What status did Qin Lu hold?
Within his study lay countless secrets—classified documents, strategic reports—so sensitive that even most servants were barred from entering the courtyard, let alone the study itself.
Yet now, Qin Lu had unhesitatingly surrendered half of this sanctum to him.
Even Gu Yanshu was taken aback by this decision.
Watching the servants bustling in and out, he suppressed his questions for the moment.
Under Xing Ren's disciplined guidance, the staff worked with military efficiency.
In less time than it took for an incense stick to burn, they had prepared Gu Yanshu's designated area—
• Account books placed within easy reach
• Personal volumes from the Marquisate neatly shelved nearby
Sensing Gu Yanshu's unspoken need to speak privately with Qin Lu, Xing Ren withdrew with the servants.
"What is it?" Qin Lu had long noticed his hesitation.
"Won't sharing your study cause issues?" Gu Yanshu cut straight to the point.
"What issues?" Qin Lu glanced at the newly added desk, finding it oddly fitting.
"This room must hold sensitive materials." Gu Yanshu stepped closer, a playful smile on his lips. "Aren't you afraid I might peek and leak secrets?"
"You won't." Qin Lu met his gaze, voice unwavering.
Though their time together had been brief, Qin Lu prided himself on reading people well.
Gu Yanshu was transparent in his actions—
Wedding day: Never hid his admiration for Qin Lu's appearance
Bridal chamber: Spoke desires without pretense
Such a man wouldn't steal secrets.
Not from inability—but from disdain.
Qin Lu's absolute trust undeniably pleased Gu Yanshu.
His smile deepened—until Qin Lu added:
"Of course, should my princess consort wish to try..."
That unshakable confidence held dual meanings:
Trust in Gu Yanshu's character
Certainty in his own power to handle betrayal
Gu Yanshu chuckled at the implied challenge:
"How unfortunate—I believe I've grown fonder of Your Highness."
Human nature worships strength—especially someone like Gu Yanshu, formidable himself.
This display of Qin Lu's authority proved more captivating than even his perfectly sculpted features.
Unlike his outspoken consort, Qin Lu remained reserved—incapable of voicing affection so freely.
He gave no verbal response, though the air around him softened noticeably.
Understanding this, Gu Yanshu switched topics:
"Your Highness."
"Hmm?"
"Xing Ren mentioned these ledgers signify full authority over household affairs. Correct?"
His tone shifted—those who knew him would recognize his business demeanor.
"Correct."
"And if I implement changes...?"
"Your decisions stand."
"Should anyone object...?"
"Handle them as you see fit."
"Then I'm satisfied."
Gu Yanshu nodded approvingly.
Every ruler has methods—he was no exception.
Had Qin Lu granted superficial power while obstructing, he'd have rejected it outright.
But with this unconditional mandate, he'd gladly manage Qin Lu's domain.
Settling at his new desk, Gu Yanshu began reviewing accounts with sharp focus—
Unaware Qin Lu's gaze lingered on him longer than the paperwork warranted.
Though Qin Lu had answered with certainty when questioned,
Both capital gossip and Zhi Ge's investigations suggested Gu Yanshu should struggle with household management.
Qin Lu's decision to delegate authority served dual purposes:
Demonstrating trust in his new consort
Establishing Gu Yanshu's status among servants
He'd even instructed Xing Ren:
If confused: Guide patiently
If willing to learn: Teach thoroughly
If disinterested: Maintain regular operations with biweekly reports
Yet Gu Yanshu's actions shattered all expectations.
The moment he sat, account books flew through his fingers—
Faster than Qin Lu's most experienced bookkeepers.
Were this anyone else, Qin Lu might suspect pretense.
But Gu Yanshu's expression held pure concentration—
Undeniable authenticity.
Moreover, he simultaneously:
Flagged discrepancies with paper slips
Jotted reform plans (likely those "changes" mentioned earlier)
Though distance obscured details, the process spoke volumes.
Perhaps infected by Gu Yanshu's focus, Qin Lu soon redirected his attention to official documents—
This time, his efficiency soared without earlier distractions.
Across the study, Gu Yanshu indeed noted required modifications as Qin Lu anticipated:
While the ledgers were impeccably maintained—every expenditure meticulously recorded—they still fell short by modern standards.
