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The night was deep, and the study in Qin Manor was quiet and still. Qin Fenghua, dressed in a light moon-white robe with lightly rolled lapels and cuffs embroidered with blue flowers, appeared elegant yet understated.
Her fingertips moved over the remnants of her father's documents. Ever since her father had been wrongfully imprisoned, the Qin Family had been in turmoil, and the atmosphere within the manor was tense.
Yet, Qin Fenghua understood that it was precisely during such times that one must remain calm and composed.
She meticulously examined the account books, her fingers pausing slightly on one page.
It contained the purchasing records from her father's tenure, and among the expenditures, there was a substantial amount with vague descriptions and unclear destinations.
As she pondered this further, a sense of doubt crept into her mind. This sum of money was closely linked to the timeline of the incident, raising numerous suspicions.
Qin Fenghua murmured softly to herself, "Father has always been cautious, and the accounts in our manor have always been clear. Why would there be such obscure transactions?" She carefully tore out that page and spread it open under the lamp, running her fingers over the paper's surface.
Taking a deep breath, she thought to herself, "If someone is indeed trying to frame him, they must have planted the seeds of trouble within these financial transactions." She then pulled out several old account books and compared them one by one. Finally, she discovered some similar handwriting between a certain Shanghao's records and the palace's purchasing lists.
Having gathered the questionable pages of accounts, Qin Fenghua tucked them into a hidden silk pouch close to her.
She pushed open the window and gazed out at the courtyard where willow catkins danced in the wind, landing softly on her fingertips.
She softly recited, "Dew-soaked flowers on the willow bank; at midnight, I entrust my heart's concerns to the east wind."
As dawn broke slightly over the Qin Family's courtyard, Qin Fenghua stood beneath a willow tree. She wore a simple light apricot-colored gauze dress with only a white jade hairpin adorning her hair. Her demeanor was gentle yet exuded an undeniable tranquility.
Soon after, an Accountant approached slowly. Over fifty years old, he was dressed plainly but appeared tidy and well-groomed.
He cupped his hands and bowed slightly, whispering, "Miss, it's been a long time."
Qin Fenghua smiled gently and handed him a cup of tea. "Thank you for your hard work. My father once said, 'A true friend is hard to find.' The family relies heavily on your management."
The Accountant's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. After a moment of silence, he replied softly, "I am unworthy of such praise; I only wish to serve the Qin Family with all my heart."
Qin Fenghua's eyes flickered as she maintained her calm demeanor. "On the day of the incident, were there any unusual purchases in the household? I have found a discrepancy in the accounts regarding a sum of money that seems unclear, and it troubles me."
The Accountant lowered his head to sip his tea. After a moment, he responded with a proverb: "In this world, there are true friends who share their innermost thoughts. Miss, you inquire thoroughly; I cannot speak recklessly. However... some matters are difficult to put into words; only the heart knows."
With that, he slowly pulled out a neatly folded note from his sleeve and quietly handed it to Qin Fenghua.
She covered her face with her sleeve and naturally accepted it, her heart trembling slightly.
The Accountant added in a low voice, "This matter is of great importance; you must not trust others lightly."
Qin Fenghua's gaze shifted as she sighed softly. "Rest assured, I will be cautious."
In the afternoon, Qin Fenghua changed into a light gray long gown typical of men, tied her hair up, and donned a blue cloak. She adorned herself with a string of jade pendants, disguising herself as a scholar.
She walked calmly, avoiding the gaze of the servants in the household, and made her way alone to the largest silver shop in the city.
The entrance of the silver shop was bustling with activity. A gilded sign reading "Heng Xin Tong Bao" hung from the eaves. The doorman noticed her distinguished attire and hurriedly approached to lead her inside.
Inside the silver shop, the Accountants were busy with their tasks.
Qin Fenghua spoke in a clear voice, "I have been entrusted by my father to investigate the flow of silver from last season; could you please retrieve the accounts for me?"
The shopkeeper, nearing fifty, had a smile at the corners of his eyes but was exceptionally cautious. "May I ask which esteemed personage your father is?"
