Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"I'd gladly die, you said it yourself."

The brightly lit courtyard was filled with hundreds of people, both on and off the corridors, yet there was no noise, only Jia Lian's increasingly indifferent voice.

"Steward Liu, tell me, how much lamp oil did Steward Shan buy that day?"

Besides the four stewards, Liu Chun, the former head steward of the east wing, stepped forward, bowed his head, and said, "Reporting to the Second Master, the lamp oil that Steward Shan bought that day totaled fifteen barrels. This servant has calculated that each barrel weighs less than thirty catties, and the total amount is less than four hundred catties..."

"Liu Chun, you bastard, how dare you frame me! You have such a vicious heart! What did I ever do to offend you that you would do this to me?"

When Shan Daliang saw Liu Chun come out, his face became tense and ugly. Hearing what he said, his expression changed drastically, and he immediately scolded him.

"How dare you! Whether he falsely accused you or not, we will judge for ourselves. What right do you have to interfere?!"

Wang Xifeng had already told the maids to pack up and leave, but when she saw Jia Lian suddenly attack Shan Daliang, she sat down again.

She felt a sense of satisfaction. Sure enough, heartless people were different from her. In the past, when she was in charge of the household, the most she dealt with were a few powerful stewards and their wives. She never touched any of the stewards and their wives above that.

Firstly, because these people were of different social standing, and secondly, because they were all people of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, she couldn't withstand their questioning.

However, that doesn't mean she didn't want to deal with these wealthy old men, so at this moment, taking advantage of Jia Lian's power, she naturally rebuked them sternly.

However, after scolding him, she turned her head to look at Jia Lian and asked him in a questioning gaze: Should we use such a large cargo as a raft, or should we change to a smaller one?

Jia Lian glanced at Feng Jie, then continued, "The nuns and Taoist priestesses hired from places like Lianxi Temple and Baique Nunnery..."

As they spoke, Jia Lian looked at his servant Xing'er, who immediately said excitedly, "Second Master, I've already inquired. The abbot of Lianxi Temple said they received a total of 120 taels of silver from our household for the funeral rites, while the abbot of Baique Nunnery said they received 160 taels of silver from Madam Shan. The total is 280 taels!"

"Grandma Shan" was the respectful term used by the servants to refer to the Shan family.

Upon hearing Xing'er's words, Shan Daliang's face finally turned pale.

Xing'er must have been sent by Jia Lian to investigate to know this. He never expected Jia Lian to actually do such a thing; this is troublesome...

"Oh, two hundred and eighty taels?"

Jia Lian picked up an account book from the side, looked at it, and then laughed, "How come, according to what I see in the account book, the steward took a total of 560 taels from these two places? Hehehe, not bad, not bad, exactly doubled. He really is a good steward of my Rongguo Mansion."

Jia Lian felt both cold and sighed.

This is the Rongguo Mansion, where everyone, from masters to servants, is scheming to seize benefits from the government.

Therefore, even if they know that their subordinates are embezzling, they choose to turn a blind eye out of consideration for their reputation and other factors.

In the past, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng were always like this. Although they were in charge of the household, they both wanted to gain personal benefits, so they would just get by as long as they could. As long as they didn't go too far and didn't cause trouble in front of Jia Zheng and Lady Wang, the couple wouldn't interfere.

It's easy to imagine that if things continue like that, no matter how much wealth one has, it won't last long!

Therefore, Jia Lian decided to target the Shan family to rectify this unhealthy trend.

Ignoring Shan Daliang's sophistry, Jia Lian sneered, "These are only two items. There are nine more left. Do I need to explain them to you one by one?"

Dan Daliang finally couldn't take it anymore and knelt down with a thud, but he kept explaining that Liu Chun had slandered him and that Xing'er and the others' inquiries were untrue.

Jia Lian paid no attention to it. The reason he brought up the lamp oil and nuns in front of all the servants was simply to tell everyone that Shan Daliang had indeed embezzled money and should be punished.

Just understand this point; there's no need to distinguish between black and white. This isn't a courtroom case.

He was nothing more than a lackey.

"As a servant, you do not think of serving your master, but are greedy by nature, embezzling the master's property. You are hereby dismissed from your position as steward, dragged away, and given eighty strokes of the cane!"

Upon hearing the word "eighty strokes of the cane," many people couldn't help but twitch.

After eighty strokes of the cane, would he still be alive?

