Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Fate is predetermined and cannot be changed by human effort.

Lin Ruhai ultimately did not live to see his old age and return home, dying far from home in the capital.

Lin Ruhai's ancestral home was Suzhou, and he had not served as an official in Beijing for long. He did not have many family friends or relatives in the capital, so his death did not cause much of a stir in the city. Apart from the Rongguo Mansion, only a few of Lin Ruhai's closest friends who had received the obituary came to pay their respects.

Jia Lian naturally put aside all other matters and stayed at the Lin residence every day, personally handling everything from setting the date for the funeral to personally delivering the news.

Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng and his wife, Madam Xing, and everyone from the Rongguo Mansion came to offer their condolences.

Among them, Grandmother Jia was the most heartbroken. She cried bitterly in the mourning hall, saying that she had long foreseen that Jia Min and Lin Ruhai would not live long. Now they had left Daiyu alone, all by herself. They were not good parents...

Jia Baoyu also came. However, Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and others had already discussed with Jia Lian that they would keep his relationship with Daiyu a secret from Jia Baoyu for the time being. Therefore, Grandmother Jia and the others firstly prevented Jia Baoyu from coming to the Lin family alone, and secondly, even if he did come to the Lin family, all those who knew about it would intentionally avoid discussing the matter in front of him.

Because the Lin family was small and very few members of the Jia family knew about this, Jia Baoyu stayed at the Lin family's house for half a day without hearing a single word.

On this day, Wang Xifeng also prepared for the Lin family's funeral.

She was a busybody who loved to meddle in other people's business. Seeing that the Lin family was short of people and that things were handled too simply, she started to help with the internal arrangements.

Seeing that Daiyu was graceful and frail, he couldn't bear to let her cry for too long before the coffin. So he found a reason to invite Daiyu to rest in the quiet room, while showing her great care and concern.

Knowing that Wang Xifeng was coming, Daiyu felt a little nervous, and whenever she saw Wang Xifeng, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Seeing Wang Xifeng's ever-present warm smile, she felt somewhat relieved. While subtly responding to Wang Xifeng's concern, she kept encouraging herself: since Wang Xifeng acted this way, she couldn't be too petty and risk being looked down upon.

As for the others, whether it was Ping'er and others around Wang Xifeng, or Zijuan and others around Daiyu, when they saw these two meet, they all chose to leave, leaving the two masters a private space to communicate.

Soon, only Wang Xifeng and Daiyu remained in the quiet room. They sat on the kang (heated brick bed), and their conversation gradually ceased. (Error-free update @)

Daiyu had never experienced anything like this before. She looked up and saw Wang Xifeng scrutinizing her with her phoenix eyes. She felt both shy and nervous. She took a deep breath and prepared to get up.

"Second Sister-in-law Lian, please have some tea..."

Daiyu wanted to get up and serve tea to Wang Xifeng to ease the awkwardness.

Wang Xifeng would never agree to that. She grabbed her hand, making her sit down, and said with a smile, "Still calling me sister-in-law?"

Daiyu blushed with embarrassment. Her stubborn personality prevented her from cooperating with Wang Xifeng's change of address, and she simply turned her head away without saying a word.

Such a shy and demure appearance was enough to make even Wang Xifeng, let alone men, envious. She couldn't help but laugh again: "Look at her like this. It's clear that when you first came to the manor, I was right. You really are like a fairy from heaven. No wonder your Second Brother Lian has had his eye on you since childhood and was determined to marry you."

Daiyu blushed upon hearing this, and then couldn't help but wonder if Wang Xifeng's words were a veiled criticism of her.

But Wang Xifeng immediately said, "You don't need to be nervous about me. You've known me for so many years. Although the servants in the mansion used to say how powerful I was, tell me honestly, how have I treated you and the other sisters in the family all those years?"

Upon hearing this, Daiyu quickly replied, "Sister Feng has always treated us extremely well. At home, besides the old lady, Sister Feng is the one who treats me the best. I will always remember her kindness."

Wang Xifeng's eyes lit up. "Good sister, I'm content as long as you call me 'elder sister'."

