Spring Courtyard Forbidden Pet

It costs money to keep staff, and keeping capable staff not only costs money, but also depends on the position of the master.

In the past, Ye Zhen was the future mistress of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, and Li Chengge was appointed a fourth-rank general and returned to the capital. She had a bright future, and those who followed her also had hope.

Now she is a concubine's daughter whose engagement is broken off and she is not favored. Even though she has been helped by Miss Dong and Madam Ruan, they are still outsiders and have no direct interests in her.

Anyone with a little common sense would know that there is no future in following Ye Zhen.

Rong Fei said with a firm look, "Second Miss, you are worrying too much. It is I who think this matter is very important and I don't trust others to do it."

Ye Zhen's heart warmed slightly, "The key to the storehouse is in Yu Lu's hands. Go pick out some inconspicuous items and take them out of the capital to sell, and give them the cash."

Rong Fei knew that the woman’s private vault could not be easily touched, and wanted to persuade her, "Second Miss..."

Ye Zhen interrupted him, "I still have Li Chengge's IOU. Now that this matter is over, I will ask him for the money and everything will be fine."

Even if Ye Zhen no longer wanted to have anything to do with that bastard, she would not let them off easily for no reason.

Speaking of this, she remembered that Ye Xue's people had contacted Aunt Zhao some time ago, and she urged them to find out the truth quickly.

Rong Fei pursed his lips and said, "There is already some progress on this matter."

"Mrs. Zhao has been in contact with her old acquaintances in the brothel over the years. My servants followed Mrs. Zhao and found that she had asked people to lend money at high interest rates in brothels and gambling houses."

"Although these are all secret places, you still have to pay a cover fee to contact the guests inside."

"I have not been able to find out where the Third Miss's capital came from, so I did not report to you in time."

Ye Zhen didn't expect Ye Xue to have this ability. She actually underestimated her.

"Officials and their families are not allowed to lend money at high interest rates. Aunt Zhao is blocking the Ye Mansion to give Ye Xue face."

"I wonder how my father would feel if he knew that the woman he had favored for all these years despite all the criticism was trying to drag him down behind his back."

Ye Zhen had never wanted to avenge her mother in her past and present lives, but even if she didn't care about her own life or death, she couldn't let her younger brother be implicated and exiled.

This time, with the evidence that Aunt Zhao had lent money at high interest, she wanted to see whether Cui and Ye Yunsheng wanted fame and fortune or their lives.

She rubbed her brows. "Ye Xue and Aunt Zhao have no money. After I left the mansion, they couldn't touch Ye Rong's dowry. They only have Li Chengge's salary, and the reward for his title of general, the small banquet and the funeral have almost been used up."

"To be able to put money in a gambling house, the amount must be considerable. Where did she get the capital from?"

The last time Ye Zhen saw Ye Xue was outside Prince Yu’s manor. She came over and showed off the collar that Li Chengge gave her.

Ye Zhen's eyes lit up, "It's the jewelry given by the palace!"

If she really used these things as capital, she would be committing a serious crime!

Rong Fei immediately understood what she meant, but said, "The shopkeeper who dares to accept this thing will not easily let others find out."

That’s right, it’s a serious crime punishable by the execution of nine generations of the clan, so who wouldn’t be careful?

"Keep an eye on the people around Ye Xue. Once she gets a taste of the respectability brought by silver, she will sink deeper and deeper. The Marquis' Mansion is a bottomless pit. She will definitely take out something again."

Rong Fei said in a deep voice, "When the time comes, we will set up a trap and catch her in the act. Are you still afraid that she will deny it?"

"No." Ye Zhen stroked the edge of the teacup with her fingers, raised her eyelashes, and her eyes were cunning. "If I intervene, it will give her a chance to refute. Wouldn't it be nice to use someone else to expose the matter?"

But then she changed her mind, and a thin layer of worry welled up in her eyes again, "Before that, I need to think of a foolproof plan to get Jing Lan out."

Her mother died so that she and her younger brother could return to their ancestral home, hoping that her younger brother would pass the imperial examinations and gain a foothold in the world. Unfortunately, her younger brother was unwilling to interact with others due to his disability.

It would be better to find a quiet place to be a doctor or... She thought that Ye Jinglan had become interested in practicing Taoism again after meeting Li Xuan'an, and his attitude was much more positive than before.

It’s a pity that my mother’s spirit in heaven would not agree to my younger brother becoming a Taoist priest.

