Madam Sheng was currently putting on a brave face, refusing to admit her lack of funds to Feng Jin.
She immediately called for a maid, ordering her to retrieve all the money from the mansion's treasury.
Feng Jin sat patiently on a chair, pulling Ling Wan to sit with her. She also poured a cup of clear tea for each of them.
"Try this. The Sheng family's tea is quite good, though not comparable to ours. But it's drinkable for now. Once we get the money, we'll return home as soon as possible and won't linger here any longer."
"Yes, sister-in-law."
Ling Wan accepted the teacup with a smile and took a sip, the light aroma of tea filling her mouth.
Initially, she had felt self-conscious and guilty due to Madam Sheng's words. However, seeing Madam Sheng equally flustered and unable to speak, Ling Wan felt much better.
The tea in her cup cooled, and another cup was refilled. The maid who had gone to fetch the money had still not returned.
"Sister-in-law, why hasn't she returned yet?"
Ling Wan tugged at Feng Jin's sleeve, whispering with concern, worried that they would be punished if they were late returning home.
"Perhaps..."
'Creak…'
Before Feng Jin could finish speaking, the closed door was pushed open from the outside. The maid who had left earlier returned, her expression hurried, and she walked to Madam Sheng's side, bending down to whisper a few words in her ear.
"Really?" Madam Sheng's expression suddenly changed, and she asked with a slightly stern tone.
The maid nodded slightly, her expression full of nervousness, and dared not say another word, standing cautiously beside Madam Sheng.
Madam Sheng stood up as if on pins and needles, glancing at Feng Jin, and cleared her throat. "Young Madam Ling, please wait here for a moment. I'll be right back."
"Sister-in-law, why did Madam Sheng's expression look so unpleasant when she went out just now?"
Ling Wan had truly seen Madam Sheng's expression; it wasn't just unpleasant, it was exceedingly grim.
"Naturally, it was unpleasant. Her expression will be even more so when she returns."
Picking up her teacup and sipping the clear tea, Feng Jin couldn't hide the smile at the corner of her lips. Gathering this money would likely deplete the Sheng family's entire fortune.
Ling Wan couldn't understand what Feng Jin meant, her brow furrowing slightly, her eyes filled with confusion. "Sister-in-law, why is that?"
"It's not surprising that you don't know. When I first diagnosed Sheng Xubai, I knew the Sheng family couldn't afford the consultation fee, and I hadn't mentioned any fees. I had intended to befriend the Sheng family, but today, this Madam Sheng spoke too harshly. No matter what, I have to get my consultation fee back."
Thinking of Madam Sheng's arrogant expression earlier, she felt uncomfortable all over, wishing she could rush forward and scratch her face.
Today, no matter what, she had to get the consultation fee back. So much money couldn't be wasted on the Sheng family in vain; even if it were used to help beggars, it would be for a long time.
"Sister-in-law, the Sheng family is a hundred-year-old noble family. With generations of accumulation, they shouldn't be short of this amount."
Ling Wan didn't believe the Sheng family couldn't afford that money. A hundred-year-old noble family should have some assets.
"That's not necessarily true. The Sheng family has been honest officials for generations, with no one involved in corruption. Instead, they had to use their wealth to help the common people. Moreover, ten years ago, the Sheng family's elder made the decision to divide the family property equally among his four sons. Although the current head of the Sheng family is Old Master Sheng, he actually doesn't hold much real power.
Among his three sons, Sheng Xubai is the most outstanding, but Sheng Xubai's heart condition is his biggest worry. Therefore, he has been seeking famous doctors to treat Sheng Xubai. It was for this reason that shortly after Sheng Xubai's recovery, he rushed Sheng Xubai to participate in the imperial examinations, all to strengthen his own branch of the family.
She had long known everything about the Sheng family. The reason she wanted to collect the consultation fee was her certainty that the Sheng family did not have the money.
"Then, if Madam Sheng doesn't produce the money, there's nothing we can do."
"That won't happen." Feng Jin smiled confidently. "Madam Sheng is such a face-saving person; she absolutely won't do anything that would make others look down on her. Don't worry at all; the money will be sent over soon."
As Feng Jin predicted, not long after Madam Sheng left, she returned, followed closely by a young servant carrying a large chest.
"All the required consultation fees are in here. Please count them."
Madam Sheng's face was extremely unpleasant. As soon as she finished speaking, she turned away in a hurry, unwilling to look at Feng Jin any longer.
"Open the chest," Feng Jin said to the servant as she approached the chest.
The servant complied and opened the chest, revealing it to be filled with gold and silver, as well as some gold and silver jewelry.
Feng Jin picked up a very exquisite Hetian white jade bracelet from within. "This bracelet is truly exquisite. Madam Sheng is truly willing to give this bracelet to me as a consultation fee."
"These items are worth more than the consultation fee. Consider it my additional gratitude for curing Xubai's heart condition," Madam Sheng said, taking a deep breath. Although her tone was very gentle, the unpleasantness on her face was still undeniable.
"Then I can only accept it without being polite. Please have a servant lift the chest onto the carriage."
Feng Jin accepted it all without hesitation. Since it was given as a consultation fee, it was the hard-earned money she deserved. If she didn't accept it, wouldn't she appear foolish?
The Hetian white jade bracelet in her hand felt warm, truly a good item. Feng Jin didn't put the bracelet back; instead, she transferred it to Ling Wan's wrist.
"Sister-in-law, this bracelet is too precious..."
Although she hadn't seen many such valuable items, Ling Wan immediately recognized that this bracelet was extremely valuable.
Feng Jin smiled and patted Ling Wan's hand, reassuring her. "This bracelet is yours now. Wear it with peace of mind; it suits you very well."
Madam Sheng's eyes were fixed on the bracelet on Ling Wan's wrist, her back molars aching with hatred. That was her dowry, and it was her favorite bracelet.
The silver in the treasury had all been counted, and it was not enough to cover the consultation fee. She had no choice but to use half of her dowry to barely make up the amount.
Now, seeing the bracelet on Ling Wan's hand, she detested Ling Wan, this shameless concubine-born daughter, the most. At this moment, she gnashed her teeth in hatred.
"Since the consultation fee is sufficient, we will not disturb you further. Madam Sheng, we will take our leave. If you feel unwell anywhere, feel free to visit the Ling family to find me."
"No need. There are plenty of doctors in the world. I will never step into the doors of your Ling family again in this lifetime. You should also not step into my Sheng mansion again."