The Princess Consort of Pingyang stood up. Go change your clothes. You will get sick walking around soaking wet.
Okay.
Just then, Lüyi hurried over, holding a fresh set of clothes for Duoduo.
Duoduo took the clothes to the side room and quickly changed.
Mother, Sister's clothes are wet too!
Duoduo pointed at Yingniang's skirt hem.
It is fine, just a little bit. It will dry in a moment.
Yingniang waved her hand dismissively.
How can that be? A young girl must not catch a chill, or she will suffer greatly in the future.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang ordered Yingniang to take off her skirt and had someone take it to be dried over the fire.
Lianxin, go tell the tutor that the Princess and Yingniang are delayed here with me for a moment and will go to class shortly.
Yes.
Lianxin walked out, and Duoduo smiled at Yingniang.
Sister, it will just take a moment, wait a bit.
Yingniang, wrapped in a small blanket, sat on the couch waiting for her clothes to dry.
Duoduo turned her head and saw the account books on the table.
Mother, are you studying too?
The Princess Consort of Pingyang glanced back. Yes, every month the steward hands over the account books to reconcile the accounts.
Reconcile the accounts? Duoduo was curious.
This account book records every expense in the estate.
The steward will clearly write down every bit of income and expenditure of the household.
Then, every month, he brings the account books over.
Mother has to have someone check if his records of income and expenses are correct.
Also, the account books provide the most direct way to see which expenses in the estate are unnecessary.
This way, problems can be discovered and resolved in a timely manner.
For the lady of the house, being able to read account books is the most basic skill.
Although Duoduo was still young, the Princess Consort of Pingyang explained it to her in detail.
Many young ladies from noble families learn how to manage a household from their mothers from a young age.
Some things are ingrained in their bones through constant exposure since childhood.
Suddenly, golden words began to scroll before Duoduo's eyes.
This steward is cooking the books and fooling his masters. What audacity.
But then again, this Princess Consort of Pingyang is always sickly, so naturally, the subordinates feign compliance while acting in opposition.
This steward is an old hand at making false accounts; he actually keeps two sets of books, one real and one fake.
Even if something happens and the investigation leads to him, he can still clear his name. Truly a cunning old fox!
Alas! Even if the Princess Consort of Pingyang flips through this account book until it falls apart, she will not find any flaws.
The steward hiding the real account book in the nursery greenhouse of the flower garden is quite ingenious.
He has already thought of a way out. If discovered, he will just say someone secretly swapped the account books.
This way, he can wash his hands completely clean. After all, the gardener is not a servant of the estate.
Duoduo stared at the golden words, trying hard to understand their meaning.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang saw that Duoduo seemed frightened by the idea of managing accounts.
She smiled. You are still young. When you are a bit older, Mother will teach you how to manage the accounts.
Duoduo nodded absentmindedly.
She was thinking about how to help her mother and let her know the truth of the matter.
Yingniang's clothes were dried, and a maid brought them over for her to change into.
Let us go. Didn't you want Mother to go out and admire the flowers?
The Princess Consort of Pingyang pulled Duoduo up, trying to distract her.
Duoduo's eyes lit up.
Right! She could find an excuse to go to the greenhouse!
Having thought of a solution, Duoduo instantly became happy.
Mother, let us go quickly! Today's peonies are blooming so beautifully!
Holding her mother's and Yingniang's hands, Duoduo skipped outside.
The three of them walked through the corridor, passed the koi pond, and saw a small bridge.
Beside the bridge was the peony garden.
At this moment, large peony flowers were blooming in rivalry.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang could not help but lean down to smell the fragrance of the flowers.
I thought the gardener the steward hired had intentionally ruined these flowers.
It seems I was mistaken.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang muttered to herself.
Duoduo tilted her head and looked at the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
Was Mother already suspecting the steward?
But it seemed that because of her help, Mother was no longer suspicious?
Duoduo could not help but stick out her tongue.
Did she do a disservice?
But it did not matter, she could find the evidence!
Seeing her mother looking very pleased, Duoduo pretended to ask casually.
Mother, how do these peony flowers grow?
The Princess Consort of Pingyang gently stroked the blooming peonies. Today's peonies were exceptionally beautiful.
These were specially transported from the capital by your father's orders!
When they first arrived, they were just tiny seedlings, little children just like you, Duoduo.
They were too delicate. To help them adapt to Xianyang, they were placed in the greenhouse to be nurtured for a while.
Only when they could root and sprout normally were they transplanted into the flower garden.
Duoduo blinked her eyes.
Mother, can I go to the greenhouse to take a look?
The Princess Consort of Pingyang straightened up, looking puzzled.
The greenhouse is dirty and messy. Why do you want to go there?
Duoduo scratched her palm.
Um, I want to see the place where the little peonies grew.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang was amused.
It is just flowerpots and dirt in there. What is there to see?
Duoduo gently shook the Princess Consort of Pingyang's hand, acting spoiled.
Mother, let us go take a look! I want to see.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang affectionately tapped the bridge of Duoduo's nose. Alright. If Mother does not agree soon, you will shake me to pieces.
Duoduo giggled.
Thank you, Mother!
Sister, do you want to go see? Duoduo turned her head to look at Yingniang.
Yingniang nodded. I have not seen it either.
Let us go. It is just a greenhouse, I do not know why you two little girls would be interested in it.
The greenhouse for nurturing fresh flowers was not too far from the flower garden.
They arrived after walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
The door to the greenhouse was left slightly ajar.
Duoduo skipped over and opened it, only to see the steward inside.
The steward was startled when he saw Duoduo.
Immediately after, he saw the Princess Consort of Pingyang walk in as well.
He became even more frightened.
This lowly one greets the Princess Consort. Princess Consort, why have you come here?
It is dirty here, mind the mud on the ground!
The steward walked to the door with great concern, blocking the Princess Consort of Pingyang's way.
Why are you here?
The Princess Consort of Pingyang was a bit surprised to see the steward here.
Replying to the Princess Consort, did not the previous gardener go missing?
This lowly one came over to look around and see if he left any notes or the like.
Oh right, Princess Consort, just now this lowly one saw that the peonies in the garden are blooming very well.
This lowly one thought they would not survive, and was quite surprised when passing by the garden earlier.
No wonder this gardener is very famous in Xianyang. He has taken excellent care of the flowers and plants in the estate.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang nodded.
Yes, quite excellent.
Then may I ask the Princess Consort, should we still replace the gardener?
The Princess Consort of Pingyang thought for a moment.
Did you not say that gardener disappeared? The flowers and plants in the estate always need someone to tend to them.
Yes, this lowly one understands.
The steward replied with his head bowed.
Mother, can I pick a flower to raise myself?
Seeing the greenhouse full of flowerpots, Duoduo came up with an idea.
