Chapter 32: A Night of Indulgence

As night fell, the inn was ablaze with light. Ning Junruo stood alone by the window, gazing at the distant starry sky, and made a silent wish in her heart.

"No matter what the future holds, I will make Changning Academy a force that transforms Liangzhou, even if... it requires a sacrifice."

Just then, the sound of soft footsteps echoed outside the door.

Nanny Wei whispered a reminder, "My Lady, it is getting late. We should return to the manor."

Ning Junruo turned around, a faint, imperceptible cold smile curling her lips. "Let us return. There are some accounts that, sooner or later, must be settled."

In the night, two carriages creaked along the road toward the Prince of Liang's manor.

"My Lady, the problems in the ledgers, I fear, are not as simple as just missing silver..."

"Oh? Then tell me, Nanny, if not silver, what else could it be?"

Ning Junruo’s tone was calm, her gaze piercing through the darkness as if she could see through everything.

"Even if His Highness is extravagant, he could not possibly spend that much, could he? I have always felt there was something amiss..."

The conversation came to an abrupt halt; the two shared an unspoken understanding. In truth, Ning Junruo had long contemplated this issue. Her brows furrowed slightly before smoothing out again, as if she had already anticipated it all.

"You have a point, Nanny, but we have no proof."

Nanny Wei lowered her head, her voice filled with respect. "Your insight is sharp, My Lady. It seems we must be more vigilant after returning."

Remembering the words of Guan Muren, Ning Junruo’s mood grew heavy. "Indeed, there is much to be done upon our return."

Back at the manor, the lights were dim. Instead of going to Yilan Residence, Ning Junruo followed Zisu and snuck into Zhao Shenxing’s study. The room was piled with unreviewed documents, and the air was filled with a faint scent of ink. Zisu held a small lantern as she and Ning Junruo searched through cabinets and drawers, looking for something specific. After a long search, they had yet to find what they needed.

Zisu asked with concern, "My Lady, should you go back to rest? Let me look for it tomorrow?"

Ning Junruo shook her head gently. "No, there is no time to lose. It must be found tonight."

"Yes!" Zisu hurried to open a drawer and began to sort through it carefully.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Ning Junruo held up a letter, exclaiming with delight, "Found it!"

The two exchanged a smile, extinguished the lantern, and tiptoed back to Yilan Residence under the moonlight. Once there, Ning Junruo dismissed the servants and, imitating the handwriting on the letter, made a copy.

The following morning, sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating every corner of the manor. Meanwhile, in the streets and alleys of Liangzhou City, various versions of the confrontation between the Princess Consort and the Prince at the academy began to circulate, each more exaggerated and dramatic than the last.

In tea houses and taverns, commoners gathered to discuss the news.

"Have you heard? A true woman of the Ning family, the Princess Consort is not only learned but possesses incredible courage—she actually stood up to the Prince!" A peddler wiped his sweat, his eyes full of admiration.

"The Prince spends his days in hedonism and never does any real work. The Princess Consort is the one we can rely on. I tell you, with this academy, Liangzhou is going to change." A woman nearby took up the thread, her voice filled with pride.

In a secluded tea house, several well-dressed gentlemen sat whispering at a table.

"The Princess Consort’s methods are truly extraordinary. She must have planned this long ago, using the academy to establish her authority."

"Perhaps she intends to use this opportunity to win over the hearts of the people. After all, the scholars of Liangzhou are all watching with bated breath."

"Hmph, it is merely an academy; what kind of waves can it stir? In the end, it is nothing more than a pawn for the Prince."

For some time, Zhao Shenxing had been staying at Tingyu Pavilion. Upon learning that Chang Yunniang had been poisoned, he suddenly lost the desire to see Qinghe’s charming, smiling face. Last night, he intended to spend the night in his study, but Xiao Yunjie arrived, claiming she had matters to discuss in private.

"Since when did you become so formal, Yunjie? Speak your mind."

The look Xiao Yunjie gave him was filled with tenderness. "I encountered a fairy-like healer who said that by consuming her miraculous elixir, I would surely bear a son. She even calculated the dates and said that if we were together tonight, I would certainly conceive."

Inhaling the faint, exotic fragrance on Yunjie and seeing her gentle affection, Zhao Shenxing felt his passions stirred, and they spent the night in indulgence. When Ning Junruo and Zisu snuck into the study, the two were busy with their tryst, which was why they were unaware of the Princess Consort’s return.

Ning Junruo had chosen that time to return not only for convenience but also because she wanted more time to understand the current state of the manor. Having been through these events, the servants had come to realize how kind the Princess Consort was. Thus, when she gave the order not to report her return last night, no one dared to defy her.

This morning, as soon as she finished washing, the steward requested an audience. He looked pale, his eyes darting around, seemingly burdened by many unspoken concerns.

"Is something the matter?" Ning Junruo asked sternly.

The steward hesitated for a moment before whispering, "My Lady, the manor’s finances are in deficit. For the past few days, the meals have been reduced to the bare minimum; the servants are not even getting enough to eat..."

Although the steward did not speak plainly, his stuttering suggested he hoped she could resolve this urgent crisis. Ning Junruo’s brows knit together, her heart a complex mix of emotions, though she kept it off her face.

As she hesitated, a maid hurried over. "My Lady, the Prince requests your presence."

Unexpectedly, he had found out so soon. Ning Junruo stood up, adjusted her robes, and soon arrived at Zhao Shenxing’s study. Inside, Zhao Shenxing sat at his desk, toying with a jade tablet, a flicker of irritation between his brows. Seeing Ning Junruo enter, he raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"You summoned me, Your Highness. Do you have instructions?" Ning Junruo’s voice was calm, devoid of any ripple.

Zhao Shenxing looked up, his gaze sharp, as if trying to see through her thoughts. "Ning Junruo, as the Princess Consort, how could you let the manor fall into such a state? Do you know where the silver in the accounts has gone?"

Was he trying to frame her?

Ning Junruo chuckled, remaining poised and unyielding. "Your Highness, you are wise; I am naturally aware of the household’s income and expenses. However, the manor’s expenditures over the last two years have been quite unusual. I, too, have been wondering how the manor could have fallen to such a state."

Zhao Shenxing’s gaze flickered. "What do you mean by that?"

Ning Junruo stepped forward, meeting his gaze without flinching. "What do I mean? Surely you know better than anyone, Your Highness? I do not wish to dwell on the past. But I will no longer cover the manor’s deficits out of my own pocket—unless, Your Highness, you borrow the money from me personally."

He knew better than anyone? Could she know something?

Zhao Shenxing froze, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Ning Junruo, are you setting terms with me?"

"It is not setting terms, but establishing rules." Ning Junruo’s tone was peaceful, yet every word rang with conviction. "Borrowing has its rules. Not only must there be a promissory note, but I will also charge interest. Of course, if you are unwilling to borrow from me, you are free to go find someone else."