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CHAPTER 14
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Investigate the accounts of the family's first wife.
As soon as this suggestion was put forth, it shocked everyone in the hall, even Tan Rong couldn't continue crying for a moment and anxiously glanced at Xiang Yi.
The reason the family held its status was not only due to its bloodline advantage, but more importantly, it needed to maintain authority among its members. The family's first wife handled the trivial matters of the family and occasionally acted on behalf of the family's master. If the accounts of the family's first wife were casually investigated and any issues were uncovered, where would the family's first wife's dignity be?
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Although Zhao Shi was angry, she also felt that this request was inappropriate and furrowed her brows.
Tan Jian also felt it was unreasonable, but he didn't speak up immediately. Yang Zhen directly stepped forward to voice his opinion on Tan Jian's behalf.
"Your demand is really excessive, isn't it?"
In her eyes, even if Sister-in-law had made some minor mistakes, what's the big deal? Yang Zhen boldly spoke up, and Tan Jian quickly blinked at her, his eyes gleaming.
Xiang Yi was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected the first person to speak up in her defense to be her younger sister, who had only been married into the family for three days.
Her gaze softened, but in the next instant, she sensed a cold, stern gaze from the upper end of the room. That gaze was like the chilly wind on the surface of winter ice, devoid of any attempt to conceal its coldness.
Xiang Yi's composed expression wavered, but she quickly returned to her previous demeanor. Meanwhile, Tan Ting, who stood with his hands behind his back, felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
He had become the family's young master at the age of fifteen. At the time, nearly half of the clan members doubted his ability to lead the family and preserve the family estate at such a young age. If it hadn't been for the unwavering support of the deceased Patriarch Tan, along with his successful journey through the imperial examinations, the position of the legitimate branch's young master might have slipped away.
Given the current situation, coupled with the previous commotion involving Chu Xinggu, if they didn't clarify matters and provide an explanation to the clan members, what kind of situation would they find themselves in?
However, if they were to investigate Xiang Yi's account books...
Tan Ting clenched his lips tightly. After the incident from yesterday, he had hoped that she would understand on her own. That was why he had composed the poem "On Bribery," but he hadn't expected another problem to arise today.
Tan Ting hesitated for a moment, and just then, a commotion erupted outside.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Zheng Ji hurriedly entered the room. "Master, the situation at the workshop has become known to the clan members. They've brought the craftsmen to the gate, and many clan members have followed to see how it will be handled."
Clan members were aware, and the situation was becoming even more significant. Madam Fu's eyes couldn't help but light up. Some of those people were part of the arrangement she and Madam Qiu had discussed earlier. They relied on the family's assistance in their daily lives and were particularly concerned about the flow of family funds.
With people bringing more people along, the situation was escalating. It wasn't their fault that the situation was becoming even more chaotic. If they didn't escalate the situation like this, what if the family ended up protecting Xiang Yi due to saving face? If Xiang Yi continued to manage the household like before, how could they go on with their lives? They had no choice but to seize this opportunity and strip Xiang Yi of her household management duties. After all, even the family master didn't like her, divorcing her wasn't impossible.
As Zheng Ji finished speaking, the commotion outside grew clearer. With things having reached this point, it was impossible to turn a major issue into a minor one or vice versa.
Tan Ting's heart completely sank, and he finally looked at Xiang Yi. "Do you have anything to say?"
If she explained herself and admitted her mistakes, even though she might feel embarrassed, it would still be better than being forced by others to uncover everything.
Xiang Yi vaguely understood his intention, but what could she say? Could she claim innocence? The clan members wouldn't believe her, and perhaps even Tan Ting himself wouldn't.
Xiang Yi shook her head. "I have nothing to say."
With those words spoken, Tan Ting closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he spoke in a deep voice. "Investigate the accounts."
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...
Since it had come to the point of investigating accounts, they might as well lay everything out for examination. Tan Ting promptly invited several senior clan members to act as witnesses. He paired up the skilled arithmeticians among the younger generation and the family accountants, who then cross-referenced the entries and verified the numerical data.
Following the Tan family's protocol, all incomes and expenditures were meticulously recorded. Xiang Yi had been managing the household for three years, so the account books were extensive. Thankfully, there were enough people to help, and Tan Ting had mobilized as many hands as possible to ensure that they would get results by the end of the day.
