With a crisp crack, Mu Lian was so enraged that she actually snapped the brush in her hand. Qing Xia straightened her expression, turned around with a cold laugh, and said icily: “In worldly matters, what is most taboo is insatiable greed, wanting more after getting some. When you were initially cursed by all under heaven, forced to serve as a military prostitute with no way up to heaven or down to earth, it was His Highness who extended a helping hand to you. When you receive someone’s kindness, you should be deeply grateful. I don’t expect someone who could betray her own people to be grateful, but at the very least, you shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds you. I’ve said my piece – how to proceed is for you to carefully consider. If from now on I still see you interfering and meddling in the manor’s affairs large and small, don’t blame me for showing no mercy and being ruthless!”

“Take your account books and all follow me to the main hall!”

Qing Xia turned around majestically, her rice-yellow dress and jacket gleaming brilliantly in the morning sunlight. A crowd of external stewards and managers bent their waists, carrying their account books as they followed behind Qing Xia in a long procession toward the manor’s main hall.

Birds chirped sharply outside the window, making the accounting office seem even more cold and desolate. Song Quan of the Eastern Canal Transport Weaving, walking at the rear with his account book, glared hatefully at the accounting office, then spat forcefully and turned to catch up with those ahead.

Mu Lian’s eyes burned with fury as she finally roared madly, sweeping all the scrolls and inkstones from the desk to the floor with a crash that echoed throughout.

Uncle Xiang, seeing all the external stewards following Qing Xia into the main hall, hurriedly and frantically sought out his son. Li Zhentao was an external steward of Prince Xuan’s manor – these matters were originally handled by him. But he often traveled throughout the country collecting and checking accounts, frequently absent from the manor. Although Uncle Xiang was the head steward, he was only in that position because he was Prince Xuan’s wet nurse’s husband. He was good-natured, but knew nothing about accounting. Mu Lian frequently came and went from Prince Xuan’s manor, and with Uncle Xiang’s tacit permission, gradually began meddling in affairs here. But this woman came from common origins and had experienced many hardships, making her adept at handling many things.

Everyone knew Qing Xia’s background – with her status, how could she be proficient in accounts and business? Fearing she would embarrass herself, Li Zhentao, urged by his father, ran almost frantically all the way. But when he reached the main hall, he saw all the managers listening to Qing Xia’s questioning in stunned amazement, without any trace of mockery or ridicule.

Seeing Qing Xia scold that Xiongnu woman Mu Lian, the managers were so delighted they could almost fly. For years, this woman had shouted at them, yet was also shrewd and difficult to fool. Once caught in error, her punishment methods were nearly cruel. Seeing her suffer and lose power, everyone felt greatly relieved. Like Uncle Xiang’s thinking, everyone assumed Qing Xia, this young lady from a prominent family, would only know how to apply cosmetics, powder her face, and compose poetry – after all, in this era, merchants were at the bottom of society. Which young lady from a great family would know how to use an abacus or keep accounts?

So when they saw the managers from various households streaming forward one by one to report their accounts while Qing Xia just sat quietly listening without a word of questioning, the managers almost wanted to jump up and applaud in celebration. However, after everyone had reported once, that quiet, refined woman became like a sharp dagger – her words were incisive and struck to the heart. Without even looking at the account books, relying only on what they had just said once, she picked out each family’s loopholes and areas of poor management. Everyone went from initial surprise to final stunned amazement, hardly believing their own ears.

Qing Xia indeed couldn’t use an abacus, but her mental calculation ability had undergone rigorous training. Just by listening once, she had already integrated all the accounts, and by comparing them to each other, could tell who was reporting truthfully, who was being incomplete or inaccurate, and who was being perfunctory.

The refined woman picked up her teacup, took a sip, cleared her throat, and said in a heavy voice: “Next – Lushan Coal Mine.”

“Miss,” before she could finish speaking, the Lushan Coal Mine manager fell to his knees with a thud, sweating profusely as he said: “You needn’t say more – this subordinate admits his fault.”

Qing Xia smiled slightly and said in a heavy voice: “You were ranked toward the back and saw that I made no comment on the previous reports, so you became greedy and wanted to muddle through with me, thinking I didn’t understand accounting, correct?”

“This subordinate, this subordinate…”

“All of you listen well,” Qing Xia’s gaze was sharp as she said in a heavy voice: “Today is my first time reviewing external accounts. Everyone has selfish motives – when there are loopholes to exploit, naturally people swarm to them. I won’t hold today’s matters against you. But I warn you – regarding falsifying accounts and embezzlement, I am more proficient than any one of you present. If I discover anyone attempting to deceive me in the future, don’t blame me for not considering the years of service you’ve given the manor. My methods of punishment differ from Mu Lian’s, but they will definitely leave you with deep memories and no chance of recovery!”

Everyone’s foreheads dripped with cold sweat as they respectfully said in unison: “Thank you for your mercy, Miss. We will certainly do our utmost to serve the Prince.”

