2692 Eating People
“Five instances of house renovations and expansions have occurred in the past 15 years. There has also been the acquisition of seasonal clothing and jewelry for Lord and Miss. The Auction House has displayed a profligate attitude, procuring precious medicinal materials, spiritual weapons, and more!”
“Shut your mouth!” Mu Jingfeng’s roar reverberated. If he could, he would have eagerly silenced Mr. Xi by any means necessary.
“Expenditures within the Mu Clan’s senior branch have surged incrementally during their exile years. Extravagance and wastefulness have taken root. By our calculations, they’ve disbursed nearly 90 million within this 15-year span.”
/He audaciously exploited his mother’s dowry for his personal gain./
Qiao Mu concurred.
Mu Jingfeng’s rage-induced tremors were palpable. He jabbed a finger at Qiao Mu and bellowed, “Ungrateful, unfilial daughter! If not for your stepmother’s mediation and adept management of the establishments over these years, would the Butterfly Pavilion, Couture House, Listless Pavilion, and Listless Pavilion find themselves ablaze today?”
“Even if you reclaim governance of these three lineages, your competence will falter.”
Qiao Mu shot her a withering glance. “And what if I don’t govern effectively? Whether I take pleasure in criticizing it whimsically, it’s not your concern!”
His Excellency Cao maintained an air of smugness, internally applauding the young crown prince consort.
/Wonderfully berated!/
She had no reason to withhold her rebuke towards this repugnant man who had unabashedly misappropriated her wife’s possessions.
Mu Jingfeng’s complexion drained to a pallid hue, his head spinning with fury. “You, you! You undutiful daughter!”
“Cease your prattle.” Qiao Mu dismissed with a wave and redirected her gaze towards Mu Qingya. She stated calmly, “Undoubtedly, it’s been Madam Consort Mu who has aptly managed matters throughout these years. Nonetheless, the spoils you reaped from my mother’s estate aren’t insignificant, are they?”
“Over 15 years and a 90-million expenditure. Such convenience for all of you!”
Qiao Mu’s voice turned icy. “Madam Consort Mu, I shall allocate 2 million annually as your stipend. Calculating 15 years, that sums up to 30 million. Considering your Mu Clan’s eldest branch expended 90 million from my mother’s estate, it stands that you must repay 60 million. Moreover, the profit of 220 million remains intact, not a single cent less. I expect everything to be prepared within three days.”
“Failure to comply will lead you to witness the Emperor’s involvement.”
Mu Jingfeng’s rage was so intense that his lips quivered in anger. “You… you are utterly unreasonable! How can you assume our daily expenses rely on your mother’s funds? I-I! It’s not as if I lack assets! You… you…”
/They had crossed a line, utterly crossed it!/
/How could they confidently assert they utilized Long Chuyun’s funds for daily expenses?/
/Moreover, hadn’t they just stated a projected profit of 220 million? Even if they expended 60 million, or rather, the total amount amounted to 220 million spirit currency?/
/Why, oh why, tack on another 60 million to the 220 million?/
/Wasn’t this additional 60 million nothing short of blatant robbery?/
/Do they think I’m a complete fool?/ Mu Jingfeng’s eruption of fury left him trembling.
“You are well aware of how I am spending the funds intended for my mother.” Qiao Mu regarded him with an icy stare. “Regardless, you shall not withhold a single cent below the compensation of 280 million spirit currency!”
Having said this, she turned her gaze toward the capital magistrate seated nearby. “Excellency Cao, I trust you to examine the financial records. What is your assessment of my proposed resolution?”
“Exceedingly reasonable,” Excellency Cao affirmed, perusing the records and swiftly voicing his approval. “Crown Prince Consort’s approach is impeccable. I hold true admiration for your methods.”
You sycophant! Mu Jingfeng’s fury threatened to engulf him, his eyes nearly popping from their sockets as he struggled to catch his breath.
Mo Lian was rendered speechless in an instant.
/Who could predict whether this intractable Cao had undergone a personality change?/
Who claimed stubborn Cao was impervious to reason? He now demonstrated remarkable flexibility for his cherished Qiaoqiao.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om