Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"My family affairs are in turmoil, and I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself in front of the Marquis

Watching her once arrogant clansmen leave obediently and dejectedly under the escort of Jia Lian's personal guards, Zhuang Shi couldn't hide her envy.

This is the current state of the Xue family: the main branch is weak, and not only are the servants and managers below fearless, but even the clansmen want to step on them.

Jia Lian shook his head, a slight smile on his face, and asked Zhuang Shi, "Did your mistress really ask me to help intimidate the corrupt managers and employees?"

Jia Lian wanted to know if this was Zhuang Shi's pretext to give him a legitimate reason to interfere in the Xue family's affairs, or if there was something else going on. He was quite certain that before leaving the capital, Aunt Xue had only asked him to take a letter home, which he had also sent to the Xue family when he last went to Jinling to mobilize troops.

To everyone's surprise, Zhuang laughed.

"My lord, please don't be offended. This was indeed my wife's idea. However, my wife knows that you have important responsibilities and doesn't know if you are available. She didn't dare to disturb your schedule because of her own family's trivial matters, so she didn't entrust it to you personally."

The letter simply told me that if I encountered any difficult problems, and since you, my lord, happen to be in Jinling, I might ask for your help.

It turned out that Aunt Xue knew that the death of the second master of the Xue family would cause some trouble for the family. However, having made such a big decision to move the whole family to the capital, she naturally wouldn't give up halfway and come back to deal with these matters.

Therefore, only a few stewards were sent down to convey the new appointments and arrangements. But a servant is a servant; he's useful to his subordinates, but not so much to the clansmen. So, the Zhuang family had to take charge of the overall management.

Knowing that Lady Zhuang was used to a leisurely life, she worried that she wouldn't be able to compete well with the rest of the family. Just then, Jia Lian was about to travel to Jiangnan, and she began to have some ideas.

In Aunt Xue's eyes, Jia Lian's status and abilities were beyond question. If Jia Lian were willing to lend a helping hand, even just standing behind Zhuang Shi would be enough to deter the villains.

That's why she specifically asked Jia Lian to help deliver the message, so that Jia Lian could go to the Xue family and give Zhuang Shi and the others a chance to ask for help. Otherwise, any servant could have delivered the letter; why would she need Jia Lian's help?

To everyone's surprise, Jia Lian didn't have time to go to the Xue family that day; he simply sent someone to deliver it.

This was actually the reason why Aunt Xue didn't entrust him directly. She knew that Jia Lian was handling an imperial mission and didn't dare to trouble him casually. If Jia Lian had no intention of going to Jinling at all, she would naturally feel embarrassed to ask him to make a special trip for her. But if Jia Lian did go to Jinling, based on her understanding of him, she wouldn't mind helping him with this favor.

Jia Lian smiled too; he could easily understand Aunt Xue's scheme. To be honest, he was quite satisfied with Aunt Xue's character and conduct.

In fact, even if Aunt Xue had directly invited him to visit the Xue family when he was in the capital, he wouldn't have refused. After all, such a small matter was nothing more than a favor to him. But no one likes to be used as free labor and to be taken advantage of.

Aunt Xue's approach can be summarized in one point: if you have time, please help me out; if you don't, then forget it.

"Your wife is being too polite. We are all family, and it is only right that we help each other."

"Well then, Aunt, just tell me what you want me to do."

Since Aunt Xue and her son were far from the emperor's reach, it was inevitable that their subordinates would act arrogantly. All he needed to do was give them a warning, which was a simple matter for him. As for how effective it would be or how long it would last, that was not his concern.

Ultimately, the Xue family's current predicament is something they must find a way to overcome themselves. An outsider like him can only help temporarily, not permanently.

Seeing that Jia Lian agreed to help without hesitation, Zhuang Shi was also very happy. However, she did not immediately reveal her plans, but instead said that it was already late and she had already ordered a banquet to be prepared, and that everything could be discussed at the banquet.

Jia Lian didn't refuse. In fact, he brought Daiyu over late in the afternoon with the intention of getting a free meal. Since it was a leisurely stroll, it would naturally include visiting relatives and friends and enjoying some food to make it a complete experience.