Qing Xia smiled slightly, her expression immediately becoming as gentle as a spring breeze, saying: “Please sit, everyone. I’m just putting the harsh words up front as a precaution. I’m new here and still need everyone’s help and support. His Highness is kind-hearted and treats his subordinates with generous benevolence. You are all pillars and veteran figures of the manor. Only by working together in unity can we consolidate Prince Xuan’s manor’s foundation. What I’m saying – you should all understand.”

Everyone agreed in unison and began reporting their accounts again one by one, but this time no one dared engage in private dealings or fraud – all were completely honest. The sun gradually moved west, and after all these people had withdrawn, the sky had already darkened. Da Huang appeared from somewhere unknown, biting Qing Xia’s dress hem and wagging its tail, looking pitiful as if starving to death. Only then did Qing Xia realize she had spent the entire day dealing with these people – it was time for dinner.

At this moment, Bi’er suddenly ran in, her face showing slight panic as she called: “Miss, the Prince, the Prince has returned.”

Seeing her expression, Qing Xia knew something was wrong. Frowning, she hurried out to meet him. She saw the carriage curtains tightly closed, with the Eight Shamans’ medicine apprentices all standing outside the carriage and the Yan Character Battalion’s personal guards surrounding the perimeter. Seeing Qing Xia approach, they all made way for her.

Since their meeting at Penglai Valley, Qin Zhiyan had always looked well, showing no signs of serious illness. This morning when he left, everything had seemed normal. How could he return in such a state? Just seeing that the Eight Shamans needed to treat him in the carriage showed how serious the situation had become.

Qing Xia stood in the cold wind, her face pale and bloodless. Time passed bit by bit, the night wind gradually growing colder. Bi’er brought a brocade cloak to drape over Qing Xia’s shoulders, but she seemed to feel nothing, motionlessly watching the carriage curtains.

After an unknown amount of time, the Yan Character Battalion’s personal guards blocked off the streets front and rear – even the night watchman with his drum couldn’t pass through. Finally, a hand emerged from the carriage. Physician Baishi was first to step down from the carriage, and the Yan Character Battalion’s personal guards quickly brought over a soft litter. The Nanjiang shamans inside slowly lifted Qin Zhiyan out.

Qin Zhiyan’s face was pale as white paper, his eyes weak and powerless. His black and gold court robes made his face appear even more pale as snow.

Qing Xia’s heart felt as if it had been struck hard by a giant axe – the pain was unbearable. But the moment she saw him, she could finally breathe normally. She walked stiffly forward, reaching out her hand toward Qin Zhiyan, wanting to smile reassuringly for his sake, but couldn’t force the corners of her mouth to move.

Qin Zhiyan smiled weakly, struggling to extend his hand to grasp Qing Xia’s outstretched hand, saying softly: “It’s nothing, don’t worry.”

Qing Xia pressed her lips together, nodding desperately. Qin Zhiyan’s hand was very cold, even colder than her own after standing outside the carriage all this time. The personal guards lifted the soft litter, and Qing Xia followed at a quick pace, going straight back to the bedroom. Maids went in and out, setting up warming braziers and bath water until the entire room was as hot as a giant steamer.

The Eight Nanjiang Shamans gave a few instructions with very unpleasant expressions, then went out. Qing Xia sent all the maids away and personally undressed Qin Zhiyan, removing his clothes soaked with cold sweat, and bathed him herself. She knelt beside the large wooden tub, using a small ladle to scoop up the black medicinal liquid and pour it on Qin Zhiyan’s back. Her small face was completely pale, still without any color.

Qin Zhiyan leaned against the wooden tub, saying apologetically: “I’m sorry, I frightened you today.”

Qing Xia rubbed her nose and shook her head, saying: “I’m not that timid. Stop talking and rest for a while.”

Qin Zhiyan looked at her with gentle eyes, reaching out to lightly caress her cheek. His fingertips carried a strong medicinal scent as he said in a clear, light voice: “Yima’er, yesterday in the palace, you were wronged.”

Qing Xia knew he would find out sooner or later, so she didn’t hide it, smiling nonchalantly: “It doesn’t matter – just a group of old women. What could they do to me? I was in a good mood, so I didn’t hit them.”

Qin Zhiyan smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying softly: “I wasn’t thorough in my considerations. I said I would never let anyone bully you again, but I failed to do so. Yima’er, I’m sorry.”

Qing Xia’s eyes stung as her pair of jet-black eyes gazed steadily at Qin Zhiyan. She reached out and tightly grasped Qin Zhiyan’s palm. His hand was large and very warm from soaking in hot water. Qing Xia gently curved the corners of her mouth into a smile, saying tenderly: “Zhiyan, no one can bully me. As long as you’re well, I’m happy doing anything. Thinking that every night I can fall asleep listening to your breathing, and every morning when I wake up, the first face I see is yours – I feel indescribably joyful. Never in my life have I lived such warm and peaceful days, so don’t say sorry to me. That makes me very uneasy, as if you’re about to leave. Zhiyan, we made a promise to always be together, supporting and trusting each other. So no matter what happens, you can’t abandon me, alright?”