Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 523 Family Banquet (2)

Although there was a screen in the middle, the voices on this side could still be easily heard on the other side.

Seeing the silence, Madam Wang said apologetically, "Grandma, it was our oversight that we forgot to call Cong."

Grandmother Jia frowned slightly and shook her head, saying, "It's not worth it."

As he spoke, he picked up his glass and said with a smile, "Come on, let's have a drink together."

Everyone quickly raised their wine cups and drank a cup with Grandmother Jia.

On the other side, Jia Lian, Jia Zheng, and others also drank a cup with them, and then everyone relaxed and became casual with each other.

Seeing that Jia Baoyu looked gloomy and was drinking alone in small sips, Jia Lian asked with a smile, "Brother Bao, is something troubling you?"

Jia Zheng's gaze also turned over. Jia Zheng already disliked Jia Baoyu's unconventional behavior, and now, on such a joyous occasion, his behavior only made Jia Zheng snort coldly.

However, out of consideration for Jia Lian, he did not take the initiative to scold him.

Jia Baoyu trembled at Jia Zheng's cold snort and quickly said, "No, no, Brother Lian, I'd like to offer you a toast to congratulate you on your triumphant return..."

Even so, his forced expression betrayed his true feelings.

Knowing that Daiyu was returning to the mansion, Jia Baoyu had prepared to welcome her early in the morning and was determined to eliminate the estrangement between Daiyu and him.

Therefore, as soon as Daiyu entered the mansion, he immediately began to run around doing his bidding, helping Daiyu clean her room and leading her to pay her respects to Lady Wang and others.

To everyone's surprise, Daiyu didn't appreciate his flattery at all, remaining extremely polite. Even when she later gave her father's calligraphy, paintings, and various books as gifts to the three sisters and others, she didn't show him any special favor.

On the contrary, he investigated and found that he obtained very little.

This made him very depressed and sad, thinking that in the past, no matter what he got, he always gave the best to Daiyu.

Daiyu now treats him with disdain, which makes him very disheartened.

"You wretched creature, what's bothering you now? Are you tired from wandering around all day? You good-for-nothing beast, I'll skin you alive when I have some free time."

Upon hearing Jia Zheng's rebuke, Jia Baoyu immediately lowered his head, remaining silent like a quail.

Suddenly, Grandmother Jia's voice came: "Baoyu, come over and toast your aunt and madam."

Jia Baoyu felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He immediately stood up, bowed to Jia Zheng, whose face was dark with anger, and then ran inside excitedly.

This scene made Jia Lan and Jia Huan, who were sitting below, barely suppress their laughter, looking like they wanted to laugh but dared not.

Even Jia Lian smiled and took a small sip of his wine.

Jia Cong was led over, looking uneasy. He rarely attended such occasions and was somewhat anxious.

"Let's go over and kowtow to the old lady first."

"Yes."

Just as Jia Cong was about to move, Grandmother Jia's voice came from above: "No need to come over, tell him to sit down and have a couple of drinks."

Grandmother Jia never hid her preferences, not even those of her sons and grandsons. In other words, she didn't hide her favoritism.

Jia Lian wasn't surprised. He nodded to Jia Cong and said, "Sit down."

Jia Cong then sat down next to Jia Huan.

Next, it's time for drinking and watching the show.

It was quite boring to drink with Grandmother Jia and the others, so when Jia Zheng and Jia Lian had almost finished drinking, Jia Zheng and Jia Lian went in to toast Grandmother Jia twice more before taking their leave.

Jia Lian also left, citing some trivial matters that needed to be dealt with.

Once Jia Zheng and the others had left, Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "That's perfect. Now that the men are gone, it'll be more comfortable for us women to talk."

His words made all the women present laugh.

Just as the young actors finished their performance, they came to the hall to ask Grandmother Jia and the others what else they wanted to hear. Grandmother Jia took the script, casually glanced at a section, and suddenly asked the clever and charming young maid with a smile, "What's your name?"

"Lingguan".

Grandmother Jia looked her over carefully for a few moments, then suddenly smiled and said to those around her, "I think this girl has a very good face."

At first, no one understood what Grandmother Jia meant, but after taking a closer look at the young actress, they suddenly realized. Many people glanced at Daiyu, who was sitting with Baochai.

This is because the young actress's appearance and temperament bear a striking resemblance to Daiyu, about seven or eight points.

Daiyu also keenly noticed this, and she found it strange that so many people looked like her.

Previously, Second Brother Lian said that Qingwen resembled her by six points, and even Xiangling and Qin Keqing bore some resemblance to her, not to mention the fourth young lady of the Zhen family that Second Brother mentioned in Jinling City last time. According to Second Brother, that fourth young lady looked almost exactly like her!