Two fundamental flaws emerged:
Single-entry bookkeeping (prone to errors with complex transactions)
Chinese numeral script (less efficient than Arabic numerals, less secure than financial Chinese characters)
Having mastered double-entry accounting in his past life, Gu Yanshu planned to:
Train accountants in advanced methods
Implement Arabic numerals for daily use
Reserve formal characters for final documentation
Dozens of similar improvements filled his notes as he worked—
Until palace lanterns illuminated the deepening night with golden hues.
Obstacles to Productivity
Hardware Limitations:
Even with Tianqi's finest candles and luminous pearls embedded in walls, the lighting paled against his memory of electric brilliance.
Software Constraints:
Qin Lu's completed paperwork left him restless. Initially respecting his consort's focus, he waited—
Until midnight approached with Gu Yanshu still squinting at ledgers.
Unacceptable.
The prince who'd never lacked intimacy since marriage wouldn't tolerate neglect—especially from the man who'd once openly adored him.
Stepping forward, Qin Lu confiscated the ledger mid-page.
"Enough for tonight."
His arm encircled Gu Yanshu's waist, hauling him toward bedchambers.
"At least let me finish this section—"
"You said that last incense stick's burning," Qin Lu countered.
Exactly one incense period ago, Gu Yanshu had promised to stop after "just one more ledger"—
Only to start anew the moment Qin Lu turned away.
"You seemed occupied with Zhi Ge..."
Caught in his lie, Gu Yanshu averted his eyes.
"Then I'm done with my work now," Qin Lu retorted without hesitation.
"But I only have half a ledger left—" Gu Yanshu couldn't shake his lingering urge to finish.
"Seems you've energy to spare tonight?" Qin Lu cut him off pointedly.
He did.
Yet instinct warned against admitting it.
A wise choice—for Qin Lu "helped" expend that energy regardless.
That evening, after days of quiet, the prince's residence again echoed with impassioned sounds.
No longer novices after their wedding night, and armed with Physician Zhou's advice, Gu Yanshu finally experienced what his past-life peers called "transcendent pleasure."
Remarkably, he awoke mobile—no recurrence of the previous incapacitating soreness.
With no physical hindrances, post-breakfast found them back in the study tackling remaining ledgers.
The small stack took under two hours.
As Gu Yanshu closed the final ledger with a satisfied exhale, his gaze landed on Qin Lu—
"Your Highness."
"Hmm?"
Meeting those mischievous eyes, Qin Lu braced for teasing.
"I never realized Your Highness was so... generous."
The ledgers had revealed startling truths:
While the betrothal gifts to Marquis Chengen seemed extravagant—gold, jewels, rare antiques—they'd actually drained over half the prince's wealth.
Though returned as dowry, Tianqi customs classified such assets as the wife's untouchable private property unless voluntarily shared.
Thus the entire Prince Li Manor's current holdings couldn't match one-third of Gu Yanshu's dowry.
For Qin Lu to offer such gifts despite this—generous barely covered it.
"Xing Ren handled the betrothal preparations," Qin Lu deflected, spotting the reviewed ledgers. "Besides—protocol demanded no less."
The betrothal gifts were indeed generous, but the list had been reviewed by Qin Lu himself—
Every item merely met the minimum imperial standards for a prince's principal consort. Not excessive—if anything, somewhat modest.
"Then I must have a word with Xing Ren," Gu Yanshu chuckled, unsurprised. "Stinginess suits others better."
"Unnecessary." Qin Lu found his consort's thrifty demeanor amusing. "There won't be others."
Romance had never preoccupied the prince. The timid noble maidens who trembled in his presence held no appeal.
Without the Emperor's decree, marriage might never have crossed his mind.
Thus, Gu Yanshu's concern about "generosity to others" was moot.
"I'll take Your Highness at your word," Gu Yanshu said after a pause, locking eyes with Qin Lu. "Don't go back on it."
"Naturally." Qin Lu's gaze held equal solemnity.
Knowing the prince's unwavering integrity, Gu Yanshu's lips curved in irrepressible delight—
Though Qin Lu didn't understand why such a mundane promise brought such joy, the sight warmed him nonetheless.
Accounting Reform
With the betrothal matter settled, Gu Yanshu summoned the manor's bookkeepers to implement yesterday's plans.
"Does the Princess Consort find errors in the accounts?" The eldest scribe bowed nervously.
"No flaws exist." Gu Yanshu's reassurance eased their tension. "Your work is impeccable."
Relief washed over them. Serving the feared Prince Li was perilous—one mistake could cost lives. Praise from his consort was rare solace.
"However," Gu Yanshu continued, "your methods require refinement."
