Reborn to be replaced, remarried to the royal palace to raise children and train husband

Gu Qinlan's eyes flashed with a gleam of light, and she said, "Aunt Lian, do you think the price gap between Beijing and Ruyang City is too big?"

Aunt Lian smiled and said, "Miss Gu, this is the law of the market. As the capital of our country, Beijing has a large population and great demand, so prices are naturally higher. In addition, there are many dignitaries in Beijing, and they have higher requirements for quality of life, which is also one of the reasons for the price increase."

Gu Qinlan nodded slightly and said, "Aunt Lian is absolutely right. However, I want to know whether the recent war has had any impact on prices?"

Aunt Lian sighed and said, "War will naturally have an impact on prices. But thanks to the timely adjustment of policies by the court and the efforts of local governments, prices can remain stable for the time being. However, if the war continues, I'm afraid prices will rise further."

Gu Qinlan frowned and said, "Aunt Lian, how do you think our Prince Duan's Mansion should deal with the price fluctuations caused by this war?"

Aunt Lian pondered for a moment and said, "Miss Gu, the Duke of Duan's Mansion is a large family with a lot of wealth, so we should make preparations in advance. On the one hand, we can stockpile some food and necessities to cope with rising prices; on the other hand, we can appropriately adjust the family's expenses and reduce unnecessary waste."

Gu Qinlan's eyes flashed with approval: "Aunt Lian is absolutely right. I will tell the prince about your suggestion, and we will deal with this war together."

She suddenly remembered something and said, "Aunt Lian, do you think the kitchen management of our Prince Duan's Mansion is reasonable?"

Aunt Lian smiled slightly and said, "Miss Gu, the kitchen of Prince Duan's Mansion is very well managed. The ingredients are fresh, the dishes are rich, and the servants in the kitchen are also diligent and capable. However, I think we can save some money when purchasing ingredients."

Gu Qinlan's eyes flashed with doubt, and she asked, "Aunt Lian, what do you mean?"

Aunt Lian explained, "Miss Gu, I've noticed that the kitchen is a little too particular about the ingredients it buys. In fact, many common ingredients can be used to make delicious dishes. If we can save a little on purchasing, then the expenses of the mansion will also be reduced accordingly."

Gu Qinlan suddenly realized and said, "Aunt Lian is right. I will discuss with the kitchen manager to see how to save as much money as possible while ensuring the quality of the dishes."

Gu Qinlan stared coldly at Zheng Longyu, who was hanging his head in silence and trembling with fear, and asked angrily: "Zheng Longyu, how wasteful are you? On the day of the prince's wedding, a mere chicken cost two hundred taels of silver. Are you going to empty the treasury of Prince Duan's mansion?"

Zheng Longyu raised his head hurriedly, his face pale, and the corners of his mouth trembling as he wanted to explain, but he was speechless for a moment.

At this time, Aunt Lian looked at Zheng Longyu in surprise, her eyes revealing dissatisfaction and confusion. She walked to Gu Qinlan and asked softly, "Princess, what is going on? Zheng Longyu's behavior is really puzzling."

Gu Qinlan glanced at Aunt Lian and said in a serious tone: "Aunt Lian, look at the account. The chicken alone cost two hundred taels of silver. It's too much!"

Aunt Lian picked up the account book and checked it carefully. Her face became more serious. She looked at Zheng Longyu and said in a serious tone: "Zheng Longyu, how dare you squander the money of the palace like this!"

Zheng Longyu knelt hurriedly, his head pounding like garlic, and trembling, he said: "Prince's Consort, Aunt Lian, I was wrong. I made such a mistake because of my impulse. Please forgive me, I am willing to bear all the consequences."

Gu Qinlan snorted coldly and said, "Zheng Longyu, do you admit your guilt?"

Zheng Longyu was trembling all over, not daring to look up, and said weakly, "Princess, I was indeed careless for a moment, and there was an error in the account, but it was not intentional corruption."

