Chapter 409: Striking Feng Jie

Feng Jie heard that and her expression hardened; she hurriedly said:

"Third brother, since last time, I haven't taken any more stamp money, and I haven't done a single illegal or disorderly act."

"With a formidable lord like you speaking, I would never dare to test the law with my own body again!"

This is no empty talk; during this time Feng Jie has been solely thinking about how to cling to Jia Jing's big sturdy leg, and she proudly claims she truly hasn't done any more immoral or illegal deeds!

Jia Jing, upon hearing this, fell silent for a moment, his expression calm as he stared at Feng Jie across from him.

He indeed hasn't done it, but it's not truly as innocent as she says!

"Third brother doesn't believe me? In the past I took stamp money because the mansion was in deficit; I was forced with no other way, so I had to devise ways to find silver everywhere to fill the mansion's shortfall."

"Now the mansion's silver vault holds several tens of thousands of taels of silver seized last year, and all enterprises, under Third sister's reorganization, are thriving; the first half of the year showed a surplus, so why would I need to commit illegal acts?"

"Besides, if you, Duke, found out, what benefit would I have!"

Feng Jie's phoenix eyes showed a hint of sincerity, her face full of meekness, as if she was truly terrified of Jia Jing.

Beside them, Ping Er, seeing this, also spoke:

"Duke! Grandmother has truly reformed these days; not only has she not touched stamp money, but even when someone... offered silver and asked her to handle a matter, she hasn't agreed to any!"

Ping Er originally intended to help prove Feng Jie's innocence, but before she could finish, Jia Jing cut her off in a deep voice:

"You're talking about the incident a few days ago when the old nun Jingxu from Iron Fence Temple came to the mansion, offering three thousand taels of silver to ask Second Sister-in-law to help mediate a lawsuit in Chang'an County, right!"

In the original work, this incident occurred during Qin Keqing's funeral.

Near the Jia Mansion's family temple, close to Iron Fence Temple, is Mantou Nunnery; the old nun Jingxu, entrusted by someone, sought to use the Jia Mansion's influence to resolve a lawsuit.

The lawsuit originated because Zhang Jin Ge, daughter of the wealthy Zhang of Chang'an County, had already been betrothed to the son of the former Chang'an garrison commander, but was then coveted by Li Yanei, the younger brother-in-law of the county's elder lord.

The Zhang family wanted to cancel the marriage with the garrison family, the garrison family refused, and the two families went to court.

Jingxu was essentially a broker in official circles; she was commissioned to intervene, but she herself could not resolve the case.

So she begged Feng Jie to step in, writing a letter to Military Governor Yun Guang of Chang'an in the name of the Jia Mansion, forcing the garrison family to break off the marriage.

Feng Jie offered a reward of three thousand taels of silver, wrote the letter in Jia Lian's name, and accomplished the matter; the eventual result was that the garrison family was forced to reluctantly break off the marriage.

But no one expected that Zhang Jin Ge was a righteous and passionate woman; upon hearing the news she hanged herself, and the garrison's son also threw himself into the river to die for love.

In the end, two lives were exchanged for the three thousand taels of silver that Feng Jie pocketed.

This incident was also Feng Jie's first time using authority to directly reap huge profit, marking her shift from inner-house steward to external illegal and disorderly acts, and it set the tone for her tragic end.

Jia Jing's expression grew a few degrees more solemn, and he continued in a cold voice:

"There is something you may not know: after Jingxu visited Second Sister-in-law that day and stepped out of the Jia family's gate, my personal soldiers seized her and escorted her to the Shuntian Prefecture Office, where she has now been sentenced to execution!"

"These temple heads may appear to be outsiders, but each of them secretly engages in all sorts of heinous, corrupt, and illegal deeds."

"Originally I didn't have time to meddle in her trivial affairs, but who knew she would have the audacity to come to my mansion and tempt people, rushing toward death; how could I not give her retribution!"

Hearing the terrifying words from Jia Jing's mouth, Ping Er's face instantly filled with disbelief.

And Feng Jie felt as if struck by lightning, her heart suddenly leapt, she felt as if falling into an ice cave, the meek expression on her face could no longer be maintained, and she was momentarily filled with both shock and fear.

