Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

In the main hall of Rongxi Hall, Grandmother Jia had already led a group of women to sit down according to their seniority.

The maids filed in, serving up a variety of delicious foods.

Freshly steamed fish, roasted suckling pig, and large shrimp—all of this immediately made the dozen or so girls present starry-eyed, swallowing mouthful after mouthful of saliva.

Of the eight branches of the Jia family in the capital, apart from the Ning and Rong mansions, the other branches were far less wealthy and powerful.

In particular, some of the clan members who had branched out into several lineages, whether due to bad luck or inability to manage the household, ended up in extremely miserable circumstances.

As a result, not to mention the children, even some of the adults were very envious and eagerly awaited the start of the feast.

Regardless, no one dared to touch anything on the table without permission. Even if some ignorant children tried to try it out, they were immediately stopped by the elders beside them.

At this moment, no one wants to be laughed at by others.

Therefore, everyone pretended to be calm and watched as Grandmother Jia and others at the head table talked.

Fortunately, it didn't take long before everyone heard the announcement: "Second Master Lian has arrived."

"Lord Hou (Second Brother Lian) is here!"

All the women, except for Grandmother Jia and the two ladies Xing and Wang, stood up.

This included many elders in the clan and Aunt Xue.

Soon, they saw a handsome young man, surrounded by two maids, stride confidently through the hall.

All eyes instantly turned to Jia Lian.

Dressed in a crimson python robe, wearing cloud-patterned official boots and a black gauze crown, Jia Lian, with his tall and straight figure, appeared to the women like a peerless fairy appearing before a group of passionate young men.

It makes people want to get close to it, yet unconsciously makes them feel inferior.

As soon as Jia Lian entered the door, he was stared at by a large group of women. If he hadn't already developed extraordinary self-control, he would probably have revealed some flaws by now.

Ignoring the gleaming eyes, Jia Lian walked to the head of the table and knelt down before Grandmother Jia: "Grandson greets Grandmother!"

Jia Lian's kneeling startled all the women in the hall.

Some of the people standing at the front stepped back, not daring to accept Jia Lian's grand gesture.

"Hehehe, get up, get up. You've finally come home, no need for so much formality..."

Grandmother Jia couldn't stop smiling.

Even she hadn't expected Jia Lian to give her such a grand gesture upon their first meeting. This secretly relieved Grandmother Jia, who had been somewhat worried that Jia Lian might not be as obedient as before after being ennobled.

After all, Jia Lian was a stubborn person. Even in the past, if he thought something was right, he would definitely do it, and no one could persuade him otherwise.

Now that he has been granted the title of Marquis, it's likely that no one can control him anymore.

Now, that worry has lessened considerably. No matter what, Lian'er is still that filial and well-mannered child, and she continues to respect her grandmother as always.

Jia Lian rose as instructed, and bowed to Madam Xing and Madam Wang respectively, saying, "Greetings, First Madam and Second Madam."

The two wives of Xing and Wang also hurriedly offered to rise.

"Greetings, Auntie and all the other aunties."

"Hehe, Lian-ge, no need for such formalities..."

"My lord, please rise..."

Apart from Aunt Xue, the other servants of the Jia family dared not accept Jia Lian's greeting and returned the greeting in return.

"Greetings, sisters-in-law." Jia Lian turned around, looked at the women at the other tables, and bowed.

The reactions of these "sisters-in-law" varied; some were flustered and at a loss, while others hurriedly offered their greetings.

Because of the large number of people and their dispersed location, the scene looked rather comical at first glance.

However, Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue, among others, secretly nodded in approval.

This is what is meant by a family that is knowledgeable and courteous; the superiors set an example for the inferiors.

Today, Jia Lian's polite and considerate behavior has surely been seen and remembered by everyone present, regardless of rank.

After all, if even someone of Jia Lian's status behaves this way, how could others possibly be ignorant of or disregard etiquette in the future?

Especially the younger generation, who are in the process of learning, will emulate Jia Lian's behavior today, even if it is only out of admiration for him.

At this time, Jia Lian was undoubtedly exerting his influence on the entire Jia clan, truly displaying the demeanor of a head of the family.

After Jia Lian finished his greetings, Grandmother Jia took the lead in asking about Jia Lian's departure from the capital, such as when he arrived, how long the journey took, and how he met the second master of the Xue family.

Jia Lian recounted everything, only omitting some of the dangers and details.

Even so, the women in the hall listened intently, their expressions full of wonder.

The heroic tales of Jia Lian were not only circulated in the northwest border region, but the most widespread and detailed legends were told in the teahouses and taverns of the capital.

Therefore, the women of the Jia family had long since heard all those exaggerated stories.

Now, hearing Jia Lian, the protagonist, recount some facts in person, the two resonated with each other, how could they not be filled with excitement and pride?