The hall was incredibly quiet. Time ticked away amidst the incessant sounds of calculations, moving both slowly and with an unusual sense of tension.
Xiang Yi stood alone in a corner of the hall, silently watching as they meticulously checked each entry, calculating the figures she had managed over the past three years.
After an uncertain duration, finally the accountants from the Tan family stopped manipulating the abacuses and raised their heads.
"How is it?" Madam Fu and Madam Qiu were the most anxious, walking forward in quick strides.
As long as they found evidence of Xiang Yi's shady dealings, many of these issues could be combined and resolved.
Madam Fu intentionally called out to the accountant who had done the final calculation, "Have you looked carefully? Don't make a mistake and wrongly accuse the family's first wife."
The accountant nodded in response, recalculated the final numbers, and said, "Correct."
Impatience tinged Madam Fu's voice, "So?"
The accountant lifted his head and directly presented the calculated figures and account books to the assembly.
"The accounts balance. Madam's accounts are clean."
This statement resounded like a definitive pronouncement.
As the words settled, the expressions in the hall varied.
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Zhao Shi had been worrying that if they found something wrong with Xiang Yi, she wouldn't be able to continue managing the household. But upon hearing the result, she heaved a sigh of relief.
Tan Rong blinked her eyes. Tan Jian's lips curled up, and Yang Zhen chimed in, "I knew my sister-in-law had no problems."
The senior clan members also nodded with satisfaction.
Tan Ting, standing at the front, was momentarily stunned and involuntarily raised his gaze. He had thought there was a high probability of uncovering Xiang Yi's wrongdoing, merely differing in the extent of the amount. But now...
He couldn't help but glance at her. She still had her head half lowered, seemingly somewhat fatigued, her eyes closed, and her face devoid of any ripples.
No wonder she wasn't scared earlier and was even unopposed.
The burning anger that had been festering in his heart had already reached its peak, yet now it seemed to have encountered a gentle spring rain, quietly diminishing.
His gaze returned to her, then slowly withdrew.
However, Madam Fu and Madam Qiu were flabbergasted. They grabbed the account books and sheets of calculations to check for themselves.
No matter how they looked at it, the two sets of numbers were exactly the same, not a single copper coin was missing.
"Did you make a mistake?!" In light of this result, Madam Fu was drenched in a sticky sweat of disbelief.
A woman who had managed the household for three years had cleanly managed to stash away not even a single copper coin?! How was this possible?!
Qiu Shi was nervously swallowing her saliva. Compared to Madam Fu's complete disbelief, Qiu Shi's mind was working even faster.
"Just because the accounts are fine doesn't mean Xiang Yi didn't accept bribes! She must be holding onto the money herself!"
She didn't dare to outright say that she wanted to search Xiang Yi's courtyard, but she implied it.
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"Remember how Qiao Xing accepted a jade pendant on behalf of the madam? I suggest we search her quarters!"
Qiu Shi recalled that Xiang Yi and Ji Xiang Seal Shop had dealings before and that the new woodworkers seemed to be on good terms with the shopkeeper of Ji Xiang Seal Shop.
Who knew, Xiang Yi might have asked Ji Xiang Seal Shop to convert her bribes into precious gemstones like jade and kept them secretly.
What Qiu Shi was thinking, others didn't know. But everyone had heard about Xiang Yi's involvement with the two jade pendants incident.
Because of the recent wedding in the Tan family, this matter hadn't been concluded, and its veracity was uncertain.
All eyes turned toward the senior clan members, the family members, and especially Tan Ting.
This time, Tan Ting didn't give orders with the same decisiveness as when they were investigating the accounts. He hesitated, glancing at Xiang Yi.
However, Xiang Yi chose this moment to raise her head. "Send someone over and search Qiao Xing's house."
Since they had reached this point in the investigation, there was no need to leave any stone unturned.
Tan Ting's expression slightly changed; he seemed to understand her meaning.
He looked towards her, but found that her gaze hadn't turned toward him even once.
He suppressed his thoughts and briefly swept his gaze across Madam Fu and Madam Qiu.
"Now that things have come to this point, let's investigate thoroughly once and for all."
