Chapter 671 - 670: Guileless
The talent showcase on stage had already concluded at this time. Jinting Pavilion had prepared a banquet in the eastern hall, and there was still a while before lunch. Everyone could move freely and socialize with familiar friends, then join the seats when the time came.
The crowd left the Linfeng Water Pavilion, and instantly gathered in groups of three or five, exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances they hadn’t yet met, introducing new friends, creating a lively scene.
The attendees were all young people, and could be considered a gathering of handsome men and beautiful women.
Seeing someone leading Xia Wenjin forward, it was the matron by the princess’s side. Those people naturally understood that this was a summons from the princess, inevitably earning a wave of envious and jealous looks.
As Xia Wenjin just left not long ago, those few young ladies had not yet departed, when they saw a noble young man in brocade clothes, warm and gentle like jade, approaching with a smile.
One of the young ladies performed a lady’s salute and said, "Greetings, Young Master Xuan!"
Huangfu Yuxuan nodded slightly, considered it a greeting, and gently said, "Miss Xia was sitting with you, wasn’t she? Where did she go?"
Originally he came looking for Xia Wenjin, and the young ladies were slightly surprised. Having just seen Huangfu Yuxuan, they were merely caught off guard.
This top-ranking third young master of the Capital City was not someone they could dream about. Without expectations, naturally, there was no disappointment.
One of the young ladies said, "The Seventeenth Princess summoned her, Miss Xia went with the matron by the princess’s side!"
Huangfu Yuxuan felt a bit disappointed. He had come quickly, but didn’t expect Seventeenth Aunt to be faster!
Then I shall go visit Seventeenth Aunt!
After Huangfu Yuxuan left, Huangfu Jingchen and his group parted ways, Jiang Ning asked, "Princely Heir, you didn’t really lose the purse, did you?"
Huangfu Jingchen nodded slightly, casually said, "Yes, lost it!"
Jiang Ning, upon hearing, instantly felt a pang of distress and said, "Young Master, aren’t you too extravagant? That purse contained seventeen thousand taels of silver, which you planned to use for the disaster relief of the refugees in Ninghe County affected by the big fire in the suburbs!"
A few nights ago, a big fire in Ninghe County burned down dozens of houses and injured many people. The Court dispatched people to handle this matter and settle the refugees.
However, the matter was neither big nor small. Reportedly, the fire was caused by a strong wind, a natural disaster that the Court did not pay much attention to, and the officials handled it carelessly.
After confirming the death toll, the injured were thrown into government-run medical centers, and the officials left after reporting back. As for the penniless refugees sleeping outdoors, they were ignored.
The government-run medical centers were built by the Government, but for years they have been a mere name. The Government assigned each medical hall to send someone to rotate duties, without silver or position, it was all free consultation. The medical halls responded perfunctorily, even sending apprentices to deal with it.
Lacking medicine and treatment, being here was hardly better than fending for themselves.
When Huangfu Jingchen’s men were handling matters near Ninghe County, they heard about it and mentioned it while reporting other matters.
So Huangfu Jingchen instructed Jiang Ning to prepare this amount of silver for rebuilding shelters, treating injuries, and settling the disaster-stricken people.
Jiang Ning was sly, heard about the purse being lost, was asked to report the number. He recalled that Princess Cheng, fearing the Princely Heir would be short of silver, had entrusted Jifeng Building to send silver that happened to arrive a few days ago, and reported that number.
It had exact figures and could be checked.
He thought himself to be quite the clever rascal.
Didn’t expect the purse to really be lost. Even if someone compensated, wouldn’t those silver notes over a thousand taels be a windfall for the River God?
Huangfu Jingchen slowly said, "Not only the purse, but also the Dragon Pattern Purple Gold Medal!"
"What?" Jiang Ning was startled, eyes widened, realizing his reaction might alert others, quickly lowered his voice, urgently said, "Princely Heir, are you serious? The Dragon Pattern Purple Gold Medal represents the identity of the Imperial Grandson, from the palace. Was it also thrown into the water by that scoundrel?"
When an Imperial Grandson is born, regardless of birth in the Capital City or Vassal Land, they must be recorded in the imperial archives. Subsequently, the Emperor would bestow a Jade Token representing the identity of the Imperial Grandson. The token would have one raised pattern of a character from their name, unique and distinctive.
Ordinary people cannot touch it lightly, which is why Zhan Jinlei would turn pale upon seeing it.
Huangfu Jingchen nodded solemnly.
Jiang Ning almost leaped up and said, "What a Zhan Jinlei, I wondered why he was so stingy, when I reported the number of silver notes in the purse, he didn’t say much but agreed to compensate. Turns out there was also the matter of the Dragon Pattern Purple Gold Medal. Princely Heir, are you just letting it go like this?"
Though he reported a higher amount of silver than actual, it was far less than the value of the Dragon Pattern Purple Gold Medal.
Huangfu Jingchen asked incredulously, "Otherwise? Didn’t he compensate with silver?"
Jiang Ning looked sullen, thinking he was too relieved too early, their Princely Heir was too honest... no, too naive.
He earnestly said, "Princely Heir, the Dragon Pattern Purple Gold Medal is priceless. Since Zhan Jinlei lost that medal in the water, he must retrieve it in the same manner!"
Huangfu Jingchen laughed, "Alright, alright, this much silver is plenty!"
Jiang Ning urgently said, "How is that enough? Princely Heir, if the matter of the missing identity token is exploited by someone, you will bear significant responsibility! Moreover, that purse contained silver meant for disaster relief!"
Huangfu Jingchen reached into his sleeve, then patted an object into Jiang Ning’s hand.
Jiang Ning stared down, wasn’t that a purse? Opening the purse, his eyes widened, inside were neatly stacked silver notes he handled in the morning, and atop those silver notes lay a Dragon Pattern Purple Gold Medal.
Jiang Ning turned his stiff neck to look at his own Princely Heir, who stood tall and elegant, with graceful demeanor, warm and gentle like jade.
He swallowed hard, thinking he should take back his previous words, the Princely Heir was naive, but when needed, capable of deviousness without hesitation, as expected of the Princely Heir!
Before, when the purse and medal flew up, Zhan Jinlei’s body was suspended in the air, in a moment of chaos, he fell into the river. He made such a loud noise when falling into the water, how would he know if small items fell into the water?
Jiang Ning laughed sheepishly: "So they were all here, did I report too much?"
Huangfu Jingchen tapped him: "Keep your voice down. Report too much? Over the years, the Duke of England Mansion has been a cesspool of corruption. This amount of money is nothing, perfect for rebuilding for disaster victims in Ninghe County. The rest, all to buy medicine and send to Yiyi Hall!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning’s eyes lit up, savoring the words "Yiyi Hall", couldn’t help but say, "Young Master, I thought people like you, who care about the people and generously aid them, were rare, but since Yiyi Hall appeared, I began to believe there are still many kind-hearted people in the world!"
Huangfu Jingchen ignored Jiang Ning’s exaggerated tone and silly expression, coolly asked, "The results of what I asked you to investigate?"