Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"Uncle, this is the courtyard my mother arranged for Madam Zhen and Lady Lin. I won't go in. If you need anything, please tell the maids and servants inside. I'll be at your service in the outer courtyard."

"Okay, go ahead."

Watching the young man respectfully bow and leave, Jia Lian nodded to himself. Jia Yucun truly lived up to his reputation as a second-class Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations); his methods of educating his son were indeed effective.

Jia Yucun had two sons and one daughter. The son and daughter were born to Jiao Xing, but both were still young. The older son was born to his deceased wife, and Jia Yucun had just introduced him to her, clearly grooming him as his successor.

The private residence of the Yingtian Prefecture government was built in a very spacious and beautiful manner.

Jia Lian walked along the corridor, and after a few steps, he saw Daiyu leaning against the railing, gazing at the secluded courtyard in front of her.

"What are you doing standing here? Where are Xiangling and the others?"

Upon hearing the sound, Daiyu turned around, and the loneliness in her eyes disappeared and was concealed at a visible speed. She glanced back at the side room behind her and pointed with her chin.

Jia Lian had actually heard the woman's voice coming from the other room; he had only asked casually.

Seeing Daiyu's expression, Jia Lian couldn't help but laugh and say, "What's wrong? Are you jealous seeing Xiangling and her daughter reunited, so happy and content?"

"You're the one who's jealous."

Daiyu's face flushed slightly; her original sorrowful mood was completely transformed into embarrassment by Jia Lian.

Indeed, although she had also lost her mother for many years, how could she compare to Xiangling? Xiangling lost both her parents before she could even remember anything, and now that she and her mother had finally reunited, wouldn't it seem very immature and lacking in morals if she were still jealous?

Besides, she wasn't jealous at all. It was just that seeing Xiangling and her daughter reunite, sometimes crying in each other's arms, sometimes holding hands and talking about their love, made her a little sentimental.

Jia Lian certainly didn't really think Daiyu would be jealous. Although Daiyu might be a bit sensitive, or even petty, her character and purity were absolutely rare in this world.

To give a simple example, no matter when, where, or under what circumstances, even if you feel that your parents might harm you in this situation, Daiyu would never have the slightest thought of harming you.

So he smiled, stepped forward and took Daiyu's small hand, "Since they're not jealous, let's go in and see what they're talking about."

Daiyu remained noncommittal, simply following in Jia Lian's footsteps.

Inside the simply yet elegantly furnished room, Madam Feng, Jiao Xing, Xiang Ling, and several maids and servants were scattered about.

Upon seeing Jia Lian and his companion enter, they both stood up and bowed.

Jia Lian was surprised to see Jiao Xing there, so he returned her greeting. Jiao Xing then took her leave and departed with her maid.

In this way, basically only their own people were left in the room.

Lady Feng and her daughter exchanged a glance. Under her daughter's pleading gaze, she took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knelt down before Jia Lian, who had just sat on the couch, saying, "This concubine, Lady Feng, kowtows to thank Your Excellency for saving my daughter's life and raising her."

"Having no way to repay your kindness, I voluntarily sell myself into your household. Whether it be cleaning the houses or guarding the gate, I will obey your every command. I humbly beseech Your Excellency's mercy and permission."

Seeing her mother like this, Xiangling quickly stepped forward and knelt down with her mother, looking at Jia Lian pleadingly.

Not to mention the two of them, even Daiyu and the other maids in the room were all looking at Jia Lian with the same expression, as if afraid that Jia Lian would not agree.

Through their previous conversations, they already knew about the Zhen family's situation.

The Zhen family has long since ceased to exist, and Xiangling's father has been a monk for many years, with no news of him. Xiangling's mother, Madam Feng, has been living with her parents' family and is presumably not well-regarded.

Since that's the case, it would be better to enter the Duke's mansion and receive a share of the public meals. This way, not only would I have no worries about food and clothing, but I could also stay by my daughter's side day and night, making up for the regrets of the past ten years!

Although being sold into slavery might not be so easy for Lady Feng, who came from a gentry family, to accept emotionally.

However, she also understood that even being a servant in a wealthy family would be much better than her previous situation. Most importantly, she had repeatedly confirmed that her daughter would never want to leave the Rongguo Mansion and her master, Jia Lian.

Therefore, the only way for her to stay by her daughter's side was to sell herself into servitude at the Rongguo Mansion. After all, given their power and influence, she had absolutely no chance of forcibly taking her daughter away unless they were willing!

She didn't dare take her daughter away either.

After taking her away, where would she go? She herself was already living with her parents and was disliked by them. Was she going to take her daughter back to her parents' home and have her suffer with her?

So why did she spend so many years hoping to find her daughter? Was it just to prevent her from living a life of luxury and to make her suffer with her?

So, after a brief consideration, she agreed to Jiao Xing's suggestion. Since she had no children besides Xiang Ling, becoming a slave wouldn't be a burden on her descendants.

