Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Upon entering the imperial city, we arrived at Prince Xiao's residence.

With Zhang Su leading the way, the journey was smooth and unimpeded.

The training ground is the same place where Jia Lian brutally beat up the heir of Prince Duan.

There weren't many people here today, and the scene wasn't grand.

A row of long tables was set up on the corridor, where about a dozen young men in fine clothes gathered.

It seems that today's party is just a small reception.

"Young Master Zhang."

"Greetings, Your Highnesses and Gentlemen."

Zhang Su seemed to know most of the people present very well, and almost everyone greeted him.

Conversely, these people all looked at Jia Lian with disgust after glancing at him.

Jia Lian knew that the reason these people treated him this way was probably because of Princess Zhaoyang.

Because he had visited the Fourth Prince's residence before, and although he wasn't close to these people, he didn't have any enmity with them either.

Since they didn't like him, Jia Lian naturally didn't take the initiative to approach them. While Zhang Su was exchanging pleasantries with him, he simply found a seat, sat down, and enjoyed tea and the play.

"Jia Lian!!"

Suddenly a loud voice reverberated in his ears, startling Jia Lian. He turned around and saw that it was the Fourth Prince.

Before he knew it, he was standing beside him, his fists clenched, his eyes wide open, looking like a fighting rooster.

"Greetings, Fourth Prince." Jia Lian quickly stood up and bowed.

The Fourth Prince did not return the courtesy, but glared at Jia Lian. Ultimately, he couldn't bring himself to strike someone who was smiling, and he angrily declared, "I challenge you to a duel!"

Judging from his appearance, Jia Lian realized that he harbored deep resentment towards him. After thinking about it, he realized that if he didn't let him vent his anger, it might burn the silly boy.

So he said, "Your Highness, I accept your challenge. However, fists and feet have no eyes, and I will not hold back on the dueling platform."

The fourth prince was even angrier: "Who asked you to give way? Today, for my imperial sister's sake, I'm going to beat you so badly your own mother wouldn't recognize you!"

The Fourth Prince was naturally angry. He knew he couldn't beat Jia Lian, but today he was willing to fight to the death and pluck three hairs from Jia Lian's head to avenge his elder sister.

"Good! Your Highness is mighty!!"

"Yes, yes, yes, people like this who don't know what's good for them and disgrace the dignity of our royal family should be taught a lesson."

The people the Fourth Prince associated with were naturally mostly sons of the royal family. In their eyes, Jia Lian's refusal to marry a royal princess was disrespectful to the royal family and a subject who needed to be taught a lesson.

"Wei Ling!"

Just as the Fourth Prince took off his outer robe, rolled up his sleeves, and was about to fight Jia Lian, a clear and elegant voice, imbued with authority, rang out.

Everyone turned around and bowed in respect.

Princess Zhaoyang, accompanied by her maids, walked down the corridor and glanced at Jia Lian first.

Although she was only dressed in a well-fitting casual outfit, Princess Zhaoyang felt that she was much more eye-catching than the people around her who were dressed in luxurious clothes.

Seeing Jia Lian bow to her, Princess Zhaoyang nodded in response, then looked at the Fourth Prince: "Have you forgotten what I told you?"

Before his elder sister, the Fourth Prince's imposing manner faltered, yet he remained defiant: "I haven't forgotten, but I still want to beat him up first!"

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang's eyes sharpened even more.

The fourth prince finally gave in, snorted, plopped down to the side, picked up the white porcelain wine pot, took a big gulp from the spout, and then slammed the pot heavily on the table.

I must say, the whole set of movements was executed flawlessly.

If you changed the miserable expression on his face, he might actually have a bit of the unrestrained and carefree spirit of a wine connoisseur.

"General Jia, please forgive me. My younger brother is ignorant and has slighted you. I apologize to you on his behalf."

"Bang!"

Another sound of a wine jug slamming onto the table.

Jia Lian glanced at it, shook his head and smiled, "Your Highness is too kind. His Highness's childlike nature is beyond my reach. I admire him greatly and would never dare to be disrespectful."

"And regarding the incident at Weiyang Palace last time, Zhaoyang would also like to apologize to the General here."

Jia Lian's expression hardened, and he quickly bowed, saying, "I dare not accept Your Highness's words. As for what happened last time, it was my own misfortune that I failed to live up to the Empress Dowager's good intentions. It is I who should apologize to the Empress Dowager and Your Highness."

Princess Zhaoyang laughed upon hearing this, "General, you flatter me. If you don't hold it against me, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you."

"It's just that this place is inconvenient. If the General doesn't mind, would you please accompany Zhaoyang for a walk around this mansion?"

This……

Jia Lian glanced at the people around him. Although many people were still looking at him with resentment, no one seemed to have any doubts about Princess Zhaoyang's words.

