Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The banquet lasted for more than half an hour, when Sister Feng suggested that she take her leave because it was getting late.

Aunt Xue tried to persuade her to stay a few more times, but seeing that Sister Feng was determined, she didn't insist. Together with her daughter Baochai, she saw Jia Lian and his wife off.

As for Xue Pan, he was already drunk, and Aunt Xue had someone take him back to his room to lie there like a corpse.

Before boarding the carriage, Aunt Xue specifically told Jia Lian, "We will find the person you need who understands the grain business as soon as possible, and then arrange for someone to send him to the capital. It will take at least three days, and at most ten days to half a month, before we get news to you."

Jia Lian bowed and said, "In that case, thank you very much for your trouble, Aunt."

"Not at all, it's my duty."

Aunt Xue smiled and watched Jia Lian and his companion get into the carriage, which then departed under the escort of a large entourage.

Without turning his head, he asked his daughter beside him, "Bao'er, what kind of person do you think your second brother Lian is?"

Baochai watched the carriage depart, and after a moment's thought, she replied, "Second Brother Lian is a magnanimous and knowledgeable man with lofty ambitions. His character is not something that can be easily judged by ordinary people."

Aunt Xue chuckled. She rarely heard a woman earnestly praise someone, especially with such certainty and admiration.

"And what about your sister Feng?"

"Sister Feng..."

Baochai was slightly taken aback, not understanding why her mother suddenly asked this question, but her good upbringing made her answer her mother's questions in general.

"Sister Feng may seem rough and unrefined on the surface, but she is actually very intelligent and wise. In my mother's words, Sister Feng... is indeed a very lucky person."

Baochai suddenly thought of the loving scene of Fengjie and Jia Lian, who were a perfect couple and never abandoned each other, and added the last sentence.

Aunt Xue keenly sensed the melancholy in Baochai's tone and couldn't help but turn around and glance at her daughter.

His daughter, now of marriageable age, had not only grown into a graceful young woman, but was also gradually revealing her unparalleled beauty. So he sighed inwardly, and without asking his daughter's opinion any further, he simply said, "It's late, let's go back inside," and walked back home with his daughter.

On Jia Lian and Feng Jie's carriage.

Seeing Jia Lian enter, Feng Jie stared at him with a smile. After the carriage had traveled some distance, she suddenly laughed and said, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you thinking about Bao'er?"

Jia Lian glanced at Feng Jie for no apparent reason, then continued to ignore her.

"Let me tell you, Bao'er is not the same as Madam Qin. She is my aunt's darling. If you dare to mess with her, I will never forgive you."

Jia Lian snorted and looked at Feng Jie with a cold smile: "Have you taken the wrong medicine?"

"Did I take the wrong medicine? You dare say you don't have any improper thoughts about Bao Ya Tou?"

Earlier at the banquet, you were staring at her like that, practically bulging your eyes out. Did you think I didn't see you?

Sister Feng spoke with absolute certainty. Normally, she wouldn't be so sensitive, after all, even in its decline, the Xue family was once one of the four great families, on par with the Jia family, and a century-old clan.

Baochai is the eldest legitimate daughter of the Xue family in this generation.

However, Sister Feng is now terrified of Jia Lian.

To be fair, she also knows how much her husband can hurt her now.

Young and handsome, not only a marquis, but also skilled in literature, poetry, and martial arts, capable of governing the country and securing peace. Such a man would be hard to find anywhere else in the entire Great Wei.

Therefore, if Jia Lian were to harbor any improper thoughts about Baochai and act upon them, she really couldn't guarantee that the Xue family wouldn't be tempted.

After all, with the Lin family as a precedent, the Xue family won't feel as burdened psychologically when they accept it!

As the saying goes, even close sisters should keep clear accounts. Although she admired her cousin Baochai, she instinctively felt a great threat if Baochai were to become her sister.

This worry, even fear, was far beyond what a sickly young girl like Lin could feel.

That's why she had to take preventative measures as soon as she saw even the slightest hint of trouble.

Upon hearing Sister Feng's words, Jia Lian outwardly seemed to think, "Are you out of your mind?" But inwardly, he found it somewhat unbelievable, even amusing.

When did Sister Feng become possessed by Daiyu? Isn't this woman always bold and audacious, believing she has a huge control over everything?

Why are you starting to be so suspicious just because we had a meal together?

To be fair, tonight at the Xue family home, it was only when Baochai gave him advice that he felt something and showed some appreciation for her.

Apart from that, he is very well-behaved.

After all, he's not stupid; how could he possibly do anything to seduce a respectable young woman in front of Sister Feng?

"If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext."

Jia Lian snorted, straightened his robes, and sat up straight, showing his disdain for Feng Jie'er's suspicions.

Seeing this, Sister Feng raised an eyebrow. Could it be that she was overthinking things?

