Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The next day, the temple ceremony was held for another day.

On the third day, everything was ready, and the coffin was lowered, the earth was sealed, and a tombstone was erected.

The entire family and friends were busy until noon, finally managing to complete all the funeral arrangements.

After returning to the ancestral temple and receiving a thank-you banquet, Jia She's funeral was considered to have come to a complete end.

After all the relatives and friends had left, Jia Lian and the others began to prepare carriages and sedan chairs to escort Grandmother Jia back to the city.

Just as he was giving instructions to the steward, Zhou Rui's wife rushed over to summon him: "Second Master Lian, the old lady is in the inner hall and needs you to come in."

"What is it?"

"Yes... Master is here too, it's about Master Bao's matter..."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian made a guess, and then he and Zhou Rui's wife headed towards the inner palace.

Although it's called the inner hall, it's actually a reception room in the main hall of Shuiyue Nunnery. It was originally set up by Jingxu to receive distinguished guests, and it became her temporary lodging after Grandmother Jia arrived.

Upon entering, one finds the place packed with people, including Grandmother Jia, Madam Xing and Madam Wang, Jia Zheng, and Li Wan and her sisters. Even Aunt Xue and her daughter are quietly present.

Among them, Grandmother Jia looked angry, and Jia Baoyu nestled in her arms with a pitiful expression, like a wronged little wife.

Below, Jia Zheng, dressed in casual clothes, stood somewhat awkwardly and helplessly, but when his gaze occasionally swept over Jia Baoyu, a thunderous look immediately flashed, frightening the second child into quickly burrowing even tighter into his grandmother's arms.

"I have met the old lady, the first wife, and the master and mistress."

Jia Lian entered and greeted the elders in turn.

Grandmother Jia's expression softened slightly, and she asked symbolically, "Is everything outside settled?"

"Reporting to our Ancestor, almost all the relatives have been seen off. The dismantling of the scene and the packing up of things and belongings cannot be completed in a short time. Feng'er is making arrangements outside."

However, the old lady's carriage was already prepared and ready to escort her back to the city at any time.

Grandmother Jia said, "You've all worked hard," and then, without further ado, said directly, "It's good that you're here, Lian'er. Tell me what happened that day, and let your master hear whether Baoyu really committed any unforgivable crime. Tell me in detail!"

It turned out that Qin Bangye was so angry after learning about Qin Zhong's situation that he almost died of a stroke.

He was a Confucian scholar who valued etiquette highly. His son's shameless act during the Jia family's funeral made him lose face, so he leaned on his cane and personally went to his in-law Jia Zhen to apologize, and then came to apologize to Jia Lian.

Then this matter reached Jia Zheng's ears.

Who was Jia Zheng? He had long disliked Jia Baoyu and wanted to teach him a lesson. Upon hearing that this matter was related to Jia Baoyu, how could he let it go? However, Jia Zheng was a man of principle and had no intention of doing anything to Jia Baoyu in the family temple. He simply gave him a severe scolding and then uttered the terrifying words, "You better watch out, when we get back, I'll skin you alive!"

Jia Baoyu wasn't one to sit idly by and wait for his fate. He immediately went to find Grandmother Jia, not to complain, but to feign being completely lost and bewildered. Grandmother Jia fell for his trick and immediately inquired about the reason...

When he learned that Jia Zheng was the culprit, he summoned Jia Zheng without hesitation and gave him a good scolding.

The saying "tofu is made by curdling with brine" perfectly illustrates the principle that everything has its counter.

As for Grandmother Jia, she had naturally heard about it beforehand, because Lady Wang and others had already informed and explained it to her.

Although she was alarmed, upon further questioning, she learned that it was all a misrepresentation. The matter concerning Qin Zhong and the others had nothing to do with Jia Baoyu, and she had even personally asked Jia Baoyu, who also said that he had not been involved...

The grandson wouldn't lie, so when he saw that Jia Zheng was dissatisfied, he immediately asked Jia Lian to appear in court as a witness.

Jia Lian understood the situation and found the trio of grandfather, grandfather, and grandson quite amusing. He replied, "I don't know what you're referring to, Grandfather. Brother Bao has always been fine; when did he commit any crime?"

