Chapter 400: Chapter 22: The General Mansion’s Cast-Off Cannon Fodder Wife

Writers wield the pen as a sword, condemning the injustice and dissatisfaction of the world with their words, binding with phrases the mountains and rivers of this earth. Creating literature is the most lofty and magnificent task, how can anyone achieve fame and fortune through plagiarism!

The Eighth Prince’s shock turned into anger.

He couldn’t stand others sullying the name of a writer, especially those who deceive to gain status and wealth by relying on articles.

“Rest assured, I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter.”

Jiang Yu glanced back at the window.

“Explanation? No one has given me an explanation for the Marquis Mansion’s affair, what does this one count for.”

The Eighth Prince gazed intently at her, previously he merely admired, but now for the first time he felt a pang of sympathy for the young lady before him.

“There will undoubtedly be an explanation for the Marquis Mansion sooner or later, rest assured.”

Jiang Yu smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I believe, Your Majesty will definitely see the injustice faced by our Marquis Mansion.”

Seven days later, the spring hunt was grandly held at the Royal Hunting Ground.

On this day, the entire mountain would be surrounded tightly by guards as all the princes and princesses of the Imperial Palace would be present at the Hunting Ground for three days. Subsequently, the noble sons and daughters of the Capital City would also come along with their parents.

A mountain of game raised fat and plump awaited today’s hunt, thus the spring hunt was considered the grandest event within the Capital City, though it was exclusively for the court and the Imperial Family.

Jiang Lai was invited as the General’s wife, and she was to go along with the general. Originally the old madam could have also gone, but she didn’t wish to join the bustle, so she let Xu Ruling accompany her, and the room arranged for the old madam could just be provided for Xu Ruling.

The spring hunt was the day eagerly anticipated by young men and women of the Capital City, as it permitted them to meet together justly. Young men looked upon the grace and beauty of young women, and young women beheld the vigor and vitality of young men.

Xu Ruling was no exception.

She knew hoping for Tie Yi to marry her was futile, and she feared wasting her youth, hence she greatly valued this spring hunt, not only having tailored outfits suitable for the hunt but also purchasing many pieces of jewelry for the event.

Solely to find a suitable gentleman during the hunt.

Her target was set—none other than the Eighth Prince, a prince frequently seen in public, handsome and learned, and importantly backed by the Sixth Prince, a mighty force. Should the Sixth Prince ascend as emperor, the Eighth Prince, being his full brother, would have an extraordinary status.

During this spring hunt, Jiang Yu had assured her that she would arrange for Xu Ruling and the Eighth Prince to interact closely, with Xu Ruling elevating her position using her identity as Tie Yi’s sister. The Eighth Prince, being wise, would surely understand her intentions.

Xu Ruling was thrilled, but the evening before departure, government officials showed up.

As the reporting party was the General’s wife, they dared not neglect, and upon entering the mansion, they started inspecting.

This matter even stirred the old madam, and Jiang Lai explained the situation to her clearly—the account books showed a discrepancy of eight thousand taels within half a year, a sum that nearly infuriated the old madam to fainting.

“Eight thousand taels! Missing so much?!”

“It is indeed true, I suspect someone within the mansion may be embezzling funds.”

“Aren’t your words indirectly accusing Ruling!”

Jiang Lai bluntly nodded.

“Mother, I know Miss Xu is close to you, but this is important. Eight thousand taels of silver is precious, earned by the general risking his life on the battlefield, and now it has vanished without a trace. Don’t you want to know what’s happened?

If you trust Miss Xu, then let them investigate properly. If you don’t trust her, then shielding her any further would dishearten the general once he finds out.”

The old madam sat down holding her head, her eyes red.

“Why, since your arrival, our entire mansion is in chaos!”

“Mother, had I not come, you would have seen the fate of the Marquis Mansion? The General Mansion is going down the same path. Now it’s just eight thousand taels, which might not be much for the general, but what about the future? If someone exploits the general’s name outside, borrowing and lending, once caught, it would ruin the general’s career.

The current Your Majesty abhors such deeds, you, secluded within, may not understand this, but as the general’s wife, I must understand.

The issue is severe, do you think further investigations are necessary?”

The old madam was silent.

To her, nothing was more significant than her son’s future, and Jiang Lai’s words served as a reminder.

Nurturing a tiger is dangerous.

Previously she could forge ledgers to cover up ten thousand taels, so these eight thousand weren’t much of a challenge for her.

“It’s my fault for leaving everything to her…”

“I’ve provided the evidence to the government, and the former bookkeeper is already detained, Xu Ruling should be implicated soon, the upcoming decisions are yours to make.”

Jiang Lai had done all she could.

What comes next was for the old madam to decide.

Meanwhile, Xu Ruling, shopping for clothes at the tailor shop, was directly apprehended by the government, struggling all the way, shouting incessantly.

“Do you know whose person I am! How dare you treat me like this! My brother is Tie Yi, the Iron General! Do you wish for headless punishment!”

Despite her struggles, Xu Ruling was directly incarcerated, awaiting the next steps.

At night, the old madam came, marking her first outing since arriving in the Capital City, to such a place as the prison.

Seeing the old madam, Xu Ruling was overwhelmed with tears, calling ceaselessly.

“Aunt! Aunt, you’ve finally arrived! Where’s the general? Tell the general I’ve been bullied by these people! My aunt is here, you all will face dire consequences!”

Fear, grievance, and anger broke Xu Ruling’s calm and grace, her heart filled with wishes for the beheading of the guards restraining her.

The old madam saw her like this, publicly claiming to be Tie Yi’s sister, and had made her decision.

“Release her, it’s a family matter, not for you to handle.”

The government officials dared not resist, it was indeed a family matter. Previously, arresting Xu Ruling was in line with rules; now that the Iron General’s mother came to redeem her, they naturally let her go.

Once released, Xu Ruling clutched the old madam’s hand, crying, speaking as she sobbed.

“Who, who is harming me? Claiming I embezzled the manor’s money! Aunt, surely it is Jiang Lai, she’s always aimed to exile me completely, today directly slandering me and reporting to officials!

Aunt, you must stand up for me!”

The old madam looked at her, her gaze heavy, her tone icy.

“If you did nothing wrong, the officials wouldn’t have arrested you without evidence.”

Xu Ruling’s cries halted, a flicker of panic and tension crossed her eyes.

“It’s Jiang Lai, she must be exploiting the general’s name for reckless acts!”

“Ruling, I’ve watched you grow up; tell me honestly, are you the one who moved the missing silver on the books?”

Xu Ruling flatly denied it.

“It wasn’t me!”

“What about the missing eight thousand taels?”

“It’s Jiang Lai, surely she diverted it and framed me!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep