Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 519 The Wind Direction of the House

Jia Zheng was mainly worried about Jia Lian being impeached, since he was an official in the court and knew some of the information.

Just as things were starting to look promising, Grandmother Jia sent someone to summon the two of them to Rongqing Hall for a talk.

So the uncle and nephew set off from Mengpo Studio and headed towards Rongqing Hall.

It was clear that Grandmother Jia had something to say to them, because apart from a few old women and maids, only Madam Xing and Madam Wang were in the inner hall.

After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, Grandmother Jia had Yuanyang personally serve Jia Lian a cup of tea. This scene made Madam Xing and the others thoughtful, because given Yuanyang's position by Grandmother Jia's side, serving tea to others was not something she was expected to do, let alone to a grandson.

Jia Lian, adhering to the etiquette of a large family, prepared to rise and receive the message, but Grandmother Jia pressed her hand down, saying, "Lian'er, please sit down. Your wife and I have something to say to you."

Jia Lian raised an eyebrow, as if he understood something. He didn't stand on ceremony and sat down with his teacup in hand, indicating that he was listening.

Grandmother Jia didn't seem anxious. She exchanged a glance with Lady Wang and finally said slowly, "I heard from your people that you brought all of the Lin family's assets to the capital?"

"Yes, this is done according to my uncle's wishes. However, I dare not say it's all; there's still a considerable portion that hasn't been dealt with yet, and we've sent people to keep an eye on it in the south."

Grandmother Jia hesitated for a moment, "What exactly is their explanation?"

Jia Lian had thought that Grandmother Jia and the others would beat around the bush, but he hadn't expected them to be so direct. That was fine, it saved him some trouble.

"It's hard to say exactly how, but in short, apart from their house being smaller and their fields and estates being less than ours, everything else is about the same."

Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang frowned. They had expected that Jia Lian, given his temperament, would not easily make an exception, but they hadn't anticipated that he would be so wary, not even wanting to tell them the exact number, but instead using such vague language.

Lady Wang looked slightly flustered; Jia Lian couldn't fool them. Not only had they already questioned those who had accompanied Jia Lian to the Lin family and witnessed their splendor, but they also knew that Jia Lian had sent people back to the Jia mansion beforehand to move several boatloads of "goods" from the Lin family's ship to the Lin family's courtyard—this too could not be kept secret from them.

That number is truly breathtaking.

Although she was anxious, Lady Wang was not stupid. She did not speak rashly and offend Jia Lian. Instead, she frequently gave Grandmother Jia meaningful glances.

After all, in terms of status, only Grandmother Jia is qualified to inquire about this matter.

"Lian'er, we all know that before your Lin sister's father passed away, he made arrangements for their family business. Half was left to your Lin sister, and the other half was for you to keep for now..."

Lin's dowry is naturally untouchable. Your mistress's idea is that the family's situation is not as good as before, and now even the preparations for the Empress's visit home are somewhat strained. So she wanted me to ask you if we could take some money from your half to prepare for the Empress's visit home.

"Haven't you always insisted that this important matter shouldn't be taken lightly? Don't worry, your wife said that once the family's situation improves, she'll immediately make up the difference."

As she spoke, Grandmother Jia glanced at Jia Lian and said, "Don't frown and think we're greedy for money. I have my own savings for my funeral, which is enough. If it weren't for important family matters, I wouldn't have asked for this. These are things that you should have been considering."

As she spoke, Grandmother Jia sighed inwardly. It wasn't entirely against her conscience; she herself wasn't short of money, but when other family members were short of money, they would easily target and scheme against her.

If it weren't for this consideration, no matter how much Madam Wang and the others reasoned with her or appealed to her emotions, she wouldn't have wanted to bring it up.

Because she knew that Madam Wang was right; if she and her husband were to speak to Jia Lian, they were guaranteed not to get a single penny. Having dealt with each other for so many years, the family knew Jia Lian's temperament quite well.

Seeing that Grandmother Jia had brought her up, Lady Wang felt embarrassed to sit there any longer and said with a smile, "Grandmother is right. It's all because of us good-for-nothings that we've squandered the family business passed down from our ancestors and caused her so much worry."

Fortunately, now that we have you, Lian'er, not only can you take good care of Feng'er and her daughter, but you can also look after the family. So it seems our family is about to prosper again...”

First, she flattered Jia Lian, then continued, "Your husband and I were hesitant to ask for this, but we're currently short of funds. So, Lian'er, if you're worried, your husband and I can write you a written agreement on behalf of the household."

Lady Wang looked at Jia Lian with an expression of utmost sincerity, but inwardly she felt a surge of eagerness. She had indeed inquired about it; when the servants in her household were helping to unload the boats and load the carts, box after box of silver was being carried to the Lin family!

