Feng Jin said indifferently, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Upon seeing the smile on Feng Jin's lips, Cai Qing couldn't help but shiver. Even though the young madam was smiling, it seemed eerily unsettling, a terrifying smile that sent chills down one's spine.
"Young Madam…"
"What is it?"
Cai Qing's words, which were on the tip of her tongue, instantly ceased upon meeting Feng Jin's scrutinizing gaze.
"It's nothing… your servant is fine." She quickly shook her head, denying it, and after a moment of slight panic, she quickly composed herself.
Why did she feel like the young madam was hatching some wicked scheme? Especially the young madam's eyes, why were they so frightening?
Feng Jin haphazardly swallowed the last mouthful of porridge in the bowl. She had to seize this opportunity to strike while the iron was hot and quickly go collect her debts. Otherwise, if too much time passed, and if Chu Chenyi were to renege on his promise, who knew what might happen.
"Cai Qing, take the ledger and follow me out."
Although unsure of the young madam's intentions, Cai Qing still obediently followed Feng Jin's orders, picking up the ledger and following closely behind her as they went out.
It was only when the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Jing Wangfu that Cai Qing finally understood why the young madam had brought her along.
"Cai Qing, later you will explain these days' accounts one by one to His Highness the Jing Wang, understand?"
"Young Madam, you are really planning to go in and demand payment like this? What if… what if we are driven out again?"
This was Jing Wangfu, someone else's territory, not like their own manor. To brazenly barge in and demand payment like this, if His Highness the Jing Wang were to be angered and have them thrown out, it would be a complete disgrace.
She, as a servant, was not important, but the young madam was of utmost importance. The Ling family's status in the capital was so significant, they could not afford to lose face.
"Don't worry, even if Chu Chenyi had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to do such a thing!"
Feng Jin said with righteous indignation, striding in with full confidence. She refused to believe that the debtor could become the master.
The little eunuch guarding the gate, upon seeing Feng Jin enter, was first startled, then quickly went inside to report.
When Chu Chenyi heard the eunuch's report of Feng Jin's arrival, his expression faltered slightly, and the brush in his hand nearly fell to the ground.
"Is she alone, or did Ling Mo Han come with her?"
"Only Madam Ling has arrived alone."
Upon confirming that Feng Jin was alone, Chu Chenyi breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it was just Feng Jin. She would be easier to handle. As long as Ling Mo Han hadn't come, everything would be fine, and all would be well.
"These are minor matters. Go and inform the Wangfei. Let the Wangfei entertain the guest."
Feng Jin was a lady, and when a lady visited, it was natural for the Wangfei to come out to greet her. It was better for him not to show himself and enjoy some peace and quiet here.
"Wangye, Young Madam Ling said she specifically came to see you. Please go and see her first."
The little eunuch said with a troubled expression. Everyone in the manor knew that Madam Ling was famously difficult to deal with, and no one dared to approach her for fear of offending her.
This was his bad luck, having been accidentally assigned this troublesome task. He had to find a way to persuade the Wangye to go over.
"Looking for me!"
Chu Chenyi was slightly surprised. What was Feng Jin thinking? Why had she suddenly decided to look for him? He didn't seem to have offended Feng Jin anywhere, so what good could come from her actively seeking him out?
"Yes, Wangye. This little one really cannot handle Young Madam Ling. I beg the Wangye to come and see her."
This time, the little eunuch directly knelt on the ground, begging Chu Chenyi to at least go and see her.
After a moment of hesitation, Chu Chenyi calmly said, "First, go and invite the Wangfei over to gauge the situation. I will be there shortly."
It was most prudent to have Lin Yuwei go and assess the situation first. They had always been on good terms, and Feng Jin would not possibly attack Lin Yuwei, would she? He would try to hide in his room for as long as he could.
"Yes, Wangye."
The little eunuch reluctantly agreed. It was better to have someone to handle the situation than no one. Moreover, the Wangfei and Young Madam Ling had always been close, so with the Wangfei present, the situation would not be too bad.
...
"Young Madam, why is there no one here?"
How long had they been waiting here? They had already changed the tea twice, yet they hadn't seen a single person. Surely they weren't just going to have them sit here indefinitely, were they?
Cai Qing kept craning her neck to look outside, but still, no one appeared. She was becoming anxious.
"Be patient, sit down and wait a moment. It won't be long before they naturally arrive."
Compared to Cai Qing's restlessness, Feng Jin appeared very calm, as if everything was within her control.
"But, Young Madam, we have been waiting here for so long..."
As Cai Qing's words fell, Lin Yuwei, with her pregnant belly, walked in, supported by a maid.
"Sister Feng Jin, why did you come without letting your maids inform me? You are sitting here in the front hall. Come, let's go to the inner rooms."
With that, Lin Yuwei took Feng Jin's hand and led her to the inner rooms, where they sat down.
"Sister Feng Jin, you are not busy today, so you have time to come..."
Lin Yuwei poured a cup of tea and handed it to Feng Jin. After a moment's pause, she said somewhat sheepishly, "I left without saying goodbye that day. Sister Feng Jin, please don't be angry with me."
It was all Chu Chenyi's fault, that scoundrel. He insisted on leaving late at night as if his life depended on it, and he wouldn't even let her send a message to Sister Feng Jin that they were leaving.
She had gone for a pleasant visit, only to be put in such a situation by Chu Chenyi. It was truly embarrassing, making her feel awkward facing Sister Feng Jin now. She felt she had let Sister Feng Jin down terribly.
"It's alright, these are minor matters, no need to dwell on them."
She naturally knew that all of this was Chu Chenyi's mischievous plan. He was just worried that if people knew, it would be difficult for them to leave.
"Sister Feng Jin, I'm glad you're not angry with me. I wanted to come to your manor this morning to apologize, but I was tied up with household chores and couldn't get away. I didn't expect Sister Feng Jin to come ahead of time."
After being away for only half a month, a pile of miscellaneous matters had accumulated in the manor.
"This is for you. I just made it, a wrinkle cream."
She took out a blue porcelain jar from her embrace and placed it in front of Lin Yuwei. The freckle-removing cream inside was not ordinary. The few medicinal ingredients added were priceless.
This item would likely be rare in the future, and it was about to become a treasured item.