Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Faced with the imperial edict, how could Grandmother Jia and the others dare to be negligent?

He hurriedly stood up and, sure enough, saw a grand eunuch carrying a whisk striding confidently into the courtyard, led by a junior eunuch and Lai Da, among others.

Grandmother Jia, Madam Xing, Madam Wang, Madam You, Wang Xifeng, Jia Zheng, Jia Zhen, and Jia Lian all came out to greet them.

The other maids and servants consciously stood a little further away, yet couldn't help but stare in amazement.

Even the Jia family rarely received imperial edicts; even if they did, they were received by Jia Zheng and others in Rongxi Hall.

Therefore, receiving the imperial edict in Rongqing Hall was definitely a rare event that happened only once every ten years.

Soon the head eunuch came over, glanced around, saw Jia Lian was there, and without saying a word, walked up the steps alone. After everyone, including Grandmother Jia, had stood up, he announced, "His Majesty's decree~"

The already tense and uneasy Grandmother Jia and others all knelt down.

Around the Rongqing Hall courtyard, dozens of servants knelt down, not daring to make the slightest mistake.

"By imperial decree, Second-Class General Jia Lian, who disregarded the law and allowed his family to engage in lending for personal gain, has failed to live up to the Emperor's favor. He is hereby removed from his post as Commander of the Western City Garrison, but will remain in his post without changing his name. This is the imperial decree."

The eunuch silently recited the emperor's decree, while the Jia family members were terrified.

Especially when Grandmother Jia and others heard words like "disregarding the law" and "failing to live up to the Emperor's favor," they felt as if the sky had fallen and were terrified.

Rice Ball Exploration

Even Jia Lian felt a slight unease when he first heard the emperor's words. But by the end, he knew his judgment was correct.

Emperor Ningkang is an ambitious ruler. As long as my loyalty to him is not in question, and as long as I am still useful to him, Emperor Ningkang will most likely not abandon me. In fact, if the pressure is not too great, he should even protect me.

Although he didn't know the specific situation in the palace after leaving, Jia Lian could roughly guess from how Emperor Ningkang treated him.

What does it mean to be dismissed but retained in office?

He was removed from his post but continued in his current position.

My salary and benefits will be deducted for now, but you'll have to keep doing the work. If you perform well, you might be reinstated in the future.

It seems the Empress Dowager kept her word and complained to the Emperor: "This boy has angered me. You keep an eye on him and teach him a lesson."

And that was the emperor's explanation to the empress dowager.

Jia Lian already had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on. It seemed that the Emperor did not share the Empress Dowager's thoughts and had no intention of giving his daughter to him.

Although Jia Lian understood the emperor's true meaning immediately, it didn't mean that others could.

Especially Wang Xifeng, upon hearing that Jia Lian had been reprimanded and stripped of his official rank by the emperor, and particularly since the reason was for lending money privately…

She knew, of course, that Jia Lian definitely didn't engage in private lending, so it could only be because of her!

For a moment, Wang Xifeng felt a surge of emotion, and tears streamed down her face. After hearing the imperial decree, she couldn't even stand up. It was Jia Lian who turned around, glanced at her, and helped her up so she could barely stand.

However, the look in her eyes when she looked at Jia Lian was filled with guilt, resentment, and worry.

Jia Lian simply shook his head at her, then looked at the eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree.

The eunuch smiled and said, "General Jia, have you understood His Majesty's decree?"

"This humble subject understands and thanks Your Majesty for the punishment. From now on, this humble subject will definitely guard himself and never commit this offense again."

"That's excellent."

The eunuch seemed to want to chat with Jia Lian for a bit more, but then felt the situation was inappropriate. So he bowed to Grandmother Jia and Jia Zheng, who were staring at him, and said with a smile to Jia Lian, "In that case, let's go back to the palace to report."

Jia Lian and the others tried to persuade him to stay for tea, but the eunuch had no interest and could only see him out. Once they reached the outer courtyard, a steward prepared the "tea fee," which the eunuch accepted with a smile before leaving.

Back at Rongqing Hall, things were in quite an uproar.

People have always only heard about Jia Lian's good deeds, such as being rewarded and bestowed by the emperor. This is the first time they have heard that Jia Lian was reprimanded by the emperor and even stripped of his official rank!

In an instant, all sorts of thoughts arose; some even thought, "It's over, it's over, Master Lian is finished..."

The same was true for Grandmother Jia and others. Although they somewhat understood the meaning of being dismissed but retained in office, losing their official position was the same as losing their official position, and being severely reprimanded by the emperor was something that was right in front of them.

Jia Lian's loss of his official position and future is not just his personal matter, but concerns the entire Rongguo Mansion and even the wealth and safety of the Jia family!

"Lian'er, tell me, what exactly does the Emperor's edict mean by 'lending'?"

Grandmother Jia pushed aside the crowd and asked Jia Lian.

Jia Lian calmly said, "Your grandson is unfilial and has made a mistake. Please punish me, Grandmother."

"You really were lending money out there?"

Grandmother Jia felt incredulous.

