Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Grandmother Jia asked a few more questions, and seeing that Jia Lian and Lin Ruhai had already considered them, she didn't say anything more. After thinking for a while, she finally asked, "Also, what are you going to say about Feng'er?"

Jia Lian's smile faded. "What else can I say? I've told you the truth. I think Feng'er is sensible enough to understand. At the very least, I can give her some advice, and that will be enough."

Jia Lian had considered many ways to get Wang Xifeng to agree to this matter, but ultimately, this matter greatly infringed upon Wang Xifeng's interests, and most of his methods would be ineffective.

We can only reason with them and appeal to their emotions.

In most cases, there shouldn't be any major problems.

After these years of training, especially after the incident with the Empress Dowager, although Wang Xifeng rarely showed it on the surface, Jia Lian knew in his heart that she was very grateful to him and wanted to repay him.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so obedient to him since then, and she would have even restrained her true nature.

As for Daiyu, she was frail and young, so she shouldn't pose much of a threat to Wang Xifeng at the moment. The only thing that would upset Wang Xifeng was Jia Lian's intention to give Daiyu treatment and favors surpassing those of any other concubine.

But that's mostly several years from now. With such a long buffer period, it shouldn't be too difficult for Wang Xifeng to accept it.

When Grandmother Jia heard Jia Lian say this, she thought that Jia Lian had no confidence at all in persuading Sister Feng.

Grandmother Jia was a reasonable and decisive person. Since she had already decided to help Jia Lian, she was not stingy in putting in more effort.

"I know what kind of person Feng is."

If you take an ordinary concubine, even a good one from a wealthy family, she might accept it.

If it were Yu'er...

In particular, you and Yu'er's father even discussed granting her the title of "concubine." Feng'er will surely be heartbroken if she finds out.

Seeing that Jia Lian was about to speak, Grandmother Jia waved her hand to interrupt him, saying, "Alright, it's inevitable that such things will happen when you men have made something of yourselves."

Since you call me ancestor, I'll help you one more time.

I'll speak to Feng'er on her behalf. She still seems to have some respect for me, her ancestor. If I can persuade her, and you then coax her a bit, she shouldn't cause any more trouble."

Jia Lian's eyes lit up slightly. With someone as knowledgeable about etiquette as Grandmother Jia, who could handle things with ease, offering advice would naturally be twice as effective.

Therefore, he cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "In that case, grandson thanks you for your trouble, ancestor."

"Hmph, if I wasn't afraid you wouldn't be able to control her and would cause me, an old man, any peace and quiet, I wouldn't bother with you."

"Hehehe..."

Jia Lian smiled awkwardly. Since he was going to ask the old lady to come, he naturally had to give her face. So he asked her with a smile what she wanted to eat during the New Year, and that he would go and find her later.

Grandmother Jia, however, was not buying it. She said that his current show of kindness was nothing but a pretense of filial piety, and quickly kicked him out.

After Jia Lian left, Grandmother Jia tucked her legs into the quilt and fell into deep thought.

Seeing this, Yuanyang knelt up and continued to gently massage Grandmother Jia's shoulders. At the same time, her thoughts began to wander.

First, she was amazed that Jia Lian and Daiyu had become the subject of the scroll, which was far beyond her expectations. She believed that no one in the entire mansion could have foreseen this beforehand.

Even she thought that Miss Lin would become a couple with Master Bao.

That's true. In the Jia family now, what can't Lian Er Ye get if he wants it?

Didn't you see that Grandmother Jia was clearly unwilling to marry Miss Lin to Second Master Lian, but in the end she had no choice but to agree?

This is because Second Master Lian is capable and has planned everything in advance. He actually managed to win over Uncle Lin without saying a word…

As for herself, although she had previously guessed that Grandmother Jia had the intention of betrothing her to Second Master Lian, Grandmother Jia had never actually expressed her opinion.

Today, after being provoked by Master Lian, I finally blurted it out.

