The steward naturally knew a thing or two, but he only thought it was Ye Tinglan's perfunctory words. Being challenged by Feng Yinwan like this, he immediately felt a bit embarrassed.
"What does Your Highness the Consort mean? I am merely following orders. The treasury is a heavily guarded area of the prince's mansion. It is only right for me to be cautious."
Feng Yinwan couldn't be bothered to waste her breath on him.
"You be cautious about what concerns you. Bring out all the account books from the treasury. I want to examine them one by one."
Seeing that she truly gave him no face at all, the steward's expression turned ugly. He immediately retorted,
"I beg your pardon, but I cannot comply. The account books are of great importance and the treasury must be guarded with the utmost care. I have not received any orders from the Prince to hand them over to you. If Your Highness the Consort wishes to see them, please ask the Prince first."
His words, while outwardly respectful, were actually a clear attempt to shirk responsibility.
Feng Yinwan let out a cold snort and directly grabbed the teacup by her hand, smashing it over.
The teacup directly hit the steward's forehead, immediately leaving a red mark. The scalding tea spilled out, drenching his face.
The steward was already plump and well-fed, clearly having profited greatly. Now, after being thoroughly splashed with tea, he looked exactly like a dead pig scalded with boiling water.
He wailed as he wiped the tea from his face, while Feng Yinwan dabbed her fingertips with a handkerchief and unhurriedly parted her lips.
"Now what?"
Yesterday, upon hearing of Feng Yinwan's ruthless methods in dealing with Granny Sun and Feise, the steward had been somewhat disbelieving. Now that he experienced it firsthand, he was completely intimidated by Feng Yinwan's imposing presence. He could only open his mouth but dared not utter a single word of refusal.
Considering the watchful eyes of so many people, he could only stubbornly retort, "It's not impossible for Your Highness the Consort to see them, but it is my duty. I must see Your Highness the Consort's royal seal before I can give you the account books!"
Although the Prince had agreed to restore Feng Yinwan's rights as consort, he had not mentioned this at all.
He bet this woman didn't have the royal seal!
His intention was to create difficulties, but who knew that Feng Yinwan would seem to remember something upon hearing his words, a slight curve appearing at the corner of her lips, a smile that sent a shiver down his spine.
"Steward Liu, your words have reminded this consort. My royal seal is still with Miss Qin."
The steward's heart leaped with joy.
Hmph, he knew it! This woman couldn't possibly have it!
However, before he could even fully relax, he saw Feng Yinwan glance at him with an unreadable expression.
"Since it is needed to examine the accounts, it just so happens that you can fetch it for me. Be quick and return swiftly, I will be waiting here."
Her instruction was delivered with extreme ease, but the steward was utterly stunned.
What?
He was to fetch it?!
Everyone in the mansion knew that after Feise was sent away, Qin Rulian had been greatly stimulated. Who dared to provoke her?
Thinking this, he gave Feng Yinwan a sheepish smile and said, "Your Highness the Consort is joking. I was confused just now. As the esteemed consort, you naturally have the right to see the accounts whenever you wish."
He then turned to a young servant beside him and glared,
"Sixi, quickly go and get the account books for Her Highness the Consort!"
"Yes."
The servant acknowledged and was about to run to the counter. Feng Yinwan glanced at him and unhurriedly parted her lips.
"No rush."
Thinking of backing out?
Too late.
She tidied her hair and raised her eyes indifferently, "I think what Steward Liu said earlier was reasonable. As the consort, how could I not have the royal seal that symbolizes my status?"
"This royal seal is naturally more important than the account books. Steward Liu should go and retrieve the royal seal for me first. This way, we are following procedures, and you won't feel that I am breaking the rules."
Seeing that she was fixated on this matter, the steward's face turned green.
"Your Highness the Consort, this... this might be difficult..."
He stammered for a long time but couldn't articulate a coherent reason. Feng Yinwan's pretty face turned cold, and she lightly slapped the table.
"What? Steward Liu, do you believe that as the treasury steward, you are not an ordinary servant and that I, Your Highness the Consort, cannot command you?"
"I would not dare..."
Hearing this, the steward lowered his head so low that there was no trace of his earlier arrogance.
Feng Yinwan had only just regained her rights as consort. Her deliberate attempt to put him in a difficult position was clearly aimed at using him as an example.
Alas, trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice.
He felt he had walked right into a muzzle. He tightly pursed his lips, and large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow, "It seems Steward Liu harbors resentment but dares not express it. Very well, since the matter of the accounts is not urgent, I shall accompany you to Xiu Chun Courtyard personally. How about that?"
Although this was a question, she was not actually asking for the steward's opinion. With that, she stood up and headed out.
Yuping glared at the steward, who was still standing there dumbfounded, and reprimanded him with a stern face.
"The Prince personally promised yesterday to restore the consort's rights. You good-for-nothing who judges people by their appearance, if I don't report this to the Prince and General Feng, I'll..."
The steward was so frightened that his face turned green. He could no longer care about anything else and quickly hurried out.
"Your Highness the Consort, please wait for me..."
Not long after leaving the treasury, a figure directly approached them.
Feng Yinwan focused her gaze and, seeing that it was Pang Liu, immediately stopped.
"Your Highness the Consort!"
Pang Liu bowed respectfully and then took a deed paper from his embrace.
"This is Granny Sun's deed of sale and slave contract. I have, as per your instructions, sold her to a human trafficker."
Feng Yinwan took it and looked it over, her elegant brows raising slightly. "Good."
Upon receiving praise, Pang Liu immediately grinned obsequiously, "Your Highness the Consort, then what you said earlier..."
Before he could finish speaking, the steward caught up. Feng Yinwan glanced at him and handed the deed to Yuping.
"I, Your Highness the Consort, always keep my word. As long as one is loyal to their master, I will naturally not mistreat them."
"From today onwards, you may move back into the prince's mansion openly. Remember to be well-behaved and law-abiding, and do not commit any wicked deeds."
Pang Liu's face lit up with joy upon hearing this, and he immediately pledged his allegiance to Feng Yinwan.
"I thank Your Highness the Consort for your benevolence, thank you Your Highness the Consort!"
Hearing this, the steward understood the situation. He secretly glanced at the deed in Yuping's hand before hearing Feng Yinwan speak again.
"It just so happens that I, Your Highness the Consort, need to go to Xiu Chun Courtyard to retrieve the royal seal. You shall accompany me."
"Yes!"
They arrived at Xiu Chun Courtyard. Feng Yinwan glanced at the tightly shut courtyard gate and stopped unhurriedly.
Seeing this, the steward quickly and obsequiously went to knock on the door. "Miss Qin, are you in?"
Perhaps the matter of Feise being sent away had been a severe blow to the "little white lotus," but after the steward knocked for a long time, no one answered. He had no choice but to retreat sheepishly.
"Your Highness the Consort, Miss Qin... Miss Qin doesn't seem to be in."
Feng Yinwan shot him a glare. "Does your courtyard door lock from the outside? Smash the door open for me!"
"Smash... smash it open?!"
The steward was directly terrified. "Your Highness the Consort, this... this isn't appropriate, is it?"
After all, the Prince had not punished Qin Rulian. If he were to smash the door now, wouldn't it be a clear declaration of opposition to her?
As he hesitated, Pang Liu quickly stepped forward, swung his fist, and smashed it down on the courtyard gate.