The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Jia Lian lay comfortably in a half-reclining position, one arm around Princess Zhaoyang, the other unconsciously resting on the Empress Dowager's head.

Although it was opened, I didn't really care.

Seemingly sensing his excitement, Princess Zhaoyang, nestled in his arms, looked up and said, "Brother, you must be very pleased with yourself now. You've really gotten a good deal."

A playful thought crossed Jia Lian's mind, and he whispered in Princess Zhaoyang's ear, "She's not exactly smug; she didn't do as well as you."

Before he could finish speaking, he couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.

Clearly, his words offended someone, and he was attacked.

"Hehe, serves you right for talking nonsense."

Princess Zhaoyang glanced down, then turned back and sighed, "Brother, they've given you everything."

If you don't treat them well in the future, they won't let you off the hook.

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian instinctively hugged her tighter.

Yes, how many women in the world can be as considerate to their men as she is?
Besides, she was a princess.

He kissed her on the forehead, and just as Jia Lian was about to speak, he heard her say shyly, "You must also be good to my imperial grandmother."

"Don't worry, I may not have any other skills, but I am very devoted to my woman."

You treat me with such sincerity, how could I not be kind to you? Wouldn't that be against all reason?
From this day forward, both of you will be the most important women in my life.

I will be with you all, through the most brilliant years of my life.

After Jia Lian finished speaking, silence fell in the darkness.

Even the Empress Dowager couldn't help but raise her head and stare blankly at the figure speaking above.

Suddenly, a large hand reached out again, but she didn't open it as she had the first time. Instead, she accepted it passively and lowered her head again.

"You stinky brother, all you know how to do is flatter people."

Princess Zhaoyang's voice was light and airy, sounding both coquettish and extremely satisfied.

She licked Jia Lian's cheek in return, then moved to his ear and asked, "Is Grandmother not paying attention?"

"Uh, a little."

"Then someone will teach her for you."

After listening to the whispers of the person in his arms, he quietly fell away and left his embrace.

Even Jia Lian, with his exceptional self-control, couldn't help but be moved.

Isn't this girl someone who has always disliked cooperating with others and preferred to stand on the sidelines?

Is it really because the objects of affection are different that our mindset is different?
……

The return trip was much easier than the way there.

Jia Lian's main task was to arrange and take good care of the Empress Dowager and the Empress's schedule.

Cuihua swayed as she walked, then stopped again, finally halting at one stop as the capital city came into view.

Just as Jia Lian escorted the weary Empress to the detached courtyard, a eunuch came to report that Master Xia was requesting an audience.

"What does he want to see me for?"

Although I didn't really want to see them, I thought that the Xia family was filial after all.

To ensure that this distinguished guest would stay at the Xia family's villa, they went to great lengths to curry favor and pull strings.

So he asked them to wait in the side courtyard, and only went over after he had finished his business.

Speaking of the Xia family, they are not to be underestimated.

Rumor has it that the Xia family basically monopolizes all the osmanthus-themed workshops in and around the capital, including the palace.

Therefore, people called it "the Osmanthus Summer Family".

Like the Xue family back then, the Xia family was a nominal imperial merchant under the Ministry of Revenue.

However, compared to the declining Xue family, the Xia family is thriving and has a very close relationship with the palace.

Otherwise, it would not have been able to undertake almost all the Osmanthus Festivals in the palace.

That's why their application to have the funeral procession stay there was finally delivered to him.

Seeing that the Xia family was indeed qualified and that the Empress also liked osmanthus, he decided to choose them as his family.

Upon arriving at the side courtyard, they were greeted by a middle-aged man leading a young girl, who knelt down to pay their respects.

After Jia Lian stood up, he subconsciously glanced at the girl.

She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, and was quite pretty.

Her chin was pointed, and her eyebrows and eyes were upturned, but upon closer inspection, she had a hint of alluring and seductive charm.

For those who like this style, it's a plus.

After glancing at him twice, Jia Lian roughly guessed the other person's identity, so he stopped looking and turned to walk into the hall, asking, "May I ask what brings Consul Xia to see me?"

Although Jia Lian had only glanced at it casually, his actions were exactly what Master Xia wanted.

The father and daughter exchanged a glance, barely able to hide their joy.

"I do have two trivial matters to discuss with Your Highness regarding my request to see the Prince of Pingliao."

Master Xia followed closely behind Jia Lian, being extremely cautious.

Seeing that Jia Lian did not respond, he did not rashly state his purpose. Instead, he asked first, "I wonder if Your Highness is satisfied with the arrangements made for us?"
"If there is anything we have done poorly, Your Highness, please do not hesitate to ask. No matter how difficult it may be, my Xia family will certainly comply with your orders."

