In her opinion, it was not advisable to make a big fuss about this matter. Otherwise, with Prince Ding's glib tongue, everyone around her would soon know about the "Princess Consort" matter, making it difficult to back down later.
Therefore, it was better to be cautious!
"Ayao, what do you plan to do?"
"This ledger is of great importance, so it's best to discuss it with my second brother first."
Xu Mingyue nodded. Feng Jinlin, after all, was a man with an official position, and it would certainly be more appropriate for him to handle this matter.
She then said,
"There's nothing much happening at the academy these days, so I'll stay here to keep you company. If there's anything I can help with, just say the word."
Feng Jinyao nodded. It was also her intention to have Xu Mingyue stay. Otherwise, if the Wei family discovered that Sun Banxia had contacted them through Xu Mingyue, she might be in danger alone outside.
The small courtyard looked small, but it actually had many rooms.
After arranging Xu Mingyue's accommodation, it was not far from where she was staying. If any accident happened, she could hear her if she shouted.
However, they still had to pass through a moon gate, so even if Prince Ding came in the middle of the night, she wouldn't easily be discovered.
On the same day, Feng Jinyao invited Prince Ding and her second brother over and expressed Sun Banxia's intention to surrender the ledger and seek allegiance.
"I've examined it carefully. Most of the official grain had already been distributed by the time it reached Huaiyin. Eighty percent of the profit was converted into banknotes and sent to a place called Tongyuan Pawnshop. After three or four such transactions, the money became much more legitimate."
Tongyuan Pawnshop. Without a doubt, the person behind it must be related to the Wei family.
Otherwise, how could the money they had been offering to the Wei family for so many years not have been discovered?
Feng Jinlin took the ledger. It was densely filled with records of money exchanges related to Tongyuan Pawnshop.
He was furious. "Duke Wei is truly black-hearted. Isn't he afraid that if this matter is exposed, countless people will starve?"
"This is precisely his cleverness. The annual official grain collection is calculated, and it doesn't cause significant negative impact. In other words, he doesn't embezzle excessively; he always maintains a balance, ensuring that the people don't starve, but still lining his own pockets and satisfying the selfish desires of his subordinates."
Looking at the matter objectively, Feng Jinyao even admired Duke Wei.
It was not easy for a person to control their desires. Faced with such a profitable business as official grain, he could maintain such control day after day, year after year, without falling into the trap of greed leading to ruin. He was truly remarkable.
It was a pity that one wrong step led to a cascade of errors.
To help the Ninth Prince ascend the throne, he spared no expense.
If not for this entanglement, with his ability and talent, it would not have been difficult for him to leave a name in history.
Xiao Tingyi had remained silent, engrossed in examining the ledger.
He committed every detail to memory. Just as Princess Qianling had a photographic memory, so did he.
The Feng siblings, seeing that he was silent, patiently waited for him to finish reading the ledger.
An hour later, he finally spoke.
"This ledger must be in Liang Quanbin's possession, and in the Zhu family's. The Censorate officials of the thirteen cities in the two Zhejiang provinces must also have copies. Therefore, uncovering only this one is not enough. Even with the Zhu family's cooperation, it might not be sufficient. The most crucial one is the ledger in Liang Quanbin's hands, which is the key evidence to bring down the Wei family."
Xiao Tingyi offered his opinion, and Feng Jinyao nodded. This was also what she had thought after reading it.
"Your Highness, what is the situation with the Chi family?"
"In half a month at most, the Zhu family will be completely wiped out from Jinling City."
Hearing Xiao Tingyi's words, Feng Jinyao felt a shiver of fear.
A prominent merchant family that had been established for so many years could be wiped out and even forgotten in such a short period.
It was truly chilling.
The Chi family's capabilities were astonishing, or perhaps Chi Zimoh's methods were too ruthless!
Seeing Feng Jinyao's dazed expression, Xiao Tingyi felt a hint of displeasure.
He disliked Feng Jinyao focusing her thoughts on other men, not even a little admiration.
So, he suddenly said,
"It's just the Zhu family. If I wished, I could make them disappear from Jinling City within three days."
What Xiao Tingyi meant by "disappear" was the complete annihilation of the entire clan under the suppression of power.
However, Chi Zimoh's methods were to subtly annex everything related to the Zhu family.
One was a tiger emerging from the mountain, the other a python swallowing its prey. The speed was different, and the outcome was naturally different.
However, arguing with Prince Ding at this moment was not wise.
So, Feng Jinyao said, as if coaxing a child, "Your Highness is indeed formidable."
As soon as she said this, the jealousy in Xiao Tingyi's brows slowly dissipated, and his gaze towards Feng Jinyao became filled with a faint satisfaction.
Feng Jinlin looked at Prince Ding's lovesick expression and felt great disdain.
However, he was inferior in ability and could not suppress him in terms of status, so he could only let him "lustfully" gaze at his sister.
Yang Zhao, standing nearby, saw everything clearly and shook his head slightly.
He thought to himself, "Your Highness, your lifelong reputation is about to be ruined. Do you truly not care at all?"
Obviously, Xiao Tingyi did not care.
At this moment, all the prosperity in the world was not as important as the person before him.
Cough, cough, Feng Jinyao coughed twice.
She really couldn't stand Xiao Tingyi's focused and deeply affectionate gaze, so she felt she should find an opportunity to talk to him properly about this matter. She didn't want him to be fixated on her all day!
She had no time or interest in becoming a conspicuous Princess Consort!
"As for Sister Banxia's safety, I'm afraid Your Highness will have to take more care. Otherwise, if she were to be abducted like Sun Zhong, we would be in a passive situation again."
"Rest assured, I have my arrangements."
Although Xiao Tingyi's gaze never left Feng Jinyao, he was not someone with only a romantic obsession. He had already made arrangements before coming here.
Now, the secret guards had already set off for the Sun family to protect their entire family.
As for Liang Quanbin, they would have to find a way to deal with him.
After discussing other matters, Xiao Tingyi left the small courtyard to make arrangements, leaving only the Feng siblings behind.
He had some concerns, but felt it inappropriate not to mention them. After much deliberation, he finally spoke.
"Why did Sun Banxia approach Mingyue? What is her connection with Wenjin Academy?"
"I heard from Sister Xu that the Sun family has always sponsored the girls' school at Wenjin Academy, so they send things to Wenjin Academy every year, sometimes books, sometimes money. These items have always been received by the tutors. This year, Sister Xu came, and she was in charge of this matter, which is why Sister Banxia took this action."
"How did she know that Mingyue would send the ledger to you?"