My stepsister tried to steal the prince's hand in marriage, but little did she know I had been

In the Spring Water Manor, Wen Shuyao and Xie Jinghan walked hand in hand along the path.

As expected of an imperial estate, even the paths within the estate are paved with cobblestones, and the bamboo groves complement the surrounding houses, creating a charmingly rustic atmosphere.

Wen Shuyao's hand was loosely held by Xie Jinghan. She knew that Xie Jinghan was helping her establish her authority in front of the servants.

Even though she knew Xie Jinghan's intentions, two blushes inevitably appeared on her face when their fingers intertwined.

What she didn't see was that Xie Jinghan's ears were also bright red.

Qi Mama, who was a few steps behind the two, had already noticed Xie Jinghan's unusual behavior. Her eyes were full of excitement as she whispered, "This old woman was right! The Prince and the Princess clearly have feelings for each other!"

If there were no affection, how could the two of them be so compatible? This large group of outsiders couldn't fit in.

Seeing how excited she was, Si Qing held back and ultimately did not tell Granny Qi the truth about Wen Shuyao's marriage to Xie Jinghan.

If Granny Qi knew that the prince and princess she favored, this seemingly perfect couple, were only bound together for mutual benefit, she would probably clutch her heart and call for a doctor again.

"Thank you, Your Highness." After thinking it over, Wen Shuyao still thanked Xie Jinghan softly.

Ultimately, everything Xie Jinghan did was to help her.

Upon hearing Wen Shuyao's restrained and polite words, a cold displeasure flashed across Xie Jinghan's brows.

However, he recovered in just a short while.

The head of the village led the way with a smile, but his heart was filled with fear.

Zhuangzi's account books should not be examined too closely.

But judging from the princess's appearance just now, she was clearly shrewd. If she discovered anything amiss in the account books, he feared he might...

After much thought, a worried look appeared on his face. His wife, standing beside him, poked his waist forcefully: "The audit hasn't even started yet! What are you worried about?"

Even so, the head of the farm remained absent-minded.

The head of the estate had prepared the banquet early on. She stayed by Wen Shuyao's side, quietly introducing the estate's produce.

Halfway through her sentence, Wen Shuyao raised her hand, and her heart sank, thinking she had said something wrong.

“Madam Fang, why don’t you sit down and have a meal together?” Wen Shuyao smiled gently at her. “You and the head of the estate have worked hard to take care of the estate, and you have also carefully prepared such a meal. We can’t expect you to stand and serve us.”

The magpie understood and immediately ran over.

"Your Highness, your servants are sufficient to attend to you," Magpie said cheerfully. "Please enjoy your meal, Madam."

Mrs. Fang was somewhat surprised, but even more flattered.

She sat awkwardly next to Wen Shuyao, wanting to say something, but seeing her husband's uneasy expression, she cursed him inwardly for being useless.

Now is clearly the perfect time to discuss Zhuangzi's predicament, so why are you all silent now?

After thinking it over, Madam Fang still mustered up the courage to say, "Your Highness is kind-hearted, so naturally I cannot keep it from you."

As soon as she opened her mouth, Fang Zhuangtou across from her widened his eyes: "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Madam Fang said coldly, "Even if I don't say it now, with the Princess's intelligence, she will surely be able to see the clues in the account books. I might as well explain to the Princess now!"

"Please speak frankly, Madam." Wen Shuyao greatly admired Madam Fang's straightforward personality.

In fact, she had already figured out everything about the estate in her previous life.

It's nothing more than lining one's own pockets; for example, demanding six percent of the harvest from tenants but only recording three percent on the books.

But when she came to Quanshui Village today, most of the tenants she saw had rosy cheeks and were dressed simply, but they were in good spirits. They didn't seem to be exploited by the head of the village. Moreover, they respected the head of the village very much. If the head of the village were like the head of the Chen family's village, he wouldn't have received such treatment.

Therefore, after Madam Fang spoke up, Wen Shuyao decided to give them this opportunity.

She could spot the problems in the accounts at a glance, but if Madam Fang's explanation was satisfactory, she could simply pretend she hadn't seen them.

Water that is too clear has no fish. Fang Zhuangtou was able to manage such a large spring water village in an orderly manner, and the income he brought to the Prince's Mansion alone was tens of thousands of taels of silver every year. It is not a problem for such a useful person to have some shortcomings.

Thinking this, Wen Shuyao's gaze softened even more.

Under her gaze, Madam Fang gradually gained courage and whispered, "It's a matter concerning our estate."

“As you know, tenant farmers have it tough. Our Fang family also came from a tenant farming background, so we naturally understand their difficulties. Previously, the tenant farmers on the estate paid 40% of the harvest, but last year's natural disaster halved the harvest. If they had to pay another 40%, they probably wouldn't have survived… So…”

Wen Shuyao's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. Could it be that the manipulation of the accounts was done for the tenants?

Mrs. Fang's next words confirmed her suspicions.

"So we used a portion of the estate's profits... as the harvest handed over by these tenants." As Madam Fang said this, her face gradually turned pale. "As a result, the silver handed over to the Prince's Mansion was several thousand taels less."

As soon as she finished speaking, Fang Zhuangtou knelt down.

"Please punish me, Your Highness and Your Highness!"

He was drenched in sweat, but had no choice but to bow his head and confess.

Such an event was enough to take the lives of his entire family.

Tears streamed down his face as he cried, "This was all my idea! I beg Your Highness and Your Highness to spare the lives of my entire family, considering how diligently I have worked all these years."

“The conviction hasn’t been handed down yet.” Wen Shuyao waved her hand. “Head of the Fang Manor may wish to get up first.”

"Where are the account books?" Wen Shuyao asked Madam Fang, whose emotions were still relatively stable. "Let me take a look at the account books."

Now that the facts had been laid bare, Madam Fang had nothing left to hide and immediately ordered someone to bring out the two account books.

One is fake, and the other is real.

Wen Shuyao glanced through it and made up her mind.

—What Madam Fang said is true; these reduced profits were indeed subsidized for the tenants.

Xie Jinghan watched her movements swift and efficient, and his gaze gradually turned to one of appreciation.

The Fang family, on the other hand, were terrified.

After a moment of silence, Wen Shuyao said in a low voice, "It's nothing serious, you two don't need to be so alarmed."

Upon hearing this, Fang Zhuangtou thought he had misheard and looked up blankly.

"you……"

“This matter was handled unfairly by the Prince’s Mansion,” Wen Shuyao said softly. “With a natural disaster causing the harvest to be halved, the Prince’s Mansion should have noticed it in time and waived the rent for this year.”

"After all, if the tenants all starve to death, where will the harvest come from?"

Wen Shuyao's words brought tears to Fang Zhuangtou's eyes.

He was overjoyed and was about to express his gratitude when he stopped.

Ultimately, the Prince's mansion was still in charge.

I wonder, Your Highness...

Xie Jinghan said at this moment, "The Princess's meaning is my meaning."