Ch 97: A Married Woman

Guo Liangxian remained silent.

He took a deep breath and, regaining his composure, said,

“Why is His Highness Prince Xian so concerned about you? In your letter, did you only mention the harvest from the manor?”

Yuan Xueyue stood up and said, “Hasn’t the General seen it?”

Madam Nian was startled, “Son, did you also see something amiss? Is Xueyue hiding something else from us?”

Yuan Xueyue, “……”

“Mother, please go. Your son will handle this. You were frightened just now, go and have your meal and rest.” Guo Liangxian entrusted Madam Nian’s hand to Mama Cui.

Mama Cui led away the deeply frightened Madam Nian.

Thus, only Guo Liangxian and Yuan Xueyue remained in the main hall.

Outside, the maids and servants were waiting, still unable to see the General and his Wife emerge!

Guo Liangxian narrowed his eyes and said,

“I felt something was wrong ever since I took you to the Prince’s residence. You wouldn’t possibly think that just because His Highness Prince Xian greeted you a few times, you’ve forgotten whose wife you are, would you?”

Yuan Xueyue chuckled inwardly.

“General is mistaken, I have absolutely no disloyal intentions.”

Guo Liangxian sneered, “Previously, when I touched a bit of the warehouse and your dowry, you were so alarmed that you wanted a divorce!”

“If the officials hadn’t just left, wouldn’t you have caused a commotion throughout the entire Capital City?”

Yuan Xueyue said coldly, “Since the General is well aware, why bother asking further?”

With that, Yuan Xueyue lifted her foot to leave. As she passed by Guo Liangxian, he grabbed her arm!

“You’d better know your place! You are already a married woman. Prince Xian merely values our Guo family, and is just being polite to you. You’re only benefiting from my status!” Guo Liangxian said.

Yuan Xueyue immediately broke free from his grip, “No need for the General’s reminder!”

Guo Liangxian said, “It seems you still have some use. A single letter was enough to make His Highness Prince Xian come to visit. Although the gains were small this time, it’s still satisfactory.”

In time, the Prince’s residence would probably send some gifts over the next few days!

The treasures and gifts from the Prince’s residence were all extremely valuable!

In their residence, besides some silver for expenses, there was nothing of great value!

Even the clothes of the wives and concubines were made of ordinary silk.

Daily expenses were also manageable!

If it weren’t for the generous support of the Prince’s residence and the income from the successfully established manor, how could they afford to maintain such a large residence and so many servants?

Now, several courtyards had also been furnished.

Yuan Xueyue said calmly, “General, please don’t joke. I, a married woman, don’t have that kind of ability!”

“It was my late father who once had dealings with His Highness Prince Xian, but how could a woman confined to the inner chambers have the opportunity to meet His Highness Prince Xian?”

Guo Liangxian thought about it, and that was true.

Prefect, even he could barely get in touch with His Highness Prince Xian, to be able to arrange the arena competition for His Highness Prince Xian, and select some soldiers to participate and assist, that’s how Guo Liangxian came to be.

“It’s good that you know yourself!” Guo Liangxian said.

“General, you should also weigh your own status! Be a good general for the people, and lead by example!”

Yuan Xueyue finished speaking and turned to leave.

Cuiping was waiting outside and followed her Wife’s pace.

As soon as she left, Guo Liangxian felt a surge of displeasure!

He had thought that with His Highness Prince Xian’s words and amiable tone, there would be more good things to come, but he suddenly left!

Just as resolute as she was!

Never mind, His Highness Prince Xian’s visit was already a great blessing!

It’s just that he felt a hollowness in his heart… Why did His Highness Prince Xian show such concern for his Wife twice?

It must be because he values the Guo family.

Guo Liangxian reassured himself.

News of this reception spread throughout the Capital City, about how the Guo family had welcomed His Highness Prince Xian into their residence!

