The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 775 War of words

At the invitation of her niece-in-law, best friend and sister, Feng Jieer went to Ningguo Mansion early in the morning.

But before they had said a few words, they heard an imperial decree from the palace calling Jia Lian to come in. Feng Jieer had no time to talk to Qin Keqing anymore and left immediately.

Because she had not received any news for a long time, Feng Jieer, who did not believe in gods or Buddhas, was so anxious that she started to worship Buddha at home. Her pious appearance surprised Ping Er and Qin Keqing who followed her.

But they could all understand Feng Jieer's actions.

First he was dismissed from office, and now he is urgently summoned. It is hard not to think of bad things.

After all, they are not Jia Lian, so they cannot have so much information, and they are even less clear about the mysterious relationship between Jia Lian and Emperor Ning Kang.

Qin Keqing comforted her, "Aunt, don't worry too much. You should know what uncle is capable of. Since uncle didn't leave any words before entering the palace, it means that he will be fine this time.

You see, in the past few years, uncle has encountered so many difficult and dangerous things, but he has always gotten through them safely and turned danger into safety. He even earned this huge family fortune and reputation for aunt. Aunt should trust uncle. "

Qin Keqing's words made Feng Jieer's frown relax a little. She supported Qin Keqing's arm and stood up from the mat, sighing, "Of course I believe him, but things are unpredictable, especially in such a troubled time.

Haven't you heard that many mansions in the capital have had accidents in the past few days? Even the man from the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was imprisoned. I'm really scared...

Now I just pray that your uncle can be safe, even if I have to sacrifice this family fortune and this status for it."

Feng Jieer said the last sentence in a very firm tone, but Qin Keqing rolled her eyes secretly.

Others may not know, but she doesn't know Sister Feng? Her aunt believes in men's ways, with a domineering and overbearing attitude that "a grown woman cannot live without power for a day".

If she were to become a powerless and moneyless ordinary person, it would be more painful than killing her.

Feng Jieer certainly didn't know that her best friend saw her in this way. Although her words were mostly emotional, they were not without some sincerity.

She was thinking that if Jia Lian was really defeated, it would be the trend of the times. After all, Jia Lian was the descendant of the retired emperor. If even the retired emperor was defeated, it would be natural for Jia Lian to be affected.

As long as I can keep my life.

This may not be entirely a bad thing.

At least in that way, Jia Lian wouldn't be so popular and there would naturally be fewer women around him.

Her dream in the past was to live a life like that of Lady Jia.

With extremely high imperial edicts and sufficient status, whatever he says can be regarded as a golden rule by others.

For this reason, she also blamed Jia Lian for being incompetent and not making progress.

Now she has basically all of these, except that there are more and more women around Jia Lian!

She even missed the days when she was a young daughter-in-law in the Jia Mansion, where she could only curry favor with Lady Jia and Lady Wang every day, and occasionally had to guard against the mischief of her stupid mother-in-law, Lady Xing.

At least at that time, Jia Lian had to hide his affair, fearing that she would find out. If she was unhappy, she would even dare to send away the maid who had served Jia Lian for several years without asking for permission.

She even dared to fight with Jia Lian.

Think about it now. Not only does Jia Lian blatantly bring women home one by one, but she no longer dares to fight with Jia Lian and ends up getting beaten every time.

The family status is evident from this.

Sitting at the table nearby, she was discussing with Qin Keqing the various possibilities of Jia Lian entering the palace, when suddenly she saw a maid sneak up to Ping'er and whisper something to her.

Sister Feng glared at him and shouted, "Are there any rules? What are you mumbling about?"

The maid was startled, but Ping'er knew that Fengjie was just upset and couldn't stand people talking behind her back, so she gave the maid a look to make her leave, then walked to Fengjie and reported, "Madam asked me to inquire about the Second Master's carriage, and I have already found out."

Feng Jieer was startled, then said nonchalantly: "Isn't she working in the garden?"

