Chapter 123: Lady Wang and Feng Jie Lose Their Stewardship

Wang's daughter-in-law, under Lady Wang's knife‑like stare, began to speak.

She was also in a bind, and now the situation on the stage was clearly that Lady Wang was putting Feng Jie in a difficult spot.

Her concubine Zhou Rui accused Feng Jie of taking the dowry money, while she herself could only accuse Lady Wang of subsidizing her natal family.

As for why it had to involve the Wang Family, that old master?

The truth is she knew no other leverage against Lady Wang, and only the Wang Family served as the natal family of both Feng Jie and Lady Wang; Wang's daughter-in-law knew a bit of the inside story.

If she were to make a false accusation, she wouldn't dare, for a false accusation would have the whole family beaten to death.

After thinking it over, the two parties harming each other, she chose the lesser evil and could only bring up the Wang Family.

The people in the courtyard, watching this back‑and‑forth dramatic scene, wore varied expressions,

The servants felt their eyes were opened; today they had truly learned something!

Jia Mu's face turned as black as a wok, her expression icy; she didn't know until she investigated, and then was startled.

I'm not dead yet? This is about taking dowry money, subsidizing the natal family, leeching off others—what kind of person is this!

The Jia Family's hundred‑year reputation is about to be ruined by these foolish inner‑house daughters‑in‑law and grand‑daughters‑in‑law; it's simply absurd!

Feng Jie's expression brightened slightly, yet carried a hint of worry.

Wang's daughter-in-law stepped forward to take the blame for her, at least preserving her face enough to get by!

The back‑and‑forth accusation against Lady Wang was indeed correct; it should be repaid in kind.

But the fact that Wang's daughter-in-law dragged the Wang Family into it caught her off guard!

She must remember that the Wang Family is her natal family, and Uncle Wang Ziteng has always been her greatest support.

However, Feng Jie thought it over carefully and felt it wasn't a big deal.

Since she had fallen out with Lady Wang, she couldn't count much on Wang Ziteng.

After all, in terms of relation, Lady Wang is Wang Ziteng's own sister, a closer tie; she is only a niece, and holds little weight in Wang Ziteng's mind.

For now, she decided to get through today's hurdle first!

Even if the Wang side asked, it would be that the Wang family first let the concubine make the accusation, and she was forced to retaliate; in any case she couldn't blame herself.

Besides, her husband is about to receive a title, so there's no need to be fearful!

Feng Jie, thinking of this, narrowed her ruby eyes and said crisply:

"Old lady, third brother, I think we should investigate what Wang's daughter-in-law said!"

"Regardless, this matter has already happened, and so many people in the courtyard are watching!"

"Now that things have escalated to this point, there must be a conclusion. This case is easy to investigate; just send someone to look into it! If it turns out to be a misunderstanding, wouldn't that be even better!"

Feng Jie returned Lady Wang's words verbatim.

Lady Wang, hearing this, became furious, pointed at Feng Jie and shouted:

"You dare, you…"

"Bang!"

"Enough! Have they all lost their minds today! …"

Jia Mu, now at the peak of her anger and unable to restrain herself, snatched the tea cup she was holding and slammed it hard onto the ground, scolding:

"A lady has no ladyly bearing! A niece has no niece-like bearing! Must they keep causing the Jia family's face to be disgraced before they stop?"

"Now the Jia family has lost its dignity; do you daughters‑in‑law think you shine on your faces because of it?"

"I believe you didn't do this, but even if your concubine did, you cannot escape responsibility for lax supervision."

"I think both of you should no longer be stewards; from now on, cultivate yourselves in the inner house, tend to your husbands and teach your children."

Seeing Jia Mu's angry complexion change, Feng Jie and Lady Wang instantly knelt on the ground, obediently receiving the reprimand.

The two of them were not Jia Jing, who could argue back with Jia Mu.

Jia Mu held absolute authority over them; once she spoke, they had no room to defend themselves, forced to kneel and silently endure—this is the proper filial etiquette of this era.

Jia Mu didn't even glance at the two; today she had already been inflamed by Jia Jing and hadn't vented, then faced this shameless dog‑fight between Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng, nearly driving her to death with anger!

Jia Mu turned her head, scanned the people in the courtyard, and then shouted sternly at Zhou Rui and Wang's daughter-in-law:

"You two despicable prostitutes, full of hot air, slandering your master, yet you don't even pee on yourselves to see what kind of creature you are, and you dare stand up to speak of others' affairs."

"Even Yao Jie is three degrees higher than you slanders; if I weren't old, I'd give you a big ear slap."

"Servants! Drag those two out and beat them on the board hard, then sell them off; never let these two traitorous things step into my house again!"

When Jia Mu gave the order, none of the present guards acted; the scene fell silent, and the sight almost drove her mad with anger.

Jia Jing, seeing this, waved his hand, and a guard stepped forward to haul the two out for beating.

These two slaves each had their crimes, and were no longer fit to remain in the residence.

After Zhou Rui and Wang's daughter-in-law were dragged out of the courtyard, the courtyard fell silent again.

Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng knelt on the ground with dejected faces; Jia Mu's angry expression had not faded, and Jia Jing lifted the tea cup at hand and took a gentle sip.

At this moment, the only one on the scene still wearing a smile and feeling joy was probably Mrs. Xing.

She saw Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng attacking each other and tearing down the stage, even the concubine was crushed, and felt an indescribable delight.

One must know that a concubine is the inner‑most confidant of each master, holding an irreplaceable position and extremely high loyalty.

Since Mrs. Xing's concubine Wang Shanbao's family was expelled from the mansion, she has found nothing as convenient as before for doing anything in the house.

Now Lady Wang's concubine Zhou Rui and Wang Xifeng's concubine, Wang's daughter-in-law, have both been expelled, effectively cutting off their arms.

Not to mention, Jia Mu has already spoken; from now on Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng will no longer be stewards, which is a tremendous piece of good news.

Mrs. Xing thought it over and felt that with Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng out of the steward role, regarding status and suitability, she herself could also take on the stewardess role!

After all, as she put it, she is the legitimate mother of that scoundrel Jia Jing!

This truly is joy descending from heaven, obtained without any effort.