Chapter 27: Not Just Ruthless, but Vicious!

Lin Wanqing smiled and said, "This is not something I can simply decline. Since I have married into this family, this mess will inevitably fall into my hands sooner or later. It is better to face it now than to wait until they have completely ruined everything."

Banxia pouted and remarked, "It’s not much better even now."

Who would believe it? In a General’s mansion of this size, the public accounts show such a pitiful amount of silver! If there were no emergencies and they lived frugally, this amount might sustain the mansion for two months. But if a crisis were to arise, there might not even be enough to buy rice for tomorrow.

Lin Wanqing shook her head with a smile. "There is no use in complaining. Let us first see how the General’s mansion ended up in this state."

The mistress and her two maids began to sift through the ledgers. After only a short while, their brows furrowed.

Banxia, unable to contain her indignation, slammed a ledger onto the table. "These insolent servants are incredibly bold! They actually used the General’s wedding as a pretext to line their own pockets! Two hundred taels of silver just for chickens for one banquet! Are they eating chickens, or phoenixes?"

It was a complete absurdity!

Zisu’s expression was no better. "The accounts for the stables are just as outrageous. Two hundred taels a month for the fodder of a single horse! Is the hay edged with gold?"

Lin Wanqing’s own ledger was equally preposterous. The mansion had only five masters, yet the monthly expenditure on tonic herbs for them alone reached over a thousand taels. They should have been poisoned by such an intake!

Banxia felt like pinching her own philtrum in despair. "Has the Old Madam never realized that the fake accounts in this mansion are ridiculously transparent?"

Lin Wanqing could not help but rub her temples. "Looking at the situation, the fact that the General’s mansion has lasted until today is a testament to the strength of its foundation. Anyone with less capital would have collapsed long ago."

"My Lady, what should we do now?" Banxia had lost the heart to look at the books; they were all fabrications, a waste of time to read.

Lin Wanqing closed the ledger. "The first step, naturally, is to purge the traitors within."

The next morning, Lin Wanqing went to the front courtyard. The servants from all parts of the mansion had gathered there. Taking advantage of the masters' absence, they were huddled together, chatting.

Mother Zhang from the kitchen said, "I heard the Old Madam handed the management of the household to that merchant’s daughter. Calling us all here like this is just a waste of our time. I still have bird’s nest soup simmering on the stove for the Old Madam."

Nanny Liu from the sewing room echoed, "Indeed. Miss Huixin is attending a flower-viewing banquet in a few days, and I am in the middle of sewing her new gown."

Old Man Li from the flower garden pulled a long face. "I am in a hurry to water the plants. Those flowers are incredibly delicate; the timing for watering and fertilizing is precise!"

The courtyard was buzzing with noise, as if everyone were burdened with urgent tasks. Standing at a distance, Lin Wanqing observed the scene with her own people.

"Do you see? This is what happens when servants become more arrogant than their masters. The foolish masters of this mansion have been deceived by these demons and monsters; if they haven't been bled dry yet, it's only because they have a stubborn fate."

With that, Lin Wanqing stepped into the courtyard. The servants saw her arrive but paid little mind, continuing their chatter.

Mother Zhang from the kitchen called out boisterously, "Madam, is there something urgent that you’ve called us all here? If not, I shall return. That bird’s nest must be prepared for the Old Madam every day; it cannot be delayed."

Banxia was furious. "Insolent! You old shrew, do you have no sense of decorum? Addressing the Madam in such a manner—who do you think you are?"

In an instant, Zisu moved forward and delivered two sharp slaps to Mother Zhang’s face. The crisp sound of the blows echoed, instantly silencing the noise in the courtyard. Before Mother Zhang could react, Zisu kicked her behind the knees, forcing her to the ground.

Lin Wanqing said calmly, "Mother Zhang of the kitchen, lacking respect for hierarchy and offending your superior: twenty strokes of the cane."

Several burly manservants rushed forward, dragged Mother Zhang down, and began the punishment. At first, she shouted, "Madam, by what right do you strike me?"

After a few strokes, the pain became unbearable. "Madam, have mercy! This old servant knows she was wrong!"

By the tenth stroke, Mother Zhang could no longer scream, reduced to a series of wretched wails. Lin Wanqing showed no intention of stopping, sipping her tea calmly, completely unmoved by the cries. The servants in the courtyard shrunk back in terror. They had heard rumors that the new mistress was ruthless, but they hadn't taken it seriously. Now, seeing it with their own eyes, they realized it wasn't just ruthless—it was vicious! She didn't even give them a chance to speak before having them beaten.

The servants delivering the punishment were Lin Wanqing’s own, and they did not hold back. Mother Zhang’s clothing was shredded, and blood soaked the fabric and the wooden bench. The sight of the blood-stained cane swinging before them made their legs go weak. They had served in this mansion for years, some for half a lifetime, and had never seen a master so ruthless.

Twenty strokes were completed, and Mother Zhang had fainted from the pain. Lin Wanqing set down her teacup. "Call a physician to apply medicine and keep her alive. Do not let her die. We haven't settled the accounts regarding her theft yet; it would be far too easy for her if she just died."

A female physician arrived, applied medicine to the wounds, and dusted them with powder. The excruciating sting of the medicine caused Mother Zhang to snap awake, letting out a shriek that pierced the air.

The other servants, terrified, fell to their knees. Lin Wanqing chuckled. "So, you do understand decorum after all."

She set down her teacup and said slowly, "Bring the ledgers."

A young maid stepped forward with the books. Lin Wanqing opened one at random. "The manager in charge of kitchen procurement, step forward."

A stout, middle-aged man crawled forward. "I am Zhang Neng, at your service, Madam."

Lin Wanqing looked at him, then at the groaning woman on the ground. "You are husband and wife?"

Zhang Neng nodded cautiously. "Yes, Madam."

Lin Wanqing laughed coldly. "No wonder you were so arrogant. The pickings from the kitchen procurement must be quite lucrative, giving your wife such a sense of security."

Zhang Neng kowtowed frantically. "Madam, please, I have always been loyal and have never engaged in any deceitful practices."