Feng Jin said indignantly, if they dawdled any longer, they wouldn't finish by night.
"Stop standing there, and instead of wasting time, go lend a hand. Can't you see everyone is busy?"
Feng Jin glanced at Ling Mohan with disdain, finding him utterly lacking in perception.
"What do you mean by ordering them to empty my study?" Ling Mohan suppressed the urge to fly into a rage.
"The dowry is too large to fit in the storehouses. Your study has the largest area, so I've repurposed it as a storehouse. Don't worry, I've already chosen a new location for your study – the west wing room next to your bedroom."
The west wing room? Lu Shi suddenly panicked, "Young Madam, I reside in the west wing room. If you've converted it into a study, where will I sleep?"
Feng Jin was taken aback, how could she have forgotten this? "You're a grown man; there are plenty of places for you to sleep. I'll arrange a soft couch in the study for you, so you'll have to make do."
"Young Madam..."
"Say one more word, and you can find your own place to stay."
Feng Jin reprimanded Lu Shi, ordering him to shut his mouth, "If you want to blame someone, blame your Young General for being too poor. At his age, he still lives with his entire family and doesn't even have his own estate, all crammed together. It's why my dowry has nowhere to go."
She shifted all the blame onto Ling Mohan. Such a grown man, and still unable to establish his own residence. The Ling family members were all the same.
And it forced her to endure a life of hardship. The world believed she had married Ling Mohan to become a phoenix on a golden perch, but who knew that she, a hidden white-rich-and-beautiful, had to live a hard life with him.
"You all hurry up and pack. Everything must be properly sorted before nightfall."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Ling Mohan, his face dark, shouted angrily, "No one is allowed to move! Does no one listen to me anymore!"
Everyone looked at each other, unsure who to obey.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry and pack!"
Feng Jin's anger was ignited too, she shouted furiously, finally turning her gaze to Ling Mohan, "Don't forget, I am in charge of household affairs now. Everything should be done according to my orders. Moreover, I am now a Jia Ning County Princess officially conferred by the Emperor, and my rank is above yours."
She finally understood the feeling of having a higher rank that could suppress others.
Ling Mohan felt a surge of anger building in his chest. He suppressed his rage and walked step by step towards Feng Jin.
"What are you doing? If you take one more step, I'll go to the Empress Dowager... Ah! Ling Mohan, you scoundrel, put me down!"
Suddenly lifted into the air, Feng Jin screamed in alarm. Her face then flushed with heat. Ling Mohan, that scoundrel, had actually carried her over his shoulder in front of everyone.
"If you dare to struggle again, I'll throw you down!" the man threatened fiercely.
"You wouldn't dare!" Feng Jin retorted, refusing to back down, speaking with haughty authority.
Ling Mohan directly threw Feng Jin onto the bed, his robust body pressing down on her.
"Scoundrel, get off! If you don't leave, I'll cripple you!"
Feng Jin's hand flashed with silver light, and just as she was about to strike, the man seized her wrist.
"Do you have any conscience at all? You'd even try to harm your own husband. Truly, the most venomous hearts are those of women."
He realized he would need to be more vigilant in the future; one wrong move could cost him his life.
"It's good that you know. Be careful from now on." Feng Jin suddenly kicked out at Ling Mohan.
The man swiftly turned, dodging Feng Jin's attack.
"You're lucky this time. Next time, it won't be so easy!"
Feng Jin said fiercely, determined not to lose face.
After tidying her clothes, Feng Jin fled as if escaping.
"Young Madam, it's bad, it's bad!" Cai Qing ran over in a panic, her forehead covered in sweat.
"What is it?"
"Young Madam, the Second Miss and the cousin have started arguing."
The cousin? That must be Ling Yan. Who was the Second Miss? The Ling family's relationships were as tangled as a knot.
"Which Second Miss?"
"It's Bai Yiniang's daughter, Ling Wan. Young Madam, please don't ask. If you don't go quickly, the Second Miss will be beaten to death by Ling Yan's people."
Feng Jin's eyes narrowed. This was serious. Ling Yan's old habits were acting up again.
Taking a few attendants, Feng Jin rushed over.
Ling Yan, wearing a veil, was acting extremely arrogantly, directing her maids to beat Ling Wan and her mother.
"All of you, stop!" Feng Jin shouted furiously.
The attendants stepped forward and apprehended everyone.
From what had happened earlier, Ling Yan involuntarily felt a sense of fear when she saw Feng Jin again.
Bai Yiniang, having broken free from her restraints, stepped forward to protect Ling Wan.
Ling Wan's fair little face was covered in red, swollen palm prints.
"You have such audacity to use private torture within the estate and beat your sisters! Have you forgotten the lesson from the other day?"
Feng Jin scolded angrily and then sat down on a chair, "Tell me, what exactly happened that warrants such a commotion."
Feng Jin glanced at the mother and daughter, who were covered in injuries, "Bring those chairs over and let Bai Yiniang and the Second Miss sit down. Cai Qing, apply some medicine for them."
"Yes, Young Madam."
"Ling Yan, you truly are like a person who forgets their pain once the wound has healed. Do you intend to confess voluntarily, or should I investigate myself?"
Ling Yan's expression tightened, and she said with forced composure, "She was the one who offended me first. I was kindly teaching her proper conduct, lest she embarrass the Ling family when she goes out."
"You're lying! You clearly wanted my embroidery, and when I refused to give it to you, you had your maids snatch it and beat us."
Ling Wan retorted loudly, but Bai Yiniang quickly stopped her.
"Young Madam, Cousin, this is just a misunderstanding. We will give the embroidery to Cousin."
Bai Yiniang was afraid of causing further trouble. She was merely a concubine; it was the late Madam's favor that led to her being taken in. She held little influence within the Ling family and only wished to live out her days peacefully, never aspiring to contend for anything. Her only wish was for Ling Wan to grow up safely and eventually marry well, living a life without worry. That would be enough for her.
"Mother..." Ling Wan called out, filled with grievance.
"You've seen it too. Since they, the mother and daughter, aren't saying anything more, why do you insist on continuing the interrogation? Let's put this matter to rest. Ziyan, take the embroidery design, and let's go."
Ling Yan had a haughty demeanor, completely disregarding Feng Jin.
"Who dares!" Feng Jin slammed the table and stood up, "Regarding today's incident, I will not make a decision until I have thoroughly investigated. No one will leave."
"You..." Ling Yan glared at Feng Jin, "You dare to stop me? I'll go tell my father and have him seek justice for me!"
"Second Master Ling, if he truly could seek justice for you, the authority to manage the household would not have fallen into my hands."
Second Master Ling now had leverage in her hands and was actively avoiding her, so he would certainly not provoke her.
"Bai Yiniang and the Second Miss have low statuses, but they are still mistresses. Bullying a mistress is a violation of household rules and warrants being sold off. If you tell the truth, I might consider a lighter punishment."