As for the Zhen family's reputation, she had long since lost all interest in it. When her husband abandoned her, she was heartbroken and had no desire for the Zhen family anymore.

Now that she has been granted a chance to find her daughter, which means she has found hope for the rest of her life, she will naturally stay by her daughter's side even if it means death.

Facing everyone's gaze, Jia Lian frowned and asked, "Madam, have you thought this through carefully? Although it would be very simple for the manor to take in another servant, I do not want Madam to feel any reluctance."

As for Madam's desire to stay by her daughter's side, I can understand that, which is why I agreed to help Xiangling find her relatives.

Therefore, even if you don't sell yourself into the household, you can still stay by Xiangling's side. I can agree to take you back to the capital and rent a house for you there. That way, it will be easy for Xiangling to see you if she wants to, and you can also come in to see your daughter if you want to.

As for your daily expenses, there's no need to worry. Xiangling has been with me for so many years, and I've never seen her waste a single penny. I imagine she's saved up quite a bit of money on her own; it's more than enough for you to live comfortably."

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, everyone immediately looked at Xiang Ling, a hint of a smile playing on their lips.

Yes, Second Master Lian is a very generous man. Everyone in the mansion knows how much he dotes on Xiangling. As a result, Xiangling receives countless rewards every day!

When Xiangling heard Jia Lian's words, she became excited and looked at Madam Feng, nodding vigorously, almost saying, "Mother, don't worry, I have money, I'll take care of you!"

For Xiangling, leaving Jia Lian was certainly not something she wanted. However, she also didn't want to wrong her mother, after all, she herself hadn't sold herself into the Jia family. Although she had long considered herself a maid in the Jia family, it was true that the Jia family hadn't made her sign a contract of indenture, and her monthly wages had always been deducted from Jia Lian's monthly allowance.

Therefore, Jia Lian's suggestion was a way for her to have the best of both worlds, and she was very grateful to Jia Lian for thinking of her in this way.

Meeting her daughter's gaze, Lady Feng smiled instead, turned to Jia Lian and kowtowed again, sincerely saying, "I thank Your Excellency for thinking of my daughter and me so much. However, please forgive my greed, I still wish to enter the manor as a servant. In this way, I can not only be closer to my daughter, but also avoid living alone in a courtyard, feeling lonely and having no one to talk to on a daily basis."

"I beg Your Excellency, for Xiangling's sake, to grant me permission to sell myself into servitude and enter your household!"

"mother……"

Seeing that her daughter intended to offer advice, Madam Feng took her hand and shook her head.

How could she not see clearly? Even if Jia Lian was speaking from the heart, what merit did she have to accept this favor again? Moreover, she had lost her daughter for many years and had only just reunited with her. How could she have the face to spend the filial piety her daughter had accumulated over the years?

Besides, living outside is nowhere near as convenient as coming into the Duke's mansion with her daughter. Even disregarding the ease or cost of future meetings, she still doesn't feel comfortable letting her daughter live alone in the Duke's mansion.

Therefore, she felt that Jiao Xing was right and that finding a way to enter the Rongguo Mansion was her best option.

Since she had no relation to the Rongguo Mansion, the only way for her to enter the mansion was to sell herself into servitude.

Fortunately, through those small details, she became even more certain that the Rongguo Mansion was a family that had accumulated good deeds, and that Jia Lian was also a virtuous person.

In this way, she doesn't have to worry about being mistreated after entering the mansion.

For Jia Lian, all he wanted was to help Xiangling find her mother. He didn't care whether Feng Shi came to the mansion to accompany Xiangling or lived separately outside.

Seeing that she had made up her mind, Jia Lian didn't want to waste any more words and nodded, saying, "Since you have already made up your mind, then I will grant your wish."

However, you were never born into our household, so there's no need for you to sign a lifelong contract. How about this: after we return to the capital, you'll sign a five-year indenture. After five years, you can stay or leave as you please.

Upon hearing this, everyone knew that Jia Lian was being so lenient with Feng Shi because of Xiang Ling.

Although short-term contracts existed in those times, powerful families generally only signed life-long contracts—contracts for life—to ensure the absolute loyalty of their servants. There was no room for reneging.

Therefore, several maids and servants from the Jia and Lin families looked at Madam Feng with envy.

Lady Feng naturally understood this principle and was at a loss for words. She could only kowtow to Jia Lian in gratitude, saying, "This servant thanks Your Highness for your magnanimity!"

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Second Master..."

Xiangling followed her mother and kowtowed to Jia Lian to express her gratitude. When she raised her head, her eyes were already brimming with tears. Her gaze towards Jia Lian was full of gratitude and remembrance.

This made Feng sigh softly.

After seeing Xiangling and her daughter get up and hold hands, clearly having a lot to say but unable to say it because he was there, Jia Lian understood why Daiyu had gone out alone to get some fresh air earlier.

Therefore, Jia Lian did not want to stay there any longer and bid farewell to Jia Yucun and his wife.

"Senior Sister Lin, please stay and play with me..."