Thinking about it, my life's destiny has finally been decided. And come to think of it, I owe it all to Miss Lin.

People with different identities naturally think differently.

Yuanyang wasn't jealous of Daiyu at all; all she admired about Jia Lian was his ability to get whatever he wanted.

Furthermore, Daiyu is of noble character. Even if she becomes an equal to Lady Lian in the future, she would not likely bully those unfortunate maids and concubines.

Moreover, Daiyu had been raised by Grandmother Jia since she was nine years old, so they had some kind of kinship. In the future, she might even receive some Buddhist guidance from her...

Just as she was thinking about these things, she suddenly heard Grandmother Jia call her, and Yuanyang quickly composed herself and responded.

"Go and fetch Feng'er..."

"Also, call your wives over here!"

"Yes."

Yuanyang naturally knew what Grandmother Jia intended, so she got off the kang (heated brick bed), dressed herself, and then called two maids to leave Rongqing Hall.

……

"Sister Yuanyang, please tell me, what is it that the old lady is so anxious to see me about?"

Wang Xifeng had just finished taking care of some household chores and was about to rest when Yuanyang called her over.

Seeing that Yuanyang's expression was not as usual, he couldn't help but become suspicious, so he kept trying to get information out of her.

Seeing Wang Xifeng address her as "elder sister" so readily, Yuanyang couldn't help but sigh: "It's only like this now. Once I'm officially part of her family, she probably won't be so kind to me anymore."

"This servant doesn't know what it is either. Once Second Madam arrives, she will naturally find out."

Seeing that the mandarin ducks' lips were tightly closed, Wang Xifeng had no choice but to follow them to Rongqing Hall.

Upon entering, they discovered that there wasn't a single maid or servant in the inner hall; only Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were present.

What's even stranger is that Lady Wang and Grandmother Jia, who were supposed to be talking, both fell silent when she entered.

Wang Xifeng was filled with anxiety.

"The granddaughter-in-law pays respects to the matriarch and greets the mistress."

Wang Xifeng was a shrewd person who could read people's expressions. Seeing this situation, she naturally dared not be as carefree as usual, but instead stepped forward respectfully to greet him.

Seeing her like this, Grandmother Jia nodded secretly.

He beckoned her forward, took her hand, and said in a friendly tone, "I've called you here because there's something I need to tell you."

Your Uncle Lin and I have discussed the matter and are considering betrothing your sister Lin to Lian'er as a concubine. What do you think?

Grandmother Jia had also given this matter considerable thought; she got straight to the point, giving Wang Xifeng no chance to build up her emotions. Leaving aside Jia Lian, the very fact that the elders had made the decision left Wang Xifeng with no right to complain.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's slightly smiling face immediately froze.

She glanced at Grandmother Jia, then at Lady Wang beside her, and at Yuanyang, the young lady who seemed somewhat afraid to face her.

Just when they all thought that Wang Xifeng would have some kind of extreme reaction, they saw Wang Xifeng turn around and take Jia Mu's hand, saying with a smile: "When I saw the old lady and madam in such a state just now, I thought it was something very important, which gave me quite a fright."

"It turns out that our matriarch dotes on her and wants to give such a good girl like Lin to our Second Master Lian... This is a good thing! Our matriarch can decide for her; why ask my opinion? It just makes me feel embarrassed."

As Wang Xifeng spoke, she smiled shyly, as if she had known about this all along.

However, the observant Yuanyang noticed from the very beginning, with Wang Xifeng's hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, that she glimpsed Wang Xifeng's inner thoughts.

Yuanyang couldn't help but sigh again; Lian Er Nai Nai had it pretty tough.

Since ancient times, marriage has been arranged by parents and matchmakers. What could she do when Grandmother Jia said those words?

Moreover, Grandmother Jia had stated from the beginning that she would only make Daiyu a concubine, which would not threaten Daiyu's position. Who is Daiyu? She is the old lady's own granddaughter; to make her a concubine is already a great injustice.

