Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Seeing that Jia Zheng had also declined, the others tried to persuade Jia Lian again.

Indeed, with Jia Jing determined to become a Taoist priest, the only powerful figures left in the two mansions were Jia Lian and Jia Zheng.

As for the others, they wanted to be the clan leader, but they knew they didn't have the ability.

Putting aside everything else, the fact that they allocate a large amount of money and goods to subsidize their clansmen every year is something that no one other than the heirs of the Ning and Rong mansions could do.

"Lian-ge'er, you should take on this heavy responsibility. It doesn't matter if you're busy; there are plenty of people in our clan. If you really don't have time or need to travel far, with so many people in the clan, you can easily assign anyone to handle clan affairs. Who would dare disobey you?"

Perhaps it's true that the more unintentional you appear, the more selfless you seem, and the more others will want to recommend you.

Moreover, for the Jia family members, if they were to appoint someone as acting clan leader, then appointing Jia Lian would undoubtedly be the most advantageous option.

In today's low productivity, it's impossible to get rich by relying on a little land or real estate. Doing business is also difficult, unless you can do what the Xue family did, spreading their business all over the north and south.

Therefore, only by becoming an official can one get rich.

Just look at Jia Lian; in just one or two years, how many imperial rewards did he receive?

I'm afraid that the combined output of the two mansions' 100,000 to 200,000 mu of land is still less than what Jia Lian earns by himself!

If you let someone like that be the clan leader, even if a little bit of money slips through his fingers, it'll still be enough for them to get a share.

"That's right, that's right, Second Brother Lian, just listen to the men and agree. Apart from you, none of us in this generation are capable of shouldering this responsibility."

Even his peers began to chime in.

Now that things have come to this, further refusal would contradict Jia Lian's original intention to reorganize the family.

So he stood up, bowed to the elders above, and then straightened up and said, "I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by my fellow clansmen. It would be impolite of me to refuse."

"Haha, that's right, this clan chief position has to be held by Brother Lian."

Those who can enter the family council hall are currently at least of the "Yu" generation; those of the "Cao" generation are not yet qualified.

Therefore, several people of Jia Lian's generation immediately gathered around when they heard Jia Lian agree. Obviously, Jia Lian was a new official and definitely needed more people under him. If they could make a good impression at this time and Jia Lian remembered them, they could be assigned to manage some affairs, which would be quite lucrative.

Jia Lian nodded to these people, accepting their flattery, and then said to the clan elders again: "However, I am a warrior and believe in the strict family rules of the first Duke."

Therefore, if I were to become the acting clan leader, the clan would probably not be as relaxed as it was when Brother Zhen was in charge.

If I offend anyone in any way, I ask for your understanding and forgiveness.

"this……"

Jia Dairu and the others did not expect Jia Lian's attitude to change so quickly.

However, he immediately said, "Brother Lian, what are you saying? Strictly managing the family is definitely a good thing. As long as it is for the long-term stability of the family, I believe everyone in the family will support you. There is no question of leniency or lack thereof."

Jia Dairu was very grateful to Jia Lian for his help in the matter concerning his grandson, so he trusted Jia Lian very much.

The others thought that even if the family was strictly managed, it would be the unfilial children of the Yu and Cao generations who would suffer, and it wouldn't affect them, the elders, much. So they all smiled and agreed.

He indicated that as long as it was good for the family, Jia Lian could do whatever he wanted, and it would be best to restore the family to its former glory during the time of Emperor Taizu.

"Since all the elders have agreed, then this junior will not stand on ceremony."

"I won't be leaving the capital for about a month. Before that, I'll formulate a simple family management system and select a few people from the clan to assist in managing clan affairs."

Upon hearing that Jia Lian was going to choose an assistant, apart from Jia Zheng, Jia Jing, and others, the other members of the clan were all somewhat excited.

"I don't know, Lian-ge'er... ah no, I mean, who does the clan leader want to choose to assist? It just so happens that my Heng-zi is idle at home, so how about..." An elder of the Wen generation, while trying to please Jia Lian, began to recommend his own silly son.

Even the servants of the two mansions receive a monthly stipend. They also receive extra rewards when they go out on errands.

Assisting the clan leader in managing clan affairs certainly wouldn't be done for free.

Thinking of this, others began to follow suit and volunteered.

Jia Lian remained noncommittal to these voices, waiting for them to quiet down naturally before saying, "I haven't thought of the specific rules and regulations yet. I will definitely need to convene the clan elders for unanimous approval before we can implement them."

However, let me make this clear from the start: if you genuinely want to contribute to family affairs, you are naturally welcome.

If someone is of poor character or lazy, I advise you uncles not to send them to me. Otherwise, you might end up with a beating in front of the ancestral hall instead of any benefits, which would be embarrassing for you uncles.

Jia Lian's words, spoken in a joking tone, made many of those who had just recommended their sons feel awkward. They responded with a forced laugh to smooth things over. As for how many of them truly took it to heart, that remains to be seen.