Grandmother Jia also loved listening to stories, especially stories about her own grandson.

But Grandmother Jia was a wise and insightful person. Seeing that Jia Lian spoke more and more concisely after speaking several times, she knew that he probably didn't want to say too much.

Besides, everyone has been waiting for a long time, it's time to start the feast.

So he smiled and said, "Alright, you've come all this way, you must be tired. We're all women here, you must feel uncomfortable."

Go ahead, the elders of the clan are still waiting outside.

"Now that you've left, we can have our meal."

Jia Lian smiled and replied, "Yes," then glanced at the three sisters and Baochai separately before turning and walking out.

"Baoyu, you should go too, and help your second brother Lian offer a toast to the masters."

"Yes."

Normally, Jia Baoyu might not be so willing to leave the inner hall.

This time, however, he had a lot of questions he wanted to ask Jia Lian. Upon hearing this, he quickly followed after Jia Lian, calling out, "Second Brother Lian, wait for me!"

This amused Grandmother Jia and the others once again, and they all felt that the two brothers, Jia Lian and Jia Baoyu, got along very well.

……

"Brother Lian, you're finally back! We were all so worried about you."

On the way out of the inner hall, Jia Baoyu caught up with Jia Lian and said with a smile.

Jia Lian glanced back at Jia Baoyu. Hmm, the chubby boy in his memory had grown a bit taller than before, and besides being cute, he also showed some handsome features.

It's easy to imagine that in a few years, Jia Erbao will shed his youthful immaturity and shed his chubby appearance, becoming a handsome young man.

In retrospect, it's fortunate that I acted quickly enough.

Otherwise, if Jia Erbao were to grow up a bit more, become more handsome, and more knowledgeable, with his natural flirting skills, coupled with spending so much time with Daiyu, he might actually be able to capture Lin Daiyu's heart.

Jia Lian casually responded to Jia Baoyu as he walked forward.

Jia Baoyu also pressed for answers to the accumulated questions, such as the veracity of the stories circulating in the capital, especially those concerning Princess Zhaoyang, which he was particularly interested in.

Jia Lian, with his God-like perspective, naturally knew that Jia Baoyu was a sentimental young man who could find solace in all things.

Even if he has never met a woman, he can fantasize about her for a long, long time just because someone says she is a "beauty".

This is what is called the greatest genius of fantasy in all of history.

If Princess Zhaoyang had nothing to do with him, it would be fine, but Princess Zhaoyang was already his woman. Seeing a little brat eyeing his woman, Jia Lian was immediately displeased.

However, he suddenly remembered the matter of Daiyu and Xiren, especially Xiren. Jia Lian was displeased and simply brushed it off.

Seeing that he couldn't get any information from those around him, Jia Baoyu was a little disappointed, but he didn't pay too much attention to it. Then he said, "By the way, Brother Lian, I heard that you went to see Uncle Lin just now. Did you see Sister Lin?"

How is she these days? Can she eat every day? Does she look haggard?

Jia Baoyu suddenly became very serious.

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian replied nonchalantly, "Sister Lin is doing well. She's in a good mood, sleeping well, eating well, and has even gained weight."

"??"

Jia Baoyu stared wide-eyed, his face full of disbelief.

Unfortunately, Jia Lian had already entered Rongxi Hall and had no time to pay attention to him anymore.

Rongxi Hall, as the main hall of Rongguo Mansion, is also the most luxurious place in Rongguo Mansion.

Rongxi Hall is very large. Usually, only eight chairs are placed in the middle, and a small hall is separated on both sides by nanmu screens, which is used specifically for receiving guests.

Now, by removing the stools and screens and opening all the doors, a huge banquet hall is revealed.

Five or six tables were set up in the hall, and almost all the respectable male members of the eight branches of the Jia family were present today.

They were all there to celebrate Jia Lian's conferment of a title.

Jia Lian casually chatted with them, ate a simple meal, and then excused himself from the table, citing fatigue.

……

In the Lin family, Daiyu woke up not long after Jia Lian left.

Zijuan brought over the prepared rice porridge and fed Daiyu while asking, "What's wrong, Miss? Why did you suddenly faint?"

Upon hearing this, Daiyu didn't answer but instead asked, "When did Second Brother Lian leave?"

Upon waking, she did not see Jia Lian and guessed that he had already left.

"After Physician Wang treated the young lady at noon, Second Master Lian left after hearing that she was alright."

Physician Wang?

Daiyu frowned.

"You guessed right, young lady. It's the same Physician Wang who usually comes to the manor to treat the old lady. Master Lian personally invited him to come and treat you."

Isn't it interesting? Even though it was a freezing day, when Physician Wang arrived, his forehead was covered in sweat. They said that Physician Wang was having dinner at home when Second Master Lian forcibly "invited" him to our residence.

