Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After leaving the Xing family, Jia Lian decided to visit Panxiang Temple again.

He waited for half a day in the main hall, but Miaoyu showed no sign of wanting to meet him.

Perhaps she was afraid of him. If Jia Lian were to strike her in the soul again, not only would her more than ten years of cultivation be reduced to ashes, but her Dao heart might also be at risk of collapsing.

Jia Lian certainly didn't insist on seeing her; after all, he couldn't eat her, and knowing that she was in normal condition was enough.

Back at the Lin residence, after arranging the itinerary for the next day, Jia Lian went in to visit Daiyu after dinner.

Walking along the corridor of the main house into Daiyu's room, you will see Daiyu sitting by the window on the cool kang (a heated brick bed), one hand supporting herself on the kang table, the other hand fiddling with the pear wood hairpin in her hand, her expression somewhat lonely.

"What are you thinking about, little sister?" Jia Lian asked with a smile as he entered the room.

Daiyu hurriedly tried to get up to greet him, but Jia Lian went over to stop her, saying, "Sister, just sit down, there's no need to be so polite."

As she spoke, she sat down on a small stool nearby. She glanced at Daiyu, then at the wooden hairpin on the kang table, knowing it was a gift from Xiuyan, and said, "Sister, there's no need to be so reluctant. Although we're separated for now, we'll meet again someday."

Daiyu remained noncommittal about Jia Lian's words.

People in those days were not like people in later generations. If two people who were not related were separated, they might never see each other again!

It was rare for Daiyu to meet a peer she didn't dislike, but their friendship lasted only two or three days. How could she not feel sad at this moment?

Therefore, he put the hairpin in a box and kept it safe. After the maid served tea to Jia Lian, he instructed her to put it in the trunk he was to take with him on this trip, as a souvenir.

Seeing this, Jia Lian laughed and said, "Sister Lin, there's no need to be sad. When we arrive in the capital, you'll have many sisters at home. You won't be afraid of having no one to play with. I'm just afraid you'll complain that the house is too noisy."

Daiyu blushed slightly, glanced at Jia Lian a couple of times, and finally spoke, "May I ask, Second Brother Lian, what are the personalities of the sisters in the family? If you can tell me in advance, I won't offend you out of ignorance..."

Daiyu herself was unwilling to go to the capital. Although it was her maternal clan, it was still distant and unfamiliar to her, so she deliberately spoke in a distant manner.

Jia Lian said, "If that's what you're saying, then I can't tell you. We're all family sisters, what's there to offend? Even if you accidentally offend someone, with the old lady protecting you, who would dare say anything more?"

I'm afraid that when we get home, with your grandmother as your protector, even I'll have to be mindful of your feelings.

"Second Brother Lian..." Daiyu was completely embarrassed by Jia Lian's words, and at the same time, she knew that Jia Lian had seen through her thoughts.

After glancing at the silly girl beside her who was covering her mouth and laughing, and telling her to leave on her own, Daiyu sat up straight and said to Jia Lian with some embarrassment and annoyance, "You bullied me~"

Jia Lian chuckled, "You don't need to worry about that. All the sisters in the family have excellent personalities, and none of them are arrogant, so you don't need to worry about them bullying you at all. I'm the one who's worried that you'll bully them in the future."

"Second brother!"

Daiyu was really angry, and she raised her hand to hit Jia Lian, but then she realized it was inappropriate and only swung her fist.

Upon seeing this, Jia Lian actually smiled with satisfaction.

It seems that melancholy is indeed just a facade for Daiyu; deep down, she is still a lively and adorable young woman. Compared to when we first met, she is already much more cheerful now. Once she arrives at the Rongguo Mansion and gets to know Tanchun and the others, her bright and mischievous nature will likely be unleashed.

It's best to just ignore Jia Erbao.

Daiyu thought Jia Lian was still making fun of her, so she glared at him, pretended to be angry, and lay back down on the kang (heated brick bed).

It was already late, and Daiyu wasn't dressed too warmly, only wearing two light garments that revealed her thin shoulders and back.

Jia Lian stepped forward, pulled the quilt up a bit for her, and said, "It's getting late, sister, remember to rest early. We'll pack up again tomorrow, have lunch, and then leave by boat to go back."

Although she no longer felt unfamiliar with Jia Lian after spending so much time together, he was still a young man, and his closeness made her quite nervous and shy. So she didn't lift her head, but hid under the covers and softly hummed in response.

Once she was sure Jia Lian had left, she turned over and looked at the doorway.

It seems like going to the capital wouldn't be so bad...

……

In Yangzhou Prefecture, although his wife's funeral arrangements had been properly handled, Lin Ruhai did not feel relieved. On the contrary, the troubles of official duties made him feel increasingly short of energy.

Even so, when he heard that Jia Yucun was requesting an audience, he immediately tidied his clothes and arranged to meet him in his study.

Speaking of Mr. Yucun, Lin Ruhai truly admired him.

He came from a poor family, but through hard work and perseverance, he passed the imperial examination and rose to the position of prefect within a few years.

Although he was later dismissed from his post for offending his superior, he still maintained the integrity of a scholar, abandoned worldly affairs, and traveled the world alone.

During his years living in Yangzhou, he observed that Jia Yucun was an exceptional individual, not only in terms of his academic achievements and writings but also in his conversation and insights. He was far superior to the mediocre officials in the court who rose to high positions by flattery and sycophancy.

That's why he was brought into the household to serve as Daiyu's tutor.

After a pleasant conversation, Lin Ruhai suddenly heard Jia Yucun talking about the court's approval of his reinstatement, and he immediately understood what was going on.

