CHAPTER 346: CHAPTER 323: THE THIEF AMONG THE GUARDS?

Yu Xiaolian became interested.

The Prince’s Tomb near Luocheng, isn’t that the tomb of the old Emperor’s uncle, the original Prince of Yu State.

This tomb raider is really something, daring to rob the Royal Family’s tomb.

No, no, this is probably not an ordinary tomb raider. The original Prince of Yu State’s tomb is massive, with countless burial treasures, and has a dedicated Tomb Guardian. Ordinary tomb raiders couldn’t possibly have silently robbed the old Prince of Yu State’s tomb.

Could it be that Prince Jin, to gather funds to raise private soldiers, is engaging in theft from his own tomb?

Highly likely.

In the book, Prince Jin scattered tens of thousands of private soldiers across the Northwest Three States.

To maintain such soldiers, relying solely on business is definitely not feasible. Moreover, the economy in both the south and north is currently not prosperous, so presumably, Prince Jin is short on funds, which prompted him to consider tomb raiding.

But if indeed the tomb was robbed by Prince Jin himself, then it becomes interesting.

Has Prince Jin given up on County Magistrate Ma?

"On Xiaohan day?"

"Yes!" Zhao Erya nodded.

There’s only a month’s time left for County Magistrate Ma, and now there’s barely enough time to deal with Su Jingchen—it’s really... interesting!

Yu Xiaolian propped her chin with one hand, rhythmically tapping the square table with the other, trying her best to recall the story in the book.

This is precisely a time of chaos in Great Liang, with ongoing wars at the Southern Border and constant harassment from northerners.

Right now, everything is in disarray.

Yu Xiaolian suddenly asked Zhao Erya, "Is County Magistrate Ma in Luocheng now?"

Zhao Erya shook her head, "No, I heard County Magistrate Ma went to Mang Mountain."

Yu Xiaolian nodded, having a premonition that County Magistrate Ma’s official duties might be at their end.

But will the Emperor really not suspect Prince Jin in the matter of the tomb robbery?

Or could it be that the Prince’s Tomb wasn’t actually robbed by Prince Jin, but rather a trap set by the Crown Prince to frame Prince Jin?

Yet, Yu State is Prince Jin’s territory. The Crown Prince’s people couldn’t possibly make such a big move right under Prince Jin’s nose.

If the Crown Prince were so capable, the book wouldn’t have portrayed him so easily as cannon fodder.

Yu Xiaolian couldn’t wrap her head around all these twists and turns, so she simply stopped thinking about it.

She decided to discuss this with Su Jingchen when she had the chance, to see what insights he might have.

Zhao Erya said, "Xiaolian, Scholar Su also asked me to tell you that the plan to propose marriage in the first month might have to be postponed."

Yu Xiaolian acknowledged with an "Oh", indicating she understood.

After all, she was planning to talk to Su Jingchen about postponing anyway, so this just happens to coincide.

Yu Xiaolian changed the topic, "The New Year is coming, have you and Sanyan made new clothes?"

Zhao Erya shook her head, tugging at her cotton clothes to show Yu Xiaolian, "These clothes are new. Making more is pointless; I wouldn’t get around to wearing them."

"You’re now the shopkeeper of Zhenpin Pavilion, you shouldn’t be wearing the same two outfits over and over. I’ll get you two new sets next time."

"No, there’s no need to trouble you. I’ll buy them myself. If you were to buy them, you’d definitely choose the most expensive ones. Buying them myself will save a lot."

"Then don’t forget to make two outfits for Sanyan too.

And, I noticed Sanyan’s hands are chapped with cold. What’s going on? Didn’t you say she’s not supposed to do rough work? How did her hands end up like that?"

Ever since the Yu Family hired more servants, Yu Xiaolian asked Sanyan to stay by her sister and assist lightly, forbidding Zhao Sanyan from doing tugging, laundry, or sweeping tasks.

Zhao Erya laughed, "You still thought her hands were chapped from work? Her hands are like that from practicing martial arts with Sun Hu and others."

Talking about her sister, Zhao Erya felt quite helpless.

Although they were bought by Yu Xiaolian, she never treated them as servants, always like sisters.

Previously, when there were fewer people at home, they had more chores. After they bought high aunts and their daughters, they did lighter chores, and as the household gained more servants, Yu Xiaolian simply let them act as misses, only needing to direct others.

Zhao Erya thought those noble girls, those gentle and refined young ladies, are usually skilled in embroidery, and wanted Zhao Sanyan to learn embroidery from the embroiderers, but apparently, she prefers to wield weapons.

Moreover, she once saw Sanyan easily flipping over a wall taller than her, so fast she thought she was seeing things.