Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

When Jia Lian said that he had already ordered someone to apply to the Ministry of Justice to take Jia Rong's body home for burial after the case was closed, Jia Rong's matter was considered to be over.

Just then, someone said indignantly, "The reason why Brother Zhen and Rong'er, father and son, have become enemies and even turned against each other is because Xiao Qinshi is too seductive!"

Since ancient times, beautiful women have often brought disaster. If it weren't for Lady Qin, none of these things would have happened in the Ningguo Mansion, and my Jia family wouldn't have become a laughing stock in the capital.

Therefore, I propose that Lady Qin be divorced and sent back to the Qin family. We must not allow such a scourge to remain in the family any longer.

"Yes, it's all that little Qin's fault. Rong'er, that child, seemed quite well-behaved when she was little, but she turned bad after marrying that jinx. In my opinion, she should be made to atone for her sins by being buried alive with her!"

Stubborn and ignorant people always find excuses for their mistakes.

So when such a statement was made, many people actually agreed with it!

Hearing their eloquent speeches, Jia Lian finally understood why TV dramas in his previous life always loved to film such scenes.

It turns out there really are so many shameless people.

However, if they knew Qin's true identity and still dared to make such a suggestion, Jia Lian would truly admire them.

Sure enough, Jia Jing, who had previously seemed indifferent to everything, quickly showed a look of panic upon hearing such remarks.

He immediately retorted, "No!"

Jia Jing's suddenly raised voice startled the Confucian defenders who were speaking righteously, and they all asked questions in return.

Jia Jing looked around at everyone and said, "Our dynasty has never had the concept of funerary sacrifice. If we rashly do this, it will be against the will of Heaven. I'm afraid the palace will blame us, and we will not be able to afford to offend them."

Therefore, this suggestion is highly inappropriate and should not be discussed further!

As the only Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the two Jia families over the decades, and also the eldest grandson of the Duke of Ningguo, Jia Jing still held considerable prestige.

He refused firmly, so the others could not insist any further.

Some cunning people are even still suspicious.

Could it be that not only did that young Lady Qin bewitch Brother Zhen, but even Uncle Jing couldn't escape her charms?

With my uncle's old arms and legs, do I still have the ability?

Not necessarily. The Fourth Miss was born when Master Jing was almost sixty years old.

Back then, there were rumors in the family that the Fourth Miss was the child of Brother Zhen. Now it seems that perhaps Master Jing was indeed still vigorous in his old age...

……

The Ningguo Mansion has many and complicated matters to attend to, which need to be discussed and handled one by one.

After a long and heated discussion, the gentlemen were parched and naturally went to a side hall for some snacks and tea.

Jia Lian was wondering why Yin Die, You Shi's trusted maid, would come here when he saw the little girl wink at him as she served him tea.

Jia Lian knew it must be Lady You looking for him, so after the maids filed out, Jia Lian used the excuse of changing clothes to find her.

Sure enough, I saw the silver butterfly in the back corridor.

"Second Master, the eldest mistress says she has something to discuss with you and requests that you come to the back hall for a talk."

Jia Lian nodded and followed Yin Die to find You Shi.

They encountered several groups of maids and servants along the way, but Jia Lian and Yin Die did not give way to them.

From last night until now, the entire Ningguo Mansion has been under Jia Lian's supervision, and it is normal for Lady You, as the mistress of the Ningguo Mansion, to have some exchanges with him.

The more generous you are, the less likely you are to arouse suspicion.

Jia Lian knew where You Shi often sat, but Yin Die led him to a warm-colored house behind Ningxuan Hall.

Judging from the layout and furnishings, this should also be the place where Lady You usually changed her clothes.

Jia Lian was somewhat moved upon seeing this. Despite how lively and powerful Wang Xifeng was in the Rongguo Mansion, she was actually still somewhat inferior to You Shi.

As a third-rank noblewoman and the young mistress of the Ningguo Mansion, Lady You's demeanor was far more imposing than Wang Xifeng's.

Putting everything else aside, the changing room alone is far superior to Wang Xifeng's.

That woman Wang Xifeng only truly belonged to her own small plot of land in her own courtyard. Everything else she occupied was temporary.

Unlike the You family, the Ningguo Mansion has so many buildings; they can set up a dressing room wherever they like...

Before long, Lady You arrived gracefully.

Her first glance fell on Jia Lian, who was sitting casually in the armchair, admiring a Ru kiln teacup with one hand.

Even in his official robes, Jia Lian remained as dashing and extraordinary as ever.

But in Yu's eyes at this moment, it was particularly different.

In the past, her relationship with Jia Lian was nothing more than a fleeting thrill, a mutually beneficial arrangement.

But from this day forward, she knew things were different.

She's pregnant with his child!

Jia Lian also noticed You Shi's unusual behavior. He narrowed his eyes and wondered if You Shi had noticed something.

Is she that smart?

He didn't seem guilty at all. Although he had taken advantage of Madam You, he had considered beforehand that even if Madam You found out in the end, it wouldn't be a big deal.