Now that Jia Lian has been appointed as the acting clan leader, there are naturally some matters that need to be handed over.

For example, regarding the account books concerning the clan's property, Jia Jing originally wanted the steward to fetch them and hand them over to Jia Lian.

Jia Lian said there was no need; the two mansions were close by, and they could simply order someone to fetch it when needed.

In any case, the ancestral hall of the family is located within the Ningguo Mansion, and Jia Lian has never considered moving the affairs of the clan head away from the Ningguo Mansion.

Anyway, he wasn't worried that the two hundred servants in the Ningguo Mansion would dare disobey him. As long as Jia Jing wanted to become a monk, the people of the Ningguo Mansion would definitely, and could only, obey his orders.

Therefore, placing it in the east courtyard makes no difference.

Perfect, this way we can legitimately come to Ningguo Mansion in the future.

Although he genuinely didn't care about the Ningguo Mansion's legacy, nor did he deign to seize it. After all, what logic is there in taking something from one's own son?

After these matters were discussed, it was time for the gentlemen to rest and change their clothes. Under Jia Zheng's arrangement, everyone went to the mourning hall to offer incense to Jia Zhen.

This is also the procedure for keeping vigil, and the actions involved are solemn and dignified, which need not be discussed in detail.

The women of the clan, dressed in mourning clothes and keeping vigil in the mourning hall, all stood up and moved to the sides to make room for the men.

Seeing the crowd, Jia Baoyu immediately rushed forward to protect You Erjie and You Sanjie, blocking the clansmen and servants.

Seeing the surprised looks on the two You sisters' faces, he immediately flashed a sunny, boyish smile: "There are too many people. Be careful they don't mistreat your two sisters..."

Upon hearing this, Sister You Er and Sister You San were taken aback and then covered their mouths to chuckle.

Having been at the Jia family mansion for so long, they naturally recognized Jia Baoyu.

Everyone knows that Jia Baoyu is the most favored young master of the Jia family, the apple of the eye of the old lady of the Jia family, and no one else is allowed to touch him.

Unfortunately, ever since that day when he came to kowtow to Jia Zhen and saw the sisters, this boy seemed to have lost his soul, and whenever he had a spare moment, he would pester them.

For this, he was laughed at by the women in his clan, but he didn't care, which amazed Sister You Er and Sister You San.

On the other hand, the fact that someone of noble birth like Jia Baoyu was so infatuated with them made You Erjie and You Sanjie secretly happy, and naturally they did not resent Jia Baoyu's eager advances.

In order to protect You Erjie and You Sanjie and prevent the servants and clansmen in his eyes from clashing, Jia Baoyu blocked the intersection, hindering traffic and slowing down the movement of people.

Just then, Jia Zheng lit an incense stick and returned with the flow of people. He immediately spotted Jia Baoyu squeezed among the women and let out a cold snort.

Upon hearing the sound, Jia Baoyu looked up and saw his father, and was immediately startled.

Seeing his stern gaze fixed on him, he quickly lowered his head and retreated to the side like a wilted eggplant.

Jia Zheng glanced at the two delicate girls beside him out of the corner of his eye. Seeing their outstanding beauty, he knew perfectly well that Jia Baoyu was captivated by their looks, and his expression grew increasingly unpleasant.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to serve the old lady? You don't do anything useful all day long. I'll skin you alive sooner or later."

"The old lady called me out. When she saw what Lian Erge said, she told him to go to the inner hall, saying she had something to ask him..."

Amidst his fear and trepidation, Jia Baoyu finally remembered the important matter at hand.

"Oh, the old lady called me? In that case, let's go."

Jia Lian followed closely behind Jia Zheng and, upon hearing Jia Baoyu's words, helped him out of the predicament.

……

He led Jia Baoyu to the inner hall, where, sure enough, Grandmother Jia was there.

There were more women here than usual at Rongqing Hall.

Besides the women of the two households, there were also aunts, widowed sisters-in-law, and cousins ​​from other branches of the family. Perhaps because they outnumbered him, they did not back down when Jia Lian entered.

Everyone stared at Jia Lian.

Even among their own clansmen, who rarely had the chance to see Jia Lian, they were all curious about what this rising star, the "Second Brother Lian," looked like.

Besides the women of the Jia family, there was also a middle-aged woman in her forties sitting next to Grandmother Jia, who was sitting closest to her.

This middle-aged woman was the biological mother of You Erjie and You Sanjie, and also You Shi's stepmother.

Rumor has it that Old Lady You was quite promiscuous in her youth, so even though she had two children with her, she still married Old Lady You's father and became his second wife.

At that time, the You family was still considered a prominent family, but it only began to decline after Old Man You died.

Jia Lian had met this old woman, You, twice before, and judging from her remaining appearance, the rumors might be true.

