Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

When Xiren saw Jia Lian appear in her courtyard, her eyes lit up.

When Jia Lian walked in with his hands behind his back and a smile, she nervously clenched her small hands. The usually composed and sensible girl forgot to introduce Jia Lian's identity to her mother beside her and her sister-in-law hiding behind the door, leaving her brother to nervously and cautiously put on a smiling face in front of her.

"This humble woman greets Your Excellency..."

Like Hua Zifang, Madam Hua was about to kneel down to pay her respects to Jia Lian, but Jia Lian helped her up first and then said with a smile, "Madam, there's no need for such formalities. I was just passing by and came in to ask for a cup of tea. I hope you won't mind."

"This, it's not surprising, it's not surprising..."

Ignoring the flattered expression on Hua's face, Jia Lian glanced at Jia Baoyu, and only before entering the room did he turn his gaze to Xiren. Xiren simply kept her head down.

After Jia Lian entered the room, Hua Zifang and his mother, among others, had not yet come to their senses and involuntarily focused their gazes on Xiren.

"Girl, what's going on? Why are all the masters of the Jia family here?" Madam Hua asked in a very low voice, pulling Xiren along.

"I don't know either, you should ask your brother."

Hua Zifang hesitated for a moment, then said, "I said I saw Master Bao here, so I came in to take a look."

Hua Zifang's words reassured Hua's mother somewhat. She thought to herself, it was barely acceptable for Bao Er Ye to come to their dilapidated place, after all, he was the master her daughter had served for many years, and he was still a child, so it was understandable that he was a bit playful.

Without even needing to inquire further, one can tell that this Master Lian is a figure from heaven, someone that people like us can hardly associate with or curry favor with.

Then Mother Hua sighed, "Heavens above, I don't know what we've done wrong, that we've attracted all these people today. Girl, what are you standing there for? Go inside and serve your two masters properly."

Xiren nodded silently and went into the house. Seeing Jia Lian looking around their home, while Jia Baoyu stood blankly beside Jia Lian like a child who had made a mistake, she stepped forward, took a brand-new covered bowl, and poured tea for Jia Lian, saying, "Our home is simple, and the tea is not very good. I'm afraid we'll have to make do with it, Second Master."

Jia Lian turned around and glanced at her, smiled inexplicably, sat down, took the teacup, and slowly sipped the tea.

Xiren was preoccupied and lacked her usual cleverness and quick wit. Without Jia Lian's instructions, she simply stood there. Jia Baoyu, unaware of Jia Lian's purpose in following him, couldn't say anything and could only glance towards the inner room, where a few girls were huddled at the end of the kang (heated brick bed), curiously craning their necks to peek outside.

When the girls noticed his gaze, they quickly looked away, their shy expressions leaving Jia Baoyu stunned and mesmerized.

A moment later, Hua's mother came in and scolded Xiren for not serving him properly. She then led her niece, nephew, and other relatives out of the inner room and asked them to pay their respects to Jia Lian.

Only then did Jia Lian have the opportunity to look at Xi Ren's aunts and cousins.

If Jia Lian remembered correctly, Xiren had a cousin in red, a girl whom Jia Baoyu couldn't forget after just one meeting. Jia Lian's decision to come in wasn't without a touch of curiosity.

Besides Xiren, there were four girls in total, the oldest being sixteen or seventeen and the youngest only seven or eight years old, all of whom were quite pretty.

Although Jia Lian didn't spot the "girl in red" at first glance, since the girls were all dressed in brightly colored clothes, he still easily locked onto his target.

The girl, dressed in a light green jacket, appeared to be around sixteen years old. She was clever and pretty, with a captivating gaze. At first glance, she was undoubtedly the most beautiful among the Hua sisters. In fact, in terms of charm and elegance, she even surpassed Xiren slightly.

Turning his head to look, Jia Lian saw that Jia Baoyu's gaze was indeed fixed on the woman, and he was certain that the girl in green was the girl in red.

Looking again, Jia Lian smiled at Hua's mother and said, "The Hua family is indeed a place blessed with outstanding talents. Not only did they raise someone like Xiren, a girl whom even my old lady praises and likes, but even the girls from our relatives' families are all exceptionally beautiful."

Girls from ordinary families are naturally shy and timid, let alone when Jia Lian praises them to their faces. They all shyly hide behind Hua Mu and Xi Ren.

Seeing this, Jia Baoyu glanced at Jia Lian with a mixture of reproach and envy. He also wanted to strike up a conversation with these girls, but he was afraid of being too forward. Therefore, before Jia Lian arrived, he had only secretly glanced at them a few times. How could he compare to Jia Lian, who praised the girls' beauty as soon as they met?

