Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After visiting Jia She, Grandmother Jia and the others retreated to the outer guest room.

He dismissed everyone else, leaving only the two masters of the mansion and Yuanyang, who served Grandmother Jia.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, tell me, what happened today, from beginning to end?"

Upon hearing Grandmother Jia's question, Madam Xing nervously came out and recounted everything from hearing Qiu Tong's scream to rushing outside and seeing it.

"I heard that you adopted Yang's son?"

Grandmother Jia's words sent a chill down Madam Xing's spine. She immediately knelt down and stammered an explanation, recounting what Madam Yang had told her, adding words that were in her favor. Finally, she added, "Grandmother, I truly didn't know Madam Yang harbored such malicious intentions. If I had known, I would never have agreed to her..."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia suddenly sneered, "Hmph, you don't know?"

I think you know too much!

As the first wife, you should be in charge of all the big and small matters in this courtyard, and you should know everything! But you are like a fool, only knowing how to flatter the men, regardless of whether what they say or do is good or bad, and you don't even dare to offer a word of advice.

Now it's even worse. You've been manipulated by such a foolish and vicious woman, and she's even allowed you to do such wicked things, almost causing a disaster. And all you do is say you didn't know?

In my opinion, you might as well quit being the first wife, lest you get betrayed and killed by your subordinates without even knowing why!

Madam Xing turned pale from the scolding, but dared not argue. She could only kneel on the ground and keep saying, "Your daughter-in-law knows she was wrong." In an instant, the dignity of the first wife was completely lost.

Seeing her like this, Grandmother Jia was even angrier: "How dare you complain that I am biased and only love your brothers and their wives?"

If you can't even manage these few dozen people here, how will you manage over there?

Your brother's wife manages hundreds of people; logically, the situation there is far more complex than in your courtyard. How come nothing like this has happened there? Given this, if I were to ask you to come and serve me, I'm afraid I might be drugged and harmed one day, and you'd just say you didn't know anything!"

Upon hearing these last words, Madam Xing naturally kowtowed repeatedly, and even Jia Zheng and the others dared not stand still, adopting a submissive and obedient demeanor.

Grandmother Jia was full of dissatisfaction with Madam Xing, but considering that Jia Zhen and his wife were still there, she did not say anything more. She looked up at everyone and said, "Since Madam Yang has such a vicious mind, it is fine if she dies, but we cannot let her ruin the reputation of the Jia family."

After you return, you must restrain the people in the manor and prevent them from spreading this matter outside...

By the way, is there anyone else in the Yang family?

Madam Xing hurriedly said, "Madam Yang also has her sister-in-law and a nephew, all of whom are servants..."

Grandmother Jia thought for a moment, seemingly considering something, and finally said, "Send them to the estate in the north."

Grandmother Jia wanted to calm things down as much as possible and didn't want to make a big fuss, so she simply sent the people away far away.

As for the claim of revenge by orphans and widows, don't be ridiculous. They're just lackeys. It's one thing if they can serve their masters, but once they're no longer useful, they're lucky if they can even survive in this world.

Even if they lived ten lifetimes, they would never be able to turn their lives around.

After Madam Xing agreed, Grandmother Jia continued, "And there's Cong boy..."

When everyone heard Jia Cong mentioned, their expressions became somewhat complicated.

Already an unwanted illegitimate son, and now with his mother committing such a heinous crime, it's easy to imagine how difficult his life will be in the household from now on. It's even possible that Jia Lian might not be able to tolerate this half-brother…

However, since Jia Cong was Jia She's bloodline, no one dared to give a reply.

Madam Xing no longer wanted to find someone to care for her in her old age and bury her when she died, since Madam Yang and her son had almost killed her. Therefore, upon hearing this, she immediately said, "I'll send Cong back right away..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly remembered that Jia Cong had nowhere to send it now, and it seemed that this thing was stuck in his hands!

Sure enough, Grandmother Jia snorted, "Send it back? Who are you going to send it to? His biological mother is dead, so are you not his mother too?"

No wonder the people in the mansion don't respect you. Look at yourself, do you act like a first wife?

From this day forward, he will be raised by you. I see that Cong is not young anymore and is of school age, so I will let him study at our home school, hoping that he will understand some principles in the future.”

Madam Xing had no choice but to agree.

After saying these things, Grandmother Jia got into her carriage and went home.

After Jia Zhen and You Shi returned to Ningguo Mansion, they held a small meeting about the events of the day. They were all amazed and sighed over the matter. Finally, Jia Zhen said to Jia Rong, "I think your second uncle Lian has really changed since he came back from the border. He must have experienced the battles. He is not as kind as before and has become more ruthless."

