Under the "Great Han Code"...

Leaving aside the apparent new complications on Qin Keqing's side, Jia Heng strolled home at an unhurried pace, content to walk rather than ride. That afternoon, he still had to visit Xie Zaiyi to learn riding and archery.

Tomorrow, Xie Zaiyi would have to report for duty at Anhua Gate. Jia Heng's next chance to seek instruction in riding and archery would not come until Xie's next day off.

In truth, whether one was learning riding and archery or anything else, the master could only lead one through the door; cultivation depended on oneself. He would still need plenty of practice.

However skilled I become at riding and archery, it will only benefit me alone. If I am to contend with the Tatars someday, charge through battle formations, and command armies, personal valor alone will not suffice. With these thoughts, Jia Heng reached the junction on Ningrong Street at the mouth of his alley.

Just then, a cold snort rang out. "Jia Heng, you've certainly made us hunt for you! The clan head summons you."

Jia Heng looked toward the voice and saw a man dressed like a steward, his face twisted into an ugly scowl, with four household servants behind him. Not far away, Jia Rong stood watching him with undisguised glee at his misfortune.

Jia Heng naturally recognized the speaker: Lai Sheng, the chief steward of Ning Mansion.

The Jia Family had eight branches in the Great Han Divine Capital. At the year-end ancestral rites, every member of the family living in the capital had to worship in the ancestral hall under the leadership of their clan head, Jia Zhen.

Jia Heng frowned. "It's neither New Year nor a festival. What does Brother Zhen want with me?"

Jia Heng belonged to the jade generation, so there was nothing improper about his addressing Jia Zhen as Brother Zhen.

But hearing Jia Heng refer to Jia Zhen so directly, Lai Sheng felt his dignity affronted. He stamped his feet and snapped, "You filthy wretch! Is our master's name yours to utter? Get moving and come see him! He has questions for you!"

Jia Heng's eyes turned cold. Holding his books in one hand, he strode forward, seized Lai Sheng by the front of his robe, and lifted him with his free hand. "You dog of a servant! Have you no sense of rank or station? We members of the Jia Family address each other according to our generation. Who are you to stand here barking and snarling?"

It was laughable, really: Jia Heng was throwing his status around, demanding that he come over to be questioned.

Terror spread across Lai Sheng's face, for his feet had already been lifted off the ground. With bluster masking his fear, he cried, "What are you doing? You lot... stop him!"

"Let me teach you a lesson you'll remember!" Jia Heng barked.

He loosened his grip and let go. Lai Sheng hit the ground in a puff of dust, and Jia Heng's right hand flashed like lightning.

Smack...

The resounding slap drew a howl from Lai Sheng. A bloodied molar flew more than five feet from his mouth, and his cheek swelled half a finger's breadth. Dazed and furious, he stared at the murderous-looking youth before him.

"Th-this..." Jia Rong's expression changed drastically. He watched, dumbstruck, then began trembling as he met those eyes with their lurking killing intent.

In his previous life on the Southwestern Frontier, Jia Heng had truly killed men. Ordinarily, he was as placid as a light breeze beneath pale clouds, betraying nothing. But when he suddenly unleashed thunder, his true mettle showed.

"Rebellion! Rebellion!" Lai Sheng was almost senseless from the blow and had failed to notice Jia Heng's gaze. Clutching his cheek, he cursed the servants frozen in place. "What are you standing there for? Get him!"

The four servants he had brought finally recovered their wits and prepared to rush forward together.

"Let's see who dares step forward!" Jia Heng shouted coldly. "You dogs, which of you dares? Under the Great Han Code, a servant who strikes a member of his master's family related within the fifth degree of mourning and causes death shall be beheaded! If he causes injury, he shall serve five years of penal labor. Which of you dares step forward?"

This was a society governed by clan law, with a rigid hierarchy of superior and subordinate. A master who beat a servant to death generally faced no consequences, but a servant who killed his master committed an outrage against the natural order.

Fear showed on the household servants' faces, and they exchanged uneasy glances.

Lai Sheng flew into a rage. "To hell with the Great Han Code! We don't follow that in the Eastern Mansion! Beat him to death! I'll answer for it!"

It was little wonder that Lai Sheng behaved this way. The two Lai brothers were accustomed to putting on airs. Lai Da managed the western mansion, while Lai Sheng managed the Eastern Mansion; both had enjoyed years of prestige.