If Wang Xifeng dared to express even the slightest dissatisfaction, Grandmother Jia would likely have a reason to suppress her immediately.

Therefore, Lian Er Nai Nai's reaction was truly the most advantageous thing for her amidst helplessness.

"Do you really think that way?"

Both Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were somewhat surprised.

"Hey, how could it be fake?"

Ever since my second master Lian achieved great success, I've known that I'm not good enough for him.

Fortunately, my husband has a conscience and has never thought of divorcing me, so what more could I ask for?

"Our matriarch is so kind now, willing to give her precious son to our Second Master Lian. I'm overjoyed! What, does our matriarch think I'd refuse or something?"

Wang Xifeng raised her willow-leaf eyebrows and looked at Grandmother Jia with a very sincere expression.

Her behavior caught Grandmother Jia completely off guard, and she suddenly didn't know where to begin with the many things she had prepared to say.

But then Wang Xifeng said, "I just don't know if our Second Master Lian knows about the decision made by the Old Ancestor and Uncle Lin. Alas, I'm just being paranoid. Our Second Master Lian is getting higher and higher in rank, and he's becoming more and more stubborn. No one can persuade him otherwise."

Take that incident last year, for example. Even when the Empress Dowager pressured him so much, he still refused to give in.

Lin is naturally wonderful. I've liked her ever since she came to our house, and I'd love for her to come over and be my sister.

However, I wonder what Master Lian's feelings are...

Wang Xifeng was always the most eloquent, and she immediately shut up Grandmother Jia.

She also realized that Wang Xifeng's so-called inquiry was actually an attempt to probe Jia Lian's thoughts.

Grandmother Jia couldn't help but think to herself, "That little monkey Lian'er is really good at hiding things. Not only has he kept it from them, but even Feng'er seems to know nothing about it."

She also knew that Wang Xifeng was hoping that Jia Lian had no other feelings for Daiyu, and wanted to start from there.

So he said, "You don't need to worry about Lian'er."

Actually, it was he who first brought this up, which is why I discussed it with your uncle and we finally agreed.

Grandmother Jia was perceptive and didn't want Wang Xifeng to cause trouble for Jia Lian, so she blocked Wang Xifeng's escape route.

As expected, Wang Xifeng, who had been forcing a smile, lost all hope when she heard Grandmother Jia say that Jia Lian had brought it up first.

She had wanted to appear strong, but she couldn't suppress the sadness in her heart, and tears welled up in her eyes, which she immediately wiped away with her sleeve.

"Hehehe, is that so? Then there's no problem at all."

Since Master Lian also likes Lin, it's naturally a happy ending for everyone.

I knew it! After he brought Lin back from the south, he specifically told me to take good care of her.

So that's when he first conceived the idea of ​​taking care of Lin Yatou for the rest of his life. Indeed, Lin Yatou, as the ancestor's own granddaughter, is as beautiful as a fairy. I like her when I see her, let alone the boys.

Alright, you can decide this matter, Grandma. If there's anything you need me to do, just tell me, I won't obey.

If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now...

Wang Xifeng ultimately couldn't completely suppress her emotions. As she spoke, tears streamed down her face as if they were free, and she couldn't wipe them away no matter what she did.

When Grandmother Jia saw her with tears streaming down her face, yet still trying to appear strong, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

The only time Feng Yatou cried so hard was last year when the Empress Dowager and the princess tried to steal her away from her wedding.

After thinking for a moment, Grandmother Jia said to Lady Wang and Yuanyang, "You may all leave. I have a few words I'd like to say to Feng'er alone."

"Yes."

Madam Wang stood up and gave Wang Xifeng a deep look.

As a woman herself, she naturally understood how Wang Xifeng felt at that moment.

As the eldest daughter of the Lin family, which had been noble for four generations, and also the granddaughter of the old lady, Daiyu's status after entering the family was naturally extraordinary.

It's understandable that she's sad.

However, Madam Wang didn't feel anything; in fact, she was quite pleased.

After years of worry, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

That's fine too.