Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After sending Grandmother Jia and the others back to the city, on the way back, Jia Lian took the opportunity to visit the young nun Miaoyu.

She was only offered a cup of tea, and then, amidst the other party's feigned aloofness, she was seen off.

Back at the Iron Threshold Temple, all the people had left, except for some servants of the Jia family and some monks from the family clan, who were busy with the cleanup and other finishing work, making the entire temple seem deserted and quiet.

As expected, Wang Xifeng was a capable person; in less than half a day, she had almost finished handling the aftermath.

Upon hearing that Jia Lian had returned, he went to look for him, and his first question was about his whereabouts: "Why have you been gone for so long?"

Jia Lian knew Wang Xifeng's character well; the more something was concealed, the more suspicious she became.

"On the way back, I went to Muni Temple, intending to pray for the master's well-being."

However, Abbess Jingci said that it would be better to add a few hundred taels of silver for incense oil, so that the temple could continue to hold a 21-day ceremony for the master at the Muni Temple, making a total of 49 days of perfect celebration. This would be better than me personally going to worship and offer incense.

I've already agreed. Remember to have someone send three hundred taels of silver over later.

Jia Lian said frankly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng immediately said, "This is nothing more than a scheme devised by those monks and nuns to make money from incense offerings. I find it strange that someone as shrewd as you would believe such a thing."

"What does it matter whether you believe it or not? As long as what she said makes sense, what does it matter?"

It's only three hundred taels of silver. Hai has already spent all his money on the master's funeral arrangements, so this little bit won't make a difference.

If spending these three hundred taels of silver can earn me a reputation for filial piety, why not?

Hearing Jia Lian's explanation, Wang Xifeng felt relieved.

Indeed, Muni-in is a large temple, and a 21-day ceremony for only 300 taels of silver is not expensive, and it certainly promotes a reputation for filial piety.

In particular, after Jia She's burial, the couple should stay at the family temple for a few more days to show their filial piety and piety.

However, they had already decided to stay for only one day and return to the city early the next morning.

Because Jia Lian's holiday was about to end, and he still needed to go to the Imperial Clan Court to complete the investiture ceremony, he couldn't afford to waste any more time.

She could have stayed longer... but she didn't want to. She wanted to go back as soon as possible. The area outside the city was chaotic, and living there was not pleasant at all.

Now that they are continuing to hold Buddhist ceremonies for Jia She at the Muni Monastery, presumably no one will have much to say about it...

Although she had already approved of Jia Lian's actions, Wang Xifeng still smiled and said, "As long as it's for serious business, three hundred taels of silver is really nothing."

But I'm very curious. Our Second Master Lian has never been interested in Buddhist or Buddhist teachings, so why did he suddenly decide to go to the Muni Temple to pray for the Master's well-being? I heard from the old woman in the house that the Second Master had someone send Zhi Neng'er out that night, and that person was sent to the Muni Temple.

I wondered, could it be that praying for the master was a pretense, and he really was going to wear a worn-out shoe?

This is what makes Wang Xifeng so formidable; she dares to say anything without any regard for her words. Fortunately, only Ping'er and Xiangling were in the room at that moment.

Jia Lian also found it offensive, frowned, and wanted to grab her and give her a good beating.

Unfortunately for her, Wang Xifeng was prepared and immediately dodged, then became even more suspicious: "Did I really hit the nail on the head? Otherwise, why would you be so embarrassed and angry?"

As she spoke, Wang Xifeng pretended to scold Xiangling and Qingwen, "I always ask you to put in more effort to win over your second master's heart, but you two never take it to heart."

One's a simpleton, the other's always out partying, never thinking about the consequences. Now look what's happened! Your second master would rather have a shameless little slut than you two. Let's see what face you have left!

As she cursed, Sister Feng glanced at Jia Lian's expression, hoping to discern whether he had truly taken a liking to that worn-out shoe.

Xiangling and Qingwen blushed after being scolded by Sister Feng, and then felt a little aggrieved.

Especially Qingwen; although they weren't at Shuiyue Nunnery that night, she had seen her before when Zhineng'er went to Rongguo Mansion.

She swore that the other person was definitely not as good-looking as her, and was even bald, so what made him...?

If Second Master really would rather have that kind of woman than her, she would never believe Second Master's nonsense again.

Seeing the resentful glances from his wives and concubines, Jia Lian sighed inwardly.

That woman, Wang Xifeng, is indeed difficult to deal with.

But that's fine too; if she has such suspicions, then Miaoyu is safe...

She also knew that Wang Xifeng didn't really care about Zhi Neng'er. After all, in Wang Xifeng's eyes, Zhi Neng'er was no different from a toy. Not only did he pose no threat whatsoever, but she could also crush him at any time. She only felt a little disgusted when she thought about him.

However, Wang Xifeng underestimated him. With a beautiful nun like Miaoyu, who had long flowing hair and an ethereal air, how could Jia Lian possibly take Zhi Neng seriously?

I only helped her that night because I felt sorry for her.

He's not like Ximen Qing, who showed kindness to every woman he wanted to sleep with...

"You three, go and bring her to me."

Jia Lian leaned against the kang (a heated brick bed), too lazy to move, so he ordered three concubines to drag the principal wife over and beat her.

But Ping'er and the other two dared not, only Qingwen was somewhat eager to try: it would be interesting to see the Second Mistress being taught a lesson by the Second Master!

However, seeing that Ping'er and Xiangling didn't dare to move, he could only suppress his own reckless impulse.

Wang Xifeng chuckled, her beautiful eyes sweeping calmly over Qingwen. Then, fearing she might really anger Jia Lian, she said with a smile, "Alright, enough joking around."

I have something to do outside, I'll be back in a bit.

"Ping, let's go."

Once Wang Xifeng and her servants left, Qingwen could no longer hold back. She rushed to Jia Lian and questioned him, "Second Master, have you really taken a fancy to that Zhineng?"

"Hmph, putting aside the fact that she's a nun, just looking at her appearance, she's not even as pretty as Xiangling!"

Jia Lian, sensing the deeper meaning in those words, glanced at Xiangling, who was silently massaging her legs beside him, then lifted Qingwen's pretty face and asked with a smile, "Oh, not as pretty as Xiangling? Why don't you compare yourself to her? Or do you think Xiangling is less pretty than you?"

Jia Lian saw through her little scheme, and Qingwen felt a little embarrassed. She immediately asked tentatively in a low voice, "So, does Second Master think I'm prettier or Xiangling is prettier...?"

She was very confident; she could honestly believe that she was prettier than any of the maids in the Jia household.

The only time she couldn't quite get the numbers right was when comparing Xiangling.

After all, what others think, including her own, doesn't matter; only the standards in Second Master's eyes are the most important.

The reason why Second Master likes Xiangling so much must be because he thinks Xiangling is pretty!

"Well, I think Xiangling is a little prettier..."

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, even though she knew he might be teasing her, the light in Qingwen's eyes vanished visibly, and she remained silent.

Xiangling quickly replied, "No, no, I think Qingwen is prettier. Everyone says that Qingwen is the most beautiful among us maids."

Qingwen looked up at Xiangling, who was waving her hands nervously, but she felt very ungrateful and sad.

Jia Lian could bully her however he wanted, but he couldn't say that she was less beautiful than others, because that was her source of arrogance...

Jia Lian looked down at Qingwen, who was holding back her tears, and couldn't help but chuckle. This girl, who looked so strong, was actually quite easily amused.