Tan Ting directly ordered a few people to go to Qiao Xing's place...
The back room of the main courtyard.
Qiao Xing had been confined for quite a few days and had no idea what was happening outside. Only the little maid who had just come to bring her tea mentioned something.
"The madam and the others went to the old madam's place. Many people from the clan gathered in front of Autumn Radiance Courtyard."
"What's happening?" Qiao Xing asked.
Unfortunately, the little maid was too young to understand the situation fully. Qiao Xing felt something was off. She recalled the incident when Madam Qiu had ransacked her room, damaging many things and even breaking two cups. She quickly tidied up a large box that was on the table, locked it, and placed it under the bed.
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Just as she emerged from under the bed, there was suddenly a commotion outside. The tumultuous sound of footsteps reached her room's door.
Madam Qiu, who was the most anxious, had also followed the people Tan Ting sent.
At present, she trusted no one and hadn't prepared in advance. So, she had to personally rummage through to uncover the items.
Qiao Xing's eyes almost popped out when she saw Madam Qiu again.
Madam Qiu, however, didn't care about that. She snorted at Qiao Xing and began searching.
Qiao Xing's room was small, and there were only a few belongings. Moreover, the room had already been searched once before, so the people appointed by Tan Ting went through it all again and found nothing.
Qiao Xing was standing by, arms crossed, and coldly laughing.
Madam Qiu was not deterred by this. Since the room was small and they had searched it once, she went through a few cabinets in a row and finally had her maidservant look under the bed.
To her surprise, the maidservant really found something and exclaimed, "There's a box!"
Madam Qiu's eyes gleamed, and she urgently had the maidservant pull out the box.
Their actions were rough, which infuriated Qiao Xing. She even had to shout to get them to stop.
Madam Qiu, hearing Qiao Xing's urgent call, became even more determined. But when she heard the clinking sound coming from the box, she suddenly realized something.
Could these be the precious gemstones Xiang Yi had exchanged through Ji Xiang Seal Shop?
She couldn't help but burst into laughter, hugging the box tightly.
"You've hidden it so well!"
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...
Autumn Radiance Courtyard.
Madam Fu wished she could personally recheck the accounts. But there was no point in rechecking accounts that were correct. Instead, the looks she received from the elder clan members were full of disdain.
In the hall, everyone waited in silence. Xiang Yi remained in her original spot, her emotions well-hidden.
Tan Ting's gaze fell on her a few times before being withdrawn. He had just picked up his teacup when there was a commotion outside.
Quicker than anyone else, Madam Qiu rushed in as if she had grabbed a lifeline. She placed the wooden box she was clutching onto the central table in the hall with a loud thud, then looked triumphantly at Xiang Yi.
Xiang Yi furrowed her brows. With Madam Qiu acting like this, the gazes from the people in the hall toward her couldn't help but change.
Madam Qiu seemed even more pleased. "Madam Xiang, you recognize this box, don't you? You can't lock it and keep everyone from seeing inside."
She even tapped on the lock, and as the sound of trying to force it open filled the air, all eyes turned once again to Xiang Yi.
Tan Ting also looked over.
Standing on the other side of the crowd, Xiang Yi pursed her lips.
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She knew that in this situation, it was impossible to keep hidden what she had accidentally revealed. Xiang Yi closed her eyes and spoke in a barely audible voice, "There is no key here. Force it open."
Her words were crisp. Madam Qiu, hearing this, probably thought she was being measured and didn't dare, so she immediately found someone to do it.
"Madam Xiang herself said so. Let's force it open."
Madam Qiu's actions made the people in the hall frown, but she didn't care.
As long as Xiang Yi's guilt was proven, what could these elders say to her?
The material of the box was ordinary and not made of precious wood. So, when they exerted some force, the lock on the box fell off.
Both Madam Qiu and Madam Fu eagerly approached, expecting to see many dazzling jewels when the box opened.
But to their surprise, when the box was opened, there were no sparkling jewels, only a few unfinished inkstones, carving knives, ink paste, and similar items.
"This..."
Madam Fu was stunned, looking at Madam Qiu.
Madam Qiu was also stunned, picking up the unfinished jade pieces, studying them intensely as if trying to discern their value.
Xiang Yi remained calm.
