Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The Zhen family is a thoroughly aristocratic and wealthy family, with separate seating arrangements for internal and external affairs.

Therefore, after having lunch with Zhen Yingjia and others, Jia Lian prepared to take his leave.

Before he left, Zhen Yuhuan's maid came up to him and gave him a gift box.

"These are early cherries, a gift personally prepared by our young lady for the Marquis. Please accept them."

Jia Lian recognized Zhen Yuhuan as his god-sister, and he had previously given her a gift at the Zhen family's ancestral hall—a piece of jade that he always wore. This was his usual practice.

Honestly, I've been using this app to follow my favorite books lately. It lets me switch between different sources, has a variety of reading voice options, and works on both Android and Apple devices.

Therefore, it was perfectly reasonable for Zhen Yuhuan to return the gift. Giving him such a precious seasonal fruit was neither presumptuous nor stingy, and it was entirely appropriate.

I'm afraid this might not even be Zhen Yuhuan's own idea; perhaps it was Old Madam Zhen and others who instructed her to do it. Jia Lian always felt that Old Madam Zhen was cunning and scheming. Although the Zhen family treated him with great courtesy during his visit, he still had a feeling that he had been tricked.

However, it doesn't matter. Given the relationship between the two families, unless the Zhen family does something extremely foolish that would implicate others, they will remain the strongest allies. Therefore, it's fine if the Zhen family has any schemes to get closer to him.

"After you return, please convey my thanks to my fourth sister for her kindness. I have other matters to attend to, so I will not personally ask her for my leave. If anything happens in the future, please write to me in the capital."

Having received Jia Lian's instructions, the maidservant turned and ran away, somewhat embarrassed.

At this moment, Zhen Yucheng, who was ordered to escort Jia Lian out, said with a smile: "My fourth sister has recognized Second Brother Lian as her sworn brother. From now on, the relationship between our two families will be even closer. If we ever need anything in the future, Second Brother Lian, please don't hesitate to help us."

"Brother Yutang, you're too kind. With the Zhen family's reputation, what could I possibly be able to help with?"

"Second Brother Lian is joking. Although our family has a slight reputation in Jiangnan, how could we possibly be in such a precarious position as you, Second Brother Lian, among the powerful and influential families in the capital, or even under the tutelage of the Emperor? In the future, we will probably have to rely on Second Brother Lian in many ways."

Zhen Yucheng spoke meaningfully, and Jia Lian's expression shifted, but seeing that he didn't intend to elaborate, he didn't ask any further questions.

Back at the Xue family home, the Xue family was busy arranging for the recruitment of servants and managers. Jia Lian did not want to get too involved, so he strolled to the backyard to find Daiyu.

Sure enough, upon arriving at the main courtyard, they saw Daiyu, accompanied by Baoqin, with the two young girls sitting on the swings, each holding a book, reading intently under the pear blossoms.

The spring breeze caressed their exquisite faces, occasionally scattering a few snow-white pear blossoms, creating a scene of tranquility and breathtaking beauty.

"Brother Lian Er!"

Seeing Jia Lian approaching, Xue Baoqin's eyes lit up, and she quickly jumped down with her books in her arms to greet him.

Daiyu glanced at Jia Lian only once, then remained seated leisurely, only suddenly retracting her previously casually kicking legs. Moreover, the expression in her eyes revealed that the young maid was not as indifferent to his arrival as she appeared.

"Brother Lian, have you finished taking care of everything?"

"Um."

Jia Lian brought the gift box, which he had hidden behind his back, to the front and handed it to Baoqin with a smile.

"What is this?"

Baoqin accepted the exquisite gift box with some curiosity.

"Why don't you just open it and see?"

Upon hearing Jia Lian say this, Baoqin assumed it was a gift Jia Lian had bought for them on the street, so she thanked him and immediately hugged him back to Daiyu's side.

It's not easy for her to open it by herself.

Daiyu didn't mind that Jia Lian only brought gifts for Baoqin and not for her. In fact, she was more mature than her peers from a young age, and after years of being influenced by Jia Lian, she became more and more mature and steady.

Aside from her interactions with the three sisters of Rongguo Mansion and with Jia Lian in private, she still displays a bit of arrogance and pettiness, but in front of outsiders, she is quite sensible.

This was mostly thanks to Jia Lian taking good care of her before and after her death, so that she didn't feel neglected or looked down upon, and naturally she wasn't so sensitive.

