Manager Li thought he had heard the words from his wife, so he didn't care about a child who hadn't even reached marriage. He cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Miss, I heard the words from my wife. You don't understand farming, so just listen to her. We still have to raise the rent, otherwise how will we make a living on the farm all these years? You don't know the hardships of farming in the manor... But what my wife said makes more sense. You should listen to her. We farmers are convinced by her!"
"Since Manager Li is here to reply, I think he should reply on his knees. Although I don't know how hard life is on the farm, I only know that this is the Duke of England's mansion and the rules must be followed." Yi Ning continued.
Steward Li's face changed slightly when he heard this. What kind of steward, even if he was so prominent, would kneel down when he returned to answer a question? Besides, kneeling to the Duke was one thing, but kneeling to a bastard's daughter?
He straightened his sleeves and said slowly, "Miss! I have served the Duke of Yingguo's mansion for so many years, and even when the Duke was here, I never knelt to answer." Although his tone was respectful, in reality it was no longer respectful. "Sitting here, I can't kneel even if I want to."
Yi Ning still had a faint smile on her face: "Why are you talking so much! Just don't kneel."
Manager Li thought she was just a child and a paper tiger, so he didn't pay any attention to her. Unexpectedly, Yi Ning shouted outside, "Come here, Manager Li won't kneel, force him to kneel down!"
Steward Li turned around and saw several guards walking in with sticks. "Steward Li, we are also following the orders of the young lady. Sorry for the offense!"
Manager Li shouted harshly, only to be struck on the knee by a stick. His knees buckled, and several more sticks were thrown at him, pinning him to the ground. He stiffened his neck in defiance, his face and neck red as a rooster. The pain was too much for him to care about anything else. "What Miss? You're just someone the Duke brought back from outside. Who knows your status? Are you the illegitimate offspring of a poor family? Why are you trying to show off to me? Let me go!"
Yining raised her teacup and drank slowly. Qingqu sneered, walked forward and slapped Li, the steward, in the face: "The young lady is your master! How dare you speak to her like that!"
Qingqu's strength was no joke. With one slap, Manager Li was instantly knocked over, leaving a pungent taste of iron in his mouth. Manager Li felt dizzy, his face completely numb. He then flew into a rage: "Who the hell are you? How dare you hit me! While I was working in the mansion, you were playing in the mud!"
If other girls were thin-skinned, they wouldn't be able to bear it. Qingqu, however, came from a farm and had never heard any rogue talk since childhood. She rolled up her sleeves slowly and raised her hand to slap her twice more: "I'll teach you how to speak dirty words in front of the young lady! What's wrong with me hitting you? If you dare to say another word, I'll slap you. If you don't believe me, try it!"
Manager Li felt that his breath had a fishy smell and finally did not dare to speak anymore.
Yi Ning put down her teacup and said, "Manager Li, let me ask you something. Is it you who wants to raise the rent for this farm, or is it your wife?"
Steward Li didn't react, and Yi Ning smiled again. "Raising the rent is just a way to get more benefits. Don't think I'm young and easy to bully. If you want to raise the rent, I will immediately have the guards throw you out. You will never be able to enter the Duke of Ying's mansion again. Your wealth will be used as ransom money. If someone else suggested raising the rent, you will still go back to your job as a steward. What do you think?"
Manager Li was confused by what he heard, but he immediately realized what was happening. The Duke of Ying's daughter was truly formidable! She was no pushover. He glanced at the guards standing around him and swallowed. The pain from Qingqu's slaps had returned, and his face was swollen and burning.
The young lady of the Duke of England kept her word. If she really kicked him out of the house, what would he do? He was originally a respectable steward. Was he going to the docks to carry goods to make a living?
When Wei Yi's servant who was guarding outside heard the noise of beating inside, he quickly slipped back to find Wei Yi.
Wei Yi knew about his mother's meeting with Steward Li this morning. The Wei Ling family had such a vast estate, and their wealth was so impressive, he felt they were truly a prosperous, aristocratic family. He was very happy to see his mother get involved in the Wei family's affairs. But as soon as his mother met the steward, Wei Yining hit him in the blink of an eye. This was simply a slap in his mother's face! He thought for a moment and immediately said, "Go ask my mother to come over and take a look!"
The servant said, "Second Master, the young lady has already invited the mistress. I saw the mistress passing by on the road."
Wei Yi was a little surprised to hear that Xu had already gone, thinking that this young lady was truly fearless. He sneered, "Mother's helping her manage the household was out of kindness, but she's so arrogant! Go tell my great-aunt! I want to see if she sides with the law or the relatives."
After saying that, he also walked towards the front hall.
When he arrived, he saw Xu standing outside, accompanied by the stewards from various rooms and offices. It was a scorching hot day, and Xu had rushed out in such haste that she hadn't even taken an umbrella. She was sweating profusely. The guards kept them out, saying, "Young lady has ordered that no one else be allowed in until we've finished discussing this with Steward Li. Madam, please wait a moment. Our young lady will pass on the message to you once she's finished."
Xu's hands were shaking with anger. Who did he think she was? He even summoned her to meet him!
The other housekeepers stood with their hands down. They saw the front hall heavily guarded, with Li the steward inside receiving his punishment. The auntie who had helped Li the steward to oppose the young lady was not allowed to enter, and had to pass on messages to see the young lady. This showed who was in charge in the house. They all lowered their eyes even more, pretending not to see the auntie coming, not wanting to get into trouble.
Wei Yi also came over with a few servants at this time. Seeing his mother basking in the sun outside, he kicked the guard angrily and said, "You dare to stop even the wife, you bastards? Get out of the way!"
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