Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and Daiyu leisurely stepped out of the carriage. She glanced at the two characters "Xue Residence" written high on the black wooden door in front of her, and a strange light flashed in her eyes.

She had also heard that the Jia family, the Shi family (from which her maternal grandmother belonged), the Wang family (from which Wang Xifeng came), and the Xue family were collectively known as the four great families of Jinling City.

Yesterday, she arrived in Jinling and entered Gonghou Street. She had seen the grandeur of the Ning and Rong mansions, which were no less impressive than those in the capital.

I had assumed that the Xue family's residence, even if it wasn't as grand as the Ning and Rong mansions, would still be quite luxurious and imposing.

To everyone's surprise, it looked quite simple, not much different from an ordinary well-off family.

Jia Lian noticed Daiyu's surprise and laughed, "This is just your sister Bao's second uncle's house. I've been to their ancestral home before, and it's much more solemn and luxurious than this place."

Daiyu understood. She had almost forgotten that although Baoqin was Baochai's sister, she was only a cousin. They must have separated their households long ago, so naturally they wouldn't live together.

Previously, under Jia Lian's guidance, she had spent most of the day strolling around Jinling City. As she was about to return, she couldn't help but feel curious about Xue Baoqin, whom her sisters in Rongguo Mansion had mentioned.

Firstly, she didn't believe what Aunt Xue and the others said—that Baochai's cousin was even more beautiful than Baochai. Secondly, when Xue Baoqin gave gifts to the sisters of the Rongguo Mansion, she herself received one, which was a token of goodwill. Therefore, now that she was in Jinling City, she naturally wanted to see what kind of person this Xue Baoqin was and why everyone praised her so highly!

Just then, Jia Lian mentioned that when he went to Jiangnan, he was asked by Aunt Xue to deliver a letter to Baochai's aunt, and he knew her address, so they came directly over.

Following behind Jia Lian, I watched as he stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Who are you looking for?

The small door opened, revealing a servant dressed in blue, who looked at them warily.

"Please inform them that Jia Lian of the Rongguo Mansion has come to visit Aunt Xue and Brother Xue Ke!"

The servant glanced at Jia Lian and the group behind him, said "I understand," and then slammed the small door shut. Immediately, the sound of quick footsteps came from inside, indicating that the servant had gone to inform them.

Jia Lian touched his nose. Since he inherited the title, this was the first time he had ever been shut out in front of someone, no matter which family he visited.

However, they couldn't get angry. After all, if you really think about it, they had come uninvited and hadn't sent out a visiting card beforehand, which was impolite. So, the doorman's behavior wasn't too much of a problem.

Daiyu was initially taken aback by the closed door, but upon seeing Jia Lian's embarrassed expression, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.

I thought to myself that Brother Lian must think that because of the relationship between the Jia and Xue families, there was no need for much formality. Who knew that this gatekeeper of the Xue family was either new, didn't know the Rongguo Mansion, or simply didn't hear me properly. In any case, he adopted a very businesslike attitude and resolutely refused to give them a chance to barge in before the host's permission!

Zhang Yong and his men were furious that their lord, the Marquis, had condescended to visit them, and that the Xue family dared to be so rude. However, seeing that their lord hadn't said anything, they didn't dare to act rashly.

At this moment, in the main hall of the Xue family, a tightly sealed inner room was filled with wisps of smoke, exuding a captivating spring atmosphere.

Lady Zhuang, the second wife of the Xue family's direct line, was lying face down on the soft couch, her jade-like back exposed, with faint panting coming from her mouth and nose.

Before long, a stunningly beautiful face, with eyes that shimmered with azure, unlike any woman from the Central Plains, approached her from behind and whispered in her ear, "Alright, how do you feel, sister? Are you comfortable?"

Zhuang then turned to the side and stretched her body, looking at the woman in front of her, and said softly, "I feel much better, all thanks to you."

"What are you saying? My sister has worked so hard for our family that she's fallen ill. I'm happy to be able to do something for her."

Looking at the woman before her, whose beauty had not diminished over the past ten years but had instead become even more radiant, Zhuang thought to herself, "No wonder my husband disregarded his family's objections and insisted on taking her into his household as a concubine."

