[Through the Book] The ancestor only wants to live a long life

"If I remember correctly, we took inventory of the Marquis's assets when we divided the family property at the beginning of last year."

"Yes, Madam."

"I remember that when we took inventory of the treasury in the mansion, we seemed to have only counted the assets on the account, um, the cash." Rong Enqing reminded with shining eyes.

Butler Li was startled for a moment, then he came to his senses, "Madam, you mean the warehouses where the ornaments and utensils are stored, right?"

"Yes." Rong Enqing nodded, "If I remember correctly, I didn't seem to have taken inventory of the contents of these warehouses at that time."

Steward Li thought for a moment and explained, "Madam, these storerooms contain large ornaments, such as the double-sided embroidered screen with rich flowers that was used in Madam's room before, the solid wood carved screen with pine and crane patterns, as well as the double-handled Ruyi porcelain vase ornaments, bronze tripod incense burners, and the like.

"Or they are utensils with special purposes. For example, the copper utensils used for ancestor worship at the end of the year, and the bowls, plates, cups and so on needed for banquets.

"These things are either handed down from our ancestors or they are used in daily life. The Marquis' Mansion has never divided these things when it was divided."

Moreover, apart from the large ornaments, the value of the other things is just that.

Moving large ornaments is also a problem. Even if the house is divided, each room may not be willing to move them away.

Of course, Steward Li didn't say the rest of the words, but he made it clear what needed to be said.

He didn't understand why Rong Enqing suddenly mentioned these insignificant things.

Rong Enqing smiled and explained, "Are there no small and valuable items among these things?"

Butler Li thought for a moment and said uncertainly, "It should be. But I haven't counted the warehouse for many years. This needs a careful count to confirm. However, the lady asked this..."

Rong Enqing was not embarrassed and said, "I want to find some valuable small things from the warehouse and exchange them for some cash."

"Madam, are you short of money?" Butler Li asked subconsciously.

"No. I want to make as many plans as possible for the future. Having more money in hand will also be a precaution." Rong Enqing did not hide it. "I thought that while you are still in charge of the treasury in the mansion, I should try to get as much benefit from the public as possible. When you are completely sidelined, I am afraid that you will not even have the opportunity to get any benefit."

Steward Li looked at Rong Enqing in astonishment, and blurted out subconsciously: "Madam, are you planning to embezzle?"

Rong Enqing glared at Butler Li, who realized he had said the wrong thing after he finished speaking. He quickly clasped his fists and bowed, admitting his mistake sincerely.

Rong Enqing didn't care and said with a smile: "If it was in the past, this would indeed be embezzlement. But now, I believe you can see the situation of the Marquis' Mansion clearly. Let's hold on to more money now. Maybe, in the future, this money can become our life-saving money!"

Butler Li was not an old stubborn man who was not used to the old ways. He nodded in agreement and said, "Madam is right! However, most of the decorations in the warehouse are large items. They can't be moved out at all. How can we make money from them?"

"Isn't that easy?" Rong Enqing smiled and said confidently, "I don't know how many small and valuable items there are in the storehouse, but the room I live in, Yun Ye's room, Yun Ye's study, the big study that the Marquis used to have in the outer courtyard...especially the big study in the outer courtyard, there are two rows of antique shelves, aren't there enough valuable small items on them?"

Hearing this, Butler Li was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. "Madam, these places are cleaned every day. If you take away the things, the space will be vacant. It's too conspicuous. I'm afraid that before the things are smuggled out of the house, they will be discovered."

"Before taking the things away, couldn't you find some fake things that look similar to replace them?" Rong Enqing rolled his eyes speechlessly. With such a brain, it's no wonder that Yun Yi and Butler Li never took him with them.

"It's okay to replace three or two items, but if we replace all of them, I'm afraid we won't be able to get away with it, right?" Butler Li was still worried.

Rong Enqing thought about it and thought so. The servants didn't have the keen eyesight and might not be able to see it.

But Yunye, Yunhong, and Zhangshi could find out the problem at any time. Especially Zhangshi and Yunhong, who grew up in a rich family, how could they not see it?

After thinking for a while, Rong Enqing suddenly had an idea and said with a smile: "There have been many accidents in the Marquis' Mansion recently. First, Yun Ye was poisoned, and then I angered the emperor and was punished to cut up the Marquis' Mansion.

"It's said that in order to sweep away bad luck, change the appearance of the mansion, change the mood of the people in the mansion, and redecorate the mansion from the inside out.

"When the time comes, just move all the antique shelves in the study and put the big items in the storeroom, such as porcelain vases, screens, and bronze tripods. Anyone who sees them will say that they are simple, grand, and high-end. Aren't they more impressive than those small things?"

"Ha, ha, ha, what the madam said is right." Butler Li couldn't help but twitch his lips.

Afraid of being discovered as a swindler, so he simply found an excuse to put everything away and not let anyone see it? Isn't this called cutting off the source of the trouble?

"How is it? Is this plan feasible?" Rong Enqing looked at Butler Li with shining eyes.

What else could Butler Li say? He could only nod and say "OK".

Xiu Zhang, who had been listening silently, was stunned when he heard the conversation between the two.

The lady-in-waiting of a marquis actually discussed with the housekeeper how to embezzle and how to sell her own things... It really opened her eyes.

However, should this matter be reported?

***

At the same time, after coming out of Shun'an Marquis Mansion and sending Yun Shu back to Anguo Duke Mansion, Xu Changping went to the storytelling teahouse.

At the same time, he sent a servant to wait for "Yun Hao" at the gate of the Ministry of Personnel.

In the evening, Yun Hong, with Yun Hao's face, arrived as promised and went straight into the box on the second floor.

"Aren't you supposed to go back to the Marquis' Mansion with Yun Shu today? Why did you suddenly call me over?"

Yun Hong glanced at his friend in surprise, "Why do you look like that? Did something happen?"

At this moment, Xu Changping had lost his usual gentleness and indifference. His face was gloomy and his brows were furrowed.

Hearing Yun Hong's question, he looked at Yun Hong with complicated eyes and asked in a deep voice: "If the Madam stands against us, what will you do?"

"How is this possible?" Yun Hong shook his head. "My mother loves me the most. How could she betray me and stand against me?"

Xu Changping was not surprised at all to hear the answer he expected.

He just looked at Yun Hong with a firm gaze, "What if I say that I have confirmed that the Madam has indeed surrendered to Emperor Taihe?"