CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118: CONCUBINE (2)

Tong Zheng’an waved his hand to interrupt: "Don’t bring this up again. The battle for the throne has always been the same throughout history. When I insisted on leaving back then, you already knew my intentions. I promised father to take care of you. Now, I cannot stop you, but I must ensure the Tong Mansion has a legacy in the future!"

His words were quite heavy, implying that the Second Master was gambling, and the risk was significant. He was merely leaving a way out; he couldn’t let the entire Tong Mansion suffer in case of a downfall.

Sure enough, Tong Zhengchuan’s face turned ugly, and he silently drank tea with a somber expression. Tong Zheng’an rose abruptly and stood by the window: "The Second Prince is the eldest, but he is indecisive in decision-making. The Third Prince is younger, but he has considerable influence both inside and outside the court. The two forces are evenly matched, and it’s hard to say who will win. The Emperor’s health might only last this year. Even if you don’t consider the weakness of Tong women, you should leave a way out for yourself."

"Brother!" Tong Zhengchuan also stood up: "As you said, you know my intentions. My father-in-law once received the grace of the Third Prince; how can I do such a thing? Please don’t mention it again. If that day really comes, just protect yourself. Don’t interfere in my matters!" He felt his tone was too harsh and, frowning tightly, added: "I’ll send someone to inquire about the Marquis’s side again. The war in Fujian now is a taut string; if it snaps, the consequences are also beyond our control. Don’t worry about Yongzhou either. I’ve arranged everything for you. I’ve also spoken to Lord Liu, so even if there are people sabotaging, they won’t cause any waves. Just prepare to return... Recently, the Second Prince has been very active, and I have many matters to attend to, so I won’t see you off." With that, he flung his sleeve and left the room!

The First Master stood quietly by the window, looking at the courtyard filled with blooming flowers and scenic beauty. Amidst this prosperity, his gaze unexpectedly fell on the holly trees beside the pebble path...

He walked out of the Second Master’s courtyard, and from afar, he saw the lights on in Tong Shen Zhi’s courtyard. He paused, then turned a corner to the cloister heading towards Tong Shen Zhi’s courtyard.

He quickened his pace, eyes lowered, but suddenly stopped as he approached Tong Shen Zhi’s courtyard, hearing the bright sound of a child reading, the voice clear and vibrant.

"That’s the Seventh Young Master’s courtyard." The servant pointed to the side of Tong Shen Zhi’s courtyard. The First Master relaxed his brow and asked: "Does he read at this hour every day?"

The servant replied without thinking: "Yes, young Master was here at the same time yesterday, and I heard the Seventh Young Master’s reading. Whether it’s daily, I dare not say." The First Master nodded slightly, stood listening for a while, heard the content was vaguely from "Tao Te Ching," and the servant tentatively asked: "Master, do you want to go see?"

The First Master waved his hand and resumed his steps into Tong Shen Zhi’s courtyard.

After staying for two hours and checking Xu Tianqing’s studies, the First Master returned to the main courtyard at early 9 o’clock. Manager Lai was holding several account books, standing at the study door waiting for him. When he saw the First Master return, Manager Lai greeted him with a smile and saluted.

The First Master glanced at the account books in Manager Lai’s hands and said, "Let’s talk inside." The servant had already lifted the door curtain, and Manager Lai followed the First Master inside.

"Sit!" The First Master sat behind the desk, pointed at the chair opposite, and waited for Laiwang’s wife to sit before asking: "What have you found?"

"As you said, Sir, Madam Wang has secretly collected many valuables over the years while serving with you. Among them is a Jade Jade Horse, once owned by Madam Ming of Jiangyong County Magistrate, a Glazed Porcelain Incense Burner given by Madam Liu from Xintian, and two Dongzhu..." Manager Lai reported slowly, and the First Master’s face grew increasingly gloomy, causing Manager Lai to become frightened and pause: "There are many items without traceable sources." He placed the account book on the First Master’s desk.

The First Master didn’t even glance at it, asked with a furrowed brow: "Where are these items now?"

Manager Lai couldn’t help but wipe his sweat and replied: "Madam Wang brought everything back to the capital, and the servant discovered she secretly gifted a Dongzhu to Madam Chen. After Madam Wang left, Lady took everything into the treasury."

He finally understood why Madam Chen suddenly visited that day. Although Lady only brought the Sixth Miss to Wujin Bo Mansion, ultimately the Third Miss and Eighth Miss also went... There was this reason behind it.

"Ridiculous!" The First Master, full of anger, pointed at the account book: "I thought she was behaving well, but unexpectedly she did all these behind the scenes!" Manager Lai cautiously handed him a cup of tea: "Come, calm down, Sir!"

The First Master took the tea, sat down again, drank a sip to suppress his anger, and with a grim face told Manager Lai: "Keep this book safe. Don’t mention this matter again in the future."

Manager Lai, always shrewd and knowing the First Master’s temperament well, nodded immediately: "I understand."

The First Master reclined in his chair, tiredly said: "You may go take a rest now!" Manager Lai glanced at him, saluted, and quickly left.

He walked out and directly left the courtyard. Someone was waiting by the Hanging Flower Gate, who ran over seeing him and asked: "Manager, is the Master not angry?"

Manager Lai sighed: "I’ll explain at home."

"What’s going on? Tell me. Today, Nanny Fang came looking. She asked me to meet the Lady tonight but didn’t say anything. I feared it was about this, so I said I was out handling affairs for the Master and would go at noon tomorrow. I’m worried and uneasy. If you don’t tell me, I won’t be able to settle down."

Manager Lai frowned and asked softly: "Lady is looking for you?"

"Yes! I asked Nanny Fang repeatedly, but she didn’t say anything. That’s why I’m afraid and waited for you here!"

"Understood!" Manager Lai pulled his wife towards outside the courtyard, paused a few steps in, his eyes sharp in the dark night: "Don’t get paranoid. I reckon Lady seeking you is not necessarily about this matter. Lately, Lady has been preparing for the Marquis Mansion Dowager’s birthday gifts, maybe there’s something she wants you to handle."

Listening to this, Laiwang’s wife breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest: "As long as it’s not this matter, as long as it’s not this matter..." She paused, then asked: "Regarding our son’s marriage, did the First Master say anything?"

Manager Lai sighed again, looked around to ensure no one else was there, then said: "Perhaps this matter needs the Sixth Miss to intervene; we can’t rely on just ourselves."

Laiwang’s wife was taken aback: "What do you mean? The Sixth Miss asked us to wait for the First Master to return and bring it up. Why has your perspective changed now?"

"What do you understand!" Manager Lai replied: "The Sixth Miss is certainly right, but things changed. The First Master is investigating Madam Wang’s bribery from officials. You know... The First Master always dislikes women meddling in court affairs..." Before Manager Lai finished, Laiwang’s wife interrupted in shock: "Are you referring to Madam Xia’s matter?"