Aunt Lian stepped forward, staring at Zheng Longyu sharply, and sneered, "Negligence? Two hundred taels of silver, this is a considerable sum! Do you think the Crown Prince's Consort and Prince Duan's Mansion are easy to fool?"

Gu Qinlan's eyes flashed with a cold light, and she said firmly: "Aunt Lian is right, this matter must not be let off easily. Zheng Longyu, do you admit your guilt?"

Zheng Longyu's face turned pale, and he said in a trembling voice, "I admit my guilt, please spare my life, Crown Princess and Aunt Lian."

At this time, the atmosphere in the kitchen of Prince Duan's mansion was extremely tense. All the kitchen servants stopped their work and watched the interrogation with bated breath.

Gu Qinlan snorted coldly and said, "Zheng Longyu, do you know that these two hundred taels of silver are enough for us to help so many poor people? But you used it to buy chicken. What a waste!"

Zheng Longyu lowered his head and said nothing, feeling filled with regret.

Aunt Lian couldn't help but interrupt, "Princess, we have to investigate this matter carefully. If it is really as Zheng Longyu said, it was a momentary negligence, then why would there be such an error in the account? Maybe there is something fishy going on."

Gu Qinlan nodded and said, "Aunt Lian is right. Someone, take Zheng Longyu to the accounting office and thoroughly investigate this matter."

Two servants came up and carried Zheng Longyu away. Zheng Longyu struggled, tears streaming down his face, and begged, "Princess, I was really careless for a moment. Please have mercy on me and give me a chance."

Gu Qinlan was unmoved and said coldly: "Chance? You have made a mistake, so you must bear the consequences. If it is proven that you embezzled money, don't blame me for being rude."

After Zheng Longyu was taken away, Gu Qinlan turned to Aunt Lian and said, "Aunt Lian, you must personally monitor this matter and make sure to get to the bottom of it. If Zheng Longyu is really corrupt, Prince Duan's Mansion will never allow such a scum to be tolerated."

Aunt Lian responded respectfully, "Don't worry, Princess, I will do my best to get to the bottom of this matter."

On this day, Gu Qinlan and Aunt Lian came to the kitchen again and made the results of the investigation public.

Gu Qinlan said seriously: "After a few days of investigation, we have found out Zheng Longyu's crimes. He took advantage of his position to embezzle money, the amount is so huge that it is outrageous."

Aunt Lian added: "Zheng Longyu also used part of the money for gambling, which caused the loopholes in the account to become larger and larger. At this wedding, he was even more daring and used 200 taels of silver to buy chicken in an attempt to cover up his crime."

Upon hearing this, the kitchen servants were filled with indignation and began to blame Zheng Longyu.

An older kitchen servant stood up and said angrily, "We kitchen brothers are all loyal members of Prince Duan's Mansion. How dare a scum like Zheng Longyu stir up trouble among us? This is outrageous!"

Another kitchen servant was also indignant: "The money he embezzled was all public funds of our Prince Duan's Mansion. He is so greedy that he is simply sucking blood!"

Gu Qinlan said coldly: "Zheng Longyu, do you admit your guilt?"

Zheng Longyu knelt on the ground, full of remorse, and kowtowed repeatedly: "I admit my guilt, and I am willing to bear all the consequences."

Gu Qinlan said: "In this case, then let's hand Zheng Longyu over to the government for punishment as a warning to others."

Aunt Lian hurriedly said, "Princess, Zheng Longyu embezzled money, which is a crime that should not be punished. But considering that he has served Prince Duan's Mansion for many years, I suggest that he be given a lighter sentence and let him make meritorious contributions while serving his sentence."

Gu Qinlan pondered for a moment and said, "Since Aunt Lian pleaded for him, then give him a chance. But if he commits a crime again, he will be executed without mercy."

Zheng Longyu burst into tears and was filled with gratitude: "Thank you very much, Crown Princess and Aunt Lian, for your tolerance. I will definitely make up for my crime by doing meritorious service."