Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

In the rear office of Yingtian Prefecture, there is an inner hall.

Jia Yucun quickly flipped through the files in his hands, checking for omissions and errors, his face showing both joy and worry.

Suddenly, a clear, melodious voice reached his ears, "Master, you performed exceptionally well in last year's evaluation. Didn't you say you could go to the capital ahead of schedule for promotion? This should be a joyous occasion, so why do you seem rather unhappy?"

Jia Yucun turned his head and saw that it was his beautiful wife. He sighed and said, "Although I can leave my post in less than three years, I don't know if the future will be good or bad."

Although there are many central government offices, there are even more powerful and influential people with powerful family backgrounds. If someone like me, without any connections, goes to the capital, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to get an important position.

It would be much easier and more comfortable to be a local official here.

As Jia Yucun spoke, he shook his head. If someone who didn't know him well heard him say this, they might really think he was a refined scholar who was not frivolous and indifferent to fame and fortune.

The woman beside him looked to be only in her early twenties, with a slender figure and delicate features. Although not exceptionally beautiful, she possessed a certain charm due to her official's wife demeanor and gentle, compliant temperament.

He saw through Jia Yucun's thoughts but said nothing. He simply put down the soup he was holding, walked behind Jia Yucun, and gently patted his shoulders and back before softly saying, "Master, there's no need to worry too much. With your knowledge and talent, you will surely be highly valued by the court after you arrive in the capital. Perhaps, you will even be able to step into the central government and realize your lifelong ambition."

A glint flashed in Jia Yucun's eyes, then vanished. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The reason I was able to get this position was solely due to the influence of the Jia and Wang families in the capital. It's likely that I'll have to rely on them even more this time when I go to the capital."

Upon hearing this, the woman immediately smiled and said, "I've heard my master say that the Wang and Jia families in the capital are now wielding increasing power. If they could help you, my master would have no worries about establishing himself in the capital. With your abilities, you would surely rise rapidly in rank and eventually become a high-ranking official, assisting the country and governing the people."

Jia Yucun laughed and patted his wife's hand in return.

To be honest, the reason he immediately made this woman his legal wife after his first wife died was because he thought she was intelligent and articulate.

In reality, given her background, she was not qualified to be his principal wife and receive the title of a third-rank noblewoman.

"Speaking of my two benefactors, they are indeed extraordinary. They were originally two of the four great families of the old capital. If it weren't for that, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to be promoted to this position so easily."

According to news from Beijing, they have indeed become more glorious in the past two years.

When I first came to the capital to await my appointment, Master Wang was the military governor of the capital garrison. Later, I heard he was promoted to commander of nine provinces, reaching the highest rank of a military officer. I also heard that he quelled the Tatar rebellion, making him one of the most trusted and powerful ministers in the court.

The Jia family is no ordinary family. Their eldest daughter is now a concubine in the imperial harem, a relative of the emperor. And that's not all; their clan has produced an even more remarkable figure who, at the tender age of twenty, has already been ennobled for his military achievements and is one of the most trusted and capable people in the emperor's inner circle.

Speaking of which, I was somewhat destined to meet this person. It's a pity that when we first met, although I found him to be a remarkable individual, he wasn't well-known at the time, and I was preoccupied with my own reinstatement, so I didn't have the chance to cultivate a deeper relationship with him. It's truly a shame.

There was a clear hint of regret in Jia Yucun's words.

"Is the Marquis of Zhenyuan you're referring to, sir? He's the one who escorted the princess on her mission to the borderlands last year?"

"Oh, you know him too?"

"Hehehe, my lord, you forgot that you mentioned this person to me before. Besides, I've also heard other noble ladies in Jinling City talking about him. Speaking of which, his reputation has spread throughout the land. It would be difficult for me not to know about him even if I wanted to."

As the couple were chatting, a servant came from outside the main gate to report: "Master, the Prefectural Magistrate just sent someone to say that the Marquis of Zhenyuan from the capital has arrived and requests that you go out to receive him immediately!"

Jia Yucun and his wife were stunned. After confirming the situation, Jia Yucun quickly stood up and went out the door without saying a word.

Upon arriving at the main hall, Jia Yucun saw that it was indeed Jia Lian. He hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects, but Jia Lian beat him to it and said with a smile, "Hehe, Lord Jia, it's been a long time."

