Chapter 26 Accusations Chapter 26 Accusations "You plotted against me on purpose! How can your heart be so cruel?" The insult slid past Ma Ting without leaving a mark. His words no longer held power over her. +10 Free Coins She drew the ledger back with steady fingers. "The missing items come to five thousand three hundred and twenty taels of silver. Will you send them here, or shall I accompany you to Marquis Sunfair's Residence to collect them?" The number struck Li Han like a heavy weight, and his shoulders sank under the burden. He bit down hard. "Your family is small. There is no way the items you sent out could be worth such a sum. I am not blind to your scheme. "You imagine I owe you, so you mean to tamper with these accounts. I have never even laid eyes on the missing goods. Do not expect me to admit to them, Ma Ting" Ma Ting's patience was gone. Her eyes cut into him with icy force. "Are you certain you refuse to acknowledge this?" Li Han raised his chin, ignoring Mr. Luo's nervous glance. "I am certain." "In that case, show him the door." Her lips curled in derision as she turned away from his glare. She passed the ledger to Tang with a calm hand. "Go to the wealthkeeper. Say that Master Han denies these items left through him. Tell the staff to investigate thoroughly and uncover the truth." Li Han had not gone far, and her words carried to his ears. He turned sharply toward Mr. Luo. The man's face had gone pale. His eyes flickered with unease, and guilt clung to his expression. Li Han's chest tightened. Could it be true that the missing goods had been taken from within his own house? It could not be. If the items had been in their keeping, Mother would have returned them. It must be Ma Ting's plot to accuse Marquis Sunfair's Residence and extort silver. With this thought, his pride swelled. He wheeled back and called out into the hall. "Even if you summon the magistrates, we shall never recognize the result!" "You are a fool." Ma Ting's laugh was cold. She withdrew to her study with Ding Jie at her side. The matter was left in Tang's hands. She trusted him. She only needed the outcome. Four hours later, Tang entered in high spirits. After sipping tea, he delivered his report. "Mr. Wei of the wealthkeeper once knew Old Mr. Ma. The moment he learned Marquis Sunfair's Residence denied the missing goods, he understood the implications at once. He sent word to the magistrates without delay 1/2 6:11 pm D Chapter 26 Accusations +10 Free Coins "The officials compared the records, then entered Marquis Sunfair's Residence. After questioning the servants, they declared they had seen Old Mrs. Li send the two vases to the Duke of Zhou's Residence." Ma Ting paused in surprise. "The Duke of Zhou's Residence?" Tang inclined his head. She set her brush down. "I was under the impression the Duke of Zhou opposed Marquis Sunfair. "One of the duke's concubines is kin to the family of Lady Chen. Likely, the vases were sent to please him." At that, Ma Ting understood the whole thing Ding Jie poured Tang more tea and tilted her head. "Should we then go to the Duke of Zhou's Residence to reclaim them?" Tang laughed at her naivety. "Child, with the officials pressing so hard, even if the vases were truly given there, Old Mrs. Li cannot admit it. She must insist they were broken and lost, and pay silver to settle the matter if she claimed otherwise, the two houses would be bound as open enemies." Ding Jie's eyes brightened with sudden understanding "Then, the whole of Ming City now knows of the debacle, then." Tang smiled faintly, glanced at Ma Ting once more, and took his leave Ma Ting studied the graceful sweep of the character she had just finished. Her lips curved with quiet satisfaction. "Tell the kitchen to prepare an extra bowl of milk custard. My appetite is good today." Marquis Sunfair dismissed the magistrates with a polite smile, but once they were gone, his face turned to stone. "Where is that witless son of mine?" The servant trembled. "Master Han is in Old Mrs. Li's courtyard." The marquis strode off, his fury sharp and unyielding. When he entered the courtyard, he found Li Han lounging as if nothing had happened. Rage overtook him, and his boot drove hard into his son's back. Li Han hit the ground with a heavy thud. "Marquis!" Lady Chen cried out in terror and rushed to lift her son. When she saw blood running down from his scraped brow, her voice rose in panic. "Quickly, summon the physician!" The sight of blood cooled the marquis' fury by a small measure, yet the thought of the magistrates demanding five thousand taels stoked it again. He thrust his finger toward Lady Chen. "You agreed to this. Take the silver from your own hand. If not, then carry this useless son and go beg the Ma family's pardon yourselves" Blunder after blunder had tested him beyond patience. Disappointment weighed heavily, and Marquis Sunfair began to question if Li Han was still fit to inherit the household. 2/2 6:11 pm D