At worst, we can just reward her handsomely twice.

Seeing that Lady You was alone, Jia Lian didn't stand on ceremony and beckoned to her with great authority.

Dressed in white, Lady You smiled sweetly and without any hesitation. With a light sway of her lotus-like steps, her voluptuous body came to Jia Lian and then, following the strength of Jia Lian's arm, sat on Jia Lian's lap.

Pressing down Jia Lian's hand, which was expertly reaching for her ample bosom, You Shi looked directly at him and said, "I have a question for you, Second Uncle: Do you like children?"

"Children? What children?"

Jia Lian was somewhat nonchalant. Lady You was one of his few women, and also the most understanding.

Often, with just a glance or a simple gesture from him, Madam You could immediately discern different postures and methods of service.

Situations like this, where he's not allowed to touch you, are relatively rare.

Seeing Jia Lian's completely unexpected look, Lady You had no intention of playing games with him and gently said, "I'm pregnant."

"Hmm...what?"

Jia Lian was always quick-witted, and even when caught off guard, he immediately realized the seriousness of the problem, his pupils widening instantly.

Lady You placed Jia Lian's hand on her stomach and said, "I had a doctor come this morning and he said I'm pregnant."

I didn't quite believe it, so I called another doctor to take a look, but the result was the same, so..."

As she spoke, Yu Shi became inexplicably nervous.

She originally wanted to wait for Jia Lian's reaction, but the words just slipped out involuntarily.

"The doctor said it's been about a month. In this past month, I've only been with you."

After saying this explanation, Lady You stared at Jia Lian, so nervous that she could hear her own heartbeat.

She knew that the higher a man's status, the less he could tolerate the possibility of his bloodline being tainted.

Although the only man she truly loved was Jia Lian, she was, after all, Jia Zhen's wife.

She had never worried that Jia Lian would dislike her before, but now she was extremely worried.

She was even more worried that Jia Lian didn't believe the child was his.

Jia Lian was indeed very shocked at this moment.

The news that Ms. You brought him was completely unexpected and could even be said to have disrupted his plans.

His brows furrowed involuntarily.

But he was a perceptive man, and noticing Madam You's nervousness, he casually touched her soft belly and chuckled, "So, it's my child?"

Madam You nodded, then asked, "Second Uncle, don't you believe me?"

Jia Lian laughed heartily and put his arms around You Shi's waist. Although You Shi was fuller than Wang Xifeng and her waist wasn't as slender, it was still well-proportioned.

After all, she's not even thirty yet, but she takes good care of herself and exudes the charm of a young married woman.

He took Yu's hand, interlaced his fingers with hers, and placed it on her chest, saying sincerely, "Of course I believe you. Everyone knows that Grandpa Zhen has long been infertile."

Besides, I don't believe anyone else has the ability to make your barren land, which hasn't blossomed for over ten years, bear fruit!

Unless you've stolen from other handsome young men. Confess honestly, besides me, who else have you stolen from?

Jia Lian's vulgar words made Madam You blush with embarrassment, and she hurriedly said, "Of course not, besides you, I... have no one else."

"Hahaha……"

Jia Lian chuckled softly.

He trusted Lady You quite a bit. That she married Jia Zhen was truly a waste of her talent.

Jia Lian was a picky man, and You Shi was seven or eight years older than him. The fact that she could win his favor proved her charm.

So he believed almost immediately when Lady You said it; if Lady You was really pregnant, it must be his child.

There's really no need to doubt it. Lady You has been married to Jia Zhen for many years, and if she were capable of getting pregnant, she should have conceived long ago.

If the child is indeed one month old in the womb, then it can only be the result of his diligent sowing at Tianxianglou in the previous month.

Thinking of this, Jia Lian felt much more at ease.

He was in his prime, full of energy, and had wives and concubines, but only one daughter who was less than a year old.

He had secretly wondered if it was because Jia Lian had caused too much trouble in the past, or if there was something wrong with the Jia family's genes.

Hearing the good news from Madam You, he was finally relieved.

Actually, upon closer reflection, among his current women, Xiangling and Qingwen are still virgins, which goes without saying.

The others are Wang Xifeng, Ping'er, You Shi, Aqin, and Xiren.

Ping'er only tilled the soil, but didn't sow seeds. Aqin was in a similar situation, and given her young age, it was normal that she had difficulty conceiving.

Needless to say, Xiren only did it once, so it's not enough to prove anything. Besides, even if that girl fell for it, given her cautious nature, she would probably choose to get rid of it quietly!

In retrospect, the only two women who truly received excessive favors were Sister Feng and Lady You. It was because Jia Lian could act without restraint towards these two young women.

Furthermore, Sister Feng received more than ten times the favor of Lady You. This is because Lady You was only taken care of after he returned, and the real irrigation began after the construction of the Grand View Garden started.

For the healthy Ms. You, the effects were immediate.

This suggests that the reason he and Wang Xifeng couldn't have a son for so long was most likely not his fault, but rather the fault of Wang Xifeng herself.