Feng Jin walked up to Granny Wang. "You've been colluding with the merchants all along. Whenever someone from the Ling Manor went to check the accounts, you would quote the prices you had already agreed upon with them. This way, they wouldn't delve deeper into the audit and would simply assume that this particular shop was overpriced, moving on to check another establishment. Naturally, no one would suspect you further."
"In this manner, you only had to share a portion of the ill-gotten gains with the merchants, and they would gladly conceal it for you. That's why this trick of yours has always worked so well. I must admit, Granny Wang, your scheme is truly ingenious!"
If she hadn't overheard maids chatting a few days ago about Granny Wang's family building a grand mansion with three courtyards and her son having taken two or three wives in the village, and that they were planning to bring Granny Wang there to enjoy her retirement, she wouldn't have grown suspicious and asked Chu Qing to investigate the matter thoroughly.
It was truly an eye-opener. Granny Wang had embezzled a considerable amount of money using this single method. No wonder Granny Wang insisted on staying at the manor instead of retiring to the countryside; there were such lucrative opportunities to be had. If it were her, she wouldn't want to leave either.
Granny Wang's heart sank. She felt instantly insecure and, feigning ignorance, continued to explain, "Young Madam, this is slander... slander..."
"The merchants are waiting outside. Shall we bring them here for you to confront them?"
"Old servant... old servant..." Granny Wang stammered, unable to offer any defense. Finally, as if resigned to her fate, she collapsed onto the ground.
"Since you've confessed, it's straightforward. Confiscate all her property, beat her out of the manor, and hand her over to the county yamen for them to deal with."
"Yes, Young Madam."
"Young Madam, spare me! This old servant knows her mistake, Young Madam, spare me!"
Immediately after, the sounds of cudgels striking and Granny Wang's pained wails echoed through the courtyard, lingering for a long time.
Feng Jin's eyes were calm. She swept her gaze over everyone present, cleared her throat, and said lightly, "I hope all of you will take today's events as a warning and refrain from repeating such mistakes. If anyone knowingly disobeys, the consequences will be far worse than Granny Wang's."
"We heed the Young Madam's teachings. We will surely do our jobs diligently!" everyone responded in unison.
Feng Jin nodded slightly, her eyes filled with a chilling glint. "It's good that you understand. You may all leave now."
After everyone had dispersed, Feng Jin slowly let down her shoulders.
"Young Madam, you were truly formidable today, dealing with Granny Wang so swiftly. This act of killing a chicken to warn the monkeys will surely keep the others in line."
Cai Qing felt that Feng Jin had been incredibly impressive earlier, so much so that everyone else was too intimidated to even breathe loudly.
Especially Granny Wang, who, relying on her long tenure at the manor, always looked down on others. She would fawn over the masters when she saw them, but treated the servants with disdain. It was a relief that the Young Madam had dealt with Granny Wang, a scoundrel who had harmed everyone. This decisive action not only served as a warning to others with ill intentions in the manor but also brought immense satisfaction. The Young Madam was truly brilliant.
"Although the Young Madam has dealt with Granny Wang and removed a scourge, what about these other account books? They are riddled with loopholes."
Cai Qing pointed to the remaining stacks of ledgers, where each one contained several discrepancies. If they were to be investigated thoroughly, everyone in the manor would be implicated in something dishonest.
Feng Jin picked up a ledger and flipped through it, a cold smile playing on her lips. "These are all messy accounts. If we were to investigate them thoroughly, everyone in this manor would have to be replaced with clean individuals. How many would remain? If the matter escalates, it will be difficult to contain and inevitably lead to major trouble."
After a pause, Feng Jin tossed the ledger onto the table and said sternly, "Take all these account books and burn them. There's no need to investigate further."
"Young Madam, are you really going to burn them all? Perhaps we should investigate more closely; there might be other valuable information to uncover."
Cai Qing suggested, still feeling that now that they had finally uncovered something, the Young Madam could use the ledgers to further intimidate those with ulterior motives. If they were all burned, there would be nothing left, and it would be a wasted opportunity.
"These accounts are from when the Second Master Ling managed the Ling family's affairs. Further investigation would implicate Second Master Ling. If any hidden matters are uncovered, it would not be good for Ling Muzhu. He is currently participating in the imperial examinations, and his career is just beginning. Such revelations could affect his future prospects."
"Even for Muzhu's sake, this matter cannot be investigated further. Whatever the shortfall in the accounts, I will cover it from my private treasury. Family scandals should not be made public. Let this matter end here, and do not let anyone else know."
"Yes, Young Madam. Your servant will arrange it immediately." Chu Qing nodded slightly in agreement. She always followed the Young Madam's orders unconditionally.
"The Young Madam is truly good to the Second Young Master. I wonder what the Second Young Master would think if he knew about this, considering how much trouble the Second Master Ling's family caused for the Young Madam, both openly and covertly. The Young Madam shows such great virtue in return. If it were me, I wouldn't have done the same..."
The Young Madam was too good to them. She had personally witnessed the things the Second Master Ling's family had done to the Young Madam in the past; it was utterly excessive. Even if the Young Madam had killed them, it would have been understandable. Now, the Young Madam was thinking of the Second Young Master in every way. If the Second Master Ling knew, he might still think the Young Madam had malicious intentions.
"Since it's done, don't make a fuss about it. Guard your tongue and don't go around blabbering!"
Feng Jin pointed a finger at Cai Qing's forehead, a faint smile on her lips. This maidservant was too straightforward. If she let something slip, it would all be for naught.
"Young Madam, please rest assured. Your servant will certainly not speak nonsense."
Cai Qing nodded solemnly, vowing not to reveal anything.
"Sister Cai Qing, as long as you can hold back and don't tell Master Lu about this, then I will believe you won't say anything."
"You little brat, you dare to mock me now. See how I'll deal with you."
At Chu Qing's teasing, a blush crept up Cai Qing's face. She shyly grabbed Chu Qing, intending to teach her a lesson.
"Sister Cai Qing, I was wrong... I promise not to say anymore. You definitely won't tell Master Lu."
"You little rascal, you dare to say it again!" Cai Qing's blush deepened. She was determined to catch Chu Qing today and give her a good scolding.