Soon it was dinnertime. When Jia Lian arrived at the Xue family's dining room with Xue Ke, Xue Baoqin also appeared with Daiyu.

After exchanging greetings, Jia Lian noticed that Daiyu's face was flushed and there was a little sweat on her forehead. He gently brushed a few strands of hair from her forehead and asked with a smile, "What were you and Qin doing? Your face is so red."

With the Xue family present, Daiyu felt a little embarrassed, took a step back, and whispered, "I didn't do anything, I just swung on the swing under the pear tree for a while..."

Jia Lian suddenly realized that it was the season when peach and plum blossoms were in bloom. He imagined Daiyu and Baoqin, two exceptionally beautiful girls, swinging on swings under the pear trees, accompanied by the spring breeze and the fragrance of flowers, with snow-white pear blossoms scattered all over the ground. What a beautiful scene that must have been.

Unfortunately, he didn't get to see such a scene.

So he asked Daiyu if she liked playing on the swing. Daiyu did not answer directly. Swinging was a game that every girl her age liked, but Daiyu had always lived with Grandmother Jia in the Rongguo Mansion, unlike when she was with her own parents, where she could ask for whatever she wanted.

Perhaps it was considered disrespectful for girls to swing on swings, so the young ladies of the Jia family basically did not have this recreational facility.

After the three sisters moved out of Grandmother Jia's courtyard, they lived separately in three small side rooms behind Lady Wang's courtyard, which gave them more freedom. Tan Chun was very active, so she had ropes hung on the beams on both sides of the house and a swing board was placed on it to build a simple swing frame. When Jia Lian came over, he saw the three sisters playing on it.

Therefore, he made up his mind that after returning to the capital, he would definitely build a swing for Daiyu at Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

"Everyone's here, Ke'er and Qin'er. Why aren't you inviting your Second Brother Lian and Sister Lin to sit down? What are you all doing standing here?"

Madam Zhuang personally carried a large dish into the hall and greeted everyone with a smile, inviting them to sit down.

After some polite refusals, just as everyone was about to take their seats, a delicate but pleasant voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

As the female voice rang out, a beautiful woman with long legs, a slender waist, and a graceful figure, who looked to be in her early twenties but possessed an incomparably alluring beauty, slowly walked over.

She had a bewitching face similar to Qin Keqing, but her features were quite different from those of people from the Central Plains.

With a high nose bridge and deep facial bone structure, what immediately catches the eye are his bright, captivating, and mesmerizing azure eyes.

Jia Lian was greatly surprised when he saw this, especially when he saw Xue Ke and Xue Baoqin bowing and addressing the woman as "Second Sister," he felt a strange sense of admiration.

When Jia Lian first saw Zhuang Shi, he thought to himself that the second master of the Xue family had good taste and had married such a beautiful wife. He never expected that besides Zhuang Shi, there would be such a stunningly beautiful concubine with exotic charm!

With such wives and concubines, the second master of the Xue family still manages to travel to various places as a merchant all year round. It seems he really enjoys doing business and traveling.

It's a pity that he died young, leaving behind a widow and her orphan family.

From the day she was born until now, Daiyu has spent most of her time staying at home and rarely venturing out. Even when she does go out, it is only to travel between the two capitals in the north and south.

She had hardly ever met foreigners, only heard about them from books. So when she saw the second wife of the Xue family, she couldn't help but open her eyes wide with curiosity.

She immediately noticed his remarkable beauty and subconsciously turned her head to look at Jia Lian.

Unfortunately, Jia Lian was shrewd and calculating. Before she could react, he had already composed himself, lowered his eyes, and acted as if no one else was around.

Lady Zhuang seemed to know Jia Lian and his companion's curiosity, so she explained, "This is my late husband's second wife. She is not originally from the Central Plains. My late husband met her in the Western Regions when he traveled far away with his elders to do business."

"Because she has only been in Central China for a little over ten years, her Mandarin still has some of her original accent. I hope you won't mind."

Jia Lian and Daiyu quickly greeted her, "Greetings, Second Madam."