If Jia Lian could lend this money, not only would the family's predicament be resolved, but the money previously borrowed from Ningguo Mansion and other places could also be paid off. The family could immediately return to its former wealth and luxury.

As for repaying the money... I didn't dare to think about not repaying it, but Jia Lian and Daiyu haven't even gotten married yet. It will be a long time before their son grows up, gets married, and establishes his own career. Who knows what the situation will be like then!

Thinking of this, Madam Wang immediately turned her gaze to Jia Zheng, hoping that he could also lend a hand.

Unfortunately, Jia Zheng only held the teacup from beginning to end, sipping it intermittently, seemingly lost in thought.

While Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were talking, Jia Lian pretended to listen attentively until they finished speaking, at which point he smiled.

He shook his head. "Madam is joking. We're all family. Why talk about written agreements?"

I am naturally aware of my family's situation. Come to think of it, it was I who strongly advocated for the entire family to pool their resources to build the Imperial Concubine's Imperial Garden for her visit home…”

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang's face lit up with joy, and Grandmother Jia also looked pleased.

"However, I'm afraid your suggestion is inappropriate."

Jia Lian glanced at Madam Wang, whose expression had suddenly changed, and said, "First of all, my uncle trusts me, which is why he entrusted this property to me to keep on behalf of the Lin family."

In reality, I have no right to control this money. If I were to break my promise today and lend this money to our family for their own use, not only would my nephew be considered an untrustworthy person, but others would also say that our Rongguo Mansion is a family that is heartless and only greedy for money.

Even worse, they might secretly curse us for exploiting our family's wealth.

Jia Lian smiled, seemingly unaware of how sensitive the phrase "eating off someone's property" was.

Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang's expressions changed simultaneously. Jia Zheng also became restless and shifted his position.

Because Jia Lian was absolutely right. With only Daiyu remaining as the direct descendant of the Lin family, the line was essentially over. If the Rongguo Mansion were to be suspected of embezzling the Lin family's property at this time, it would be a blatant act of exploiting a family without heirs!

Such an act, regardless of the dynasty or era, is an absolutely shameless deed deserving of contempt by the world. Let alone for the Rongguo Mansion, a family proud of its founding merits.

Jia Zheng and the other two felt that Jia Lian was too ruthless, that he could even say such a thing in order to reject their proposal.

There's nothing they can do about being angry; after all, none of the three of them want to, or dare to, be associated with that name.

This is a classic example of something that can be done but not said.

Looking at the expressions on the faces of Grandmother Jia and the others, Jia Lian found it somewhat amusing.

In fact, Jia Lian was not surprised at all that they would have this idea.

He never concealed the enormous wealth on the Lin family's fleet, and even when it was moved back to the Lin family, it was done openly and ostentatiously.

He intentionally wanted everyone to know that the Lin family had a lot of wealth.

Because this is to his advantage.

Even though he accomplished such a grand and spectacular feat in Yangzhou, and confiscated the property of several salt merchants, and even if he was upright, incorruptible, and had all the accounts meticulously recorded, some people would still suspect that he had embezzled funds from it all…

There's nothing that can be done about it. The key question is whether others can find concrete evidence!

So, since it makes no difference whether he takes it or not, why not? Jia Lian's only concern from beginning to end was how to take it and how much to take.

Fortunately, Jia Lian was not greedy at all; after all, he only had enough money to get by.

So he only took a small fraction of the money.

With the Lin family's inheritance as a cover, even if someone finds out that he has suddenly become "rich," they can simply attribute it to the fact that he married a wealthy wife.

In this situation, to investigate him, we must start with the Lin family. To investigate the Lin family, we must first prove Lin Ruhai's guilt...

Jia Lian knew that Emperor Ningkang felt both guilty and regretful towards Lin Ruhai, this loyal and capable minister. Without concrete evidence, anyone who dared to convict Lin Ruhai, who had devoted himself to the cause until his death, would be courting death.

With such favorable timing, location, and people, it would be an act that even Jia Lian himself would despise if he dared not take a single thing.

Therefore, given that he deliberately flaunted the Lin family's wealth, it would be strange if Madam Wang and others, who were already feeling that their own money was insufficient, didn't have designs on him.

After casually retorting to them, Jia Lian then said, "Although the Lin family's property must not be touched, Madam doesn't need to worry too much."

I just happened to have done a good job for His Majesty, and in his good mood, he rewarded me with tens of thousands of taels of silver.

I thought to myself, Feng and her family don't need that much money, it would be a waste to leave it at home.

"How about this? I'll have someone bring 30,000 taels of silver to the government office later, to be used for the expenses of my elder sister, the Imperial Concubine, during her visit home. Is that alright?"

Now that they've been granted titles and have money, it's time to reclaim their say in the family.

Economic foundation determines the right to speak. The original intention of encouraging Jia Zheng and others to build the garden was to deplete their "confidence".