"Before Your Excellency, how dare I claim such a high position? When I was in the capital, I was fortunate to receive the guidance and care of Your Excellency's Lord Zheng. Out of gratitude, I recognized Lord Zheng as my uncle and treated him with the respect due to a junior."

If Your Excellency does not mind, then we shall be family, and you may simply address me by my given name.

"Hehehe, in that case, may I presume to address you as 'Brother Yucun'?"

Jia Yucun had only intended to curry favor with Jia Lian, and when he saw Jia Lian accept the offer, his expression immediately lit up with joy. He smiled and said, "Brother Lian, please take a seat."

"Alright, Brother Yucun, please."

So the two of them took their seats together, with the host and guest positioned to the left and right of each other.

During their polite conversation, everyone was warm and friendly, as if they were truly one big family.

In reality, Jia Yucun was already forty years old, while Jia Lian was only in his early twenties, a difference of more than half his age.

When Jia Lian first entered this world, he looked down on Jia Yucun and wished he could get rid of him as soon as possible.

Having spent many years in officialdom, I've gradually come to understand that people like Jia Yucun are just the norm in official circles.

If it's necessary, then leave it; if not, then it might be better to keep it.

With his academic achievement of being a second-class Jinshi, his more than ten years of experience in officialdom, his remarkable talent, and his connection with the Jia family, he was truly the best candidate to be the Jia family's henchman outside the home!

Of course, it also depends on who is in charge.

In the original novel, after the Jia family promoted Jia Yucun to a position in Shuntian Prefecture, Jia She, that incompetent fool, became very close to Jia Yucun. However, he was merely manipulated by Jia Yucun and became a stepping stone for Jia Yucun to climb to the top, ultimately turning against the Jia family.

Jia Lian certainly wouldn't allow that to happen.

Although Jia Yucun currently holds a respectable official position, reaching the third rank, his power base is still very weak, making him a valuable asset. If he becomes a threat in the future, it won't be too late to eliminate him.

Of course, these are things to be considered later; he came here today with a favor to ask.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Jia Lian said to Jia Yucun, "Brother Yucun, you must know that I once rescued a maid from kidnappers in Nanjing."

After I asked her, the girl recalled that she was originally from Suzhou, lived in Shili Street, and her father's surname was Zhen. When asked for the specific address, she only knew that there was a small temple next to her house.

Later, I learned by chance from an old acquaintance of Brother Yucun that before Brother Yucun passed the imperial examination, he had also lived in Suzhou's Shili Changjie and had a past relationship with a family surnamed Zhen.

All I learned from that person was that the Zhen family had been scattered and burned down by a fire years ago, and he didn't know where the family had gone.

I've come here to ask Brother Yucun if you have any news. If so, please let me know; I would be extremely grateful.

Jia Yucun found this very strange.

Firstly, he had never mentioned to anyone that he had been "living as a guest" in Suzhou before he passed the imperial examination. After all, that was his most destitute time. Jia Lian politely referred to it as living as a guest, but he knew in reality that it was a period of wandering.

How could Jia Lian actually run into an old acquaintance and learn about this matter?

Secondly, there is a temple next to the house on Shili Street in Suzhou, and the owner is surnamed Zhen. It must be the Zhen family from back then.

He also knew, of course, that the Zhen family's only daughter had been abducted by kidnappers years ago. And that the Zhen family had been wiped out by a fire at Hulu Temple, losing all their possessions and being forced to relocate.

As for the story of Jia Lian rescuing a girl from kidnappers years ago, he knew about it. After all, he had come to the capital with the Jia family when they brought Daiyu, so he had heard about it, but had never seen the girl.

Who would have thought that such a coincidence could happen in the world? That girl was actually the daughter of Zhen Shiyin, the benefactor of many years ago.

This inevitably instilled in Jia Yucun a sense of awe, a feeling that there was a divine will at work.

Leaving aside Zhen Shiyin's kindness in recognizing his talent, when he later became an official in Daru Prefecture and took Zhen Shiyin's wife, Feng Shi, as her maid Jiao Xing, he promised to find her a daughter.

Although he had long forgotten about this matter over the years, who would have thought that Jia Lian would come to his door today to inquire about the Zhen family?

Taking a deep breath, Jia Yucun said, "Few people know that I have been living in Suzhou. May I ask, brother, who exactly is this old friend of mine?"

