Chapter 43

The time has come to show my skills. Alright, that was just a bluff. My course before I came here had nothing to do with a ledger. Well, a household ledger. I studied a bit of bookkeeping; however, somebody flushed it down in a sewer known as Forgetfulness.

"Wow."

There were so many papers plopped on my newly created desk. Seeing the ink slab and ink that was new and exclusive for me to use, I pursed my lips.

My calligraphy is uglier than a chicken scratch. I'm most comfortable and efficient in using a ballpen, if not a pencil. Just looking at how graceful and flawless Ml is in his calligraphy, and even without starting to use this ink, I know no one can understand these scribbles once I started using this brush. Practicing calligraphy might take months or years—no way, hi-way.

Maybe, it would be better if I could organize these documents first.

"Are you not going to use this?"

Ml pointed at my brush.

"I'll use it a little bit."

Perhaps underlining and encircling words or numbers, but that's all. He only arched his brow at me before collecting a few scrolls and explaining the inner workings of his household's system. I focused entirely on what he had to say, albeit most of what he said went right over my other ear. Seriously, I need to improvise a ballpen as soon as possible. I prefer writing it all down. Mnemonics won't last for long.

"Tell me if there are still things you don't understand."

I nodded and started to sort out the papers. There is nothing much to fix in these records. They were all detailed. There weren't any loopholes or something odd that mayhap been exploited by insiders. Mostly, I'll have to put them in an ancient excel like format to make them cleaner and more organized with pie graphs and bar graphs. Some calculations here and there, but that's about it. It feels okay to handle this work with someone else and play around, as no one would dare to take advantage of the male lead's money.

Since he only assigned me a small amount of work and gave me a ton of other material to study, I completed it quickly and only partially comprehended what I'd read. I went outdoors as soon as I had sorted them out, intending to construct a pen or pencil. Adapting to new circumstances while I don't have my notes is a nightmare. A blacksmith, you say? I could have him create one while he's working on the ink slab. Even if I'm tempted, I won't be using the quill. If my memory serves me well, another invention came in 1884 after the Fountain Pen in 1827.

The Three-Channel Ink Feed Fountain Pen was invented and patented by Lewis Edson Waterman. It made pens authentic portable tools and guaranteed a smooth ink flow. Throughout the 20th century, the fountain pen experienced numerous developments, including the use of replacement and refillable ink cartridges as well as plastic, metal, and wood.

Close enough.

I could still remember how to make its blueprint. The problem is I suck at using brushes. Maybe I'll use the sand. Yeah, that's better. I'll find a bamboo with suitable sizes to become my illustrations.

"Li Jia Ying will just pick something outside."

"Pick something? Alright."

One of the good things about Ml's palace is that even if it's far from the noblest household, he has his mini bamboo garden behind his large courtyard. It's pretty cool, or maybe I'm just too ignorant about simple things.

There should be a bamboo shoot here that would suit my taste...

"No?"

"Yes, my answer is a no."

What's up? There are two voices, half whispering and bickering with each other.

"Ha. Do you think I don't have my ways?"

"Turning back to the King of Yi is not wise."

"Do not tell me that you have absolutely no misgivings about the things that are taking place right now?"

Both have feminine voices arguing in hushed voices. The more they claim, the more I can hear them. One voice was fierce, with the other one calm.

"They are just rumors you made."

"You already know that it's not simply hearsay. The Emperor has prohibited the King of Yi from entering the Imperial Palace, let alone the Imperial Court."

"Then why would the Emperor's eunuch come to receive the complete manuscript from the King of Yi and assign him another errand?"

"That's just a farce!"

The stern voice countered, controlling not to let her voice appear loud. "Everyone knows how the Emperor is away keeping an eye on the King of Yi. The situation right now for the King of Yi is unfavorable. His enemies are now making slight movements, yet what is he even doing?"

"..."

"That's right. He is all smitten by that foolish wife of his who only has a pretty face."

Oh, so it's about me again.

