Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Seeing everyone discussing it enthusiastically, Tan Chun stepped forward and asked Jia Lian, "Is His Majesty going to bring us all along? Wouldn't that be too much of a fuss?"

Although Jia Lian has only held one imperial concubine selection since he ascended the throne, and no concubines were appointed during that selection.

Unfortunately, there were quite a few sisters in the Begonia Society alone, and many of the beauties that Jia Lian had kept over the years had also been granted titles.

As a result, there are now dozens of women with official titles in Jia Lian's harem.

It wouldn't be a big deal to bring just a few dozen ordinary beautiful maids, but it's quite a commotion to travel with so many noble ladies.

Jia Lian held Daiyu's small hand in one hand, while trying to reach for Baochai's hand with the other.

Baochai, mindful that Fengjie was still on Daiyu's side, didn't want to make Fengjie appear neglected in front of everyone, so she subtly withdrew her hand, refusing to cooperate.

Jia Lian didn't care that he hadn't caught the target, and said to Tan Chun, "You don't need to worry about that."

Fortunately, a prominent family in Jiangnan presented us with an imperial boat, so it won't be too much trouble for us to travel down by boat."

Upon hearing Jia Lian mention this, Feng Jie laughed and said, "Is it the enormous imperial ship you specially went to Tongzhou Bay half a month ago to inspect, the one that supposedly cost five million taels of silver to build?"

When Sister Feng said this, many of the sisters who had never heard of it before looked shocked.

Xiangyun, perhaps due to her childhood experiences, had a clear understanding of money and immediately exclaimed, "Sister Feng, you're not mistaken, are you? Five million taels?!"

You should know that one tael of silver is enough to buy two full bushels of grain.

Five million taels of silver—what a concept that is!

Just to build a boat?

Sister Feng took Xiangyun's hand, patted her hand and laughed, "Of course I'm not talking nonsense, these are the words of the ministers in the court."

Speaking of which, something else came to mind.

Our emperor, I heard, even though his ministers suggested building an imperial mausoleum for him several times, and the Ministry of Works even designed several blueprints, he rejected them all, saying that he couldn't bear to part with the money.

You tell me, he's so frugal with even this small amount of money, so why is he being so generous with this particular matter?

Sister Feng glanced at Jia Lian with feigned mockery.

Although many others were also curious, they didn't dare to tease Jia Lian like she did.

Jia Lian said, "I am still so young, why should I build myself a mausoleum?"

Moreover, the construction of the mausoleum was funded by the national treasury, while the imperial boat was paid for by those aristocratic families.

They've all finished and sent them to the capital; I'm not going to just tear them down, am I?"

Jia Lian's humorous tone made all the beauties in the harem laugh.

Of course, he was just saying it casually.

The imperial boat presented to him by wealthy merchants and prominent families in Jiangnan, led by Zhou Yanru, reportedly cost five million taels of silver.

Three years ago, funds were raised to build a shipyard in Jiangnan, and the shipyard was specially sent to Beijing as a birthday gift before his birthday this year.

The implication is that they wanted to invite the emperor to travel south by boat.

Jia Lian had visited that ship some time ago, and it was indeed enormous and luxurious.

According to Jia Lian, even if it doesn't cost five million taels of silver as rumored, it will still cost close to one million taels.

Although the difference between one million and five million was huge, Jia Lian did not feel cheated.

One reason is that it's understandable for aristocratic families to deliberately exaggerate in order to highlight their noble and extraordinary status.

Secondly, the powerful families did not emphasize the cost in their memorials to him; they merely spread such rumors among the common people, so their intentions were not necessarily malicious.

Of course, even if it's only a cost of one million taels, that's still quite extravagant.

Moreover, if it weren't for the pretext of preparing a birthday gift for him, even with enough silver, it would have been impossible to build such a royal boat.

After all, the golden nanmu wood used as the main building material on the dragon boat is not something that can be used arbitrarily.

With the itinerary finalized, the sisters' discussion became even more enthusiastic.

Zhen Yuhuan, a local strongman from Jiangnan, is already warmly inviting Sanchun and others to visit her home.

Sister Feng smiled and watched for a while. After the people in the pavilion dispersed a bit, she said to Jia Lian, "In the few years since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has indeed been busy with state affairs. Now that we have this opportunity, it is indeed time for us sisters to go to Jiangnan to relax."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will take care of things in the palace and with the Empress Dowager. Even if Your Majesty is delayed in Jiangnan for a few more days, it will not be a problem."

Upon hearing Sister Feng's words, the imperial concubines who were still in the pavilion all looked over.

What, isn't Her Majesty the Empress going?

Many people, upon realizing this, understood that their current identities were indeed different from before.

Some people inevitably lost their enthusiasm and began to consider whether they should also resign to reduce Jia Lian's burden during his southern tour.

