Song Zhimian’s expression remained as calm as ever, as if she knew nothing of what was happening.
While perfunctorily dealing with Wen Shaoqing, Song Kaishan kept glancing at Song Zhimian from time to time.
He was wondering whether the events of today had been deliberately orchestrated by this daughter of his or if it was all just a coincidence.
If it truly was this daughter’s design, then he would have to handle it with great care.
But… how could his eldest daughter, who had always been timid and weak, possibly stir up such trouble?
…
Half an hour had passed, and Madame Ding and Fan Shaoshi, who had gone to the storeroom to take inventory, still hadn’t returned.
Song Kaishan was growing restless. Just as he was about to send someone to check on the situation, he saw Wen Shaoqing pick up his teacup.
“Marquis, taking inventory of the dowry is a trivial matter. You are a man of great affairs and need not concern yourself too much with such things.
Madame Song is renowned among the titled nobility of the capital for her competence as a mistress of the household. She can handle such a small matter with ease.
The tea in your residence is truly excellent! This is the finest Taiping Houkui, isn’t it?
It’s no less impressive than Chun Buwan’s!” Wen Shaoqing joked with a smile.
Song Kaishan could only force an awkward smile in response.
As for Song Zhimian, she sat quietly to the side, waiting to watch the spectacle that was about to unfold.
Another incense stick’s worth of time passed before Madame Ding finally returned with Fan Shaoshi.
Madame Ding’s face was pale, while Fan Shaoshi’s expression… revealed nothing.
Song Kaishan hurriedly looked at Madame Ding, only to see her avoiding his gaze.
“What’s wrong? Did the inventory not go smoothly?” Song Kaishan asked quietly.
Before Madame Ding could speak, Fan Shaoshi spoke up first.
“Marquis, Your Excellency, I accompanied Madame Song to the storeroom to take inventory just now. According to the dowry list, less than half of the items listed remain.
Antique porcelain, jade and gold ware, as well as some tribute silks, satins, decorative items, and jewelry—all are significantly short.
Even…”
Fan Shaoshi shot a look of utter contempt at Madame Ding.
“Even what?” Wen Shaoqing asked with great composure.
“Even the coffin that Eldest Miss Song’s mother left for her… has disappeared without a trace,” Fan Shaoshi said with displeasure.
Song Kaishan’s face turned extremely unpleasant.
He knew about that coffin. At the time, when Madame Ding’s father passed away, they couldn’t find suitable burial materials in time, so they had taken that coffin.
“That coffin…” Song Kaishan began, trying to smooth things over.
“Eldest Miss Song, do you know where that coffin went?” Wen Shaoqing turned to Song Zhimian.
Upon hearing this, Song Zhimian quickly feigned a look of confusion.
“That coffin? What coffin?”
Song Kaishan and Madame Ding…
Wen Shaoqing sneered coldly.
“Eldest Miss Song doesn’t even know that her own dowry is missing.
It seems there’s a thief in the residence! To dare steal from a dowry, and even go so far as to steal a coffin—they must have no fear of shortening their own lifespan!” Wen Shaoqing spoke without the slightest courtesy.
Madame Ding’s face turned deathly pale, and she didn’t dare utter a word in defense.
Although the Wen Shaoqing before them held only a fifth-rank official position, he was a member of the Directorate of Supervision.
Everyone in Dayu knew that the people of the Directorate of Supervision were not to be trifled with—cross them, and you could expect to be dealt with severely!
Song Kaishan’s expression darkened. Upon hearing Wen Shaoqing mention a thief in the residence, a sudden idea flashed through his mind.
“Last year, the residence did indeed suffer from petty thieves, and a considerable amount of property was lost.
At the time, because it was Guifei’s birthday, I didn’t make a fuss about it.”
"A significant portion of Mian Jie'er's dowry was also stolen at that time," Song Kaishan quickly added.
Wen Shaoqing narrowed her eyes slightly.
The Directorate of Supervision typically dealt with officials from the six ministries and merchants whose minds were as intricate as beehives. How could she not detect the threat hidden in Song Kaishan's words?
He was invoking the authority of Noble Consort Wu, the most favored consort, to pressure her!
Song Kaishan's implication was clear: he was aligned with Noble Consort Wu's son, and the Directorate of Supervision should at least show some deference to the two princes.
What a pity!
The Directorate of Supervision remained loyal only to the Emperor and never took sides!
"If that's the case, those petty thieves must be quite formidable! To have moved something as large as a coffin out of the Song residence.
It seems they must have transported the valuables inside the coffin!" Wen Shaoqing remarked sarcastically.
Song Kaishan remained silent, simply staring at Wen Shaoqing.
Only then did Wen Shaoqing set down the teacup in her hand.
"Fan Shaoshi, according to the inventory, how many items are missing?" Wen Shaoqing asked.
"Eighty-four pieces of jadeware, including jade rings, pendants, and hairpins; twelve antiques; three complete sets of porcelain; twenty-eight pieces of jewelry.
