Chapter 16: Gambling

Is there anyone by Rong-ge’er’s side?

Shen Ning was almost amused to the point of anger by this foolish son of hers. "Are people all the same? One is the son of the head steward, the others are mere long-term attendants and errand boys with no roots or foundation. In the eyes of the servants, because of Lai Sheng, you are the future master of the manor. Even if they listen to your father, they will still show restraint when scolding or hitting you. But what about Rong-ge’er?

You used your father’s old tactics on him; have you ever thought about how difficult his life is? Why are there only two of his four errand boys left? And why are they both from the Tang family, with not a single one born into the Jia household?"

Jia Zhen: "..."

He was stunned.

He...

Thinking of Lai Sheng’s words—that the two who were gone were not clever enough, so they were sent out to be apprentices, and he would find suitable replacements for the young master later—he suddenly had nothing to say.

"Previously, the Lai family only had one son who would follow by your side. Now they have three sons, yet they aren't willing to leave a single one behind. Jia Zhen, have you ever thought about why?"

Shen Ning stared at him. "Let me tell you: it’s because the Lai family no longer thinks highly of the Jia family. They believe the Jia family is destined to decline, they’ve already lined their pockets enough, and for the sake of their descendants, they are trying to detach themselves from the Jia family bit by bit."

"..."

Jia Zhen’s face turned pale and then green. His lips trembled, as if he wanted to refute her, but looking at it from his mother’s perspective, it seemed... indeed to be the case.

How could that be?

Jia Zhen didn't want to believe it.

Their family was still illustrious and held a hereditary title. That year, when so many people were purged—even his father-in-law was sent home to farm—their family hadn't fallen.

How would the Lai family dare?

No, no, they dared. The Lai family sought a favor that very year, and his father, despite his hard work in his studies, had to withdraw from the imperial court.

They took advantage of his joy at inheriting the title...

Jia Zhen’s eyes gradually turned red.

"There is an old saying... 'Respect the son for the father's sake.'"

Shen Ning looked at him, delivering another ruthless, fatal blow. "You think they are loyal, but wasn't this loyalty bought by the Jia family? Has the Jia family not provided for their food and drink all these years? Did we not provide their clothes, hats, and shoes for every season? Or did we not pay their monthly wages?

How many scholars from humble backgrounds have to rise to the second or third rank before they can afford a courtyard in the capital? Yet the Lai family... is their courtyard small?

There is one thing you said right: it is for the sake of their descendants that they are seeking favors."

Jia Zhen: "..."

His body swayed, and he could barely stand.

"Don't blame your mother for speaking harshly."

Shen Ning sighed. "I am someone who has already walked through the gates of hell." She pointed to the seat beside her, signaling him to sit. "You cherish the Lai family’s past kindness, and I am not a heartless person. How about this: let’s make a bet. The Lai family has been in the Jia household for many years; it is normal for them to have saved up some wealth. You take Jiao Da and raid their home. Excluding the house itself, if their total assets do not exceed twenty thousand taels, you will release all of them from their status as bondservants and grant them complete freedom from now on.

Conversely..."

Shen Ning closed her eyes. "They are wicked servants. Either hand them over to the authorities, or have them beaten to death or sold off as you see fit. Not only that, you must use thunderous means, exercising your authority as clan leader, to take down the Lai family of the West Mansion."

What?

Not only was Jia Zhen too shocked to speak, but even Lady You’s expression changed in alarm.

"The Ning and Rong mansions share the same honor and disgrace; the two branches of the Lai family... are naturally the same."

Shen Ning’s gaze was calm and firm. "During the great upheaval that year, the Jia family hadn't fallen yet, but the Lai family was already looking for an escape route. They have long lived lives of luxury, commanding servants. If they don't leave the Jia family immediately, you don't really think they are still offering their final loyalty, do you?"

Jia Zhen: "..."

His hands were trembling slightly.

"What? Are you afraid to bet?"

Shen Ning looked at her cowardly son. "Or do you want to cling to that master-servant bond they stopped caring about long ago, letting them steal from the house while they curse your mother and bully your wife and son?"

"..."

Jia Zhen’s eyes grew red. He had barely sat down before he slowly stood up again. "I will take the bet!"

Since the decision was made, there could be no delay.

"Someone!" he shouted loudly. "Call Jiao Da and summon the mansion guards."

"...Yes!"

The attendant Xing'er rushed out.

Before long, the uniform footsteps of the mansion guards could be heard approaching.

Shen Ning stood up. "Let’s go. There is nothing left for us here; let’s go see Rong-ge’er."

Lady You hurriedly supported her.

Not long after the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law left the ceremonial hall, the sky over the Ning Mansion changed.

Next door, Lady Wang, who had followed Jia Zheng all the way back to their mansion, clutched her handkerchief, which was nearly shredded, wishing she could strike someone.

But she dared not, for she knew Jia Zheng was also suppressing a fit of rage and would likely have a massive argument with her.

Yes, she hadn't told the whole truth last night and had downplayed many things, but could she be blamed entirely for the humiliation today?

Although Shen Ning was technically the eldest sister-in-law, Brother Jing held no official post, and she didn't even have a title of honor.

By what right did she put on airs before a cousin who held an official position in another branch?

By what right did she display the authority of an eldest sister-in-law toward her, a lady with a title?

By what right did she change the path the ancestors had already designed for their descendants?

Was she so great just because she knew a few lines from the sages?

For the first time, Lady Wang hated that she hadn't studied more and couldn't spout literary jargon.