Realizing that her medicine and massage had indeed relieved most of his fatigue, he was pleased and reached out to touch her slightly sweaty face. Just as he was about to say something, he heard the curtain rustle and a maid walked in.

Zhuang quickly withdrew her hand, somewhat displeased, and said, "Didn't I tell you that I wasn't allowed to come in and disturb you when the Second Madam is giving me acupuncture?"

"Madam, it's a message from outside; someone has come to visit."

"The master's funeral arrangements were completed long ago. Who would come to visit our family again? It'll probably be the same old people from the clan again. Didn't I tell them that I'm ill and unable to receive guests if they come?"

"He wasn't from the clan; he was a young man who said he was from the Rongguo Mansion."

"The Rongguo Mansion? And it's a young man, could it be Marquis Zhenyuan, Jia Lian?"

Zhuang sat up abruptly and asked what was wrong. Seeing that the maid couldn't give a clear answer, she didn't hesitate. While getting up to change her clothes, she instructed, "Quickly go and call Ke'er. Tell Ke'er to bring the person to the main hall! Well, I'll go out and see for myself."

Zhuang originally wanted to follow the etiquette of large families and have Xue Ke, the only male member of the family, come forward, but then she thought that Xue Ke was too young and might offend the distinguished guest.

"Sister, is this Marquis Zhenyuan, Jia Lian, the one Master and Qin'er mentioned after they returned?"

"Exactly..."

Upon exiting the outer courtyard, I saw the steward reprimanding a servant.

"Madam doesn't know, this boy actually locked the Marquis of Zhenyuan from the Rongguo Mansion out in the wind. Fortunately, the Marquis was magnanimous and didn't hold it against him..."

Upon hearing the steward's words, Madam Zhuang's expression tightened, but seeing the boy who had made the mistake hanging his head, looking like he was about to be scolded, she didn't say anything.

After passing through the hallway and arriving at the outermost courtyard, sure enough, his son was at the gate, speaking respectfully to a young man.

"Last time, my mother said that my second brother Lian helped bring my aunt's letter home. I was thinking that I might be able to see my second brother Lian again. But when I inquired later, I found out that my second brother Lian had already left Nanjing, which greatly disappointed my younger brother and sister."

"That's great! My sister will be so happy to know that Second Brother Lian came to see her in person."

On the way back from Anxi Prefecture, Xue Ke, though not as outgoing as his sister, had developed a good relationship with Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang. After all, they were relatives, so there was no awkwardness between them after a long separation.

Jia Lian replied with a smile, "I should have come to see you when I was in Jinling last time, but I had important business to attend to and couldn't delay, so I left that night and didn't have time to come and pay my respects to my aunt."

"I see."

Xue Ke understood; no wonder he didn't see Jia Lian when he went to Rongguo Mansion on Gonghou Street the next day.

"Tadpole, why are you standing here? Why don't you invite our distinguished guest inside before we talk?"

To be honest, Jia Lian's tall and handsome figure, as well as his imposing presence, especially the burly attendants and soldiers outside the courtyard, put a lot of pressure on Zhuang Shi.

However, after straightening her clothes, she still walked over with a dignified gait.

Xue Ke quickly turned around and bowed, briefly explaining Jia Lian's identity, and then said to Jia Lian, "This is my mother."

Jia Lian glanced at her and couldn't help but give her a slight compliment. What a pretty young woman! No wonder she could give birth to children like Xue Ke and Xue Baoqin.

In front of everyone, Jia Lian naturally wouldn't be impolite; he only glanced at the person before bowing his head in greeting.

"Jia Lian has met Aunt Xue."

"I dare not accept such a great gift; it should be I who pay my respects to Your Excellency..."

"As families have been friends for generations, seniority should come first. Aunt, you're too kind."

Although it was only two short sentences, Zhuang Shi already understood why her husband and daughter had spoken so highly of this young man when they returned that day.

There's nothing else to say; his appearance and manners alone surpass the vast majority of men in the world.

So she said, "Since my late husband passed away, everything at home has been in chaos, and I, a woman, am not able to manage it all. Therefore, I have been quite negligent towards you, my dear nephew. I hope you will forgive me."