Although according to the rules of large families at the time, concubines were generally not allowed to receive guests, since this second wife dared to come out so openly, and Zhuang Shi showed no displeasure whatsoever, whether it was due to harmony among the Xue family's wives and concubines or some other reason, Jia Lian and his wife should both show her respect.

After all, Jia Lian was determined to break this rule, and Daiyu was a concubine herself, so naturally they were even more determined.

The second lady was very tall, almost as tall as Jia Lian. She glanced at Jia Lian first, then turned her gaze to Daiyu and said with a smile, "I heard from you before that the Marquis and Lady Lin were both very beautiful, one handsome and dashing, the other as lovely as a fairy. Now that I have seen them with my own eyes, I know that you were right."

It is an honor for Qin'er that you have come to visit her. I thank you on her behalf for your kindness.

"Please be polite," Zhuang said with a smile, inviting everyone to take their seats.

Lady Zhuang had already exchanged pleasantries with Jia Lian and sat in the central, main seat, with Jia Lian to her left. To Jia Lian's left were Daiyu, Baoqin, and Xue Ke, and so the two ladies sat on Lady Zhuang's other side.

Seeing her so casual demeanor, and the fact that neither Zhuang Shi, Baoqin, Xue Ke, nor the Xue family's maids and servants showed any unusual reaction, it was clear that this Second Madam usually ate with them. This was a commendable trait of the Xue family.

Although there weren't many people present, their backgrounds varied, so a sense of restraint was inevitable.

Fortunately, Baoqin seemed to understand this as well, so she took advantage of being the youngest, not only greeting the two guests, Daiyu and Jia Lian, but also deliberately trying to liven up the atmosphere. For example, when everyone was speechless, she deliberately asked with a smile, "Second Brother Lian, I wonder how Sister Qingran is doing now? I haven't heard from her since I returned to Jinling, and I'm a little worried about her."

"She's doing very well now. After returning to the capital, she moved out of the palace, and her father even bestowed upon her a super large and luxurious mansion, which she now lives in alone."

Next time you go to the capital, you can go directly to visit her without worrying about being stopped.

"Is that so..."

Baoqin was clearly somewhat tempted, but she knew it would be too difficult for her to go to the capital to see Princess Zhaoyang.

"Qin'er, who is this 'Sister Qingran' you're talking about?"

The Zhuang family members didn't quite agree with what they were hearing.

Baoqin glanced at the Zhuang family and whispered, "It's the princess I told you about when I came back last time..."

The Zhuang couple's expressions changed, and they quickly scolded, "Nonsense! How dare you, a commoner girl, address Her Highness the Princess by her name?"

Baoqin's expression darkened, and she lowered her head, not daring to speak.

Jia Lian smiled and waved his hand: "Aunt, please don't blame Baoqin. The truth is, when Princess Zhaoyang first saw Baoqin in the borderlands, she took a liking to her immediately and recognized her as her god-sister. It was Princess Zhaoyang herself who asked Baoqin to call her 'older sister'."

Otherwise, why would the princess's name be so easily revealed to others?

Madam Zhuang and the Second Madam exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. If someone else had said such a thing, they might not have easily believed it, but since Jia Lian had said it himself, they dared not question it.

Glancing at Xue Ke, Xue Ke also explained in a low voice, "My sister also mentioned this to Father at the time, but Father said that the princess was probably just saying it casually because she was in a good mood. He told us to be careful and not to try to curry favor with the princes or grandsons of the emperor, so my sister didn't tell you..."

The Zhuang couple were at a loss for words, with the second wife's eyes lighting up. If Qin'er truly had this relationship, the Mei family wouldn't dare to break off the engagement!

She wasn't too surprised; after all, being beautiful naturally makes it easier to receive preferential treatment from others. Especially beauties as stunning as her, like herself, who had gradually won over even the Zhuang family, who should have considered her a thorn in their side, in the years since she came to the Central Plains. The two had become as close as sisters, supporting and caring for each other, helping each other out when their husbands were away.