Dan Daliang's expression changed drastically. Seeing Zhao Sheng and the others approaching him with canes, he hurriedly begged for mercy: "Second Master, please spare me! This servant knows he was wrong and will never dare to do it again. Second Master, please spare my life..."

"Do you really know you were wrong? Well then, tell me, over the years, how much silver have you two embezzled by taking advantage of your position as steward? Give me a specific number. If it matches up, I can waive your eighty strokes of the cane."

Jia Lian suddenly showed mercy again.

However, Shan Daliang didn't know how to handle the situation.

He has been in the position of butler for almost ten years, and has naturally accumulated a considerable fortune both openly and secretly.

If we were to tell the truth, the sheer number of them would be enough to kill him many times over!

Besides, which servant of a powerful family wouldn't get a cut when working for their master? When Master Lian was in charge here, he even skimmed off some of his own money to squander on a life of debauchery…

I never expected Second Master Lian to suddenly be so ruthless!!

He also considered that Jia Lian might just be bluffing him. After all, he had been working for the old lady and was a steward personally promoted by the madam. Second Master Lian might not dare to do anything to him.

After much deliberation, realizing he couldn't tell the truth, he shamelessly swore an oath, "Please, Second Master, be the judge. This servant was truly blinded by greed this time, so..."

Actually, this is a long-standing rule in our household. When servants do things for their masters, the masters are kind and usually tacitly allow the servants to earn some benefits, such as letting the servants buy wine for them as payment. Steward Lai is aware of this situation. If you don't believe me, Second Master, you might as well ask Steward Lai.”

Shan Daliang looked at Lai Da, who was standing silently to the side, with pleading eyes, hoping that he would come out and say a word for him.

The saying goes, "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," and he felt that Lai Da should help him. Because in recent years, whenever there was a major event, the Lai brothers would take the lion's share, while they would take a smaller share. If the Second Master made an exception today, they, the stewards, would not have an easy time in the future.

Given the Lai family's unique position within the Jia family, even the Second Master would likely have to think twice before acting...

Because the person standing behind the Lai family is Grandmother Jia!

"Oh, really? Steward Lai, tell me, when did our household come to have a rule that condones servants embezzling?"

Jia Lian sat in a nanmu armchair, one arm resting on the table, looking curiously at Lai Da, who had remained silent to the side.

Lai Da remained motionless like a wooden statue until he heard Jia Lian's question. Only then did he suddenly step forward, kneel down, and reply, "In response to Second Master's question, there has never been such an absurd rule in our mansion."

For a servant, serving his master is a matter of course. Servants should do their utmost, devote themselves to the cause, and even die for their master. How could they possibly seek personal gain for themselves?

If one harbors such thoughts, even if ordered to be beaten to death by one's master, it would be a fitting punishment.

"Steward Lai, you..."

Shan Daliang wanted to speak, but Lai Da interrupted him, saying, "Steward Shan, it's not uncommon for us servants to make mistakes. As long as we sincerely repent and do our best to make amends, our masters are all kind-hearted people and will surely forgive us."

"I hope you will follow Second Master's instructions and tell the whole truth. Don't make a mistake for yourself..."

Lai Da's words caused Shan Daliang's expression to change slightly, as if he understood something.

Jia Lian looked at Lai Da, who remained calm and composed even at this moment, and felt a certain admiration for him.

As expected, both sons trained by Granny Lai were no ordinary men; otherwise, the elder wouldn't have become the head steward of the Rongguo Mansion, and the younger one wouldn't have been able to become the head steward of the Ningguo Mansion. Good heavens, the two Lai brothers have monopolized the head stewardship positions of both Jia family mansions!

Jia Lian didn't put in much effort, since in his plan, now was indeed not the time to take action against the Lai family.

"Steward Lai truly lives up to his reputation as our most loyal and sensible servant. If all the servants in the house were like Steward Lai, we masters would have much less to worry about."

As Jia Lian spoke, he waved his hand, and Zhao Sheng and the others immediately dragged Shan Daliang to the middle of the courtyard. Without even using a stool, they simply lifted him up and prepared to beat him.

Dan Daliang hurriedly shouted, "Second Master, spare my life! I confess, I confess everything! Over the years, I have embezzled two or three hundred taels of silver. I am willing to return it all to the authorities. Please, Second Master, spare my life..."

Jia Lian ignored him completely, and soon, the ruthless beatings made Shan Daliang scream and howl like a banshee!

……