The young prince only cared about having silver to spend each month and had no idea where the money in the mansion actually came from.
Wen Qianyue was both angry and amused.
But this was also a good thing.
"From this month on, none of the Princess Mansion's industries are allowed to send silver to the Huainan Prince's Mansion after making a profit."
"But... what about the young prince's daily expenses?" Yue Heng worried.
After all, the silver in the mansion each month was just enough to cover the expenses.
Although the young prince had been well - behaved recently and rarely went out, old habits die hard... What if he reverted to his old ways one day?
Wen Qianyue shook her head.
She had observed that Xie Yunxiao didn't actually spend much money each month. Except for the money for his amusements, most of the silver in the mansion went into Meng Ruxue's pocket.
Why should the industries of her Princess Mansion support such a person?
"If Xiao'er asks, just tell him that Lu Wanqing has taken over those industries and will no longer subsidize the Prince's Mansion."
"Yes."
After Yue Heng left, as the hair - dressing maid was arranging Wen Qianyue's hair, Li Hong stepped forward. "Miss, Miss Meng wants to go to a shop outside to buy something. She asked if you'd like to go with them?"
Wen Qianyue thought for a while and agreed. She happened to want to go out.
The carriage was already harnessed. When Wen Qianyue arrived, Meng Ruxue and Qin Wan were chatting.
Seeing her, Qin Wan said in a sarcastic tone, "Miss Wen really has a big airs!"
Wen Qianyue replied calmly, "Not really."
Qin Wan was taken aback and didn't know what to say.
Wen Qianyue directly stepped into the carriage. The outside of the carriage was carved with exquisite patterns, and the interior was spacious enough to accommodate three people.
Meng Ruxue quickly said, "Miss Wen, I've been thinking that since you came to the Prince's Mansion, I haven't properly entertained you, and we haven't really gotten to know each other well. So I thought this would be a good opportunity for us to go shopping."
She pulled up the white fur - trimmed cloak and coughed lightly.
Wen Qianyue walked over and smiled faintly. "That's natural. But I'm thinking that since I'm a guest, it should be Miss Meng who pays the bills this time, right?"
Meng Ruxue was stunned for a moment and then smiled. "Of course."
"Why should I?" Qin Wan lifted the curtain and complained.
She and Ruxue were close friends. Ruxue had always paid the bills when they went out before, but why should Wen Qianyue be treated like this?
"It's okay, Awan." Meng Ruxue got into the carriage and shook her head gently.
Seeing their sisterly bond, Wen Qianyue said indifferently, "Anyway, it's all Xie Yunxiao's money you're spending. Why are you so worked up?"
It was actually her money that her son was spending.
In the end, she was the one at a loss.
Qin Wan was rendered speechless.
When they arrived at the destination, Wen Qianyue found it quite novel.
Before she got married, she lived in the palace. All her clothes, head - ornaments and jewelry were made by the most skilled embroiderers and craftsmen in the palace and then directly sent to her palace. After she got married, the late emperor doted on her, and all her daily necessities were delivered to the Princess Mansion. This had not changed even after the current emperor ascended the throne.
Seeing Wen Qianyue looking like a country bumpkin, Qin Wan felt contemptuous. She pulled Meng Ruxue's hand and walked straight into the store.
"She's really a country bumpkin. Ruxue, I feel ashamed to bring her here."
"Awan, don't say that."
Wen Qianyue was both amused and exasperated by their act.
She walked in and saw that the shopkeeper had already surrounded Meng Ruxue, smiling obsequiously.
"Miss Meng, if I had known you were coming, I would have cleared the store early and waited for you."
Meng Ruxue said kindly, "Thank you for your trouble."
Qin Wan said expectantly, "I've had my eye on two dresses for a long time, but they're too expensive. I didn't dare to ask my mother for the money. Fortunately, I have you."
"It doesn't matter. You can take whatever you like." Meng Ruxue said generously, then turned to Wen Qianyue. "It's the same for Miss Wen."
Wen Qianyue nodded and said to the shopkeeper, "Don't you have any nice and special fabrics in your store?"
The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment. "There are, but the price..."
"It doesn't matter." Meng Ruxue smiled gently. "Since Miss Wen likes them, just bring them out."
She had drawn a lot of money from the Xie Yunxiao's mansion this month. Besides the money she gave to her family, she still had a fair amount left for herself.
At first, when her family asked her to draw money from the Prince's Mansion, she was afraid that Xie Yunxiao would be unhappy. But later she found that he simply didn't care. Moreover, there was a large amount of income in the mansion every month. It would be a waste not to spend it.
Xie Yunxiao, this playboy, only cared about his own food, drink and amusements on a daily basis. He probably wouldn't even notice if the Prince's Mansion was sold.
The shopkeeper beamed like a flower and quickly ordered his subordinates to bring out the best fabrics in the store.
Wen Qianyue was not polite. She directly asked them to wrap up the fabrics she fancied.
It was all her own money. Why should she be polite?
The shopkeeper offered to take her measurements and deliver the clothes to her mansion when they were ready.
Qin Wan gave Wen Qianyue a disdainful look. "Some people are really shameless!"
Wen Qianyue nodded seriously. "Truly shameless."
Since a lot of good goods had been sold today, the shopkeeper's mouth almost split to his ears. He served Meng Ruxue and the others like they were gods of wealth, personally attending to them throughout.
Qin Wan also chose a lot of nice things that she usually couldn't afford.
Normally, she wouldn't have dared to spend so much money. The allowance from her family was limited. Although her family was fairly well - off, it was nothing compared to the Prince's Mansion.
When they were almost done, the shopkeeper took out his abacus and made out a bill.
He looked at Meng Ruxue with a beaming smile, the wrinkles on his face bunching up. He said deferentially, "Do you want to put this on credit or pay in silver now?"
Meng Ruxue's face changed slightly when she saw the bill.
Why was it so much silver?
Seeing her stunned, Qin Wan asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Meng Ruxue forced a smile and said, "It's nothing."
She motioned for the maid beside her to pay the bill.
The maid looked embarrassed. "This... the silver I have on me may not be enough."
"What?" Qin Wan couldn't help raising her voice. "How is that possible?"
Meng Ruxue came to her senses and said awkwardly, "Maybe we were in a hurry when we came out today, and the servants didn't bring enough silver."
Qin Wan let out a sigh of relief. "So that's it."
That's what she thought.
"It must be you!" She turned to look at Wen Qianyue disdainfully. "You're really a country bumpkin with a poor - looking air. Seeing Ruxue paying the bill, you just want to take advantage."
Wen Qianyue smiled. "Miss Meng said she would treat me. How could I not give her face?"
"Moreover... Miss Meng hasn't said anything about me yet. Why are you so worried? People might think it's your family's money you're spending."
"You!!!" Qin Wan stared at her with wide eyes, unable to say a word.
After she said all that, how could this person still be so calm?
"So what should we do now?"
The shopkeeper promptly offered an option. "Our store can put it on credit, or we can go to your mansion to collect the money."
"That's a good idea." Qin Wan pulled Meng Ruxue. "Let's go shopping for a while longer. Let them go to the Prince's Mansion to collect the money."
Meng Ruxue thought for a while and decided this was a good solution.
At least it could save her face.