The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Since Jia Lian suddenly left the Rongguo Mansion in the morning and ordered the entire mansion to be under martial law, the people in the mansion have been somewhat suspicious and uneasy.

These anxieties persisted until Jia Zheng returned to his residence, at which point someone finally received some definite information.

"What did you say?"

In Rongxi Hall, Madam Wang looked at Jia Zheng with some disbelief.

Jia Zheng was also stunned by what happened in the Golden Palace today. He finally got home and wanted to find someone to talk to.

Since Jia Lian didn't return, he had no choice but to treat Lady Wang as a human being.

Under Lady Wang's persistent questioning, he recounted almost everything that had happened in the Golden Palace.

This includes the incident where Jia Lian was almost made the Crown Prince by the retired emperor.

Lady Wang listened as if to a divine revelation.

But she knew Jia Zheng wouldn't lie to her about something like that.

Thinking about how she had dared to oppose someone as destined as Jia Lian, she felt her legs tremble.

Jia Zheng sighed deeply: "You don't know, when Prince Yun invited the retired emperor and even sent his private soldiers to surround the main hall, all the officials dared not speak out against it."

Fortunately, Lian'er and the Eldest Princess arrived with their troops at that moment, thwarting Prince Yun's plot; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

There are still some things Jia Zheng didn't say.

For example, in his eyes, the retired emperor was not invited out, but rather "held hostage" by Prince Yun.

Otherwise, why would the retired emperor not only not be alarmed when he saw Jia Lian's troops, but instead immediately turn against Prince Yun?

Furthermore, Jia Zheng did not mention the rumors circulating that the Daming Palace had been attacked by mutinous soldiers.

Firstly, he didn't want to discuss the sage, and secondly, he was afraid of frightening the woman in front of him.

"You know, if Lian'er really becomes that Crown Prince, wouldn't he be...?"

Madam Wang was dumbfounded and speechless.

But Jia Zheng understood perfectly well, and he also felt a little regretful: "I'm afraid it's impossible."

The Emperor Emeritus has now returned to Chonghua Palace to recuperate. His Majesty has also issued an edict, appointing the Fourth Prince as Crown Prince…

Even though Jia Zheng said that, the look of surprise on Lady Wang's face did not diminish in the slightest.

Even though she was a woman confined to her home and knew nothing about politics, she knew that the fact that the Emperor Emeritus had spoken those words meant that Jia Lian was also qualified to hold that position.

That's the emperor, after all.

The emperor, high above all, whose word could decide the life and death of millions!

She simply couldn't imagine what it would be like if Jia Lian really became emperor one day.

By the way, if Lian'er becomes the emperor, wouldn't Feng'er become the empress?
There are also Bao'er and Lin'er. Judging from how much Lian'er dotes on them, they are probably like imperial concubines to his daughters.

And Tan Yatou, she'll be one of the four imperial concubines in the future, right?
If we calculate it this way, wouldn't our family have produced a whole flock of golden phoenixes?

Mrs. Wang found it amazing.

Although she liked some of the young ladies in her family, she didn't like others as much.

But at least they've called her "Madam" for so many years.

If all of them really do rise to prominence and become phoenixes, then she'll be quite the big shot...

"Cough cough~"

Jia Zheng saw that they were talking peacefully when Lady Wang suddenly drifted off into her own thoughts and even looked like a lovesick woman. He coughed twice in displeasure to remind her.

"Uh, sir, what did you say?"

Jia Zheng grew increasingly dissatisfied and, too lazy to argue with the woman, simply said, "In short, don't spread these things around carelessly, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."

Also, remember to remind me after Lian'er returns home.

As Jia Zheng spoke, he stood up.

Now, he's too embarrassed to let Jia Lian go to Mengpo Studio to find him.

Therefore, he asked Madam Wang to remind him so that he could go and see Jia Lian later, as there were some things that needed to be discussed in person.

In the morning, when they were in the Golden Hall, there were many people and many eyes watching, and Jia Lian was the center of attention, so he couldn't go up and cause trouble.

……

Jia Lian didn't return to the mansion until the afternoon.

After something like this happens, there are always some loose ends that need to be cleaned up.

Finally, I'm home, and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Sitting in his study, Jia Lian drafted a list and summoned his steward, Liu An.

Liu An was the steward of the east courtyard back then. Because he had shown goodwill to Jia She before his death, he still enjoys Jia She's trust to this day.

If Lin Zhixiao can be considered the chief steward, then Liu An is the steward who serves him specifically.

