Chapter 229: Unexpected

After speaking, Housekeeper Han glanced at Housekeeper Cao, who squinted his eyes slightly, enjoying sipping a small teapot as if he hadn’t heard anything.

Housekeeper Han also glanced at Sun Accountant.

Sun Accountant was clearly taken aback, and his previous dismissive expression faded as he asked, "What’s this? Does Madam want to see the external court’s account books too?"

Hong Ye nodded, "Yes."

Sun Accountant looked at Gu Shiliu and asked, "Is this also what the Marquis wants?"

Gu Shiliu smiled and said, "Naturally, the Marquis mentioned long ago to let Madam help with looking over the external court’s account books. The Marquis has been fighting outside all this time and hasn’t managed the external courtyard for days since returning. Now that Madam is overseeing both the inner and external courtyards, isn’t it just perfect?"

Sun Accountant leaned back dispiritedly against the chair back, looking rather displeased.

Hong Ye asked, "Sun Accountant, is there something amiss?"

Sun Accountant: "..."

The girl beside Madam is really troublesome. If the Marquis wants Madam to see the account books, what could he possibly say is inappropriate?

Before Sun Accountant could speak, Hong Mian, standing by, playfully waved the handkerchief in her hand and said, "Sister Hong Ye, Sun Accountant looks so displeased. Could there be something wrong with the account books?"

Housekeeper Cao immediately set down his small teapot, laughing, "Hong Mian, why speak like that? There haven’t been any checks on the account books for years, so it’s natural for Sun Accountant to be shocked."

Hong Mian restrained her laughter and said, "Housekeeper Cao is right. I was overthinking. I thought Sun Accountant didn’t speak because he didn’t want Madam to look at the account books."

Gu Shiliu asked, "Why do you say so?"

Hong Mian said, "It’s because Sun Accountant always mentions Sixth Madam agreeing, so I thought maybe Sun Accountant would say that without Sixth Madam’s consent, Madam couldn’t see the account books."

Housekeeper Cao: "..."

This Hong Mian is not only bold but also holds grudges.

Sun Accountant was shocked and angry, scolding, "You little maid, with your sharp tongue! I was merely acting impartially, and you hold it against me. When Sixth Madam was in charge of the inner house, what was wrong with me saying so? I’ve managed the accounts for years; even if there’s no merit, there’s hard work. How can you casually slander me?"

Hong Mian apologized insincerely, "I already said I was overthinking, didn’t I? Since Sun Accountant didn’t mean that, how about quickly handing over the account books? Once we finish checking them, we can return for lunch."

Sun Accountant angrily said, "There are too many account books; I fear they can’t be brought out just like that."

Housekeeper Cao looked at Sun Accountant’s face, sighed quietly inside, and said, "How about bringing just a few first?"

Hong Ye picked up the suggestion, "Housekeeper Cao is right, just bring the account books from the past three to four years first."

"Three to four years?"

Housekeeper Cao asked in surprise, "Isn’t that too many?"

Hong Ye gestured to the two stacks of account books on Sun Accountant’s table, "Once these are fully checked, surely the external court’s account books can be as well."

Sun Accountant’s face again showed a dismissive expression, making Hong Mian’s throat a bit itchy.

Housekeeper Han, who hadn’t spoken, said, "Then give them the three to four years; write a note, sign, and seal it. Once Madam finishes, we can exchange it for new ones."

Sun Accountant called a few small accountants over to first move the account books from the past three years, handing them to Hong Ye, and then checked whether Hong Ye’s submitted account books had any alterations or damages.

As for Gu Shiliu, Housekeeper Cao, and Housekeeper Han, they were all present to witness this.

After the difficult handover, Hong Ye and Sun Accountant recorded everything in the presence of everyone. Two nannies packaged the account books in boxes and were about to leave when Sun Accountant stopped them again.

"Pardon my bluntness, the account books for the external court differ in many ways from those of the inner court. If anything is unclear, please, Miss Hong Ye, refrain from rushing to conclusions and consult me for verification."

Both Housekeeper Cao and Housekeeper Han remained silent.

Hong Ye smiled and said, "Of course, Madam instructed us to note down any unclear points or discrepancies accurately, ensuring everything corresponds properly."

Housekeeper Cao smiled and said, "Madam’s instructions are indeed wise. It’s getting late, Miss Hong Ye, hurry back, so you can join Madam for her meal."

Only then did Hong Ye leave.

After passing through the second gate, Hong Mian said, "Wasn’t Sun Accountant’s suggestion that he feared we might wrongly accuse him if we don’t understand?"

Hong Ye replied, "That’s roughly what he meant. Understanding the inner court’s books doesn’t guarantee understanding the external court’s books. Misinterpretation could indeed lead to wrongly accusing him."

Hong Mian hurriedly asked, "Then, does Sister Hong Ye know how to read the external court’s account books?"

Hong Ye said, "I’m not sure myself. I’ll have to see them first to know if I can understand them. There wasn’t time today to look at the details when picking the account books."

Hong Mian’s expression turned slightly displeased.

Hong Ye added, "But Madam certainly will. When she checked the dowry shop’s account books, it only took her a moment to find mistakes."

Hong Mian brightened up again, moved closer sweetly, and asked, "Madam is truly skilled. Will you teach me if you learn, Sister Hong Ye?"

Hong Ye was about to agree when Gu Shiliu coughed lightly beside her and asked, "Hong Ye, are we still able to eat at Wutong Garden at this time?"

Only then did Hong Ye notice Gu Shiliu was still following behind, and she replied, "Ah, you’re still here. Aren’t you going to the external court to serve the Marquis for his meal?"

Gu Shiliu said, "The Marquis wouldn’t be short of people serving him. The Sixth Master is also in the external court. At worst, we’d have his servant run back and forth; would he dare refuse?"

Hong Ye couldn’t help but laugh.

Hong Mian realized it was not the right time to continue the conversation.

Hong Ye said to Gu Shiliu, "Come back to Wutong Garden with me. If there’s nothing to eat, we’ll have the small kitchen prepare something."

Gu Shiliu beamed with joy.

"Great! The small kitchen has plenty of variety, and Madam enjoys a variety of dishes. It’s been dull dining in the external court with the Marquis these past days; I’ve been longing to return to Wutong Garden for some good food."

As Gu Shiliu and Hong Ye happily chatted, Hong Mian didn’t get a chance to join in.

Upon returning to Wutong Garden, Hong Mian went to check the small kitchen, while Gu Shiliu quietly said, "Hong Ye, you’re silly. Shouldn’t you first discuss with Madam before teaching anyone to manage the account books? Besides, you’ve already helped her to make an impression before Madam, putting her ahead of the other maids at Wutong Garden. If you taught her everything, what if she surpasses you?"

It took Hong Ye a moment before responding, "I... I didn’t think about it. As Madam’s maid, I’ve always thought that bringing more capable people for her use is ideal. Hong Mian is smart and capable; even Madam has praised her..."

Gu Shiliu consoled, "Alright, alright, it’s just my thought. Hong Mian may not necessarily be that kind of person. I just suggest you vet people carefully before teaching them; there’s no rush, right?"

Hong Ye replied in a muffled voice, "I’ll remember."