Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After getting married, Jia Lian managed the household affairs in the Rongguo Mansion. Jia Zheng was not good at handling external affairs, so Jia Lian handled almost all the social interactions within the household. As a result, after a year or two, Jia Lian had gained considerable experience.

While he wouldn't dare say he was exceptionally adept at social maneuvering, Jia Lian was certainly flawless in his general interactions with others.

Therefore, Jia Lian's visits to relatives and friends in Jinling City for several days were very simple and pleasant.

The only regret was that when Jia Lian visited the Zhen family, he secretly wanted to meet the Zhen family's daughters. He wanted to see if they were as exceptionally beautiful and intelligent as rumored, and whether they could compare to the three sisters of his own family...

Unfortunately, due to their innate limitations, despite being close friends, the Zhen family had no reason to allow a married young man to meet their daughter!

Furthermore, there was still no clue as to Xiangling's whereabouts.

The main problem is that we haven't found the little monk.

Wang Sheng and his companions went to the government office several times to inquire, but they couldn't find out about such a person.

After careful consideration, Jia Lian concluded that either the young novice monk, like Jia Yucun, had not yet taken up his post in Yingtian Prefecture, or he was deliberately hiding to prevent anyone from finding him.

Firstly, his experience of becoming a monk and then returning to secular life is not something to be proud of, so he might not want to tell others about it, and naturally others wouldn't know his background.

Secondly, Wang Sheng and his companions were all strong and powerful, and at first glance they didn't seem like good people. Perhaps the young novice monk was afraid that they had ill intentions, so he deliberately hid from them.

This is quite possible. People living at the bottom of society in this era are very cautious and afraid of offending important people and being retaliated against.

Based on these considerations, Jia Lian instructed Wang Sheng and the others to be polite when they went to inquire again, and to tell the people in the government office that a man named "Mr. Yucun" had heard that he was here, so he asked them to inquire, hoping to trick him into coming out.

He had no better options. In the vast city of Jinling, finding someone without concrete information was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Early that morning, he specially prepared lavish gifts and went to visit the Xue family.

The Jia and Xue families were not only friends for generations, but also related by marriage in modern times. The matriarch of the Rongguo Mansion and the matriarch of the Xue family were sisters.

The Xue family was the only one of the four great families whose roots were still in Jinling City. Therefore, when Jia Lian arrived in Jinling City, he could skip visiting other families, but he absolutely had to pay his respects to the Xue family.

The Xue family was quite surprised and took Jia Lian's invitation very seriously.

Unexpectedly, the Xue family was also depleted of its members, and the current head of the family was just a spoiled young man who spent all his time fooling around outside and never stayed at home for even half a day.

So when Jia Lian arrived, Xue Pan, the eldest son of the Xue family, was not at home at all.

Since the matriarch of the Xue family was a widow, she was somewhat troubled and, after consideration, simply instructed the steward to receive them on her own.

Unexpectedly, her eldest daughter heard this and advised, "Mother, it is not appropriate for you to do this. People have come to visit us with good intentions. If we do not see them, they will not say that our family situation is special, but rather that we are arrogant and intentionally neglectful."

Our two families have a long-standing friendship, so we could have been less reserved. Since my brother can't be found, Mother should invite him to the inner hall, behind the curtain, and have the housekeepers and their wives entertain him. This way, we won't appear impolite, and we won't waste their kindness.

The matriarch of the Xue family agreed and hurriedly instructed the steward to welcome the people to the inner hall. She also changed into a more appropriate set of clothes before leading her maids and servants out.

After sitting in the front hall for a while, Jia Lian learned that Xue Pan was not at home, and then he prepared to take his leave.

He knew that the Xue family didn't have many people. Xue Pan was probably only fourteen or fifteen years old. If that were the case, his mother was probably only in her thirties, still a young widow. She couldn't easily see the male members of her household, let alone a male relative like him who had come from afar.

Actually, if the two families were to visit each other frequently, there would be no need for such formality. He is a junior, and it wouldn't be a big deal to receive him. However, the Jia and Xue families have maintained a purely polite relationship over the years, without actually meeting in person. Now, with this sudden formal meeting, neither side wants to be impolite and invite criticism!

To be honest, he should have notified the Xue family a day in advance, which would have been the most polite thing to do, but as for why he didn't do so, only heaven knows.

Upon seeing the butler come out, he was about to take his leave when the butler said, "Second Master Lian, please come in. Our mistress has prepared tea in the inner hall. Please come in for a chat."

Jia Lian raised his eyebrows, surprised but not saying much, and naturally followed the steward into the inner hall.

Although it's called the inner hall, there's actually no second gate. It's located in the front part of the main hall, usually where the matriarch receives other wives of the household.

Although there were quite a few maids and wives in and out of the hall, Jia Lian found it all quite unremarkable.

After all, compared to Grandmother Jia's Rongqing Hall, these are all small-scale events.

After being served tea by the housekeeper's wives, and sitting for only a short while, several women came out from the back room amidst a flurry of footsteps.

The woman at the head of the group, even through the beaded curtain, appeared plump, graceful, and noble.