Just thinking about how yesterday she had used a quote from Mencius to force her, the Old Matriarch, and the women of the clan into silence, and today used the same sage’s words to make Jia Zheng beg for mercy, filled her with hatred.

At this moment, she truly longed for her eldest son and eldest daughter.

They both knew the words of the sages.

Unlike Jia Zheng, who only studied dead books and was of no use at all.

If her children were here, they would surely be able to use other quotes from the sages to suppress her back.

"Everyone out."

Just as he stepped into the room, Jia Zheng, who had been restraining himself the whole way, waved his hand at the maids who were about to salute, telling them to leave immediately.

The maids were startled. Stealing a glance at Lady Wang, who had entered with a dark face, they hurriedly curtsied and retreated, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.

The master and mistress arguing was not something any of them should witness.

But weren't they just coming back from the East Mansion?

Why were they going to argue?

The maids looked at each other, feeling very anxious.

The mistress was basically helpless against the master.

Usually, when he was angry, he wouldn't take it out on them, but once he did... it would be a matter of life and death.

The maids trembled, praying that today’s incident would pass quickly.

Inside the room, Jia Zheng had already raised his hand and swept a teacup off the table with a loud crash. "Lady Wang, are you not prepared to give me an explanation?"

Seeing the new school regulations and reward-punishment system that Jia Zhen and the others had come up with, he was actually quite impressed.

If Lady Wang hadn't misled him, how could he have lost so much face in front of his sister-in-law?

"Explain what?"

Lady Wang sat in her usual chair. "The master was drunk last night, and you heard what I said all topsy-turvy. Can you blame me?"

She didn't even blame this man for being useless; what face did he have to blame her?

"Instead of blaming me, Master, you should think carefully about why the eldest sister-in-law is reaching so far. That talk about letting the children practice martial arts to strengthen their bodies—we should just listen to it and leave it at that."

The trade link between the Jia family and the Wang family rested on her.

The beneficiaries were Jia Zheng and her children.

"The eldest sister-in-law has great influence over Brother Jing and Jia Zhen."

Lady Wang ignored her husband’s volatile expression. "But they all agreed to what happened back then. The master should think about what we will do if they change their minds, and what will happen to our Yuanchun."

What was the use of being a lady-in-waiting?

Their families' goal was to help her Yuanchun become someone close to the Emperor.

Since even the Crown Prince could be deposed, if their Yuanchun gave birth to an imperial prince, why couldn't she go even further?

"...Are you thinking too much?"

Jia Zheng’s shame and anger were frightened away by the crisis Lady Wang threw out.

Sending Yuanchun into the palace back then was something he and the Old Matriarch had discussed and everyone had tacitly agreed upon.

The Jia family transferred their military power to the Wang family, and for the entire Jia family, he was the one who benefited the most.

If...

Thinking of how Shen Ning had given him no face today and used the words of the sages to suppress him, Jia Zheng couldn't help but think more about it.

"Thinking too much?"

Lady Wang knew she had him pinned down and snorted through her nose. "I think you’re thinking too little."

Why support her brother? Wasn't it because the two families were allied by marriage, and the Jia family had no one capable of being supported?

Although letting the Jia family withdraw from the military was a decision made by their ancestors for the long-term development of the family, this withdrawal was always just for show for those above.

If she, Shen Ning, changed her mind and let the Jia clansmen use their own abilities to become minor officials in the military, those above wouldn't care.

But while those above wouldn't care, her Wang family must care.

Once the Jia clansmen established a foothold in the military, one-third or even more of the Jia family’s invisible power in the military would surely be carved away.

Her brother, Wang Ziteng, would no longer be the only choice.

After all, between outsiders and their own kin, they would certainly trust their own people more.

"Don't you think the eldest sister-in-law has changed a lot?"

When Brother Jing abandoned his post and left home, that woman had been withered for several years.

Now that she’s pregnant, she’s become tough. Who do they think they are?

A fierce glint flashed in Lady Wang’s eyes. "Reforming the school might just be her first step."

Jia Zheng: "..."

He sat down slowly and asked humbly for advice: "Then what is her second step?"

"Cleaning up the servants in the mansion."

Lady Wang looked at him. "For example, winning over Jiao Da, not disbanding the mansion guards, and driving all the servants in the mansion who have ties to us out to the farms."

"..."

Jia Zheng was deeply shaken.

The Rong Mansion’s guards had all been disbanded after the incident that year.

The Ning Mansion...

Jia Zheng suddenly thought of something and said urgently: "What did Zhou Rui’s wife say when I came back yesterday? Is that mansion already purging people?"

Not entirely stupid yet.

Lady Wang sighed. "Yes, they have already started purging people. Even Lai Sheng’s wife has been found guilty and driven home."

"Lai Sheng’s wife?"

Jia Zheng stood up abruptly. "I’m going to speak to Mother."

Their Old Matriarch loved Nanny Lai the most.

If he let Nanny Lai go and plead for mercy, even if she didn't respect the monk, she would respect the Buddha. That sister-in-law might not give him face, but she would surely give the old lady some face.

Jia Zheng actually knew his own shortcomings.

But he had a good mother.

From childhood to adulthood, his mother had always favored him.

Besides, this matter with the Lai family was the fault of the sister-in-law and Jia Zhen in the first place. The Lai family had been in the Jia household for so many years, always loyal and devoted; how could they disregard past kindness just because of a small mistake? How could they disregard the reputation of the ancestors for being generous to their servants?