Indeed, Lai Shangrong of the Lai family had even purchased an official rank and been appointed county magistrate.

What standing they enjoyed! To be slapped by a member of a collateral branch of the Jia Family left him practically smoking with fury.

Hearing this, the servants exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and charged at Jia Heng with fists swinging.

Jia Heng cast a cold glance at Lai Sheng. Knowing this would not end peacefully, he extended one hand and assumed a fighting stance.

With his essay books tucked under his other arm, he naturally had only one hand free.

Crash...

He shifted and darted, his body moving like a roaming dragon. His hand rose, and a succession of sharp slaps rang out. Eight bloodied molars went flying, and the four Ning Mansion servants collapsed with groans of pain, sending dust billowing everywhere.

Jia Rong watched, utterly dumbstruck.

"Brother Rong."

"Excellent skills!" Applause sounded from farther away. Two mounted riders stood beside the road. Seated upright on one horse was a spirited young gentleman in close-fitting warrior's clothes with narrow sleeves, a bow slung behind him. Two more riders followed, evidently younger members of his household. He was clapping and smiling as he regarded Jia Heng and the others with curiosity.

At the sight of the two men, Jia Rong acted as though his saviors had arrived. "Oh, brother, come save me!"

The newcomer was none other than Feng Ziying, son of Divine Martial General Feng Tang.

Feng Ziying swung down from his horse and reached Jia Rong in a few quick strides. "Brother Jia Rong," he said with a smile.

Jia Rong's expression eased a little. "My father sent for him. They exchanged words, and then it came to blows."

After listening, Feng Ziying smiled. "This is your household's business, so I really ought not interfere. Still, your family is hardly like any other. Making such a commotion at the entrance to Ningrong Street does not look very good."

As they spoke, spectators had already gathered three rows deep and more. These were ordinary people from beyond Ningrong Street, watching the Jia Family's spectacle.

Jia Rong's face fell. "Don't I know it? But my father is pressing me to hurry. He sent me to find Master... Jia Heng and bring him back for questioning. I'm running back and forth between them. If I return without him, I'll get another sound beating."

Feng Ziying considered this, then saluted Jia Heng with clasped hands and smiled. "I am Feng Ziying. Brother, you fought them with a single hand. What splendid skill!"

Jia Heng studied Feng Ziying. Seeing his broad, square face and mild gaze, he kept his books in one hand and laid the other against his left wrist in an approximation of a clasped-hand salute. "Brother Feng, greetings. I am Jia Heng."

Feng Ziying smiled. "I was merely passing by on my way out of the city to hunt. Then I happened to see you display your skills, and, like a hunter catching sight of prey, I could not resist my delight. Please forgive me if I have been presumptuous."

Jia Rong's face darkened beside them, but he could hardly say anything. This was, after all, an internal Jia Family affair, and outsiders were in no position to meddle.

Feng Ziying smiled. "But seeing that you are a gentleman of worth, I cannot help adding a word. People are constantly passing through here, and this looks rather unseemly. If you would do me the honor, might we step aside and share a cup of humble wine?"

Jia Heng nodded. "Brother Feng, there's no need for wine. I still have matters to attend to. If the clan head truly wishes to summon me on clan business, please have him arrange another suitable day."

He would visit the Jia Family, but not now. Once he entered Ningguo Mansion, what would he do if they plotted to harm him?

They might, for instance, accuse him of molesting the clan head's wife. Well, that...

In this age, household laws and clan rules were weapons that could kill.

Besides, why should he go to see Jia Zhen? If they were to meet, Jia Zhen should come to him.

Seeing this, Feng Ziying could hardly continue trying to persuade him. When all was said and done, this was an internal affair of Ningguo Mansion, and as an outsider, he had no business saying more.

Jia Heng saluted Feng Ziying, then addressed Jia Rong. "Brother Rong, tell Brother Zhen that if he wishes to discuss something, he should not send insolent servants like these. Besides, apart from the year-end ancestral rites, I will not visit your mansion."

With that, he glanced at Jia Heng, pushed through the crowd of onlookers, and turned to leave.

"Ah..." Jia Rong watched Jia Heng walk away without looking back, then glanced at the servants' swollen faces. He stamped his foot and let out a long sigh.

Beside him, Feng Ziying watched Jia Heng's retreating figure, an unusual gleam rising in his eyes.