Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Zhao Sheng was left at home by Jia Lian specifically to monitor Jia Zhen, and of course, there was also the situation in Jia She's courtyard.

If it was an emergency, Jia Lian would even teach Zhao Sheng how to send him a message.

After listening to Zhao Sheng's report on the family's situation over the past year, Jia Lian frowned.

As expected, Jia Zhen still harbored wicked intentions...

It seems it's time to start preparing some backup plans in case of unforeseen circumstances.

"This humble servant greets Second Master..."

After dismissing Zhao Sheng, Jia Lian summoned Sun Zai Ren.

After he paid his respects, she asked with a smile, "How's your restaurant doing?"

"Thanks to Second Master, I have opened a small restaurant in Juxianfang in the West City, as you instructed. It is named Juxianlou, as you also instructed. It has three floors, with private rooms on the third floor, but there are only a few."

Business is doing quite well now, because Second Master said there's no need to hide our relationship, so no petty thieves have come to bother us. At this rate, I estimate I can earn back all the capital Second Master invested within two years…”

Seeing Sun Zai Ren's beaming face, as if he had achieved his life's work, Jia Lian also smiled and said, "That's very good."

However, as I've already said, I didn't open this restaurant solely to make money; it's more about giving you a status so you can easily do things for me. Since the restaurant is doing well, there's no need to report everything to me individually. I trust you; you can handle the specific management matters yourself.

Now, I have something to tell you... Do you know about Jia Rong, the eldest grandson of our East Mansion?

Upon hearing this, Sun Zairen immediately laughed: "I happen to know that he is a regular customer of the restaurant. It's because he heard that the Second Master of Juxianlou is the owner, so he often brings his sons to dine here."

The lads knew they were the second master's nephews and grandsons, and often received preferential treatment, so they always liked to come.

Besides Uncle Rong, there's also Uncle Xue, who's also a relative of your family. Tsk tsk, this gentleman is always very generous when he comes. Not only does he refuse any discounts from us, but he also often gives us extra, ostensibly to support Second Master and patronize our business..."

From the time of the clan head Jia Zhen onwards, it was common for the sons of the Jia family to frequent brothels, gamble, and drink.

Especially after Xue Pan arrived in Rongguo, because everyone knew that the Xue family was extremely wealthy, many of the Jia family members, including Jia Rong, tried to curry favor with him in order to swindle money from his prostitutes and gambling.

Xue Pan was a straightforward person, and in just a few months since he came to the Jia family, he had already become one of the young men in the family.

Unfortunately, Prince Teng was not in the capital, and Jia Zheng did not care about him. Therefore, after arriving in the capital, the eldest son of the Xue family was lured in by the Jia family's sons and became ten times worse than when he was in Jinling.

One of Aunt Xue's initial intentions in coming to the capital was to have Xue Pan restrain his temper under the supervision of his uncle and other relatives. How could she have known it would end like this...

"That idiot Xue?"

Jia Lian smiled, not expecting that this guy had already gone to support his business before even meeting him.

It's not surprising. Juxianlou specializes in all kinds of Jiangnan wines and is located not far from Ningrong Street. Wherever they go for a drink, it's not surprising that they would go and support them out of respect for him.

He didn't pay much attention, and only said to Sun Zairen, "Now that you know them, things will be easier. If they go to drink again in the future, try to build a good relationship with them. It would be best if they considered you a close friend, especially this Jia Rong."

Although Sun Zairen did not know Jia Lian's purpose, he did not ask any questions. He nodded and smiled, "That's not difficult. Although I am of low status, the young masters all know that I am the Second Master's man, so they are still polite to me."

They're all young, fond of wine and women, and prone to displays of loyalty. If a scoundrel puts in the effort to curry favor, building a good relationship won't be difficult, let alone anything else.

"That's excellent."

After settling the external affairs, he went to check on Aqi and Aqin, and finding that Ping'er's arrangements were satisfactory, he left.

After dinner, he took Wang Xifeng to serve Jia She his medicine, and only after going through all the formalities did they return home.

Jia Lian sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), washed his feet, and, taking advantage of Ping'er, Qingwen, and Xiangling's presence, beckoned them closer and instructed them, "From today onwards, try not to let the kitchen staff send your and your second mistress's meals. The three of you will take turns, and when it's time, go to the kitchen yourself with someone to collect them."

Ping'er and the other two didn't think much of it and simply agreed. However, Wang Xifeng casually laughed and said, "Why are you so insistent on telling them this? Are you afraid someone will poison us?"

Wang Xifeng had meant it as a joke, but after Jia Lian remained silent, she exclaimed in surprise, "You're really worried about that?"

Wang Xifeng never imagined that Jia Lian would actually have such an intention? To poison them in the Duke's mansion? Who could do that? Who would have the guts?

Jia Lian glanced at her and said, "One should not have the heart to harm others, but one must be wary of others. As the master is on his deathbed, it is better to be cautious than to make a big mistake."

