Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Seeing that Grandmother Jia had finished asking her questions, Jia Lian prepared to take his leave.

Although most of the women present were quite attractive, making it a pleasant experience to be among them, Jia Lian was, after all, a grown man of status and position. He didn't want to be impolite, nor did he want his every word and action to be observed by others.

Although Jia Baoyu dared not ask about the princess again, he kept pestering him, asking questions such as why he, as an imperial envoy, did not have the imperial sword.

Grandmother Jia had no intention of sending him away. Instead, she asked, "I vaguely heard that the gentlemen unanimously elected you as the clan head?"

"He's just an acting clan leader. He's supposed to keep an eye on things for the clan for now, and then hand it over to the eldest son when Sister-in-law You's son grows up."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia understood the men's considerations and couldn't help but frown: "What's wrong? Even now, you still refuse to stay at home, and still want to go back to Xuanzhen Temple?"

Jia Lian waved his hand helplessly: "The masters have advised him many times, but Uncle Jing's desire to follow the Tao is so sincere that we can only go along with it."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia could only remain silent and had nothing to say.

Although she was the matriarch of the Jia family, she had no say in Jia Jing's decision to become a monk. Even when Jia Daihua was alive, he couldn't control him, let alone her, his aunt!

Inside and outside the hall, the others didn't care much about whether Jia Jing became a monk or not; they only heard one thing clearly.

So, Jia Lian is now the clan head? In a large clan that has been around for a hundred years, as branches and offspring spread out, many branches and concubines are finding their lives increasingly unsatisfactory.

But why do they continue to live in the capital and stay around the Ning and Rong mansions?

There was no other reason than that they could receive financial assistance and support from both the government and the provincial government!

The person responsible for this relief and care is the clan chief.

After all, no matter how wealthy the two families are, they can't benefit from it. Only the clan leader has the obligation to support and take care of the incompetent clan members.

Even Jia Zhen, when delivering the harvest from the fields and estates each year, would send grain and goods to each household, or directly ask them to pick them up from the Ningguo Mansion.

Now that they know Jia Lian has become the acting clan leader and has control over the distribution of clan resources, their gazes towards him have become even more fervent…

As Jia Lian spoke, seeing his sisters and sisters-in-law all standing there, he took a few steps to Daiyu and the others without being told by Grandmother Jia.

Tan Chun readily offered her chair and helped Jia Lian sit down. Then she took Ying Chun's arm, intending to lean on her second sister for a while.

However, the maids in the hall had already received instructions from Madam You to keep an eye on the situation. Seeing this, they brought over two extra stools, and Tan Chun and Jia Baoyu sat down around Jia Lian.

When Jia Baoyu asked the same question again, Jia Lian glanced at him and replied with a smile, "Of course I have the Imperial Sword, but His Majesty will only give it to me on the day the princess leaves the capital."

"I see. It's a pity, I wanted to see if this Shangfang sword was really as legendary as the saying goes, with its soaring dragons and phoenixes, and its awe-inspiring power."

Although the Jia family possessed swords, they were merely ordinary swords. The Shangfang sword, forged according to the Longquan style, was an item exclusively for imperial use, and under normal circumstances, only the emperor could use it.

Therefore, most people never see what the imperial sword looks like.

Jia Lian then smiled and said to Jia Baoyu, "It's not difficult if you want to see it."

As the saying goes, "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles." When I leave the capital, I will take you with me to the northwestern deserts for a trip, so you can see the magnificent landscape of our country. Perhaps you will gain some benefit from it.

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu was greatly moved.

He didn't actually want to travel thousands of miles; he just felt that this way, he might have a chance to see the renowned Princess Zhaoyang, whom he had never met...

In the end, he could only think about it. Looking back at his mother's warning look, Jia Baoyu wisely lowered his head.

"Second brother, are you really leaving the capital again?"

Suddenly, he heard a delicate voice with a trembling tone. Jia Lian immediately turned around, for it was Daiyu's voice.

Daiyu sat upright on her small stool, her gentle gaze fixed on him, her eyes filled with obvious reluctance.

Looking at Yingchun and Tanchun, there are similar cases.

The moment they nodded, Daiyu and the others' nervous reluctance to part grew even stronger.

My second brother Lian has only been home for half a year, and he's already leaving the capital again. This time, he's going to a place even farther than before.

Not only have I not seen him for a long time, but what if...

Everyone says that there is still a war on the border. Although Brother Lian Er was ordered to leave the capital, he is in a dangerous place. Is there any way to be completely safe?

If something were to happen to Brother Lian, then...