The saying goes, "You can't hit someone who's smiling."

The Xia family really put a lot of effort into their hospitality.

Not only did they renovate the villa beside the main road, but they also built many temporary sheds on both sides of the road, providing snacks and drinks for people other than the most honored people, such as the empress, to rest and stay.

"No need to trouble yourself, the Xia family has already done a very good job."

We're only resting here for half an hour before heading back to the city; there's no need for such a commotion.

"Yes Yes Yes……"

Perhaps knowing that the person in front of him was too distinguished, even the merchant Master Xia dared not speak casually.

Seeing that Jia Lian didn't seem interested in chatting after sitting down, he didn't dare to delay any longer and gestured towards the entrance hall.

Immediately, a servant from the Xia family came up carrying a tray that looked very heavy.

He stepped forward and lifted the silk cloth covering the object, immediately revealing a glittering golden object inside.

It was a plate of gold ingots.

Upon seeing this, Jia Lian asked, "What is the meaning of this, Consul Xia?"

Master Xia smiled and said, "This is a small token of my appreciation to Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will accept it."

Jia Lian feigned displeasure: "How can this be?"

The Xia family has already troubled the Tian family twice with the funeral procession.

"I have not yet rewarded the Xia family; how can I accept any further benefits from Consul Xia?"

Upon hearing this, Master Xia hurriedly replied, "Your Highness is too kind. It is a great honor for my Xia family to be able to contribute to the funeral of the Emperor Emeritus and for the ladies of the palace to stay temporarily at our home."

This is a favor that others would beg for, so how could they dare to hope for a reward from the prince?

I am deeply grateful to Your Highness for giving my Xia family this opportunity and honor.

Even I, a lowly person, know that someone of your status as a prince would naturally look down on such things.

But I thought, even if it's just a small token of my appreciation that Your Highness is giving tea to the person who did the work.”

As Master Xia spoke, he cautiously observed Jia Lian's expression.

Don't assume that giving gifts is easy.

Especially when giving a gift to a distinguished person like Jia Lian for the first time, one wrong move could easily backfire.

"Consul Xia is very thoughtful."

Since it is Consul Xia's kind gesture, it would be inappropriate for me to refuse it.

If that's the case, then let it go.

Upon hearing this, Master Xia quickly took the gold and placed it respectfully on the table next to Jia Lian.

"Is there anything else, Consul Xia?"

"This..." Master Xia glanced around at Jia Lian's surroundings, noting only two maids and an old eunuch, and then mustered his courage to speak:
"There is indeed one more small matter."

This is the only daughter of a petty person, who has some literacy skills.

If Your Highness doesn't mind, I'd like to send her to Your Highness's side as a lowly maid. What does Your Highness think?

Jia Lian laughed upon hearing this, glanced at the girl who was feigning shyness, and asked with a smile, "May I ask how old your daughter is, and how she should be addressed?"

Upon hearing this, Master Xia thought there was hope and quickly said with a smile, "My daughter is sixteen years old, and her nickname is Jin Gui..."

It really is Xia Jingui, quite interesting.

The Xia family father and daughter were initially excited to see Jia Lian smile.

But gradually he became uneasy, because Jia Lian just smiled and didn't say anything, nor did he say whether he looked down on him or not.

After a while, Jia Lian said, "Thank you for your kindness, Consul Xia."

However, my harem is currently full, and it would be inappropriate to delay Miss Xia's youth.

However, Miss Xia has just reached marriageable age. If Consul Xia is trustworthy, I have a suggestion.

Although he didn't understand, Master Xia still replied, "Please speak, Your Highness."

"When I was living in the Jia family, I had a cousin named Baoyu."

He was born with a round face and a face like pearls and jade.

She'll be sixteen soon.

In my opinion, he is quite a good match for your daughter.

"If Consul Xia is willing, I'd like to act as a matchmaker."

"This……"

Master Xia looked at Jia Lian with some hesitation, wondering if he was joking.

Although Jia Baoyu was not as famous as Jia Lian, he was still a well-known figure in the capital.

He had heard about it before.

"Does Your Highness mean that my daughter should be betrothed to the son of Jia, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, as his principal wife?"

Master Xia could not help but have doubts.

Leaving aside the Jia family's social standing, Jia Baoyu himself had an older sister who was a concubine.

Although the Xia family is known as extremely wealthy, in the eyes of such people, they are ultimately not enough to compare.

He felt he was climbing too high to be the legal wife.

