Is the intention to establish authority for Sun Accountant in the outer courtyard?
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Let’s wait and see."
Hong Ye did not look up and said, "Miss, just watch."
Cui Ming chimed in, "I want to see it too."
Hong Ye, fueled by determination, clattered the abacus beads, finally completing the tally of the inner courtyard’s accounts with the help of Qin Yuan and Cui Ming.
Transcribing each record, over the years, the total is not small.
Hong Ye clicked her tongue, "Sixth Madam has been skimming off profits for so many years; her wealth must be substantial. In the future, when Miss manages the house, it will be rightfully filial, amassing quite a fortune."
Cui Ming said, "Sixth Madam’s wealth probably isn’t that much. Sixth Master said she subsidizes her family, always asking for money, and the profits can’t be swallowed alone; they must be shared."
Qin Yuan said nothing, just staring absentmindedly at a few lines of text.
Hong Ye asked, "Miss, do you feel something is amiss?"
Qin Yuan hesitated.
"Something seems off, just..."
Cui Ming leaned over for a look; Miss was focused on the record of the monthly stipend days, occasionally delayed by a few days.
This isn’t considered a major error, but during the accounting, it was marked out.
Calculated, in a year, five or six months had the monthly stipend issued later than scheduled.
Hong Ye saw this too, blinked her eyes but said nothing.
Qin Yuan said, "Hong Ye, when you tally the outer courtyard’s books, remember to mark this as well."
Hong Ye agreed, curiously asking, "Is this important?"
Qin Yuan replied, "It’s hard to say now, I just suddenly recalled something."
Seeing Qin Yuan’s solemn expression, Hong Ye didn’t ask further.
The next day, after finishing daily tasks, Hong Ye informed Qin Yuan, and then took Hong Mian to find Sun Accountant, coincidentally encountering Gu Shiliu.
Gu Shiliu asked, "What are you doing with Hong Mian?"
Hong Ye, accompanied by two nannies helping carry the accounts, replied to the inquiry, "We’ve finished tallying these years’ accounts from the inner courtyard and are returning them."
Gu Shiliu was shocked, his eyes widening, "So quickly?"
Hong Ye lightly laughed, gave a hum, and said, "Naturally."
The smug look was indescribably proud.
Gu Shiliu asked, "Have you tallied anything?"
Hong Ye said, "I can’t disclose that; once Miss informs the Marquis, you’ll naturally know."
Gu Shiliu didn’t ask further, scratching his head and frowning, "Returning the accounts, why must both you and Hong Mian go?"
Hong Ye winked, "I requested this of Madam."
"Why?"
Hong Mian chimed in with a laugh, "Naturally because Sister Hong Ye wants to vent for me. Last time I went to Sun Accountant to record the purchase of Jade Beauty Cream for Madam, he kept evading, implying Madam was exaggerating accounts, and insisted on consulting Sixth Madam before recording. It really annoyed me. When I told Sister Hong Ye about it, she was just as upset."
Gu Shiliu snorted, "Who knows what madness took hold of Sun Accountant; last time Shen Changle wanted money for printing Sixth Master’s poetry collection, he was troubled—despite having Sixth Master’s note and my testimony was insufficient, insisting on Marquis’s private seal. Nearly couldn’t get the money in time before being locked in the mansion."
Hong Mian said, "Sixteen Brother, why don’t you come along to watch the fun?"
Gu Shiliu thought and said, "Alright, nothing else to do, may as well go and watch."
Hong Mian secretly told Hong Ye, "Sister Hong Ye, with Sixteen Brother standing by, Sun Accountant surely won’t hesitate to hand over the accounts?"
Hong Ye laughed, "You cheeky girl, with thoughts more scattered than a sieve, you’ve got Sixteen Brother trapped within."
Hong Mian said, "It’s all because Sun Accountant angered so many; otherwise Sixteen Brother wouldn’t be so busy, joining us to watch the excitement."
"Alright, you with your clever mouth, say what you will."
Gu Shiliu heard silently, pondered; each maid by Madam’s side was sharper than the next. Soon he planned to bring Xiao Hong over; with three Hong, who knows what mischief awaits.
He didn’t intend to follow for nothing; all along, he inquired about Madam’s recent activities, whether mentioning the Marquis.
Upon arrival, Sun Accountant was leisurely working on an abacus.
After sealing the mansion, affairs within had reduced considerably.
Daily supplies withdrawal and handling were recorded by steward and housekeeper, monthly inventory and ledger included. Routine purchases were from designated vendors, recorded per agreed schedule.