Chapter 59: Feng Jie's Little Schemes

Lady Wang knows this is a foolproof move against Jia Zheng; mentioning the early‑deceased Jia Zhu makes Jia Zheng compromise.

Li Wan, standing nearby, also thought of her late husband upon hearing this and instantly wore a sorrowful face.

Sure enough,

Jia Zheng let out an angry sigh and said:

"Alas! Baoyu may not go, but Jia Huan must go; no one's words can change that. I have only these two sons; at least one must succeed!"

Lady Wang and Jia Mu were too lazy to care whether Jia Huan went, and immediately agreed.

Jia Jing watched the scene with great interest,

Whether Baoyu goes or not, he doesn't care; learning or not, it's none of his business.

He only sighs a bit, noting that Jia Mu and Lady Wang are somewhat sensible people,

but they raised Baoyu into a foolish, ill‑educated waste, leading later to the Jia Mansion's ruin and Baoyu's fate as a beggar and monk, a tragic end.

Indeed, throughout history, drowning a child is like killing a child; Heaven's law repays well!

Jia Jing said what he needed to say, then rose and said:

"Madam, it's getting late; let's stop here for today. I'll be going back now!"

Jia Mu looked at Jia Jing, her lips twitched slightly, but she said nothing and said:

"Let Feng the maid escort you there! We've arranged a new courtyard and serving maids for you; let her take you to meet people!"

Feng Jie also stood up, her bright eyes shining, and laughed:

"Third Brother's previous residence was a bit small; Madam moved you to a large courtyard on Linbei Street, and all the furnishings are newly prepared by me."

"Madam also assigned you eight senior maids, ten junior maids, and ten old maids to attend you; this treatment is unique in the mansion!"

"By the way, Aunt also sent you a maid as thanks for your return gift; she's very cute and I like her!"

Jia Jing said:

"Let's go over there first and see."

Speaking so, he greeted Jia Mu, San Chun and others, and led Feng Jie out of Rong Qing Tang.

Along the painted corridor they walked forward.

The bright moon shone, and Jia Jing paced leisurely.

Wang Xifeng walked side by side, with only Ping Er trailing behind, holding a lantern to light their way.

A few old maids walked ahead, ten or so steps away, giving the two space to talk.

Wang Xifeng today wore a pink jacket, a forehead band, and had a plump figure.

Her phoenix eyes, willow eyebrows, exquisitely painted—truly a charming, graceful lady.

Jia Jing glanced at her, feeling no ripple in his heart.

Although in appearance, bearing, temperament and all, Feng Jie indeed lives up to being one of the Twelve Golden Hairpins,

but her methods are ruthless, greedy for wealth and power, shrewd in small matters but lacking great wisdom; a shrew, not worth scheming with!

Feng Jie, however, smiled sweetly and opened her mouth:

"Third Brother, you've opened my eyes today! I thought you'd return and lash out at those servants and old maids!"

"I didn't expect you to propose giving money and grain to the clan, supporting the clan school; truly you've seen the world outside, more insightful and generous than us inner‑household women!"

Wang Xifeng's words seemed to praise Jia Jing, but actually reminded him not to forget how, when living in East Kuayuan Courtyard, he was bullied by those old maids and stewards.

"When you were without office or rank, you even kicked Wang Shanbao's family and Lai Da; now that you've been ennobled and returned home with great prestige, why is there no movement?"

Let her wait in vain for a showdown!

Wang Xifeng hopes Jia Jing will stir something up in the Jia Mansion!

Why?

Because after Jia She was gravely injured, a practical problem faced her,

that is, when Jia She dies, Jia Lian will inherit the title, becoming the heir of the main branch of Rong Guo Mansion, and she will become the main branch's lady.

Mrs. Xing, having no power, influence, or followers, naturally stays aside.

Wang Xifeng no longer needs to rely on Lady Wang's name to manage the household.

Instead, as the matriarch of the main branch and wife of the Rong Guo Mansion heir, she rightfully should manage the household.

After all, when Jia Mu passes away, even Rong Guo Mansion should be inherited by her and her husband; the second branch will have to move out.

So, her relationship with Lady Wang has changed, shifting from cooperation to competition.

Before, Lady Wang asked her to help manage the household, but Lady Wang still made most decisions.

But now she wants to contest Lady Wang for household authority and the public estate, even Rong Xi Hall.

Previously, Jia She was incompetent, almost losing his title, and was driven by Jia Mu to East Kuayuan Courtyard.

Now she and Jia Lian have done nothing wrong; after the succession, they rightfully should manage the household and take over Rong Xi Hall.

So, in short, Feng Jie wants to control more power in Rong Guo Mansion.

But she can't fight Jia Mu and Lady Wang herself; she lacks the capital!

So, she looks forward to Jia Jing returning home to lash out at those servants, preferably dealing with the chief stewards of the Lai, Lin, Shan, Wu, and Zhou Rui families of Rong Guo Mansion.

These stewards are either multi‑generation servants of the mansion or confidants of Jia Mu and Lady Wang; Wang Xifeng must always show them some respect.

Only by having Jia Jing expel these people from the Jia Mansion can she re‑appoint her own confidants to manage the household and truly wield internal power.

Jia Jing, after hearing Feng Jie's words, was slightly stunned; how could he feel a tone of mockery and incitement in her speech?

He then thought for a moment and began to understand Feng Jie's intention.

He didn't beat around the bush with Feng Jie, but asked directly:

"Second Sister‑in‑law, are you also dissatisfied with the household stewards and old maids?"

Feng Jie's expression froze, then she smiled and denied:

"They are people trusted by the old lady and the madam; how could I possibly be dissatisfied with them!"

Jia Jing, feeling the winter's cold wind, spoke in a neutral tone:

"These days the silver stored in the mansion is probably insufficient each year! When Brother Lian inherits the title, does Second Sister‑in‑law plan to use her dowry to supplement household expenses?"

"I heard Steward Lai and his people each have a fortune of at least a hundred thousand, even own a large garden, with maids and servants attending them daily, living more comfortably than our master!"

Jia Jing directly pierced Wang Xifeng's façade, pointing out the steward's core profit issue.

Nowadays Rong Guo Mansion's annual income cannot cover its expenses.

If we cannot increase revenue and cut costs, and eliminate the big rats among these servants, is Wang Xifeng preparing to inherit a Rong Guo Mansion that will be hollow inside or even indebted?

These servants are now coveting precisely the very inheritance they will later receive.

Feng Jie's complexion shifted slightly as she pressed her red lips together.

Jia Jing's words struck her heart like a heavy hammer.

She naturally does not want Steward Lai and the other servants to continue embezzling the mansion's funds.

It should be known that she herself earns only about a thousand and eight hundred taels of silver per year from money‑lending, most of which she already subsidizes the mansion's expenses.

But Steward Lai and the other servants each scoop up a full bowl, richer and more lavish than their mistress; how could she not feel envious!

If she could get rid of these servants, she would not only completely control the household but might also obtain a large windfall, which could not leave her unmoved.