"My lord, do you know how that figure of 16 million *guan* was derived?"
After putting down the ledger, Qin Hui asked with a bitter expression.
"It couldn't have come from these ledgers, could it? But at the time, the Pu family..."
As Wang Fu spoke, he immediately looked at Wang Chao'an kneeling on the ground again.
Seeing his action, even Zhang Bangchang shivered all over. Could it be, did these people really have such great guts?
"My lord misunderstands. They might dare to pilfer some scraps, but this figure absolutely wouldn't be that much..."
Seeing Wang Fu's almost murderous gaze, Qin Hui quickly spoke again.
"Just say it directly, don't play coy!"
Although clearly relieved, Wang Fu still looked at Qin Hui with some displeasure.
"I suspect Han Mo must also have a ledger like this. The ledger in our hands records expenditures, while Han Mo's only records income!"
After Qin Hui finished speaking, Zhang Bangchang was stunned. In an instant, he understood the whole situation.
A ledger with only income and no expenses, and which could be used to calculate the Pu family's total income in the capital...
Originally, such a standalone item would have been meaningless.
But precisely at this moment, how could Wang Fu dare to bring out the expenditure ledger in his hand!
If this thing were truly revealed, who knew how many people in the officialdom would suffer misfortune...
And at that time, those people wouldn't blame Han Mo, but would instead all hate Wang Fu...
"Then, according to what you're saying, that would mean I..."
This was truly a case of being unable to clear one's name even if thrown into the Yellow River!
"My lord, it seems you really have to produce this money..."
Forcing out a smile that was uglier than crying, Qin Hui said softly...
"I..."
Wang Fu, who still harbored some hope in his heart, was now struck as if by a thunderbolt!
Where would he find such a large sum of money?
"My lord..."
"Get out!"
Just as Qin Hui was about to offer some words of comfort, Wang Fu spat out a sentence through gritted teeth.
"But..."
"Get out!"
Wang Fu had completely erupted. Seeing his face as black as the bottom of a pot, Zhang Bangchang could only shake his head helplessly at Qin Hui and then turn to walk outside.
"Master Zhang, this..."
"Hui Zhi, we've done all we can. Let my lord handle the rest. I believe he knows what's important!"
Patting his shoulder, Zhang Bangchang then turned and left with a bitter smile.
---
"I say, you heartless fellow, I've helped you with so much, and now that you're back in Bianliang, you don't even come to say hello?"
In a private room on the third floor of the Fan Lou, Li Shishi plucked at her zither strings while glaring at Han Mo with annoyance.
"Heaven and earth as my witness, the moment I stepped into Bianliang, I was immediately arrested and taken to the palace by the officials. I went to court before dawn. Isn't this the first moment I've had free to come and see my sister?"
Although Han Mo knew that nothing could happen between him and Li Shishi, he dared not offend this woman in any way.
One had to know that the current Emperor was a true and proper incompetent ruler!
The more such a person was like this, the more one had to be wary of the influence of his consort!
"You still have some conscience! But since you're here tonight, if you don't leave me a couple of songs, you won't be leaving this Fan Lou!"
As Li Shishi said this, she even laughed herself.
"Pfft, Sister, are you planning to rob me? But, if you say I can't leave Fan Lou, I have no problem with that! After all, there's food and drink here, and a beautiful companion. Staying here for a lifetime would be a lifelong pleasure!"
"Alright, since our great talent Han has said so, I'll have them prepare a room for you! I just wonder how young Master Han will explain this to that young lady from the Zhe family when he gets home!"
Li Shishi covered her mouth as she giggled.
"Joking aside, Sister, I came here today not only to see you but also to ask you something!"
Frankly speaking, Han Mo had a very good impression of Li Shishi. Since they met, Li Shishi had helped him solve quite a bit of trouble.
It could be said that without Li Shishi, Han Mo would definitely not be as at ease as he was now.
"You all go out for a moment!"
Seeing Han Mo's smiling expression, Li Shishi's heart stirred, and she waved her hand at the maids around her.
"Yes!"
Although these were her trusted confidantes, she also knew in her heart that the fewer people who knew what Han Mo was doing, the better.
"You can speak now!"
After all the maids had left, Li Shishi looked up at Han Mo again.
"May I ask if you have made any plans for your future?"
Originally, Han Mo shouldn't have said such a thing. After all, although their relationship was quite good, his saying this could easily cause some misunderstanding for Li Shishi.
"What plans can a woman of the world have? My life is like duckweed swaying in the wind, drifting wherever it may..."
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Li Shishi paused, and her pretty face blushed slightly.
However, soon, as if suddenly remembering something, the blush quickly faded, leaving only a trace of sadness.
"I have no disrespect towards you, Sister. It's just that Bianliang is not a place to stay for long. You should make plans for your future!"
After a moment of silence, Han Mo still bit his lip and said.
"Not a place to stay for long?"
Looking at Han Mo's serious expression, Li Shishi frowned. He clearly had something more to say, and with Li Shishi's intelligence, she naturally wouldn't fail to grasp his underlying meaning.
"Sister, you should also know that Mr. Shao Bowen stayed with me for a while..."
Originally, Li Shishi's fate had nothing much to do with Han Mo. But just now, seeing her appearance without any makeup, with lightly painted eyebrows, this crazy thought suddenly entered Han Mo's mind.
Such a remarkable woman should never, under any circumstances, perish in this city of Bianliang...