The implication is that when Jia Lian went out, how could the people in the garden know the news first?

It turned out that since Jia Lian built a luxurious carriage, Feng Jieer had to use it every time she went out. Just now, when she went to the East Palace, she was told that the carriage had been used by Jia Lian, so Feng Jieer kept it in mind.

Because she knew that when Jia Lian went out to do business, in order to improve efficiency he would ride a horse like his subordinates, and rarely took a sedan chair or a carriage.

So she asked Jia Lian where he was going and what he was doing. The people in the outer courtyard said they didn't know, so she asked Ping'er to find out secretly.

Ping Erh said, "She said that the Second Master went to Xiaoxiang Pavilion early in the morning to pick up Miss Lin, and it seemed that he wanted to take her out of the city for a trip..."

Feng Jieer and Qin Keqing were stunned for a moment, looked at each other, and could see what was in each other's eyes.

Humph, such a good thing was hidden from them!

Feng Jieer knew Ping Er's personality very well. Seeing that Ping Er had something to say, she said unhappily, "What else? Don't hesitate."

"It seems that the Second Master also brought Miss Xue with him... She said that Miss Yun was complaining to other girls in the garden, saying that the Second Master was partial and only took Miss Lin and Miss Bao with him when he went out to play in the city. Many people heard it."

This time, Feng Jieer and the other two were really stunned.

Qin Keqing hurriedly looked at Feng Jieer, and sure enough, Feng Jieer's face did not look very good.

But in the end, Sister Feng just said, "Okay, I got it. Send a few more people out and tell them to keep an eye on the situation outside. If there is any news from the Marquis, come back and report to me as soon as possible."

Ping'er took the order and was about to go out, but she heard a loud noise coming from outside.

When I looked up, I saw many servants and maids rushing into the courtyard. When they saw no one, they started shouting:

"Second Madam, great joy, Second Madam, great joy..."

Ping'er was about to go up and ask, when suddenly she felt a strong force from behind, narrowly avoiding being knocked over.

When I turned around, it was indeed my second wife who had rushed to the steps in front of the corridor, and asked with her hands on her hips, "Tell me quickly, what's the matter?"

The maids and servants rushed to speak, talking at the same time, and it was impossible to hear what was being said. Feng Jieer was so angry that she yelled, "You fools, shut up! You, you speak."

Feng Jieer named a person who usually speaks and acts reliably.

The maid hurriedly said with a smile: "Replying to Second Madam, the eunuchs in the palace brought a lot of rewards from the Emperor. The eunuchs said that our Marquis has been conferred the title of Duke of Rong, just like the Grand Master and the Old Grand Master."

"Really?"

Feng Jieer felt that it was a little unreal and couldn't help but ask questions aloud.

"Really, what Aunt Zhang said is true! There really are a lot of eunuchs here, and Steward Lin is receiving them."

The words spoken by the people below confirmed the authenticity of the matter.

Feng Jieer felt dizzy and almost couldn't stand.

After being straightened by Ping'er, she asked, "Where is the Second Master?"

"This...we don't know either. We informed Second Grandma as soon as we got the news..."

Seeing that these people knew nothing, Feng Jieer didn't bother to pay attention to them. She just raised her leg and ran out.

Ping'er knew that the reason these people were so eager to come in and report the good news was to ask for good luck, so she gave each person who came to report the good news a hundred or two hundred coins before sending them away.

……

Daiyu rarely came to the Xue family.

Therefore, Aunt Xue was extremely enthusiastic. She asked Daiyu about her health and prepared fruits and snacks. It was not until she noticed the discomfort on Daiyu's face that she smiled and said that she had something to do and asked Baochai to take good care of Daiyu.

As soon as Aunt Xue left, the atmosphere in the room became quiet.

Baochai said, "My mother is like this. She just loves you. Don't think she is nagging."

Daiyu looked at Baochai with a half-smile: "What did I say? I think my aunt is very good, gentle and kind, and she cares about people. If I had a mother, I would be so happy.