Qin Fenghua presented the Qin Family name card, and the shopkeeper's expression shifted slightly as he repeatedly acknowledged it.
Just as he was about to adjust the accounts, a figure entered from the side door, dressed in a dark blue robe adorned with cloud patterns, a white jade ornament at his waist. His features were handsome, and he moved with an air of confidence.
Shen Zimo caught sight of Qin Fenghua and smiled faintly, whispering, "There are many ears here; do you have time to talk?" His gaze was gentle but carried an underlying warning.
Understanding his intent, Qin Fenghua stepped aside to follow him out of the inner courtyard of the silver shop.
In the courtyard, where artificial hills and flowing water created a serene environment, with moss covering the ground, Shen Zimo lowered his voice. "Given our family ties, Qin Fenghua, I fear there are those in the court deliberately concealing your father's case. The accounts of the silver shop may not be entirely trustworthy."
Qin Fenghua's eyes glimmered like water as she asked softly, "Do you have any other clues, Shen Gongzi?" Shen Zimo gazed deeply at her and suddenly smiled. "You are sharp, Qin Fenghua; you will discern truth from falsehood. However, some matters should not be rushed. Proceed cautiously; that is the best strategy."
With that, he produced a jade token engraved with the characters "Cheng Xin" from his sleeve and said quietly, "If you encounter difficulties, you can use this to find me."
Qin Fenghua accepted the jade token, warmth blossoming in her heart while her expression remained calm. "Thank you for your assistance, Shen Gongzi. I will repay this favor in due time."
By evening, Qin Fenghua had returned to her family's Cloth Shop's backyard.
The yard was piled high with bolts of satin in various colors, and the shopkeeper along with his subordinates were busy counting accounts.
Qin Fenghua quietly instructed her trusted maidservant, "Look into the purchase records related to the palace over the past three months, especially for any anomalies on the day of the incident." The maidservant complied and went off to investigate.
Before long, a subordinate brought back a purchase record and whispered, "Miss, on the day of the incident, Wang from the Inner Palace Female Officials urged multiple purchases and had close dealings with our household."
Qin Fenghua carefully reviewed the accounts, her snow-white fingertip lingering on Wang's name. A thought stirred within her: "This female official might be the breakthrough." Just as she intended to investigate further, a servant approached with news: "Miss, it is late; Madam calls for you to return home."
With light footsteps, Qin Fenghua made her way down the corridor when suddenly a black-clad servant emerged from the shadows and whispered, "Miss, there is a secret letter." Qin Fenghua took the letter with slightly trembling fingers and quickly concealed it in her sleeve before calmly entering her chamber.
In the chamber, Qin Mu sat gracefully before the embroidery frame, her needle and thread dancing in her hands, her expression gentle yet melancholic.
“Mother,” Qin Fenghua called softly. Qin Mu looked up, her eyes filled with love and concern. “Qin Fenghua, the winds outside are fierce; have you tired yourself?”
Qin Fenghua shook her head and recounted the clues she had gathered that day, as they together sifted through the list of her father's former acquaintances from his years in office.
Side by side, the mother and daughter reminisced about those old friends who had shared hardships with them, assessing the remaining connections and support for their family.
As Qin Mu meticulously embroidered a bridal veil, she advised, “Qin Fenghua, the family's reputation rests upon you. Although entering the palace for selection is perilous, it may be your only path to survival.” Qin Fenghua gazed at the half-finished veil, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.
“Do not worry, Mother. I will not disappoint you,” she replied softly.
In the stillness of the night, Qin Fenghua sat alone before her dressing table, her reflection in the bronze mirror revealing her delicate features.
She reached out to touch her cheek and murmured to herself, “To save a nation from peril relies on wisdom; who knows if true feelings will emerge in times of storm?”
She took out the secret letter handed to her by a servant earlier and slowly unfolded it under the candlelight.
The handwriting was elegant but lacked a signature, containing only a few terse words: “There are changes in the Eastern Palace; proceed with caution.”
A jolt ran through Qin Fenghua's heart; matters concerning the Eastern Palace were tied to the heir apparent and involved deeper intrigues...
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