"Take this list out and find the two scholars, Zhang and Chen, and have them write the invitations according to this list."

Then you arrange for some suitable people to deliver them to various gates and residences.

I'll be hosting a banquet at Juxianlou Restaurant in Jude Lane tomorrow at noon, and I invite them to attend.

"By the way, if any of them ask, you can tell me who I'm hosting tomorrow."

Jia Lian handed the list to the steward.

The list included several commanders of the Five City Garrison, as well as the commanders and deputy commanders of the Southern and Northern Garrisons under the jurisdiction of the Beijing Garrison.

Jia Lian knew most of these people, and was quite familiar with many of them.

Now that he is about to take office as the military governor of the capital, Jia Lian decided to gather these people together to find out their backgrounds before he takes office.

Since it's a probe, letting them know who they've invited will give them some mental preparation.

As for Zhang and Chen, whom Jia Lian mentioned, they were Jia Lian's retainers.

If Jia Zheng, a man of refined tastes, still had so many disillusioned scholars flocking to serve him, then Jia Lian would certainly have no shortage of such suitors as well.

The person who used to serve as Jia Lian's advisor was Gu Min, Zhang Su's classmate and the son of Lantai Lang.

However, this kid's luck changed after following him. In the autumn of the sixth year of Ningkang, he not only passed the provincial examination, but also passed the metropolitan and palace examinations the following year.

Although it was only among the top three, it still counts as entering the proper path of the imperial examinations.

Jia Lian, of course, would not hinder the man's future. When he learned that the man wanted to be selected as an official outside the county to gain experience, Jia Lian helped him by sending him to be the magistrate of a small county with a medium population.

With Gu Min gone, Jia Lian naturally needed some scholars to help him with his affairs.

So he followed Jia Zheng's example and took in some scholars who were not successful in their official careers.

The two leading figures were Zhang Jiong and Chen Tong, both middle-aged scholars who had passed the imperial examinations.

Zhang Jiong had given up hope of passing the imperial examinations and was instead using his status as a successful candidate in the provincial examinations to amass wealth. He was now quite well-off.

Chen Tong, however, was still working hard to prepare for the next imperial examination.

Although he has been taking the exam for almost twenty years.

The reason why these people with legitimate academic achievements are still willing to seek refuge with high-ranking families is not entirely out of a desire to debase themselves.

Rather, it's because the competition for the official civil service exams is too fierce.

Let alone a Juren (successful candidate in the provincial examination), even a top-ranking Jinshi (successful candidate in the imperial examination) would find it difficult to have a bright future if they were unlucky.

They just wanted to find another way out.

By becoming an apprentice of someone like Jia Lian, one can not only access some high-caliber connections, but most importantly...

If one could win Jia Lian's favor and get his recommendation, even if one was just a scholar, one might have the opportunity to obtain an official position.

Not to mention those who passed the imperial examinations.

Those who passed the imperial examinations were qualified to become officials.

Lai Da's son, Lai Shangrong, only managed to pass the imperial examination by chance and, with the help of the Rongguo Mansion, rose to the position of prefect in just a few years, demonstrating the feasibility of this shortcut.

The housekeeper asked about some precautions and then went to take care of his business.

Just as Jia Lian was about to get up, Jia Zheng walked in unexpectedly.

"Why have you come, sir?"

Jia Zheng looked around Jia Lian's room and sighed, "Your place is so spacious and has so many rooms, yet I don't see many servants. I'll talk to your second aunt later and ask her to arrange a few more useful people for you."

Jia Lian's large study was the only place in the new house that underwent major construction during the renovation.

It was built in the style of a palace.

The entire structure is built with eighteen main beams and columns, and has a central courtyard and corridor.

There are about twenty rooms or cubicles of various sizes inside.

Jia Lian's formal study—the Green Pine Study—occupies only the southeast corner.

Yes, it's in the same location as the Southern Study of Daming Palace.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir, but it's not necessary. I have my own arrangements here."

From the very beginning of its design, Jia Lian intended this large study to be a space that combined office work, leisure, and entertainment.

It's considered his private property.

Jia Lian naturally wouldn't let unrelated people in.

Seeing that Jia Lian clearly refused, Jia Zheng did not press the matter. He found a chair and sat down, then said to Jia Lian:

"It wasn't convenient to talk in the palace this morning, but now that you're back, I just wanted to ask..."

What does His Majesty intend to do with you?

Jia Zheng originally wanted to say "deal with," but after thinking about it, he changed it to a more tactful "arrangement."

