She Became A Downfall Noble Lady Chapter 858: 856: A Losing Bargain

Chapter 858: Chapter 856: A Losing Bargain

Ye Xinyan’s words brought a mont of silence to the hall, as all the court officials stared intently at the young woman kneeling to the side.

Though her attire was refined, it wasn’t luxurious, and her unadorned face appeared quite dignified, her speech extrely earnest and sincere.

What she said didn’t sound like empty talk at all.

However, everyone present had experience in various positions across the regions. Although they hadn’t directly overseen specific construction projects, they had so knowledge of engineering.

What kind of project could achieve such detailed records?

It’s not that it’s impossible; it’s just that doing so is too ti-consuming and labor-intensive. Unless it’s sothing extrely important and precise, no one would be willing to undertake such a cumberso and costly task.

Prince Fu and Wang Xian exchanged a look, secretly alard.

After hearing Ye Xinyan’s words, their first thought was: Why would Guangsha Construction, a civilian engineering firm, put so much effort into such a large-scale project? Could it be that Guangsha Construction and Jinrong knew they would tamper with the materials, and this was a plan to lure them into a trap?

If that’s the case, it’s too dangerous.

Thinking of those suspects detained at the capital’s yan, and the key figures who were already sent away but still alive, the two shuddered.

The emperor was also inwardly suspicious, asking, “Is Guangsha Construction doing this because they took on a court project, and thus took it so seriously?”

Ye Xinyan replied, “Your Majesty, the Qi Family Construction Business opened in Yuyuan Prefecture and operated in this manner. Not only the construction business, but other chanical workshops also kept such records. These books are preserved as archives and destroyed after five years. If Your Majesty has any doubts, you can send soone to inspect them. Though traveling to and from Yuyuan Prefecture is inconvenient, the two other gardens built by Guangsha Construction in the capital have corresponding records that can be accessed at any ti.”

The court officials all looked at each other in disbelief. It’s just a civilian construction business, does it need to conduct itself so efficiently and ticulously?

Such large-scale projects were only rumored to be required under the harsh rule of the First Emperor, and even then, it was rely about numbering individual materials by craftsn, far simpler than the records of your construction firm.

Liu Chengzhi, surprised, asked harshly, “Lady of the Jiang Family, do you know that speaking recklessly in the palace in front of His Majesty carries an extra penalty? Can you guarantee that for every batch of materials for the court, there is a corresponding section and craftsman in your so-called records?”

Ye Xinyan looked up at Liu Chengzhi, then at the other old n, confidently saying, “Lord Liu, what do you an? Isn’t this how construction is done? Can we be so muddle-headed when receiving and dispatching materials? In the construction records for Jiangbei and South Zhejiang, even if individual accountability cannot be achieved for every person in the books, the lead craftsn and responsible sections are clearly docunted.”

The emperor’s hope grew even stronger.

Since Ye Xinyan spoke so confidently and claid that all projects by the Qi Family Construction Business were docunted, it couldn’t be falsified. This suggests that targeted repairs and rework should be feasible.

After the initial suspicion, the emperor cast a harsher look toward Wang Xian and Prince Fu.

Even though Ye Xinyan’s words hadn’t yet been verified, as a steward of a civilian construction business, she was knowledgeable and put it into practice. And yet the officials funded by the court, all claiming to be erudite and talented, didn’t even have this awareness.

Such incompetents, how do they have the face to speak confidently in the Imperial Court? What qualifications do they have to look down upon the people?

The emperor’s inner anger toward his subordinates was growing, and he looked displeased at Ye Xinyan as well, sternly asking, “This matter cannot be decided just by what you say. What evidence do you have? What can you provide to convince and all the lords that you can achieve this?”

Facing the emperor’s inexplicable anger, Ye Xinyan cautiously replied, “Your Majesty, I have prepared all the docuntation and records of the railway projects before coming here, and they are now in the carriage outside the palace. If Your Majesty needs to review them, you can send soone to fetch them.”

She ca prepared, didn’t she?

This thought almost instantly flashed through the minds of everyone present.

The emperor’s expression darkened as he signaled to Zhang Cunhai to send soone to fetch the docunts.

Then, with a sullen face, the emperor asked, “Does this an you knew I called you here today?” Guessing the emperor’s intentions is a great offense.

Ye Xinyan knew it well, she shrank back slightly and explained, “I dare not, not at all. My husband Jiang Yifan, a few days ago, was drinking with colleagues in a tavern and happened to hear people discussing the use of inferior materials in the railway project. Because it involved , my husband inquired a little and reported the matter to the Capital Prefecture Yan.

These past few days, I’ve been restless, always thinking about how to conduct repairs and redy the project, so I’ve kept these records and docunts at hand. When I was summoned by Your Majesty today, I knew it must be about this matter, so I brought these records along. If needed, it would save ti from the hassle of going back and forth to find them.”

“Hmph! Jiang Yifan neglects his duties, but he certainly cares about his own affairs, very efficient.” Although the emperor said this, his expression improved significantly, and he turned to You Chenghui, asking, “When did Jiang Yifan report this to the Capital Prefecture Yan?”

This matter was docunted in the case files, but it wasn’t the main content, so the emperor overlooked it.

Therefore, You Chenghui answered confidently, “Your Majesty, the Capital Prefecture Yan has informants in the market, and at the start of the new year, the yan received this news. Because we didn’t know its truth, we only dispatched soone to investigate. Before the inquiry was clear, Lord Jiang approached the Capital Prefecture Yan, expressing his hope that the yan would treat this as a major case.”

Although You Chenghui’s explanation was a bit verbose, to protect his official position, he had to make things clear, even if the emperor was displeased.

The emperor frowned, “It’s just a rumor, why is Jiang Yifan so sure?”

You Chenghui said, “Lord Jiang ntioned that Guangsha Construction had just started operations in the capital and didn’t have the capability to undertake the court’s railway project. As a last resort, they had to hire temporarily. Therefore, the craftsn they recruited inevitably had mixed identities. If soone truly planned sothing, relying solely on Guangsha Construction and Prince Yu’s Mansion’s manpower, they might be unable to prevent it.”

The emperor cast a cold, penetrating gaze at Jinrong and Prince Fu, contemplating in silence.

The Diligent Governance Hall fell into a brief silence.

After Ye Xinyan brought up the books and records, everyone felt sowhat shaken and plotted their own plans. Not everyone was pleased about the court recovering losses.

Jinrong remained silent to avoid suspicion, showing no reaction and saying nothing.

Prince Fu and Wang Xian were anxious. Prince Fu was now deeply regretting, regretting it so much it hurt.

He must have been out of his mind at the ti to have put the project in Jinrong’s hands and then targeted this to attack Jinrong.

Why didn’t he think more? Even if he succeeded, how much damage could it do to Jinrong? Compared to the risks he had to bear, it was entirely disproportionate and an unwise trade.