Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Unlike the others, Grandmother Jia saw through Jia Lian's manipulation of their psychology at a glance, and was therefore very displeased. She sat up and snorted:

"Lian'er, you've become quite the schemer these days. Relying on your official position outside, you think you know more information, but instead of sharing it with us properly, you turn around and bully your whole family, don't you?"

With so many people around, and given Grandmother Jia's deeply resentful words, Jia Lian dared not remain seated any longer. He rose and replied, "Grandmother, please forgive me. It's not that I insist on not explaining, but the matter is too significant, and I cannot speak carelessly before receiving definite information."

The grandson did have some guesses, but they were just guesses after all.

Judging by the time, the news from the palace should be arriving soon. Why don't we wait a little longer and wait for the master to send back definite news?

If the old lady insists that I speak first, I, her grandson, dare not disobey. I can only say, "Congratulations in advance, Madam! In my opinion, after so much gloom since my father's passing, our family is finally about to have a truly joyous occasion."

"Is that really true?" Madam Wang suddenly interjected.

Having said that much, it's practically an explicit statement.

This is a joyous occasion. Jia Lian congratulated her and Grandmother Jia separately, and it's almost certain that the strange things he said to Jia Baoyu earlier were about her eldest daughter, Yuan Chun!

Although I still don't know exactly what it is, as long as it's a happy occasion, that's all that matters!

Therefore, Lady Wang's expression changed from worry to joy.

Jia Lian then turned to look at Madam Wang, mimicking their usual tone of voice: "We're all family, I wouldn't dare to deliberately deceive you, Madam."

Having said all that, even Grandmother Jia couldn't press the matter further. Perhaps Jia Lian only knew the general idea?

So everyone came out with a smile, and Aunt Xue and the other outsiders also added a few warm-up remarks with smiles, and the time passed quickly.

A report came from outside that Lai Da had returned. Grandmother Jia hurriedly ordered him to be brought in to give an answer, while anxiously leaning on her cane to rush out.

Everyone rose and helped Grandmother Jia to stand under the wide eaves in front of the main hall, where they looked up and gazed into the distance.

Sure enough, Lai Da and several servants who often followed Jia Zheng came straight in from the end of the main road, and knelt down in the middle of the courtyard in front of them.

Without waiting for them to pay their respects one by one, Grandmother Jia asked immediately, "Tell me quickly, what exactly is the reason your master went to the palace? Is it because of our eldest daughter?"

Lai Da and the others rushed back without stopping, their hearts pounding and breathless. Upon hearing this, they were taken aback, wondering how Grandmother Jia and the others knew in advance.

Without hesitation, she replied loudly with a smile, "Reporting to the old lady, it is indeed about our eldest daughter, and it is a great joyous occasion!"

At first, the servants followed their master into the palace and waited quietly outside the Linjing Gate. Later, Eunuch Xia came out to offer his congratulations, saying that our young lady had been promoted to the position of Minister of the Phoenix Palace and was granted the title of Virtuous Consort!

Later, when the master came out, he said the same thing. The master instructed the servants to rush back and invite the old lady, along with the ladies, to the palace to express their gratitude.

Lai Da truly lived up to his reputation as a leading figure among the servants of the Ning and Rong mansions. Even with his face flushed and breathless, and speaking of such a joyous occasion, his voice remained loud and clear.

It's a pity he was born into slavery; otherwise, according to Jia Lian, he would probably be a prominent figure.

Upon hearing Lai Da's words, the women, who were already mentally prepared, could no longer hide their joy.

Even if some people didn't know what a "virtuous concubine" was, seeing that everyone else was overjoyed and busy congratulating Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, they also followed suit and offered their congratulations.

Those shrewd old women and maids had already joined hands and walked in groups to the courtyard below, kneeling down to curry favor.

The entire courtyard in front of the main building of Rongqing Hall was immediately filled with bursts of laughter and cheerful chatter.

While instructing Lai Da and the others to prepare the sedan chair, Grandmother Jia also said to You Shi, "What are you still doing here? Hurry up and go back to change your clothes. We'll go to the palace together to express our gratitude later."

"Yes~" Madam You gave a slight bow to Grandmother Jia, then pretended to glance at Jia Lian while looking at the others. Without waiting for Jia Lian's response, she led Madam Qin and the others back.

As the carriage passed the east courtyard, Madam You said to Madam Qin, "You don't need to come back with me. They have such a joyous occasion here, and there's no one to look after things right now. You should go in and help your second aunt Lian look after things."

Upon hearing this, Qin knew that You was worried about leaving her alone at home. Not knowing what to do, she could only endure the shame and lead her people to the east courtyard.

Lady You rushed home and ordered someone to quickly fetch her official robes and dress her.

During this time, Jia Zhen came over and inquired about the matter. After hearing about Yuan Chun's situation, Jia Zhen was also greatly shocked and exclaimed, "From now on, we will be even more inferior to them."

After a moment of bitterness, Jia Zhen, Jia Rong, and the others became happy again. After all, the two families were as close as one family, and now that the Rongguo Mansion had become related to the imperial family, their entire Jia family would benefit from it, so they were delighted once more.

Thinking that Jia Lian was in mourning and it would be inconvenient for him to escort Grandmother Jia and the others, he quickly changed into his official robes and prepared to lead Jia Rong, Jia Qiang and the others to personally escort Grandmother Jia and the others into the palace.

Such a joyous occasion, I must share in the celebration!

……

After Lady You and the others left the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Lian went up to congratulate Lady Wang privately.

When Lady Wang saw Jia Lian, she was secretly thinking that now that her daughter had such a blessed and outstanding talent, she and Jia Zheng would no longer have to put up with Jia Lian's temper...

When Jia Lian finally approached, seeing him smiling broadly and sincerely congratulating her, and considering that he was the only one in the entire Jia family who knew about such a major event beforehand, she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

Regardless of how Jia Lian found out first, this kid has already gained power and cannot be easily offended.

So she smiled and responded, then led her maid back to change her clothes.

Madam Xing was initially very happy and was preparing to hurry back to change into her first-rank imperial robes. She even felt a sense of pride and relief, as this was the only time her status could truly shine!

Unexpectedly, Grandmother Jia suddenly saw her and instructed, "Since you are wearing mourning clothes, you don't need to come to the palace with us. It would be better for you to go back and keep an eye on things over there."

Widows are already disliked, let alone Madam Xing who is in mourning.

Why should she get involved in such a joyous occasion?

Madam Xing's smile vanished abruptly. She stood there stunned for a moment before nodding and slinking away with her people towards her home.

Looking at the mocking and laughing expressions on the faces of the others, Jia Lian couldn't help but sigh: Madam Xing, it's actually quite difficult for you too.

If a less resilient woman continued like this for a long time, she might very well die of depression...

Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the others went back to change into their official robes. Wang Xifeng was very envious and lingered by Jia Lian's side, her eyes pleading.

After Jia Lian returned, his official rank was high enough to request a title for her, but firstly, because Jia She was seriously ill, it was inconvenient to request the title for her. Secondly, Jia Lian told her that it would be better to wait until Jia She died, obtain the title, and then request the title at the same time, thus saving the trouble of going back and forth.

If Jia She's title of First-Class General were passed down to Jia Lian, he would at least be a Second-Class or Third-Class General, which would be higher than his current rank. Therefore, he could request a Second- or Third-Class Imperial Consort title, which would be better than his current Fourth-Class title.

Otherwise, Wang Xifeng would also be qualified to enter the palace at this time.