The steward, unwilling to have his credit snatched away at this point, glanced around and made straight for the round log by the courtyard wall.
He picked up the log, using it to batter the door while looking triumphantly at Pang Liu.
"Idiot, how long will it take you to smash it open with brute force!"
Pang Liu glared at him defiantly, stepped away from the door, and prepared to scale the wall.
Feng Yinwan and Yuping watched from the shade of a distant tree. Yuping, seeing the two men rushing each other, gasped in surprise.
"Miss, why are they..." scrambling?
Feng Yinwan curled her lips, her beautiful eyes deep. "When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter."
As Pang Liu unbolted the door from the inside, the steward happened to break it open.
The two stepped forward, eager to claim credit. "Wangfei, the door is open."
Feng Yinwan nodded, and they immediately stepped aside.
With the door already broken down, Qin Lulian had no choice but to emerge, albeit reluctantly, wrapped in a cloak.
She hadn't slept all night, and dark circles shadowed her eyes. Her steps were unsteady, but her gaze on Feng Yinwan was still filled with resentment.
"What is Wangfei doing? Fisheye has already been sent away, and you still refuse to let it go!"
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. "Miss Qin, you truly overestimate your charm. I am here today simply to retrieve something."
"What thing?"
Qin Lulian frowned suspiciously. Before she could guess, Feng Yinwan spoke again.
"My Wangfei's royal seal has been with you for some time. It is time to take it back."
Unprepared for this, Qin Lulian's expression changed. Her already pale face turned even whiter.
"What is Wangfei talking about? Wh-what royal seal? Lulian knows nothing of it."
Feng Yinwan sneered, her lips curling. "Stop pretending. Wasn't it you who took it from under my nose on our wedding night?"
"You've been throwing your weight around for so long, your vanity should be satisfied by now. If you refuse to hand it over now, are you waiting for me to order my people to search your place personally?"
She cast a stern glance at Qin Lulian. "If something is accidentally found, do not blame me for showing no mercy."
Qin Lulian's face stiffened fiercely at her words. She bit her lip hard, then reluctantly turned and went back into the room.
After a while, she emerged holding a dark sandalwood box, which she thrust towards Feng Yinwan with gritted teeth.
"Here, take it back."
Feng Yinwan did not rush to take it. Her beautiful eyes shifted to the steward beside her.
"Steward Liu has served in the treasury for a long time. He should be able to best identify the authenticity of this royal seal. Would you do me the honor of examining it?"
The steward, who had fawned over the 'little white lotus' many times before, nodded readily upon hearing this.
"Yes."
He then leaned closer to examine it.
Seeing Feng Yinwan's cautious demeanor and the fact that she stood far away, Qin Lulian found no opportunity to feign injury. She could only resentfully hand over the seal.
As soon as the box was opened, a small, square seal carved with a vermilion phoenix was revealed. The steward peered at it carefully and then respectfully presented it.
"Reporting to Wangfei, this royal seal is made of warm red gold-threaded jade bestowed by Consort Rong. This jade is soft to the touch and emits a fragrance after a long time. The seal is further embellished with gold-lacquer, making it an authentic treasure!"
As the box was brought closer, Feng Yinwan did indeed catch a faint, exotic scent. She glanced at it casually and nodded, signaling Yuping to take it.
Qin Lulian lowered her face sinisterly, her eyes fixed on the dark sandalwood box, her unwillingness almost overflowing.
Feng Yinwan glanced at her and, with a "snap," closed the lid.
"Miss Qin, please rest well. Wangfei will take her leave."
With that, she left with her entourage. Qin Lulian bit her lip, her body trembling, the anger in her chest surging.
Having suffered a loss at Feng Yinwan's hands, the steward dared not be negligent. Upon returning to the storeroom, he dutifully presented the account books and inventory.
Feng Yinwan perused them carefully and then, with a grand gesture, made a few strokes on the ledger.
The steward's heart pounded. "Wangfei, you..."
Before he could finish his question, he saw Feng Yinwan put down the vermilion brush and toss the ledger into his arms.
"The items marked here, have them counted and packed immediately, and all sent to Wangfei's courtyard!"
As the steward picked up the ledger, he quickly scanned it and was stunned into silence by the red lines covering every page.
"All... all of them?"
This was like emptying the entire storeroom!
Feng Yinwan cast a chilling glance at him. "What, do you find it difficult?"
"No... no, I don't! I was just worried if your courtyard could fit it all..."
"Is that something you should be worried about? Or do you think Wangfei cannot make the decision?"
"No, no, no!"
The steward dared not say another word and immediately ran off with the ledger. Feng Yinwan licked her lips and quietly caressed her bracelet.
This was only half of it. This bracelet had a voracious appetite, capable of swallowing the entire storeroom.
After giving her instructions, Feng Yinwan returned to Lanqing Courtyard in high spirits, awaiting the arrival of her assets.
Although Yuping thought her lady had handled the matter beautifully, the sheer volume of wealth still made her a little apprehensive.
"Miss, will the Prince be angry with you for doing this?"
Feng Yinwan raised her eyebrows. "Angry? Why would he be angry! Words spoken are like water spilled; can he take them back?"
Yuping nodded in agreement. "Miss is right!"
Because Ye Tinglan's fortune was so vast, the entire storeroom staff was mobilized. They made five or six trips before everything was finished.
The leading Steward Liu was wiping sweat from his brow, panting, when Feng Yinwan spoke again.
"After you return, please compile all the land deeds, property deeds, and business contracts of the estate and bring them to Wangfei for review tomorrow."
Steward Liu felt tears welling up, but could only respond, "Yes..."
After dismissing the workers, Feng Yinwan instructed Yuping to sort and store the items by category. Yuping nodded and diligently began organizing.
Feng Yinwan marveled silently at her diligent work, picking up an antique vase and tucking it into her bracelet.
She was stuffing things in so quickly that Yuping almost thought she was hallucinating.
"Huh? It looked like there was a pile here just now, where did it go..."
Yuping muttered to herself, then looked up at Feng Yinwan. "Miss, have you noticed anything?"
Feng Yinwan smiled guiltily, stood up strategically, and shook her head.
"No, you just took them in. It must be too many things, and you're seeing things."
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly felt a tightening on her wrist and gasped.
Yuping looked at her with concern. "Miss, what's wrong?"
Feng Yinwan coughed. "It's nothing, nothing. My tooth is loose!"
Loose tooth?
Yuping looked at her red lips, her expression growing even more serious.
How could Miss, such a beauty, have a loose tooth?
No, she wouldn't allow it!
Therefore, she nodded gravely. "Miss, please wait. I will go fetch a doctor immediately!"