When Guo Liangxian went in and out of the residence, people came to deliver letters, and servants reported invitations for Guo Liangxian to drink and discuss matters!

With the end of the year approaching, everyone’s annual duties were almost complete, and they naturally had time to gather.

It was rare that their wives managed the household affairs, leaving the men with nothing to do, except for their official duties.

As for military men like Guo Liangxian, without a war, they were all waiting in the residence, idle, chatting and joking, earning a military salary and an official stipend!

If it was not enough to cover expenses, they would take on some errands, collaborate on small businesses, such as organizing a manor, which was also a tricky matter.

However, the Guo family had the support of Prince Xian, which was known throughout the surrounding area.

At the tavern.

◈◈◈

“General Guo, you are truly fortunate! His Highness Prince Xian values you so highly, there’s hope that he will cultivate you!”

“Indeed, Prince Xian doesn’t easily show favor to anyone! I heard that many high-ranking officials and dignitaries can’t even curry favor with him!”

“You, just after the war ended this year, you’re so high-profile, setting up a manor in half a year, you’re really something!”

“We’ll all have to rely on General Guo in the future, hahaha…”

Everyone was overjoyed and couldn’t help but feel happy about it!

Guo Liangxian took a swig of wine and said, “Gentlemen, thank you for your high regard for me, Guo. In the future, if there’s an opportunity, I will definitely cooperate!”

“Prince Xian, he definitely values me!”

“You all can only be envious, hahaha!”

Guo Liangxian’s mood swelled, his eyes filled with delight as he staggered back to the residence.

That night, Guo Liangxian favored Qin Qing’er of Yanling Courtyard, making Lin Yan’er in the main house so angry that she gritted her teeth!

The next day, in Pear Garden.

Yuan Xueyue was organizing the residence’s account books when she unexpectedly discovered a discrepancy in one of the entries!

She furrowed her brows slightly and called Cuiping over to take a look.

“Look, what’s going on here?” Yuan Xueyue said.

Cuiping, having followed her Wife, had also become familiar with many household matters. She looked at it twice and found that the allocated silver was supposed to be used to purchase twenty new porcelain pieces for use in the coming year.

However, the records only showed fifteen pieces!

This was clearly a case of someone taking bribes!

Cuiping was shocked, “Wife! Someone has embezzled funds!”

Yuan Xueyue was stunned.

Thinking back carefully, the purchase of these porcelain items was assigned to Ju Niuer of Yaoyu Pavilion, and the silver was given to Mama Rong to arrange the distribution.

But the records didn’t add up!

“Go, summon Niuer from Yaoyu Pavilion.” Yuan Xueyue said.

“Yes.”

Cuiping went to call her, and soon Ju Niuer arrived. After hearing the situation, her mind buzzed.

“Wife! I absolutely did not! This, this is…”

Ju Niuer tried hard to recall. The porcelain task was given to Jiang Tingting to handle. She took the silver and actually made such a mess of things!

“Call that wretched girl here!” Ju Niuer roared at her maid.

Yuan Xueyue, “……”

It seemed the matter was not simple.

Just a little bit of silver, and someone couldn’t resist.

She wondered if Madam Nian could handle such an embezzling concubine.

She also wondered if the General would protect her?

And then he would go against Madam Nian?

Jiang Tingting was quickly brought over by the maid. She looked bewildered, completely unaware of what had happened.

As soon as she arrived, Ju Niuer stood up and abruptly slapped her!

A loud smack!

Ju Niuer roared, “Look at what you’ve done! You dared to embezzle the silver from the task assigned by Wife! Spit it out immediately!”

Jiang Tingting was stunned by the slap and felt extremely wronged. Her face instantly turned red!

She immediately knelt down and said, “I don’t know! What embezzlement? Sister Niuer, please explain clearly!”

Ju Niuer pointed angrily,

“You still dare to deny it! The task of purchasing porcelain, you were given silver for twenty pieces, how come you recorded only fifteen!”