You don't know, because of what happened between you and your second brother Lian, the old lady and your second brother Lian have taken turns suppressing and disciplining me, as if they're afraid I'll bully you after you come into the family.

But they don't even consider that I am not such an unreasonable person.

If it were anyone else wanting to enter my home, for the sake of peace and quiet and for the sake of your second brother Lian's reputation, I would certainly scrutinize them carefully. (To be continued!)

Chapter 437 The First Clash Between Wang and Lin

It's an inspection; how can just anyone come in?

But who is my sister? In fact, my sister is far superior to me in terms of family background, education, and appearance.

Your willingness to marry your second brother Lian is a blessing that your second brother Lian and I have accumulated over many lifetimes. How could I not be happy?

My only feeling is that I'm making you feel so wronged.

So you really don't need to be reserved in front of me. I remember you used to be very sharp-tongued and unforgiving in front of me, haha. So, how about you act the same way you did in front of me before?

When you marry into our family, we should naturally address each other as sisters. If you respect me, you can call me "elder sister." If you find me uncouth and ignore me, I will not blame you.

In short, I will definitely treat you as my own sister. To say something I can't tell others, your second brother Lian is becoming more and more capable in the outside world. His horizons are broader than before, he knows more people, and naturally, he has more female confidantes.

Men are most susceptible to temptation. If it's just ordinary womanizing, that's fine, but the fear is that they might go astray and offend the wrong people, which could ruin their future.

My younger sister is very intelligent, so she was able to understand what I meant.

It's a pity I'm such a futile person, and your second brother Lian isn't willing to listen to my advice. Only you, with your knowledge and good looks, and your second brother Lian dotes on you so much, I think if you were to persuade him, he would definitely listen to you.

"Good girl, do you understand why I'm doing this?"

Wang Xifeng's words were spoken with great emotion and sincerity, which moved even Daiyu.

Although Daiyu was young, she was extremely talented. Although she could not fully empathize with some of Wang Xifeng's words, she could tell that Wang Xifeng wanted to befriend and win her over. Her words were even cautious and careful, and even seemed to be flattering.

This made Daiyu breathe a sigh of relief.

What she was most worried about was that Wang Xifeng would treat her coldly, and she really didn't know what to do then.

After all, she had lived in the Rongguo Mansion for many years and knew that Wang Xifeng was known as a jealous person.

Whether Wang Xifeng was genuinely saying this or just trying to appease her, at least the two of them wouldn't feel too awkward around each other now.

Anyway, she was willing to marry Jia Lian, entirely for the sake of her second brother Lian, and had nothing to do with anyone else.

She never imagined that after marrying Jia Lian, she would have to please Wang Xifeng, let alone be on equal footing with her.

Her plan was that if Wang Xifeng treated her well after she married into the family, she would be friendly with her. If Wang Xifeng didn't like her, she would simply avoid her.

She wasn't afraid even if Wang Xifeng tried to bully her. She had given her heart to Jia Lian and believed he would protect her. If Jia Lian couldn't protect her, or if he changed his mind and didn't want to protect her anymore, she could simply follow her parents in death, leaving her second brother Jia Lian to regret it alone.

Of course, this was only Daiyu's worst-case scenario. She trusted Jia Lian completely; otherwise, she wouldn't have put herself through this ordeal.

Furthermore, she believed that Jia Lian could control Wang Xifeng, a fact evidenced by the fact that Wang Xifeng was now completely subdued and only dared to speak to her cautiously. @Essence/Book Pavilion *First Update~~

Therefore, Daiyu thought about it and realized that she shouldn't entrust everything to Jia Lian alone, even though she had become accustomed to being pampered by him. If Wang Xifeng could genuinely treat her well, she would be happy to cultivate a good relationship with her.

That way, Brother Lian will have less to worry about...

Therefore, she secretly took a breath, stood up, blushed, and said to Wang Xifeng, "Sister Feng, what you said is too embarrassing. I, I am not as good as you say."

Moreover, everyone knows that Lian Er Gege (Second Brother Lian) cares most about Feng Jie (Sister Feng). He even refused the Empress Dowager's arranged marriage for her sake, demonstrating his deep affection for her.