Now, another young actress has emerged, who is similar to her.

Hmph, anyone who resembles me is quite beautiful, a definite beauty.

Daiyu took a close look at the young actress and inexplicably sighed to herself. However, meeting the smiling eyes of the three sisters and Baochai, Daiyu suppressed these thoughts and put on an indifferent expression.

They must be laughing at me for looking like that little actress. Thinking this, Daiyu felt a little annoyed and glared at Baochai and the others.

Grandmother Jia knew that Daiyu was sensitive, so she only made a simple, amusing remark, rewarded the young actress with fruit, and sent her away. Then, she suddenly asked Lady Wang and the others, "I heard that Lian'er has hired several teachers to instruct these young actresses in music and dance, and they've already moved into Pear Fragrance Courtyard?"

Madam Xing smiled and said, "What the old lady said is right, I've heard about it too. I heard that those teachers are not only proficient in vocal music and opera, but they are all as beautiful as angels..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang frowned.

She disliked seductive women the most, especially those who could easily corrupt her precious Baoyu.

Thinking about it, Madam Wang glanced at Jia Baoyu at Grandmother Jia's table. Sure enough, after hearing Madam Xing's words, his expression immediately became excited. He even put aside past grievances and went to ask Daiyu whether what the First Madam said was true.

Daiyu glanced at him, too lazy to pay him any attention.

When Daiyu first learned of the existence of those four beauties, she naturally suspected Jia Lian.

However, after Jia Lian called the women onto the boat and demonstrated their talents to her, Daiyu basically believed Jia Lian's words.

Those women, especially the one named Gu Qingyi, were, in her eyes, elegant and refined, a rare find in the world.

It's understandable that Jia Lian would appreciate the talent of such women and offer them a helping hand.

Hearing the chatter of the crowd, Grandmother Jia glanced at Sister Feng, who was sitting at the end of the table drinking, and said with a smile, "Oh, in my opinion, hiring teachers for the young actors is just an excuse. Now that he's becoming more and more accomplished, I'm afraid he's just like his father, wanting to gather some beauties to drink with him."

When Grandmother Jia pointed out everyone's suspicions, everyone laughed. The three sisters, especially, blushed, feeling that this was a topic they shouldn't be listening to.

Feng Jie naturally knew what it meant when Grandmother Jia glanced at her. She took a wine cup and came to Grandmother Jia, pretending to pour her a cup of wine, and then said with a smile: "Grandmother, just enjoy your wine. Why are you learning from those ignorant people outside and gossiping?"

My second master Lian has already told me that it was indeed only to ensure the young actors learned more skills before the Empress's visit home, that's why those beautiful and talented women were brought back to be their teachers.

Seeing how serious Fengjie was, Grandmother Jia looked greatly surprised: "Fengjie, do you really believe him?"

Not to mention Grandmother Jia, even everyone else looked at Sister Feng with surprise.

It's really rare. In the past, it was always Grandmother Jia who advised Fengjie, that jealous girl, to mind her own business. Now, however, Grandmother Jia has become the one stirring up trouble.

"How could I not believe it? The old lady doesn't know that our Second Master Lian is increasingly disregarding me."

If he had done it, why would he be afraid of me finding out, and why would he go to the trouble of deceiving me? Since he's said it, it must be true.

Sister Feng had a smile on her face, and no one could tell what she was thinking.

The others quietly gave her a thumbs up; it was rare for Sister Feng to do this in front of everyone, to save face for Jia Lian.

However, most of the people present had not seen the four women, so they did not know what they looked like and could not judge whether Sister Feng was lying.

Grandmother Jia only suddenly remembered this matter, fearing that Jia Lian and Feng Jie would cause trouble again and disturb her peace.

Seeing how open-minded Sister Feng was, she stopped caring.

Grandmother Jia's silence was interpreted by Fengjie as curiosity, so she said with a smile, "Grandmother, are you curious about what those teachers look like? Since you have some free time now, why don't you call them over to take a look?"

Actually, she was also curious; not seeing it with her own eyes always left her feeling empty.

After thinking for a moment, Grandmother Jia shook her head and said, "Alright, since Lian'er invited these teachers back, we shouldn't treat them lightly. It's getting late, and they've come from afar, so let them rest first. We can see them another day."

In these respects, Grandmother Jia was quite reasonable.

...After handling some matters in the outer study, Jia Lian returned to the main courtyard.

Even with his physical strength, after everything that had happened today and drinking, he couldn't help but feel dizzy and disoriented. Therefore, he had no desire to practice at night and went straight home.

