Transmigrated into an Ancient M-Preg Novel as the Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 15
The saying “Imperial princesses are judged like commoners” has always been just that—a saying.
When has an imperial princess ever paid a price for murder, let alone killing her own maid?
Forget the imperial family; even for ordinary aristocratic families, the life and death of a contracted servant was merely fodder for gossip, hardly a major affair.
An Yuan taking people to search the managers’ homes and residences didn’t strike anyone as wrong; this was the majesty of the imperial family.
With Manager Qian’s guilt proven, Shen Liunian ignored Yun Chenghuai’s earnest gaze and turned to ask, “Your Highness, how do you think it should be handled?”
Should it be the extermination of nine generations, or just the punishment of one, without collective responsibility?
This was also Shen Liunian’s test. Punishing servants was a minor matter; to the imperial family, it wasn’t even an issue.
However, this time, among the thousands of people in the manor, how many could withstand an investigation? Even if they weren’t severely punished, the sheer number of servants would certainly attract outside attention.
Yun Chenghuai had been confined to the manor recently, maintaining a low profile. A high-profile, extensive handling of servants would inevitably draw attention.
If punishing household servants truly attracted the notice of the other imperial princesses, or even the Emperor, wouldn’t it be counterproductive?
This all depended on her choice. Shen Liunian’s question was another test of her attitude.
Since she had completely handed over the manor’s authority to Shen Liunian, she would support whatever the other party decided.
If a series of events were triggered, she would absolutely not let Shen Liunian stand in front.
“Madam should decide. The entire manor is at Madam’s disposal; I will naturally cooperate.”
Yun Chenghuai filled a cup with water and dutifully presented it to Shen Liunian. “Madam, have some tea.”
Shen Liunian merely snorted. “What if my handling of this extends your period of confinement?”
That would be even better, Yun Chenghuai’s eyes lit up.
A brief confinement would allow her to make more preparations. Anyway, her current living expenses were the best, not miserable at all.
After all, once her confinement ended, she would still be a Southern Qin Princess and the Crown Princess’s younger sister. Who would dare to neglect her?
The original owner’s ten-year confinement was miserable because it was too long. After the Crown Princess died and the new emperor ascended, the original owner’s life would definitely not be easy.
She calculated that her confinement was nearly halfway over. After it ended, she would directly face the risks of succession disputes.
If she could truly be confined for a few more days, it might not be a bad thing.
Yun Chenghuai smiled. “Madam, please handle it as you wish. Since I’ve said it, the entire manor will only listen to Madam. No matter how Madam decides, I will support it.”
“What if I’m confined? Am I not already in confinement?”
Shen Liunian observed her for a while, unsure if she believed her words, then turned to the managers and nannies in the courtyard. “You all heard Her Highness’s words.”
“Manager Qian embezzled imperial gifts from Her Majesty and the late Empress. Summon people from the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple.”
The Ministry of Justice? The Dali Temple? Everyone panicked. Involving the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple meant the conviction would not be light. Servants who stole would be beaten to death. Stealing officially manufactured goods was a capital offense punishable by the extermination of three generations. Manager Qian not only stole officially manufactured goods but also imperial gifts, which would absolutely result in the extermination of nine generations.
As a Princess, why involve the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple in handling her own servants? Bringing household matters outside would surely become a laughingstock.
Any noble family who heard of it would surely mock them.
The original owner always cared about her reputation and would certainly not agree to transfer the case to the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple.
But Yun Chenghuai was not the original owner. This generation was also different from the older one. In her view, substance was far more important than appearance.
Moreover, her mind immediately reacted, her eyes lighting up. She conspiratorially leaned close to Shen Liunian’s ear, completely disregarding the other’s disdainful look.
Shen Liunian didn’t pull away, which was already giving her a lot of face.
“Madam, do you mean that if we hand this matter over to the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple, although we’ll certainly be gossiped about a bit, no rumors of us mistreating servants will spread, and outsiders won’t be able to get a handle on us?”
