Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

Gu Wangxian nodded in agreement upon hearing this. "Indeed, father pays close attention to the rules of officialdom and would never be so tactless."

"Then what made Lord Gu take the risk of meeting with the Jingzhou magistrate in private?" Jiang Lige also came to his senses. "This may be the key to finding out the truth!"

Ning Yunxiao nodded thoughtfully, "The fact that Lord Gu met with the Tongpan privately suggests that this matter is not within his jurisdiction, or perhaps he needs the Tongpan's assistance."

Gu Wangxian understood, "The Jingzhou Tongpan is Wang Qinghui, who is in charge of the military and civilian affairs, finances, household registration, taxes and labor service, and lawsuits, among other state affairs."

"After Lord Gu was detained, has the Wang family made any moves?"

Gu Wangxian shook his head, "I've never heard of it."

Jiang Lige was furious when he heard this. "Two people were having a secret conversation, but only one person suffered. There must be something wrong with this Lord Wang!"

Seeing this, Ning Yunxiao naturally picked up the kettle and added some tea for Jiang Lige. Jiang Lige, who was angry, raised the cup and drank it in one gulp. Only then did he feel that his anger had subsided a little.

Gu Wangxian couldn't help but chuckle with his hands covering his lips, and felt a little envious in his heart.

In the age of blind marriages, aren’t the four words “mutual consent” the most touching?

However, the two people opposite had no idea of Gu Wangxian's thoughts and were only concentrating on analyzing the case.

"It's related to the Tongpan, and it also involves military generals... I'm afraid it's related to matters concerning soldiers, civilians, and money." Jiang Lige analyzed.

Ning Yunxiao nodded in agreement. "Spring is the time when the imperial court allocates military funds every year. It's no coincidence that this incident happened at this critical juncture."

"Your Highness wants to start the investigation from the military supplies?"

"Yes."

Jiang Lige's thoughts gradually became clearer. "Military funds are a confidential matter of the government. In addition, Jingzhou is ruled by military officers. It may not be easy to check this account."

Gu Wangxian also nodded.

Ning Yunxiao looked at Jiang Lige and said, "We need some time to investigate this matter. Therefore, Aunt, please don't count the dowry too quickly."

Jiang Lige immediately understood what Ning Yunxiao meant, "I'll find a way to deal with this matter."

"Thank you, Princess."

After finally sorting out the confusion, the three of them discussed some detailed issues. It was not until four o'clock in the morning that they reached a consensus and ended the night's conversation.

Gu Wangxian was the first to stand up and bowed deeply to the two of them. "I have no way of repaying the Crown Prince and Princess for their help!"

"Why is Wang Xian being so polite?"

Jiang Lige hurriedly helped Gu Wangxian to his feet. "Logically speaking, we're a family from now on. Don't call me princess anymore. Just call me Lige."

"Li means beautiful jade, and Ge means weapon. It's an interesting name for a princess."

After saying this, Gu Wangxian realized that this was a bit rude. Just as he was about to explain, he heard Ning Yunxiao say coldly:

"The more beautiful the glass, the more it cannot be fragile and incompetent. A man who is innocent but possesses a treasure is guilty. Beauty without any edge will only make him a prey for others. The princess's name has profound significance, which shows that the emperor and empress of Southern Chu are both people of great wisdom."

The protective tone in Ning Yunxiao's words made Gu Wangxian blush.

Jiang Lige didn't care. Gu Wangxian had been well-read since childhood, so it was not surprising that he was so picky about words.

Besides, if she could get Ning Yunxiao to speak for her, what was the point of questioning a name?

Therefore, Jiang Lige still nodded with a smile and said in support.

"The prince is knowledgeable and talented, and Miss Gu is meticulous and attentive. It's not without reason that the Gu family has produced great scholars for generations."

Jiang Lige's words clearly showed his attitude of not caring, and Gu Wangxian responded with a friendly smile.

The three of them said goodbye and went back to their rooms.

Jiang Lige was so tired that she fell asleep as soon as she lay down on the bed. When she woke up again, it was already noon. When she yawned and walked into the main hall of the post station, a group of people had already started planning to carry the dowry.

Ronghui's wet nurse, Aunt Cui, was the most excited. She still remembered all the grievances Ronghui had suffered in the He family over the years!

"Tomorrow we'll go in from Mao'er Lane and come back from Duanping Street. We'll let everyone in Jingzhou know what the He family is!"

When he heard that the plan had already been set for tomorrow, Gu Wangxian couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

Jiang Lige was very calm, and signaled Gu Wangxian not to be anxious. Then he walked into the house with a smile, sat down next to Rong Hui and said with a smile.

"Madame Cui is absolutely right, but we need to wait a little longer."

Aunt Cui was very confused, "Why?"

Jiang Lige glanced at Rong Hui and gave her a friendly reminder.

"Aunt, it will be the anniversary of your uncle's death in a few days. Jingzhou is a place that values Buddhism. If you take action on his death anniversary, you will definitely be criticized."

Rong Hui then remembered the anniversary of her husband's death. She was so tired from the long journey that she almost forgot about this important event.

"Li Ge is right. Even though the He family has wronged us mother and daughter, He Lang has not. His death anniversary is only a few days away, so it's okay to go get the dowry later."

Aunt Cui was a little displeased. "But are we just going to sit there and wait like this for such a long time?"

Jiang Lige smiled and took over the conversation readily.

"Madam, have you forgotten? My cousin has quite a few shops and lands in Jingzhou. It's not easy to take them away. Instead of having them go back and forth to the capital every year to report on their work, it would be better to sell them here and convert them into silver."

This reason really made Cui Mama unable to refute, and she could only stare at Jiang Lige.

Realizing the discord between the two, Rong Hui hurriedly pulled Aunt Cui over to comfort her, then turned around and explained in a low voice to Jiang Lige.

"Madame Cui has suffered a lot following me in Jingzhou over the years. Now she doesn't want to stay in Jingzhou for even a single day longer."

Jiang Lige admired a loyal servant like Matron Cui, so he softened his tone and explained to Matron Cui in a low voice.

"Madam, please don't blame me for being nosy. You're my cousin's confidant, so you naturally know the true nature of the He family members. We've been through this for so many years, and now someone has caught us at the last moment. Isn't that a shame?"

After being comforted so gently, and thinking through the whole process, Matron Cui couldn't bear to be so cold-hearted anymore. She smiled and said a few words, "I know," and the matter was over.

Having made up her mind, Nanny Cui took out Princess Ronghui's dowry account book and assigned everyone to look through it first.

In his previous life, Jiang Lige wasted most of his life in Prince Xu's Mansion. Although he didn't learn anything else, he did learn a good skill in managing miscellaneous affairs.

After all, the Xu Palace is all show and gold, and Ning Luyang is used to spending money lavishly to save face. If there is no mistress who is good at making money, the entire palace will probably have to live on coarse food!

After taking a quick glance at the account book, Jiang Lige felt that there seemed to be something wrong with the account, so he turned his head and asked Rong Hui.

"My cousin's farms are all good fertile lands. How can they suffer losses every year?"

Aunt Cui only then realized what was happening. She came over to take a look and was so angry that she slammed the table and said angrily:

"This bunch of evil slaves who deceive their superiors and their subordinates!"