Zhuang Shi, being a native of the Central Plains gentry, held imperial authority in extraordinary awe. Even though she believed Xue Ke and the others were not lying, she still gently warned Baoqin: "Even if the princess told you to call her that, you shouldn't address her that way anytime, anywhere. Putting aside everything else, you shouldn't casually reveal the princess's name to outsiders."

"Yes, I understand." Baoqin's worry turned to joy, and she replied with a smile.

After this little incident, the atmosphere at the table seemed to have warmed up.

Zhuang Shi no longer stood on ceremony. After having Xue Ke drink a cup of wine with Jia Lian, she took the initiative to bring up the matter of asking Jia Lian to help intimidate the Xue family's servants and manager.

According to Zhuang, she had already confirmed that several people had embezzled and misappropriated the family's property. However, the managers who had connections in the Xue family were all cunning and shrewd, and they were all related to each other, so that if one of them was involved, the whole family would be affected.

Since her position was neither legitimate nor proper, she really couldn't help Aunt Xue deal with these people if she didn't want the matter to become public knowledge, such as taking the shopkeepers to court.

Therefore, she wanted Jia Lian to deal with a few people on her behalf, and incidentally, to intimidate the others, serving as a warning to others.

Jia Lian also thought this was the simplest way, so he asked Zhuang to make preparations and summon the main managers and employees of the Xue family to this place tomorrow afternoon. He would then come over again.

Seeing Jia Lian agree to the matter so casually, Zhuang Shi couldn't help but feel the same emotion that Aunt Xue had when she first saw Jia Lian.

If only the Xue family had a man like that!

The Xue family lacks nothing, except men!

When Xue Ke was mentioned, some complaints inevitably arose, saying that he didn't study hard enough and who they would rely on in the future, which made the already shy Xue Ke's face flush.

After being spurred on by Jia Lian at the border, Xue Ke returned home and picked up his books, ready to make a name for himself. This undoubtedly delighted Zhuang Shi and the others.

Who knew that just a few days later, Xue Ke would feel the same sense of powerlessness he had felt when he was studying. Coupled with the subsequent death of his father, he completely abandoned his ambitions and never wanted to pick up a book again.

Upon hearing these words, Jia Lian couldn't help but glance at Xue Ke a few more times, then shook his head and laughed.

"I think that what Auntie said is not only biased, but also unfair to the Tadpole brothers."

Parents typically look down on their children and find it difficult to empathize. However, given Jia Lian's status, even if he was wrong, they had to pretend to listen respectfully.

"There are countless ways for people in the world to achieve great things."

Some people are born with a talent for studying and are also intelligent. They can achieve fame and success through studying, but this is just one of many paths.

However, those who are not good at studying, or who are not as good at studying as others, are not necessarily not intelligent.

Take the Tadpole Brothers, for example. Talking and being with them is like basking in a spring breeze. I think the ancient saying "a gentleman of modesty and integrity" perfectly describes the character of the Tadpole Brothers.

Therefore, even if the tadpole brothers don't like studying, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't have a bright future.

Jia Lian's remarks, much like Jia Baoyu's flirtatious talk, went against worldly conventions. Therefore, Zhuang Shi couldn't help but frown and ask, "That's true, but if he doesn't study diligently and can't pass the imperial examinations to obtain an official position, will he end up like his father and uncle, spending his life as a traveling merchant? How can that be considered a promising future?"

"The saying goes, 'Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.' Wouldn't it be better to be like Xue Shishu, traversing thousands of mountains and rivers, traveling to various countries, and viewing the world with a broad mind?"

Well, Jia Lian is using her man as a pretext, what can Zhuang Shi say?

"Besides, who says you have to be an official to have a future?"

There are countless scholars in the world, but can everyone become an official? As far as I know, there are only a few thousand civil and military officials of all ranks in the capital.

Even if we consider all the local prefectures and counties of the entire Great Wei Dynasty, all of them combined, there would only be tens of thousands of officials.

Everyone wants to be an official, but who knows where there are so many officials to be given?

Furthermore, even if one becomes an official, does every official have a promising future?

Have you not heard that among all the officials in the world, there are many who are mediocre and incompetent, but few who are truly accomplished?