"I dare not say so. It was my nephew who presumptuously visited your residence and caused you much disturbance."

Jia Lian didn't want to be polite with the woman again. After saying a few words, he stepped aside to let Daiyu pass and introduced her: "This is my cousin Daiyu, the daughter of the late Lord Lin, the Director of the Imperial Library. When she was in the capital, she was the closest of sisters to Baochai. I've also heard Baochai mention that she has a younger sister named Baoqin, who is well-educated, polite, and even more beautiful than Daiyu."

It just so happens that Lin Daiyu is also traveling with me to Jinling, so I brought her along to meet Baoqin. Please forgive any inconvenience caused.

Hearing Jia Lian say that she and Baochai were the closest of sisters, Daiyu couldn't help but twitch her lips, but in front of the Xue family, she couldn't say anything and could only acquiesce. After Jia Lian finished introducing her, she stepped forward and obediently bowed to Zhuang Shi, "Daiyu greets Aunt Xue."

Lady Zhuang was already astonished by Daiyu's graceful and agile demeanor, and upon hearing that she was the daughter of a high-ranking official, she became even more solemn.

He quickly helped Daiyu up, looked her over briefly, and praised, "What a pretty and well-behaved girl! Don't listen to Baochai's nonsense. My Baoqin is not as good as she says. You'll see when you meet her."

After saying this, seeing Daiyu turn her head away in embarrassment, she chuckled again and beckoned Jia Lian and the others to walk into the house, while sending someone to call Baoqin out.

As they walked deeper into the Xue residence, Jia Lian and Daiyu realized that although this was not the Xue family's ancestral home, it was also a complex of interconnected courtyards. The front yard alone had about three or four courtyards, and the overall style was serene and elegant, with abundant flowers, plants, and trees, making it an exceptional residence far more impressive than its outward appearance suggested.

This is in line with the current business culture: understated on the outside, luxurious on the inside.

Before everyone could cross the central courtyard, Daiyu saw a maid, slightly older than Xichun, excitedly appear in the corridor.

Only at the very end did she slow her pace, then quickly walked to the front of the group, looking at Jia Lian with a smile, "Second Brother Lian, it really is you..."

Jia Lian smiled as he looked at the girl in front of him. She looked a little taller than she had been six months ago, but she appeared thinner and less lively than before.

However, they are equally well-behaved and adorable, just like the most exquisite porcelain dolls.

"Baoqin, it's been a long time."

"Um……"

Baoqin raised her head, about to speak, when she suddenly noticed Daiyu behind Jia Lian. She immediately exclaimed, "Who is this sister?"

Xue Ke knew that his sister was more familiar with Jia Lian than he was, so he didn't interrupt.

Sure enough, Jia Lian smiled at her first and said, "She is the Lin sister I told you about before. She was very happy to receive the gift you gave her, so she came to see you today."

"Really? That's great..."

Suppressing her inner thoughts, Baoqin stepped forward and exchanged greetings with Daiyu. Then, she tilted her head back, opened her beautiful eyes, and stared directly at Daiyu.

Daiyu, with almost the same expression, sized up the girl before her.

The first meeting between two exceptionally beautiful girls, a sight rarely seen in the world, left them both somewhat astonished, seemingly thinking, "There really are such beautiful older sisters (or girls) in the world."

"Alright, Qin'er, since your sister Lin has come all this way to see you, take her around the manor properly. Remember, don't be impolite. Go now."

"All right."

Baoqin glanced at Jia Lian, realizing she had no say in front of her mother and the others. So she happily took Daiyu's hand and said with a smile, "Sister Lin, let's go. I'll show you my courtyard first!"

After Daiyu was taken away by Baoqin, the Xue family mother and son invited Jia Lian to the main hall, served tea, and chatted amongst themselves.

Zhuang Shi naturally couldn't help but express her gratitude again to Jia Lian for helping the Xue family in the border region and for helping to deliver messages. Jia Lian also replied politely.

"When I heard my aunt mention the passing of Uncle Xue in the capital, I was deeply saddened. I had originally planned to visit him to pay my respects after my trip to Jiangnan. However, after arriving in Nanjing, I learned that Uncle Xue had been properly buried. I also thought that my aunt and Brother Xue must be grieving, so I did not dare to visit him."