"The King of Yi has always been sly and competent. Being with the Princess of our Empire can give him the strongest foothold, yet he rejected it and swore to only have that fool of a princess from the Dan Empire as his wife!"

Girl, I feel the same way, so don't be mad at me. I'm trying my best to find a sharper scissor to cut the string that binds us; that's called 'marriage,' okay?

Wait, go on, be mad at me. The more people that hate and loathes me would turn out to be my enemy, and with an enemy means, there would be people who would be bold enough to kill the King of Yi's wife.

I picked up a bamboo sprout growing on the ground as I sat motionless. It was the same size from the tip of my middle finger to the base of my wrist. Seeing them here is quite convenient. I'll listen to their chat while searching for more and figuring out the best size.

"I'll say this one more time. You better cooperate with us. The Prime Minister has much more to offer an enslaved person like us."

"..."

"If you had made a decision, you would know what to do next."

The fierce voice faded away, and another footstep soon turned fainter, walking in the other direction.

For five minutes, I just stayed in my position before slowly standing up. I thought nothing was interesting in the King of Yi's estate. It turns out there are still maggots lingering around. Should I tell him or not? As they say, the earlier you find the cause, the better to nip it out of its roots.

"Nah."

The Ml is still the ML. Even if I was involved, it doesn't mean he cannot deal with these situations. He might have even planned this facade with those who want to plot against him.

What's important is to make an improvised pen! Yep, this size should be good. The ink, well, I could find some pigments or the ink itself from the King of Yi's study to experiment on. A pen is the most efficient way to write on paper for a modern person.

Oh yes, I should inform him first.

***

"You don't have to say it. Just call a blacksmith."

"..."

You're the master. You're the head. Can't you hold some of your dignity here?

"Al, alright."

If that's the case, my prepared persuasive speech would be useless.

"Re, come and help me. I'll explain how this own works."

"Yes, Mistress."

"Um, this would not be shared with anyone."

"Understood, Mistress."

I made sure to be as detailed as possible when explaining the materials needed, size, thickness, and thinness as she drew and wrote them down. Re is quite capable. To be able to write, read, draw and even analyze numbers, she is more capable than the personal maid of Gu Mei Xiang.

When I finished saying everything I needed, I went back to my room and slumped down.

"Aiyo, what should I do next?"

First off, I need to do my wifely duties as an accountant. Second, keep an eye on the Princess. Third, always stay alert in the presence of the cannon-fodder Bai Ying Yue, and last and most important thing, maintain my status quo with the male lead for now.

I've always done a regular walk in the library which is quite helpful in getting familiar with his expansive palace-like estate. There were some maps to study the most vital once we were in the King of Yi's study room.

Well, now that we share the same office, there will be plenty of time to look at it, if permitted.

"Ugh. You wait. I won't fall like any other isekai'd women." Just one year. No more, no less.

"Fall for what, wife?"

!!!

"Fall like other women who can be easily snatched by money and fame!"

I spoke righteously.

"Fall for me is what you were about to say?" Ml chuckled, putting away his robe. It looks like he is going to sleep with me again. Tsk. Well, I'll have to bear with it time and time again.

"Haha. My husband and I felt misunderstood. I've been hearing the servants talk about other people's affairs. It seems to snatch people's wives, and husbands seem to be popular these days."

"It seems so. Did your maid return?"

"No, she might still be discussing with some blacksmith somewhere."

And you, it's still early yet to be called evening. Why are you here?

"You must be tired from looking at those scrolls all day. Come, let's have some rest."

"Such an understanding wife!"

Yes, yes.

As it seems, his regular hobby every time we sleep is to hug me from behind, snuggling his face between my neck before sighing deeply, and then he enters his slumbering mode. So intimate.

But patience is a virtue. Jun Xue, endure.

Besides, this body is so fragile. He gets tired so quickly and needs to rest at all times. His warmth is quite helpful too. En, this Ml knows it too well.

"Wife,"

"Mm?"

"Have you thought when we'll have our children?"

All of a sudden? Wait, that's plural…?