Lu Nianfu stood up, "Qingya, bring the account books. Let's go to the storeroom."
Steward Xin dropped to his knees with a thud, "Your Royal Highness, the storeroom is a vital area. How can unauthorized personnel enter freely?"
"Are you saying that I need your permission as servants to view my own belongings? Then I might as well go ask the Chief Eunuch. Did he assign us a group of servants, or a group of ancestors?"
"This servant dare not."
"Thump, thump..."
Soon, a pile of people were kneeling before her, each with a look of extreme trepidation.
Steward Xin, as if greatly wronged, said, "If Your Royal Highness dislikes this servant and the others, please send us back to the Imperial Household Department. Although I am not very capable, I cannot tarnish my adoptive father's reputation."
A eunuch having a reputation.
In her previous life, Lu Nianfu was merely a secondary consort and was already fed up with these servants' obnoxious behavior. Even more so now that she had full confidence. Sending them back was fine. She was tired of these bothersome people. As long as there was money, she wouldn't lack people to work for her.
A group of people followed suit, "This servant and the others work diligently. We didn't expect that before the Prince even moved in, Your Royal Highness would find fault with us. This truly disheartens us."
Lu Nianfu ignored them and walked out.
No matter how well these people acted, they wouldn't dare to stop her. Hmph, wasn't it all because they were bullying her, a merchant's daughter with a declining family background?
She just refused to tolerate their bad habits.
Seeing that she was determined to inspect the storeroom, Steward Xin panicked. He followed Lu Nianfu's steps while signaling to his men to quickly fetch reinforcements.
But his confidant looked utterly bewildered.
The Rui Princess was furious. Where could they find reinforcements? Even if Steward Xin's adoptive father came, he was just a eunuch. Would the Princess listen to him?
The inspection of the storeroom revealed that Lu Nianfu was indeed angered. These people had truly overstepped. Sending them back to the Imperial Household Department would be too conspicuous and might tarnish Situ Yan's reputation, making people say he couldn't even tolerate a few servants.
Therefore, she suppressed her anger and sent someone to Dali Temple to seek justice from Situ Yan.
Steward Xin breathed a sigh of relief, and when no one was looking, he secretly wiped away his sweat. Despite his arrogant demeanor earlier, it was all a bluff. Although they usually received some respect because of his adoptive father, if the Rui Princess truly acted without restraint and sent them all back to the Imperial Household Department, such a major incident would surely attract the Emperor's attention.
If an investigation were to occur, none of them, who had embezzled funds, would escape.
At this point, even the Chief Eunuch, Li Gonggong, the Emperor's favorite, wouldn't be able to protect them.
Steward Xin desperately hoped that Situ Yan was a man concerned with his reputation and would suppress the matter. However, after waiting and waiting, a team of guards arrived. The busy Rui Prince himself led them, tied them up, and dragged them all to the Imperial Household Department.
It was over.
Steward Xin's vision went black, and his accomplices in corruption were also filled with despair.
What good could come of servants being sent back? Especially with the stigma of having embezzled their master's property. Steward Xin, struggling to stay conscious, said, "Your Highness, please reconsider. Without us servants, how will the moving banquet the day after tomorrow proceed? Won't it be an open invitation for mockery?"
Situ Yan scoffed, "Worry about yourself. There are so many restaurants in the capital, surely they can arrange a few tables?"
Didn't they know that money makes the world go 'round?
No, this money had to come from the Emperor. These people were all sent by him.
So, he comforted Lu Nianfu a few words, put on a poker face, and entered the palace, though his heart was already brimming with joy.
Sending back the people assigned by the Imperial Household Department was an act that had not been done even in previous dynasties. People at that time always valued their status and saw no point in bothering with a few subordinates.
Unfortunately, Situ Yan didn't think that way.
He swaggered and dumped the people back at the Imperial Household Department, an action that naturally alerted Li Furui. He hurriedly apologized to Situ Yan and asked what was going on.
"As soon as they arrived at my manor, they started their dirty dealings, creating false accounts and skimming money. My manor is small and cannot accommodate these deities. You deal with them as you see fit."
Li Furui glared at the attendant who had handled the matter, saying, "Your Highness, this servant will select another batch for you. Rest assured, this time this servant will carefully choose, and there will be absolutely no such oversight."
Situ Yan waved his hand, "No need. In the manor, it's just the two of us masters, the Prince and the Princess. Keeping so many people is simply feeding idlers. Originally, out of respect for my father's wishes, I wouldn't have minded keeping them, as one does not refuse a gift from an elder. Who knew such bothersome people would be sent, infuriating the Princess."
Everyone: ...
Li Furui pondered for a long time, "Your Highness, this matter is too significant. This servant cannot make the decision. Why don't you speak to the Emperor yourself?"
Situ Yan looked at him strangely, "It's just a few servants. How is this a big matter?"
However, he still obediently went to Chengqian Palace.
He still had to find his father to ask for some compensation for his wife.