Jia Lian looked at Feng Jie and asked, "Don't you want to go?"

"It's not that I don't want to go, but I haven't seen the scenery of the South for many years since I went back with my parents when I was a child."

But putting aside the many affairs in the palace that need to be managed, they cannot be left unattended.

Even on the Empress Dowager's side, someone must be there to fulfill filial duties.

Now that His Majesty has decided to make a southern tour, I, your humble servant, shall remain in the inner palace to fulfill my filial duties to the Empress Dowager on His Majesty's behalf.

Sister Feng looked at Jia Lian and spoke slowly.

Although Sister Feng also missed the scenery of the South, she knew that given her status, especially with the Empress Dowager still alive, she could not easily leave the palace.

Moreover, she wasn't as playful as Sanchun and the others.

For her, it was better to stay in the palace and win more favor from the Empress Dowager than to go through all the trouble of making a trip to Jiangnan.

Furthermore, it would be more practical to consolidate the positions of the empress and her son, the crown prince, by taking advantage of the absence of others and gaining more control over the palace.

When everyone heard Sister Feng say this, they finally remembered the Empress Dowager, this formidable figure.

Although the Empress Dowager was kind and loving, in recent years, perhaps it was because the concubines who came from the Jia family lineage were too favored by Jia Lian.

They were frequently reprimanded by the Empress Dowager.

Although most of the time they were only taught the rules of the palace and the virtues of being a concubine, rather than being severely reprimanded.

However, this did not prevent them from having reverence for the Empress Dowager.

Thinking that if so many of them followed Jia Lian to Jiangnan, the Empress Dowager would inevitably mistakenly believe that they were bewitching the Emperor and would be displeased.

Many people also began to have second thoughts.

Baochai said, "What the Empress says is true. His Majesty is on a southern tour, and it is indeed necessary to leave people in the palace."

Since Her Majesty the Empress is not going, I will not go either.

"Firstly, I will assist the Empress; secondly, there are many affairs in the ministry, and if I stay, I can continue to share Your Majesty's burdens."

When Baochai said this, Tanchun naturally followed suit.

Seeing that the others were about to speak, Jia Lian waved his hand.

From Feng Jie's sincere tone just now, Jia Lian could tell that she was serious.

Moreover, what she said wasn't without merit.

Then, glancing past Daiyu, he said to Fengjie, "Since the Empress has this intention, then I'll trouble you. I'll bring you a gift when I return."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng smiled and rose, giving a graceful bow: "In that case, Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness."

Jia Lian helped her up with one hand, and then said to the others, "Except for the Empress, all other concubines and above must accompany the Emperor on the southern tour and may not request to resign."

"Your Majesty~"

Although Baochai could see that Jia Lian was already displeased, she still continued, "It's not that I intend to disobey, but Hao'er is still young, and I'm really worried about leaving him alone in the palace."

Baochai and Fengjie had similar ideas.

Gaining Jia Lian's trust and entrusting him with the management of the Ministry of Commerce allowed her to find her purpose in life.

Although the Ministry of Commerce is now on the right track and will not come to a standstill without her for a while.

However, if Jia Lian's southern tour lasts too long, it will definitely weaken her influence within the ministry.

Perhaps Jia Lian will see that the Ministry of Commerce can function without her, and then he will simply summon her back to the palace to recuperate?

Just like when she was pregnant with the dragon's offspring.

In addition, compared to taking a trip back to Jiangnan, she cared more about how the Empress Dowager perceived her.

But she had already given a similar reason, and Jia Lian clearly did not accept it.

So they used the fact that the emperor's son was not yet one year old as an excuse.

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian's expression softened somewhat, and he said, "There are many rooms on the imperial boat. If you're worried, you can bring Hao'er along. The same goes for the others; if you can't bear to part with your child, you can bring him too. It'll make it more lively."

Baochai frowned slightly, and didn't say anything more.

Seeing this, Sister Feng laughed and said, "Bao'er, don't say anything more. This is such a rare opportunity. Why don't you go back to Jiangnan with him and have a good time?"

As for Hao'er, if you are really worried, just leave him with me. I will take him back to Kunning Palace so that he can keep Ze'er company.

I promise you, when you come back, I'll give you a son who's even more chubby and healthy than he is now!

Baochai glanced at her and politely declined, "Thank you for your kind offer, sister. However, Hao'er is too young, and I'm worried that he might cause you too much trouble. I'd better take care of him myself."

Baochai dared not entrust her son to Fengjie.

Logically speaking, Sister Feng would never harm her son.

After all, the other party's son is already the rightful crown prince, and Jia Lian now has a total of six princes, not including several who are pregnant.

However, it cannot be denied that if anyone could pose even the slightest threat to the other party's son's position as crown prince, it would undoubtedly be their own son.