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, not only did Jia Baoyu cast a grateful glance at him, but even Lady Wang, who had been looking tense, quietly relaxed.

Li Wan, Feng Jie, and the others have already exchanged their testimonies, and it's clear that Jia Baoyu was indeed not involved in what happened that night. Now that Jia Lian is saying the same thing, Jia Zheng can't deny the facts!

Grandmother Jia's tone became lighter. She looked at Jia Zheng and snorted, then continued to ask, "It's about that scoundrel of a brother of Qin Shi. Didn't you beat him dozens of times and have your brother Zhen and the others send him back to the East Mansion to recuperate?"

"Now I ask you, what happened that night, did it have anything to do with your brother Bao?"

Since arriving at the family temple last night, Grandmother Jia had heard such terrifying wind sounds, which startled her.

Fortunately, Li Wan and Wang Xifeng said that it really had nothing to do with Jia Baoyu, so she stopped. Then she scolded Li Wan, saying that they hadn't taken good care of him, and Li Wan didn't dare to argue.

Everything was fine until Jia Zheng jumped out and stirred up trouble again! She was very dissatisfied with Jia Zheng. How could a father be so determined to ruin his own son's reputation and future? He had to be resolutely suppressed!

"Grandma is joking. What does what happened that night have to do with Brother Bao?"

If he really dared to do something so rebellious, would he still be standing here so peacefully, acting all cute with his ancestors? His backside would probably be spanked long ago.

Or does the old lady think that since Bao-ge has made a mistake, I, as his older brother, don't even have the right to discipline him?

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Grandmother Jia immediately showed a look of delight.

"Yes, yes! If he has truly made a mistake, you, as his elder brother, naturally have the right and responsibility to teach him!"

Grandmother Jia was naturally pleased; Jia Lian's words had cleared Jia Baoyu of suspicion. She then turned to Jia Zheng and asked, "What else do you have to say?"

Jia Zheng was also confused and hurriedly asked Jia Lian, "Lian'er, is it really as you say, that beast really didn't get involved...didn't do those things?"

"Reporting to the master, there is indeed no such thing."

Although Bao's brother was indeed present that night, his nephew, as well as the women present, could all clearly see that Bao's brother was innocent.

He might have just happened to witness it, but out of loyalty and unwillingness to expose his brother, this misunderstanding arose.

Of course, Jia Lian wouldn't throw dirty water on Jia Baoyu at this time. In fact, by now, those who should believe have already believed, such as Li Wan and Daiyu.

There's no need to make people believe what they shouldn't, like Grandmother Jia.

Moreover, the more he said this, the more open-minded he appeared, and the more he seemed to be protecting Jia Baoyu, which would give Daiyu and the others even more confidence!

To Jia Lian's surprise, after thinking for a moment, Jia Zheng actually cupped his hands and said to Grandmother Jia, "In that case, I was wrong. Please forgive my rashness, Grandmother."

Jia Zheng believed it so easily; did he stop having any doubts?

The reason why Grandmother Jia did not drive away Aunt Xue, Daiyu, and the others was to refute Jia Zheng in front of everyone, thereby protecting Jia Baoyu's reputation and preventing them from gossiping about her beloved grandson behind his back in the future.

"Hmph, you've been an official for over ten years, yet you didn't even ask clearly before threatening my Baoyu. Look how wronged he looks."

I'll let it go this time, but if you do it again, I won't let you off easily.

Jia Zheng, who always humbled himself in front of his grandmother, replied obsequiously, "Yes, yes, I will never do it again."

"Alright, you can go now."

"Yes, son takes his leave..."

After Jia Zheng left, Grandmother Jia said to Jia Lian and Lady Wang, "Since that Qin boy is a person of no moral character, from now on, he is not allowed to come to our mansion, nor is he allowed to go to the family school."

"Ancestor..."

Jia Baoyu tried to plead for Qin Zhong's life, but he had already lost Qin Zhong's trust. If he continued as Grandmother Jia had suggested, he would have no chance to make amends. In other words, he would lose his good brother forever.

"Baoyu!" Grandmother Jia's tone became stern.

"You're not allowed to see him again, or he'll corrupt you. If you disobey, and your master tries to beat you again, I won't protect you."

Jia Baoyu then nodded and dared not say another word.