Therefore, he smiled and said, "I have also read the official gazette. For you, it is indeed an opportunity."

As Lin Ruhai spoke, he recalled that in the past year, because of Jia Min's death, Daiyu had neglected her studies and had actually been quite negligent towards her tutor, Jia Yucun. Now was the perfect time to make amends.

"By a stroke of luck, my wife passed away, and my mother-in-law in the capital, thinking that my daughter would have no one to rely on, specially sent someone to fetch her. However, my daughter is still ill and has not yet been able to go. My daughter has always been grateful for your teachings and guidance, and I have not yet repaid you. Now that I have this opportunity, how could I not do my best?"

My brother wishes to revise a letter of recommendation and entrusts my brother-in-law to handle the details. If there are any expenses, I will specify them in my letter to my family, so you need not worry.

Jia Yucun had been out of office for many years and had long harbored the desire to restore his former power. Now that he finally had the opportunity, he was eager to do so, but he lacked connections and influence, which is why he sought out Lin Ruhai.

Hearing Lin Ruhai say this was exactly what he wanted to hear, and he was overjoyed. However, to avoid being looked down upon by Lin Ruhai, he still asked seriously, "May I ask what position your father currently holds? I'm afraid I'm being too hasty and dare not come to the capital to request an audience."

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "Speaking of my relatives, they belong to the same clan as your elder brother. They are the grandsons of the former Duke Rong. My elder brother Jia She, courtesy name Enhou, is currently a first-class general."

My second brother-in-law, Jia Zheng, courtesy name Cunzhou, is currently an Assistant Minister of Works. He is a humble, kind, and respectful man, much like our grandfather, and certainly not a frivolous or vagrant. That is why I am writing to ask you for this request. Otherwise, not only would it tarnish your integrity, but I would also disdain to do it.”

When Lin Ruhai spoke of Jia Zheng, he showed a lot of praise, unlike when he mentioned Jia She in a brief mention.

Jia Yucun understood the implications best, so he had already decided that after arriving in the capital, he would only visit Jia Cunzhou, who was known for his respect for scholars.

Jia Yucun repeatedly expressed his gratitude, and Lin Ruhai suggested that Jia Yucun stay for a few more days so that he could go to the capital with Daiyu, which would be convenient for both of them.

Jia Yucun did not refuse.

The host and guests were having a pleasant conversation when suddenly a servant came to report: "Master, Second Master Lian has brought Miss back and they have entered the city."

Lin Ruhai laughed upon hearing this: "It's perfect to introduce someone. If you befriend him, not only will it be easier for you to get promoted this time, but you won't be without connections in the capital in the future."

Jia Yucun hurriedly asked who it was.

Lin Ruhai did not hide anything and explained Jia Lian's identity and background to Jia Yucun.

……

After many days, Jia Lian finally brought Daiyu back. He was about to return to his residence to rest before seeing Lin Ruhai when he was summoned by Lin Ruhai.

So he hurriedly changed his clothes and came.

As soon as he entered the study, a middle-aged man dressed as a Confucian scholar stood up from his seat and bowed to him first.

Jia Lian looked at him and saw that he was round and thick-shouldered, with a broad face and square mouth, as well as sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a straight nose and prominent cheeks.

What an impressive face!

Simply put, he appeared less frail than Jia Zheng and Lin Ruhai, but possessed a more imposing and majestic aura.

Jia Lian had already made up his mind, but he only nodded slightly and then stepped forward to pay his respects to Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai had already come out from behind the desk and said with a smile, "Lian'er, let me introduce you to someone."

"This is Mr. Yucun, your Lin sister's tutor."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Mr. Yucun."

Jia Yucun, not at all presumptuous, quickly returned an even bigger gift.

Jia Lian couldn't help but smile when he saw this. It seemed that Jia Yucun, who was originally arrogant and conceited, had begun to reflect on himself after being beaten down by society and was going further and further down the path of being worldly and worldly.

Lin Ruhai gestured for the two to sit down and said to Jia Lian with a smile, "Last month, the court petitioned for the reinstatement of officials, and His Majesty has already granted it. Mr. Yucun is a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and has also served as the head of a prefecture. Logically, he should be among those reinstated. Therefore, I have prepared a letter of recommendation for him. Please pass it on to your second uncle and ask him to handle the matter properly."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian laughed. No wonder Jia Yucun respected him so much; it turned out he knew that Jia Lian held the key to whether Jia Lian could be reinstated!

Jia Lian certainly didn't like Jia Yucun, and I believe no reader would like a feudal bureaucrat who, after years of studying hard and finally gaining power, turns out to be someone who only knows how to curry favor with the powerful and will stop at nothing to climb the social ladder.

Of course, despite not liking him, Jia Lian wouldn't immediately make things difficult for him.

The court's decision to reinstate former officials was precisely because of the need for new reforms; there weren't enough officials in the court, hence this measure.

This is the general trend, so even if he can help Jia Yucun ruin the Lin Ruhai-Jia Zheng connection, it's hard to guarantee that he won't find another way to get back to his original position!

Furthermore, he was worried about the lack of capable people under his command, and someone like Jia Yucun seemed to be a good candidate.

Since Jia Yucun is a traitor and an ingrate, shouldn't he at least make him do some dirty and tiring work first, and then kick him aside or push him out to be a scapegoat when he's no longer of any use?

Therefore, the question now is not how to deal with Jia Yucun, but how to make him work for us while ensuring that he won't turn on us in the future...

After thinking it over, Jia Lian felt there was no problem, so he smiled and said, "I am willing to serve my uncle and Mr. Yucun."

Jia Yucun immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "In that case, I will rely entirely on your help, brother."

Jia Lian also began to exchange pleasantries.