"Are you looking down on me?"
"Yes, I really do look down on you. What can your meager salary possibly cover? It barely suffices for the household expenses. Where does the money for everything else come from? It all comes from my hard work."
"The fine silks and satins on your body, the delicacies you eat every day, every single one of them represents my hard work. How dare you, as someone who spends money, criticize someone who earns it!"
She spoke to Ling Mohan with no pleasantries, truly demeaning him.
Her current financial standing could be described as richer than a nation, and that was her being modest.
Ling Mohan was rendered speechless, awkwardly closing his mouth. Who could he blame? This was indeed the truth. One's mouth is bound by what one eats, and one's hands are tied by what one receives. It was best to stay quiet and continue living off her generosity.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
A silence fell upon the air. Feng Jin felt a little unaccustomed to it. Her gaze fell upon Ling Mohan. Why was he so quiet this time? It was rare for him not to argue with her.
"Everything you said is the truth. I have nothing to argue about."
Feng Jin nodded in satisfaction. At least Ling Mohan was sensible and hadn't gone too far off the mark.
"Given that you're being sensible, I'll generously overlook this matter."
Having finished her task, Feng Jin let out a slow sigh of relief. She stretched lazily, finally done. It was worth her long and arduous effort.
"What were you researching? Now that you're finished, you can finally tell me, right?"
He had long been curious about what Feng Jin was researching. Asking earlier might have distracted her. Now that it was done, he could finally get a clear answer.
"Of course, it's something good. Women who take this will become more beautiful and radiant. Men who take it will gain strength. The elderly will live longer. In short, it's a miraculous elixir."
Feng Jin spoke in an almost mystical way, leaving Ling Mohan utterly bewildered. Could this concoction truly be as potent as Feng Jin claimed?
"Would you like to try it first? See if it can strengthen your body."
Sensing Ling Mohan's thoughts, Feng Jin suggested he test its efficacy. This would also save her the trouble of conducting another experiment.
Ling Mohan resolutely shook his head and refused. He truly didn't have the courage to try what Feng Jin had just created.
"No, thank you. I'm worried I might not be worthy to enjoy it. You keep it for yourself."
Who knew if this concoction had other side effects? If he were to consume it, he might not even know how he died. He still wanted to live a few more years, so he wouldn't risk it.
"What do you know? You truly don't appreciate good things!"
Feng Jin cast him a disdainful glance. He didn't even cherish such a valuable item. She wouldn't give him any in the future.
"Then, are you planning to sell this at the medical hall?"
"Yes, where else would I put it? Just wait for me to bring money home."
Not only that, but her next step was to establish a bank, then open branches, further expanding her business empire. Eventually, her presence would be felt in every industry. The day she became the richest person would be closer, which made her even more excited.
He had never dared to object to Feng Jin's actions. All he could offer now was his unconditional support.
"Go ahead and do it. I believe you can succeed."
"Do I need you to tell me that!"
Feng Jin rolled her eyes, finding Ling Mohan's words to be entirely useless. This was such a simple matter; she already understood it clearly in her heart. She didn't need him to offer unsolicited advice.
"By the way, I haven't asked you yet. How is the preparation for Gu Beichen and the West Liang Princess's wedding coming along?"
"It's almost done. It's just barely making do."
"Barely making do? There are still four days until their wedding day, and you say it's barely making do? If there are any mistakes, and the West Liang people use it as an excuse to cause trouble, how will you handle it then!"
Having experienced Bai Lixi's shamelessness, she knew he was indeed capable of such things.
"If he dares to cause trouble, we'll just defeat them. Once they are thoroughly subdued, they won't dare to act rashly again."
He had long reached his limit of tolerance for West Liang and Bai Lixi. If they were to engage in any more shameless acts, he wouldn't hesitate to show no mercy.
Feng Jin pouted. She didn't quite believe that Ling Mohan would actually dare to fall out with the West Liang people at this juncture. It seemed unlikely.
"What kind of expression is that? You don't believe what I'm saying?"
Feng Jin readily admitted, "I don't really believe you. Wait until you've truly made Bai Lixi kneel before you and beg for forgiveness, then come and boast to me."
"Just wait and see. There will be a time when you are convinced."
"Alright... I'll wait for you."
She simply dismissed Ling Mohan's words as boasting to save face, paying them no mind. She let out a helpless sigh as she looked at the scattered toys on the floor. There was never a moment of peace in her day.
She bent down and diligently picked up everything, accepting her fate of having such a son.
"Oh, right. Ling Muzhu departs for his post tomorrow. The Old Master has arranged a farewell dinner. The banquet will be prepared for lunch tomorrow, and we will all attend."
It was Ling Mohan's pointless chatter that had made her almost forget to mention this important matter.
"Leaving tomorrow? That's so soon."
"It's not soon. This is two days later than originally planned. If it's delayed any further, his appointment will truly be jeopardized."
"Don't say such sarcastic things. You have to go tomorrow. The Old Master specifically requested that you also attend."
She had conveyed the Old Master Ling's instructions. Whether Ling Mohan chose to go or not was his own business; she couldn't possibly tie him up and drag him there.
"I understand."
Ling Mohan replied faintly. Ling Muzhu, that useless person, was leaving for his post so soon. Time really flew by, slipping through one's fingers.
"Have you found the master I asked you to look for?"
Feng Jin asked abruptly. It had been two days, and finding a master seemed to be such a difficult task. There had been no progress at all.
Fortunately, he had been prepared. Ling Mohan could still manage. "I've found one. Tomorrow... he'll arrive tomorrow."
"That's good. I'll consider you having done well."
With the master found, she could send the two troublesome children away. Finally, things would be more manageable.
"Then, seeing how hard I've worked, shouldn't you offer some kind of... some kind of token of appreciation?"