Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 548 The Imperial Concubine's Visit to Her Family (Part 1)

After the birthday banquet for Grandmother Jia, everyone in the two Jia mansions focused all their energy on welcoming Yuan Chun's visit home.

From the seventh or eighth day onwards, palace eunuchs came out to survey the area, including where to change clothes, where to sit, where to receive greetings, and where to hold banquets. Also, eunuchs in charge of local customs and defenses, accompanied by many junior eunuchs, set up checkpoints, screens, and other barriers along the way, instructing the Jia family where to greet them, where to retreat, and where to issue announcements, among other things.

Within the Jia family, Jia Lian and Jia Zheng also had a clear division of labor.

As the commander of the West City Garrison, Jia Lian had already received instructions from the palace. After the tenth day, he dispatched officers and soldiers of the Garrison to clean the streets, drive away idlers, and set up defenses. Therefore, he simply took on all the security matters inside and outside the house, and handed over all the arrangements and arrangements of the household affairs to Jia Zheng.

All preparations were completed by the evening of the 14th, and neither the staff nor the workers slept that night.

The next day at dawn, Jia Lian led his troops on an inspection tour. When he returned to Ningrong Street, he saw that Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, and others were all dressed up according to their rank, with men and women arranged separately on the north side of the street.

At this moment, in front of the two mansions on Ningrong Street, although there were many people, their ranks were neat and dignified, and not a single cough could be heard.

Jia Lian dismounted and went to Grandmother Jia, advising, "Grandmother, there are many rules in the palace, and today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Even though it is the actual day for the Imperial Concubine's visit home, I'm afraid she won't be able to leave for a while. In my opinion, Grandmother and the ladies would be better off resting in the palace first, and then we can find out the exact time of the Imperial Concubine's return home before we come out to greet her."

Grandmother Jia and the others were already in poor health, and after waiting for a while, they became impatient. Fearing that they would delay the time to welcome Yuan Chun, they asked Jia Zheng to inquire.

Just then, Jia Zheng returned with news: "Eunuch Xia from the palace reports that Her Majesty won't be able to get up until at least the afternoon!"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia and the others felt relieved, and the women of the clan were allowed to do as they pleased for the time being. Only Sister Feng remained busy, as she was ordered to take full charge of all matters in the garden.

Just as he was ordering people to bring in baskets of candles and distribute them to various parts of the garden to light the lamps, Jia Lian suddenly walked in.

"Why aren't you outside with the men? What are you doing coming in here?" Sister Feng greeted her with a smile.

"The gentlemen are waiting for news in the hall and asked me to check around. I heard you were here, so I came to take a look."

"Why are you here to see me? Do you not trust me and are afraid that I will do something wrong? Then just keep an eye on me. If there is any negligence or mistake, I will accept the Marquis's punishment. Even if you replace me with someone else, I will be willing."

Feng Jie was most confident in her ability to manage affairs, and as soon as she heard Jia Lian express doubts about her, she immediately became very assertive.

Seeing this, the other housekeepers and wives in the temporary meeting room also spoke highly of Sister Feng, giving examples of how shrewd and meticulous she was, saying that no one else could do it, which made Sister Feng raise her chin even more proudly.

Jia Lian simply smiled at this, sat in the main seat, and said to Feng Jie, "You've worked hard."

Only then did Feng Jie realize that Jia Lian might simply have come to visit her, and her heart immediately brightened. She walked over to Jia Lian and whispered, "Have you found out when Her Majesty will be able to return home?"

"I don't know. If I'm not mistaken, I probably won't be able to get back home until tonight."

"So late..."

Sister Feng was somewhat amused, thinking that all their preparations so early had been in vain, yet Yuan Chun wouldn't arrive until the evening.

"What's wrong with coming later? It's Mid-Autumn Festival today, and she's been away from home for so many years. If she comes home tonight, the whole family can enjoy the moon together and have a happy reunion. It's better than coming in the morning and leaving in the afternoon."

"You're right."

Feng Jie'er is now increasingly reliant on and trusting of Jia Lian, especially when discussing serious matters. Jia Lian is often concise and to the point, which Feng Jie'er greatly admires and even looks up to.

Therefore, as they spoke, she couldn't help but move closer to Jia Lian, placing one hand on his shoulder, and they began discussing other matters.

Seeing this, the other servants and maids were filled with envy and admiration. They exchanged glances and tactfully withdrew.

Jia Lian also found his wife's figure charming and her body fragrant. She leaned against him and whispered something in his ear. Her voice was not arrogant like it was when she spoke to others. Instead, it was soft and gentle, revealing her tenderness and affection. Jia Lian then reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"What are you doing? Someone's watching..."

Feng Jie was focused on her business and never expected Jia Lian to act this way. She was both surprised and embarrassed. After making a couple of attempts to avoid him, she realized that everyone else in the room had left except for Ping'er and Xiao Hong. Moreover, both of them had turned away when Jia Lian hugged her.

Sister Feng was somewhat relieved, then said coquettishly, "I'm talking to you about serious matters, and you're being inappropriate again."

Jia Lian held Feng Jie'er's soft waist with both hands, lifted her up with his legs, and laughed, "It's easier to talk like this."

As he spoke, Jia Lian brought his mouth close to Feng Jie'er's ear and whispered, "Just say what you want to say, I'm listening..."

Feng Jie's face flushed crimson at a visible speed. It took a great deal of willpower to suppress the agitation in her heart. She pushed Jia Lian away with both hands and spat, "On a day like today, who's going to be all lovey-dovey with you? Show some respect."

