There are only a few days left until the first month. If they couldn't resolve this quickly, Han Rui would likely spend the New Year in prison...
Who exactly was resorting to such underhanded tactics?
The Crown Prince?
Prince Yun?
Wang Fu?
Or Cai You?
Although this manor was Han family property, for safety reasons, all the servants had been carefully vetted by them.
Without Yuan Xingchi's command, those servants would never have set foot in this courtyard.
Moreover, it was now noon, and the entire courtyard fell into a deep silence.
One thought after another flashed rapidly through Yuan Xingchi's mind.
On the surface, Huang Qianshan indeed seemed to be Wang Fu's man, yet he couldn't fathom why Wang Fu would want to stir up trouble at this particular time.
Could it be that another traitor had emerged from Wang Fu's ranks?
As this thought occurred, a peculiar idea suddenly struck Yuan Xingchi.
Instead of searching aimlessly on his own, why not involve Wang Fu and make him worry as well?
That fellow Wang Chao'an hadn't been deployed for a long time, perhaps it was time to assign him a new task?
Lost in thought, Yuan Xingchi suddenly chuckled.
Having successfully accomplished several tasks in succession, Wang Chao'an had finally solidified his position as one of Wang's favored individuals.
Furthermore, compared to the other stewards, his life was incredibly carefree.
Essentially, his monthly task was to take the manor's copper coins and wander around outside, indulging in food, drink, and entertainment. Even the manor's head steward envied his life.
"Steward Wang, you've arrived?"
Although Grandma Cao's meat pies were just a simple snack, Wang Chao'an was particularly fond of them.
He felt unwell if he didn't have them every few days.
Although there were indeed other pressing matters in the manor these past few days, he had specifically made time today to come to the shop.
"The usual, three meat pies first, and a bowl of milk custard!"
Wang Chao'an spoke as he headed towards a private room upstairs.
"Long time no see, Steward Wang!"
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Wang Chao'an's whole body trembled.
When he clearly saw the person in front of him, he quickly forced a smile onto his face.
"Sir, it's you!"
Although he had suffered greatly at Yuan Xingchi's hands, and he knew that Yuan Xingchi was no ordinary person, even potentially an enemy of Wang Fu, he also understood that without Yuan Xingchi, he would likely still be scheming against others within the Wang family.
If only for the sake of his own comfortable life, he had to wish Yuan Xingchi a long life.
After all, once the cunning rabbit is dead, the hounds are cooked; when the high birds are gone, the good bows are put away. Without Yuan Xingchi, he would have no reason to exist.
"I thought Steward Wang had forgotten me by now, but I didn't expect you to remember so clearly!"
As Yuan Xingchi spoke, he reached out and poured himself a cup of tea from his empty cup.
"You jest, sir. Even if I forgot anyone else, I could never forget you!"
Wang Chao'an, being quite perceptive, sat down opposite Yuan Xingchi.
"Sir, do you have something for me to do today? Please rest assured, just give your orders!"
Whenever Yuan Xingchi came to see him, strange things tended to happen. If he didn't cooperate, he would inevitably suffer a little.
At this point, Wang Chao'an had grown accustomed to it. After all, he wasn't a saint, and he didn't have the bad habits of scholars. If he couldn't resist, it was better to just lie down and enjoy it.
"I do have some news here that I find rather strange and would like you to help me verify. Is this Prime Minister Wang's intention?"
As Yuan Xingchi spoke, he pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve.
"Then how should I inform you after I've investigated?"
Wang Chao'an asked directly, without even looking at the contents.
"That's simple. Someone will come to find you after you've investigated!"
"Yes!"
"Alright, the meat pies here are indeed delicious. Steward Wang, please enjoy yourself here. I'll be leaving now!"
After Yuan Xingchi finished speaking, he didn't even glance at Wang Chao'an and turned to walk outside.
Only after he had walked away did Wang Chao'an pick up the letter Yuan Xingchi had given him and examine it closely.
However, try as he might, he couldn't figure out if there was anything else to it.
After all, over the past eight months or so, he had come to realize that he was merely a dog kept by Wang Fu. The affairs of the court were not something he could meddle in.
If Wang Fu didn't give instructions, he wouldn't even bother to inquire.
He would just take care of his own responsibilities, either eating, drinking, and having fun, or secretly saving some copper coins. As for the rest, it had nothing to do with him.
"Is this from that esteemed gentleman?"
Upon returning to the Wang manor, Wang Chao'an went directly to Wang Fu's study.
"Yes, that esteemed gentleman came to see me personally today and asked me to help him see if this is Prime Minister's idea."
Seeing the grave expression on Wang Fu's face, Wang Chao'an quickly and cautiously said.
"This is considered a meritorious service for you. You may withdraw now. Go to the accounting department and collect five hundred guan, and say it's my reward for you!"
After a moment of contemplation, Wang Fu waved his hand.
"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your reward!"
Hearing this, Wang Chao'an was overjoyed. It was just a letter he brought back, and he unexpectedly received such a substantial reward.
"Come out, take a look at this."
After Wang Chao'an had left, Wang Fu looked at the screen beside him with a grim expression.
"Yes!"
Hearing him, Qin Hui walked out, bowed to Wang Fu, and then reached out to take the letter Wang Chao'an had placed on the table.
"What does this guy want? Is his head full of dog shit?"
Wang Fu said as he heavily slammed the table.
"I feel like this matter might not be that simple. Could this Lord Huang..."
Qin Hui said, his brow furrowing.
What Wang Fu was doing was known to everyone in the realm. The distance between Bianliang and Mengzhou wasn't that far. Qin Hui found it difficult to speak for Huang Qianshan's actions.
"Are you saying that this fellow has colluded with someone behind my back?"
As Wang Fu said this, his eyes suddenly flashed with ferocity.