Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng's expression hardened, and she quickly replied:

"Third brother, since last time, I haven't lent money at exorbitant interest rates again, and I haven't done a single illegal or disorderly thing."

"With such a powerful figure as you issuing the order, I would never dare to defy the law again!"

This is no exaggeration. During this period, Sister Feng has only been thinking about how to cling to Jia Jing, this big shot, and she claims that she has indeed not done anything immoral or illegal!

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, simply staring at Feng Jie across from him with a blank expression.

I did not do it, but I am not as innocent as she claims!

"Third brother, don't you believe me? I used to lend money at exorbitant interest rates because the household was running out of money. I was forced to do this because I had no choice but to find ways to make up for the deficit."

"Now the manor's treasury has tens of thousands of taels of silver confiscated last year, and the various businesses are thriving under my third sister's renewed management. We saw a surplus in the first half of the year, so why would I do something illegal?"

"Besides, if you, the Duke, find out, you'll be in trouble!"

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

Seeing this, Ping'er also spoke up:

"My lord! Madam has indeed changed her ways these days. Not only has she stopped touching loan sharks, but she hasn't agreed to any requests from people who offered her money to do favors..."

Ping'er originally wanted to help prove Feng Jie's innocence, but before she could finish speaking, Jia Jing interrupted her in a deep voice:

"Are you referring to the time a few days ago when the Venerable Jingxu from the Iron Threshold Temple came to our residence and offered three thousand taels of silver to ask Second Sister-in-law to help mediate the lawsuit in Chang'an County?"

In the original novel, this event took place during Qin Keqing's funeral.

Near the Iron Threshold Temple, the ancestral temple of the Jia family, the old nun Jingxu, entrusted by someone, wanted to use the power of the Jia family to resolve a lawsuit.

The lawsuit was initiated by Zhang Jingge, the daughter of a wealthy man named Zhang in Chang'an County. She was originally betrothed to the son of the former garrison commander of Chang'an, but she was also taken in by Li Yanei, the brother-in-law of the magistrate of Chang'an County.

The Zhang family wanted to break off the engagement with the garrison commander's family, but the garrison commander's family disagreed, so the two families went to court.

Jingxu is probably a broker in the officialdom. She is asked to go to someone's door, but she can't solve the problem herself.

So they begged Sister Feng to intervene and write a letter in the name of the Jia family to Yun Guang, the military governor of Chang'an, forcing the governor's family to break off the engagement.

Fengjie offered a reward of three thousand taels of silver and wrote a letter in Jia Lian's name to complete the matter. As a result, the garrison commander's family was forced to break off the engagement.

But what no one expected was that Zhang Jingge was a righteous and affectionate woman who hanged herself upon hearing the news; the garrison commander's son also drowned himself in the river in a suicide pact.

In the end, two lives were lost in exchange for the three thousand taels of silver that Sister Feng had embezzled.

This incident marked the first time Sister Feng directly used her power to reap huge profits. It was the starting point for her to go from being a steward in the inner quarters to breaking the law and committing crimes outside the mansion, and it also set the tone for her tragic end.

Jia Jing's expression turned serious, and he continued in a cold voice:

"There's something you might not know. The day Jingxu visited Second Sister-in-law, he was arrested by my personal guards as soon as he stepped out of the Jia family's gate and taken to the Shuntian Prefecture government office. He's now sentenced to death with reprieve!"

"These temple abbots, though seemingly detached from worldly affairs, secretly commit all sorts of heinous, corrupt, and illegal acts."

"Originally, I didn't have time to meddle in her affairs, but who knew she would have the audacity to come to my residence and sow discord? She's practically courting death; how could I not give her a taste of her own medicine!"

Upon hearing these shocking words from Jia Jing, Ping'er's face immediately filled with disbelief.

Sister Feng was struck dumb, her heart skipped a beat, and she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. She could no longer maintain her gentle demeanor, and her face was filled with shock and fear.

She never imagined that Jia Jing not only knew about the secret matter that Jingxu had privately discussed with her, but had also quietly dealt with Jingxu!