Yun Chenghuai used “we” constantly, making Shen Liunian subtly turn her head. Her ear was ticklish, and so was her heart.
However, when did Dog Yun become so smart? Smart enough not to be like her.
If the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple became involved, the Emperor would at most blame her for poor household management. To be honest, she had just gotten married and moved into the manor less than a year ago.
Previously, Princess Chuxiang Manor was managed by the palace guards. Other imperial princesses had their birth mothers overseeing them, often sending nannies to inspect their residences, but the original owner didn’t. The manor was a mess when she took over.
The original owner was utterly clueless about household affairs. The manor was managed jointly by the housekeeper and the palace guards. The housekeeper was old, and the palace guards were corrupt. The manor didn’t completely collapse largely because it was a princess manor.
If the manor’s operations had completely ceased, apart from the Princess, the thousands of people in the manor would likely have been annihilated.
Yun Chenghuai loudly commanded, “An Yuan, send someone to invite the people from the Dali Temple.”
Shen Liunian’s ear was jolted by her loud voice, and she couldn’t help but lean away slightly.
“Confess yourselves. When the Ministry of Justice and Dali Temple officials arrive, Her Highness and this Princess Consort can intercede for you. Otherwise, you will remain in prison.”
Shen Liunian said coolly, then waved her hand. “Continue auditing the accounts.”
At these words, one of the hesitating managers immediately stepped forward to confess.
Once there was one, there was a second. Soon, more than half of the people confessed their crimes.
The remaining ones who hadn’t confessed were weighing the pros and cons. Some felt their masters wouldn’t protect them and immediately confessed. Others believed they had information their masters needed and gambled that their masters would protect them.
By the time the Ministry of Justice and Dali Temple officials arrived, most of the people had already confessed.
The personal guard unit, cooperating with the Shen family’s servants, recorded all the evidence of their crimes. As for those who were unwilling to admit guilt, they had been given a chance. Whatever their fate, it was their own doing. Yun Chenghuai would not be a bleeding heart.
“Song An, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice, greets Her Highness Princess Chuxiang and the Princess Consort.”
“Xu Tuo, Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, greets Her Highness Princess Chuxiang and the Princess Consort.”
Both deputy officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple had come, sufficient to show the two departments’ regard for her, Princess Chuxiang.
Yun Chenghuai’s gaze lingered only on Xu Tuo, the Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, not because Song An was old, but because Xu Tuo was young, fair-faced, and refined.
It was because she recalled information about Xu Tuo, an important female supporting character, from the novel.
Xu Tuo, Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, hailed from the Xu family of Qiantang. At seventeen, she placed first in the imperial examination. Six years later, at only twenty-three, she held the fourth-rank position of Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple.
Her peers from the same examination who had reached a fourth-rank position were all assigned to external posts with no real power, unlike her, who remained in the capital as the second-in-command of the Dali Temple.
This was partly due to Xu Tuo’s family background, but more so inseparable from her own capabilities.
The Dali Temple Minister was elderly; barring any surprises, Xu Tuo would succeed him.
A third-rank official not yet thirty years old was rare in the entire imperial court.
Given that the matter concerned a princess manor, the Dali Temple naturally wouldn’t send just anyone. The position of Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple was sufficient.
Moreover, no matter how disliked Princess Chuxiang was by Her Majesty, she was still the current Crown Princess’s younger sister, so how could the Dali Temple dare to disrespect her?
Xu Tuo, in her crimson official robes, stood straight and elegant as she performed the bow, instantly revealing herself as a dignified and upright noble lady.
A noble scion, like jade and pine, exuding a pleasant fragrance. Moreover, Xu Tuo was beautiful—truly a noble young lady of distinction.
Yun Chenghuai was momentarily captivated by such a face, but quickly snapped back to reality.
What if she’s a noble scion? She’s just a love rival!