One nine-panel 'Flourishing Wealth' glass screen and one set of red rosewood dressing tables.
Two bolts of Heavenly Silk Satin, two bolts of Shu brocade, two bolts of Su embroidery, and four bolts of brocaded satin.
Additionally, one set of high-quality cypress wood coffin materials.
The only items not missing are a chest of ancient paintings and rare books," Fan Shaoshi replied.
"What is the estimated value of the missing items?" Wen Shaoqing continued.
After a brief mental calculation, Fan Shaoshi reported a figure.
"The total estimated value is around eighty-six thousand five hundred taels of silver. Even if there are discrepancies, they would be within a hundred taels."
Wen Shaoqing nodded and then turned her gaze to Song Kaishan.
"Marquis! You must make up for this amount. Since the items are lost, they must be compensated with an equivalent sum of silver."
"But they were stolen by thieves! Shouldn't that exempt us from compensation?" Madame Ding muttered tremblingly from the side.
Wen Shaoqing immediately looked at Madame Ding.
"Madame Song, I have already shown the Marquis due respect.
You should know very well where those items have gone!
If you refuse to compensate with silver, then we shall report this to the authorities. The Shuntian Prefecture will surely provide an explanation for what happened to Eldest Miss Song's dowry.
Moreover, Eldest Miss Song donated her entire dowry, and the Directorate of Supervision recorded it based on the dowry list obtained from the Shuntian Prefecture.
Now, due to your negligence, the dowry has been damaged and depleted.
What? Do you expect the Directorate of Supervision to compensate for the missing portion of the dowry?
Or should we have Lord Ye personally come to the Marquis's residence to demand it?" Wen Shaoqing looked at Madame Ding with a faint, mocking smile.
Madame Ding swallowed hard, not daring to utter another word.
Song Kaishan thought of the stern and unsmiling Minister of the Supervisory Department and felt a twinge of fear.
The prince had once said that His Majesty placed immense trust in the Minister of the Supervisory Department, even surpassing his trust in the princes at times…
"Rest assured, Wen Shaoqing, our household will promptly compensate for the missing portion.
This was our household's oversight. How could we trouble Lord Ye with such matters?" Song Kaishan immediately declared.
"Marquis…" Madame Ding grew anxious.
"Be quiet! You couldn't even manage the household properly, allowing so many items to go missing. Don't you bear any responsibility?" Song Kaishan scolded Madame Ding in a low voice.
Madame Ding…
Wen Shaoqing pretended not to notice the exchange of glances between the husband and wife.
"Marquis, in three days, our Directorate of Supervision will be closing the accounts for this month's fundraising for the Beidi troops.
Please make up the outstanding silver within three days.
Also, just have someone deliver it to the Directorate of Supervision; there's no need for me to make a personal trip.
After all, no one in the capital likes it when people from the Directorate of Supervision show up at their door.
Marquis, farewell!
Eldest Miss Song, perhaps we shall meet again!"
Wen Shaoqing first bowed to Song Kaishan, then bowed to Song Zhimian.
While Song Kaishan was returning the courtesy, she even winked at Song Zhimian.
Song Zhimian understood.
In three days, the second grand gift she had prepared for the Zhongyong Hou Mansion would arrive.
…
Song Kaishan escorted Wen Shaoqing out of the Zhongyong Hou Mansion. When he returned, Madame Ding was glaring fiercely at Song Zhimian.
Song Kaishan also glared at her harshly.
But Song Zhimian was not the least bit intimidated. She slowly performed a curtsy before turning her gaze to the imperial plaque.
"Father, that official Wen just said this plaque was bestowed upon me by His Majesty. Does that mean I should move it to my courtyard?" Song Zhimian asked.
Song Kaishan and Madame Ding…
At that moment, Song Kaishan did not want to see that plaque at all.
"Fine, take it away if you want!
Also, for the time being, you are not to leave the mansion. Stay here and prepare for your marriage in peace!
Even though you donated your dowry, I am still your father, and I will certainly prepare a special dowry for you." Song Kaishan looked coldly at Song Zhimian.
Song Zhimian was not worried in the slightest. She merely curtsied respectfully once more before turning to walk toward her own courtyard.
"Please have someone deliver the plaque to my courtyard, Mother. I am frail and cannot move it myself!" Song Zhimian left only these words behind.
Madame Ding nearly choked with rage.
"Marquis, you see…"
"Enough. She won’t be arrogant for much longer. Assistant Commissioner Wu will soon arrive in the capital, and that girl will suffer then.
For now, gather whatever silver we can use in the mansion. We cannot let the Directorate of Supervision come knocking at our door." Song Kaishan suppressed his anger as he spoke.
"Marquis, no matter how we gather, the mansion cannot come up with eighty-six thousand taels of silver!" Madame Ding was so frantic she felt her head might burst into flames.
"None? Then borrow it!
At this critical moment, we cannot afford to offend the Directorate of Supervision!" Song Kaishan said through gritted teeth.
…
Back in her small courtyard, Song Zhimian was in excellent spirits. Her earlier calculations had indeed been correct…