The head bookkeeper exchanged glances with his peers before inquiring respectfully:
"How might we improve?"
No trace of disdain colored his tone—remarkable given Gu Yanshu's notorious wastrel reputation.
"Follow these instructions." Gu Yanshu handed over meticulously prepared notes on double-entry bookkeeping.
As the scribes examined the document, their eyes widened.
"Such calligraphy!" one murmured.
The flowing script embodied:
Cranes in flight (grace)
Coiling dragons (power)
Hidden elegance (precision)
This was no dilettante's scrawl—but the hand of a true master.
Instantly, their attentiveness redoubled.
The scribes' initial attentiveness redoubled upon seeing the calligraphy.
Gu Yanshu sipped tea silently at their praise—
This handwriting had been honed over a decade in his past life, with the Lantingji Xu ("Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection"), revered as the greatest running script masterpiece, serving as his primary model.
Even his calligraphy teacher—a titan of Chinese brushwork—had remarked on its resemblance to Wang Xizhi's legendary elegance.
Accounting Revelation
As seasoned professionals, the bookkeepers quickly grasped the double-entry system's brilliance:
Debit/Credit equilibrium
Asset/Liability classifications
Opening/Closing balances
Yet complexities arose:
"How to interpret 'balanced ledgers'?"
"What constitutes 'assets' versus 'liabilities'?"
"These initial and terminal figures..."
Gu Yanshu patiently elucidated each concept, watching "aha" moments flicker across their faces.
"Any remaining doubts?" he finally asked.
"None for now—though practice may reveal more," the head scribe admitted cautiously.
Practical Implementation
"Then please recopy all manor accounts using this method."
The request served dual purposes:
Standardization for future audits
Reinforcement through hands-on practice
Far from protesting, the scribes bowed profoundly—
"Our gratitude for sharing such wisdom, Princess Consort."
In an era where masters guarded secrets jealously, this selfless teaching warranted deep respect.
"Serve the manor well, and it's no waste," Gu Yanshu acknowledged their salute.
With fervent promises, they departed to apply their new knowledge.
Strategic Applications
"What holds Your Highness' gaze?" Gu Yanshu turned to Qin Lu, who'd observed silently.
"This accounting method's potential," the prince mused.
A brilliant tactician, Qin Lu instantly recognized broader uses:
"Military provisions and armories—it could expose discrepancies instantly."
The system's transparency would deter corruption in:
Grain stores
Weapon inventories
Equipment maintenance logs
Gu Yanshu's eyebrow arched. "Precisely."
"Certainly feasible."
Gu Yanshu hadn't expected Qin Lu to grasp the system's versatility so swiftly. "Inventory management has specialized ledger methods too. I'll draft them shortly if needed."
"Then I'll trouble my princess consort." Qin Lu accepted without hesitation—
Between spouses, what use for false modesty?
His attitude pleased Gu Yanshu immensely. Just as he began responding—
"Young Master!"
Bai Zhu's indignant shout cut through. Barred from entering unbidden, he hovered at the threshold—
Voice thick with grievance.
"What happened?" Gu Yanshu beckoned him inside.
Today marked the fourth day since the wedding—the appointed date to collect winnings from Bai Zhu's bet.
After morning duties, the attendant had rushed to the gambling den—
Only to face refusal.
"They're cheating! Refusing to pay!" Bai Zhu exploded.
Worse—the bookmakers had tried detaining him to destroy the betting slips.
Only prior caution (hiding duplicates) ensured his safe return.
"Certainly feasible."
Gu Yanshu hadn't expected Qin Lu to grasp the system's versatility so swiftly. "Inventory management has specialized ledger methods too. I'll draft them shortly if needed."
"Then I'll trouble my princess consort." Qin Lu accepted without hesitation—
Between spouses, what use for false modesty?
His attitude pleased Gu Yanshu immensely. Just as he began responding—
"Young Master!"
Bai Zhu's indignant shout cut through. Barred from entering unbidden, he hovered at the threshold—
Voice thick with grievance.
"What happened?" Gu Yanshu beckoned him inside.
Today marked the fourth day since the wedding—the appointed date to collect winnings from Bai Zhu's bet.
After morning duties, the attendant had rushed to the gambling den—
Only to face refusal.
"They're cheating! Refusing to pay!" Bai Zhu exploded.
Worse—the bookmakers had tried detaining him to destroy the betting slips.
Only prior caution (hiding duplicates) ensured his safe return.