"Second Uncle."

Jia Lian, who was eager to go back to his room and lie down, suddenly perked up when he heard Li Wan's voice.

He suddenly felt that it was good for his activity center to be in the east courtyard, so that every time he went home, he would have to pass by Li Wan's courtyard.

If this continues, chance encounters will become commonplace.

"Hello, sister-in-law."

Jia Lian bowed in return, and seeing that Li Wan didn't even have a maidservant with her, he couldn't help but ask, "Has the matter with the old lady been resolved?"

"No... I came back to check on Lan'er, and I'll be going over again in a bit."

"Um."

Jia Lian took two steps forward, and in the quiet night, the physical distance between the two was less than a foot.

Li Wan could smell the faint scent of wine emanating from Jia Lian, along with some other indescribable aroma.

She subconsciously took a step back and bowed her head, saying, "Thank you for the gift, Uncle. You've gone to so much trouble."

"It doesn't matter if it costs money or not, as long as my sister-in-law is happy."

With his mind still somewhat foggy, Jia Lian briefly thought for a moment, then suddenly reached out and took Li Wan's hand.

Cool and smooth, it makes you want to massage it as soon as you get it, and fully experience its wonderful texture.

"Second Uncle!"

Li Wan seemed startled, quickly took two steps back, bowed to Jia Lian, and then walked past him to go home.

Watching her figure disappear through the gate of her courtyard, Jia Lian felt no disappointment whatsoever.

If she could get what she wanted so easily, she wouldn't be called Li Wan.

And at least there's been progress, hasn't there?

He rubbed his fingers together, then took a step and returned home.

"Second Master, you're back."

Qingwen, who had fallen asleep on the table, was woken up by Jia Lian. She rubbed her eyes and said with some joy.

"Help me undress, I want to go to sleep."

"oh."

The quick-witted Qingwen immediately got up and helped Jia Lian undress.

Just as she was about to take Jia Lian's clothes out, Jia Lian grabbed her and began to undress her.

"Second Master?" Qingwen was stunned, thinking to herself that perhaps the Second Master had come to his senses and wanted to take her in.

But it wasn't until Jia Lian stripped her like a lamb and threw her into the quilt, and then the Second Master climbed on top of her and held her tightly in his arms, that she realized she had been overthinking things.

"Second Master, Second Madam doesn't like us messing around on her bed."

"It's okay, just say I forced you. Now, don't say anything, just go to sleep."

Qingwen was a bold person to begin with, and when she heard Jia Lian say that, she immediately stopped talking and obediently rested her head in Jia Lian's arms.

Not to mention that Jia Lian liked to hold their soft bodies while sleeping, they also liked to be held and cherished by the Second Master's broad chest.

So when she realized that Jia Lian had indeed fallen asleep quickly, she also fell asleep.

In the flower hall, Grandmother Jia was in high spirits, but Aunt Xue could not keep her company.

"Grandma, it's late, so Bao'er and I will take our leave now."

"Oh, look at me, I was so busy talking to myself that I forgot about the concubine."

As Grandmother Jia spoke, she instructed Lady Wang to escort Aunt Xue to her room.

Aunt Xue shook her head, "Let your sister sit down, Feng'er will see her off."

Sister Feng knew that Aunt Xue had something to say to her, so she followed Aunt Xue out.

"Your brother Pan's birthday is in a few days. We would like to invite you and Lian to our home as a way of thanking Lian for his help to our family."

Aunt Xue had mentioned at the banquet how Jia Lian had helped their minister punish the unruly servant, so Sister Feng was not surprised and quickly nodded in agreement.

They didn't ask Aunt Xue why she and her husband had invited them privately, because Xue Pan wasn't well-liked by Grandmother Jia and the others, so Aunt Xue wouldn't be so tactless as to invite them.

After seeing Aunt Xue and Baochai off from the Grand View Garden, Fengjie told Ping'er and the others to return to their seats first, while she herself slipped into her house to see if Jia Lian had returned.

When she saw Jia Lian embracing Qingwen and sleeping soundly, Feng Jie immediately became annoyed.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he made a fist and waved it a few times at Jia Lian's handsome face, as if he wouldn't feel relieved unless he punched him a few times.

In the end, he didn't do it, but just pinched Qingwen's nose and lifted her up.

"Alright, you brat, it's so hot, what kind of mess are you making of squeezing your second master like this? Get up now."

"oh."

Qingwen, who was forced to turn on the camera, didn't dare to express her dissatisfaction. After Fengjie left, she hired two maids to guard the door, and still feeling sleepy, she went straight back to her room to sleep.

I'm feeling a bit dizzy.