amaotonovel Chapter 5 Falsifying Accounts
Chapter 5 Falsifying Accounts
Upon hearing this, Madam Qiao carefully tucked the brocade pouch into her bosom, expressing her gratitude and apologies repeatedly.
He struggled to his feet and respectfully saw Ye Qingqiu and his disciple off at the West Corner Gate before giving up.
By this time, it was already broad daylight, and the quiet streets of Lin'an had awakened from their slumber and become bustling.
Only at the Yongchang Marquis's residence, white silk hung, and everyone entering and leaving was dressed in mourning clothes, creating a desolate and sorrowful atmosphere.
Qiao Qingshu had been busy all night and was exhausted. She hurriedly returned to Zhuqingxuan for a short rest.
Not long after I fell asleep, I was woken up by the wailing from next door.
Rubbing her temples, Qiao Qingshu got up and dressed.
"Judging from this noise, it's probably Aunt Chen who's here."
Lin Dong, who was helping him get dressed, frowned and replied with disdain.
"You guessed right away, how annoying, you disturbed our girl's rest."
Wanqiu, who was setting out tea and food, chimed in.
"Among the people in the manor, Aunt Chen is the most talkative. She has a hoarse voice and shouts every day. This morning, as soon as she heard that Madam had passed away, she wailed all the way from her Begonia Garden. Even the dogs on the street started barking along with her."
Aunt Chen was originally a tenant farmer's daughter from a small household. She had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and was very beautiful. Years ago, Qiao Jizhou took a liking to her at first sight when he went to the estate on business and brought her back to be his concubine.
Aunt Chen has a loud voice and is very enthusiastic. She is unconventional in her speech and actions, but unfortunately, she is too scheming and not very smart. She causes a lot of trouble for no reason. Although none of them are major, they are still very annoying. Therefore, Madam Bai does not like her very much.
In her past life, Aunt Chen had already become close friends with Xu Biyun, and that bitch had also interfered in the matter of her brother being abducted.
Thinking of this, Qiao Qingshu clenched her fist, took a deep breath, and gritted her teeth, thinking, "You can't escape either. I'll deal with you after I've dealt with the big ones."
Qiao Qingshu picked up the Hangzhou white silk flowers prepared on the table and slowly put them on. After eating a little tea and rice, she asked,
Has Aunt He arrived yet?
Returning home in late winter
"When the old lady met with Mr. Ye, Aunt He went to Liufang Garden to kowtow and burn paper money. She's still kneeling there crying right now."
Aunt He was originally Bai's dowry maid. She was gentle and obedient. Bai had already arranged a marriage for her with Xu Laosan, who was in charge of purchasing in the outer courtyard. Since the two were familiar with each other, He was very happy with the marriage.
Unfortunately, Qiao Jizhou loved He'er's gentle and obedient nature. Even though he knew that He'er was already betrothed to Xu Laosan, he still insisted on taking her. He'er tried to kill herself several times, but she calmed down after learning that she was pregnant, for the sake of the child in her womb.
However, Aunt He became increasingly quiet and reserved. After Bai Shi passed away in her previous life, she remembered the old relationship between mistress and servant, set up incense in her courtyard, and often offered sacrifices. She was also respectful and considerate to Qiao Qingshu. When she learned that Qiao Qingshu's dowry was in short supply, she even took out her own money to help her get married.
Having been reborn, Qiao Qingshu is clear-headed and has a strong sense of right and wrong. She will not let any of those who have wronged her go unpunished, and she will naturally repay those who have been good to her tenfold.
After getting ready, Qiao Qingshu went straight to Liufang Garden.
Liufang Garden and Zhuqing Pavilion are separated by only a wall. Qiao Qingshu has her reasons for placing the coffin here, so that she can know about any movement immediately.
Upon entering the mourning hall, one sees Aunt Chen, who is wailing and jumping up and down while supporting the coffin, with her eldest son, Qiao Antai, and her second sister, Qiao Qingqiao, by her side.
The one kneeling quietly on the prayer mat, head bowed, sobbing and burning paper money, was Aunt He; kneeling beside her was her third sister, Qiao Qingle.
Inside the house, many relatives and family members who had rushed there after learning of the death were already gathered, all weeping and wailing with their faces covered.
