Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After Madam Xing fell silent, Jia Lian looked at Jia Cong, whose face was somewhat pale, and said, "This is what your aunt wanted to feed me. Tonight, I will give it to you in the same way."

In other words, your aunt and I did the same thing.

Jia Cong's face turned even paler. Even if he was stupid, he knew that if he took the poison, he would die!

Death is something that everyone fears.

Sitting on the ground, Jia Cong was panicked and helpless; he could only shake his head repeatedly.

"clang……"

Suddenly, Jia Lian drew the sword from A Qi's waist and slammed it hard on the table, the hilt pointing at Jia Cong.

"As your older brother, I will not bully you."

I firmly believe that anyone who poisons or murders another deserves to die.

Your aunt poisoned me, so I executed her.

I poisoned you tonight, so I deserve to die too.

You rise, drink this cup of poisoned wine, and then, with this sword, stab me to death…

Stand up!

Poisoned wine and a sharp sword—this was far beyond what Jia Cong, who had been pampered since childhood, could withstand.

Tears had already streamed down my face from fright.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's furious shout, his body went numb, and he actually managed to roll over and stand up.

Seeing this, Madam Xing hurriedly said, "Cong boy, if you dare to hurt your brother even a little, I will not forgive you!"

Jia Cong dared not actually listen to Jia Lian. He glanced at the two items on the table, and was so frightened that he quickly backed away, shaking his head like a rattle drum.

Jia Lian smiled contemptuously and said, "What, do you think I'm wrong? That the person who poisoned others shouldn't die?"

In other words, you still think it was wrong of me to execute your aunt?

I admire your filial piety, but for the sake of so-called filial piety, you are willing to distort the truth and refuse to recognize right and wrong.

"Alright, in that case, you can drink this glass of wine by yourself."

Jia Lian sheathed his sword and inserted it into Aqi's waist, then said, "Although I poisoned you, I won't die."

"Don't worry, after you die, I will have someone bury you, such a filial son, next to your aunt, so that you can be dutiful to her every day."

"No, no, that's not how it is..."

Jia Cong was truly frightened by Jia Lian. At that moment, he suddenly realized how right his wet nurse was.

He suddenly knelt down in front of Jia Lian and cried loudly, "Second Brother Lian, I was wrong, I was wrong. I shouldn't have complained to the master, I shouldn't have blamed you for Aunt's death, sob sob... I was wrong, please forgive me, sob sob sob sob..."

Jia Cong's terrified cries made Jia Lian feel that he had been bullying the child too much.

But this is also the best and gentlest way.

He didn't want to kill Jia Cong because Jia Cong posed too little of a threat to him.

The idea that Jia Cong endured hardship and humiliation to avenge his mother is pure nonsense. It would be more plausible if applied to a later, highly educated person.

In this era, Yang was merely a servant and not even considered Jia Cong's mother!

As the young master of the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Cong would seek revenge against his own brother for the sake of a servant? This goes against social norms, and no one would support him.

Moreover, Yang deserved to die. According to the laws of that era, she was destined to die.

Therefore, Jia Lian felt that as long as the child was not a time traveler and did not have the ideas of the future, he could be tamed with the teachings and principles of this era.

Clearly, Jia Cong's performance tonight had passed the test. Jia Lian now had no intention of killing him whatsoever.

In fact, keeping this little thing would actually be beneficial to Jia Lian.

At least, no one would think that by killing him in an accident, they could rightfully take everything from the main branch of the Rongguo Mansion.

Killing two brothers without arousing suspicion is certainly much more difficult than simply killing them. Because of the difficulty, one would think twice before acting.

This would reduce the trouble for Jia Lian, such as the trouble caused by greedy people like Yang Shi.

"Do you really think you're wrong? A man of the Jia family shouldn't be someone who would say something against his conscience just to save his life."

In that case, even I would look down on them.

If you are truly a filial person, then drink this cup of wine and go down to be filial to your aunt. I will still toast you then.

This was the last time Jia Lian uttered such hurtful words to Jia Cong.

"No, that's not how it is, Second Brother, I don't want to drink this..." Jia Cong kept shaking his head, his body almost backing up to the doorway.

Jia Lian glanced at him a few times, and his expression finally softened. "Fine, I've already given you the opportunity to fulfill your filial duty to your aunt. You have no right to complain about me anymore."

If you truly understand this in your heart, it would be a blessing for the Jia family.

Now that the master is gone, I only have you as my brother. As the old saying goes, "Brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons go to war together."

If you respect me as your elder brother, I will treat you as my own brother. Only when we brothers live in harmony can our family prosper.

As he spoke, Jia Lian looked at Madam Xing and said bluntly, "It seems that Madam doesn't particularly like Cong'er?"

Seeing that Jia Lian had dropped his intimidating attitude, Madam Xing had already breathed a sigh of relief and gave a sheepish smile upon hearing this. "Only you would go to such lengths to teach such a troublemaker through roundabout threats and intimidation; I have no interest in that."

"In that case, why don't you leave him to me, Madam? I will teach him from now on."

Although neither Jia Cong nor Madam Xing posed a significant threat to him, he didn't like them being together. Separately, it would be better.

As Jia Lian spoke, he didn't give Madam Xing a chance to object. He turned to Jia Cong and said, "Most of the people around your aunt, except for your wet nurse, have been dismissed by me. Besides your wet nurse, I have specially selected two maids and two old women to serve you."

You've had some education, so you should understand this principle.

After the master's funeral, you should continue your studies at the school, listen to the teachings of the sages, and strive to pass the imperial examinations in the future, bringing glory to our Jia family. This way, my efforts today will not have been in vain.

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong felt a mix of emotions. He couldn't believe that Jia Lian, who had just been so strict with him and even threatened to poison him, had suddenly become such a kind and gentle person, even giving him an indescribable sense of warmth.

He knew he was wrong.

Madam Xing has indeed been treating him worse and worse lately, often beating and scolding him. Brother Lian has seen this, so he wants to arrange another place for him.

At such a young age, this is the first time I've experienced the feeling of being moved!

He knelt down with a thud, crying, "Second brother, don't worry, I will definitely study hard in the future and bring honor to our family. I will also repay you properly..."

Jia Lian didn't say anything, but got up and took his hand, smiling, "Let's go, I'll take you to the new courtyard I've arranged for you."

Jia Lian and Jia Cong suddenly became very friendly and respectful towards each other, which made Madam Xing very embarrassed.

She couldn't say anything, since she had indeed treated Jia Cong very badly in front of everyone, and she couldn't say anything about what Jia Lian had done.

Suddenly noticing the poison on the table, he immediately asked, "Lian'er, this cup of poisoned wine... what should we do with it?"

Jia Lian glanced back and laughed, "That wasn't poisoned wine, just some flour added. Cong'er is my own brother, how could I really let him drink poisoned wine?"

It's just a way to teach him principles and distinguish right from wrong.

If Madam thinks it's wasteful, then give it to the maids to eat.

Upon hearing this, Madam Xing felt a chill run down her spine.

Jia Cong couldn't think too deeply about it. Hearing Jia Lian say this, he felt a warmth in his heart. He looked up at Jia Lian, his tear-streaked face full of respect and admiration.

No wonder my second brother Lian was able to become a high-ranking official and be admired by so many people. In the future, I want to be like him...

Jia Lian patted his head and led him out.