Jia Lian quickly stood up, bowed respectfully, and said, "Nephew greets Aunt!"

The woman quickly stepped forward and gave a perfunctory bow, saying, "Please rise quickly..."

Although it's said to be separated by a curtain, the beaded curtain is really just for show; if you get a little closer, there's practically no obstruction.

So when Jia Lian raised his head, he was able to see Aunt Xue completely in one go.

She was indeed a beautiful woman in her thirties. Although she resembled Madam Wang in terms of figure and appearance, she was much younger and more cheerful than Madam Wang.

With a warm smile, she invited Jia Lian to sit down, and then sat down on the low kang (heated brick bed) at the back. She said, "I didn't know we had such a distinguished guest today. Your brother Pan went out early this morning, and I don't know where he is now, so please forgive me for not being able to entertain him properly."

Jia Lian responded politely, and then Aunt Xue asked, "When did you arrive in Nanjing? Is it for official business? How are the old lady and your wife at home? What about Feng'er? Has she toned down her temper?"

Jia Lian smiled and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. Our old lady and madam are in good health. As for Feng'er, she's always been like that, so impulsive and energetic; I'm afraid she'll never change her nature."

Actually, in terms of kinship, she was closer to the Xue family through Feng Lazi's side.

After all, Wang Xifeng was Aunt Xue's niece, unlike the second branch of the family, which had to go through Madam Wang. Of course, in this world, the husband's family ties were valued more, so it wasn't wrong for him to call her "Auntie." Even Wang Xifeng often followed his example and called her own aunt "Auntie."

Sure enough, Aunt Xue smiled and said, "I don't know who she took after, she's always been like that since she was little, but she's a very sensible person. You've known her since you were little, so you should be more tolerant of her."

Jia Lian nodded naturally and then explained his background: "I came to the south this time not for official business, but because my aunt passed away two months ago. The old lady sent me to Yangzhou to pay my respects, so I came to Jiangnan and took the opportunity to visit my relatives here."

"It's kind of you to come and see us."

Aunt Xue praised her, then sighed, "I've met your aunt before. Alas, who knew such a good person would leave us so young? Your grandmother must be heartbroken."

Jia Lian and Aunt Xue exchanged a few words, but suddenly his eyes lit up and he looked behind the screen next to Aunt Xue.

He seemed to have just seen a white figure flash past behind him; though it was just a fleeting glimpse, it was exceptionally stunning and captivating.

Aunt Xue had been observing Jia Lian, and upon seeing his reaction, she turned around to look at him as well.

Sure enough, behind the silk screen, her beloved daughter was already standing.

Shaking her head without any hint of reproach, Aunt Xue continued to speak to Jia Lian, "It's been about ten years since I last saw your wife, and I wonder how she's doing now. We're all living apart now, and we're both getting old, so I'm afraid it will be even more difficult for us sisters to meet in the future."

As she spoke, she wiped away some tears of sadness from her eyes.

Jia Lian thought to himself, "Is this a prelude? Could it be that Aunt Xue has already decided to go to the capital to seek refuge with my brother and sister?"

Hearing her so sorrowful words, Jia Lian felt nothing. If nothing unexpected happened, you would live with your good sister for the next ten years, and you would see her almost every day.

I just don't know, if I really find Xiangling and take her away, and your precious son can no longer get involved in a murder case, will you still move your whole family to the capital to seek refuge?

I think so.

After all, judging from Jia Lian's observation, the Xue family, a widow and orphan, had a fortune of millions. It would be strange if they weren't coveted by others in the long run!

Once they arrived in the capital, with their older brother and sister protecting them, at least no one dared to make any more advances.

Jia Lian was pleased with the Xue family's trip to the capital. Although he looked down on Xue Pan's character, he still respected Aunt Xue and her daughter.

They are all people who know how to conduct themselves.

Moreover, if the Xue family doesn't go to the capital, wouldn't the Grand View Garden be missing a pillar of support?

That is Xue Baochai, the first of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling, who may be hiding behind the screen at this moment, secretly listening to their conversation. She is also known as Sister Bao!

Therefore, Jia Lian replied with a smile, "Auntie is joking. Not to mention that our Madam and Auntie are still young, it would be very easy for us to meet."

Beforehand, my wife mentioned at home that she wanted to invite my aunt, Brother Pan, and Sister Baochai to visit us, and even suggested that my aunt's family move to the capital. She said that most of our relatives have moved to the capital now, and it would be more lively if everyone lived together.”

In reality, Jia Lian had never heard Lady Wang say such a thing, but saying it wouldn't have caused any problems.

As expected, Aunt Xue's smile grew even brighter upon hearing this. She said, "It's kind of your wife to be so thoughtful. She did offer similar advice in her letter. But as you know, we have a large family here, and our roots are all in the south. It's not like we can just come to the capital so easily. Also, your brother Pan and the others are still in mourning. I'm afraid we can only disappoint your wife's good intentions."

Jia Lian just smiled at this and repeated polite words, which were just being pretentious. Anyway, the Xue family would go to the capital when they were supposed to, and it wouldn't be something he could influence or change with a few words.