Qiao Qingshu stepped forward to greet them one by one and exchanged pleasantries.
Xu Biyun stood outside the door with Liu Wan'er for a long time, and when she saw that Qiao Qingshu had just found some free time, she secretly waved to her, signaling her to come out.
Qiao Qingshu smiled, but didn't step forward. Instead, she stood in the crowd and called out loudly.
"Aunt, what are you doing standing outside? Come in and talk to me."
Everyone followed Qiao Qingshu's gaze and saw Xu Biyun, whose face was red and swollen.
Xu Biyun's face was swollen and bloodshot from the slap, and she was too ashamed to show her face. She stood outside the threshold, wanting to call Qiao Qingshu out to speak.
With dozens of gazes fixed on her, Xu Biyun had nowhere to hide, so she could only awkwardly chuckle and cover her face as she slowly crept in.
“Good girl, I have completed the task you asked me to do last night. Since you did not give me cash, I paid for it in advance. Here is the receipt. Please settle the account for me.”
Qiao Qingshu took the thick stack of receipts from her and examined them carefully.
Seeing that everyone around her was a woman from the clan, and wanting to save face for herself, Xu Biyun said,
“Young lady, now that the Second Madam has passed away suddenly and the Old Madam is ill, if I hadn’t been the first to arrive last night, these tasks would have been really difficult for you, a young lady. Look at my shoes, they’re all worn out. I’ve run from the East Street to the West Street, and from the South Street to the North Street. I didn’t even work this hard when my dead husband died.”
He took out a handkerchief, wiped his eyes, and continued...
“Young lady, you’ve never run a household before, so you don’t know how hard it is. These merchants are so cunning. I had to talk my way out of it to get the price down. It was such a hassle that my back aches, but I didn’t complain at all. I just wanted to support you because of your kindness to me. If you knew this in the afterlife, you would be more at ease.”
The aunts and maternal ladies listening nearby nodded frequently, casting admiring glances at Xu Biyun.
Aunt Weihe secretly glared at Xu Biyun; she knew what kind of person Xu Biyun was.
A few fools even chimed in,
“Her cousin, it’s all thanks to you. Although Shu is the eldest daughter of the main wife, she hasn’t experienced much. Without your help, the funeral might not even have a clue where to begin.”
"Yes, everyone says that Aunt Qiao is a kind person, and now that I see it, she is indeed very kind."
Xu Biyun held the hand of her aunt beside her, as if she had found a kindred spirit, nodding repeatedly in agreement, feeling very proud.
Qiao Qingshu slowly raised her eyes from the receipt, her gaze icy, her words like sharp blades.
"Aunt, are you falsifying the accounts?"
The words startled everyone, and Xu Biyun trembled with fear.
Even Liu Wan'er behind him was shocked and broke out in a cold sweat.
The next second, Xu Biyun slapped her thigh and stubbornly started shouting.
"My good sir! I meant well but ended up doing something wrong. Shu girl, I was just trying to help you, how could you frame me? You really have taken my kindness for granted."
Xu Biyun knew that Qiao Qingshu was clueless about outside affairs. How could a young lady from a noble family who rarely left her home possibly know how much a bolt of cloth cost outside?
Even when Bai was alive, she never held a grudge against her like this. What does Qiao Qingshu, a mere girl, know?
Are you really going to go through the accounts with her item by item? As long as she stubbornly denies it, Qiao Qingshu won't be able to do anything to her.
Then, with tears streaming down her face, she began her impassioned accusations.
"I stayed up all night running errands for you, and instead of appreciating my kindness, you come here to smear me. Shu girl, aren't you afraid of having nightmares because you have no conscience?"
In her previous life, Qiao Qingshu was the matriarch of the Xiao family. She managed the household for several years, being meticulous and calculating in every detail. She was keenly aware of even the slightest increase in the price of rice.
Xu Biyun's petty tricks were utterly beneath Qiao Qingshu's notice, who had been the mistress of the house for many years.
Her eyes flickered slightly, showing no fear of Xu Biyun's tantrum, and she calmly waved her hand, giving the order.
“That tailor Zhao hasn’t gone far. We’ll bring him back and ask him. We’ll also have Steward Lai go to the shop to find out the price and see if I’ve slandered my aunt or if my aunt has disgraced my mother.”