Some officials, through a single misstep, not only lose their own lives but also bring ruin upon their entire families.

Jia Lian's topic was a bit too advanced, and those present were mostly women and children. However, because Jia Lian was qualified to speak in this way, they all sat up straight and listened very attentively.

"Therefore, I think that becoming an official is just one of the ways that people know can realize their ambitions and values, but it is not the only way, and it may not even be the best choice."

There are 360 ​​professions, and every profession can produce an expert.

Take business, for example. If done well, it can benefit the people of a region and even the entire country.

For example, Guan Zhong and Fan Li in the Spring and Autumn Period, and Bai Gui and Lü Buwei in the Warring States Period, all started as merchants, then governed a country, and finally became famous throughout history.

Therefore, it would be good if the Tadpole Brothers could study and enter officialdom. If not, they could follow in their father's footsteps and surpass him, perhaps even carving out their own niche in the world.

As soon as Jia Lian finished speaking, Xue Ke's expression immediately became excited.

He had never heard such comments before. This was the first time since he realized that he was not so good at studying that he felt that he might not be so worthless.

He grew up with his father, and everything he saw and learned was related to commerce.

He found it very interesting and also intended to follow in his father's footsteps.

But everyone around him, including his mother, told him that being a businessman was a dead end, and that studying and taking the imperial examinations was the right thing to do.

He couldn't refute it, but he thought, even among those who study, how many can become a student of the lowest level, a scholar of the second level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the third level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the fourth level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the fifth level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the sixth level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the seventh level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the sixth level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the second ... first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become a scholar of the first level, and how many scholars can become

Studying for the imperial examinations was too difficult!

Hearing Jia Lian's words, Xue Ke suddenly felt that there was no need to worry about having no friends on the road ahead, for there is always a new path opening up.

Besides Xue Ke, the same applies to the other four women, both young and old.

Lady Zhuang, the Second Madam, and Baoqin, among others, all had vastly different appearances. They all looked at Jia Lian with reverence and admiration, as if listening to the morning bell and evening drum.

Indeed, only someone like Jia Lian could utter such extraordinary words, which, upon hearing them, felt like a sudden awakening, cleansing the soul.

Daiyu stared blankly at Jia Lian for a few moments, then lowered her head and silently took a sip of wine.

No wonder the old ladies in the family all say that my second brother is born to be an official. He can talk about grand principles so well that he can impress them all.

He also said that becoming an official is not the only way to realize one's ambitions. But who doesn't know that in recent years, my second brother has been busy working outside every day in order to become an official, and he rarely even comes home?

Fortunately, although Lian Ergege has integrated into the secular world, he does not conform to the ways of ordinary people in his daily actions and words.

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Barely, I'd say I'm only half a refined person.

At this point, Zhuang Shi had no choice but to agree with Jia Lian, sighing, "I am just a woman, and I don't understand these principles."

But since you've said that, Lian-ge, how could I possibly make a foolish mistake again?

Very well, Ke'er, you are still young. From now on, you should learn to manage the household business while studying hard. If you can pass the imperial examination, that would be the best. If you really can't pass, I won't say anything more to you.

Anyway, with the family business your father and grandfather built for you, you won't lack food or drink. As for how far you go in the future, that depends on your own destiny.

Upon hearing this, Xue Ke immediately stood up, bowed deeply to Zhuang Shi, and said, "Your son thanks Mother for her understanding. From now on, I will definitely study harder and live up to Mother's high expectations."

After saying this, Xue Ke turned to the side and bowed to Jia Lian, saying, "Xue Ke thanks Second Brother Lian for his guidance."

Jia Lian gestured slightly, about to indicate that there was no need for such formalities, when he suddenly felt his calf, which was hidden under the table, being kicked.

The touch was light and airy, like a daughter's tiny foot.

Jia Lian remained expressionless, but his eyes immediately swept over the people at the table.

Everyone else was as usual, except for the second wife, who had been sitting opposite him and hadn't said much. The moment he looked at her, she gave him an apologetic look, probably because she had accidentally kicked him.