They were beauties bestowed by the emperor, a reward given to meritorious officials. The steward was just a lowly servant; how could he arbitrarily decide their affairs, unless he was tired of living?
If the Emperor finds out, he might think that Zhao Jing is not taking it seriously.
The butler explained the intricacies of the matter to Zhao Jing in detail, and Zhao Jing's brows furrowed slightly.
At this point, the butler mustered his courage and said, "Why don't we leave these matters to Madam? She...she should know about it."
"Don't disturb her. Just arrange for them to stay in the house to the north. Six people, six rooms. No one should fight over it."
The steward was somewhat surprised and quickly said, "General, they are people bestowed by the Emperor..."
Zhao Jing said expressionlessly, "Once you're in my office, you have to follow my orders."
"Do not mistreat them; their allowances should be set according to the rules for concubines."
The steward almost knelt before Zhao Jing: "This old servant dares not. These matters were all ordered by the mistress. General, you should let the madam handle them. As the mistress of the household, she holds a noble position. If the emperor finds out that you have arranged these beauties on your own, he might accuse you of neglecting your principal wife."
The affairs of the inner quarters are inherently complicated and highly sensitive; any mishap will lead to a bad reputation.
There were many of the emperor's spies in Zhao Jing's residence. The emperor was inherently suspicious, and after ascending the throne, his temperament became even more exaggerated.
Even if Zhao Jing was his closest minister, the emperor could not allow him to live his life behind closed doors.
Zhao Jing's movements must be kept in the emperor's hands for him to be able to sleep soundly.
Zhao Jing didn't think this incident would have much of an impact on him, but the thought that similar incidents would inevitably increase once the capital was stable made him hesitate.
After glancing at the steward, Zhao Jing took off his outer robe and ordered, "Please invite the madam over."
The butler was overjoyed and repeatedly agreed.
But he returned in less than fifteen minutes, with a hesitant look on his face.
Zhao Jing was reading official documents when he noticed the steward's hesitation. His expression turned impatient: "Speak your mind."
"Madam said that if you need anything, you should go to her. She won't come over, and you know why."
Zhao Jing paused, his expression changing as he considered whether or not to go to Jiang Tian's courtyard to find her because of this matter.
Not long after, he put his outer robe back on and headed towards Jiang Tian's courtyard.
When he entered, not a single maid or old woman in the mansion greeted him.
He abandoned not only his legal wife, but also all the women who served Jiang Tian.
If Jiang Tian hadn't been quick-witted and found someone to rescue them, they might have all lost their lives.
If a master shows no mercy to even his subordinates, how could servants like them possibly have any affection for him?
Moreover, Jiang Tian told them that her monthly salary would be paid by her from now on, and that her indentures were also with her.
As long as Jiang Tian doesn't tell them to leave, no one can drive them away.
Sensing the subtle hostility of the servants, Zhao Jing remained silent.
He had some understanding of that tyrannical emperor; although he was bloodthirsty, he didn't care about some of his servants.
If Jiang Tian had a kind heart, she would have driven away these maids and old women while the tyrannical emperor was sending people.
She did indeed do that.
Zhao Jing was inherently cold-blooded; those who were of no use to him had no bearing on their lives or deaths.
Moreover, they had signed indentures, meaning they were destined to follow the General's Mansion whether they lived or died.
Zhao Jing handed the choice to Jiang Tian, and also guessed that he would be resented.
But if a person isn't hated, then there's no point in living.
He stepped into the main room expressionlessly, where Jiang Tian was drinking tea.
Seeing him arrive, she smiled and said, "Please sit down."
Jiang Tian's personal maid served her the finest white tea, while Zhao Jing didn't even get a cup of water.
Jiang Tian smiled and said to the maid beside her, "You may leave now. I have something to discuss with the general."
The maid immediately dropped her previous stern demeanor, bowed respectfully to Jiang Tian, and withdrew.
"It seems you've won over the hearts of everyone in your courtyard."
Zhao Jing's voice remained emotionless.
“When it was a matter of life and death, I risked my life to send them out, so they are naturally grateful to me. General, there is no need to be jealous.”
Zhao Jing gave her a cold look: "You don't need to be so sarcastic. The servants in your courtyard were rude to me, but I didn't pursue the matter. That's already giving you face."
"That general is truly kind and benevolent. But you should also be more understanding of them. Anyone who is left in the mansion, regardless of life or death, has barely survived the smoke of war and returned. It's impossible for them not to have a single complaint."
"They were servants bought by the general's mansion, and they signed a contract that would last until death."
Zhao Jing reminded Jiang Tian in a calm tone.
In chaotic times, life is as worthless as grass; a tael of silver can buy several servants.
When this group of people arrived at the general's mansion, Zhao Jing did not deprive them of their food and clothing, which shows he was a kind master.
So what if we didn't take them with us?
He took everyone away, and his plan would be exposed. A person like that can't accomplish anything.
"A person who has a kind heart and thinks about saving everyone is called a Bodhisattva. I can't be a Bodhisattva, so I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"General, you are wrong. I do not resent you; I am merely trying to reason with you. These people hate you, but they have no intention of assassinating you. They were left in the capital as useless pawns, and they have not done anything to harm you. Why not be more tolerant of them and resolve their resentment? It is better to have fewer enemies."
Zhao Jing stared intently at Jiang Tian: "I just don't care. These people can't cause much trouble. I'm only doing this because of you."
"So you still think that leaving us here back then was just a normal thing, something that doesn't need to be reflected on, right?"
Zhao Jing didn't speak, which meant he tacitly agreed.
A true man doesn't concern himself with trifles.
From childhood to adulthood, he has been used and discarded countless times, used and then discarded, or simply trampled underfoot like roadside weeds. He has endured all those humiliations.
In chaotic times, survival is the basic principle of life.
Since you can't win and haven't provided enough value, and you have a chance to live, you have to endure it. No one cares about the life or death of others.
These people looked at him with disdain, which he found utterly ridiculous.
Jiang Tian's smile didn't disappear, but her words carried a hint of sarcasm.
“You’re right. A person who dies in a chaotic world and has no value is less than a pebble. Yet there are millions of such people in this world. I’ve heard that you had a very difficult childhood, General. However, now that you’ve reached a high position, instead of challenging those who once trampled on the common people, you insist on arguing with me here that the lives and deaths of these people have nothing to do with you. Isn’t that absurd?”
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