Hua's mother chuckled from ear to ear. If it were any other man who said such things, she might have suspected his motives, but given Jia Lian's status and character, daughters from families like theirs probably wouldn't even have the right to be flirted with by him.

"Not at all, not at all. Xiren's success today is entirely due to the kindness and cultivation she has received from your household. To be appreciated by your esteemed matriarch is a blessing she earned in her past life..."

"Madam, you are too modest. A girl as good as Xiren would be sought after by any family, and my Jia family is no exception."

Jia Lian's words were somewhat cryptic, and neither Hua Mu nor Jia Baoyu could understand what they meant. However, Xi Ren, as the person involved, immediately grasped the implied meaning, and her cheeks suddenly flushed.

Everyone's scrambling to get it, but who's competing? And with whom? It's obvious.

Xiren couldn't help but wonder if he was worried that Bao Erye would steal her heart when he saw him come to her house, so he rushed in to assert his dominance.

Xi Ren's heart was inexplicably complicated and pounding nervously. She had never known whether Jia Lian, her master, treated her well or badly, after all, losing her virginity to Jia Lian was an accident and a last resort.

Afterwards, Jia Lian treated her coldly and indifferently, making her often doubt herself. Now, regardless of Jia Lian's previous attitude towards her, the fact that he personally stepped into her dilapidated house today proves that he is not a completely dispensable person, and that he still cares about her, the little maid he had bullied.

Jia Lian had no idea that a casual remark from him would propel Xiren to such a high level of self-control. In his view, his visit to the Hua family today was merely a whim, a chance to see the girl in red.

He wouldn't admit that he was somewhat worried when he first noticed Jia Baoyu at the Hua family's house. Putting aside Jia Baoyu's naiveté and immaturity, this little brat certainly knew how to charm girls. Although Xiren was more mature, it was hard to guarantee she wouldn't be genuinely moved by such a gentle and kind young master, and abandon her "first love" after a brief affair.

Even so, it wasn't a big deal. He hadn't really cared about Xiren to begin with, but, well, men generally don't like their women falling for someone else.

Seeing that Jia Lian was easy to talk to, Madam Hua tried to curry favor with him. Out of consideration for Xiren, Jia Lian also gave her a few perfunctory replies before saying, "We've had our tea. I have a few words I'd like to say to my younger brother. I wonder if the old lady could grant us a place?"

Hua's mother was taken aback, but then she was convinced that Jia Lian was about to start disciplining his disobedient younger brother, Jia Baoyu. So she quickly agreed and led the girls, except for Xiren, out of the room.

As for Xiren's sister-in-law, she had already slipped away through the back door.

"Have you taken a fancy to it?"

Jia Baoyu's gaze was reluctantly pulled away from the "girl in red," but before he could feel regret, he heard Jia Lian teasing him like that. He was immediately embarrassed and at a loss for words, and hurriedly said, "Second Brother Lian, what nonsense are you talking about? What... you... you've taken a fancy to her..."

"I noticed from the moment you walked in that your eyes never left her. What else could it be but that you've got your eye on her?"

Don't be shy. If you really like someone, just tell me. Maybe I can help you achieve your wish.

"Nonsense... what nonsense are you talking about..."

Jia Baoyu was so embarrassed that he stammered, and at the same time, thoughts began to arise in his mind.

Although Jia Lian took away the person he cared about most during his youthful and naive years, he still had no doubts about Jia Lian's character and couldn't bring himself to hate Jia Lian.

Take this moment for example. He was initially worried that Jia Lian would use his elder brother's authority to teach him a lesson, or go back and complain to Lady Wang and the others. But to his surprise, Jia Lian didn't seem to have any such intentions at all, and instead started teasing him.

Therefore, he couldn't help but start to wonder how much sincerity was in Jia Lian's words! Although he looked down on those who schemed for fame and fortune, he also understood that Jia Lian could accomplish many things that he couldn't, and perhaps quite easily at that.

"Nonsense? If you think I'm talking nonsense, then just pretend I didn't say anything. Alas, what a pity, that girl looks to be of marriageable age. Perhaps the next time someone sees her, she will already be a married woman. Oh, I suppose you'll never see her again after this, so it doesn't really matter."

Jia Baoyu's heart tightened immediately. Yes, given the vast difference in social standing between the Jia and Hua families, and the fact that he was usually restricted from going out, this meeting might truly be the last time he would have the chance to see them again!

The thought that he would never see his innocent daughter again filled him with such sorrow that he almost burst into tears.

Seeing his expression, Jia Lian suppressed his laughter and looked at Xi Ren beside him.