This is a bit troublesome.

Rong Fei left Baiyun Temple, and the vegetarian banquet in the main courtyard ended. The emperor sent the Jinyiwei to pick up Li Xuan, and Princess Pingyang also came with them.

Liuxia helped Ye Zhen to wash and tidy herself up, intending to put the apricot blossom on again, but Ye Zhen disagreed and changed back into her mud-colored Taoist robe, looking not in good spirits at all.

Even the Taoists in the temple would think too much, let alone the people outside.

After all, the Imperial Master had indeed carried her to the Taoist temple and had taken care of her for most of the night.

Moreover, perhaps she was overthinking it, and always felt that Meng Qianru and Li Xuan'an's acquaintance was not just because of their practice of Taoism.

She waited outside for a long time before a palace maid came out, "Miss Ye, please wait. The princess wants you to come in and talk."

After entering the main courtyard, I saw Meng Qianru in a scarlet crabapple dress sitting next to Li Xu'an from afar. She handed over a handkerchief with a smile on her face. I couldn't tell what she said, but her eyes were smiling.

Ye Zhen lowered her head in a hurry, and the fingers hidden in her sleeves curled up slightly unconsciously.

"Your humble servant pays respect to Princess Pingyang. May the Princess live long and happy lives."

As soon as she stepped over the threshold, she knelt down and performed the standard etiquette, not daring to make the slightest mistake.

Seeing Li Xuan drinking tea by himself, Meng Qianru slowly shifted her gaze from him to see Ye Zhen wearing a Taoist robe and without any makeup. Although she was not sloppy, she did not want to look at her any more.

At the Spring Festival Banquet, Miss Ye was the most beautiful girl among all the other girls. But...how can she look like a lady from a noble family at all?

She leaned back in her chair, her posture relaxed, "Is Miss Ye's neck injury better?"

"I heard that he had a fever, but the ointment didn't work?"

The voice was gentle yet powerful, and its friendliness concealed the oppression and scrutiny that those in power were accustomed to.

Ye Zhen replied, "It was I who forgot to apply the medicine on time, and failed the princess's efforts. I am ashamed."

Meng Qianru frowned slightly when she heard this, "I see. I was worried that Miss Fang's ointment was not effective."

"It's hard for you to forget to take the medicine while traveling on the road. Fortunately, you met the Second Master."

When she mentioned Li Xuan, a gentle ripple appeared in her calm eyes, "How many people would love to have her. Second Miss Ye is truly blessed."

Ye Zhen could imagine her gentle expression without even looking up, but her words were like a soft knife, and no matter how she answered, she would not be pleasing.

It would be arrogant to admit that you are blessed, but it would be unfair to the national teacher to belittle yourself and show your kindness.

In the midst of the dilemma, Li Xuan put down the teacup and said indifferently, "I have saved countless patients over the years, and there are a lot of cats, dogs and monkeys on the mountain. If what the princess said is true, it is all a blessing."

Meng Qianru didn't expect him to refute her. She smiled softly and covered her lips with her hands. "Who said it wasn't true? I'll just ask a few people to come in and ask them if they are envious or not."

Li Xuanan fiddled with the mahogany rosary again, his eyes darkening as he said, "All living things are kindhearted by nature. Except for the most treacherous and evil, it is difficult for ordinary people to stand by and watch someone die."

"There are countless righteous deeds that save people every day in the world. Just because of my special status, I am given the title of "Blessed with Great Fortune". I am the one who cannot bear the responsibility."

He spoke seriously, and the smile on Meng Qianru's face gradually disappeared. "I made a mistake, and Second Master is teaching me a lesson."

Li Xuan'an's cold demeanor made her feel a little uncomfortable. She turned to look at Ye Zhen who was still kneeling, "Since Miss Ye Er is fine, I am relieved."

"His Majesty has already rewarded Ye Yuanshou. When you are well again, come to the palace to express your gratitude."

Ye Zhen hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace, and thank you, Princess, for your concern."

Meng Qianru hummed lightly, "Go down, this princess and the second master still have something to say."

Ye Zhen bowed and stepped out, exhaling softly. When she turned around, she heard Meng Qianru softly say to Li Xuan, "Yu Chenzi said that your old illness is hard to cure. I'm afraid it won't be cured in half a year after using your spiritual energy. If you feel uncomfortable, don't force yourself to endure it."