While helping Baoqin open the gift box, she discovered that inside the wooden box were two layers of oil paper, and inside the oil paper were neatly arranged bright purple-red cherries.

"Wow, these cherries are so fresh and big!"

Xue Baoqin exclaimed in surprise. She had seen many cherries, but it was rare to see one of this quality; it seemed as if they were specially supplied.

Daiyu glanced at them a couple of times, then suddenly asked Jia Lian, "Where did Second Brother get such fine cherries?"

When she unpacked it, she felt that the gift box was not packaged by a street vendor because it was too exquisite.

Looking at the fruits inside, they were all neatly arranged, even the direction of their stems was consistent and pleasing to the eye. Daiyu thought that this was something only idle young ladies from wealthy families could do, like herself.

Since Jia Lian had done nothing wrong, he naturally had nothing to fear from Daiyu's doubts.

He walked to the seat that Xue Baoqin had given up and sat next to Daiyu, then smiled and said, "I just went to the Zhen family, and this was given to me by the fourth young lady of the Zhen family."

Hmm, Fourth Miss?

Daiyu's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Jia Lian glanced at her and couldn't help but smile inwardly. He took a cherry from the box Xue Baoqin was holding, popped it into his mouth, and then explained, "Does Sister Lin still remember the two young masters of the Zhen family that we met on the street yesterday?"

Daiyu didn't speak. Of course she remembered. That person looked so much like Jia Baoyu that it was hard for her not to remember him.

"Didn't they say that their fourth sister looks exactly like you? When I went there today, I was almost startled when I saw her. I thought you had secretly run off to their house."

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, before Daiyu could express her opinion, Xue Baoqin, standing in front of the two, couldn't help but ask curiously, "Is there really such a coincidence? Is the fourth young lady of the Zhen family really that similar to Sister Lin? Even you, Second Brother Lian, almost mistook her for someone else?"

Because Jia Lian and Baoqin were sitting on the swing, while Baoqin was standing alone holding the box, she couldn't help but get closer to Jia Lian due to her strong curiosity.

Jia Lian found her speaking manner very cute and charming, and seeing that she was holding the box without eating, he knew she was embarrassed, so he picked up a cherry by the stem and fed it to her.

He was used to feeding Qingwen and Xiangling like this, and only after he finished did he realize that Daiyu was watching from the side.

A quick glance revealed Daiyu's furrowed brows, a hint of jealousy in her expression. So, without a word, he immediately picked up another piece and pretended to feed it to Daiyu.

Daiyu tossed her head and said, "I'll get what I want to eat myself, you don't need to bother me."

Jia Lian didn't mind and casually threw it into his mouth.

Xue Baoqin had just accepted Jia Lian's offer of food and hadn't thought much of it at first, but seeing Daiyu's reaction, she felt a little shy. So she immediately raised the box a little higher and presented it to Daiyu.

Not wanting to offend Baoqin, Daiyu slowly picked up a piece, but instead of putting it in her mouth, she asked casually, "Even if she looks somewhat similar to me, why would she carefully prepare such a gift for you?"

"Could it be that you knew her before, second brother?"

Hmph, giving such a thoughtful gift on the very first day of knowing each other? Who would believe that?

If you don't explain it clearly, I won't eat it.

If Jia Lian hadn't fully grasped Daiyu's thoughts before, upon hearing that familiar tone, he immediately understood.

He chuckled as he looked at Daiyu, and only after Daiyu gradually realized and became annoyed did he explain, "Of course we didn't know each other before. If we did, I would have brought you along today, Lin sister, so you two could have a good look at each other."

As for why she gave the gift, there is indeed a reason.

"What's the reason?" asked Baoqin, a bystander.

Jia Lian turned his head and looked intently at Daiyu's face, even reaching out to brush away a strand of hair that had been ruffled by the spring breeze.

"I saw that she looked so much like Lin Daiyu, seeing her was like seeing Lin Daiyu herself, and I felt very fond of her. So I asked her if she would like to recognize me as her godbrother, and she agreed. Therefore, I have recognized her as my sister. This is her small token of appreciation as a sworn sister. Does Lin Daiyu have any questions?"

Daiyu originally intended to interrogate Jia Lian, but after only one day, she got involved with another young lady from a prominent family!