Madam Qiu repeatedly rummaged through the box and finally found two decent-looking pieces of jade.
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"These two pieces are quite valuable, aren't they? Where did they come from?" Madam Qiu was about to make a point using these two pieces of jade.
"Madam Xiang only had eight sedan chairs worth of dowry when she entered this house. She shouldn't have been able to afford such jade."
Indeed, Xiang Yi had only brought a modest dowry, which couldn't possibly cover the cost of these jade pieces.
But before anyone else could respond, Qiao Xing suddenly burst in. Seeing Madam Qiu teaming up with Madam Fu to bully her lady, and her lady standing alone in a corner with no one speaking up for her, Qiao Xing couldn't hold back her anger.
"Madam can't afford these jade pieces with her dowry, but she would never embezzle or take a single penny from the Tan family. She's never touched a single thing belonging to the Tan family! These were all carved by her, one piece at a time, over the years of hard work!"
She spoke passionately and slammed a thick account book from her bosom onto the table.
Her boldness made many clan members frown, but Qiao Xing paid no attention to that. She continued.
"These are the private account records that Madam has kept since entering the Tan family. Every transaction is meticulously recorded. Check them if you want!"
She even remembered every private transaction?
The people present were surprised, especially Madam Qiu and Madam Fu. They went up, still disbelieving, and began to flip through the account book.
Qiao Xing didn't mind them flipping through it and walked to her lady, carefully observing Xiang Yi's expression.
Xiang Yi smiled at Qiao Xing and comforted her. However, in that smile, Qiao Xing almost shed tears. She couldn't help but remember the time when she had asked Madam why she kept such detailed private accounts. Madam had not given a detailed explanation at the time, only saying that keeping a record was never wrong. At that time, Qiao Xing had thought, was this how a married woman should be? How could one be so precise about dividing things?
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Now, it seemed like it was indeed necessary...
Qiao Xing spread out the account records on the table, and the unfinished jade materials from the box were also laid out for everyone to see.
Madam Qiu and Madam Fu, flipping through the meticulously kept private account records, seemed to find it difficult and uncomfortable, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.
Their reactions didn't go unnoticed by the elder clan members, and they started to understand the situation better.
Yang Zhen couldn't sit still any longer. She pushed the rigid figures of Qiu and Fu aside and glanced at the account records herself. She found it hard to believe. How could the distinguished wife of a prominent family like this, who had control over the family's finances, have carved everything herself from scratch?
Tan Jian also couldn't resist coming closer. Seeing the shop names recorded on the account, he muttered, "I was wondering why I saw Sister-in-law so many times at Ji Xiang Seal Shop. It turns out..."
He couldn't continue his sentence, but he remembered that even though his sister-in-law was financially strained at the time, when his elder brother had written to the family asking if anyone needed anything, she hadn't asked him to buy her a single thing.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance at his elder brother.
Whispers filled the hall, but Tan Ting's ears suddenly went quiet, so much so that he couldn't even hear the slightest sound.
He froze in place.
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His gaze fell onto the patterns on the sheets of paper that Madam Qiu had been rummaging through. These sheets, about the size of a child's palm, had floated down from the box, unnoticed. They fluttered and landed near Tan Ting's feet.
On those pieces of paper, a variety of ancient-style "harmony" characters were meticulously depicted, each one searching for the perfect form to be carved onto a seal.
Ji Xiang Seal Shop.
The character seal.
No wonder they hadn't been willing to sell it to him...
Tan Ting fell into silence. He couldn't help but look at the far end of the hall, the area farthest away from him.
She stood there silently, her hair pinned back by a couple of stray strands. She wore simple hair accessories, a common silver hairpin, and a plain wooden comb. She wore an apricot-colored robe that was clean but showed signs of wear, leaning more towards old than new.
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Tan Ting's gaze shifted slowly, sweeping across everyone in the hall, and finally settled on her.
No matter if it was Zhao Shi, the widowed mother, or the elderly clan members, no one was as modest as she was.
She didn't wear bracelets on her wrists, and even her beloved younger sister and the well-endowed sisters-in-law had no such simplicity.
She had nothing.
Yet he still had to investigate her accounts...
Tan Ting paused, a strange feeling passing through his chest.
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