But he absolutely refused to become a concubine.

He had no sons, only one daughter.

To be frank, all of the Xia family's wealth will belong to her daughter in the future.

How could we let our daughter become a slave or maid in another family?

It was only because he had secured the task of receiving the emperor and had the opportunity to meet Jia Lian that he brought his daughter over to give it a try.

She was supposed to be a lowly maid, but who really understood what she was doing?

If her maid can win Jia Lian's favor, it's not impossible that she might become an imperial concubine in the future.

"Consul Xia, you are overthinking it. Since I, the King, am the matchmaker, how could I possibly allow the young lady to become a concubine?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I misspoke."

However, it is not that petty people are belittling themselves.

The Xia family and the Jia family are ultimately different in terms of social standing, I'm afraid...

It's alright.

The matriarch of the Jia family was a reasonable and open-minded person who never cared about social status.

He doted on my cousin immensely, once saying that he was a good match for him, and that there was no need to worry about social status, as long as the person and appearance matched.

In my opinion, Miss Xia is a perfect match.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Master Xia realized that Jia Lian truly had no interest in his daughter.

My daughter is over sixteen, so it's really time to find her a suitable family.

The Jia family was not only a founding duke's mansion, but also had the kindness of raising Jia Lian, making them a highly sought-after family.

He wouldn't even dare to dream of marrying his daughter into the family.

Now that Jia Lian is willing to act as matchmaker, it's an incredible stroke of luck for him, so how could he not seize the opportunity?

So he quickly pulled his daughter down to kneel and kowtow to Jia Lian to express his gratitude.

Although Xia Jingui looked unwilling, she dared not act rashly in front of her father and the Prince of Pingliao. She could only kowtow while glancing at Jia Lian with resentful eyes.

Having finally managed to get rid of the father and daughter, Jia Lian sat in the hall and almost couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Although he had thought about it before, he never expected that it would actually come together one day.

Xia Jingui was indeed quite beautiful; after all, she was the one who could captivate Xue Pan and make Jia Baoyu say that she was all show and no substance.

He should presumably be a candidate for the supplementary list.

However, his character is really hard to control.

Although for Jia Lian, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue such a wicked woman.

Unfortunately, he didn't have a face that was attractive enough to win him over.

To reiterate, nowadays, any woman who doesn't score above 90 in his heart is considered dispensable.

So why would he bother to seek out the gods?

Such a unique beauty should be reserved for his dearest younger brother.

Firstly, having such a shrewish woman watching over him would help curb his eccentric nature and prevent him from always thinking that girls are made of water.

Secondly, with Madam Wang as a reliable figure, there's no need to worry about what trouble Xia Xia might cause.

As for whether Madam Wang and others can agree to this marriage.

Jia Lian felt there was nothing seriously wrong.

Putting aside the fact that if he wanted to, the Jia family wouldn't dare refuse him.

As for the external conditions, there is a good chance that they will come together.

First of all, the Xia family's wealth is real. As a newly emerging family, they are only slightly less established than the Xue family.

Secondly, since Xia Jingui is known as having a beautiful exterior but a rotten interior, it's impossible to tell at a glance that she's a bad person.

It is conceivable that neither Jia Baoyu nor his grandmother, even if they were not particularly satisfied, would refuse at first.

Most importantly, he also knew that Xia Jingui was an only child.

Now that the title of Rongguo Mansion has been given to Jia Lan, it is impossible for Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and others not to plan for Jia Baoyu's future.

Therefore, for the shrewd and calculating Lady Wang, marrying a wife who might one day squander her entire fortune would be something she wouldn't find too objectionable.

Even if Xia Jingui's true nature is exposed in the future, Jia Lian is not worried about ruining his reputation.

After all, even the best judges can make mistakes, and even the best horses can stumble.

He can't guarantee that every decision he makes will be correct, can he?
After all, Xia Jingui's appearance and background were quite good.

If people blame him later, they will only say that the Jia family is ungrateful and that all his efforts were in vain.

Thinking of all this, Jia Lian was somewhat impatient to arrange this "perfect match" and wanted to see what Jia Baoyu, who considered himself affectionate and compassionate towards all the women in the world, would be like when facing a shrew.

"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence."

"understood."

Returning from the side courtyard to the main courtyard, the Empress was indeed chatting with Emperor Ningkang's other concubines.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty. May I ask why Your Majesty has summoned me here?"

"Your Highness has arrived, please sit down."

The Empress doted on Jia Lian.

Besides Jia Lian being her support for the rest of her life, she, like Emperor Ningkang, genuinely liked this younger man. (End of Chapter)