Although the remarks were made casually, Daiyu couldn't help but feel a little sad as she spoke them.

In the end, it was Brother Lian and Sister Feng who were truly husband and wife...

Having already considered this issue many times in her mind, and not wanting to appear timid in front of Wang Xifeng, Daiyu quickly made a decision.

"Don't worry, Sister Feng. Leaving aside the good things you've done for me all these years, even after I marry you..." (To be continued!)

Chapter 437 The First Clash Between Wang and Lin

"My sister's house is naturally in your honor, and I only hope that you will have mercy on me and treat me as you did back then. Your younger sister is here to kowtow to you, my sister..."

Daiyu is a very emotional person, and her actions are influenced by her emotions.

She despised these formalities of ruler and subject, wives and concubines, but living in this world, she was inevitably influenced by them to some extent.

She had long been prepared to be subservient to Wang Xifeng. Now that Wang Xifeng could act so humbly, why couldn't Lin Daiyu do the same?

A stubborn voice inside her told her that she would only use this kneeling gesture to show her stance. If Wang Xifeng accepted her, that would be fine; if Wang Xifeng couldn't genuinely accept her and conflicts arose in the future, it wouldn't be considered that she was disrespecting the principal wife or being unreasonable.

Moreover, this wasn't something I did to please Sister Feng. It was all for Brother Lian. He's been so good to me, and this was just one way I was repaying him.

Although she had mentally prepared herself for the bow, when her knees actually bent, tears still streamed down her face like a waterfall.

Wang Xifeng was already pleased when Daiyu said that Jia Lian cared most about her, and even used the incident from last year as evidence.

That incident was something she would remember for a lifetime, something she would be proud of for a lifetime. She could smile whenever she thought of it, let alone hear it from Daiyu.

Suddenly, Daiyu changed the subject and was about to kowtow to her. Although it was nothing unusual for a concubine to kneel before the principal wife, Wang Xifeng knew how much Jia Lian and Grandmother Jia cared for Daiyu.

She didn't want these two to think that she was bullying Daiyu before she even entered the family!

Just then, she lifted Daiyu's small hands firmly in her own, pulling her into her arms and laughing as she said, "We were talking about something, why are you suddenly into this?"

Didn't I say that I genuinely treat you like a younger sister? How could I possibly make you kneel before me?

Moreover, your second brother Lian has already told me that when you enter the family, you won't be just an ordinary concubine, but will be married into the family with the grand ceremony befitting a noble concubine, just like in ancient times. In terms of status, you won't be any different from me, so you don't need to kneel before me.

Or is it that you know the old lady and your second brother Lian dote on you, so you're doing this on purpose so that they'll find out and punish me?

As Wang Xifeng spoke, she deliberately cast a mocking glance at Daiyu in her arms. @Essence/Book Pavilion*First Update~~

Daiyu blushed deeply and quickly shook her head, "No, no, it's just... Sister Feng treats me sincerely, and I treat Sister Feng sincerely in return, so please don't worry, Sister Feng. In the future, I will definitely serve you well..."

Daiyu was still too young. Although she had her own plans, her outward methods were far inferior to Wang Xifeng's, and she was easily subdued.

Wang Xifeng chuckled, took out a handkerchief, and wiped away Daiyu's tears, saying, "Don't say that. I'm so happy to have a sister like you. Look at your pitiful appearance, stop crying, or your second brother Lian will be in deep trouble when he sees you."

Daiyu was embarrassed and didn't know what to do. This was partly because of what Wang Xifeng had said, and partly because she was being held tightly in Wang Xifeng's arms.

Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian were the same age, only a few months younger. So, after the initial embarrassment, being in Wang Xifeng's warm and mature embrace brought an indescribable sense of satisfaction and peace.

She suddenly remembered that when her mother was alive, she often held her like this.

It's been many years since I've felt such an embrace.

With this thought, Daiyu gave up the idea of ​​breaking free. She thought to herself, "If Sister Feng could truly treat me with the same sincerity as Brother Lian, that wouldn't be bad either..."

Just as the older sister and the younger sister were testing each other and pouring out their hearts, Jia Lian strolled in.