She wouldn't risk her own son's life and health to gamble with Sister Feng's courage.

No matter what the future holds, at least until her son grows up, she, as his mother, must ensure his safety.

Sister Feng was not annoyed by the rejection, but sighed and said, "That's a real pity. I was thinking of taking this opportunity to get closer to Hao'er and see how you raised him to be so fair and plump, making him so lovable to everyone who sees him."

Baochai didn't reply, and the others also vaguely sensed something was off in the air, so they didn't say anything more.

Daiyu looked around and suddenly burst out laughing.

Seeing everyone looking over, she quickly covered her mouth and then asked Sister Feng, "You said you invited us here to admire the flowers, is it just for admiring the flowers?"

It's almost noon, and you haven't even offered to provide some fruit and snacks. Are you just going to let us sit here and look at the flowers without doing anything?

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng immediately stood up and instructed her maid to bring out the things that had been prepared beforehand.

Then he turned around and tapped Daiyu's forehead, laughing and scolding, "You, you're about to be a mother, and you're still so sharp-tongued."

It's as if I've ever wronged you.

Daiyu smiled and hid in Jia Lian's arms, making a pleading expression as if she had said something wrong, almost as if she were begging for forgiveness.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, Sister Feng couldn't help but turn her anger into joy and gently ruffled her hair with a smile.

After Daiyu's interruption, the previous "ambiguous" atmosphere was swept away, and the lively and cheerful scene returned to what it was at the beginning.

That evening, Jia Lian went to Chang Le Palace to visit Daiyu.

After a brief moment of intimacy, Daiyu sat in Jia Lian's lap and said softly, "Do you think this child will be a prince or a princess?"

Jia Lian said, "Why think so much? Whether it's a prince or a princess, I will cherish them as I would you."

Daiyu sniffled, but she didn't doubt Jia Lian's words.

She knew how much Jia Lian cherished her body.

For so many years, he had been very careful and cautious, not daring to let her get pregnant, for fear of ruining her health.

If I hadn't been so confident that I was almost eighteen and had used words to provoke him, I'm afraid he wouldn't have allowed me to get pregnant.

Unexpectedly, she did get pregnant.

It's hard to tell whether it was fate's mercy or punishment upon her.

It's probably out of pity.

After all, Baochai was so healthy and had always been blessed with love, yet she only conceived one child over the years.

"I remember you promised my father that if you had a child with someone, you would give one of the children to the Lin family to inherit the family business..."

Jia Lian lowered his head and looked at Daiyu, who still had something to say, and comforted her, "Don't worry, what I promised my uncle was that my second son and yours would be adopted by the Lin family."

This is our first child, and we don't even know if it's a son yet, so we don't need to worry about that.

Jia Lian thought that Daiyu was a new mother and couldn't bear to let her child leave her.

Daiyu was silent for a moment, then lowered her head and asked shyly, "What if we can't conceive after this child... or what if we only have daughters and no second son?"

Jia Lian was taken aback, seemingly realizing Daiyu's worries.

Yes, this girl is so frail, and she's only pregnant once. I'm really worried about her.

He had even considered that if Daiyu's pregnancy didn't go too smoothly, he would try his best to prevent her from getting pregnant again.

Thinking that Daiyu was worried and scared, he hugged her tighter and said with a smile, "If that's really the case, then it can only be said that it is fate, not that I deliberately broke the promise."

I suppose my uncle, if he's watching from heaven, wouldn't be too angry.

Upon hearing this, Daiyu immediately raised her head. Seeing the smug look in Jia Lian's eyes, she frowned and pinched his waist.

"My father trusted you so much, entrusting me to you on his deathbed, and you dare to try to fob me off!"

Daiyu pinched him quite hard, startling Jia Lian, who quickly reached back to rub her breast. Then, looking at Daiyu with displeasure, he retorted, "So what do you suggest we do? Surely we can't just let you keep having children, seventeen or eighteen in total, just to fulfill our promise to your uncle?"

"Pah!"

"You've only had seventeen or eighteen kids, I haven't..."

In her anger, Daiyu tried to use the same trick again, but Jia Lian grabbed her hand.

She tried a couple of times, then naturally gave up. After a while, she spoke again: "What do you think, if we give birth to a son this time, we should let him go back to the Lin family and inherit the family business?"

Jia Lian, who had been casually playing with Daiyu's delicate hands, was startled by what he heard.

He looked down at Daiyu: "Are you serious?"

Daiyu looked a little embarrassed, but still nodded firmly: "Well... I know my own body."

It's uncertain how many years it will be before she can successfully give birth to a second son.

The Lin family line has been broken for many years. I thought, since that's the case, I might as well fulfill Father's last wish sooner rather than later... Anyway, you already have so many princes, one more won't make a difference, hmph!