Jia Lian noticed the change in Jia Yucun's expression and smiled inwardly.

"His name is not worth mentioning, and you probably wouldn't know it if I told you. He only said that he used to be a junior monk in the Gourd Temple in Suzhou, and that he had the opportunity to serve Brother Yucun for a period of time."

Upon hearing this, Jia Yucun guessed that it must have been one of the young monks at the Gourd Temple that day, but he couldn't remember which one it was.

After all, it was more than ten years ago, and he never paid any attention to those few young monks.

He couldn't help feeling a little uneasy, and Jia Lian probably already knew that he had once fallen so low that he had to live in a temple.

Knowing the source of Jia Lian's information, Jia Yucun no longer hesitated and said frankly, "I dare not hide it from you, brother. Back in Suzhou, I did indeed meet a local gentleman named Zhen Fei, whose pen name was Shiyin."

The Zhen family did indeed have a daughter who was abducted when she was three or four years old.

I just wonder why you're inquiring about the whereabouts of the Zhen family, brother?

"To be honest, the woman I saved back then is now one of my concubines, whom I like very much. Therefore, I want to find her family to comfort her. So, if Brother Yucun knows the whereabouts of the Zhen family, I hope you will not hesitate to tell me."

"Haha, my brother is indeed a man of character, to go to such lengths to find relatives for a concubine. I admire you greatly."

Jia Yucun chuckled, knowing that an opportunity to make connections had arrived.

"As luck would have it, I do know the whereabouts of the Zhen family."

After I passed the imperial examination by chance, I was appointed as an official in Daru Prefecture. There I met the lady of the Zhen family. After inquiring, I learned that after I left Suzhou, the daughter of the Zhen family was abducted and the Zhen family was burned down in a fire. So I moved to my father-in-law's house.

I had met the young lady of the Zhen family that day, and out of consideration for the kindness shown to the Zhen family, I mobilized people to help them search for their daughter, but we have been unable to find any clues. I feel ashamed and remorseful; such a well-behaved and lovely young lady has fallen into the hands of kidnappers, and I fear she will suffer a miserable life for the rest of her days.

Who would have thought that Miss Zhen would be rescued by my brother? Now that he has honored her, it seems her suffering has finally come to an end and her luck has turned around.

This was a roundabout way of flattering him, but Jia Lian just smiled and didn't respond.

"As for the Zhen family, I later heard that Zhen Shiyin went to travel with a wild Taoist priest, while the Zhen family's wife continued to live in her parents' home."

Now, so many years have passed, and I have no idea whether it is still in the same place.

However, if my brother requires it, I can immediately send someone to Daru Prefecture to invite Madam Zhen here. It's just that the round trip is quite long, and it may take some time before we have a result.”

"Brother Yucun, you only need to tell me the detailed address of Madam Zhen's family home, and I will send someone to find her. I wouldn't dare trouble you with that."

Jia Lian deliberately showed a hint of joy on his face and said this.

Although Jia Yucun really wanted to serve Jia Lian, he didn't insist after hearing Jia Lian's request. He had someone bring him paper and pen, wrote down the address carefully, and gave Jia Lian instructions on which route to take and how to find the person once they arrived.

Jia Lian thanked them all and then took his leave.

"Daddy~"

As the curtain rustled, a little girl of about seven or eight years old suddenly ran out from the back room.

She was heading straight for Jia Yucun, but when she suddenly saw a stranger sitting next to him, she froze and stopped in her tracks.

When Jia Yucun saw the newcomer, a knowing smile immediately appeared on his face. He said to Jia Lian with a smile, "This is my daughter. I have spoiled her and she doesn't know any manners. I hope you won't take offense, brother."

As he spoke, he instructed the girl to step forward and pay her respects to Jia Lian.

It wasn't that Jia Yucun lacked proper family education, nor that his daughter disturbed his reception. Firstly, he was eager to curry favor with the Jia family, so when he learned of Jia Lian's visit, he didn't receive him in the front hall or side hall, but rather in the main hall according to the etiquette of a long-standing family relationship.

The inner courtyard was behind the main hall, and his youngest daughter had always been his favorite, so it was not surprising that she ran out.

Furthermore, if the daughter is older, it's better to be more direct. But with a young girl, it's perfectly acceptable to introduce her openly, which can also strengthen the bond between the two families.