It's a pity that someone doesn't appreciate the good fortune he has and even complains about others being nagging. "

What can Baochai say? Daiyu is clearly lying with her eyes open.

Whenever Daiyu accompanied Jia's mother and others to have tea or a banquet, she would often complain that they were nagging and noisy, and would walk away. This straightforward person who had no intention of trying to please her elders actually said that she didn't know how to appreciate her blessings.

Seeing that Baochai didn't respond, Daiyu began to look around Baochai's boudoir again.

Just now she took the initiative to come to Baochai's room and sit down. She wanted to see whether Baochai, who was praised by everyone, was really the same as she said and did.

Is it only in the Jia family that one pretends to be so "indifferent to fame and fortune"?

But Daiyu was soon disappointed.

Although Baochai's boudoir had been renovated by Aunt Xue, it still looked very simple and neat. There was no bright red or bright colors in the room, and even in front of the dressing table, there were only a few simple cosmetic boxes.

Such a girl's boudoir is quite common for a daughter from a wealthy family.

But Baochai is the eldest daughter of the Xue family, and the Xue family is a century-old royal merchant family, famously wealthy. Why did Baochai come here?

I felt like I had nothing to say, so I just said whatever was on my mind.

"Sister Bao's family is so rich, but Aunt didn't even decorate Sister Bao's room more delicately. Instead, it looks so old-fashioned?"

Even though Baochai didn't want to argue with Daiyu, she couldn't help but feel that this girl's words were too irritating.

Her room is simply furnished without all those colorful things, but the overall style is elegant. How come it becomes old-fashioned in Daiyu's mouth?

Fortunately, Baochai is only two or three years older than Daiyu, and is now in her twenties. If she were a few years older and became an older left-over woman, these words would definitely be offensive to her.

"You know I don't care about these things."

"How should I know what kind of person Sister Bao is?"

Daiyu turned her head and looked straight at Baochai, and said quietly, "People say that you can know a person's face but not his heart."

These words are not only offensive but also profound. Baochai would naturally not fail to hear them.

She knew that this was what Daiyu really wanted to say.

"It's not the first day we've known each other. Just say what you want to say. There's no need to beat around the bush."

Daiyu was slightly surprised, for she had thought that Baochai was also a noble lady, and would be timid when faced with her questioning.

I didn't expect him to look so calm.

"I want to speak frankly, but I'm afraid that what I say may be unpleasant to hear. And this is in your house. What if you don't let me leave?"

Daiyu smiled deliberately.

In fact, she and Baochai have always had a good relationship. Although when Baochai first entered the Jia Mansion, everyone praised Baochai, and some even stepped on her to praise Baochai, which made her very unhappy and she had some hostility towards Baochai.

But later, slowly, she herself was impressed by Baochai's magnanimity and extraordinary knowledge.

After all, there is no Baoyu between her and Baochai in this world. Her heart has been on Jia Lian from beginning to end, and there seems to be nothing wrong between Baochai and Jia Lian.

It can be said that with so many sisters at home and outside, it is difficult to find one as innocent as Baochai and Jia Lian.

Especially after they entered the park and formed the Begonia Society, since they almost always took turns to win the championship every time the society was established, they naturally had a greater admiration for each other.

It was only recently that she gradually sensed something was amiss and became a little wary of Baochai.

Unexpectedly, before Daiyu Xiaotian could detect the exact information, the other party actually took the initiative to expose the target!

It really caught her off guard.

Baochai still seemed at ease in the face of Daiyu's further pressure.

"What are you saying, sister? I have always loved you the most, and I also know that you have a very unforgiving mouth.

If I had explained everything to you, I would have torn your mouth off long ago. So just speak your mind, even if it's unpleasant to hear. As you've called me sister for so many years, I won't bother with you."

Baochai's words clearly sounded like she was taking advantage of her age and seniority, which made Daiyu frown.

But she quickly focused on the main point: "Sister?"