Wang Xifeng fell silent. In order to manage the household, she spent her days scheming against the servants, but they were all trivial matters. She never thought about a life-or-death struggle.

"Aren't you overthinking it? Who would harm us? Who would be so audacious as to dare to do so?"

"If I die, whoever might benefit from it could potentially harm us."

Jia Lian spoke calmly, and his words sent a chill down the spines of Ping'er and the others. Clearly, none of them had considered this issue, and Jia Lian's words made them uneasy.

"Just because of a title? Is it really worth it... There are so many mansions in the capital, and we're not the only ones with titles. They all inherit them according to their rightful owners. I've never heard of anyone fighting to the death over this..."

Jia Lian was quite surprised to hear such words from Wang Xifeng.

But upon closer reflection, it aligns with Wang Xifeng's personality and understanding.

If she were truly a woman of vision and insight, she wouldn't have met such an end in the original story.

Unable to see the fundamental contradictions that directly affect their own interests, and instead blindly trying to please Madam Wang, they ended up completely offending their proper mother-in-law, Madam Xing.

Perhaps she thought it was only natural to be close to her aunt and do things for her, assuming that her aunt would treat her well and wouldn't abandon her...

Unfortunately, in the end, Madam Wang was indeed just using her.

Ultimately, Sister Feng's lack of education hindered her learning from history. Her understanding and knowledge of the world all stemmed from the world as it was then.

Little did they know that the real world is often shrouded in mist. Sister Feng was one of those people who were blinded by the harmonious facade of a prosperous and wealthy family.

In order to get Wang Xifeng's attention, Jia Lian had to look at her and say solemnly, "First of all, just because you haven't heard about it doesn't mean that such a thing doesn't exist."

Because those who died in family power struggles and battles for the succession of titles won't climb out of their coffins to tell you this."

Wang Xifeng was startled upon hearing this.

She wasn't unintelligent; she just refused to believe such horrific things that she had never seen or heard of.

Now, reminded by Jia Lian, she realized how terrifying this struggle involving huge interests was.

She even suddenly thought of her father...

It seems that he fell ill and died shortly before his grandfather passed away!

She dared not think about the reasons behind it in detail, because she felt that it was too terrifying.

Is there anyone left in this world who can be trusted?

Seeing that Sister Feng's face was a little pale, Jia Lian was afraid that he had gone too far and caused Sister Feng to fall into paranoia and be anxious all day long.

So he softened his tone: "But don't worry too much. It's true, as you said, there aren't many people in this world who dare to harm us."

I am only reminding you out of the principle that it is better to be safe than sorry, so that you will pay more attention before I successfully inherit the title.

Even if I'm overthinking it, being extra careful won't harm us. Do you understand that?

Wang Xifeng and the others remained silent, but Qingwen nodded repeatedly. With her beautiful eyes wide open, she said, "I understand what Second Master is saying. I've heard it mentioned in storybooks; it's called 'fratricide'!"

Jia Lian raised an eyebrow, looking at Qingwen with great surprise.

I originally thought Qingwen's knowledge could only be gleaned from the stage, but unfortunately, no play dared to depict such a grand drama of family feuds and fratricide. This was because it could offend the royal family above and powerful clans below!

Who knew this girl had a hidden trick up her sleeve—she could listen to storybooks? I don't know where she heard them from, but she remembered them.

Qingwen frowned again, pointing with her fingers, and said, "But, Second Master's only brother is Third Master Cong. He's still so young, how can he compete with Second Master..."

Wang Xifeng was displeased with Qingwen's presumptuous behavior and scolded her, "You little brat, what do you know? Get out of here!"

Then Wang Xifeng looked at Jia Lian and asked, "Is it really because of Cong'er?"

Wang Xifeng, of course, hadn't forgotten that day when Jia She, in an attempt to spite Grandmother Jia, deliberately said he would pass the title to Jia Cong and Jia Huan. Unfortunately, such words didn't cause much of a stir in either household; everyone just said the eldest master was delirious from illness, so she didn't pay much attention.

Looking back now, if Jia Lian had really met with an accident, the title might very well have fallen to Jia Cong!

Jia Lian smiled, neither confirming nor denying, but simply followed her words and asked, "Haven't you heard that Cong'er has already been raised by the First Madam?"

Wang Xifeng curled her lip and said disdainfully, "Of course I know. I heard from the First Madam that it was Concubine Yang who offered to take care of her. How could a little thing raised by a concubine change its nature after living with the First Madam for a few days?"

Wang Xifeng didn't really care about this matter at first. After all, Madam Xing's own foundation was not stable. How could Jia Cong's following Madam Xing for a few days make the family acknowledge his status as the "legitimate son"?

That's a joke.

However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that those people likely harbored ulterior motives.

No wonder that the heartless fellow immediately guarded all the gates of the master's courtyard upon his return. It seems his worries weren't unfounded; we really should be wary of those people.

Please remember the original domain name of this book: _wap.