Jia Yucun and Jiao Xing's daughter, Yuchai, was probably seeing such a beautiful girl as Daiyu for the first time. After seeing her by chance before and hearing that she was her senior sister, she immediately became attached to her. Not only did she chase after her, but now that she heard Daiyu was leaving, she was very reluctant to let her go, tugging at Daiyu's clothes and wanting her to stay and play with her.

Poor Daiyu, a solitary and aloof person, always looked quite troubled when facing such a young maid, yet she was too embarrassed to lose her senior sister's composure.

Jiaoxing noticed Daiyu's embarrassment and stepped forward to take her daughter's hand, saying with a smile, "Your father and your uncle have already agreed that we will go to the capital together this time. If you can't bear to part with your senior sister, you can see her on the ship."

They have things to do right now, so stop making a fuss.

"Oh, okay then..."

The young maidservant then frowned and reluctantly loosened the hem of Daiyu's dress.

When Jia Lian and Jia Yucun, who were ahead, turned around and saw this, they couldn't help but smile.

"I originally intended to invite Brother Lian to stay for a couple of drinks at noon, but since Brother Lian has other plans, I won't insist."

"There is ample time."

"Haha, alright, there's plenty of time!"

……

When they arrived in Yingtian Prefecture, Jia Lian and Xiang Ling rode in the same carriage.

On the way back, in order to give Xiangling and her daughter some space, Jia Lian let them ride in his large carriage together.

In this way, he could rightfully board Daiyu's carriage.

He had just boarded Daiyu's carriage and lifted the curtain to go inside when he saw Daiyu frowning and staring at him: "Why did you get on?"

"My car is being used by Xiangling and her mother, so I'm just lounging here for a bit. Hmm, doesn't Lin Daiyu welcome me?"

Daiyu, however, did not believe that a mere maidservant had any right to occupy the carriage of the great Marquis Jia!

"Aren't there maids sitting in the back? If you ask them to make room for Xiangling and the others, wouldn't they agree?"

In a household like the Jia family, the head maids who served the young ladies usually traveled by carriage. Only the wives and junior maids had to walk.

As for the reason, no one has ever said it; it's always been this way.

"Oh, I thought Lin Daiyu was a kind and considerate master, but it turns out she's also a demanding one."

"Zijuan and Xueyan serve you so diligently, and yet you ordered me to steal their carriage! How could your tiny, cherry-like mouth utter such cold and heartless words?"

"If you really care about others' feelings, then let them sit with you. Why are you crowding me out...?"

Daiyu's face was flushed. This was because although she and Jia Lian had had some intimate moments, they had almost always done so in private, when no one was watching.

At least until now, she has never ridden in the same car as Jia Lian.

A carriage is a very private space, like a room. Now that Jia Lian has boarded her carriage, she worries that others will laugh at her.

"Well, given my status, it would be even more improper for me to be crammed together with your maids, wouldn't it?"

"Pooh……"

Seeing that she couldn't win the argument with Jia Lian, Daiyu decisively resorted to her usual tactic and spat at him.

Jia Lian then burst into laughter, "Alright, I admit it, I wanted to ride in the same carriage as you, Lin Daiyu, because you're so lovable."

Haha, Senior Sister Lin, why don't you stay and play with me...?

"Hey, are you trying to get yourself killed? You're so irresponsible!"

When Daiyu heard Jia Lian mimicking Jia Yuchai's coquettish pleading with her before, she immediately got goosebumps all over and her cheeks turned red.

However, she was still very happy about it.

Having grown up without ever meeting many outsiders, this was the first time she had seen a little girl so fond of her. So, although she was a bit taken aback by Jia Yujiao's enthusiasm, she was quite happy about it afterwards.

After all, although many people in the Jia family dared not say it, their words revealed that they all felt they had bad personalities and were not likable.

Hmph, isn't this girl quite likable?

Who knew that Jia Lian would use it to make fun of her!

Seeing that Daiyu was panting and her face was flushed after being teased like this, Jia Lian knew that Daiyu was easily aroused, so he stopped at the right time. He moved a little closer, took her small hand, and let her lean gently against his chest.

Although Daiyu was shy about this, Jia Lian had already come up, and she couldn't possibly send him away.

"By the way, Lin Daiyu, have you ever been to Jinling City before?"

"Maybe I've been here before, but I don't remember much about it."

Daiyu answered truthfully. As the central city of the entire Jiangnan region, she must have visited Jinling with her parents when she was a child.

"In that case, how about I show you around Jinling City?"

Daiyu was intrigued by this suggestion. It was rare for a young lady from a respectable family, who rarely ventured beyond her home, not to want to go shopping.

Besides, Jia Lian was with her.

But after thinking about it, Daiyu said, "Xiangling and her mother have only just reunited, so it's probably not appropriate to let them travel around with us."

"It's alright, I'll let them go back first."

After saying this, Jia Lian released Daiyu, lifted the carriage curtain, and ordered a group of people to take Xiangling and her daughter back to the old Rongguo Mansion. Then he took Daiyu towards the West Market.