It took Master Lian less than a quarter of an hour to bring the person, covering a distance of five or six li.

As Zijuan spoke, a smile played on her lips, as if she found Jia Lian's act of summoning a doctor quite amusing.

Daiyu listened, but remained silent.

Zijuan was puzzled. Why would a perfectly healthy girl faint outside the master's ward?

Moreover, the way the master and the second master spoke earlier was so strange, it was like they were talking in riddles!

"Young lady, you have no idea. When Master Lian carried you in, we were terrified to see how pale you were and how unconscious you were."

The imperial physician said that the young lady had experienced some great sorrow or joy, and her emotions had fluctuated too much, which caused her to faint.

"What serious thing has happened to you, young lady? Tell us so we won't worry about you."

Zijuan keenly guessed that something must have happened today, so she tried every possible way to find out.

To everyone's surprise, Daiyu blushed upon hearing only her first sentence, and stammered, "You said, you said it was Second Brother Lian who carried...carried me in..."

Daiyu thought to herself that, from childhood to adulthood, she had never been held by a man other than Jia Lian.

Her father may have held her when she was very young, but she has no memory of it.

But Jia Lian, back in Yangzhou, when he took her out to play, whether it was getting her on and off the carriage or teaching her to ride a horse, he always carried her up and down by hand.

I was too young to understand at the time, but I feel secretly embarrassed every time I think about it now.

It was one thing when I was younger, but what about this time?

It's a shame that my second brother Lian taught me to be mindful of the boundaries between men and women. How could he dare to carry me to my boudoir in front of everyone...

Zijuan smiled and nodded without hesitation, "Yes, it was Second Master Lian who brought the girl back."

I was working inside when I heard someone shouting outside. I rushed out to see what was happening and saw Second Master Lian carrying someone in his arms, striding over with a gloomy and terrifying face.

When I asked, I learned that the girl had fainted.

Perhaps fearing we weren't strong enough, Second Master Lian didn't hand the girl over to me. He personally carried her to this couch and settled her there, then instructed us to watch over her carefully before going to fetch a doctor for her.

Daiyu's face turned even redder.

Hearing Zijuan's words, she could easily imagine the scene at that time.

Thinking about all this, I felt shy, touched, and inexplicably sad.

If my second brother Lian treats me so well, why does Heaven play such a cruel trick on me?

Daiyu fainted because she was overwhelmed by the words of Jia Lian and Lin Ruhai, which caused her to lose control of her emotions.

Indeed, although she had always had many special feelings for Jia Lian in the past, Jia Lian had always treated her like a brother, taking care of her, tolerating her, and comforting her, and had never expressed any different feelings to her.

This made it impossible for her to see through Jia Lian's thoughts.

Whether Lian Ergege is simply a gentle and considerate cousin who pities her delicate nature, or whether he has other intentions, she couldn't be sure, she couldn't figure it out.

She didn't even dare to think too much, afraid that if she overthought things and misunderstood, she would be presumptuous.

Only today, when she heard Jia Lian propose to her father, did she realize that it wasn't just her guess, but the truth.

Second Brother Lian truly has her in his heart.

It's just that Brother Lian Er usually hides it so well that she couldn't tell at all!

For a moment, she was overjoyed.

But what followed was sadness.

She wasn't heartbroken that Jia Lian wanted her to be a concubine. To be honest, her emotions were so turbulent at the time that she didn't hear much of what he said afterward.

All she heard were Jia Lian's resounding and heartfelt words.

She was overjoyed and content that Jia Lian treated her with such affection and even had the courage to ask her father for her hand in marriage.

What saddened her was that it seemed her father wouldn't agree.

She was also heartbroken. Why did Jia Lian care about her so much, but there was Feng Jie standing between them?

She didn't want to put her father in a difficult position, nor did she want to put her second brother Lian in a difficult position, and she especially didn't want to make her sister Feng sad.

After arriving at the Jia family, although many people spoke ill of Wang Xifeng, she actually liked her quite a bit. This was because Sister Feng had always treated her very well; besides her brother Lian and the old lady, Sister Feng was the one who cared for her the most.

Although she knew that Wang Xifeng's kindness towards her was partly due to Jia Lian's instructions—she had personally overheard Jia Lian telling Wang Xifeng to take extra care of her—she still knew that Jia Lian had instructed Wang Xifeng to do the same.

Therefore, she didn't want Sister Feng to hate her, and thus she was filled with sorrow.

"Put it down, I don't want to eat it anymore."

Thinking of her sorrow, Daiyu lost her appetite and avoided the spoon that Zijuan offered her.

Zijuan tried to persuade her repeatedly, but just as she was making excuses, she heard Xueyan's voice: "Master is coming."

Zijuan quickly tidied herself up, got up, and stepped aside.