Looking at Zhaoyang Gong herself, as a young lady from a noble family, she dared to invite other men to walk aside and talk in public, and her words were so natural and without any awkwardness.

This kind of demeanor is something that many men probably cannot match.

The key point is that even Jia Lian could sense that the more she acted this way, the more ordinary others found it, as if there was nothing wrong with what she was doing, and it was as if it were perfectly reasonable.

No wonder, although Princess Zhaoyang was not a stunning beauty, she had countless suitors in the capital. Even Feng Ziying, who was skilled in both literature and martial arts, was one of them.

Indeed, it has something extraordinary about it.

"Your Highness has given the order, and your humble servant dares not disobey."

"hehe."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang lightly brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, then excused herself from the others and invited Jia Lian, "Please."

Watching Jia Lian leave at the invitation of his elder sister, the Fourth Prince took another big gulp of wine.

A feeling called jealousy surged within me.

From childhood to adulthood, when has my elder sister ever been so polite to a man!

Moreover, yesterday his elder sister stopped him from preparing a sack to put over his head, and today she forbade him from personally disciplining Jia Lian.

My elder sister has never shown me this much care!

"Fourth Brother, don't be angry. When Jia Lian returns, we brothers will help you teach him a lesson, how about that?"

Several good-for-nothing members of the imperial clan gathered around the fourth prince, wanting to show off.

The fourth prince sighed, "What's the point of fighting! Didn't you see how much my elder sister protected him?"

If you anger my elder sister, I won't be able to protect you.

Upon hearing this, the others immediately abandoned the idea.

Like clans, the imperial family, apart from the direct descendants of the emperor, often did not fare very well.

They dared not offend Princess Zhaoyang.

The fourth prince took another swig of wine, and his face immediately turned red.

Actually, he wasn't afraid of his older sister, having angered her many times since childhood.

But now, his elder sister is to be married off by their father to a desolate desert, and he is powerless to stop it, which fills him with immense guilt. Therefore, at this moment, it's best not to upset his elder sister if possible.

……

The Xiao Prince's Mansion was a mansion specially built by Emperor Ningkang for his fourth son.

Although it wasn't considered extravagant within the palace grounds, it was nonetheless refreshing, elegant, and with a pleasant view.

Jia Lian lagged half a step behind Princess Zhaoyang as the two strolled along the stone-paved roads of the Prince's Palace.

Behind him, only four of Princess Zhaoyang's maids followed.

People from the Prince's mansion occasionally passed by on the road, and it seemed that they had been notified in advance. Upon seeing Princess Zhaoyang and Jia Lian, they immediately avoided them.

Without saying a word, Princess Zhaoyang turned to Jia Lian after walking a long distance and smiled, "General Jia, don't you have anything to say to me?"

Princess Zhaoyang slowed her pace, as did Jia Lian, who replied, "Your subject is awaiting Your Highness's instructions."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang's smile faded, replaced by a hint of sadness. After a moment of silence, she said, "I'm about to go to the Oirat royal court."

Jia Lian remained silent for a while before asking softly, "Has the Empress Dowager also agreed?"

Lady Zhaoyang shook her head; she knew what Jia Lian meant.

"With your abilities, General, I'm sure you understand the political considerations involved without me having to explain them."

As a princess of the royal family, this is my responsibility and my mission.

The Empress Dowager could not intervene.

Jia Lian immediately frowned.

Princess Zhaoyang glanced at Jia Lian and continued, "To be honest, I was the one who took the initiative to get this done."

My father originally didn't want me to marry far away, out of consideration for the Empress Dowager.

But I told my father that I could persuade the Empress Dowager, and only then did my father agree to the marriage alliance.

It was done on its own initiative?

Jia Lian raised his head and looked at Princess Zhaoyang with some surprise.

Princess Zhaoyang raised her head, seemingly seeing through Jia Lian's doubts, and smiled warmly, saying, "I knew the general would find it strange."

Yesterday, my younger brother also asked me why.

I told him then that this was the mission that she, as the emperor's daughter, should undertake.

But that's not what I truly think.

As she spoke, Princess Zhaoyang looked directly at Jia Lian and asked with a smile, "General, are you curious about what I'm really thinking?"

Jia Lian was indeed puzzled. Logically speaking, for a princess, a marriage alliance would definitely be a difficult path.

Because of cultural differences, few women who marry into other ethnic groups have a good ending.

Seeing the strange look in Princess Zhaoyang's eyes, Jia Lian knew he shouldn't show any reaction, but he couldn't help but ask, "What is it?"

Princess Zhaoyang laughed. She looked at Jia Lian and said confidently and freely, "Since I can't marry the person I want to marry, what difference does it make who I marry?"

At least, if a marriage alliance could be established, it would be considered as sharing the burden for the country and for the emperor.

By any measure, it's worth it.