Chapter 30: A Broken Home and Lost Kin

Lin Wanqing’s moment of stunned silence lasted only a blink of an eye, so fleeting that Mother Lu failed to even notice.

"Then, daughter-in-law will read them to you."

She possessed immense patience and a gentle voice, showing not a hint of the disdain one might expect toward someone illiterate. Mother Lu’s heart eased, and she took two steps closer to Lin Wanqing of her own accord.

Lin Wanqing began to read the outrageous accounts. She had barely finished two items when Mother Lu’s expression shifted violently. "Are these truly the accounts of our household?"

Lin Wanqing nodded. "They are. These are the very ledgers Jinrong handed to me yesterday."

Mother Lu was so enraged she nearly fainted on the spot. Although she could not read, her humble origins had made her intimately familiar with the prices of grain, oil, and vegetables. While the Great Liang dynasty had seen frequent border skirmishes over the years, the nation remained generally peaceful and prosperous, meaning prices had not fluctuated significantly.

"Someone come! Fetch that wretch Lu Jinrong at once! I had no idea she had allowed the Lu household to fall into such a state of decay!"

Lin Wanqing quickly supported her. "Mother, please calm your anger. It is not too late to remedy this; it is never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost."

Mother Lu, filled with remorse, took Lin Wanqing’s hand. "Wanqing, I have wronged you. I was ignorant and failed to see your worth, and I wrongly accused you."

Lin Wanqing smiled and shook her head. "Mother, you speak too seriously. You were only concerned for your daughter-in-law; I understand that perfectly."

These were merely polite pleasantries. She held no illusions about Mother Lu—a woman who could be swayed by others to turn cold and heartless without distinguishing right from wrong was not worthy of her trust or genuine devotion. As far as she was concerned, maintaining a facade of civility was sufficient.

Mother Lu, however, was deeply moved. "You are a good soul. It was my foolishness. I kept wondering why that stubborn girl was so insistent that I hand over the management of the household—it turns out she had dug a hole too deep to climb out of! Thank goodness for you; otherwise, in a month’s time, our General’s Mansion would surely have become the greatest laughingstock in Yuzhou City!"

Lin Wanqing smiled faintly. "Jinrong is still young, and she was simply deceived by these wicked servants."

She had no intention of following Mother Lu’s lead in blaming Lu Jinrong. No matter how flawed Lu Jinrong might be, she was still Mother Lu’s own flesh and blood; it was not for a new daughter-in-law of only three or four days to pass judgment.

Predictably, Mother Lu’s expression softened considerably. "You are truly magnanimous. Even though she defied you so rudely before, you hold no grudge. And today, it was also her..." Mother Lu caught herself abruptly. The only reason she had rushed over in such a panic was that Lu Jinrong had specifically sent someone to inform her of the situation.

Lin Wanqing smiled. "She is still a child. As her sister-in-law, how could I take her seriously?"

Upon hearing this, Mother Lu felt a flush of embarrassment. Lu Jinrong would be seventeen in two months, while Lin Wanqing, though said to be eighteen, was still a few months shy of that age. In truth, there was only about a year’s difference between them. Yet, comparing the two, the contrast was like heaven and earth.

Mother Lu gripped Lin Wanqing’s hand. "My child, might you be able to lend your governess to the Lu household for a period of time?" If the woman who had molded Lin Wanqing into such an outstanding lady could be brought here, she would surely be able to discipline that unruly girl of hers!

Lin Wanqing smiled and said, "Of course. I shall have someone send for her later today."

Her governess had been specifically sought out by the Qin family years ago, and she had a particular talent for breaking people’s spirits. Even Lin Wanqing had found her training agonizing in her youth. If Lu Jinrong fell into her hands, it would be a miracle if she didn't lose a layer of skin in the process.

At the thought of Lu Jinrong’s coming hardship, Lin Wanqing could hardly suppress a laugh. She quickly pressed a handkerchief to her lips to hide it. She must not be too obvious.

Before long, the servant sent to fetch Lu Jinrong returned. "Reporting to the Old Mistress, the Eldest Miss says she is unwell and unable to move about, so she will not be coming."

Mother Lu frowned. "Unwell? Wasn't she perfectly fine when she came to my courtyard earlier?"

The servant leaned in to whisper in Mother Lu’s ear: "The Eldest Miss says her monthly flow has begun."

Mother Lu knew immediately that this was nonsense. Just as she was about to order someone to fetch her again, Lin Wanqing intervened.

"Mother, since Jinrong is feeling unwell, let us not trouble her further." What good would it do to drag her here? It would only lead to more of Lu Jinrong’s pathetic excuses. If she had the capability to clean up this mess, she wouldn't have allowed the General’s Mansion to reach such a state.

Mother Lu looked embarrassed. "But what about this..."

Lin Wanqing patted her hand. "If you trust me, Mother, you may leave the entire matter to me."

Mother Lu nodded quickly. "I trust you, I trust you completely. I have already handed the management over to you; handle everything in the manor as you see fit."

Banxia, standing to the side, rolled her eyes in secret.

"How nice of her to say!" she thought. "Wasn't she just shouting and calling for my mistress to be punished a moment ago? This Old Mistress is the most detestable person in the entire manor!" Zisu quickly nudged her, fearing she would give someone a reason to find fault.

Mother Lu, oblivious to their small interaction, turned to the servants gathered in the courtyard. "I have entrusted the management of the household to my excellent daughter-in-law. From now on, you will obey her commands in all matters. Should any of you dare to show the slightest neglect, do not blame me for forgetting our old ties!"

With that, Mother Lu departed with her retinue. Zhang Neng’s mother rushed forward to block her path. "Old Mistress, you cannot leave! Please, show mercy!"

Lin Wanqing waved to her own people. "Remove her."

Immediately, the footmen stepped forward to drag Zhang Neng’s mother away. Mother Lu and her party hurried off. Zhang Neng’s mother turned back to plead with Lin Wanqing. "Mistress, please show mercy!"

Lin Wanqing remained unmoved. "Someone, send Zhang Neng to the magistrate’s office. Seal off the courtyard belonging to Zhang Neng’s family; let no one enter or leave. As for his parents, for failing to discipline their son and shielding their son and daughter-in-law in their betrayal of their masters, give them each twenty lashes and sell them off. Their children are to be sold as well!"

Zhang Neng’s parents had never expected that not only would their son fail to be protected, but they themselves would be implicated. They were instantly paralyzed with terror.

The footmen were efficient. Two men bound Zhang Neng and hauled him to the magistrate, while others pinned down his parents to administer the lashes. Once the beating was finished, the elderly couple was left gasping for breath.

But Lin Wanqing was cold and unyielding. She had the couple and their grandchildren bound and handed over to the slave traders who had been waiting for some time.

In less than half an hour, the Zhang Neng family, who had enjoyed such prominence in the General’s Mansion for years, had fallen. The remaining servants in the courtyard turned deathly pale. Initially, none of them had thought much of this new mistress from a merchant background. But who could have guessed that this young woman possessed such iron-fisted methods? To say that the Zhang family had been ruined was no exaggeration.

Yet, who could claim she was in the wrong? Those with guilty consciences wished they could hide their heads in their own stomachs, terrified that they would be the next ones Lin Wanqing called out.