abruptly turned and walked away.

He didn’t need to hear the rest. He already understood.

He simply hadn’t imagined Sheng Zhi Wan could squander wealth to such a degree!

One hundred seventy thousand taels…

Without the contrast of this morning’s humiliation, without Duke Qi Manor’s current impoverishment, Qi Shu Xian wouldn’t have considered this amount significant.

But now, comparing it to the mere two hundred taels left in the household treasury!

He even had to rely on his younger sister’s dowry money just to host a simple feast.

Yet Sheng Zhi Wan had easily, without even consulting him, given away such a large sum!

This wasn’t seventeen hundred taels or even seventeen thousand…

It was one hundred seventy thousand!

In a military camp, that sum alone could feed an army of one hundred thousand for three whole months!

Qi Shu Xian immediately ordered the carriage back home.

The moment he dismounted, he rushed directly toward Pinglan Residence.

Today, Sheng Zhi Wan hadn’t left the estate. Ting Lan had invited several experts to examine each item of the dowry, carefully removing seemingly precious things from storage.

“This set of kingfisher feather jewelry—the largest pearl was swapped out.”

“This painting is a forgery.”

“And this celadon six-holed vase…”

Soon, dozens of defective items lay piled on the floor.

Sheng Zhi Wan sat expressionless, slowly sipping tea.

Ting Lan stood nearby, teeth clenched in anger.

Huan Zhu knelt silently on the floor.

Qi Shu Xian burst through the doors into this messy scene, but he paid it no heed. Striding quickly to Sheng Zhi Wan, he grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the inner room without noticing she was drinking tea.

Sheng Zhi Wan immediately shook him off.

“Sheng Zhi Wan!” Qi Shu Xian drew in a sharp breath. “I have something to discuss!”

“I have nothing private to discuss with Lord Heir.” Sheng Zhi Wan disliked him intensely now, wanting nothing more than to distance herself, unwilling even to share a room with him.

Qi Shu Xian’s eyes darkened further upon seeing her reaction.

But Sheng Zhi Wan spoke first. “Lord Heir, have you seen the items on the ground?”

“Did you really donate 170,000 taels to the frontier?” Qi Shu Xian questioned sharply.

Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow slightly. “And if I did?”

“I’m asking you if you did!” Qi Shu Xian’s voice rose sharply.

“Yes,” she replied calmly.

Crash!

The teacup Sheng Zhi Wan had been drinking from was swept to the floor. Only when Qi Shu Xian heard the porcelain shatter did he realize what he had done.

But it was too late to recover his composure.

The servants in Pinglan Residence witnessed everything. Only then did Qi Shu Xian notice several elderly appraisers staring at him in shock.

His handsome face tightened painfully.

“Who are these people?”

“Lord Heir should explain yourself first,” Sheng Zhi Wan mocked him lightly.

Qi Shu Xian turned to the elders. “Please step outside first.”

“No need!” Sheng Zhi Wan interrupted. “These are my invited guests. If Lord Heir can’t speak comfortably before them, then don’t speak at all. However, even without your words, I can guess clearly enough.”

“You heard of my donations and came here to question me. But what right do you have to question me? That was my dowry—my silver. Whether I give it away or gift it freely, what does it have to do with you?”

“Rather, I should question you instead. My imperial dowry, filled with items straight from the palace—how did they become forgeries without reason?”