Having lived in the Duke's mansion for over fifty years and managed the household for decades, she certainly knew what lending was.

She never expected that Jia Lian would also be involved.

This shouldn't be happening. Jia Lian has only been home for less than half a year. He's been busy practicing martial arts, handling funeral arrangements, and building the garden. When did he get involved in this kind of thing?

While Grandmother Jia was still questioning Jia Lian, Lady Wang, who was standing next to her, had already turned her gaze to Wang Xifeng.

How could such a thing as lending money out be kept from her? It's just that Madam Wang has been pretending not to know.

Some other older and shrewd people also knew that Wang Xifeng was doing this kind of business, and that she did it during the year Jia Lian was not at home.

Unexpectedly, in the end, the blame was placed on Master Lian, who even lost his official position as a result.

Thinking about it, I really feel sorry for Master Lian.

If others felt this way, one can only imagine how Wang Xifeng herself felt; she was now filled with deep regret!

She really caused that heartless person to lose their job...

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Jia Lian, however, didn't even glance at her at this moment, whether he was angry with her or didn't want the old lady to suspect her.

Wang Xifeng was extremely distressed. She wanted to admit it several times, but she lacked the courage under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Grandmother Jia was no fool. Seeing Wang Xifeng's appearance and the gazes of others, she understood everything.

"Young lady Feng, could it be...?"

Grandmother Jia's questioning made Wang Xifeng unable to hold back any longer. She suddenly knelt down and cried out, "Grandmother, I was wrong. This has nothing to do with Second Master Lian. It was me, it was me who harmed him... I, I..."

After a day of trauma, she was weak, her speech was slurred, and her eyes seemed unfocused.

Jia Lian quickly pulled Wang Xifeng up, and seeing that she was not in good condition, he hurriedly ordered Ping'er, "Quickly help your second mistress back to rest."

Ping'er and the others acted hastily and quickly sent Wang Xifeng away.

Although Wang Xifeng is gone, everyone basically understands what happened.

Everyone had a different expression on their face, but Jia Lian was too lazy to distinguish them one by one. He said goodbye, "Grandma, Feng'er is too heartbroken today. I have to go back and see her. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he left without waiting for the reactions of Grandmother Jia and the others, leaving them looking at each other in bewilderment.

Grandmother Jia sighed, "Let's go inside and talk."

The group moved into the hall, and Jia Zhen said, "Grandma, it seems we've all been fooled by Brother Lian."

The palace is determined to make Lian and his brother the imperial son-in-law, but because they are inconsiderate and stubborn, they have already angered the palace.

This decree is a warning to us.

If we do not comply, I fear great calamity will befall us.

It must be said that Jia Zhen was quite adept at manipulating people's emotions.

Because of the awe that Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, and others had for imperial power, and under the emperor's reprimand of Jia Lian, they all agreed with Jia Zhen's statement.

Regardless of how the emperor knew about the lending, even if he did know, why didn't he punish the person sooner or later?

Why today of all days?

This is clearly a warning to the Jia family!

"We really can't let Lian and his brother continue to act recklessly."

Jia Zhen spoke anxiously, not entirely to make things difficult for Jia Lian, but genuinely worried about being implicated.

"Zhen'er is right. We need to think of a way to persuade Lian'er."

……

Knowing that the emperor's punishment would make Jia Mu and the others uneasy, Jia Lian would try to persuade them again.

But Jia Lian didn't care at all.

He has already seized control of the family's power, and these family members can't do anything to him now. If they have the energy, they'll deal with him; if they don't, they can simply ignore him.

Back home, Ping'er and the others knew that Jia Lian had been busy all day and hadn't had lunch yet, so they all went to prepare it.

Wang Xifeng, who had been sitting on the bed crying, saw that there was no one else in the room. After thinking it over, she suddenly stood up, walked to Jia Lian, and then knelt down abruptly under Jia Lian's questioning gaze.

"Waaah, it's all my fault, it's all my fault, I'm the one who hurt you, Second Master, please hit me, scold me..."

Wang Xifeng wept bitterly, and Jia Lian's loss of his official position became the final straw that broke her back.

She had always been self-reliant, believing that most men in the world were inferior to her. Who would have thought that, because of her, Jia Lian would be stripped of his official rank?

Unfortunately, Jia Lian had reminded her many times before to focus on managing the household and not meddle in outside affairs, but she hadn't taken it to heart.

Recalling Jia Lian's unsurprising reaction upon learning of her lending activities today, even if Wang Xifeng were to deceive herself, she knew that Jia Lian must have already noticed.

So, when he asked her that question at Longcui Nunnery, he was trying to get her to honestly confess about the matter.

Unfortunately, she didn't say anything, and was even smug about having kept it from Jia Lian.

She hadn't realized it before, but under such multiple pressures today, her mind has become clearer, and she feels deeply remorseful and guilty for her actions.

What she couldn't get over was that after such a major incident, Jia Lian didn't blame her at all, and even defended her in front of Grandmother Jia and others.

Even with a heart of iron, she couldn't withstand it.

