Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

While Lady You and Jia Lian were exchanging internal and external affairs, the group of mourning women and children also dispersed to rest.

Yu Sanjie pulled her older sister along and hid behind the screen, eavesdropping on her eldest sister and the others' conversation for a while before quietly leaving hand in hand.

When they arrived at the resting place arranged by their eldest sister, Third Sister You noticed that her sister's face was pale and her mind was wandering. As a young girl herself, she could naturally guess what was going on.

She smiled and asked, "What does Sister think of Second Master Lian?"

Second Sister You was taken aback, then came to her senses. Seeing her younger sister's teasing gaze, she suddenly blushed and turned her head away, saying, "Him, Second Brother Lian is naturally very good. Even Eldest Sister says he is the most capable person in the Jia family..."

Sister You San still smiled and said, "Sister, you're pretending to be confused. You clearly know what I'm talking about."

I always felt that a great reputation is well-deserved. Jia Lian was indeed different from ordinary people; he looked like a cultured and shrewd man, but...”

"But what?"

"But like other men, they can't take their eyes off us when they see our faces, hehe."

Third Sister You's unrestrained mockery made Second Sister You feel ashamed. Fortunately, no one was in the room at the time, so she quickly pretended to cover her sister's mouth and scolded her, "This is not like our own home now. You have to be careful with your words and actions."

"Brother Lian is no ordinary person. How could you make fun of him? What if someone overhears? Wouldn't that make you seem frivolous and rude?"

"What are you afraid of? I didn't say anything nonsense."

All men in the world are lustful, so they're allowed to mingle in the dirty and smelly world, but we can't even say anything about it?

Sister, have you forgotten that last year when your husband and his son came to our house, their eyes lit up when they saw the two of us, and they looked like they wanted to eat us alive!

Later, my brother-in-law even flirted with you in the yard while drunk. If I hadn't caught you, I'm afraid he would have taken advantage of you!

Hmph, if he's like this even though he's our brother-in-law, what about others?

I'd heard people say that this family, though outwardly respectable, is actually incredibly corrupt inside and completely devoid of moral principles.

Sister You was speechless. The sisters who had grown up together had similar views and perspectives. Although she had similar opinions, she was not like her younger sister and dared not say them out loud.

"I've also inquired about Jia Lian, and he's certainly not a simple person."

This can be inferred from the fact that my eldest sister specifically instructed us last night to be respectful when we see him. It seems that he holds a high position in both households, and perhaps even my eldest sister has to rely on him in some way, which is why she treats him this way.

Since that's the case, if you like him, why not give it a try?

Anyway, isn't my mother trying to get us to marry rich men? Since we're going to marry powerful men anyway, why not choose one we like?

This way, I can fulfill my mother's wish and be happy myself. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?

Her younger sister's words suddenly touched You Erjie's heart.

She had already fallen in love with Jia Lian at first sight, and knew that Jia Lian's status and position were extraordinary. Now, after hearing her sister's words, she thought that if she could really marry such a man, even if she were to become a concubine, she would not feel wronged.

but

"However, my sister may have underestimated people."

I heard from people around my eldest sister that this second brother Lian is a very upright person.

I heard that he would even abandon a princess for his wife who had shared hardship with him, let alone me…”

Feelings of inferiority are a common mindset among women from impoverished backgrounds who have fallen on hard times.

To everyone's surprise, Sister You rolled her eyes upon hearing her words.

"An upright person? In my opinion, there are no upright men in this world."

"Believe it or not, this Second Master Lian might have a relationship with our eldest sister that's not quite ordinary..."

"Are you crazy? How dare you say such nonsense?" Sister You Er was shocked and immediately covered her sister's mouth to stop her from speaking.

Third Sister You pried her sister's hand away and whispered, "I didn't just say that casually. It's because I was watching the way my eldest sister looked at Master Lian in the mourning hall just now, and I suddenly had a guess."

Sister, think about it. Your husband is dead, and you have no one else to rely on. How can you possibly protect this huge Duke's mansion by yourself?

Weren't we worried about her before we came here?

But after we arrived, did you see her looking nervous or worried?

I was already puzzled, but when I saw this Master Lian and saw my eldest sister's attitude towards him, I suddenly understood.

Of course, this is just my guess. Perhaps my older sister and he really don't have anything going on, but rather she has something else to rely on.

But in any case, the eldest sister definitely has a secret!

Second Sister You wasn't as bold and meticulous as her younger sister, but she knew her sister was a smart person, so she couldn't help but think about it for a moment, going along with what the other person said.

Thinking about it this way, it's quite possible that one is in the prime of life and the other is in the prime of his youth, and that they could live together in the same household.

However, if his sister really had an affair with him, then he would have even less of a chance.

She had just been thinking that if her sister were willing to help her and act as a matchmaker, she would still have a chance to marry into a wealthy family because of her looks.

She is fifteen years old this year, the age when she should be getting married. In addition, she has watched her family decline day by day, to the point where they are not much different from ordinary commoners. It is quite common for her to have this idea.

Sister You San wasn't intentionally trying to speculate about her eldest sister. She knew that if she dared to offend her eldest sister and have her send them back to their hometown, her mother would definitely not forgive her, let alone anything else.

Having grown accustomed to a life of abundance, my mother has often complained about how difficult life has become in recent years.

She was overjoyed to finally be able to come to the Duke's mansion to enjoy some good fortune. From last night until now, she has said countless times that her eldest sister is a filial and good child!

Therefore, putting that aside, Sister You continued to whisper to her sister: "Sister, don't hesitate, or you'll regret it later."

My sister isn't like that princess who forces someone to divorce their wife and marry another.

The fact that Lian Er Gege (Second Brother Lian) was unwilling only further proved that he was a man worthy of trust.

Besides, with your beauty, even a princess might not be able to compare. If you were to marry someone as a concubine, what man in the world wouldn't dream of such a thing? Brother Lian, I imagine he couldn't refuse."

Seeing that Third Sister You was becoming increasingly explicit, Second Sister You blushed and asked shyly, "Why do you have to say so much to urge me on? As for beauty, you're no less beautiful than me. Why don't you give it a try?"

One sentence made Sister You blush.

She retorted angrily, "Sister, you're being unreasonable. I was only advising you because I saw that you were quite interested in Jia Lian, but you don't know what's good for you and instead make fun of me."

To be honest, even if my older sister laughs at me, I'm a stubborn person.

Even if he were as handsome as Pan An, as talented as Cao Zhi, and as wealthy as Shi Chong, I would never become his concubine.

In this life, all I ask for is a man who truly understands me, someone to whom I can spend my life. That's enough. Even if we live on meager rations, I won't care.

Upon hearing this, Sister You felt extremely uncomfortable.

Why do I feel like, in my sister's eyes, I'm just a vulgar person with no ambition, who only craves wealth and status...?