Reborn to be replaced, remarried to the royal palace to raise children and train husband

Zheng Longyu gritted his teeth and said, "My Lady, I really don't know. But I swear that I have never embezzled a single grain of food from the kitchen."

Gu Qinlan looked at Zheng Longyu coldly.

Zheng Longyu lowered his head and kept saying: His eyes were full of fear and despair, and he trembled and said: "Princess, I... my loyalty to the palace is witnessed by heaven and earth, and I never lied. Please have mercy on me, don't..."

Gu Qinlan looked at Zheng Longyu coldly with a blank expression, her eyes revealing deep suspicion and distrust. She said coldly: "Zheng Longyu, you keep saying that you are loyal to the palace, but your actions make people doubt your loyalty. Since you are so loyal, then open your heart and let us see if your heart is as red as you say."

As soon as these words came out, Zheng Longyu's face turned pale instantly, his legs softened, and he knelt on the ground. He looked at Gu Qinlan in panic and begged, "Princess, please have mercy, I... I really didn't do anything wrong. I am loyal to the palace, and the heaven and earth can bear witness to it. Please believe me."

At this time, Zheng Longyu's father and wife rushed in after hearing the news. Seeing the scene of Zheng Longyu's heart being cut out, they were immediately frightened out of their wits. They hurriedly knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly to beg for mercy.

Zheng Longyu's father burst into tears and begged, "Princess, please have mercy and let Longyu go. He is really innocent. Our whole family can vouch for his loyalty to the palace. Please don't hurt him."

Zheng Longyu's wife also cried bitterly. She hugged Zheng Longyu tightly and sobbed: "Princess, please let him go. He is our lifeblood. If he dies, our family will not be able to survive. Please have mercy and let him go."

Gu Qinlan looked at the miserable state of Zheng Longyu's family and was shaken. But she still said firmly: "Zheng Longyu, if you are truly loyal to the palace, then open your heart and let us see your sincerity. Otherwise, don't blame me, Gu Qinlan, for being ruthless."

Zheng Longyu looked at Gu Qinlan, his eyes full of fear and uneasiness, and said in a trembling voice: "Princess, I...I really didn't betray you, please understand!"

Gu Qinlan glanced at him coldly, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, but it was soon replaced by determination. She opened her red lips and said firmly: "Zheng Longyu, do you know that what you have done has violated the bottom line of Prince Duan's Mansion? How can I allow you to betray me like this!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Longyu's father, Lord Zheng, quickly knelt and crawled over, then stood up and said, "Princess, please forgive my son. He was just impulsive and didn't really betray you! Please give him a chance to reform!"

Zheng Longyu's wife also burst into tears. She knelt in front of Gu Qinlan with a trembling body and begged, "Princess, please have mercy on me and let my husband go! We are willing to work for Prince Duan's Mansion to make up for his mistakes!"

Gu Qinlan looked at the tearful couple and was a little shaken. But she thought of Zheng Longyu's betrayal and strengthened her resolve. She said coldly, "Sir Zheng, you didn't teach your son well, which led to what happened today. I will not pursue the matter any further considering your old age and frailty. But Zheng Longyu, he must pay the price!"

Zheng Longyu's face turned pale instantly when he heard this. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms, but he still said firmly: "Princess, I am willing to accept any punishment, I just ask you not to open my heart. I...I really didn't betray you!"

Zheng Longyu's face turned pale instantly, and he bowed his head and said, "I did lie about the accounts and used public power for personal gain. I deserve to die."

The kitchen of Prince Duan's mansion was filled with smoke and steam. Gu Qinlan sat at the head of the table with a calm expression. She was dressed in a red brocade robe, with beautiful eyebrows and eyes. She was so elegant that people dared not look directly at her.

Hongye picked up an account book, cleared her throat, and began to read: "The first item is that Zheng Longyu falsely reported the cost of purchasing food materials by fifty taels on the fifteenth of last month."

Having read this, Zheng Longyu's face became even more gloomy. He lowered his head and said nothing, feeling filled with remorse.

Gu Qinlan sneered, "Zheng Longyu, you are so bold that you dare to lie about the accounts in Prince Duan's Mansion. Do you think I don't know?"

Hongye continued to read: "Second, Zheng Longyu falsely reported the cost of purchasing food materials by thirty taels on the 20th of last month."

Zheng Longyu's body was shaking and cold sweat was pouring down his face. He looked up at Gu Qinlan with a pleading look in his eyes.

Gu Qinlan was unmoved and said coldly: "Zheng Longyu, do you think your tricks can escape my eyes? You are wrong, I already know all your actions."

Hongye read out, "The third item is that Zheng Longyu falsely reported the cost of purchasing food materials by twenty taels on the twenty-fifth of last month."

At this time, the atmosphere in the kitchen became increasingly tense, and the servants held their breath, fearing that they would be implicated.

Gu Qinlan said in a cold tone: "Zheng Longyu, do you admit your guilt?"

Zheng Longyu looked stubborn and remained silent.

Seeing this, Gu Qinlan snorted coldly and ordered his attendants, "Go and ask Aunt Lian to come in!"

Soon, a maid led Aunt Lian in. Although Aunt Lian was over fifty years old, she was vigorous and kind. She wore a simple blue cloth shirt and wooden clogs, and walked steadily. When she saw Gu Qinlan, Aunt Lian smiled and nodded.

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, helped Aunt Lian up affectionately, and said, "Aunt Lian, there is no need to be polite. Please sit down and talk."

After Aunt Lian sat down, Gu Qinlan said, "I heard that Aunt Lian opened a grocery store in Ruyang City and knows the prices very well. Today I would like to ask Aunt Lian, about the prices in Beijing and Ruyang City, can you give me a detailed introduction?"

Aunt Lian said confidently: "Miss Gu, I do know something about the prices in these two cities. As the capital of our country, the prices in Beijing are naturally higher than those in Ruyang City. But when it comes to specific items, I need to explain in detail."

Gu Qinlan nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Aunt Lian. Please first report the prices of grain, oil and vegetables in Ruyang City."

Aunt Lian smiled and said, "Okay. In Ruyang City, a stone of stalks of rice costs about five hundred taels of silver, a pound of eggs costs about one tael of silver, a live chicken costs about three taels of silver, a pound of fat costs about four taels of silver, and a pound of lean meat costs about five taels of silver."

Gu Qinlan frowned slightly and said, "Aunt Lian, do you think these prices are reasonable?"

Aunt Lian pondered for a moment and said, "Miss Gu, these prices have been maintained in Ruyang City for some time. Although there have been frequent wars recently, prices have not fluctuated significantly for the time being. As for whether it is reasonable, it depends on the supply and demand relationship and market conditions. However, I think these prices are fair."

Gu Qinlan nodded and said, "Aunt Lian is right. Then may I ask, what is the situation in the capital?"

Aunt Lian thought for a moment and said, "The prices in the capital are naturally higher than those in Ruyang. A stone of stalked rice costs about 700 taels of silver, a pound of eggs costs about 2 taels of silver, a live chicken costs about 5 taels of silver, a pound of fat pork costs about 6 taels of silver, and a pound of lean meat costs about 7 taels of silver."