Although he was somewhat pedantic, he had spent over a decade in the central government and possessed basic political common sense. He felt that, given Jia Lian's situation, an ordinary emperor would likely find it difficult to tolerate.

After all, the retired emperor had said he would make him the crown prince!
This would be a significant threat to any emperor.

"What are your plans for how to settle things? His Majesty has been very good to me."

Jia Lian was somewhat nonchalant, but seeing Jia Zheng's solemn gaze, he thought for a moment and took out the imperial edict conferring official titles from the drawer.

Jia Lian was too lazy to explain each of the repetitive arguments; it was better to let the facts speak for themselves.

"This is?"

"This is His Majesty's imperial edict appointing me as the Military Governor of the Capital Garrison."

Upon hearing that it was an imperial edict, Jia Zheng immediately stood up respectfully and accepted it with both hands, completely ignoring the words "Commander of the Capital Garrison".

It wasn't until he unfolded the imperial edict and saw the few but clearly meaningful characters in small regular script that he was truly shocked.

"This……"

Jia Zheng raised his head and looked at Jia Lian with some shock.

Jia Lian, however, felt that he hadn't been frightened enough, and said in a calm tone, "Not only me, His Majesty also specially decreed that the Eldest Princess be appointed as the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards, so that together with me, one inside and one outside, we would control most of the troops in the capital."

Jia Zheng: "..."

Even though Jia Zheng was a civil official, his resolve wavered at this moment: "Your Majesty, how could you arrange things this way..."

If Jia Lian were to be promoted several ranks and appointed as the military governor of the capital, I could barely understand it.

After all, Jia Lian's achievements speak for themselves; the position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison, held by father and son for decades, started with the Duke of Ningguo.

Now it can be considered a return to the Jia family.

But what the hell is this Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards?

Who doesn't know that there's an ambiguous love-hate entanglement between the Eldest Princess and Jia Lian?
He put Jia Lian in charge of the Beijing Garrison and the Eldest Princess in control of the Imperial Guards.

Your Majesty, are you really able to sleep at night?
Jia Lian had no intention of explaining in detail to Jia Zheng, and only said, "Can you be at ease now, sir? My loyalty to His Majesty is as clear as day."

His Majesty naturally trusts me as well.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have entrusted such an important position to me, would he?

Jia Zheng nodded in deep agreement.

Regardless of how Jia Lian bewitched Emperor Ningkang, this imperial edict directly proves that Jia Lian had not fallen out of favor.

As long as Jia Lian doesn't get into trouble, the Jia family won't face any crisis.

Then he can rest assured.

As the uncle and nephew were talking, a doorman came in to announce their arrival.

It turned out that the palace had bestowed a thousand taels of gold upon them.

So Jia Lian and Jia Zheng went out together to greet the angel.

After dismissing the eunuchs, Jia Zheng told Jia Lian that his promotion to the position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison was a rare and joyous occasion, and that they should celebrate it properly.

Jia Lian simply said he was busy and told him to handle it himself.

Jia Lian himself felt that he had too many happy events throughout the year.

Having just married Daiyu in a grand ceremony, he didn't want to do anything else that would seem too ostentatious.

Let Jia Zheng handle it. Firstly, it will save you trouble, and secondly, Jia Zheng is a gentleman who observes proper etiquette. Now that the emperor is unwell, I believe he won't go too far.

"Second Master, this gold...?"

The ten servants carrying trays looked at the small, gleaming gold ingots made by the imperial treasury, placed on yellow silk mats on the trays, and their faces were beaming with pride.

Zhao'er, who was in the lead, asked how to settle these precious children.

Jia Lian no longer felt much about the gold bestowed upon him by the palace, and even thought that the Imperial Household Department was making a mountain out of a molehill.

They insisted on making ten plates of gold, which could easily fit in two or three plates, in such a grand display.

So he ordered Zhao'er: "Have the old woman at the second gate send this to Lady Lin and Lady Xue. Hmm, half for each of them."

Zhao'er was taken aback: "Aren't you going to give Lian Er Nai a share?"

It was Zhao'er; no one else dared to question Jia Lian's orders.

Jia Lian casually said, "No need. Your Second Mistress Lian has already received so many rewards from the palace that the room is overflowing. There's no need to give her any more this time."

Everyone smiled knowingly upon hearing this.

Even Jia Lian himself didn't know that his casual remark would later become a legendary meme.

This also made more people aware of how deep Jia Lian's favor with the emperor was.