But Jia Lian's sudden actions and affectionate gaze made her very uncomfortable, and her heart was pounding. She had no mind to think about anything else. When she heard Jia Lian say that he loved someone so much just because she looked like her, she felt even more embarrassed. In front of Baoqin, she quickly lowered her head and looked at the roots of the old pear tree on the other side.

Although Baoqin is young, she is very thoughtful.

Jia Lian and Daiyu's behavior immediately made her realize that her second brother Lian and sister Lin looked exactly like a couple in love in a storybook!

But, isn't Lian Er already married?

Baoqin harbored some suspicions, but she didn't show them. Instead, she quietly moved closer to Daiyu from Jia Lian's side to avoid making Daiyu jealous. Then, holding the box, she ate fruit while watching the play.

However, she didn't have time to find out more, because her mother came looking for her soon after.

"The shopkeeper and managers are all here. My sister asked me to invite the Marquis."

The second wife remained as slender and tall as ever, with a graceful figure, ample breasts and a shapely bottom, possessing considerable assets. As she swayed with her steps, she exuded an air of unparalleled charm.

"Hey girl, where did you get this box of fruit? You don't even offer it to your mother, you're just eating it all by yourself."

"This was given to me by my second brother Lian."

The second wife, who had already taken two pills from the box, immediately looked at Jia Lian upon hearing this, her eyes filled with a smile.

All her efforts last night were worth it; Jia Lian is now treating her daughter well. He's truly a good man.

In front of Daiyu, Jia Lian dared not meet the Second Madam's gaze, lest Daiyu discover something, and the world would collapse. Therefore, he nodded slightly, not glancing at the Second Madam, only giving Daiyu a word of instruction before getting up and walking out.

The second madam quickly followed, then, finding the cherries delicious, turned back and took a few more. She patted Baoqin's head and said, "You can't eat them all by yourself. You have to share with your sister Lin, okay?"

"Yes, Mother, you should go now."

Baoqin, somewhat embarrassed, urged the second mistress to leave.

Why would the second wife need to instruct her on such matters? She felt that her mother always treated her like an immature child, which made her uncomfortable most of the time.

In contrast, the older woman was more respectful of the children's opinions.

Seeing that the Second Madam rolled her eyes at her before chasing after Jia Lian, Baoqin said to Daiyu somewhat embarrassedly, "Sister Lin, don't mind her. My mother is just like that. Actually, she's a very good person."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu turned her gaze away from the Second Madam's retreating figure and looked at Baoqin.

Like Jia Lian, she felt that Baoqin's exceptional beauty, far surpassing that of other girls in the world, was inherited from her mother.

What's remarkable is that, despite being a concubine, her mother seemed so relaxed and at ease at home, and appeared to have a very good attitude.

This was quite different from the aunts and elders she had met before.

Putting aside everything else, the concubines of the two maternal uncles in the Rongguo Mansion each had their own hardships. She didn't want to mention the concubines of the eldest maternal uncle, but only the upright second maternal uncle. One of his concubines, Aunt Zhou, was rarely seen and was like an invisible person in the mansion.

Tan Chun's mother, Aunt Zhao, was also universally disliked. She was materialistic and petty, and Daiyu didn't think much of her.

Even her father's two concubines were extremely cautious in front of her father and mother, not daring to say a single wrong word...

She had thought that was the entirety of a concubine's life, until she came to the Xue family and suddenly realized that a concubine could also live so freely and comfortably.

"Sister Qin, has your mother and your aunt always had such a good relationship?"

"Yes, as far back as I can remember, my mother and my aunt have always had a very good relationship... I know what you mean, Sister Lin, but our family is different. Anyway, I've never seen my aunt bully my mother."

Daiyu immediately realized that Baoqin had misunderstood her, and quickly explained, "Qin'er, don't mind, that's not what I meant."

Baoqin shook her head dismissively and smiled, "Sister Lin, you don't need to explain, I understand. Come on, let's eat some fruit."

As she spoke, Baoqin handed the box to Daiyu, who then pulled on the rope and sat back on the swing. The two maids then enjoyed the fruit while continuing their intimate conversation as sisters.

……

Below the main hall of the Xue family were gathered the main managers and stewards of the entire Xue family in Jinling City.

At this moment, they were all somewhat uneasy.

This was because, at that moment, a neat circle of officers and soldiers stood around the compound.

These soldiers were not only armored and armed with swords, but they also stared at them fiercely, as if they would be slaughtered if they dared to make the slightest move.

Those who were registered as slaves in the Xue family and had something to hide were naturally very guilty and afraid.

