I died tragically in my previous life, and I want to be an empress in my next life

Early the next morning, Xuanyuan Ping went to Yime Garden, claiming that he was going to settle accounts, but he was not so confident. He also knew that Prince Jing's Mansion and he himself still had to rely on Pei Zhiyan and the General's Mansion in many aspects.

Xuanyuan Ping stood at the gate of Yime Garden, took a deep breath, and then slowly walked into the yard.

When he came over, Pei Zhiyan was having breakfast. She was quite surprised to see him coming, but she knew in her heart why he came, but she didn't expect him to come so early in the morning.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you." Pei Zhiyan put down the bowl and chopsticks in her hands, stood up and saluted.

Xuanyuan Ping nodded slightly, walked to the main seat and sat down like a boss.

Pei Zhiyan walked slowly to Xuanyuan Ping's side and asked with a smile, "My Lord, what is the important matter that brought you here today?"

Xuanyuan Ping observed the table calmly. Oh, it was really rich, with four kinds of porridge, eight side dishes, and various cakes and desserts. One person could not finish them all. The breakfast at Yuxiangxie just now was much more shabby than this.

Xuanyuan Ping pondered for a moment, and finally said, "I haven't been to Yimei Garden for a long time. I came to see the princess."

When these words came out, Pei Zhiyan sneered in her heart. This nonsense, I am afraid you don't believe it yourself. You never come to the palace for no reason. But she said, "Your Highness, you come here so early, I wonder if you can have breakfast? If not, you can have breakfast with me."

"No need, I have used it before." Xuanyuan Ping said calmly, and then pretended to ask casually, "I heard that the princess has reduced the expenses of Yuxiangxie recently?"

Pei Zhiyan smiled slightly and said softly, "Yes, the expenses of Yuxiangxie have been a bit too high recently, and I want to save some money."

"But I think Yuxiangxie has been too frugal in her food and clothing these days." Xuanyuan Ping glanced at the food on the table, "Take breakfast for example. The princess' breakfast is so rich, but Yuxiangxie's breakfast only has a bowl of porridge, two side dishes and two steamed buns."

"No way, Your Majesty." Pei Zhiyan was slightly surprised. "Yuxiangxie has its own small kitchen. They usually prepare their own meals. Could it be that the servants in the courtyard secretly withheld the food?"

"A good cook cannot cook without rice. Without money, what can they cook?" Xuanyuan Ping frowned slightly, feeling unhappy.

At this time, this Pei is still pretending. It was obviously she who reduced the expenses of Yuxiangxie, but she is still pretending to know nothing. How hypocritical.

I thought she was a magnanimous person, but I didn't expect that she couldn't even tolerate her own sister.

At this time, Pei Zhiyan had ordered someone to clean up the breakfast and bring some hot tea. She picked up a cup of hot tea, took a sip, and murmured in a low voice, "It's impossible. It's only the beginning of the month. The monthly allowance of Yuxiangxie is 500 taels, the same as mine. Someone sent it over early, so it shouldn't be insufficient."

Xuanyuan Ping was slightly stunned, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Yinliu," Pei Zhiyan called out, "Go and ask Butler Li and Madam Xue to come over and see what's going on."

Butler Li and Mother Xue are both Xuanyuan Ping's own people. Since they are here, I believe the matter will be solved.

Not long after, Butler Li came running over, sweating profusely, with the account book in his hand.

"This old servant pays his respects to the prince and princess." Butler Li bowed his head and kowtowed.

"Butler Li, please stand up." Pei Zhiyan said politely.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty." Butler Li stood up, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and stood aside.

"Butler Li, don't be nervous. I called you here today because of some accounting issues." Pei Zhiyan said gently, "A few days ago, you said that the mansion's expenses in the past two months have exceeded the budget. Fortunately, the prince is here, so please take a look."

At Pei Zhiyan's signal, Butler Li handed the account book to Xuanyuan Ping. Xuanyuan Ping took it and looked through it. Suddenly, his eyes stopped on a line of numbers and a puzzled expression appeared on his face.

"In the past two months, the mansion has been spending more than three thousand taels per month? What's going on?" Xuanyuan Ping frowned and asked seriously.

Butler Li stood aside, looking embarrassed. He hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "This... this is..."

Pei Zhiyan was sitting nearby. Seeing Butler Li's hesitation and difficulty, she said calmly, "Butler Li, you just need to answer truthfully."

Butler Li took a deep breath, lowered his head and said, "This is... Yuxiangxie Huachao."

Xuanyuan Ping's face darkened instantly, with a hint of disbelief in his doubt, "Isn't it possible?"

"Your Highness, every account here is recorded clearly. Take a look here." Butler Li stepped forward and pointed at the account book. His finger slid across the account book and stopped on a line. "The amount of silver spent by Yuxiangxie in the past two months has exceeded five thousand taels."

Xuanyuan Ping continued to look through the records, frowning more and more at every number and every line. On the fifth day of last month, he spent two pieces of gold-lettered satin and one piece of woven gold. On the eighth day of this month, he spent two pieces of Ula mink skin and two pairs of jade-studded gold hairpins. These things together cost a lot...

At this time, Mother Xue also came in and bowed, "Greetings to the Prince and Princess."

"No need to be polite, Madam Xue. Please take a seat." Pei Zhiyan smiled and walked forward to help Madam Xue sit down.

Xuanyuan Ping also stood up and gave Mother Xue a helping hand. After Mother Xue sat down steadily, he asked in confusion, "How come the monthly expenditure of Yuxiangxie is so high?

"Concubine Xuan sends people to withdraw money every now and then, and I dare not stop her at will. The princess just issued an order recently, saying that all courtyards must withdraw money according to the rules..." Butler Li's words revealed helplessness.

Xuanyuan Ping pondered for a moment, then said, "Well, okay, Steward Li, there is nothing for you to do here, you can go back first."

Butler Li responded and walked out.

After Butler Li left, Madam Xue put down her teacup and said with a worried look on her face, "Your Highness, it is not my place to interfere in the affairs of my master, but this matter is indeed inappropriate. There are still some rules to follow. Concubine Xuan has been withdrawing money in this way. If everyone follows suit, I am afraid that the treasury of the palace will become empty in the future."

Xuanyuan Ping's face turned red and white after hearing these words. He originally wanted to seek justice for Xuan'er, but he didn't expect this result.

Xuanyuan Ping turned and looked at Mother Xue, "What Mother Xue said makes sense."

Pei Zhiyan chuckled and glanced at Xuanyuan Ping, "Your Majesty, I am new here and not familiar with the rules of the palace. It is understandable that I have overstepped the boundaries. I am willing to allocate some money from my share to help you."

"If it's still not enough, you can use my dowry to pay for it."