Xiren understood Jia Lian's meaning and said, "That's my aunt's daughter, she's fifteen this year."

It's fifteen...

In this era, fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old was considered the most suitable age for a girl to get married.

Finally, Jia Baoyu, unable to contain his desire any longer, timidly asked, "Second Brother Lian, do you have any ideas on how to prevent her from getting married? What's so good about getting married? Isn't it better for a girl to remain pure and innocent...?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian couldn't help but laugh out loud, and even Xi Ren couldn't help but glance at Jia Baoyu, her eyes filled with speechlessness.

Jia Baoyu realized he had spoken out of turn, and after thinking for a moment with a pained expression, he asked, "Then, Second Brother, do you have any way to get her to come to our house?"

"Well, there are ways... but it depends on what you mean."

If you truly love her, then ask someone to propose marriage and bring her home in a grand and respectable manner. If you're unfamiliar with these formalities, I can certainly help you with the arrangements.

Xiren hurriedly said, "Second Master, you mustn't! The Old Madam and Madam will not agree. How could someone from a humble family like ours possibly be worthy of such a high position?"

Xiren didn't know why Jia Lian wanted to persuade Jia Baoyu to marry her cousin, but she knew it was impossible. Their social standing and the Jia family's status made them an incompatible match. Even she herself had only ever hoped to attain the position of a concubine by Jia Baoyu's side.

Jia Baoyu was stunned for a moment, and finally said in a muffled voice, "Sister Xiren is right, the old lady and the madam will not agree..."

Even if Jia Baoyu was naive, he knew that his family would never agree to him marrying a commoner girl. While his grandmother was somewhat more agreeable, his mother would certainly not allow it.

Jia Lian smiled. Sure enough, Jia Baoyu, like Qin Zhong at his core, was someone who dared to think but not to act; in other words, he couldn't take responsibility.

They told him to marry her, but they didn't say she had to be his principal wife. But thinking about it, it makes sense. Even if she were to take a concubine, Lady Wang certainly wouldn't allow it. In her eyes, Jia Baoyu was a pure and flawless gem, her precious darling, and she wouldn't allow a vixen to defile him!

Jia Baoyu was afraid of Lady Wang and dared not resist in the slightest, a fact that Jia Lian had long known.

Such a person has absolutely no chance of protecting those around him. He can't even protect himself.

So Jia Lian ignored Jia Baoyu and looked at Xiren: "The mansion is currently recruiting maids. Your second mistress also said she wants to select a few useful people to serve her. I think your cousin is quite good. Please ask your aunt and uncle for me. If they are willing, the Rongguo Mansion is willing to hire her at a high price for a period of three years. After three years, she can choose her own marriage partner."

Although Xiren's cousin was a beautiful young woman, Jia Lian, who was used to seeing beautiful women, was only satisfying his curiosity.

However, for a sheltered young man like Jia Baoyu, who rarely left his home, such a delicate and innocent girl might be incredibly alluring, just like when he saw that country bumpkin "Er Yatou" in the countryside. Not to mention, Jia Baoyu was the type who couldn't take his eyes off pretty girls, so it's not surprising that he fell in love at first sight, since he'd fallen for many before.

However, since Jia Baoyu was the one who took a liking to her first, Jia Lian wouldn't indiscriminately snatch her away, hence the earlier joke. If Jia Baoyu is interested, he'll help him out, which would be a way of making up for the debt he owed for taking Xiren away.

What, Daiyu? Sorry, Jia Lian didn't feel indebted at all; he thought it was a righteous act.

Before confirming that Jia Baoyu lacked the ability and inclination to protect others, Jia Lian temporarily abandoned the idea of ​​directly giving the girl to Jia Baoyu. He didn't want to do something good that would backfire, and for a perfectly good young lady to suffer some kind of torment after entering the Rongguo Mansion.

I'll keep him by my side and give him to Jia Baoyu when he grows up. If Jia Baoyu still hasn't grown up in three years, then I'm sorry, there's no reason to keep delaying the girl's life.

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu's eyes lit up immediately. Being a maid would be wonderful; that way he could see her every day!

Xi Ren sighed inwardly. She knew all too well that once her cousin went in, she would never be able to come out again in three years. Even she was nothing compared to these two gentlemen, let alone her own naive and inexperienced younger sister.

Fortunately, it seemed Jia Lian wanted to matchmake his cousin with Jia Baoyu. That was good; she already felt deeply guilty towards Jia Baoyu, and if her cousin could make amends, she could at peace with herself. As for her cousin, both Jia Baoyu and Jia Lian were considered a step up for her.

Therefore, he suppressed his jealousy, nodded, and indicated that he would do his best to mediate.