After saying that, he punched Jia Lian and quickly got up and moved three steps away from Jia Lian.

This won't do. The shrewd Sister Feng knows very well that under Jia Lian's control, she always becomes flustered and emotional within seconds. Today is an important day; if things continue like this, how will she be able to get anything done?

Seeing Jia Lian glancing at her with some displeasure, she felt smug about her own quick thinking. So she tossed her hair and instructed Xiao Hong to send Jia Lian away so that he wouldn't interfere with her work.

Jia Lian, who had been nearly pushed out of the council hall by Sister Feng, stood on the road outside and shook his head helplessly.

There's nothing I can do. I married a wife with such a strong career drive, and this is the result. When I'm bored, even wanting to be intimate has become a luxury.

Then he turned to Xiaohong and said, "You don't need to come with me anymore. Go back and take care of your grandmother. Don't let her get too tired."

"Yes……"

Xiao Hong had just agreed when she noticed that Jia Lian had already walked away, and she stood there dumbfounded for a moment.

The young maid who was personally introduced to Sister Feng by Jia Lian had already become one of Sister Feng's confidantes with her clever mind and quick tongue. She even surpassed Feng'er and other maids who had been with Sister Feng for a long time, becoming Sister Feng's most trusted maid besides Ping'er.

She didn't know if Sister Feng's decision to have her deliver the package to Jia Lian was intended to create an opportunity for her and elevate her status. Unfortunately, she seemed genuinely incapable of attracting Jia Lian's attention.

After a brief moment of sadness, Xiao Hong suddenly became determined again and turned to find Sister Feng.

What's there to be afraid of? Perhaps Second Master just feels he's still a bit too young. Second Master is so charming; as long as I can stay by Second Master and Second Mistress's side, I believe there will always be a chance.

Because, in terms of looks and figure, she's not bad either!

……

The Jia family waited until almost evening before receiving confirmation that the Imperial Concubine was leaving the palace.

So everyone lined up again on the north side of Ningrong Street, just like they had done in the morning, to welcome them.

Jia Zheng led his entire clan of nephews and nieces outside the East Gate, while Grandmother Jia led her entire clan of women to greet them at the Rongguo Mansion gate.

It was unclear how long they had been waiting when they suddenly heard the faint sound of drums and music coming from outside the east street. Then, pairs of red-clad eunuchs on horseback slowly approached, dismounted outside the east street, and stood facing east. After more than ten pairs of red-clad eunuchs, the large group of eunuchs and palace maids slowly appeared.

They too stood in neat formation, carrying pairs of ornate canopies and dragon banners adorned with pheasant feathers and kui heads, some even carrying incense burners; wherever they passed, waves of imperial fragrance filled the air. Following them was a golden umbrella with a curved handle and seven phoenixes, and then eunuchs carrying incense beads, embroidered handkerchiefs, rinsing jars, whisks, and other items…

After all this was over, eight eunuchs carried a palanquin with a golden top, covered by a golden embroidered curtain, as it slowly approached.

Sitting in the spacious sedan chair, Yuan Chun looked through the golden curtains at Ningrong Street, Ningguo Mansion, Rongguo Mansion, and the scattered figures along the roadside, all of which appeared clearer despite the blurriness. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She left home to enter the palace at the age of fourteen, and now she is twenty-three. It has been almost ten years since she last returned home.

The imperial family had finally bestowed a great favor, allowing the empress and concubines to return home to visit their families. This was an extremely precious opportunity for her!

She was finally able to see her parents and relatives with her own eyes, and to see the place where she grew up. Every door, every plaque, every blade of grass and every tree was her most precious memory.

Having finally arrived at the main gate of the Rongguo Mansion, she wiped away her tears and intended to take a look at the relatives waiting outside the gate, but she could only see a variety of noble ladies in their official robes and with their cosmetics and hairpins, and could not tell who was who. Therefore, she had to give up and look up and down at the gate.

Although it was still difficult to see clearly, one could roughly tell from the glittering decorations and the two rows of servants kneeling on either side of the long red carpet leading to Rongxi Hall, all dressed in identical, brand-new, and neat clothes, that the atmosphere of the mansion was indeed different from before.

They were carried in a palanquin through the gate, then eastward to a courtyard. There, a eunuch knelt and invited them to dismount and change their clothes.

After tidying her appearance, Yuan Chun alighted from her carriage, led by Zhao Rong and Cai Pin, and saw a dazzling array of colorful lanterns in the courtyard, all made of gauze and silk, exquisitely crafted. Above one of the lanterns was a plaque inscribed with the four characters "Ti Ren Mu De" (meaning "Embrace Benevolence and Nourish Virtue").

After changing clothes and entering the garden, one sees the air filled with the fragrance of cigarettes, the vibrant colors of flowers, the twinkling lights everywhere, and the constant soft music, all of which speak volumes about the peaceful and prosperous era, and the elegance and luxury of the place.

Although Yuan Chun did not know the current financial situation of the Rongguo Mansion, she knew that since she entered the palace, the family's situation had been getting worse day by day. Now, in order to build such a magnificent villa for her and to make such exquisite and dazzling decorations, she wondered how much money it must have cost. She felt both moved and ashamed.

Suddenly, the chief eunuch came to report: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Zhenyuan said that the Second Master Jia Baoyu is very familiar with all the scenery in the garden, and many of the plaques and couplets in the garden were also written by Jia Baoyu. He specially requests Your Majesty's permission to let Jia Baoyu board the boat and personally guide Your Majesty."

Yuan Chun was taken aback at first, but then overjoyed and immediately said, "Granted."

……