She never imagined that when Jingxu privately came to discuss such a secret matter, Jia Jing not only knew about it but had already discreetly dealt with Jingxu!

To know, at that time Jingxu offered three thousand taels of silver, and she truly was tempted!

After all, it was just such a small matter, yet she could obtain three thousand taels of silver for free; such a boon doesn't come often!

Moreover, Jingxu's words were pleasant, making her feel extremely gratified by the flattery.

If at that moment her mind hadn't suddenly been haunted by Jia Jing's cold stare, she would have readily agreed and quietly took care of the matter!

After Jingxu left that day, she told Ping Er about it and couldn't help feeling a bit remorseful that her courage had shrunk!

Who would have thought, it turned out she had inadvertently escaped a disaster!

At this moment she couldn't help thinking, if she had accepted Jingxu's request then, she would probably, even if not in the Shuntian Prefecture's great prison, still be severely punished by Third brother!

Not to mention losing the authority to assist the steward; she might even receive a beating or be sent back to her natal home!

Such a scene, just thinking about it makes one's heart tremble...

Feng Jie's phoenix eyes showed panic, her mind racing, and she hurriedly cleared herself:

"Third brother! This matter has absolutely nothing to do with me; I am not at all acquainted with that Jingxu."

"Who knew what wind she caught that day, that she would come to the mansion asking me to intervene in the external magistrate's affairs!"

"I sternly refused her then; not even three thousand taels, let alone thirty thousand taels, could I commit such a conscience‑damaging act!"

"I'm not brainless; I'd rather demolish ten temples than a single marriage, how could I not understand that!"

"Third brother, rest assured, I keep your instructions in mind at all times, and I understand the gravity; I would never, even under threat of death, touch a single iota of illegal or disorderly conduct!"

"If anyone like that comes to the door in the future, I won't even look at them; I'll have someone grab a rod and drive them out!"

Feng Jie swore solemnly!

Having been rebuked and struck like this by Jia Jing in person, she is truly frightened now, not daring to entertain any crooked thoughts at all!

Especially terrifying to her is that Jia Jing seems to know everything happening in the mansion...

Jia Jing lifted his gaze, calmly looking at the dazzling yet unmistakably fearful Feng Jie opposite, remained silent for a while, then slowly said:

"Second Sister-in-law can think like this, I am pleased!"

"Now the mansion is no longer as before; in the future more and more people will see my great power and make requests of you."

"The offered benefits will also increase; this time it was three thousand taels, next could be five thousand, or ten thousand."

"Regardless of the amount, I hope Second Sister-in-law remembers to keep reverence in her heart; never reach out, for reaching out will be caught."

"Know that it's not just plain silver, but a noose that could take your life."

"Second Sister-in-law is a wise person; she can choose to enjoy wealth and honor in the mansion, later becoming the matriarch of Rong Guo Mansion, a lady of prestige, with boundless glory."

"Or choose to gamble with luck by breaking the law, living in perpetual anxiety, eventually bringing ruin upon oneself, being discovered and thrown into prison with shackles, dying with a ruined name—no need for me to say more!"

Jia Jing's words were full of warning!

Although Feng Jie handles household matters decisively and pragmatically, and is adept at adapting and flattering with subtle flattery, she is a good steward and has keen insight.

But regarding her talent for scheming and greed for power, she must be constantly kept in check, lest she dare overstep the bounds.

Of course, the reason I'm willing to go to the trouble of keeping her in line is also because I regard her as one of my own and am willing to employ her; otherwise, if she really makes a mistake, I will show no mercy at all—there's nothing else to it.

Feng Jie felt ill at ease under Jia Jing's calm gaze, and involuntarily pressed her embroidered shoes together beneath her skirt, promising repeatedly:

Oh my lord duke, you've made it so clear—I wouldn't dare harbor any ulterior motives!

I couldn't help sighing to myself; truly, no wonder he's the sort who can pull off such a grand undertaking—he brooks no deceit. If it were the other lords in the manor, a few flattering words from me would have already left them dazed and confused!

But those clueless lords—I also despise them, and they're not worthy of my lowering myself.

Jia Jing nodded, didn't mention it further, but shifted his tone and said:

There's still something I need to say to you, Brother Lian...