As a result, the palace bestowed so many gifts that they couldn't all be stored in the main room, so they had to be sent to the side rooms and outbuildings.

……

The news that Jia Lian had given gold to Baochai and Daiyu quickly spread to everyone.

When Jia Lian returned home, he had just picked up his daughter who rushed towards him when she hugged his neck and asked sweetly, "Daddy, I heard you got a lot of beautiful gold?"

"Oh, where did you hear that?" Jia Lian glanced at the smiling pregnant woman in the room.

Qiao'er was unaware that her clever father had already seen through her clumsy acting skills and was still performing according to the script given to her by her mother.

"I... Qiao'er heard it from my older sisters."

"Father, Qiao'er also wants beautiful gold. Why won't you give it to Qiao'er?"

Although he was somewhat angry that Sister Feng was using his young daughter as a weapon, Jia Lian couldn't bring himself to be angry when he saw his daughter's innocent and childlike appearance.

"What does Qiao'er need gold for?"

"Buy candy... uh, buy a gift for Daddy..."

"Haha."

Jia Lian chuckled and coaxed, "Alright, this time it was your father's fault. All the gold has been given to your mothers, Xue and Lin."

If you want it, your father will tell you a trick.

Go and search the box your mother hid behind the cupboard; it contains not only gold but also silver ingots.

So what if you're teaching your daughter bad things? Do you think anyone can't do it?

Sure enough, Qiao'er immediately asked curiously, "What are silver ingots? Can you buy candied hawthorns with them?"

"Of course. Not only can you buy, you can buy lots and lots of them."

"But Mother said I'm not allowed to go through her things without her permission..."

As Qiao'er spoke, she looked at Feng Jie'er with a mixture of interest and fear.

Seeing this, Sister Feng said in an annoyed tone, "Alright, that's no way you teach children!"

"It's just each other."

Feng Jie felt a little guilty. Knowing that Jia Lian had seen through her, she didn't explain, but instead changed the subject, saying, "You left the manor in a hurry this morning and even ordered martial law to be imposed. Did something serious happen?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian picked up Qiao'er and sat down next to Feng Jie, taking out the imperial edict he had prepared beforehand from his sleeve and handing it to her.

As expected, Sister Feng fell silent and, like Jia Zheng, began to show shock.

After Jia Lian waited until she was sufficiently shocked, he briefly explained to her what had happened that day.

It was probably just a plot by the third prince to usurp the throne, and he had gone to quell the rebellion.

Although Jia Lian spoke lightly and briefly, Feng Jie could still sense the underlying tension.

She was filled with a mixture of fear, worry, and admiration.

Has this man really become this powerful?

It seems that nothing in this world can stump him or leave him helpless.

She sat upright, like a well-behaved child listening to a lecture.

After Jia Lian finished speaking, she was surprised to find that her lower body was wet. She didn't know if it was a natural physiological reaction during pregnancy or because she had been looking at Jia Lian's handsome face for too long.

"So, it's because you thwarted Prince Yun's plot and saved His Majesty that the Emperor appointed you as the Military Governor of the Capital Garrison?"

Wang Xifeng was no stranger to the military governor of the capital.

After all, her uncle, Wang Ziteng, served as the military governor of the capital garrison for more than ten years.

It was precisely after Wang Ziteng became the military governor of the capital that the Wang family, which had been quiet for many years, suddenly became bustling with activity again.

Therefore, she knew how powerful this position was.

Seeing Jia Lian nod, the admiration in her eyes remained, but a hint of bewilderment appeared, clearly indicating that she had fallen in love.

When Jia Lian turned his head and saw her, he also felt that his wife at this moment was not only bright and beautiful, but also had a maternal glow.

Understanding her meaning, he reached out and embraced her, then captured her lips in a kiss.

The couple were kissing passionately, which angered a certain petty person.

Qiao'er swung her small fist and punched Jia Lian in the chest with a "thud".

Sister Feng was startled awake. She looked up and saw her daughter's angry face. She frowned and said, "What are you doing? Why did you hit your father?"

Qiao'er looked aggrieved: "You stinky daddy, you only love your mother, and you don't love Qiao'er at all!"

Jia Lian chuckled, turned around, grabbed his daughter's delicate face, sucked hard, and let out a soft "pop" sound when he released her.

Although it hurt a little, Qiao'er's mood changed from gloomy to sunny.

She rubbed her little face, hugged Jia Lian, gave him a big kiss, and then giggled.

Upon seeing this, Sister Feng couldn't help but smile. (End of Chapter)