Now that he has become the head of the Military Affairs Office, you should be even more respectful to him when you see him in the future, and not offend him!

I heard from people in the palace that the Emperor has taken a liking to him, which is why he's been given official positions one after another. From now on, even I might have to give him more face. You all better watch yourselves; if you offend him easily, you'll be in for a world of hurt.

Jia Zhen said this to Jia Rong and the stewards.

Jia Rong and the others were already shocked by today's events, and seeing that Jia Zhen had said so, they dared not have any objections and nodded repeatedly.

Only Lady You, sitting at the top, had strange emotions in her eyes... Perhaps this was what he meant when he said he would at least make Jia Zhen wary of him. He didn't expect that he would achieve this so quickly.

Recalling the scene today where Jia Lian looked down on all the elders of the family, and how Jia Mu and the others were clearly dissatisfied but helpless against him, You Shi couldn't help but feel a little teary-eyed. She seemed eager to know what would happen if she met Jia Lian alone next time.

……

By the time Jia Lian finished dealing with the matters in the east wing, it was nearly dusk.

He went in to report the results of the handling to Madam Xing, who had no objections whatsoever and was exceptionally polite to him.

Jia She woke up once during this time, but no one dared to tell him what had happened in the afternoon, so Jia She did not show any abnormality. He just treated Jia Lian with the same disdain as usual.

Jia Lian didn't care about this at all. He made some symbolic arrangements for things in his room and then brought Ping'er and Aqi to the main courtyard.

Ping'er was someone Wang Xifeng stayed behind to take care of because she didn't trust him.

"Second Master, the Old Madam requests your presence..."

Steward Lin Zhixiao rushed over, bowed respectfully to Jia Lian, and then spoke.

Jia Lian then led Ping'er toward Grandmother Jia.

Lin Zhixiao followed behind, intending to escort Jia Lian to the second gate, but he noticed that Jia Lian looked back at him twice.

Lin Zhixiao muttered to himself, but didn't dare to ask. Finally, when he noticed Jia Lian stop and turn around, he immediately stopped and stood aside.

"I heard you have a daughter named Xiaohong?"

"Xiao Hong?" Lin Zhixiao didn't react for a moment, then immediately nodded: "Reporting to Second Master, this servant does indeed have a daughter named Hong... Xiao Hong, what does Second Master want with her?"

Actually, his daughter's name was Lin Hongyu, and the couple usually just called her "Hongyu" or "Xiaoyu." It's unclear where Jia Lian heard the name "Xiaohong." However, since the Second Master was the master, if he wanted to call her Xiaohong, then it was Xiaohong.

How old is she this year?

"Reporting to Second Master, I am exactly thirteen years old this year."

Lin Zhixiao was already somewhat suspicious. Could it be that Second Master Lian had taken a fancy to his daughter? He felt a surge of excitement.

The couple only have one daughter, whom they cherish dearly; otherwise, they wouldn't have named her "Yu" (meaning "jade").

However, although he was the second steward of the Rongguo Mansion, he was still just a servant. No matter how much he loved his daughter, she was destined to be a servant's offspring. Even with their status, they would have to send their daughter to the mansion to work as a maid in at most two years.

The couple originally thought that Jia Baoyu had a good personality and was kind to the maids, so they planned to send their daughter to serve him. However, they hadn't found a suitable opportunity yet, and since their daughter was still young, they wanted to keep her with them for as long as possible.

Now that Jia Lian had actually asked about his daughter, she suddenly had a different idea.

To be honest, in the first two years, he might have hesitated, since no one knew Wang Xifeng's prowess better than them!

However, Master Lian is no longer the same as before. Not only has his official position risen higher and higher, but he also seems to have subdued Madam Lian.

In this situation, investing in Master Lian is clearly much more likely to yield returns than investing in Master Bao...

Jia Lian hadn't expected that her casual question would make Lin Zhixiao think so much. She just suddenly remembered that in the original story, there was a maid named Xiao Hong in Yi Hong Courtyard who was very clever and decisive in her speech and actions, and even Wang Xifeng praised her.

He thought that since Wang Xifeng couldn't get rid of her meddlesome habit, in order to prevent her from exhausting herself, it would be better to find her a few more capable subordinates, which would also solve her urgent need for manpower.

After all, this woman is treating him quite well now, and she's become much more obedient. Moreover, despite being so busy, she's still willing to leave Ping'er for him to use.

Therefore, in return for her kindness, we should repay her in kind.

Therefore, he said to Lin Zhixiao, "Thirteen years old, it's about time she entered the manor. It just so happens that your second mistress is currently lacking a few capable people under her command. Would you be willing to send your daughter to your second mistress's side to serve her?"

