Frankly, Aunt Luo no longer feared Madam Wen. Whatever Madam Wen possessed, she now had too, and perhaps even more, such as the affection of the Master and the Old Madam.

Although Madam Wen still held the position of the principal mistress, Luo Yiniang could now manage household affairs herself. It was uncertain how much longer Madam Wen could retain that position.

Consequently, Aunt Luo was not as cautious around Madam Wen as usual. Upon hearing Madam Wen’s words, her face filled with sarcasm: "Madam, that is not quite right. Since the Master instructed us to assist you in managing the household, naturally, we must clarify all the family's accounts from these past years. Otherwise, if any issue arises with the ledgers later, to whose head will the responsibility fall? Who knows if it was an issue from before or an issue from now."

"I have no other particular virtues, but once I agree to a task, I will certainly complete it, especially matters entrusted by the Master—I will never take them lightly. I figured since Madam has managed things for so many years and nothing untoward has happened to the Wen family, the accounts must be clear. I will just take a casual look; once everything is clear, everyone can rest assured, right? He’er, wouldn’t you agree?" After speaking, Aunt Luo looked toward Lin He.

Lin He found herself in a difficult position when addressed by Aunt Luo. While she didn't particularly care about offending Madam Wen, she also didn't wish to align herself with Aunt Luo. All Lin He wanted was to stay clear of trouble. Hearing Aunt Luo’s words, she neither agreed nor disagreed. Frowning slightly, she managed a smile and said, "I’m feeling a bit unwell today and planned to rest in my courtyard for a while. If we are to clarify all these years of accounts all at once today, I fear my health won't allow it. However, if Aunt Luo is eager and Mother is free, then perhaps it can be done."

Lin He’s response was perfectly diplomatic, implying that whether the accounts were sorted out today or not was immaterial to her, showing no inclination to favor either side. This was precisely what Lin He intended; she truly hoped they would just pretend she didn't exist.

Indeed, Madam Wen’s expression immediately softened upon hearing Lin He’s words, and she feigned great concern: "Since Xuan’er’s wife is feeling unwell, you should return to your courtyard to rest for a couple of days. We can postpone the matter of the account books for now. Aunt Luo can help ** with Ning Chen’s wedding arrangements these few days. The previous accounts will still be there. If Aunt Luo insists on clarifying them, it will be the same if she looks at them in a few days. Could it be that Aunt Luo fears I might tamper with them?"

Aunt Luo let out a faint laugh upon hearing this and said, "Heh. Since Madam says so, Yulian will naturally obey. However, Yulian would like to take some of the past account books back to review. It would allow me to familiarize myself with the family's daily expenditures beforehand. Is that acceptable?"

She then turned to Lin He: "He’er, since you are unwell, rest well these few days. You can take some of the account books back with you as well, and look at them once you feel better. After you’ve reviewed them, have a servant send them to my place, and we can look at them alternately. This will save time and not impede Madam’s duties. If Madam is truly too busy, she can just have the steward and the accountants handle it."

Aunt Luo deliberately mentioning the steward was a way to pressure Madam Wen. Everyone knew the steward served Master Wen. Aunt Luo's implication was that if Madam Wen refused, the Master would be informed, meaning Madam Wen likely couldn't refuse now.

As expected, Madam Wen’s face darkened considerably upon hearing this, and she said coldly, "Since Aunt Luo doesn't mind the trouble, all the family's account books for these years are in the account room. You can go take them directly."

Aunt Luo immediately responded, "Very well. Since that is the case, Yulian will not trouble Madam further. He'er and I will go to the account room to fetch the ledgers first, and we will return later to discuss Ning Chen's wedding with Madam."

After speaking, Aunt Luo called for Lin He to go along. Having no choice, Lin He had to accompany Aunt Luo toward the Wen family's account room.

Watching their retreating figures, Madam Wen could no longer maintain her composure. The anger bottled up inside had nowhere to vent, so she violently hurled the teacup near her onto the ground, shattering it to pieces. She wished that cup had been that bitch, Aunt Luo.

After smashing the cup, Madam Wen sat down heavily on the chair behind her, thoroughly vexed. There had been too many unsettling matters in the household recently, all unfavorable to her. It felt as if everything had converged at once, aiming to crush her completely.

First, there was that bastard Wen Ning Xuan, who insisted on opposing her by marrying Lin He into the family. Then came the issues concerning Ning Chen and Ning Nuo. Furthermore, the Master had curbed her authority. Although the Master claimed Aunt Luo and Lin He were being brought in to assist with household management, in reality, the Master already harbored suspicions and growing distrust toward her. Thus, he summoned the two people she detested most to keep her in check. And this scrutiny wasn't just aimed at her; the Master had been truly harsh with Ning Chen this time as well.

In the past, the Master adored Chen’er. Even if Chen’er made mistakes, the Master would only offer a few stern words, sometimes turning a blind eye, and any punishment was merely superficial, resolved quickly after the family intervened.

But this time, the Master showed no leniency toward Chen’er, indirectly denying him the position of family head by stating that the capable should lead—and everyone knew who that "capable one" was supposed to be. Moreover, having Lin He assist in management—in a household filled with elders—was something unheard of for a junior. The Master’s intentions were clear without needing to be spoken.

However, since the Master had made the decree, reversing it wouldn't be easy with her current influence. For now, Ning Nuo's situation was the most troublesome.

Ning Nuo had been causing a scene these past few days, demanding unequivocally that Ning Chen grant her the status of an equal wife (Ping Qi). Madam Wen herself had verbally agreed, but with the Master and Old Madam absent, she couldn't make the final decision and had been stalling, claiming she would handle it immediately upon the Master’s return.

Madam Wen had originally planned to speak a few favorable words to the Master upon his return, perhaps have Chen’er admit a fault, and at worst, endure a beating. Since the matter had already transpired, there wasn't much the Master could do to refuse. Ning Nuo was her goddaughter; she had to consider that relationship, plus Ning Nuo's maternal family had some connections with the Master, so the Master likely wouldn't object to her becoming a Ping Qi.

But she hadn't anticipated that the Master's attitude in handling matters upon his return this time would be completely different from before. Previously, whenever the Master returned from outside, his first stop was always the main residence to pay respects to the Old Madam, immediately followed by a visit to her courtyard. While the Old Madam didn't entirely agree with the current situation, she adored Chen’er, and if the Master went to her first, she would certainly put in a good word for Chen’er.

Then, if she added a few sweet words on her end, resolving the issue shouldn't have been difficult. But this time, the Master had completely surprised her. Upon returning, he first went to the shops, and then to Wen Ning Xuan’s silver house.

And upon returning home, despite knowing the details of the matter, he deliberately avoided mentioning it. She suspected that if she hadn't brought up the issue first, he would have waited until dinnertime to directly punish Chen’er.