Feng Jin walked over to Granny Wang. "You were in cahoots with the merchants long ago. Whenever someone from the Ling manor came to audit the accounts, you would state the prices as you had prearranged with them. That way, they wouldn't audit further, assuming it was just that particular shop's prices were high, and they would simply switch to another shop. Naturally, no one would suspect you."
"In this way, you only had to split some of the money with the merchants, and they would be more than willing to help you conceal it. That's why this trick of yours never failed, and I must say, Granny Wang, your stratagem is truly brilliant!"
If she hadn't overheard some maids chatting a few days ago, mentioning that Granny Wang's family had built a large mansion with three courtyards and three entrances, and that her son had taken two or three wives in the countryside, and was planning to bring Granny Wang to enjoy life there, she wouldn't have become suspicious and asked Chu Qing to investigate the matter thoroughly.
It was truly astonishing to discover upon investigation what Granny Wang had managed to embezzle using this one method. No wonder Granny Wang insisted on continuing to work in the manor and refused to retire to the countryside; she had such substantial profits to be made. If it were her, she wouldn't want to leave either.
Granny Wang's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly lost her footing. She gritted her teeth and continued to explain, "Young Madam, this is slander… slander…"
"The merchants are already waiting outside. Do you want to bring them here to confront you?"
"This old servant… this old servant…" Granny Wang stammered, unable to offer any defense. Finally, she slumped to the ground as if resigned to her fate.
"Since you confess, it will be easy to handle. Confiscate all her property, beat her out of the manor with sticks, and hand her over to the county yamen for them to deal with."
"Yes, Young Madam."
"Young Madam, spare my life! This old servant knows her mistake, Young Madam, spare my life!"
Following that, the sounds of batons clashing and Granny Wang's pained wails echoed in the courtyard, lingering for a long time.
Feng Jin's eyes were calm. She swept her gaze across everyone present, cleared her throat, and said lightly, "I hope everyone here takes today's events as a warning and refrains from repeating such mistakes. If anyone deliberately disobeys, the consequences will be even worse than Granny Wang's!"
"We will heed the Young Madam's teachings and perform our duties diligently!" everyone said in unison.
Feng Jin nodded slightly, her eyes filled with a cold glint. "It's good that you understand. You may all leave now!"
After everyone had dispersed, Feng Jin slowly let down her hunched shoulders.
"Young Madam, you were truly formidable today, decisively dealing with Granny Wang. Killing a chicken to warn the monkeys will surely keep the others in line."
Cai Qing felt that Feng Jin had been incredibly impressive just now, so much so that everyone else was too scared to even utter a sound.
Especially Granny Wang, who, relying on her many years in the manor, usually looked down on everyone with disdain. She would desperately curry favor with the masters and mistresses, and those who served them, which of them hadn't suffered her scorn?
Now that the Young Madam had dealt with Granny Wang, this troublemaker, it was truly satisfying and also deterred other ill-intentioned individuals in the manor. It was truly killing two birds with one stone; one had to admit the Young Madam was exceptionally brilliant.
"Although the Young Madam has dealt with Granny Wang and removed a scourge, what about these other account books? They are still full of loopholes."
Cai Qing pointed to the stacks of remaining account books, stating that each one had several discrepancies. If one were to investigate them thoroughly, everyone in the manor had their hands stained with something unclean.
Feng Jin flipped through the account books, a faint smile playing on her lips. "These are all messy accounts. If we were to truly investigate, everyone in this manor would have to be replaced with clean individuals. How many could escape? If the matter escalates too much, it will be difficult to control, and it will inevitably lead to great trouble."
After a pause, Feng Jin threw the account book in her hand onto the table and said coldly, "Take all these account books and burn them. There is no need to investigate further."
"Young Madam, are you really going to burn them all? Why not investigate them more carefully? Perhaps there are other things that can be uncovered."
Cai Qing suggested, still feeling that now that something had finally been uncovered, the Young Madam could keep the account books to continue deterring those with ill intentions.
If they were all burned in a fire, then nothing would be left, and it would be a waste of such a good opportunity.
"These accounts are records left by Second Master Ling when he managed the Ling family. Further investigation would implicate Second Master Ling. If any hidden matters are uncovered then, it would not be good for Ling Muzhu. He is currently participating in the imperial examinations, and his career is just beginning. If such matters are exposed, it will affect his future career."
"Even for Muzhu's sake, this matter cannot be investigated further. However much is missing from the accounts, I will take it from my private funds to fill the ledger. Family shame should not be spread. This matter ends here, and do not let anyone else know about it."
"Yes, Young Madam, this servant will make arrangements immediately." Chu Qing nodded slightly in response. She always obeyed the Young Madam's orders unconditionally.
"The Young Madam is truly kind to Second Young Master. I wonder what Second Young Master will think when he knows about this, considering how many obstacles Ling Second Master's family, both openly and secretly, put in the Young Madam's way. The Young Madam still repays their ill-intentions with kindness. If it were me, I wouldn't do such a thing..."
The Young Madam is too good to them. She personally witnessed everything that Ling Second Master's family did to the Young Madam before, and it was truly excessive. Even if the Young Madam had killed them with a knife, it wouldn't have been too much.
Now, the Young Madam is constantly considering Second Young Master, and if Ling Second Master were to find out, he might even think the Young Madam has malicious intentions and ulterior motives.
"Since it's done, don't intentionally spread it around. Guard your tongue and don't go blabbing about it!"
Feng Jin pointed at Cai Qing's forehead, a faint smile on her lips. This girl was too straightforward; she mustn't let anything slip out, or it would all be for naught.
"Young Madam, please rest assured, this servant will definitely not speak carelessly."
Cai Qing nodded solemnly, promising that she would not reveal anything.
"Sister Cai Qing, as long as you can restrain yourself and not tell Master Lu about this, then I believe you won't tell anyone else."
"You little rascal, now you dare to tease me. See how I'll deal with you."
Upon hearing Chu Qing's words, Cai Qing's face blushed. She shyly grabbed Chu Qing, intending to teach her a lesson.
"Sister Cai Qing, I was wrong… I promise I won't say anything more. You definitely won't tell Master Lu."
"You little scamp, you dare to say it again!" Cai Qing's face flushed even more. Today, she was determined to catch Chu Qing and give her a good scolding.