"Of course I'm willing, how could I not be willing? This servant will thank you on behalf of my daughter, Xiaohong... I, Xiaohong, am very grateful for your kindness and guidance, Second Master and Second Mistress. As soon as I get back, I will immediately send her to you to await your orders..."

Lin Zhixiao knelt down neatly and kowtowed to Jia Lian, as if he had received some great favor.

Upon seeing this, Jia Lian realized that Lin Zhixiao might have misunderstood something.

She didn't really care. If her daughter was truly good-looking and knew how to get things done, it wasn't impossible to arrange things for her in the future...

However, he certainly couldn't show any such intention now, otherwise Wang Xifeng would definitely not accept his favor!

Having settled the matter, Lin Zhixiao left with a smile, clearly intending to go back and discuss it with his wife and daughter.

Ping'er watched the "transfer of benefits" unfold before her eyes, her brows furrowed, lost in thought, wanting to speak but remaining silent.

Jia Lian quickly noticed her expression, reached out and pinched her cheek, explaining his thoughts to her.

"Is Second Master sincere?"

Ping'er was completely surprised.

She also assumed that Jia Lian had seen Lin Zhixiao's daughter by chance, or that he had heard about her from someone and had developed feelings for her, which was why he wanted to come over.

Who would have thought that it was all out of loyalty and consideration for the Second Madam?

Ping'er didn't doubt that Jia Lian was lying, after all, no one knew better than her how much Wang Xifeng loved to meddle in other people's business!

Even though her father-in-law, Jia She, was so ill, she would rather make several trips back and forth every day than neglect her duties at the mansion. This speaks volumes!

If it's really as Jia Lian said, that he's looking for help for the Second Mistress, then that's wonderful... The key isn't a little maid, but the Second Master's feelings for the Second Mistress. The two of them have finally reached the point where they care about each other, that's great.

……

After returning from the east wing, Grandmother Jia felt uneasy no matter what she thought about it.

They summoned Jia Zheng and his wife alone and talked for half a day, but they still couldn't come up with a proper solution.

Whether they want to believe it or not, Jia Lian is about to escape their control.

In fact, for Grandmother Jia, she didn't care who was in charge of the household at all, since they were all her descendants, and whoever was in charge would still serve her.

She simply didn't want to see the vast Duke's mansion, which had been peaceful and stable under her leadership for decades, fall apart in the future, or even witness the horrific event of fratricide that happened again today!

Therefore, she wanted to invite Jia Lian over to personally test his thoughts.

Before long, hearing Jia Lian arrive, Grandmother Jia came out of the warm pavilion.

Upon emerging, they saw Yingchun, Daiyu, and others surrounding Jia Lian, who, unlike his aloof demeanor that afternoon, now wore a warm smile on his handsome face, as if explaining something to his sisters…

Grandmother Jia thought to herself, seeing how harmonious Jia Lian is with his brothers and sisters, he can't be a cruel person by nature. The reason he was so ruthless today must be because he was poisoned, which is why he was shocked and furious.

With that thought, Grandmother Jia breathed a sigh of relief, went to the front, and slowly sat down.

Jia Lian and the others stopped talking and stepped forward to greet her.

"Has everything been taken care of over there?" Grandmother Jia asked.

Jia Lian nodded and then briefly explained his approach.

Those involved were punished according to the severity of the offense and their level of knowledge; those who deserved punishment were punished, and those who deserved to be sent away were sent away. This was in accordance with the proper procedures, so Grandmother Jia nodded and said softly, "I've troubled you today... Please sit down..."

Grandmother Jia originally wanted to say a few words to comfort Jia Lian, but because Yingchun and the others were present, she couldn't tell them such a shocking story.

To this day, Daiyu and the others only know that a major event has occurred in the east wing, concerning Jia Lian, but no one dares to tell them the details. Of course, how much they can guess is up to them.

"Zhu'er's wife, take Baoyu and the others to the tea room. I want to have a few words with him alone."

Upon hearing Grandmother Jia's words, Li Wan knew that what was about to be said was not suitable for them to hear, so she agreed and then told Jia Baoyu and the others to leave.

Yingchun and the others were somewhat worried, as they rarely saw Grandmother Jia so solemn.

Daiyu, in particular, secretly shed tears when she first heard that Jia Lian had an accident, and only felt slightly better after seeing that Jia Lian was indeed alright.

"Go ahead, you're really worried about me. Come visit me in my room later." Jia Lian smiled and waved to them.

In fact, when he first met Daiyu, he saw the obvious traces of tears on her face and her great concern for him, which had already filled him with immense comfort. To be cared for, especially by someone as ethereal as Lin Daiyu, felt wonderful and unique.

Of course, there's also my younger sister Yingchun, and my cousins ​​Tanchun and Xichun. They're all good girls too...

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