Therefore, her kneeling was sincere and voluntary. It was both out of remorse and to express her gratitude for Jia Lian's forgiveness.

Seeing Wang Xifeng's appearance and demeanor, Jia Lian's last trace of displeasure vanished.

This woman, there is still hope for her.

So he picked her up, sat down on the edge of the bed, and let her sit in his lap. While wiping away her tears, he said, "Silly girl, the sky hasn't fallen, how did it become like this?"

"Don't worry, it's just a demotion with retention of office, which means His Majesty still needs me. Once this matter is over, His Majesty will reinstate me."

"But……"

Jia Lian's gentle voice at this moment melted Wang Xifeng's heart.

Fighting back even more tears, she suddenly asked, "The Empress Dowager clearly knew I did this, so why did the Emperor still punish you?"

Wang Xifeng knew that the Empress Dowager and others liked Jia Lian, which was why they wanted to marry the princess to Jia Lian.

So, dealing with her, this stumbling block, is the real solution. How come she was unharmed while Jia Lian was stripped of his official rank?

Jia Lian touched her face and didn't hide anything from her: "Silly girl, I'm a man. If I make a mistake, as long as I'm still loyal to His Majesty, His Majesty will only punish me lightly as a warning."

But you are different. You are a noblewoman, and if the Empress Dowager uses this against you, I can't help you. So, back in the palace, I said that you did this under my orders.

I am your man, and it is only natural that you obey my orders. The Empress Dowager could not refute this, so she was naturally embarrassed to keep pressing you.

As I am an outsider, the Empress Dowager, mindful of her status, cannot easily deal with me, so she can only ask His Majesty to punish me.

But His Majesty is currently in need of capable people, and won't punish me for such a small mistake. So, isn't your man smarter and more thoughtful than you? Do you admit it?

Although Jia Lian spoke to her in a joking tone, Wang Xifeng's heart trembled upon hearing it.

Moved? Perhaps not anymore. Today alone, she has been moved by Jia Lian too many times; "moved" is no longer enough to describe it.

Or rather, it should be called being convinced.

Looking at Jia Lian's composed face, Wang Xifeng was truly impressed by this man and loved him deeply.

If she weren't in a bad mood, she would have been unable to resist giving him a kiss and engaging in a passionate, entangled affair to end their love.

After much deliberation, she realized that words of thanks and gratitude didn't suit her temperament, and those without conscience probably didn't need them anyway.

She removed Jia Lian's hand from her cheek and suddenly said solemnly, "Otherwise, you should obey the Empress Dowager. I really don't want you to offend the Empress Dowager or the people in the palace for my sake."

You have lofty ideals and ambitions; didn't you say you wanted to bring glory to the Jia family? You haven't achieved any of these yet.

Marry the princess! With her and the Empress Dowager by your side, you'll have smooth sailing from now on.

Presumably, the old ladies also hoped for this.

As for me... I've made such a mistake, I have no face to stay here any longer, I'd rather go back to my parents' home."

Wang Xifeng was serious when she said this, because it was the only answer she had come up with after careful consideration.

She was also a smart woman. From the emperor's decree, she could tell that the palace's attitude was perhaps not as lenient as Jia Lian himself claimed.

She was grateful for Jia Lian's protection of her, but if the palace didn't let it go, there was no point in continuing like this.

Who knows how many people will be implicated in the future? So it's better to sacrifice her now so that Jia Lian and the others can live well. Anyway, she deserves what she got.

Wang Xifeng's sudden display of virtue and generosity impressed Jia Lian.

At the same time, I couldn't help but feel a little apologetic.

His firm refusal of the Empress Dowager was not entirely due to Wang Xifeng; he also had his own motives.

His selfish motives, however, are invisible to others.

Therefore, he hugged Wang Xifeng's slender waist tightly, rested his chin on the top of her head, felt the heat on her body and the hair damp with sweat, and rubbed his chin as he said, "You don't need to think too much, this matter is far from the worst situation."

So just stay home and listen to me. I'll handle things outside.

But don't worry, if things really get to the point of no return, I will consider what you said and won't risk my life and property.

If absolutely necessary, I will choose to give her up.

It was clearly meant to be heartless and ungrateful, but hearing it now brought Wang Xifeng immense comfort.

What she heard was that Jia Lian would never abandon her until the very last moment, and this belief was not due to foolishness or stubbornness, but rather to his absolute control over the situation.

She used to doubt that Jia Lian was much more capable than her in terms of control, but now she was absolutely convinced.

So, nestled in Jia Lian's arms, she nodded and hummed twice.

A feeling of happiness and peace lingered in my heart, refusing to leave.

Sensing Wang Xifeng's complete and utter obedience, Jia Lian sighed inwardly.

Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise; the Empress Dowager's fright of Wang Xifeng actually saved him a lot of trouble.

It seems that Sister Feng will be much more obedient in the future, so it won't be in vain that he insisted on protecting her.

However, that wretched empress dowager actually made a false accusation!

It seems I need to make a scene to make her back down.

……