As he said that, he smoothed her frown and said slowly, "Even if you have a plan, it is to protect yourself. But Shen Jingci is different. She can calculate everything for herself, and she has no bottom line. But you Yes, family and friends are your bottom line. In the final analysis, I am still not strong enough. If I were strong enough, I could protect you under my wings—"
Having said this, he paused for a moment before continuing, "My Zhuo'er was originally supposed to be the cleanest woman in the world. It's my fault."
Xie Ruzhuo's eyes sore, and a teardrop fell unexpectedly.
Xiao Junxi put her head against hers and said softly, "Don't be afraid, Zhuo'er, I'll take care of everything."
The wind and rain outside gradually subsided, and the wind was gentle and the trees were quiet. Although a little rain hit the windowsill, it also made the atmosphere inside the house quiet and beautiful.
By afternoon, the rain had completely stopped. The long-lost sunlight refracted in, and the fragments of sunlight seemed to be covered with a layer of gold, making it look particularly beautiful.
It is said that there is a layer of autumn rain and a layer of coolness. It is now August, and even though the sun is dazzling, there is still an unstoppable coolness.
When Xie Ruzhuo first arrived at Prince Jing's Mansion, Niao Niao and Tingting were originally in charge of the affairs in the mansion. Now that Xie Ruzhuo came, the two of them started to take advantage of each other. But who would have expected that Xiao Junxi scolded him before he even started to show off. In desperation, the two of them appeared to be submissive on the surface, but in fact they were plotting evil ideas in their hearts.
Historically, in aristocratic families, slaves from top to bottom would engage in cheating, but Xie Ruzhuo originally turned a blind eye.
But this morning, when she went to check the account books in the accounting room, she discovered something fishy. The prices of fruits and vegetables at home are more than double what they were at Xie's house!
When she was in Xie's family, Mrs. Qiao had taught her how to run a family, and she knew how to let her slaves indulge in small mistakes but strictly investigate big ones. Therefore, the Xie family's account books originally contained some false information. Who would have thought that Prince Jing's palace was much more powerful than hers.
Xie Ruzhuo immediately threw the account book on the table and said in a deep voice, "Call the manager!"
Hearing this, Jiangzhu immediately stepped forward and asked, "Princess, what's wrong?" Among the maids who followed them, Qianbi Hongrui still called her "Miss" out of habit, but Jiangzhu changed her tune the fastest. Because she knows very well that this title is a symbol of status. If her maid doesn't call her, how can she ask outsiders to obey her
Xie Ruzhuo pointed to the account book on the table and sneered, "It's true that I'm new here, but I'm neither stupid nor blind." She originally wanted to wait and see what happens, and see what the people in this house can do. Packed up together again. Who would have thought that these people would go so far, not even bothering to cover up the accounts on the bright side? They really thought she was a soft persimmon, didn't they
Seeing Xie Ruzhuo like this, Jiang Zhu knew that her young lady was really angry.
Not long after, the steward came in a hurry. The steward's surname was Liu, who was originally assigned by the palace's Internal Affairs Office, but he was the chief steward and didn't worry too much about the accounts.
Therefore, when Xie Ruzhuo asked, the steward was confused and said hesitantly, "Back to the princess, Miss Tingting is in charge of this matter. I really don't know much about it."
Xie Ruzhuo just sat in the main seat, noncommittal to his answer, and looked at Manager Liu indifferently.
But the more he looked at her like this, the more he felt like he was on pins and needles. He wanted to speak several times, but he hesitated.
After a while, Xie Ruzhuo picked up the accounts again and said calmly, "Manager Liu, since the Prime Minister's affairs are in the government, I don't expect you to know everything in detail, but if you don't even know the most important accounting issues, then Perhaps you should consider whether to give up the position of supervisor to Xian."
What she said was not loud, but it made Manager Liu break out in a cold sweat. He lowered his head and did not dare to raise it. He said bluntly, "Yes, it was the slave's negligence."
Xie Ruzhuo slowly brought up a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He changed his tone and said, "But in such a large palace, things are indeed complicated, and there are times when Manager Liu is negligent. As time goes by, people have to be given to others. A chance to change, do you think it is?"
Hearing this, Manager Liu nodded immediately and said with a smile, "That's what the princess said, thank you very much, princess."
Xie Ruzhuo nodded casually and then said, "Go and ask Miss Tingting to come over."
There was a young maid at the side who responded and trotted off to find Tingting. Rather than inviting people, it's better to tell someone.
Xie Ruzhuo did not criticize the situation and asked Manager Liu to sit aside. Then he picked up a red pen and carefully drew out the incorrect accounts on the account book.
Although Manager Liu was sitting, he was still restless. He didn't expect that this princess looked young, but acted so shamelessly. You know, he is the steward assigned by the palace!
But Manager Liu also knew in his heart that no matter how great his reputation was, it was only given by his master. Everyone can see how the prince treats the princess these days. If he offends this person, his face will be torn off. When the time comes, it will be the servants like them who are not good-looking.
Manager Liu has been thinking a lot here, and Tingting over there has also gained the trust. After learning that it was the princess who wanted to cause trouble for her, Tingting immediately sneered and said, "Oh, is she trying to make the new official take office? It's a pity that this method doesn't work here!"
