Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"I'm afraid that's not a good idea."

Just as Jia Zhen was frantically urging Grandmother Jia and others to punish Jia Lian, Jia Zheng pondered for a long time before saying this.

"Lian'er's status is different now. It would be inappropriate to use clan law on him. We should persuade him properly and explain the consequences."

Jia Lian had always been quite respectful to Jia Zheng, and the uncle and nephew had never had any major conflicts.

Jia Zheng always considered himself the representative and ruler of the family, and the family's prosperity was always on his mind.

Using clan law to punish Jia Lian would have too many drawbacks. It's necessary to open the ancestral hall and invite the clan elders to attend.

Even if Jia Lian could be successfully punished, the most direct consequence would likely be that he would become estranged from his family, even to the point of splitting them apart and turning them into enemies.

Unless, of course, they can also strip Jia Lian of his title...

This is a very difficult thing.

Unless Jia Lian completely offends the royal family and is abandoned by the emperor, and then they pull some strings behind the scenes, it might be possible for the emperor to strip Jia Lian of his title and bestow it upon him instead…

Let alone the feasibility of this, even if it were possible, it would still be seen as kicking someone when they're down and plotting to seize his nephew's title, which is something he cannot accept.

He had painstakingly built his reputation over decades, but had gained nothing else but a decent one. His reputation was his most important asset, surpassing everything else, including titles.

Therefore, Jia Zheng felt that he could not offend Jia Lian.

The Jia family governed itself on the principle of filial piety. Jia Zheng was an elder and the son of a duke, so Jia Zhen dared not disobey him, at least not outwardly.

So even though he felt that Jia Zheng's words were meaningless and useless, he could only reluctantly agree with them.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time and sending out countless people to gather information, they finally heard that Jia Lian had returned to the mansion.

"Quickly, go and call him over."

Grandmother Jia and the others were in a panic.

……

Jia Lian seemed unaware that Grandmother Jia and the others were waiting for him, and rode his horse directly into the east wing and back home.

"Second Master..."

The atmosphere in the courtyard was as gloomy as Jia Lian had expected. Most of the maids and servants stood in the corridor outside the main house. When they saw Jia Lian return home, Qingwen, Xiangling, and the others hurriedly came forward, their eyes filled with worry and inquiry.

Jia Lian took the opportunity to pat Xiangling's head and asked, "Where is your second mistress?"

"Second Madam is inside, with Sister Ping'er keeping her company."

Jia Lian nodded, and without explaining anything to them, went straight into the house.

Sure enough, the rooms were all gloomy, and even the air smelled of tears.

The inner room was also in disarray, with scattered, neatly packed packages on the cabinets and tables. On the fragrant couch, where the gauze curtains were lifted, a beautiful woman dressed in thin clothes lay face down on the pillow, her soft sobs becoming more pronounced after he entered.

At the bedside, Ping'er bowed to him and calmly stepped aside.

Jia Lian walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on Feng Jie, whose hair was disheveled and who was not wearing any makeup.

She lay sprawled on the soft bed, her slender yet curvaceous figure nestled within the blankets, making her appear even more beautiful.

To be honest, it's rare to see Wang Xifeng so weak and helpless.

Wang Xifeng was waiting for Jia Lian to tell her the result, but she found that Jia Lian was sitting beside her without saying a word for a long time. She couldn't help but turn around and glance at him.

Her slightly swollen eyes had lost their former imposing presence; her once vibrant and domineering face was now glistening with tears. A few strands of damp hair clung to her cheeks, making her appear even more pitiful.

Seeing that she glanced at him and quickly lay back down, Jia Lian found it amusing. He placed one hand on her soft shoulder, feeling her sobbing and trembling body, and brushed a few strands of hair stuck to her face with the other, asking with a smile, "How long have you been crying? Look at your pitiful appearance, you don't look like our Second Madam Feng at all."

At this moment, Jia Lian was still teasing her, which secretly annoyed Wang Xifeng.

She twisted her body to express her dissatisfaction with Jia Lian, then sat up and said nonchalantly, "I've packed everything and can leave anytime. It will definitely not affect Second Master Lian's bright future."

From now on, you can live happily ever after with that princess, and no one will be in your way anymore.

"And the young lady, I need to take her with me first. She's still so young and can't be without her mother's care. When you remember her and acknowledge her as your daughter, you can send someone to pick her up..."

Wang Xifeng originally wanted to say something strong and ruthless, but the more she spoke, the more heartbroken she became, and large tears rolled down her cheeks.

The sight of a beautiful woman shedding tears was clearly a poignant scene, yet for some reason, Jia Lian felt a strange urge to laugh.

The image of that woman cursing with her hands behind her back was probably too vivid in my mind.

After all, they had been husband and wife for several years. Wang Xifeng quickly noticed the smile in Jia Lian's eyes. She was very angry and sad, so she didn't want to say anything more to Jia Lian and wanted to get off at the hotel.

