Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 368 Ledger

Nianyao's heart skipped a beat. The senior sister had just left, and Nanhua brought over the account book. Was this to settle accounts or to settle accounts with the senior sister?

It was unprecedented for the account books to be brought to Xi Zhai and given to Luo An. What was the purpose of giving them to him? Surely they couldn't expect him to do the accounting, could they?

One problem hadn't been sorted out before another one came along. Luo An felt irritated, rubbed his temples, and sat down without saying a word.

While giving Luo An a wink, Nian Yao poured tea for Nan Hua: "Your Highness, please have some tea. The accounting staff at Heaven and Earth are all sent from the palace; how could they possibly make a mistake in the accounts?"

Nan Hua didn't sit down, but stood and accepted the teacup, his tone and attitude as calm as ever: "The accounts are correct. However, since the year before last, the monthly income of Heaven on Earth has fluctuated, with no overall increase in income, while expenses have increased slightly each month, resulting in an overall increase."

Since last year, the monthly income of the Heaven on Earth nightclub has been decreasing while its expenses have been increasing. Although the monthly decrease and increase rates are both small, they add up to a large sum.

As of last month, Heaven on Earth's income slightly exceeded its expenses, breaking even. If this trend continues, Heaven on Earth will soon be unable to make ends meet.

Xiao An is the owner of the Heaven on Earth nightclub, so he should be familiar with its accounts. These boxes contain transcribed account books from last year to the present, which Xiao An and his sister-in-law can look through in their spare time.

"Prince Rui is right. We're family, so it's best to speak openly to avoid any secrets or suspicion. If Xiao An and her sister-in-law need anything, they can go to the palace anytime, or send someone to invite us over."

After Nanhua finished speaking, he left. Nianyao saw that Luo An was staring at the box without moving and did not even show any intention of getting up, so she had no choice but to see Nanhua out herself.

Nan Hua stopped in front of Xu Sheng: "Prince Rui."

Xu Sheng took a large step back and solemnly bowed at a ninety-degree angle: "Your Highness, Crown Princess."

Everyone present was stunned. Nan Hua was also very surprised, so much so that his mouth was slightly open and he forgot what he was about to say.

Xu Sheng was very sincere: "I came to Dongyang this time only to have my brother come back with me to attend my uncle's funeral. I have no other intentions whatsoever."

"I beg the Crown Princess to put in a good word for me before His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince. Treating me as a prisoner is fine; just let me return to Nan Yue alive."

Nan Hua smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly: "What are you saying, Your Highness? Xiao An's twin brother is also our own brother, isn't he?"

Our An family has few male heirs, so having another younger brother is a great joy. I'll go back soon and urge the Crown Prince to come over so he can accompany Prince Rui to the Wenxiang Pavilion to listen to music.”

Nan Hua stopped as he passed Guan Xin, took out a handkerchief to wipe the fine beads of sweat from Guan Xin's forehead, and asked softly, "Miss Guan, are you feeling unwell?"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Guan Xin leaned against the wall, her heart churning. Finally, she steeled herself and raised her weak voice, making sure everyone could hear: "It's...my period...it's started..."

Nan Hua said "Oh," then beckoned a maid and instructed, "Help Miss Fu Guan to rest."

The maid helped Guan Xin walk forward step by step, and both of them looked very tired. Xiao Man couldn't bear to watch, so she caught up with Guan Xin and carried him away on her back.

Nan Hua stood outside the window and said to Luo An, "Xiao An, Miss Guan is having menstrual cramps and looks like she's in a lot of pain. If you have time, could you prescribe some medicine for her?"

As Nianyao watched Nanhua walk away with the palace maids and guards, she sighed, "As expected of the Crown Princess, she is truly meticulous in every aspect."

Xu Sheng said, "Being a Crown Princess like her is tough, so don't try to be like her. When you become a Crown Princess, just enjoy yourself and have everyone around you take care of you."

Nianyao wanted to roll her eyes: "You're giving the Crown Princess such a grand salute, it seems you're really afraid of dying?"

Xu Sheng didn't take it seriously, went into the room and opened the large box: "What person isn't afraid of death? Even ants try to survive. Etiquette sounds impressive, but it's all empty talk; anyone can do it."

Besides, fortunes change. Today I bow to her, who knows, one day she might be kneeling before me. Don't take such empty talk to heart. Don't take things like "a man's knees are worth gold" seriously.

What a load of fallacies! Nianyao said, "Since you don't care, why don't you kneel in front of her? Wouldn't that show more sincerity?"

Xu Sheng casually picked up an account book and began to flip through it: "Etiquette and sincerity are two different things. Even if I kneel until my knees are worn out, the Crown Princess will not think that I am sincere."

"It's fine to occasionally show off a little to impress others, but that doesn't mean I have to practice it thoroughly. After all, everyone can do etiquette, but sincerity is irreplaceable."

These words only sound convincing coming from Luo An. If Nian Yao hadn't known Xu Sheng, she might have almost believed them.

Nianyao said, "You yourself are so weak, yet you speak so sincerely."

Xu Sheng seemed particularly patient, showing no intention of being confrontational at all: "Sister-in-law, I have always been very sincere, it's just that you can't understand my sincerity."

"I just begged the Crown Princess to put in a good word for me and ask them to spare my life. I was truly sincere. But since you don't believe my sincerity, there's nothing I can do."

That simple address of "sister-in-law" was utterly fake. Nianyao was inwardly criticizing it when Luo An said, "You're right!"

Nianyao looked at Luo An, wondering if she had misheard.

Xu Sheng was also shocked. He stared at Luo An for a long time before asking, "You're praising me?"

Luo An said, "Yes!"

Xu Sheng sat down opposite Luo An, placed the account book on the table, and said earnestly, "Brother, I'm still young, you have to save my life. If I die like this in Dongyang, I won't be able to rest in peace."

This was what Xu Sheng meant by sincerity, and Nianyao didn't even have the urge to roll her eyes anymore.

Luo An couldn't listen anymore and stood up, saying, "Take your time reading. Your sister-in-law and I are going to the Duke's mansion. When I get back, you can tell me what's going on with this account."

Nianyao frowned: "Me and your sister-in-law? Has Luo An gone mad? Follow Xu Sheng's lead!"

Xu Sheng quickly threw the account book back into the box: "I'll go with you."

Luo An raised an eyebrow: "Who's looking at the accounts?"

Xu Sheng said, "The Crown Princess is definitely right, so there's no need to look at it at all. Businesses rise and fall, that's normal. Century-old businesses are rare. Even Jingzhao Manor, the richest manor in Nanyue, collapsed just like that, didn't it?"

Luo An's face was already pale, and it grew even worse as he listened: "What do you mean?"

Xu Sheng turned to Nian Yao: "Sister-in-law, you see, sincerity is just so unpopular."

Nianyao ignored him and followed Luo Anyi.

Xu Sheng caught up and grabbed Luo An's arm: "Brother, I'll go with you. Look at them, they're eyeing me like hawks, just waiting for you to leave so they can make their move on me."

Aside from Nian Yao, no one had ever been so intimate with Luo An. He got goosebumps and quickly pushed Xu Sheng away.

Nianyao looked up and saw the conch shell. Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she pulled Luo An from the right to the left: "Stay away from him."

Luo An was a little absent-minded today and didn't expect Nian Yao to hit him so hard. He bumped into the wall and strained his back, and his face was contorted in pain.

Today is very unlucky; it is not advisable to do anything.