Tingting was also transferred from the palace, and she had an official position. Although she was just a small female official, she had been in the palace for so many years, so she was very confident.
Besides, she was originally a waiter in Xiao Junxi's room. Although Xiao Junxi had never used her, she had not been scolded once in these years, and even Concubine Ye praised her. She didn't believe what a princess who had just entered the house could do to her!
Tingting made up her mind and walked towards the accounting room. As soon as I walked in, I felt a wave of low air pressure.
Xie Ruzhuo was sitting there, and with an occasional movement of his wrist, he would draw heavy strokes with a red pen. She remained silent, but the aura emanating from her body did not belong to a little girl. It actually gave Tingting the illusion that sitting there was the master who had been immersed in the harem for many years!
"Greetings to the princess."
Tingting bowed reluctantly, and without waiting for Xie Ruzhuo to say anything, she stood up and said, "I wonder why the princess called me here?"
Xie Ruzhuo looked up at her and uttered two words, "Palm mouth."
Standing by the side was the stewardess. When she heard this, she was immediately surprised and said, "Princess?"
But Tingting heard it clearly, and immediately snorted, "Princess, I don't know what mistake I made, but I asked you to lynch me as soon as you came!"
Xie Ruzhuo's eyes were still calm, and he even explained kindly, "Getting up without the master's permission is the first crime; calling him 'I' instead of the slave is the second crime."
Upon hearing this, Tingting was immediately speechless and wanted to argue, but she was speechless. She didn't expect that Xie Ruzhuo would actually dare to take fault of herself!
Thinking about it, Tingting couldn't help but say, "When I saw you were busy, I thought you needed my help. Besides, I, slave, have been in the palace for so many years, and no nobleman has ever beaten me for this reason!"
"It turns out that no one has taught you the rules. It doesn't matter, I'll teach you." Xie Ruzhuo looked at her calmly, then looked at the steward and said, "What are you doing standing there in a daze? Slap your mouth!"
After all, it was because of the overwhelming aura that the stewardess immediately did not dare to say anything else. She walked up to Tingting and slapped her twice.
Tingting covered her face in disbelief and wanted to speak, but the stewardess secretly pinched her flesh and winked.
Xie Ruzhuo just pretended not to see it and said calmly, "I know you are not convinced, but -" At this point, she stared at Tingting again and said word by word, "I am Princess Jing, and I have the final say in this house. If you are not convinced, , you have to hold it in too!”
She was very angry today, and Tingting hit the muzzle of the gun, so don't blame her for being rude.
Everyone was talking about this, so even if Tingting wanted to say something, she could only endure it. After all, no matter how arrogant Xie Ruzhuo was, there was one thing she said rightly. In this house, she is the master, and she is just a slave!
"I wonder why the princess called her slave?" She also received a slap in the face. She couldn't even know why Xie Ruzhuo called her.
Seeing her taking the initiative to bring it up, Xie Ruzhuo put away the smile on his face, handed the account book in his hand to Tingting, and said, "The matter is quite simple. There are a few things in the account book that I don't understand. Please explain it to me."
For some reason, Xie Ruzhuo didn't get angry at this moment, but Tingting felt her heart tightening. She didn't dare to neglect any more and walked over to take the account book. Sure enough, she saw that the account book was densely outlined with red circles.
And the accounts circled in red are all money from my own greed!
Tingting opened her mouth, as if she was thinking about how to explain. Xie Ruzhuo didn't push her, he just looked at her with a half-smile, trying to figure out what kind of answer he could give.
After a long time, Tingting managed a smile and said, "Back to Princess, this is an ordinary account book. This book contains the expenditure of firewood, rice, grain, oil and other items in the house."
"Oh? Really? Then tell me who owns the grain you bought. It costs one tael of silver per catty. Where does the oil come from? It costs five taels a pound."
When Xie Ruzhuo spoke, he touched every account with his hand. His words were neither hasty nor slow, but every word was sonorous.
Tingting blinked and forced a smile, "Back to the princess, this servant doesn't know. After all, this purchase is a servant's business, and the servant is only responsible for review."
"I see."
Xie Ruzhuo nodded and suddenly changed the subject, "Tingting, how long have you been in the palace? What did you do at home before?"
Tingting was a little confused by her sudden change of topic, so she could only answer truthfully, "Back to the princess, I have been in the palace for ten years. My family was an ordinary farmer before."
"An ordinary farmer's girl doesn't know the price of grain and oil. Should I say that you have been in the palace for too long and don't understand the market outside, or should I say that you are greedy and want to get involved in any money!"
Xie Ruzhuo suddenly got angry, startling Tingting.
However, Xie Ruzhuo did not let her go, and pointed to another account and said, "This account book contains a total of one hundred purchases and expenditures of the house. I just turned a blind eye and checked the accounts, and it was all right." Half of them were found to be greedy. They didn’t even bother to do the accounts and just showed them to me. Tingting, do you think everyone else is stupid?!"
At the end of the story, Xie Ruzhuo felt his anger getting stronger and he threw the entire account on Tingting.
It seems that she did not expect Xie Ruzhuo to be so knowledgeable about things. Tingting was surprised, but she did not dare to carelessly kneel down on the ground and said, "I don't dare!"
She really miscalculated. Not only was this princess not as arrogant and domineering as the legend said, she was actually very shrewd!