When Daiyu thought about how many princes and princesses Jia Lian had given birth to in the past few years, she felt a little jealous.

Jia Lian quickly grabbed Jia Lian's restless little hand, and after making sure he had it under control, he tentatively said, "If that's really what you think, I don't have any objections."

But have you thought this through? Are you really willing to give it up?

Jia Lian wasn't making a mountain out of a molehill; he genuinely wanted Daiyu to think things through before making a decision.

Given Daiyu's physical condition, it's uncertain whether she could have given birth to two children, let alone a second son.

When Jia Lian made that promise to Lin Ruhai back then, it was hardly an empty promise.

It's unclear whether Lin Ruhai, who was critically ill at the time, overlooked this point, or whether he was aware of it but didn't care.

In short, Jia Lian himself did not want to break his promise.

But he certainly wouldn't deliberately let Daiyu risk having more children just to keep his promise.

If Daiyu herself comes to the decision and is willing to give her first, and possibly only, son back to the Lin family, then he will have nothing to say.

Daiyu's beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, then relaxed, and she said softly, "What's there to be reluctant about? Does he not become my son just because he inherited the Lin family line?"

Of course not.

Even if he returns to the Lin family, if he dares to be disrespectful to you, his mother, see how I deal with him.

"You're not allowed to bully him!"

"Hahaha……"

Jia Lian smiled and subconsciously touched Daiyu's round little belly again.

He sighed inwardly.

Daiyu was indeed still that otherworldly fairy who was unconventional and unconventional.

Giving one's first, and perhaps only, son back to the Lin family is not simply a matter of changing his surname.

Putting aside the fact that her son would return to the Lin family to carry on the family line, meaning he would no longer be able to stay in the palace and be at her feet to enjoy her company, she was left behind.

Most importantly, they will permanently and completely lose their eligibility to compete for the top position!

Yes, Jia Lian has now chosen the crown prince.

Furthermore, they have already developed a training plan for the four-year-old crown prince and have no intention of changing the crown prince.

However, it cannot be denied.

Given Baochai and Daiyu's status as imperial concubines, and the extent of his affection for them.

Both of their sons had a chance to rise to power.

At least compared to the sons of other concubines, his chances were much greater.

After all, who can predict what will happen in the future?

Didn't Daiyu even think of this?

No, Jia Lian didn't believe that Daiyu, with her intelligence, couldn't even consider such a simple and personal matter.

At the very least, as long as the son doesn't return to the Lin family, he'll at least become a prince when he grows up.

Even if he loved him dearly after returning to the Lin family, due to the constraints of etiquette, it was impossible to grant him a princely title, as he was not of the same surname according to etiquette.

It's impossible that Daiyu couldn't even grasp such a simple principle.

Therefore, the only explanation is that she doesn't care.

But it's all good, at least from now on, Sister Feng and the others will love this girl even more.

Just like myself.

Noticing Jia Lian's affectionate embrace and silence, Daiyu looked up at him.

From Jia Lian's face, she knew that her second brother, Lian, understood her.

Yes, it was actually quite difficult for Daiyu to make this decision.

The first reason, as she said, is that she is self-aware and knows that giving birth to this prince was not easy for her.

It will only get harder in the future.

So why suffer so much?

Other women who want to have more sons do so because they hope to gain status through their sons, or because they fear being destitute in their old age.

But does she care about that?

No.

Aside from knowing about her father's dying wish, she didn't really care at all.

All she cared about was being with her beloved Lian Er Gege, growing old together.

Since she had no intention of having more children and did not want to go against her father's dying wish, she thought of discussing with Jia Lian that if this child was a son, they would directly adopt him back into the Lin family to resolve the overall situation.

As for his son, he would lose his eligibility to be granted a royal title, and even his eligibility to compete for the throne.

She understood perfectly well.

But she thought that even if her son couldn't be granted a royal title in the future, at least a duke or marquis title was guaranteed.

They can also enjoy a life of wealth and honor, and be respected by others.

As for vying for the top position...

She never imagined, and even took the initiative to make the decision for her son.

Sister Feng is not a shallow person, and Sister Bao is even more intelligent and refined, truly a lady of high character.

Furthermore, there was Lian Ergege (Second Brother Lian) above her, keeping her in check.

Even so, they still seemed to be competing with each other in the Imperial Garden today.

Although she laughed at the time, she didn't really like it.

She didn't want to fight, nor did she want her son to fight.

Because that's dangerous!

Now, although it seems that some elusive opportunities have been lost.

But the benefits are obvious.

From then on, no one would see him and his son as competitors or threats.

People like Sister Feng and Sister Bao will only try their best to win you over.

She would no longer need to engage in power struggles with them, and her son could live a peaceful and smooth life. (End of Chapter)