Now that they've done their job and become rich, they need to support their families. Who would dare disobey them? Even if Grandmother Jia and others rely on their age and status, the hundreds of servants under them will know who the real master is and who they should listen to in order to live a good life.

Therefore, it cannot be entirely said that Jia Lian was generous.

This 30,000 taels of silver is just the beginning. In the future, whenever the family needs money and has to ask him for help, his influence will increase.

It wasn't difficult to get even Grandmother Jia to disobey his wishes.

So, there's really no need to separate the family. Keeping them at home to wait on your orders is fine; they can join in the fun, and when you achieve something, you can also receive some surprises and flattery.

Sure enough, Lady Wang and the others, who had initially thought Jia Lian was stingy, suddenly brightened up.

Firstly, 30,000 taels is definitely not a small amount; it can accomplish a lot.

Secondly, he was surprised by Jia Lian's tone. What did he mean by saying that the emperor was so happy that he rewarded him with tens of thousands of taels of silver? They were neither officials nor noblewomen, so how could they not know that the emperor was so generous?

After a moment's thought, Grandmother Jia slapped the railing of the couch and chuckled, "Good, good, good! I knew Lian'er was a good boy. Your mistress was right. With you in our family, we are destined for prosperity."

Since Grandmother Jia had spoken, Madam Wang and Madam Xing couldn't help but flatter her.

Lady Wang also said that when the manor becomes more well-off in the future, this money will be returned to Jia Lian, to which Jia Lian simply waved his hand dismissively.

Once the atmosphere had eased a bit, Jia Zheng couldn't help but ask, "Lian'er, it's true that His Majesty rewarded you with tens of thousands of taels of silver. How could His Majesty reward you with so much silver?"

Madam Wang and the others looked over curiously. Madam Wang regretted that she should have disregarded everything and pushed for everyone's income to be collected and distributed uniformly by the government.

If that's the case, then there's no need to waste so much breath and smile so much today.

"I don't know why His Majesty bestowed so much silver upon me. I guess it's because I was assassinated twice during my trip to Jiangnan, so he specially showed me mercy and leniency."

Jia Lian's calm tone and words caused the expressions of the smiling Grandmother Jia and others to change.

They had no idea that Jia Lian had been assassinated. Jia Lian hadn't even told Daiyu, and Grandmother Jia and the others had no way of knowing. So they hurriedly asked what had happened.

Jia Lian gave a brief explanation, which left Grandmother Jia and the others somewhat silent.

Indeed, nothing good comes for free. Jia Lian's achievements today are something others can only envy.

Jia Zheng looked at Jia Lian, who seemed indifferent, with a pang of heartache, and sighed inwardly.

Now he no longer regards Jia Lian as a junior, and even admires him to some extent.

Although Jia Lian was successful in the past, he still felt that he was only successful because he was a "warrior" and that it was due to the legacy of his ancestors, plus some courage and luck.

Now he had nothing to say. This time, Jia Lian had done exactly what a civil official would do. If he had been the one ordered to go to Yangzhou... let alone handle things properly, he felt a little scared to even get involved in this mess!

So one has to admit that, in terms of ability and energy, he is no match for his nephew.

Having finished discussing business, Jia Zheng took his leave.

After inquiring about Jia Lian's trip to Jiangnan, Grandmother Jia told him to go back and rest. Even Lady Wang personally instructed that a family banquet had been prepared for him to welcome him back, and that he should not forget to come on time.

These two women, who were once the most influential in the Rongguo Mansion and even the entire Jia family, were now treating Jia Lian with unusual kindness.

Not far from Rongqing Hall, they suddenly heard Madam Xing's voice.

"Lian'er, wait a minute."

Turning around, sure enough, it was Madam Xing rushing over with her maids.

"Mrs."

"Haha, no need for formalities. Lian'er, you look even thinner after not seeing you for several months. You must have suffered a lot outside. My poor child..."

Madam Xing, her eyes brimming with tears of heartache, held Jia Lian in her hands, seemingly wanting to comfort him and show her affection.

Jia Lian suddenly felt a chill and quickly turned away. "Madam, please speak your mind. Your son just got back today and is a little tired. He wants to go back and rest early."

"Oh, I see. Actually, it's nothing much, just checking in on you... Also..."

As she spoke, Madam Xing leaned closer and said, "I'm just reminding you not to be fooled by Second Madam and the others. How bad can the family's situation be? They're just jealous of you. But you, you've worked so hard, risked your life to earn this money, and now you're just letting them spend it all? You don't care, but I do..."

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Madam, you don't need to feel sorry for me. These are nothing. I also prepared some gifts for you when I returned from the south. I will have Feng'er deliver them to you later."

In addition, if you ever need anything from us, just tell Feng, and we will certainly give you what we owe you.

If Madam has no further instructions, I will take my leave.

"Hehehe, alright, alright, take it easy."

……