"A Divorce Agreement?"
Huo Yanxing recalled what he had said to Lu Qingyuan the previous night: "I know you have no desire to be married to me. Very well, I am willing to prepare a dowry for you after a year or two and grant you a divorce."
Looking at her eyes now, he saw they were full of hope and the restless excitement of impending freedom. It seemed she truly did not care for the title of Marchioness. Very well, a gentleman’s word is his bond.
"Very well. Come with me to the study."
Huo Yanxing led Lu Qingyuan to the Outer Courtyard. The study was situated on the edge of the courtyard, separated from the Inner Courtyard by only a single gate.
This was Lu Qingyuan's first time entering Huo Yanxing’s study. Upon entering, the first thing she noticed was a long saber hanging in a prominent spot; the blade was narrow and long, its cold, gleaming edge enough to chill one's heart. To the left stood a chaise longue, with an unfinished book on military strategy resting upon it. To the right was an antique sandalwood desk. Military manuals occupied most of the desk's surface, their pages yellowed and brittle, some even torn or missing pieces. The "Four Treasures of the Study" on the desk were exquisite, clearly imperial gifts, yet the owner seemed to have no regard for them; ink stains still marred the brush handles.
Huo Yanxing walked to the desk, took up paper and brush, and prepared to write the Divorce Agreement.
"Wait a moment." Lu Qingyuan interjected.
"What? Regretting your decision?" Huo Yanxing set down his brush, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at the woman before him with a cryptic smile.
"Is the Marquis trying to fool me? Every noble house knows that for important documents, one must use official Bailu Paper and affix a personal seal for it to be valid." Lu Qingyuan picked up the sheet from the desk and gave it a shake. "This is high-quality cotton-link paper. While it is of superior grade, it is not official government paper."
In truth, she hadn't known the difference at first, but having spent a long time in Xian Wang Manor in her past life, she knew that the manor had far stricter rules than the Marquis's Estate. The quantity of paper was strictly tracked—who used it, how much, and for what purpose—all recorded in a ledger to prevent any need for investigation later.
Huo Yanxing took a closer look, and indeed, it was cotton-link paper. When he had left the study the night before, there had been Bailu Paper on the desk. How had it changed? However, he had heard that Lu Qingyuan had been raised by her maternal grandparents and had only been brought back to the Lu Residence this year; how was she so familiar with these official supplies?
Huo Yanxing glanced at the cabinet where the rice paper was kept and summoned Bai Yu. "Where did the Bailu Paper in my study go?"
Bai Yu was also puzzled. The government office regularly sent Bailu Paper to the Marquis's Estate. It had been delivered only a few days ago, and the Marquis hadn't used much. How could it be gone? Bai Yu called for the servant woman responsible for cleaning the study.
The woman was illiterate, but she spoke clearly. "This old servant doesn't know about any Bailu Paper. Early this morning, the Third Young Lady said the Marquis had punished them with copying tasks and they were out of paper, so she came to get some. I thought it was just a few sheets, and the Marquis usually dotes on the young masters and misses, so I let the Third Young Lady in."
The Third Young Lady the woman referred to was Huo Yunyao.
"How absurd." Huo Yanxing couldn't help but press his thumb against his temple. He instructed Bai Yu, "Go and have someone fetch more paper from the government office later. Get plenty."
Lu Qingyuan couldn't help but ask, "Is it standard practice for anyone to enter the Marquis's study whenever they please?"
Huo Yanxing remained silent.
Bai Yu spoke up for his master: "My Lady, the Huo household is simple. Aside from the Old Madam and the four young masters and misses, the Marquis often brings the children here to study and practice calligraphy."
"I believe the four children have no ill intent, but without rules, nothing can be accomplished. The Marquis is a close minister to the Emperor; the study contains confidential documents and imperial gifts. If these were used by someone with ulterior motives, the Marquis's Estate would have no defense." Lu Qingyuan’s tone turned stern. "Furthermore, the children should have a monthly allowance. How much paper they use, how many brushes, how much silver they spend—all should be clearly accounted for, rather than them coming to the Marquis’s study whenever they run out."
Huo Yanxing listened, finding her words reasonable. With spies having infiltrated the estate, he feared they might exploit the innocent children to obtain confidential documents. He signaled to Bai Yu: "Go invite the accountant."