As expected, under Jia Yucun's guidance, the little girl put away her mischievous behavior, took small steps forward, and obediently greeted Jia Lian, saying, "Yuchai greets Uncle."

Jia Lian didn't pay much attention at first. Although the little girl was very cute, Jia Yucun was already quite handsome. If he took another beautiful wife or concubine, it wouldn't be surprising if they had such a lovely daughter.

Hearing the name, I was taken aback for a moment: "Jade hairpin?"

Jia Yucun laughed and said, "Yuchai is my daughter's childhood name. I'm afraid it's embarrassing for you, brother."

As Jia Lian watched Jia Yucun speak, his eyes filled with affection as he looked at his daughter, he realized he had been overthinking things; it was just a coincidence.

Jia Yucun was Daiyu's mentor, so he must have met Daiyu, but he certainly hadn't met Baochai, right?

He immediately remembered something and smiled at Jia Yucun, "Is it from the line 'Jade in its box awaits a good price, a hairpin in its case awaits its time to fly'?"

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Jia Yucun was stunned. "How did you know, brother? These are just some lines I casually composed years ago..."

"Brother Yucun, you are too modest. My uncle at home greatly admires your talent and has even collected your works. I am not very talented, but I have also read them and am impressed by your talent."

Upon hearing this, Jia Yucun's eyes immediately showed a hint of emotion.

For a scholar, the most important thing is to surpass others in literary talent and gain the recognition of discerning people, for they are true friends!

If Jia Lian were of lower status than him, or even just an ordinary person, he wouldn't care.

But who is Jia Lian? He is someone who surpasses him in both status and ability.

He was a man who could lead troops beyond the Great Wall to defeat the enemy and rescue his lord. He was also a man of letters who could write masterpieces that combined tenderness and solemnity, such as "The noise shatters my homesick dreams, such sounds are not heard in my hometown."

When he first heard of Jia Lian's poems, he was greatly impressed by Jia Lian's talent. Moreover, since Jia Lian was mainly engaged in martial arts, he felt that Jia Lian was a person with innate literary talent and unique ingenuity.

To have someone like him read his work and even point out the source of it because of his daughter's nickname shows that it wasn't just polite perfunctory, but that he had genuinely read his work carefully.

Thinking of this, Jia Yucun's gaze towards Jia Lian showed genuine warmth for the first time.

After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "So, there really are coincidences in this world. Do you know who Yuchai's mother is, brother?"

"Oh?"

Jia Lian's expression shifted, and he began to make some guesses.

"Hehehe, this is a long story, and it's quite a romantic tale from my younger days..."

Jia Yucun originally didn't want to reveal too much about his past, fearing that Jia Lian would look down on him. But now that he and Jia Lian were on the same page, he had fewer reservations.

Therefore, he recalled that when he was a guest in Suzhou, he was appreciated by Zhen Shiyin and took a fancy to a maid in the Zhen family, but because he was down on his luck, he did not dare to ask for her hand in marriage.

When he achieved fame and success, he saw the Zhen family maid again in Daru Prefecture. This rekindled their past affections, and he immediately prepared a large sum of money and gifts to propose marriage to the Zhen family's wife, wanting to take her as a concubine.

Later, after his first wife passed away, he made her his legal wife. Yuchai was his daughter with the maid from the Zhen family.

"I once heard my wife say that when she was in the Zhen family, her main job was to take care of the Zhen family's young lady. Later, the young lady was lost by the servants, and she was heartbroken for a long time."

Now that Miss Zhen has been rescued by my brother, I imagine my wife will one day be able to see her again. If she knew this news, I wonder how happy she would be.” Jia Yucun said with a smile.

Jia Lian was happy to hear Jia Yucun say these things. Hearing him recount his ungrateful past, embellished, had a certain charm.

Jia Lian knew, of course, that Jia Yucun was saying all this to him simply to make him feel that there was indeed a connection between their two families, in order to bring them closer together.

How could Jia Yucun know that, if he wanted, he could form such "predestined connections" with many people in this world?

Therefore, he simply smiled in response to Jia Yucun's words, but then turned his head to take a closer look at the little girl named Yuchai. It seemed that she was Jia Yucun and Jiaoxing's daughter.

Since Jia Lian and Jia Yucun were sworn brothers, and Jia Yucun had brought up the topic, Jia Lian, as an elder, should naturally express his gratitude.

