"That's right. That's why Old Madam tampered with the accounts." He glanced around. His meaning was obvious.
"Xiao Shi, don't mention this to Prince, okay?"
Bai Xiangxiu didn't know much about the Long family's old house, so she didn't mention it.
Since both Old Madam and Long Shuting wanted to keep it a secret, there was no need for her to tell them.
After looking at the account book, she already knew that in addition to the small businesses in the capital, the Wang Fu also had businesses in two other provinces. Every month, the accounts would be sent to the Wang Fu for the steward to check, and then the steward would take the account book back.
Long Shuting had already gone through the account books, so he made notes on the areas that were problematic.
Bai Xiangxiu had read it as well. She didn't have anything to add.
Long Shuting was indeed a very capable person, just like what was written in the book.
"Then I'll leave everything to you. But what do you want to do with the restaurants in Yuezhou?"
It was written that it was a profit, but it was around 100 taels of silver every day. There was almost no change.
Wasn't this too much of a coincidence? Moreover, the other industries were all worth more than 200 yuan. Logically speaking, the restaurant should be one of the most profitable industries.
Long Shuting nodded and said, "I'm afraid that the shopkeeper can't continue working there. I'll deal with this matter personally."
"That's good. That's all for the account books. Is there anything else in the residence?"
Bai Xiangxiu felt that her back was hurting. She really hoped that she could rest today.
However, Long Shuting said, "There isn't anything important at the moment. Miss Gu's birthday is coming soon. I don't know what to prepare for her."
At the mention of her cousin, Bai Xiangxiu felt her balls ache. Although she had already packed up and gone back home a few days ago, her hostility towards her was still lingering.
Although she didn't have any special feelings for that little girl, it was a little difficult to give her a gift.
Firstly, he didn't know what she liked. Secondly, even if he knew, she probably wouldn't like it.
Bai Xiangxiu glanced at Long Shuting, who was sitting calmly outside. She smiled and said, "Chief Steward, even the Prince often talks about your contributions to the prince's residence!"
Contribution? What the hell was that?
However, Long Shuting only took it as a compliment. He didn't understand why she would bring it up now.
"You flatter me."
"Then giving a gift to a little girl shouldn't be a problem for you, Chief Steward. Why don't you be in charge?"
Bai Xiangxiu blinked her eyes slyly. Anyway, the other party couldn't see her playful look.
Long Shuting almost spat out the tea in his mouth. Was she giving him a piece of candy first and then pushing the trouble to him?
She didn't expect that a teenage girl would scheme against her. She wanted to refuse, but then she thought that the relationship between them was indeed a little complicated.
"Since it's Fourth Madam's order, this humble one will not refuse. However, I'm afraid that I can't leave the matter of replacing the kitchen steward. How about …"
Bai Xiangxiu gritted her teeth. This old fox.
"Then, let me handle it!"
Long Shuting smiled and said, "Since it's decided, this humble one will take his leave." After saying that, he stood up, bowed, and walked out of the study.
When Bai Xiangxiu walked out, she only saw the back of a man. This man's figure was thin and not as strong and sturdy as Long Heng. He had a medium build, but he had the air of a scholar. Even the way he walked had a bit of the elegance of a scholar.
It would be better if he was fatter. She thought that he was too scheming and tired and couldn't gain weight.
She gently curled her lips. Unexpectedly, she didn't want to work with this kind of scheming person.
She felt that she was very honest. If she worked with this kind of person, sooner or later, she would be sold out and still count the money for him.
Xiao Shi had always been worried about her master. Why did she always have so many things to do? She didn't have as much free time as the other madams.
"Let's go take a look!"
"Where are we going?"
"The kitchen, of course."
Yes, the kitchen steward had to be replaced. It was really a problem to choose the right person.
After all, being the kitchen steward was a lucrative job. Many people would fight for it!
Like this, the master and servant pair sat in a small sedan chair and went to the kitchen.
Although the prince's mansion was newly built, some land had been expropriated from the old site that the emperor had bestowed. It made it so that it took a while to walk to the kitchen.
Of course, only the main kitchen was like this. There were small kitchens built outside each courtyard. Otherwise, wouldn't the dishes be cold when they were brought in?
The main kitchen was used by the stewards. It would only be used when the prince's mansion had major events. Generally, all the ingredients were placed here.
As soon as Bai Xiangxiu arrived, the people in the kitchen all came out. Now that the old madame and the Prince had left, the real masters were basically not here. They were more lazy.
However, the fourth madame was different. She was the steward. She had just received the news that the matter of changing the kitchen steward had been handed to her to handle.
Therefore, these people all had their own thoughts. Even if they looked down on her, this concubine, they still came out.
Bai Xiangxiu's attitude was very friendly. She felt very uncomfortable as she walked into the main courtyard of the kitchen with them.
There was a kang bed built inside and a square table for eight.
As soon as she came in, she was invited to the kang bed. She sat on a soft cushion. It was warm and comfortable.
Bai Xiangxiu really wanted to build a kang bed like this in her own Winter Garden. Otherwise, even if there was a ground dragon, it would be difficult to survive this winter.
There were still many stewards in the kitchen. Because they had come with a purpose today, they sat around the square table for eight regardless of gender.
First, the previous steward handed the key to Bai Xiangxiu. Because she was sick, and it was a skin disease, she could no longer appear in the kitchen.
However, she still felt that it was a pity to lose this lucrative job.
Bai Xiangxiu looked at her slightly red face. There was a layer of skin on her face.
She was wearing a gauntlet on her hand. If she guessed correctly, these things had also grown inside.
No wonder she had to hand over her power. She couldn't hide it even if she wanted to.
Bai Xiangxiu maintained her usual gentle style and said, "Granny Liu, it's been hard on you all these years."
Granny Liu didn't expect her to say this. She couldn't help but cry.
On one hand, she didn't want to give up this job. On the other hand, she felt that she had indeed worked hard all these years.
Bai Xiangxiu said again, "Xiao Shi, take out twenty taels and give it to Granny Liu. Take it as me showing my filial piety to you in private!"
What did she mean by showing her filial piety in private? It sounded nice.
Before the old madame left, she still left her some funds for activities. She meant to use it as a reward.
Originally, she should be responsible for these things. Because she had to manage the family, there was a lot of money to be gained.
However, Bai Xiangxiu didn't have the word "greedy" in her personality, so she knew that she didn't have much money.
Therefore, the old madame left her some money.
However, the old madame didn't know that her son had given her a lot of money in private. It was just that Bai Xiangxiu didn't use it at all.
She had her own ideas. If one day she couldn't return to the modern world and couldn't stay in the prince's mansion anymore, she would secretly leave. That was a plan that required a lot of money.