Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After leaving Mengpo Studio, we arrived at the main courtyard, where Lin Zhixiao was already waiting.

"Is everything accounted for?"

"Don't worry, Second Master. It's already weighed and sealed. Eighty thousand taels, no more, no less. There's no mistake."

Jia Lian nodded and waved his hand. Dozens of servants immediately lifted the heavy boxes and followed Jia Lian's carriage towards Ningguo Mansion.

Lady You had already led a group of people to wait outside the main gate. When she saw Jia Lian's carriage arrive, she quickly went forward to greet him and gave Lai Sheng a look. Lai Sheng then hurried to the west corner gate and directed Lin Zhixiao and the others to move the silver to the Ningguo Mansion's treasury.

Here, Madam You led Jia Lian in through the main gate. "I said I'd invite Second Uncle over for dinner, but why did you personally bring the money? Such a small matter could have been handled by the servants."

Madam You spoke of it so casually, as if 80,000 taels of silver were insignificant. However, in reality, even for the Ningguo Mansion, 80,000 taels represented half of its existing treasury reserves. Moreover, Madam You had told Lady Wang that she had brought out all the stored silver…

Jia Lian glanced at her, thinking to himself that if Feng Jie was already so suspicious, and she didn't come over for dinner without doing anything important, who knows what that girl would think.

"This 80,000 taels of silver has solved our urgent problem, which is no small matter. Before I came, my master and mistress told me to make sure to thank you properly and asked you to forgive us. You know our situation. We lent so much money without paying interest, which is really embarrassing."

"Tsk tsk tsk, you're getting more and more distant, making it sound like we're not family. And what's with all this talk of advantages and disadvantages? I certainly won't dare to greet the old lady and the ladies over there anymore..."

As the uncle and aunt were exchanging pleasantries, they suddenly saw Lai Sheng rushing up from behind.

With a look of resignation to his fate, he walked around to Jia Lian and the other man, knelt down with a thud, and prostrated himself on the ground.

Seeing this, Lady You was about to reprimand the servant when Jia Lian raised his hand to stop her. Then, Jia Lian asked with considerable curiosity, "What does Steward Lai mean by this? Could it be that he's here to plead for your brother and sister-in-law?"

As he spoke, Jia Lian's voice was noticeably cold. He had already shown leniency to the Lai family out of respect for Grandmother Jia. If they still didn't know what was good for them, he wouldn't mind eradicating the entire Lai family from the Jia household.

"Second Master, Madam, please understand, this servant had no such intention. My brother and sister-in-law were foolish and committed a capital offense. We are all grateful to Second Master for their forgiveness and for saving their lives. How could we dare to have any other thoughts?" Lai Sheng looked up, his eyes filled with sorrow and sincerity, with tears welling up in them.

Jia Lian was a little surprised. "Oh, so what's this?"

Just as Lai Sheng was about to reply, his wife caught up with him. Seeing his expression, she clearly knew what he was about to do, and while shaking her head, she cried and pleaded, "My husband, you..."

Lai Sheng's expression suddenly turned anxious. He didn't dare let him say more than a few words and immediately turned around and shouted, "Shut up! Second Master is here. What kind of behavior is this, crying and sobbing? Get out of here!"

Because of his stern voice, Lai Shengjia was indeed silenced, and he stood there without daring to utter another word or go forward. He looked extremely panicked and fearful.

Seeing this, Jia Lian became even more interested, but he was in no hurry to ask questions.

Lady You seemed to be deep in thought, and because Jia Lian was present, she was in no hurry to express her opinion.

Lai Sheng turned around, glanced at Jia Lian and the other man, and kowtowed heavily to the ground again, saying in a sorrowful voice, "Brother, you have betrayed the kindness and teachings of your master and committed disloyal and unjust acts. You deserve your punishment."

Although my brother and I are from the same family, one in charge of the East Mansion and the other in charge of the West Mansion, we are still brothers from the same mother. If my brother and sister-in-law commit a crime, I will not escape punishment as well. I dare not lie to my master and know nothing about what my brother and sister-in-law have done.

Therefore, knowing my sins are grave, I humbly beg Second Master and First Madam to severely punish me and to send your personal guards or servants to search and confiscate my residence, so as to atone for my sins! Your sinful servant, Lai Sheng, kowtows in gratitude for your grace.

Lai Sheng spoke these words while prostrate on the ground. Only at the last sentence did he raise his head and kowtow heavily again, then lay prostrate on the ground, as if he had finished his statement and was humbly requesting punishment.

His actions and words left not only the servants and women around him, but even Jia Lian and You Shi stunned.

Jia Lian reacted quickly, tilting his head and asking, "Can I understand that Steward Lai is telling me to also give you sixty strokes of the cane, and then demote you and your brother to the north to guard the estate?"