"If we follow the first-come-first-served rule, I'm afraid it's hard to say who will call whom sister."

This statement was almost a clear statement. Even though Baochai had already prepared herself mentally, she still felt shy at this moment.

She involuntarily looked away, not daring to look directly at Daiyu.

Daiyu was suddenly happy and angry at the same time.

She was naturally happy because Baochai was defeated, and she was angry because Baochai was defeated.

Well, she was just suspicious just now. After all, she was just out on a picnic with them, so it couldn't be considered as proof.

Baochai's reaction now showed her consent.

Daiyu opened her mouth immediately, as if she wanted to say something, but she managed to hold it back and instead said something more appropriate to her status.

"Sister Bao is also from a noble family, and both her looks and talent are top-notch. There are so many talented men in the world, so why can't Sister Bao choose from them?

Why do you have to wrong yourself? "

Baochai realized something was wrong after she lowered her head. The confrontation with Daiyu was expected and necessary, and she could not avoid it.

So she looked up and asked, "What about my sister? Why do you want to wrong yourself?"

"I, of course it's because my father..."

Daiyu became nervous, her speech speed increased and she began to stutter.

"It's also because of my mother!" Baochai answered quickly and decisively.

Daiyu was immediately choked up, of course she knew that what she blurted out was just rhetoric. It can also be known that Baochai's answer was the same.

After a moment's silence, Daiyu realized something was wrong.

That's not right. Because of what happened between her and Jia Lian, she had no idea how many times she had been embarrassed and stamped on by her elders and sisters.

Among these hateful people, there is even the person right in front of us.

It can be said that she has already endured what she should have endured, and now she is interrogating the other party!

"Even if your aunt promised you to him, would you really be willing?

I am just a poor person without parents. I will be satisfied if I can have someone who understands me and can rely on me.

But you are different from me. You have a mother, an older brother, and so many brothers and sisters of the same clan.

You could have chosen.

Is he really that good? Even if you know that he will never be able to treat you wholeheartedly, are you willing to do that? "

Daiyu tried to persuade Baochai, or rather, she tried to get a reply from Baochai.

It was not easy for her to get to where she is today, and she knows the bitterness and sweetness in it.

When she decided to commit herself to Jia Lian, she also went through a psychological struggle, even though she liked and was attached to Jia Lian so much.

She wanted to know why a woman like Baochai, who had excellent conditions and a strong opinion of her own, would make such a choice.

She believed in Jia Lian, and she didn't think that Baochai was taken away by Jia Lian through some tricks.

She could almost guess what was going on.

It was probably just that the aunt coveted the power, status and fame of the second brother Lian, and thought that he could support the Xue family, so she promised Bao sister to him in order to win him over.

But Sister Bao didn't seem to be reluctant.

Facing Daiyu's increasingly pertinent questions, Baochai replied coldly, "Whether he is good or not, don't you know, sister?"

With just one sentence, Daiyu, who was full of expectations, fell silent.

The seemingly understated answer has made all the problems clear.

Yes, if Second Brother Lian wasn't really that good, how could my father have entrusted me to him before he died? If he wasn't really that good, impeccable, and I thought highly of myself, how could I have wronged myself to this extent for him!

It turns out that it’s not good for your lover to be too nice.

There will be many equally outstanding girls who admire and adore you.

It would be great if he was nice to me only and a little bit mean to other girls.

When Baochai saw that Daiyu suddenly stopped talking, she became uneasy.

She knew Daiyu's temper. Once she got angry, she would not care about the consequences. So after thinking for a while, she took the initiative to say, "Whether you believe it or not, I just want to say that I am the same as you. We made the same choice because we truly admire each other.

But after all, it was my younger sister who came first, so if my younger sister doesn’t mind, I can call you in the future…”

Daiyu was thinking about something. When she heard the words, she turned around and looked at Baochai with some teasing and expectation in her bright eyes.

She knew what Baochai wanted to say.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard in the corridor, interrupting Baochai's words.

