Zhenzhu was hurrying after her lady. After catching up she let her curiosity take over. "My lady, there is one thing I don't understand. Why take this case when you know this case is closed and that lady might be lying."
The princess glanced at her attendant. "I have a few reasons. Yes, she might be lying, but that doesn't mean that what she was describing didn't happen. Furthermore it is also important to show the people that the Jade Hall of Justice does listen to the people. The one connecting to the palace should be the best, considering the Royal family lives here. I also do think this case ended too easy before. To catch people selling illegal products is hard, especially all of them. But they are illegal for a reason. Most of these products are poisonous for humans, especially in the long term. Make-up with ingredients that harm the skin, clothes made with fabric that cause rashes and diseases, armour with metal so worn out that young men who want to try out fail before the entrance, because of injuries, food as cheap as possible, while children die of it, because it hasn't been approved and drugs so addictive it makes the user lose its mind. I don't think I have to continue."
"My lady, I know, but we imprisoned many of these dealers already. How could anyone claim this investigation was wrong."
"Zhenzhu."
Whenever the princess was serious or angry at her attendant, she used her normal name instead of her nickname. This made the attendant jump.
"We are all people and all of us make mistakes, even royalty, how many times do I have to tell you this. This case specifically is a sensitive topic already, because many people are involved. And besides anyone can say that someone else did a crime they themselves did. There are many reasons how this is easily happened."
They arrived at the Princess' mansion.
"Well, I will send people to go after this. Don't worry. I trust them."
"Yes, my lady. Also about that other matter, I asked her to observe sir Danjun." The servant was referring to the odd behaviour of the princess' eldest nephew of the other night.
"Good, host her in a week or two."
-----
In the princess' office, people kept coming in as she summoned them. "My lady, I will be able to have people check on these people on the list, but isn't it unrealistic to have them stationed for an entire week. Isn't it unnerving for them?" The man worried.
"I believe it is the best course of action. Most of them were already under our eyes, but were innocent. We are just trying to see if they really are." She said while not taking her eyes off the papers in front of her, which had not only the contents of this case, but other palace matters as well.
"Even the Rui Trading Company is on this list, but this company is practically the cleanest in their reputation. Their success is there, because they are the most trustworthy, not only in the port city, but in the entire kingdom. Is it really necessary to have an eye on them too?"
"I trust this company too, but you can never be too cautious and it would be unfair to the others on the list." The princess frowned at one of the papers after talking. "This is odd..." She whispered.
"I understand, I will take my leave then. I will do what you asked, and make sure you get a detailed report." The man left swiftly.
Not much later, a man knocked on the doorframe of the princess' study, as the door was open. "My lady, may I enter?" The young man said with a smile. "Oh Wenzai, the exact man I wanted to see. How is your new position as the Minister of Rites?" The princess looked up and smiled back. "Take a seat."
"It hasn't even been that long since my official appointment, but it feels like I have finally gained the respect of my peers. It is going to be slow, but it is going to be just fine."
"You practically have been the actual Minister for months now, don't be so humble."
"I am flattered you think that way, My Lady."
"Why have the costs been raised in the past month? It isn't specified where these funds are going."
The princess threw these pieces of paper on the ground in front of the man.
"My, you cut to the chase fast, Princess." He picked them up, as he read them, his eyebrow twitched.
"This is odd. I did notice a lot of money has been leaving from the Royal account, but I made sure these actions were stopped. I haven't seen these write-off's."
"I hope that you tell the truth, Wenzai."
"I would never lie to you, Princess. You saw my potential and continued to help me. You are just, and I admire that."
The princess let her head rest on her fist and closed her eyes. "No need for flattery. Figure this out."
"Yes, my Lady. But if I look at these write-off's it looks like it comes from the King's mansion."
"How did you figure that out?" The princess looks more interested.
"Well it is the handwriting, and quality of ink. It usually doesn't look too different from the entire Royal Palace, but every mansion and ministry have a slightly different way of writing their write-off's. It takes years to see this difference, however I can recognise it, just barely. I can compare it to one of yours if that is okay, my Lady."
The princess searched and found a recent write-off of the kitchen for the past month and handed it over.
"Yes, look at the quality of black ink in between these two papers. The one of the Royal palace always has a super dark black ink, while yours is a lighter shade. The handwriting is also slightly different, can you see it? It is because everyone who is taught doing accounts in the palace has the same way of writing but each mansion and ministry writes their numbers a little differently." Wenzai rambled excitedly.
"I can't see the difference, but you must have a good eye for it, I will believe you for now. Find out as much as you can, and I hope you put up good work with your new position."
"I will excuse myself." He stood up and left. "Thank you, Princess."
"I feel like something big will happen soon."