Lai Sheng's somewhat hunched figure trembled slightly, but he immediately kowtowed and said, "This sinful slave is willing to accept any punishment."

Jia Lian shook his head and laughed, then turned to look at You Shi, "Sister-in-law, you've seen the situation. He's a servant in your household, so it's not appropriate for me to overstep my bounds. You should make the decision yourself."

Lady You smiled too. She had figured it out: Lai Sheng wasn't afraid of her at all, but he was afraid of Jia Lian.

Otherwise, why would he apologize earlier or later, but wait until Jia Lian arrives and apologize in front of Jia Lian?

It was clearly the events at the West Mansion last night that frightened him. He was afraid that Jia Lian would not let him off the hook, so he simply went all out and came to confess his crimes. All he asked for was leniency, so that he could at least keep his life and property safe.

"As my second uncle knows, our master is not at home, and I, a mere woman, do not know how to handle this matter."

It just so happens that my second uncle is the acting clan head, and our master has entrusted him with the upbringing of Wu'er. Therefore, I shamelessly ask my second uncle to handle this matter on my behalf, and also to teach me how to manage a household so that I can pass on these principles to Wu'er in the future.

Yu's words were quite tactful, taking into account the dignity of all parties and leaving no room for criticism.

After all, she was his woman, so Jia Lian didn't stand on ceremony with her. He nodded upon hearing this, then turned and walked to Lai Sheng.

Glancing at Lai Sheng's wife, who was slumped on the ground in the distance, looking terrified and helpless, and then at Lai Sheng himself, who was lying prostrate on the ground but not moving an inch, Jia Lian thought to himself, "This Granny Lai is quite capable; both of her sons are quite talented."

Jia Lian greatly admired Lai Sheng's audacity in blocking his way and putting on this show. He could also discern some of Lai Sheng's thoughts and calculations.

"Do you truly admit your guilt, and are you truly willing to let me do as I please?"

"This servant knows his crime and would never dare to deceive you in the slightest, Second Master."

Jia Lian shook his head and smiled, then sighed, "If it were Lai Da, and you had even a shred of self-awareness, I wouldn't do anything to him, even just out of consideration for the old lady's lifelong service to Granny Lai."

"This servant is ashamed. My brother was blinded by greed and failed to understand the Second Master's good intentions, which has led to this situation..."

"Whether you were blinded by greed or driven by lust, I don't care. As for you, although you are guilty of failing to report what you knew, I will consider that Lai Da is your brother and that you also had your difficulties. Besides, you two have already separated your families, so I don't want to get involved any further."

However, this Marquis always rewards merit and punishes wrongdoing. Since you have confessed your guilt, you will be fined five thousand taels of silver as atonement, which you must personally deposit into your treasury and accurately record in the accounts.”

When Lai Sheng heard Jia Lian say that he did not want to get involved, he knew that he had made the right bet and was slightly pleased.

But upon hearing the final words, he hesitated. Fining him five thousand taels of silver was not difficult, in fact, it was too lenient! The only thing that made him uneasy was the requirement to hand over the silver to the treasury and keep accurate records.

Five thousand taels of silver may not seem like much, but among ordinary servants, it's a mountain of money. With this sum clearly recorded in the public accounts, the household won't even need to find a reason to punish him in the future…

"What? You can't even come up with five thousand taels of silver? If that's really the case, then I need to seriously reconsider whether I've wronged you."

Lai Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly kowtowed, saying, "This servant thanks Second Master for his magnanimity and kindness. I am willing to obey Second Master's command. Thank you, Madam..."

Lai Sheng knew how to be a servant, and even in this situation, he didn't forget to make amends for Lady You before he left.

Jia Lian glanced at You Shi, who was also looking at him. Jia Lian then looked away and lowered his head to look at Lai Sheng: "As a servant of the Jia family, loyalty should be your top priority. Remember this, as long as you, Lai Sheng, do not forget this, the household will never treat you poorly. Now, leave."

"Yes, yes, this servant will heed your teachings, Second Master. From now on, I will turn over a new leaf and serve you with unwavering loyalty..."

Lai Sheng was still kowtowing and pledging his loyalty when Jia Lian, having already summoned You Shi, stepped into the passageway and left. Only then did he stand up, glancing at the bewildered servants around him, a sense of relief and relief welling up within him.

Without saying a word, he went over and helped his wife, whose face was already beaming with joy, up, whispered a few words of advice, and then hurried toward the storeroom.

Although he had given instructions before coming over there, he, as the steward who had barely managed to keep his position, naturally dared not be careless with such a large sum of silver. He had to personally count and store it in order to feel at ease.