Chapter 26

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

The newcomer still could not believe it and asked, “The Princess donated in the name of Sheng Shi Hall. The Heir Apparent didn’t know either?”

Qi Shu Xian’s face turned ugly. Qi Shu Xian had never even heard of it. “Sheng Shi Hall?”

A red-faced Junior Officer suddenly poked his head out of the crowd. When the Junior Officer saw Qi Shu Xian look over, the Junior Officer showed a silly, honest grin. “My sister-in-law is Marshal Liang’s brother’s third concubine. I also know how to read a few characters, so sometimes when Marshal Liang was too lazy to handle letters, it fell to me.”

The Junior Officer scratched his head and said, “This Sheng Shi Hall, I don’t know which rich household it is, but they’ve donated grain, fodder, cotton clothes, and prepared medicines to our army supply more than once. Heir Apparent, do you know them?”

The Junior Officer added, “If the Heir Apparent knows them, you can write to Marshal Liang. He always wanted to know this righteous benefactor and ask for some rewards for them – hic!”

The Junior Officer did not hold liquor well. The Junior Officer was not really drunk, but still felt muddled and only caught the words Sheng Shi Hall.

Those words were too familiar. They had left a deep impression.

The Junior Officer was the kind of person who joined the army only so his family could survive. The Junior Officer could not understand the ambition of “when you prosper, you help the world.” The Junior Officer only felt that this rich household was a bit foolish.

“So it’s true.” The newcomer heard everything clearly. Then the newcomer looked at Qi Shu Xian’s face. What else could the newcomer not understand?

This was the Princess Qing Ning’s own decision. It had nothing to do with the Heir Apparent at all.

The newcomer clasped hands in salute and hurried out.

Qi Shu Xian remained stunned, unable to come back to his senses. Qi Shu Xian waved Shun Zi over and gave a few instructions. Then Qi Shu Xian forced the thoughts down and continued entertaining the others.

Only after everyone ate and drank their fill and left did Shun Zi come running back, sweating all over.

“Heir Apparent!” Shun Zi panted. “What that person said was true. Yesterday, the Heir’s Wife went to Gathering Sages Teahouse, and it just so happened…”

Shun Zi explained everything Shun Zi had learned after running to several wine houses to ask around. Qi Shu Xian’s face grew darker with every word.

Shun Zi said, “According to those people, the Heir’s Wife donated at least 170,000 taels worth of military grain and supplies. Outside, people originally guessed it was done under your orders, but after that person went out just now…”

Qi Shu Xian turned and left at once.

The rest did not need to be heard. Qi Shu Xian already knew.

Qi Shu Xian just did not expect Sheng Zhi Wan to be so wasteful. 170,000 taels.

If not for what happened this morning, Qi Shu Xian would not have thought 170,000 taels mattered much. But now, compared to the Duke estate having only 200 taels left in the common coffers, it was different.

Qi Shu Xian could not even treat colleagues to wine without using Second Sister’s dowry silver. Yet Sheng Zhi Wan could easily donate such a huge sum, and Sheng Zhi Wan never once asked for Qi Shu Xian’s opinion.

That was not 1,700 taels. It was not 17,000 taels.

It was 170,000 taels.

Even in the Military Camp, if it were spent only on grain, it would have been enough to feed 100,000 troops for a full three months.

Qi Shu Xian immediately had someone rush the carriage back to the manor.

As soon as Qi Shu Xian got off, Qi Shu Xian went straight to Ping Lan Residence.

Sheng Zhi Wan did not go out today. Ting Lan found several experts who could inspect dowries and had them take out one “exquisite” item after another from the storeroom.

The experts examined them and reported, “The biggest pink pearl in this Kingfisher-Inlaid Pearl Headdress Set has been swapped.”

Another said, “This painting should be a copy.”

Another added, “And this Wintergreen-Glazed Six-Hole Vase…”

Very quickly, dozens of items were piled on the ground.

Sheng Zhi Wan sat there with no expression and slowly sipped tea.

An Zhi and Ting Lan were so angry their teeth clenched.

Huan Zhu knelt on the floor.

Qi Shu Xian pushed the door open and saw the chaotic scene, but Qi Shu Xian did not care at all. Qi Shu Xian strode up to Sheng Zhi Wan. Without even waiting for Sheng Zhi Wan to finish drinking, Qi Shu Xian grabbed Sheng Zhi Wan’s arm and tried to drag Sheng Zhi Wan into the inner room.

Sheng Zhi Wan shook Qi Shu Xian off.

Qi Shu Xian sucked in a breath. “Sheng Zhi Wan, I have something to say to you!”

Sheng Zhi Wan said coldly, “This Princess and the Heir Apparent have nothing shameful to hide.” Sheng Zhi Wan hated Qi Shu Xian now. Sheng Zhi Wan wanted to stay far away even when they stood together, and Sheng Zhi Wan did not want to be alone with Qi Shu Xian in the same room.

Qi Shu Xian’s gaze darkened further.

Sheng Zhi Wan spoke first, “Heir Apparent, did you see the things on the ground?”

Qi Shu Xian demanded, “Did you really donate 170,000 taels to the Frontier?”

Sheng Zhi Wan lifted her brows. “So what?”

Qi Shu Xian’s voice suddenly rose. “I asked you if you did!”

Sheng Zhi Wan replied, “I did.”

Qi Shu Xian swept Sheng Zhi Wan’s teacup and saucer off the table. It crashed onto the floor. Only when the Talent Cup Token was knocked down as well did Qi Shu Xian realize what Qi Shu Xian had done.

But it was already too late to fix it.

All the servants in Ping Lan Residence froze. Only then did Qi Shu Xian notice several elderly men staring at Qi Shu Xian in shock. Qi Shu Xian’s handsome face tightened and twitched.

Qi Shu Xian asked, “Who are these people?”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes were full of ridicule. “Heir Apparent should talk about your own business first.”

Qi Shu Xian looked at the elderly men. “Please go out first.”

“No need.” Sheng Zhi Wan cut in. “These are the people this Princess invited. If the Heir Apparent thinks your words are too ugly to say in front of them, then don’t say them.”

Sheng Zhi Wan continued, “But even if the Heir Apparent doesn’t say it, this Princess can probably guess.”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Heir Apparent came to question me because you heard about my donation, didn’t you? But what right does the Heir Apparent have to question me? That was my dowry, my silver. Whether I donate it or give it away, what did it have to do with the Heir Apparent?”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s tone sharpened. “Instead, I want to ask the Heir Apparent: my imperial dowry was full of items from the Imperial Palace. How did it all become fake goods for no reason at all?”