Jia Lian reached out to stop him: "So you really don't want to be with me anymore? How heartless!"

"Second Master, the Old Madam, the Master and Madam, and Master Zhen are all waiting for you at Rongqing Hall."

A maid's voice came from outside the window.

谷玩

Wang Xifeng's heart tightened; she certainly knew what Grandmother Jia and the others wanted Jia Lian to do.

She had just asked Ping'er to send someone to inquire about the attitudes of Grandmother Jia and the others, and the feedback she received saddened her greatly.

Although she could understand the fear and helplessness that Grandmother Jia and others felt towards the Empress Dowager, she couldn't help but feel sad. Years of careful service seemed so insignificant at this moment.

That's why she packed her bags and made it seem like she was going to move back to the Wang family's house.

But she still had a glimmer of hope in her heart, which came from Jia Lian's previous attitude, so she stayed at home waiting for news from Jia Lian.

Who knew that this heartless person would just come back and stare blankly, barely saying a word.

"How can we live like this? Can you refuse the princess, or can you reject the Empress Dowager's decree?"

You said I was heartless, but I haven't touched any of the things you've earned over the years; I've kept them all for you.

I wonder who's being heartless... um~

As Wang Xifeng spoke, she couldn't help but sniffle.

Jia Lian stared at her, determined to take a closer look at Wang Xifeng's current demeanor, because after this incident, he probably wouldn't see her like this again.

After a while, amidst Wang Xifeng's growing annoyance, he smiled and said, "What if I could really refuse the princess? What if I could really overturn the Empress Dowager's decree?"

Wang Xifeng's eyes widened slightly as she stared blankly at Jia Lian.

Jia Lian knew she was waiting for his explanation, so he laughed and said, "You've underestimated your man again. You deserve a beating."

As he spoke, he gently pulled Wang Xifeng's body closer and, without any resistance from her, symbolically slapped her plump buttocks twice.

Only after Jia Lian released her did Wang Xifeng blush slightly. Then, disregarding everything else, she hurriedly wiped away her tears and asked, "Has the Empress Dowager withdrawn her decree?"

No, not at all.

The surprise in Wang Xifeng's eyes vanished instantly.

"But that's about right."

Wang Xifeng hesitated, then lowered her head, saying sadly, "Even at a time like this, you're still bullying me. What exactly happened? Explain yourself! Are you happy to see me like this...?"

"Second Master, the old lady sent someone to urge you. She said that if you don't go soon, she will come in person."

The servants announced the news again from outside.

Seeing that Jia Lian still didn't respond, Wang Xifeng finally said, "The old lady is calling for you, you should go ahead."

"Alright, let's go, let's go together."

Jia Lian took Wang Xifeng's hand, but Wang Xifeng immediately withdrew her hand and shook her head at Jia Lian.

"Go ahead, I'm not going... Anyway, once you've reached a decision, just let me know. Do you think I'd object?"

Wang Xifeng spoke with aggrieved feelings, firstly because she was ashamed to face everyone again, and secondly because she knew that even if she went there, she would have no say in the matter.

She's not the type to throw a tantrum or threaten suicide; why would she make a fool of herself?

"That won't do. Today, we are both the main characters. How can we do without you as the main character?"

Besides, didn't you want to know what I did in the palace? I don't want to repeat myself. If you don't go over there, I won't tell you again later.

Wang Xifeng blushed, pondered for a moment, then looked up and asked, "You really don't want that princess, and you even persuaded the Empress Dowager?"

Jia Lian smiled and suddenly said, "Have you forgotten our three rules? I said that as long as you stay true to yourself and don't harm anyone, I will never abandon you."

I'm a person of my word.

Wang Xifeng blushed. She had never taken those three rules to heart, but she didn't expect Jia Lian to remember them.

As for his "never leaving or forsaking" promise, the words sound so touching, but can he really do it?

Although she wasn't entirely sure herself, seeing Jia Lian's composed expression, she ultimately chose to believe him.

So he nodded, "Okay, I'll go with you. Since things are already like this, I'm not afraid of being embarrassed anymore!"

The reason she didn't want to see Grandmother Jia and the others was because she didn't want people to see her as a loser.

She doesn't usually admit defeat easily, but the pressure from the Empress Dowager was simply too great.

But if there is still a chance, how could she give it up so easily?

Whether Jia Lian's words were a charade or genuine, they at least made her feel that she wasn't such a failure. Jia Lian's attitude towards her helped her regain some of the confidence that had been shattered by the Empress Dowager.

So he finally nodded and was led off the bed by Jia Lian.

"Wash your face. I'm sure our Second Grandma Feng doesn't like to show her embarrassing side to others."

Jia Lian's words made Wang Xifeng blush again.

Ping'er had already prepared hot water in the room, and upon hearing this, she quickly wrung out a towel and came over to wash Wang Xifeng's face.