Thinking of this, Daiyu felt a sudden tightness in her chest, and an extreme fear welled up in her heart.

She didn't know why she was worried about this; even the old ladies probably didn't think this way, which seemed a bit like worrying unnecessarily.

But she was very worried; she simply couldn't imagine the consequences if Jia Lian never returned.

Wouldn't she have lost one in that case...?

A cousin who loved and cared for her so much...

Daiyu was sensitive and thoughtful, so she thought more deeply than others. She didn't want Jia Lian to go to such a far and dangerous place.

For Tan Chun and the others, Jia Lian's trip was on imperial orders, and it was the most important matter at hand.

Although reluctant to part, they could only offer their silent blessings and say things like, "Take care on your long journey."

Jia Lian accepted his sisters' concern and glanced at the delicate Daiyu.

By the time she returns from this errand, Lin Daiyu will have entered her teenage years...

The day I've been waiting for has finally come when the buds will sprout.

Jia Lian had only exchanged a few words with Daiyu and the others when the other women in the hall, seeing this as a rare opportunity, naturally tried to get closer to him.

A clever woman immediately came up with an excellent reason.

Seeing that Jia Lian had a chance to speak, she immediately interrupted with a smile: "Brother Lian is always busy with important matters outside, and we rarely see you all year round."

This is your younger sister, nicknamed Xiluan, and she is twelve years old this year.

"Luanluan, why aren't you stepping forward to pay your respects to your Second Brother Lian!"

The still-charming woman, speaking cautiously, pulled a shy young girl aside and introduced her to Jia Lian.

The girl was very shy, but not wanting to be impolite under everyone's gaze, she followed her mother's lead and slowly walked to Jia Lian, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Second Brother Lian~"

Jia Lian smiled and stood up to return the greeting.

The Jia family had eight branches in the capital, with a large number of members.

The male members of the family were better off, as they had more opportunities to interact with Jia Lian, so Jia Lian recognized most of them.

But it's hard to say about those cousins ​​who rarely leave their homes.

According to Jia Lian's observation just now, there were at least twenty girls under the age of seventeen or eighteen in this hall today, besides Daiyu and the three sisters.

He couldn't name most of them, but he recognized some of them and roughly knew which house and household they belonged to.

This Xi Luan is too young; she certainly doesn't look familiar. However, her mother, Jia Lian, recognizes her; she is Jia Yi's mother.

As soon as Jia Xiluan stepped forward to greet Jia Lian, Jia Baoyu's eyes were fixed on her and he couldn't take them off.

Unlike Jia Lian, he was raised by Grandmother Jia from a young age and had a particular fondness for pretty girls, so he naturally recognized most of the girls in the family.

After all, they were from the same clan, and during festivals, they would always visit the Rongguo Mansion to pay their respects to Grandmother Jia.

If they bring their daughters and granddaughters, they will naturally have the opportunity to meet Jia Baoyu.

While Jia Baoyu couldn't remember anything else, remembering which younger sister was pretty was his specialty.

Seeing Jia Xiluan at this moment, he couldn't help but secretly praise her: Sister Xiluan, you've really grown up to be more and more beautiful. I've thought she was good since she was little!

Grandmother Jia, who was seated at the head of the table, immediately began to examine the girl.

She nodded secretly, then smiled and said to Jia Lian, "Your aunt is right. It was fine before, but now that you're the clan head, you should get to know all your sisters and nieces, so you don't forget them and make a fool of yourself."

As she spoke, Grandmother Jia took the initiative to summon all the girls over so that Jia Lian could meet them.

The other women, who were worried that Jia Lian's mother had gotten the upper hand and made an appearance in front of Jia Lian, were now all eager to cooperate with her. They brought out their daughters and granddaughters for Jia Lian to recognize, and asked him to take good care of them in the future.

To be honest, with so many girls from different houses and even different generations, Jia Lian couldn't possibly remember them all at once.

It turns out that the Jia family has good genes; even the girls from the concubines' wives all seem quite well-behaved.

Among them, the most outstanding were Jia Xiluan and Jia Qiong's younger sister, Fourth Sister.

Jia Lian had some impression of Jia Qiong's sister, but the one he remembered most was Jia Qiong's mother.

A stunning young woman, with a killer waist. That was all several years ago.

According to Jia Lian's usual practice, when meeting his younger sister for the first time, he should at least give her a small gift.

However, there were simply too many younger sisters and nieces to give as gifts today. Even if Jia Lian took off all the small items he wore, it wouldn't be enough. So Jia Lian had no choice but to give a word of concern and praise instead, and that was it.