Seeing Daiyu, dressed in mourning clothes and sash, looking even more petite and lovely, being comforted in Wang Xifeng's arms, Jia Lian raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

"Well, I told you so. I've only been with you for a short while, and someone rushed over, probably afraid that I would bully or offend you."

When Wang Xifeng saw Jia Lian, she smiled and said... (To be continued!)

Chapter 437 The First Clash Between Wang and Lin

She deliberately held Daiyu tighter. Her hands also stroked Daiyu's shoulders and face, as if to see if Jia Lian would be jealous.

Daiyu was already embarrassed by Wang Xifeng's words, and she couldn't bear to be caressed by Wang Xifeng in a way that resembled that of Grandmother Jia. So she hurriedly broke free from Wang Xifeng's embrace, went to the side, and poured Jia Lian a cup of tea.

After Jia Lian sat down, he replaced Wang Xifeng's teacup with another one.

Jia Lian sat down on the chair next to Daiyu, took a sip of her tea, and then smiled and said, "I heard you came and helped me arrange and take care of things inside. Thank you for your hard work."

"Hey, stop saying that. I was just giving random advice. You should be grateful that you're not causing me any trouble."

Besides, even if there was any merit, I didn't act because of your deeds, but because of Lin Daiyu's.

"What? Lin Daiyu hasn't even entered the family yet, and you're already treating this place like your own home? Aren't you afraid that if word gets out, people will misunderstand you and say that you're marrying our Lin Daiyu not because you want to take care of her, but because you're coveting the Lin family's wealth."

Wang Xifeng knew Jia Lian quite well. Seeing the admiring look in his eyes, she knew it wasn't for her sake, but rather because he saw how close she was to Daiyu!

Feeling annoyed, he deliberately brought up this somewhat sensitive matter in a joking manner, while also observing Daiyu's expression.

Jia Lian was somewhat displeased.

Sometimes, this outspoken woman just makes you want to spank her.

Fortunately, Daiyu was a pure person who only cared about her inner feelings and not about external things.

Otherwise, if it were any other woman, hearing Sister Feng say such things, she might actually have become suspicious.

However, he couldn't let Sister Feng sow discord between him and Daiyu, so he snorted and said, "Putting aside the fact that my uncle is an elder, he has been kind to me and taken care of me for so many years. So in my heart, I have long regarded my uncle as a close elder."

He had no children, and treated me like his own son, so it is only right that I take care of him in his final days.

As for the Lin family's business, my uncle made a will before his death, which made a detailed division of the Lin family's property. I will naturally carry on his estate in accordance with his will. How could I possibly covet it?

"Only a spendthrift woman like you, obsessed with money, harboring wicked thoughts and always judging others with a petty mind."

As Jia Lian spoke, he beckoned to Daiyu, seemingly wanting to show her some concern.

Wang Xifeng was furious when she heard Jia Lian's words. Why did Jia Lian have to resort to personal attacks when he was just refuting his point?

Seeing that Daiyu ignored Jia Lian's beckoning, he was secretly delighted. After glaring at Jia Lian, he burst out laughing.

Daiyu, naturally, couldn't approach Jia Lian in front of Wang Xifeng. Moreover, she still remembered the day Jia Lian tricked her under the pretense of giving her something, and then kissed her hand.

So I've been on guard these past few days.

As for Wang Xifeng's claim that Jia Lian would covet her Lin family's property, Daiyu didn't take it to heart at all.

Putting aside the fact that she didn't think Jia Lian would covet her Lin family's wealth, after all, even the old lady and her aunt envied Jia Lian's ability to earn money.

Furthermore, she didn't care about the Lin family's fortunes. These matters were arranged by her father. Since he had entrusted them to her second brother Lian before his death, they were naturally Lian's business and had nothing to do with her.

However, she found Jia Lian's teasing of Wang Xifeng amusing, and seeing that Wang Xifeng was not only not angry, but was laughing so heartily, she inexplicably smiled as well.

Perhaps, her choice really wasn't wrong at all. Brother Lian and Sister-in-law Lian are both very good people; living with them must be very interesting.

Chapter 437 The First Clash Between Wang and Lin