Even those managers who were not slaves couldn't help but worry.

They weren't servants of the Xue family, and according to the law, the Xue family had no right to use private punishment on them. But the Xue family was one of the four great families of the old capital, and once you offended them, there were plenty of ways to deal with them.

She couldn't help but wonder if the matriarch of the Xue family was really out of her mind and actually wanted to let the Xue family members replace them.

If that's the case, just watch, in a few years, the Xue family's fortune will be completely divided up!

Before long, a handsome young man slowly walked out of the hall.

Behind him followed the mistress of the second branch of the Xue family and the eldest son, Xue Ke.

Before they could even pay their respects, the soldiers lined up neatly around them shouted in unison, "Greetings, Lord Marquis!"

Everyone was startled, partly by the soldiers' loud, booming voices, and partly by their titles.

Without a doubt, the Marquis was referring to this young man in front of him.

Everyone involuntarily bent down a little.

"Let me introduce myself first. I am Jia Lian, the Second-Class Marquis of Zhenyuan, from the Rongguo Mansion in the capital."

As members of the Xue family, you must all know the relationship between the Xue family and my Rongguo Mansion.

For those who don't know, I can repeat myself. The matriarch of your Xue family's eldest branch is the direct sister of the matriarch of my Rongguo Mansion.

Moreover, my wife shares the same surname as your wife, and is your wife's direct niece from her maternal family.

Because of these two relationships, I can address your wife as either Aunt or Auntie.

Do you all understand what I've said?

At this time, most of the people in the compound held important positions in the Xue family's businesses, and naturally, they all understood the Xue family's situation.

Those who had already anticipated this, seeing the intimidating display of force today, were even more certain after hearing Jia Lian's opening remarks that something big was about to happen.

Some clever ones immediately smiled and stepped forward, trying to ingratiate themselves with the other person.

Jia Lian interrupted them, "As the saying goes, a country has its laws, and a family has its rules. Some people have been servants for a long time and then they think they are masters. Perhaps they think that the real master is far away in the capital and cannot take care of the south, so they don't respect the master and become bold. They dare to try anything they should and shouldn't do."

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, many people's expressions changed, and they began to cry out that they were wronged.

Jia Lian raised his hand and pressed down, followed by a unified shout from the surrounding area:

"quiet."

Everyone was so frightened that they dared not utter another sound.

"I don't care which of you are innocent; that's something your wives should consider."

I am here today only because your wife is unable to personally return to the south to deal with these troublesome matters, so she has asked me to clean up the atmosphere and crack down on corruption on her behalf.

"Are there any among you who disagree with this, who feel that I am unqualified to interfere in the Xue family's affairs? If so, you may step forward now."

The Xue family members looked at each other, and in this situation, no one dared to step forward.

This is the wife's nephew-in-law, who came on her orders. Not to mention, he is a dignified marquis, and he even brought troops with him. Clearly, if we go along with his wishes at this time, we might still have a chance to have a peaceful end.

If anyone dares to stand up and oppose it, their life or death may be uncertain.

Few people who can reach this position are stupid. Even if they are stupid, seeing that others don't dare to step forward, no one else dares to be the first to do so.

"Very well, since that's the case, I won't waste any more words and will directly announce the outcome of your wife's case."

As Jia Lian spoke, he pulled a small booklet from his pocket, glanced at the sweating men at the head of the group, and slowly read aloud:

"Zhang Decheng, the head manager of Xue Family Pawnshop in Jinling City, abused his power for personal gain, falsified accounts, and condoned his subordinates' extortion of money, thus damaging the reputation of Xue Family Pawnshop. He is hereby dismissed from his position as head manager and Ding Chun, the manager of the pawnshop on West Bell Tower Street, shall take over as head manager."

Considering Zhang Decheng's more than ten years of service as manager of the Xue family and his modest contributions, he is to be given sixty strokes of the cane, but must pay the fine of three thousand taels of silver within three days; otherwise, the fine will be leniently withheld from the government.

"Ye Dazhuang, the manager of Xue Family Cloth Shop... was given eighty strokes of the cane, his property was confiscated, and his family of five were forced to sell their property in the brokerage business."

"The head manager of the seven grain stores of the Xue family in Jinling City... is to be given forty strokes of the cane, and if he pays the fine of eight hundred taels of silver within three days, the fine will be leniently withheld from the government."

"The Xue family..."

……