“Sigh.” Murong Yan let out a faint sigh, supporting her arched brows, “Even if I know Lin Zhen deliberately guided the conversation, so what? An emperor’s word cannot be taken back. What I’ve said cannot be changed.”
“That’s not necessarily true. This servant believes that whether it’s Prime Minister Gu or Judge Gu Beichen, as long as Your Majesty shows even a little kindness, they will be endlessly grateful!”
Murong Yan’s eyes lit up, and she pursed her lips with a smile, “Makes sense. Go and announce to the Gu family that I will dine at their residence tonight.”
“Yes!”
Excellent! As long as Her Majesty visits the Gu family, she would get to see Judge Gu Beichen.
He’s so handsome, even when scolding people, he’s handsome, and with his arm wrapped in gauze, he’s still handsome.
Unlike that scoundrel from the Lin family, who has the face of a treacherous minister.
Huanhuan left joyfully to prepare, but Murong Yan suddenly remembered something and called out, “Come back!”
“Your Majesty!”
“Is Gu Zhongman still kneeling?”
“Yes, Your Majesty has yet to issue an order allowing him to enter.”
“Let him in, have him wait in the discussion hall.”
“Yes.”
Huanhuan withdrew quietly.
Murong Yan stared into the bronze mirror, glancing left and right, her voice softening as she revealed a tender, girlish charm.
“Sigh, such a beautiful face, I wonder which scoundrel will get to enjoy it.”
Unconsciously, Gu Beichen’s handsome face floated into her mind. She shook her head with a faint smile, pushing aside such impossible thoughts.
She looked at her reflection again and softly said, “Father, your daughter is so tired.”
“Your daughter really doesn’t want to be emperor anymore.”
…
When Lin Zhen returned to the mansion, the kitchen had already prepared dinner.
Although called dinner, it was actually the afternoon meal, as two meals a day was common in ancient times.
The meals at the Regent’s Mansion were simple. Even the young master only had four dishes per meal, two meat, two vegetables, with a few steamed buns and a bowl of soup.
Though few, they were exquisitely prepared.
A single cabbage would be carved into a peony flower for presentation, showing the effort put in.
In this ancient era without technology or modern techniques, the food wasn’t as delicious or varied as in the future.
But Lin Zhen had never tasted such natural, pollution-free food before, and now it had a unique flavor to him.
Lin Zhen sat at the table, eating heartily, like a gust of wind sweeping through clouds, showing the appetite of a glutton.
While he was enjoying his meal, Fatty and Lu Dehao came in.
“Young Master, slow down. No one is stealing your food.”
“Mm…” Lin Zhen chewed on a steamed bun, speaking with his mouth full, “You’ve come at the right time.”
Fatty plopped into a chair and grabbed a chicken leg as if it were his own home, without the slightest courtesy.
Lu Dehao was a bit more refined, giving Lin Zhen a smile first, then snatching the other chicken leg.
“Big Brother, just say what you want to say.”
“Her Majesty has already decreed that the Gu family hand over the Yuanda Casino to me. You two take some people to take it over and shut it down for a few days.”
“Huh? Big Brother, that’s the Gu family’s lifeblood. How did you manage that?”
“Yeah, Big Brother, Gu Yunting will never let it go.”
“That’s not your concern. Just do as I say. Also, Huanbi, where’s the girl I sent back?”
Huanbi replied, “You mean the injured lady? She’s been placed in the side room.”
“Has she said anything?”
“No, since returning, she’s stayed in the room and hasn’t come out all day.”
Lin Zhen nodded, opened his mouth to take a sip of the tea Huanbi handed over, then rinsed and spat into the porcelain basin.
“Mm, send someone to look after her, but no need to interfere too much. Just meet her needs.”
“Yes.”
Huanbi was still curious and couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master, who exactly is she?”
“Someone very important to me.”
Important…
Huanbi felt a twinge of jealousy in her heart.
She had served the young master for so many years, yet he had never spoken such affectionate words to her.
A girl’s feelings were like the core of a begonia flower, soft and full of lingering charm.
Lin Zhen caught her absent-mindedness, smiled, and took her hand.
“Little girl, what nonsense are you thinking?” Lin Zhen stood up and flicked her delicate nose, “You should know best who’s really by my side, right?”
“Oh, Young Master…” A simple affectionate gesture made Huanbi forget everything, and she looked shyly at the two men gorging themselves, her face turning bashful.
Lin Zhen said, “Alright, go tell the steward to bring the account books. I have something to ask him.”
“Yes.”
Huanbi left, and soon the mansion’s steward, Lin An, brought the account books into the courtyard.
At this moment, Lin Zhen was writing something.
“Young Master.” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“Old Lin, sit down.”
Lin An was a bit flattered.
“This old servant dares not. May I ask why Young Master summoned me so urgently?”
“Give me your account book.”
Lin An’s hand trembled, hesitating, “Young Master, the mansion really doesn’t have much money left. You mustn’t…”
“Enough, enough, stop nagging.”
Refusing to listen to good words, Lin Zhen reverted to his scoundrel persona, snatching the account book from Lin An’s hands.
This was the account book for the year, recording all expenses of the Lin Mansion in detail.
On the first day of the first month, 440 taels spent on procurement, 160 taels on feasts.
On the fifth day of the third month, 3,600 taels to compensate the Tiger Guards’ military pay.
On the twentieth day of the fifth month, 340 taels for the prince’s birthday feast.
The more Lin Zhen read, the more his tongue clicked in astonishment.
Despite appearing powerful, the Regent’s Mansion had less than 5,000 taels left on the books.
The entire family lived off the court’s salaries and taxes from their fiefdom.
Last year, to compensate the families of fallen soldiers, Lin Zhenxian had even sold off ancestral property. Now, their living conditions were increasingly strained.
If he didn’t find a way to make money soon, even Lin Zhenxian might have to live on air.
No, this was North China; only southeast winds here, no northwest winds.
Indeed, as the saying went, they were so poor they couldn’t even drink the northwest wind.
Lin Zhen couldn’t understand what this stubborn old man was thinking. Could integrity feed people? Could it support the family?
He even disdained engaging in business.
Which prestigious family didn’t have a few merchants to support them? Otherwise, what would they eat or drink?
The Regent’s Mansion occupied a huge estate, with nearly 300 servants and maids. They weren’t a small household; how could they continue like this?
Lin Zhen thought carefully. He still had to find a way to get rich.
Embezzlement was definitely out of the question. If the old man found out, he’d be beaten to death, though in Lin Zhen’s eyes, this wasn’t much of a crime.
Because even without embezzlement, the money wouldn’t reach the commoners.
Better to do business steadily.
In his past life, Lin Zhen knew a few business tycoons and had some understanding in this area.
He would first open a carriage company, monopolize the capital’s taxi industry, and then gradually control other industries.
There were only three months left before Southern Chu’s invasion. He must accumulate massive wealth in that time.
Otherwise, once the war became urgent and there were no provisions, the Lin family wouldn’t escape disaster.