You should know that when Jingxu offered three thousand taels of silver, she was genuinely tempted!

After all, it's just a small matter, and you can get three thousand taels of silver for free. Such a good thing doesn't happen often!

Moreover, Jingxu spoke so sweetly, which made her feel extremely comfortable!

If Jia Jing's cold face hadn't suddenly flashed through her mind, she might have agreed and quietly carried out the matter!

After Jingxu left that day, she talked to Ping'er about it and couldn't help but feel a little regretful that she had become timid!

Little did I know, I had actually escaped a disaster by sheer coincidence!

At this moment, she couldn't help but think that if she had agreed to Jingxu's request back then, she would probably have been severely punished by her third brother even if she wasn't in the Shuntian Prefecture prison!

Not only will she lose her power to assist the housekeeper, but she might also be punished with a beating or even sent back to her parents' home!

Just thinking about that scene makes one's heart tremble...

Sister Feng's phoenix eyes flashed with fear. Her mind raced, and she quickly tried to distance herself from the situation, saying:

"Third brother! This matter has absolutely nothing to do with me. I have no connection whatsoever with that Jingxu."

"Who knew what possessed her that day, coming to my residence seeking my help to intervene in matters concerning the local government!"

"I firmly refused her at the time. Let alone three thousand taels of silver, even if it were thirty thousand taels, I would never do such a thing that goes against my conscience!"

"I'm not brainless. I understand the principle of 'better to tear down ten temples than break up one marriage'!"

"Third brother, don't worry, I always remember your instructions, and I understand the importance of it! I would rather die than get involved in anything illegal or disorderly!"

"If anyone like this comes knocking on my door again, I won't even see them. I'll just have someone throw them out with sticks!"

Sister Feng made a solemn promise!

After being reprimanded by Jia Jing in person, she was now truly frightened and dared not harbor any more wicked thoughts!

What terrified her most was that Jia Jing seemed to know everything about what was happening in the manor…

Jia Jing raised his eyes and looked calmly at Feng Jie, whose beautiful face betrayed barely concealed fear. After a long silence, he slowly said:

"I'm so glad my second sister-in-law thinks this way!"

"My household is not what it used to be. In the future, more and more people will see my power and ask me to do things for them."

"The benefits offered will become increasingly larger. This time it's three thousand taels, next time it could be five thousand taels or ten thousand taels."

"No matter how much money it is, I hope my second sister-in-law will remember to have a sense of awe and never reach out for it, or she will be caught."

"You should know that it's not just a pile of hard-earned money, but a noose that will take your life."

"Second sister-in-law is a smart woman. She chose to enjoy wealth and honor in the mansion and become the mistress of the Rongguo Mansion and a noble lady, enjoying endless glory."

"Whether one chooses to take chances and break the law, living in constant fear, ultimately reaping the consequences, being discovered, imprisoned, and ruined—I don't need to elaborate, do I?"

Jia Jing's words were full of warning!

Although Sister Feng is decisive and pragmatic in handling family affairs, she is also very good at adapting to situations, flattering others, and being a skilled housekeeper with great insight.

However, given her calculating and power-hungry nature, she must be constantly reminded to never cross the line!

Of course, the reason why we are willing to spend time and effort to teach her a lesson is because we consider her one of our own and are willing to use her. Otherwise, if she really makes a mistake, we would just get rid of her without any mercy!

Fengjie felt extremely uncomfortable under Jia Jing's calm gaze, and couldn't help but gather her embroidered shoes together under her skirt, repeatedly assuring him:

"Oh, my Lord Duke, you've made it so clear, how could I dare to harbor any improper thoughts!"

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. No wonder he was the kind of person who could accomplish such a great feat. He couldn't be fooled at all. If it were any of the other gentlemen in the manor, a few flattering words would have made them dizzy with delight!

However, he wouldn't even look at those muddle-headed men, let alone be worthy of making him lower himself...

Jia Jing nodded, but didn't bring up the matter again. Instead, he changed the subject:

"There's one more thing I need to tell you, Second Brother Lian..."