Chapter 54: The Unwitting Sucker

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Shen Mengli: ???
What does it have to do with her?
What madness is he spouting now...

“Young Master, I have never spoken ill of you in front of Mother. I don’t know why she wouldn’t approve your funds. You’re the one who told me about this; I only found out then. I have never asked the accounting office to withhold your money. Is there some misunderstanding between us?”

Shen Mengli explained earnestly.

“Are you really not involved?”

Qi Yunyan asked doubtfully.

“Really not me.”

Shen Mengli was almost raising three fingers to swear by heaven to prove her innocence.

“Young Master, if you have doubts, why don’t we ask Mother directly what’s going on?”

“Alright.” Qi Yunyan nodded.

The two headed together toward the Lotus Court.

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“Mother, did you instruct the accounting office to withhold my funds and refuse to approve the thirty thousand taels of silver?”

Upon arriving at the Lotus Court, Qi Yunyan took the initiative and asked the Princess Consort of Duan directly.

The Princess Consort brought the teacup closer and took a light sip.

“That’s right. I told the accounting office not to give you the money.”

“Is it really you? Why would you do this? Have I displeased you somehow?”

The Princess Consort glanced at Qi Yunyan, “You still dare to ask? Tell me, what exactly do you need thirty thousand taels for?”

“Qingyu wants to open a tavern and borrowed the money from me.”

“She borrows money so easily. How does she plan to repay it? She lives off me and spends my money, and now she wants another thirty thousand taels? She really thinks money grows on trees.”

Qi Yunyan protested, “Mother, Qingyu will repay once she earns money.”

“How will she repay? Does she think opening a business is that easy? If you lend her that money, it’s like throwing it away. You’re my son—you can live off me, use my resources, spend my money. But Qingyu has no blood relation to me, and I’ve never liked her. Providing her with food and lodging is already generous. Now she wants to spend my silver? Dream on.”

“Listen carefully: from now on, you cannot spend a single cent on her. If she wants money in the future, I’ll tell the accounting office not to give her any. If you really want to give her money, you earn it yourself—don’t use my funds to lend and make a show of generosity. Otherwise, I’ll have your father punish you severely.”

Qi Yunyan had many words he wanted to say but was stopped cold by the Princess Consort’s sharp reprimand.

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After all, the money belonged to the Princess Consort. If she didn’t want to give it, he couldn’t force her.

“But I have my monthly allowance, right? I could lend her that.”

“You still dare to mention that?” The Princess Consort tapped Qi Yunyan’s arm. “Your monthly allowance is at most a thousand taels, and the month isn’t over yet—you’ve already spent five thousand taels. You still owe me four thousand taels. How do you have any money to lend her? Besides, she needs thirty thousand taels. Your allowance isn’t nearly enough.”

Qi Yunyan couldn’t believe his ears. His own mother was arguing with him to this extent, demanding he repay money.

Wasn’t she always the most doting on him?

What has changed now?

If the Princess Consort could hear his thoughts, she would surely spit in his face. She cared for him and was willing to spend money on him, but in the end, the money wasn’t for his use—it was for that woman, Lin Qingyu. Why should she give her money to someone she disliked?

Wasn’t that just asking for trouble?

Did she really think she was a fool?

“Then how about this: I advance the upcoming monthly allowance in advance. I won’t spend any more money afterward, and you can give Qingyu the thirty thousand taels first.”