"Lian'er, I heard you've taken on another mission from the Emperor?"

As soon as Grandmother Jia saw Jia Lian, she immediately beckoned to him.

Jia Lian bowed to Madam Xing and the others, and then briefly told Grandmother Jia about his departure from the capital over a month ago.

"Sending a princess to a foreign land for a political marriage? Why would the emperor entrust such a crucial task to you?"

Grandmother Jia seemed shocked; she glanced at the women in the hall.

The others, of course, listened intently.

After all, they had only ever seen marriage alliances in plays before; they never imagined it would actually happen right in front of them.

"I don't know about this. The court has its own considerations. As an official of the court, I can only obey orders. How dare I inquire about the reasons?" The more casually Jia Lian explained, the more shocked the women became.

Didn't they say that Master Lian lost the Emperor's favor and even his official position because of Master Lian's wife?

It doesn't look like it.

Are ministers whom the emperor dislikes qualified to send the emperor's daughters off to marriage?

Grandmother Jia continued, "In that case, when will you depart, and when will you return?"

"His Majesty said that it will take about a month, or at least a year."

"So long..."

Grandmother Jia murmured a sentence and pressed on, "Besides appointing you as the envoy for the wedding, has the Emperor issued any other decrees, such as regarding your official position...?"

When Jia Lian heard Grandmother Jia ask this question, he seemed to have guessed something and nodded with a smile, saying, "Although this mission is a long and arduous one, it is, after all, an imperial mission for His Majesty."

Therefore, His Majesty said that once I have finished my business and returned, I will reinstate my grandson to his original position.

As for promotions and such, there's no need to discuss that here.

When the day of promotion arrives, the whole world will know. At that time, it will be much more effective than if you take the initiative to announce it.

"Phew, that's good..."

Grandmother Jia breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at Jia Lian to make sure he wasn't lying, and then looked at Granny You and the others: "You don't know how worried I was about him when he made a mistake and was dismissed by the emperor."

It's finally all right now.

Since the emperor is willing to assign him a new task, he must have already forgiven his mistakes.

In this way, we elders can rest assured.

This is why Grandmother Jia wanted to question Jia Lian in front of everyone.

She only realized that Jia Lian's matter was over after hearing this news.

This also serves as a way of spreading the word for Jia Lian, letting everyone in the family know that Jia Lian has not lost the emperor's favor and that their Rongguo Mansion still enjoys boundless wealth and honor.

"Yes, yes, how could the emperor possibly leave such a talented minister as Lian-ge'er unused?"

"Look, he's already an imperial envoy... Heavens, I've never seen an imperial envoy before in my life. I must take a good look at him today and maybe I can share in his good fortune..." A woman from the Jia family said with a slightly exaggerated laugh, using this as an excuse to openly admire Jia Lian's male beauty.

Others, such as Old Lady You, naturally joined in the praise.

Just as everyone was enjoying themselves, Jia Baoyu strolled closer to Jia Lian and asked in a low voice, "Second Brother Lian, you're sending a princess to marry a foreign ruler. Which princess are you sending her to?"

Jia Lian frowned slightly. "It is Princess Zhaoyang."

When Princess Zhaoyang said this, most people did not react, but Daiyu and Tanchun, who were very close to Jia Lian and his companion, all looked surprised.

Jia Baoyu, even more shocked without hesitation, asked, "Isn't that the princess who wanted you to marry her, Second Brother Lian?"

Ok?

Jia Baoyu's words attracted the attention of everyone in the hall.

As for the rest of the Jia family, all they knew was that a princess had taken a liking to Jia Lian and even wanted to force him to divorce his wife and marry another.

They didn't know which princess it was, since they didn't even know how many princesses the royal family had.

"Exactly."

This is the truth, there's nothing to hide.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's admission, Jia Baoyu and the others were at a loss for words. The princess who had forced Jia Lian to marry her but had refused was now going to be married off for political reasons, and Jia Lian was just her envoy?

Why does this feel so eerie?

Seeing the strange looks in the eyes of Jia Baoyu and the others, Jia Lian himself couldn't help but rethink his actions.

He had previously thought it was just Princess Zhaoyang being willful in the end, and Emperor Ningkang just happened to need someone like him to go to the Oirat, so he agreed.

At this moment, one can't help but wonder if Princess Zhaoyang had some other purpose in doing this.

Unable to think of any possibilities for the time being, Jia Lian simply told himself to be extra cautious on this trip and let it pass.

Because of Jia Baoyu's gossip, even the women in the hall had something to talk about.

Seeing them discussing the princess, Grandmother Jia sternly reprimanded Jia Baoyu: "Baoyu, that matter concerning your second brother Lian and his wife is in the past. Don't mention it again, understand?"

While ostensibly referring to Jia Baoyu, the text subtly serves as a reminder to everyone.

"Oh." Jia Baoyu, of course, had no idea what Grandmother Jia was thinking, and simply said "Oh."