I have almost finished with what I was doing, so I took the liberty of coming to pay my respects at Uncle Xue's memorial tablet. I hope my aunt and Brother Xue will grant me permission.

"We are very grateful for your kind intentions, so there is no need to ask for permission or disapproval."

"Ke'er, take your second brother Lian to your father's memorial tablet to pay your respects. Your father, if he knew of the Marquis's kindness, would be comforted in the afterlife."

As Zhuang spoke, a hint of sadness crept into her voice.

So Xue Ke and Jia Lian both stood up, bowed, and then left together.

"elder sister……"

Madam Xue's second wife came out from the back hall. When Madam Zhuang turned around, she realized that Madam Zhuang must have been hiding behind the back, eavesdropping on their conversation.

They didn't seem to mind much, but simply offered him a seat.

Seeing that Zhuang looked sad and dejected, the second wife worried that she might fall ill from depression, so she advised her, "Sister, you should try to relax. You still have Ke'er. He's still so young. What will he do if you really fall ill?"

He no longer has a master; if anything were to happen to you, he would be even more helpless.

Hearing her words of comfort, Zhuang fell silent for a moment. Actually, it wasn't that she couldn't let go of her husband's death, she just felt tired.

When her husband was alive, she complained that he was often away from home and neglected them. Now that he is gone, she understands that even though he was often away from home, as long as he was alive, he was their support.

Now that he's dead, she's the one who has to shoulder all the responsibilities at home, and she's finding it a bit overwhelming.

No wonder, not long after her uncle died, her aunt moved her whole family to live with her sister.

But she didn't have a powerful family to rely on, so she had to shoulder everything alone.

She sighed, looked at the sisters before her, and suddenly remembered something, so she asked, "What did you think of the Marquis of Zhenyuan who just visited?"

The second wife thought for a moment and replied, "Although I didn't see his face clearly just now, I can tell from his demeanor and manner of speaking that he is no ordinary person."

Zhuang looked at her mysteriously, then said seriously, "Do you remember what I told you before? His aunt said in her letter that they've been in the capital for almost two years, and the Mei family hasn't taken the initiative to contact us or say hello."

Adding to the fact that our previous visit to the capital to deliver the obituary was met with a perfunctory response from the Mei family, I suspect they may already be considering abandoning the marriage.

"Oh dear, what should we do? Do they really think they can do something so disloyal and despicable just because they see our Xue family has fallen?"

"There's nothing we can do about it. I heard that the eldest son of the Mei family has already passed the imperial examination and is a scholar. Seeing that he has a bright future ahead of him, they naturally want to arrange a good marriage so that he can have a promising future!"

Zhuang gave a cold laugh.

The second wife looked worried and didn't know what to say.

"However, I suddenly thought of a way. If we can achieve this, perhaps the Mei family will not dare to back out of the engagement."

"What is it? Tell me quickly, sister."

"I heard from his aunt that Jia Lian is very powerful in the capital. Not only does he have a high official rank, but he is also trusted by the emperor and is a top-notch figure in the capital."

At least, it's not something that a mere Hanlin scholar can afford to offend.

He happened to be here to pay respects to the master; if we could get his help, the Mei family would certainly not dare to break off the engagement.

The second wife thought this made sense. "Is that so? But how can we get him to help? Should we pay him?"

"I'm afraid that's not appropriate. You've forgotten what the master said: when he helped him, the master offered him several thousand taels of silver as a reward, but he refused. It seems that for someone like him, ordinary gifts of gold and silk are hardly enough to sway him."

"So, what does my sister mean?"

Zhuang smiled slightly, looking at her with a deliberately teasing expression, beckoning her closer, and whispering a few words in her ear.

The second wife blushed deeply, glared at her, and scolded, "That's so unreasonable! Why don't you go then?"

"Me? First of all, I don't have my sister's beautiful face, and secondly, Qin is not my daughter, so why should I worry about her?"

The second wife didn't know how to refute, so she glared at Zhuang Shi resentfully, but a few thoughts were brewing in her mind.

(End of this chapter)

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