Chapter 121: Feng Jie Is Stunned

Jia Jing now is extremely familiar with the Da Han Law; he has taken time to read it specially, and for most of its provisions he can even recite them.

He knows that the reason the Da Han statutes are set up this way is fundamentally to consolidate the feudal patriarchal system and the social hierarchy:

First, status determines rights: the law divides society into "good" and "low" classes, with slaves and servants belonging to the "low register" and lacking independent litigation rights.

They are regarded as subsidiary members within the family, and their accusations are seen as acts that violate the family law.

Second, to prevent "subordinates rebelling against superiors" from causing social unrest: those in power fear that if slaves are allowed to sue their masters, the hierarchy will be shaken, leading to a disorder of the moral order.

Therefore, heavy punishments are imposed as deterrence, ensuring the absolute stability of the master‑servant relationship.

Third, this measure also echoes the privileges of princes and officials: the same logic applies in the political sphere.

For example, if a censor impeaches a prince and the emperor regards it as "sowing discord among kin," the censor may be punished; a commoner exposing a prince may even be executed first.

Thus, the implicit principle that "those above cannot be lightly accused" runs throughout Da Han judicial practice.

Of course there are exceptions: for extremely serious crimes the rule can be broken; although the system is strict, there remains a possibility of breach in extreme cases.

If a master commits treason, rebellion, or great treason that endangers imperial authority, a servant may lawfully accuse them, and this is not subject to the restriction.

In the present Da Han, as centralization strengthens and princely power wanes, some local officials have begun to accept accusations against the powerful, but ordinary slaves suing their masters remain extremely rare.

Of course, it does not mean that a servant accusing a master poses no danger at all.

It is only that the servant cannot file the accusation themselves.

If the servant informs a third party of the master's crimes and that person files the accusation, then there is no problem.

Especially if the authorities or political enemies obtain the evidence, a disaster will loom instantly.

"Of course, what this Lord says about military law governing the household is not empty talk. The master must uphold righteousness himself in order to demand that the servant obey discipline and the law."

"The so‑called top‑down example follows this principle; there is no reason that being a master allows one to disregard the nation's laws and regulations. This is also for the long‑term prosperity of the family!"

"If you bring an accusation before this Lord, it is not exactly a servant suing a master; it is merely a family member reporting the master's hidden misconduct within the household."

"But this matter does involve the master's reputation; think it over before speaking. If the accusation proves true, this Lord will not punish you for the crime of a servant accusing a master!"

"If you speak nonsense or falsely accuse the master, you will be executed along with your entire family by the rod, with no mercy!"

Jia Jing's voice was full of solemn murderous intent.

"That's not appropriate… Brother Jing, these matters should be discussed behind closed doors among our own family; it's not suitable for outsiders to know!"

Jia Mu heard this, furrowed her brows, her complexion changed slightly, and she softly said to Jia Jing.

No matter which master in the household breaks the law, she does not want the whole estate to know; it's best to turn a big issue into a small one, and let the minor matters fade away.

Jia Jing twisted his eyebrows; if it were not the time of rectifying family conduct, he would be willing to heed Jia Mu's suggestion and discuss it behind closed doors among family.

But Zhou Rui has already made a public accusation; discussing it now behind someone's back would only betray a guilty conscience, giving the lower servants and outside schemers a chance to exploit it.

Moreover, he knows the household affairs inside out; he knows Zhou Rui's accusation must be about Feng Jie secretly issuing interest money.

This is a minor matter and extremely easy to verify; many Da Han nobles, officials, wealthy households, and temples engage in loan‑lending for profit.

Feng Jie has not yet caused any serious consequences, so it would be better to handle the matter properly and tie up the loose ends.

Wang Xifeng, that foolish woman, has already been warned about this, yet still does not know how to stop; her short‑sightedness deserves a lesson.

"Speak it here; nothing is forbidden to be said to others!" Jia Jing said coldly.

Zhou Rui paused upon hearing this; she was already about to be expelled from the estate, and at this moment she no longer cared about offending Feng Jie, only wanting to cling to Lady Wang's side, and continued:

"This matter is certainly not a false accusation; the servant learned of it by chance."

"Last time the servant went into Feng Jie's room and saw her attendant's daughter‑in‑law delivering interest money to her."

"The servant secretly inquired and discovered that Feng Jie was quietly taking the household servants' monthly stipends and her own private funds to issue interest money outside the estate."

"Each time Feng Jie would go to the estate's silver vault in advance to withdraw the monthly money, then delay disbursement by one or two months, using the estate's silver to earn her own interest."

"Combined with her private funds, she can earn two thousand taels of silver a year!"

"Lord just now also said that the Lai family's issuing of interest money is illegal and disorderly; I think Feng Jie's doing the same is also wrong, so I am reporting this to the Lord."

Zhou Rui's words eased the expressions of Jia Mu and the others present a little.

Fortunately it's not a big matter!

Although the court does not permit issuing interest money, the practice yields huge profit; most powerful families and wealthy households do it covertly, and the court neither raises nor punishes it, the law does not hold the masses accountable.

The servants in the courtyard were greatly disappointed, expecting some earth‑shattering revelation, only to get this?

In fact, the household can detect more than just Zhou Rui's person involved in Feng Jie's loan‑lending; although Feng Jie acts covertly and does not publicize it.

But the monthly stipends are always delayed; over time, it is inevitable that schemers will notice.

Many people are intimidated by Feng Jie's authority at home; they see through it but keep silent.

At this moment, Wang Xifeng's expression turned very sour.

She never expected that Zhou Rui's accusation would be about herself, and about the extremely secretive interest‑money scheme she herself had carried out.

Although this is not a major issue for a great family, it is nevertheless an act that contravenes imperial law.

And to speak of it in such a public setting, how can she later have any face to stand in the estate, or any face to manage the household?

She glanced at Zhou Rui and then at Lady Wang; she has never been a foolish person, and a suspicion instantly arose in her mind.

Zhou Rui is Lady Wang's trusted attendant; for her to step forward now and accuse herself, claiming it was not at Lady Wang's behest, she absolutely does not believe.

She simply did not expect Lady Wang to be so ruthless.

Although the main and secondary branches have been vying lately, she has been secretly contesting the stewardship with Lady Wang.

But in the end, Lady Wang and she are aunt‑niece from the Wang family; over the years they have some affection, and she has never thought of hindering Lady Wang.

She has never wronged Lady Wang or Jia Baoyu and the others.

As for the struggle over the stewardship, she is merely reclaiming what belongs to her own main branch, without any intention to harm Lady Wang.

But now that the interest‑money matter has been publicly exposed by Zhou Rui, she has lost all face, her feminine virtue is compromised, and she may even face legal punishment.

Lady Wang's sudden strike left Feng Jie momentarily stunned.