Feng Jie, who always thought things through thoroughly, was naturally unwilling to let Jia Lian off the hook so easily. She changed to a lighthearted and playful expression and asked with a smile, "You really didn't think of that? I don't believe you."

Our Marquis is now very capable; what wouldn't he dare to do?

Although I just said that if you dare to have any thoughts about Bao Yatou, I'll never forgive you, it was just empty talk.

In fact, even if you really have feelings for Bao'er, what can I do to you? What can I do to you? If you know what's good for you, obediently make room for her and take the young lady back to the Wang family. If you don't know what's good for you, who knows how the Marquis will deal with you.

I, Wang Xifeng, may not have any other skills, but I am certainly aware of this.

Therefore, Lord Marquis, you have absolutely no need to be afraid of me. Just say what you think. After all, Bao'er is so beautiful and has such a good personality, it's quite normal that you've taken a liking to her, isn't it?"

Tsk tsk, this is Sister Feng.

When they couldn't get any information out of him directly, they immediately started probing in a roundabout way.

Jia Lian was basically certain that if he believed any of the above statements and said anything, this woman would definitely put on a Sichuan opera face-changing act for him!

It's even quite possible that he'll throw a tantrum on the spot, completely giving up. Although the chances of him getting hurt are slim, it's still easy to make things a mess for Marquis Jia, turning him into the laughingstock of the capital the next day.

Having just experienced the Qin Keqing incident, Jia Lian dared not provoke her further.

"Stop being sarcastic. Who do you take me for? And what do you think the Xue family is?"

As for Lin Yatou's situation, it was all fate. Given the Lin family's circumstances, my uncle had no choice but to entrust Lin Yatou to me on his deathbed!

Just because of this incident, you think that all the good girls in the world are willing to become concubines?

Putting aside the fact that I've always treated Baochai as my own cousin, how could Baochai possibly look up to me?

She has an older brother, a mother, and a family fortune of millions. With all her qualities, what kind of man can't she marry?

You know perfectly well that she aspires to enter the palace and become a high-ranking empress.

Honestly, the more you talk about it, the less plausible it becomes.

You always call me heartless, but I think you're the one who's truly heartless, you stinking woman.

Even the reigning princess couldn't take your position back then, and now you're saying such things? Have you lost your conscience?

Come here and watch the fight.

After Jia Lian finished speaking, he grabbed Feng Jie and slapped her twice on the lap.

Noticing the unusual elasticity, Jia Lian blurted out, "What have you been eating lately? You seem to have gained weight!"

Looking down at his wife's shapely buttocks, encased in a thin brocade dress, Jia Lian suddenly realized: it wasn't that this woman had gained weight, but rather that she was wearing too little clothing because of the heat.

I slapped him again to verify, and found that it was indeed the case.

Now, Sister Feng was already somewhat speechless after Jia Lian's words.

Indeed, setting aside Jia Lian's previous arguments, her last point alone is one that she cannot refute no matter what.

Because, when faced with pressure from the Empress Dowager and the princess, this despicable man actually didn't choose to abandon her, something she still finds unbelievable to this day.

Thinking about it this way, I couldn't help but wonder if I was really being unreasonable?

Although she had never met the eldest princess in person, she had inquired about her through at least dozens of channels afterward, so she had a fairly clear understanding of Princess Zhaoyang.

In addition, given her high and mighty status, no matter how good Bao'er is, she really can't compare to the Princess.

To give a simple example, Baochai was still a candidate for selection. She was not chosen as a candidate for the imperial concubine selection, but rather as a talented woman or a female attendant to the princess or noblewoman.

With this qualification, one will naturally have more opportunities and choices to advance further than ordinary imperial concubines! If the emperor is not suitable, one can still choose from princes, dukes, or heirs.

In other words, even if Baochai succeeds in the selection, she will only be chosen by the princesses and noble ladies.

If one is lucky enough to be chosen by the eldest princess to serve as a lady-in-waiting by her side, that would be an incredible stroke of luck!

Because the eldest princess held the highest status among all the princesses. Not to mention the other princesses of the same rank.

Just by comparing them, it seems that Baochai really poses no threat to her. After all, if Baochai continues to participate in the selection, her greatest fortune would be to become a maidservant defeated by her.

Thinking about it this way, I seem to be quite amazing, and a sense of superiority arises spontaneously.

Before Fengjie could figure things out, Jia Lian suddenly spanked her again. Not only did he spank her, but he also said she'd gotten fat!

This is absolutely intolerable.

"You're talking nonsense! Ping'er said I looked thinner just a couple of days ago and told me to eat more to make up for it!!"

As if she had hit a sore spot, Sister Feng pinched Jia Lian's thigh hard twice, and still not satisfied, she suddenly opened her mouth and bit down on Jia Lian's thigh.