The two turned around and found that it was Aunt Xue who rushed in.

At this moment, Aunt Xue's face was filled with inexplicable surprise.

"Do you know that your second brother Lian has been granted the title of Duke, Duke Rong! The only Duke of Rong in the current imperial court with a different surname!!"

Baochai, who had just stood up, was suddenly stunned.

She turned around and looked at Daiyu, and sure enough, Daiyu also had a dazed look on her face.

She didn't look closely, but turned around and asked, "Where did mother hear the news?"

"It's true. The news has spread throughout the two mansions. The servants at home also said that they saw with their own eyes a large group of eunuchs delivering rewards entering Ningrong Street..."

Aunt Xue could not hide her excitement.

I originally thought that she had simply succumbed to Jia Lian's tyranny last night and was forced to sign the treaty.

Unexpectedly, she got such a big surprise in the blink of an eye!

The first duke of the dynasty, just with this title, Baoyatou and her would not feel wronged.

Not to mention the deeper meaning behind this name.

Jia Lian has not lost the emperor's favor at all!

Since the establishment of our dynasty, we have learned from the lessons of previous dynasties and do not accept titles and honors lightly.

Therefore, since the founding of the country with four kings and eight dukes, not to mention being crowned kings, even the title of duke was rare.

Looking at the entire reign of the Emperor Retired during his nearly sixty years, he only conferred the title of Duke on one person, and that was Jia Daishan!

This was because he was born into the Jia family, benefited from his father's influence, and had a close relationship with the emperor, so he was awarded this honor.

In other words, if you are not a direct descendant of the founding kings or dukes, no matter how great your contributions are, the most you can be granted is a title of nobility.

As long as Emperor Ning Kang was not mentally ill, he probably would not joke about the title of Duke. Now that he gave Jia Lian the first title of Duke after he ascended the throne, it is clear how important Jia Lian is in his mind.

Aunt Xue's face was so happy that she didn't bother to hide it. The more she looked at her daughter's pretty and bright face, the more she liked her and the more satisfied she was. She even forgot about Daiyu beside her.

Daiyu was naturally happy when Jia Lian was promoted to a noble title.

But she was more happy that Jia Lian had escaped from his predicament.

She was well aware of the atmosphere at home when the news of Jia Lian's dismissal came out. Now that the emperor was willing to confer such a high title on Jia Lian, it naturally meant that Jia Lian would not be held accountable.

Now that Second Brother Lian was safe, she felt at ease.

So, while the mother and daughter were looking at her, she said to Baochai, "Now that he has been conferred a title, he must have a lot of things to deal with. It is probably impossible for him to go out of the city for an outing."

Then she turned to Aunt Xue, "I feel really sorry for bothering you for so long and receiving your hospitality.

I will prepare some good water and tea later, and invite Auntie to come over and sit down to show my appreciation."

Aunt Xue naturally tried her best to keep Daiyu, but Daiyu was determined to go and she could not stop her, so she was busy arranging a carriage and people to escort Daiyu back.

Seeing Daiyu's refusal, Baochai said, "She is not a stranger, so you don't have to be so polite. When we entered the door, Brother Lian's personal guards said that they were waiting outside and told us that if we wanted to go out, we must ask them to follow us.

Besides, Brother Lian left his carriage behind before he entered the palace, so we can just take the carriage back."

Aunt Xue heard this and asked, "You want to go back too?"

When Baochai saw Aunt Xue's expression, she knew that she wanted to tell her something alone and wanted her to stay.

Daiyu naturally understood it.

When she heard Baochai say that she was not an outsider, she glanced at Baochai with a half-smile, and now she said directly: "Sister Bao, you don't have to accompany me back. It's rare for you to go home, and your aunt may have a lot of things to tell you, so you'd better stay and accompany your aunt."

After saying this, Daiyu bid farewell to Aunt Xue, found her two maids Zijuan and Xueyan, and, under the escort of Jia Lian's personal guards, returned to the Grand View Garden.