***
The accountant, surnamed Sun, was a thin man with a goatee. He carried a lacquer tray stacked with a dozen blue-bound account books. The scent of ink, mingled with the musty dampness of old paper, wafted toward them.
"Marquis, My Lady, here are the estate's account books for the past five years."
After servants brought in tea, Lu Qingyuan sat down to examine the ledgers, while Huo Yanxing drank tea nearby. To Lu Qingyuan, these books could be summed up in four words: A complete mess.
"Last year in the twelfth lunar month, you purchased three hundred catties of silver-thread charcoal?" Lu Qingyuan’s fingertip traced a line item. "Before I married into the estate, only the Marquis lived in Songtao Courtyard. Could he possibly use three hundred catties of silver-thread charcoal? What is this? Is your Marquis in such frail health?"
Huo Yanxing, who had just taken a sip of tea, nearly choked, his grip on the teacup tightening. Bai Yu’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Accountant Sun wiped his brow, stammering, "Perhaps... perhaps it included the portion for Meixiang Cottage, all calculated together..."
"Fine, we shall let that pass." Lu Qingyuan chuckled suddenly, sliding the ledger toward Huo Yanxing and pointing at another entry. "Marquis, look at this. Are there any improprieties in these Dragon Boat Festival purchases?"
Huo Yanxing could lead an army in battle, but looking at ledgers gave him a massive headache. He scanned the line once, then a second time. Just as he was about to scan a third, Lu Qingyuan pulled the ledger back.
She picked up a brush and circled an item. "One hundred jars of realgar wine? Even Lady White Snake would have to detour around the Marquis's Estate."
Bai Yu finally couldn't help it and let out a snort of laughter, only to stifle it immediately under Huo Yanxing’s cold glare. Before the Marquis could react, Accountant Sun’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.
"My Lady, you don't understand! When the Eldest and Second Masters were still here, the estate drew three salaries, plus the rental income from the farms, and life was comfortable. But after... after the incident, money was needed everywhere. With no mistress of the house, every courtyard just came to the accounting office to draw funds... I did not embezzle this, I swear!"
Lu Qingyuan had Bai Yu take the accountant away, leaving the ledgers behind. She and Huo Yanxing were left alone in the study.
Huo Yanxing knew he was at fault. All these years, his heart had been set on the Huo Family Army, thinking that a war with Beiyan was inevitable. In his spare time, he oversaw the children’s studies, and he truly had no energy left to manage the household expenses. Fortunately, there was some ancestral property; whenever the estate ran short of silver, he had to sell off a little to make ends meet.
He spoke first: "I can give you the keys and the seal for managing the household. If you can balance the estate’s books within one month, I will believe in your ability to manage the house. Furthermore, I will write the Divorce Agreement, ensuring you have no worries for the future."
Lu Qingyuan agreed without a moment’s hesitation. Huo Yanxing, surprised by her speed, continued:
"However, we must have a three-point agreement. First, you must not break any laws; second, you must not use the Marquis’s name to engage in corruption or bribery."
Lu Qingyuan nodded. "Naturally. And the third?"
"Third, you must not use your own dowry to cover the expenses."
Huo Yanxing had seen her dowry list once; it was quite substantial. He assumed it must have been the dowry her maternal grandfather gave her mother, and now it had finally returned to her. It included farms, shops, gold and silver, jewelry, and antiques, but most notably, as the head of the Changfeng Escort Agency, her grandfather had also gifted her two chests of weapons.
Since ancient times, beauties have loved finery, and warriors have loved fine blades. Although Huo Yanxing was curious about those two chests of weapons, they were, after all, a woman’s dowry, and he couldn't touch them.
Lu Qingyuan paused at these words. In her past life, after her father defected to Xian Wang, he had taken her mother’s dowry. Xian Wang had seized it on the pretext of military supplies, without even discussing it with her. Among that dowry was a long sword her mother used to carry.
Indeed, sometimes the gap between humans is greater than the gap between humans and beasts.
She raised her right hand. "Very well, it is a deal. A handshake as a vow!"
Huo Yanxing looked at her confident demeanor, feeling a sense of admiration. He was truly interested to see what she would do. He raised his right arm, his muscles lean and powerful.
With a crisp "smack," his broad palm met hers in the air.
"A word once spoken cannot be overtaken even by a team of four horses."