She was genuinely angry! This wasn't the Tang Dynasty, where plumpness was considered beautiful; in those times, any woman who was overweight was generally considered less attractive.

Not to mention, she, Wang, is a beautiful woman, and has always been known for her slim and gorgeous figure. If her uncle dares to say she's fat, her sister-in-law will not be able to tolerate it.

Jia Lian was also startled by Feng Jie's strong reaction. He quickly let go of her, rubbing his leg as he cursed, "Are you a dog...?"

Perhaps it was rare to see Jia Lian so agitated, but after getting up, Feng Jie felt inexplicably happy, finally having won against Jia Lian. Because her bangs were obstructing her vision from all the fuss, she raised her hand to brush them aside, then gave Jia Lian a smug look.

Serves you right, I'm not someone you can bully.

Little did she know that her already rosy complexion made her even more beautiful, and she couldn't bear it when she made the gesture of flipping her bangs.

Jia Lian suddenly felt that his thigh no longer hurt, so he let go of her hand and stared straight at Feng Jie.

"What are you doing?"

Sister Feng sensed something was wrong and immediately issued a warning.

She was fine until she spoke, as Jia Lian remained unmoved. But as soon as she opened her mouth, Jia Lian pressed down on her and forcefully kissed her.

Given Feng Jie'er's personality, she certainly wouldn't be used to Jia Lian's actions of touching and talking to her anytime, anywhere.

But there's nothing you can do. When you encounter a man like this, you get used to being bullied a few times.

After finally managing to push Jia Lian away, Feng Jie peeked through the curtain and saw that they had already circled around to Ningrong Street. So she stopped Jia Lian, who was still not satisfied, saying, "Alright, stop making a fuss. You go back first, I have to go to Ningguo Mansion."

"What are you going to Ningguo Mansion for?"

Sister Feng glared at Jia Lian, annoyed. "Isn't this all your doing? You bullied Rong'er's wife, and I had to go and comfort her. What if she did something rash? Then it would be your fault!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian indeed loosened his grip on Feng Jie.

Although he was 100% certain that Qin Keqing wouldn't do anything "bad," it would still be more beneficial for him to let the two of them have a good talk at this time.

Because he still can't understand how Qin Keqing dared to sleep in Feng Jie'er's bed and tempt him to make a mistake.

Seeing that Sister Feng had tidied her clothes and jewelry and ordered the carriage to stop in front of the Ningguo Mansion, Jia Lian suddenly looked at her and asked coldly, "I forgot to ask you this afternoon, what exactly happened between you and Xiao Qinshi?"

"What happened?"

"It's one thing for you two to be on good terms despite being from different generations, but why are you so intimate?"

If I remember correctly, you didn't like other people in your bed, right? Apart from Ping'er, even Qingwen and Xiangling didn't dare to get into your bed.

"What, you just let Madam Qin go upstairs and even let her sleep with you?"

Jia Lian's face revealed a half-smile, which made Feng Jie, who was only feeling a little guilty, twitch her eyelids and wonder if her secret had been exposed.

"When did I ever forbid Qingwen and Xiangling from getting into my bed? You tell me, haven't you done enough of bringing them to bed to warm your blankets? When did I ever say anything like that?"

Sister Feng replied casually and then tried to get off the carriage, which had stopped.

Jia Lian grabbed her wrist and said with a smile, "Stop beating around the bush and answer my question directly."

Sister Feng blushed even more. "Oh dear, why are you asking so many questions? It's not like we've only been seeing each other for a short time, you know that."

She came to talk to me today, and got sleepy. Knowing you were out drinking and wouldn't be back until at least the afternoon, I let her take a nap…

Sister Feng's voice grew softer and softer. She herself was puzzled. She was usually a liar who could lie without batting an eye, so why was she so useless now?

Seeing that Jia Lian was indeed not letting up, Feng Jie quickly said, "Alright, alright, I'll tell you the truth. She said I'm too overworked, and that she learned a set of massage techniques from the old women in the mansion and wants to try them on me to relieve my fatigue."

Honestly, I've been working so hard in your family for so long, and you haven't even shown me any concern. You're not as considerate as Xiao Qinshi.

She was tired from massaging me, so I told her to sleep on my bed for a while. What's wrong?

"But you, under the guise of a few ounces of horse urine, did that thing to that young Lady Qin, and now you have the nerve to come back and question us?"

Feng Jie'er's voice grew louder and louder, and she pouted, looking very dissatisfied with Jia Lian.

Jia Lian glanced at her twice before releasing his grip and saying with a smile, "I see."

After saying that, he ignored her, leaned against the carriage wall, and closed his eyes.

This left Sister Feng somewhat bewildered, but seeing that Jia Lian was no longer pressing the matter, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly lifted the curtain to go out.