So he patted his body and finally found a jade pendant. He smiled and said to the girl, "Since you call me Uncle, I don't have much to say. This is just a jade pendant I have with me. It's nothing special. You can take it and play with it."

Ever since he learned that in this world, it was common to give gifts when meeting someone, Jia Lian began to intentionally or unintentionally wear something lightweight that could be easily removed.

Although Jia Lian said it wasn't a rare item, Jia Yucun knew that a jade pendant that Jia Lian could carry around at all times must be very valuable. Therefore, he hurriedly said on behalf of his daughter that it was too precious and they couldn't accept it.

Seeing Jia Lian wave his hand dismissively, he smiled and had his daughter express her gratitude.

Seeing that Jia Lian was approachable and was chatting happily with his father, the little girl named Yu Chai had already taken the jade pendant to examine it. Hearing that her father had agreed, she held the jade pendant in her hand, gave Jia Lian a sweet smile, and bowed, saying, "Yu Chai, thank you for your kind gift, Uncle."

Her voice was sweet and crisp, which pleased Jia Lian, perhaps explaining why Jia Yucun doted on her so much.

After glancing at the sky, Jia Lian decided not to linger and took his leave.

Jia Yucun's attempts to persuade Jia Lian to stay were unsuccessful, so he could only see Jia Lian out.

Taking advantage of this time, Jia Yucun said that he knew from the official gazette that Jia Lian's trip south was to supervise the salt administration. He also kindly reminded Jia Lian that the salt administration was complicated and that he should be careful. He added that if Jia Lian needed any assistance, he could send someone to find him.

Jia Lian appreciated the gesture, thanked him, and left.

Upon arriving at the Governor's Mansion, Jia Lian learned that the men Liao Jihong had assigned to him had already assembled outside the city, so he left Jinling City directly.

"Jia Yu, Commander of the Xishan Camp, greets His Majesty the Imperial Envoy!"

As night fell, torches illuminated the surrounding sky along the wide avenue.

Eight hundred soldiers, armed and in perfect formation, stood in neat rows, their military bearing impeccable. The leading officer stepped forward to pay his respects to Jia Lian.

Jia Lian, still mounted on his horse, glanced at him and asked, "Are you the grandson of the Twelfth House of Nanjing, the Grandfather Daisheng?"

"Yes, Your Excellency..."

The officer looked up at Jia Lian only after seeing him initiate private conversation.

Seeing Jia Lian dressed in a magnificent robe and looking exceptionally imposing, a complex look appeared in her eyes.

Although they were both members of the Jia family and of the same generation, Jia Lian belonged to the eighth branch of the Jia family in the capital and was a direct descendant, so he couldn't compare to him.

Even though he was one of the most successful among the twelve families in his ancestral home through his own efforts, he was still worlds apart from Jia Lian.

There's definitely some envy, but I wouldn't call it jealousy.

They were all scions of prominent families, and most understood the principle that their fates were intertwined. Moreover, Jia Lian had upheld the prestige of the Rongguo Mansion in the capital, from which he also benefited.

In the past year or two, he could clearly feel that he was receiving more attention and preferential treatment from his superiors in the military.

It was only because the Jia family produced a concubine and the Jia family's power in the capital had increased that others were afraid to offend other members of the Jia family.

Jia Yu saw that Jia Lian was lost in thought, and Jia Lian, in turn, felt a pang of emotion upon seeing Jia Yu.

The capital and Nanjing are thousands of miles apart, so even the annual ancestral worship ceremonies are held separately. Therefore, Jia Lian did not recognize many of his relatives from his ancestral home, and those he did recognize were not close to him.

However, he had known about Jia Yu for a long time and had been paying attention to her.

There was no way around it; among a large group of idle and lazy young men, it was difficult for the clan leader, who would pay attention to the occasional one or two who made a name for themselves outside.

So he nodded to him and said, "I have an important mission to attend to this time and don't have time to catch up with you, brother. Once this matter is settled, we brothers can have a good drink and chat."

Now, Commander of the Xishan Camp, listen to my command: you are hereby ordered to lead your eight hundred soldiers to Yangzhou within three days and await further orders.

If questioned by government officials along the way, one may pass with the transfer order or the official seal of this official; one must not cause trouble.

"Your subordinate obeys."

……

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