After the Great Dao Died

Government slaves were mostly the descendants of condemned officials. Their status could not be any lower.

Under the Great Li Statutory Code, this status was strictly hereditary. Generation after generation, they had almost no chance to turn their lives around. In the eyes of the law, they were equivalent to livestock.

The law offered government slaves no protection; they could be bought, sold, gifted, or awarded at will.

In many strictly regulated noble estates, government slaves were forbidden from coming into direct contact with the main family. They were restricted to grueling physical labor. Even roles like personal maids or attendants would never fall to them.

Because of this, initiating contact with the main family without orders was a grave crime.

Here and now, amid the drifting snow, Chen Lingxi stood outside the octagonal pavilion. Lin Longyue cast only a single glance at him before several guards stepped forward, silently waiting for her order to dispose of him.

Chen Lingxi gritted his teeth and lowered his head.

Lin Longyue took another sip of tea and remained silent, as if waiting for him to speak.

A few breaths passed before the official bondservant standing in the snow finally seemed to muster his courage.