This is like forced sales, playing it this way. After being forcibly gifted a manor, Feng Jin felt as if a hot potato had landed in her small treasury.
"What's with that look? Don't you know my feelings for you... I treat you like this, giving you all the good things. Aren't you moved?"
Though he didn't know what Feng Jin was thinking at the moment, he could tell from her expression that she wasn't moved at all. In fact, she seemed a little disgusted.
All his good intentions had amounted to nothing. He felt like a complete sucker, doing thankless and unrewarding work.
"Moved... I'm extremely moved from head to toe..."
Feng Jin said hastily, forcing a smile onto her face and trying her best to appear happy. However, her heart remained in a state of despair. It was simply impossible to feel moved.
"Enough, stop saying those insincere words. From now on, all matters within this manor will be handled by you."
Since the manor had already been given to Feng Jin, he had no intention of getting involved in any future affairs.
The internal affairs of the estate were more profound and difficult to understand than a military treatise. He had been hounded to the point of exhaustion. Now that the estate belonged to Feng Jin, he was finally free of it. Sending away this hot potato felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Speaking of the estate's affairs, Feng Jin suddenly realized that the manor was far too quiet. She hadn't seen a single person since they arrived. Could it be... haunted?
As this terrifying thought flashed through her mind, a chill ran down Feng Jin's spine, making the manor feel even more eerie and frightening.
"This place isn't haunted, is it? You can't just force it on me!"
The thought suddenly struck her, and Feng Jin blurted it out directly. After all, this was no small matter, and she had to clarify it carefully. She certainly didn't want a haunted house.
Ling Mohan reached out and lightly tapped Feng Jin's forehead, his tone tinged with a hint of annoyance. "What nonsense are you thinking? The staff in this residence were all disloyal, and I've gotten rid of them. That's why you haven't seen anyone."
A while ago, while reviewing the accounts, he had noticed something was amiss. The more he investigated, the more shocked he became. The manor was suffering from severe deficits. Not only were the servants dishonest, but even the dogs would steal things and run off.
He couldn't be bothered to investigate each one individually. He had them all flogged and sold to the border regions as laborers. With everyone dealt with, the residence became vacant, and he had no further interest in managing it.
However, it felt too much of a waste to sell such a fine estate because of that. He had always intended to hand over the manor to Feng Jin for management, but he had never found a suitable opportunity to tell her. After racking his brains, he came up with this plan, which was indeed quite difficult for him.
Feng Jin finally understood what was going on. She had been wondering why Ling Mohan would be so generous as to gift her a manor. It turned out he had his own motives. It was true that there was no free lunch in the world.
"A weasel wishing a chicken a happy new year – with ulterior motives. No wonder you were so generous, giving me such a large manor just like that. It turns out you couldn't handle it yourself and were trying to drag me down with you as a scapegoat!"
Pacing around Ling Mohan, Feng Jin glared at him with dissatisfaction, clicking her tongue twice and saying, "How did I not realize before that you were such a scheming man? Your little plan is quite well thought out. Tell me the truth, were you plotting this long ago? And bringing me here was all part of your scheme!"
Feng Jin's mind was now filled with the idea that she had been tricked and manipulated by Ling Mohan, pulled into the abyss.
An awkward flush crossed the man's face as his scheme was exposed so quickly. He hadn't expected things to unravel so soon, and all his previous preparations for a response were in vain. He decided to simply admit it.
"The most important thing was wanting to give the manor to you. The rest is secondary..."
"Alright, stop trying to argue. Whether it's true or not, I have eyes, and I can see for myself."
Feng Jin interrupted Ling Mohan impatiently and walked inside. She had to admit that the scenery within the manor was truly exquisite. Considering that the manor suited her tastes, she decided not to dwell on Ling Mohan's manipulative actions.
"Alright, I'll reluctantly accept this manor. After we return to the mansion, I'll arrange for some trustworthy people to come here..."
If the manor were to remain idle, just for her family to enjoy, it would be a complete waste. Such a wonderful place should naturally be shared with others.
Especially the natural hot springs. Weren't officials and nobles all seeking the enjoyment of hot springs? She would turn this manor into a resort. The revenue from it alone in a year would make her a fortune.
"What are you thinking about, smiling like that?"
Feng Jin's smile faded as she said calmly, "It's nothing. I just suddenly thought of how to make money. Once this manor becomes profitable, I definitely won't mistreat you. You can rest assured."
Feng Jin reached out and patted Ling Mohan's shoulder. After all, Ling Mohan had purchased the manor, so she had to let him profit. This was what it meant to be a gentleman who loved wealth and obtained it righteously.
"You want to sell this manor?"
Feng Jin rolled her eyes in exasperation. It was clear that Ling Mohan was completely clueless when it came to business. How much silver had been wasted over the years this manor had been in his hands?
She shared her brilliant ideas with Ling Mohan, leaving nothing out. "What do you think? Isn't my method excellent? Within half a year, I can earn back the money you spent buying this manor."
"You mean you want to let everyone come and soak in these hot springs... bathe?"
Ling Mohan asked in surprise, his eyes wide. Where did Feng Jin get these strange ideas from? It was utterly fanciful, letting people pay to bathe here, and outdoors at that. Most importantly, so many people crammed into the same pool.
Such a thing was unheard of. These chaotic and bizarre methods were completely unfeasible, and Ling Mohan's mind immediately rejected them.