Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Madam Wang and Madam Xing also arrived at Ningguo Mansion quite early.

The two governments are as close as family, and they always help each other when important matters arise.

Upon hearing the news that Madam You was pregnant, they all came to visit her.

He also instructed Madam You to take good care of herself during her pregnancy, and to delegate household affairs to the servants if possible. If the servants did not do a good job, he told them to ask them for help, since they were all family and there was no need to be polite with them.

Madam You expressed her gratitude to each of them, and it was only with great difficulty that she managed to see Madam Wang and the others off.

"Congratulations, Mother-in-law."

After the room quieted down, Qin opened her bright eyes and suddenly offered her congratulations in a formal tone.

Lady You felt somewhat uncomfortable.

She knew that Qin suspected her, although she didn't know exactly how much Qin knew.

Similarly, she knew that Qin Shi probably also had feelings for Jia Lian in her heart.

Because she had been keeping a close watch on Qin Shi for over a year, taking her by her side whenever possible, she knew more or less what Qin Shi was thinking.

She even knew that Jia Lian probably had some different feelings towards Qin Shi.

Because she had tried to test Jia Lian, but Jia Lian was cunning and never revealed anything to her.

She hadn't thought much about it before, but now, looking at Qin's stunningly beautiful and captivating appearance, she suddenly felt that perhaps this was a trump card in her hand.

Men are prone to fickleness, and Jia Lian was probably no exception.

It's fine now that she's still young, but in a few years, when she's past her prime, perhaps Jia Lian won't be as interested in her anymore.

She wouldn't have cared before, but now she has to think about it more.

Even if she gives birth to a son, it will take at least ten years for him to grow up and successfully inherit the Ningguo Mansion.

In other words, for the past ten years or so, she had to ensure that Jia Lian's heart remained with her, or rather, with the Ningguo Mansion.

Only in this way can they ensure that the mother and child safely get through this vulnerable period.

Qin Shi meant to tease You Shi, but she was quite certain that You Shi and Jia Lian had an ambiguous relationship.

Because yesterday, Jia Lian met with You Shi in her dressing room!

Suddenly, she saw You Shi give her a deep, seemingly malicious look, and Qin Shi felt a chill in her heart, and she couldn't help but quietly take a step back.

She was reminded of that terrible guess she had made earlier.

Since Jia Lian was able to meet You Shi in Tianxiang Tower, in her room, does that mean that You Shi provided Jia Lian with this convenience?

Perhaps Jia Zhen's death was a conspiracy between Jia Lian and You Shi...

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law each had their own thoughts. When the old woman who was serving You Shi returned, she told You Shi the news she had heard in the front hall.

"Grandma has no idea how outrageous those people were. We heard it and we were all angry for her."

"They just want the master to take them in as heirs, that's why they said that, it's nothing."

Ms. You remained calm and composed, demonstrating her composure and magnanimity, and pointed out the reasons why others were slandering her.

The old woman nodded in agreement and then laughed: "Second Master Lian is the most sensible. Madam doesn't know that after Second Master Lian heard those people slandering Madam, he gave those ill-intentioned people a good scolding in front of all the gentlemen, leaving them speechless."

After hearing Second Master Lian's words, the master was deeply moved and said that anyone who dared to slander the eldest mistress's reputation in the future would be in for a world of hurt. With the master's words, it was believed that they would never dare to disrespect the eldest mistress again.

The old woman's slightly inaccurate retelling made both Madam You and Madam Qin understand the situation.

Lady You was secretly moved, while Lady Qin became even more suspicious...

Qin felt somewhat aggrieved.

What? At least he's younger than my mother-in-law, and his looks aren't bad either, so why is he... Humph!

She felt inexplicably resentful, and was also worried that if she stayed in front of Madam You for too long, Madam You would dislike her and make things difficult for her.

My mother-in-law seemed kind, but I never imagined she might not be a good person after all.

He got up to say goodbye and go back to his room.

Madam You called her back and instructed her, "By the way, the doctor I invited is still in the mansion. Go back and call over the two concubines in Rong'er's room, and have the doctor take a good look at them as well."

If, by some chance, Rong'er still has descendants, we should take good care of them and ensure they have some lineage. That would be the last thing we can do for him.

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Upon hearing this, Madam Qin was slightly taken aback, not quite understanding Madam You's intentions.

"Okay, I understand. I'll go and arrange for them to come over."

After Qin finished speaking, she led Baozhu and Ruizhu away, leaving You alone in the room, where she sat for a long time.

"Sigh~" Madam You sighed quietly.

She felt she had really changed; she hadn't been so scheming before.

She deliberately left the doctor behind.

Her main target was the two concubines with official titles left behind by Jia Zhen. Asking Qin to bring Jia Rong's women over was just a side matter.

She thought that since she could have a posthumous child, then the women in the family could certainly have one too.

With Jia Zhen and Jia Rong dead, the family members became a mixed bag.

Perhaps someone will have a peculiar idea and deliberately steal a seed from outside, or perhaps they can't stand the loneliness and have an affair.

Once these women become pregnant, they are very likely to have inappropriate thoughts, such as plotting to harm her and her child in order to seize the Ningguo Mansion's assets.

Her actions were intended to eliminate that possibility.

If we check their bodies now and they don't have it, they'll die if they do in the future.

As for whether it really exists now, it would be better for her to know earlier than to let others hide it in the dark.

The affair between Jia Zhen and Jia Rong came to an end after the Ningguo Mansion determined that the child in You Shi's womb was the sole legal heir.

Jia Lian also withdrew the officers and soldiers of the Military Command back to the yamen and stopped "trying" to exonerate Jia Rong.

Although the Jia family members had a minor disagreement before noon, they quickly sat down together again after Jia Zheng acted as a peacemaker to harmoniously discuss the funeral arrangements for Jia Zhen, Jia Rong, and others.

Jia Lian did not intend to get too involved. He left Ningguo Mansion, citing the need to continue the construction of the garden.

He and Lady You both understood the principle that "if you stay by the river long enough, you'll get your shoes wet."

At the very least, during this crucial period, his affair with Madam You must not be exposed, otherwise there will definitely be trouble.

Therefore, it's best for him and Lady You to keep their distance for the time being.

In any case, both Lady You and Lady Qin are women with some ability. Even if they are not, they still have Lady Wang, Jia Zheng and others to help them, so there is no need for him to show off too much.

Upon returning to Rongqing Hall, he reported the situation of Ningguo Mansion to Grandmother Jia, and without listening to Grandmother Jia and the sisters' sighs and lamentations, he took his leave and returned home.

As expected, Sister Feng was bursting with curiosity and immediately began to interrogate Jia Lian.

"Is Sister-in-law You really pregnant? That's quite a strange thing, but it's also too much of a coincidence."

Like everyone else, Wang Xifeng found it strange that You Shi's pregnancy had come about this time. Previously, in their respective households, she and You Shi were roughly the same age and status.

The fact that Lady You had no son was her greatest comfort.

Unexpectedly, after all these years, Lady You actually got pregnant before Jia Zhen died.

Jia Lian remained unmoved. While asking Ping'er to bring him a set of casual clothes, he advised Wang Xifeng, "If you really care about what's going on over there, pack your things and go take a look. Maybe you can even help out."

Don't worry, no one will dare to disrespect you.

Wang Xifeng blushed, feeling somewhat embarrassed. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Forget it. How can I possibly have the face to laugh at other people's misfortunes now? I'm already in this state myself."

As he spoke, he indeed stopped asking about the affairs of the other mansion and, together with Ping'er, helped Jia Lian undress and change.