Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

When Jia Baoyu excitedly ran over to Rongqing Hall, he found that the house was indeed different from usual in terms of grandeur.

Not only were there more maids and servants standing around than usual, but they were all focused and dedicated to their duties, a stark contrast to their previous laziness and casualness.

Jia Baoyu slowed his pace and entered the hall only after he had been informed.

The atmosphere inside Rongqing Hall was indeed peaceful. A middle-aged woman with an elegant demeanor and gorgeous clothes sat in the hall. Behind her stood seven or eight servants and five or six maids. Although they did not recognize her, their clothes and style were even more magnificent than those of the Rongguo Mansion.

Jia Baoyu glanced at the few young and beautiful maids, and then, in the manners befitting a young master, stepped forward to greet Grandmother Jia and the others in turn.

Grandmother Jia was very satisfied with Jia Baoyu's performance and said with a smile, "Baoyu, why don't you go forward and pay your respects to Madam Zhen?"

"Baoyu greets Madam."

Jia Baoyu was greatly disappointed because he did not see the Miss Zhen, who was said to resemble Daiyu so much. But then he inexplicably raised his head, because as he greeted her, the elegant and dignified Mrs. Zhen did not respond at all, but just stared at him with wide eyes.

This surprised not only Jia Baoyu, but also Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, Lady Xing, and others.

It was only when one of the Zhen family's servants coughed twice, noticing her mistress's rudeness, that she reminded her.

Madam Zhen and Grandmother Jia exchanged glances, their eyes still filled with undisguised astonishment. Ignoring the formalities of their long-standing friendship, she stood up and walked to Jia Baoyu, scrutinizing him from head to toe before apologetically saying to Grandmother Jia, "Please forgive me, Madam, but such a coincidence is truly unbelievable! I could have let it go with my daughter before, but who would have thought that your second son would bear such a striking resemblance to my good-for-nothing son!"

"Oh, is it really such a coincidence?"

Upon hearing this, both Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang felt quite puzzled. From their previous conversations, they knew that this Mrs. Zhen was a dignified and self-possessed person, and would not pretend to be like this to get closer to the two families. Judging from her expression just now, could there really be such a coincidence in the world?

They were quite startled when they saw the fourth young lady of the Zhen family.

Jia Baoyu wasn't particularly concerned with who he resembled; his mind immediately stirred when Madam Zhen mentioned "my former daughter." Could it be that the young lady had truly arrived?

The servants of the Zhen family, fearing that the Jia family would not believe their mistress's words, chimed in with their own, saying how much Jia Baoyu resembled their second master, and that they were both called "Baoyu," which amazed Grandmother Jia and the others.

Just as they were laughing and talking, they heard a chorus of sweet voices coming from the back corridor. Then, several maids cleared the way and a group of delicate and beautiful girls walked in.

These were the three sisters, including Chun and Daiyu.

Jia Baoyu instinctively wanted to go forward, but after taking just one step, he suddenly stopped, staring blankly ahead, muttering, "Heavens, how can there be two Lin Daiyus?"

Jia Baoyu's reaction and words made everyone, including Grandmother Jia, burst into laughter. Even the three sisters and Baochai had smiles on their faces, only Daiyu and Zhen Yuhuan, who was holding her hand, looked a little embarrassed.

But then the two of them looked at each other, and a smile couldn't help but bloom on their two delicate, lotus-like faces.

Looking at each other is like looking in a mirror; they themselves find it quite amazing.

As Grandmother Jia and Mrs. Zhen waved, Daiyu and the other woman separated and nestled in the arms of their respective elders.

While embracing Daiyu's frail body, Grandmother Jia noticed that Jia Baoyu was staring intently at the girl and said with a smile, "Baoyu, this is the sworn sister your second brother Lian recognized in Nanjing, which is also your sister. Why don't you come forward and greet her?"

"Uh, yes... Baoyu, greetings to this younger sister..."

Jia Baoyu's eyes were glued to the girl before him, who looked almost exactly like Daiyu. He felt that Heaven must have been kind to him; otherwise, why would it have sent this girl to him?

At this moment, the girl in red and the second girl were all out of his sight. In his eyes, there was only this pure and beautiful girl with a graceful and charming demeanor.

Perhaps it was because of the series of coincidences today, or perhaps it was because Jia Baoyu and her own beloved son looked so alike that, out of love for the house, Madam Zhen did not feel that Jia Baoyu's "foolish appearance" was impolite. Instead, she tugged at her daughter in her arms, signaling her to get up and return the courtesy.

So, Zhen Yuhuan, who rarely saw men and was somewhat shy, slowly got up and gave Jia Baoyu a simple greeting. When she noticed that Jia Baoyu's gaze was becoming increasingly intense, she couldn't help but hide behind her mother.

"Baoyu..."

Seeing her son acting foolishly again, almost chasing after Madam Zhen, Lady Wang couldn't help but laugh and call out to him, finally waking Jia Baoyu. Meeting Lady Wang's signaling gaze, Jia Baoyu slowly walked back, but his lingering glances every few steps made the three sisters laugh uncontrollably.

Only Grandmother Jia had a different idea when she saw it.

She was easygoing by nature and had been accustomed to wealth, so her affection for Jia Baoyu was more genuine than that of Lady Wang.

Seeing Jia Baoyu like this, how could she not know that Jia Baoyu had reached the age of understanding things and had begun to admire young women?

As with Daiyu before, so it was natural for the fourth young lady of the Zhen family before her. Grandmother Jia, already feeling somewhat guilty towards her beloved grandson because of Daiyu's affair, couldn't help but glance at Zhen Yuhuan again and nod secretly.

After a few more casual words, Mrs. Zhen looked around and said, "It's getting late, Madam, I should take my leave now."

Grandmother Jia hurriedly said, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Didn't you want Yu Huan to meet her sworn brother...?"

As she spoke, Grandmother Jia assumed that Madam Zhen was angry because she had been waiting for too long, so she questioned those around her, "Didn't we say that Lian'er had already returned to the manor? Why hasn't she come over yet?"

The maids said, "We were on our way, but the master's men called us away in a hurry halfway."

"Uh, what does their master want that he needs to see him at this time?"

Grandmother Jia was somewhat displeased. It was one thing for Jia Lian to do as he pleased, but Jia Zheng was a well-mannered and filial son. Yet today he dared to intercept the person she summoned. Could it be that he was also learning from Lian and no longer respected her?

Therefore, while keeping Mrs. Zhen calm, he also ordered someone to urge her to hurry up.

When Lin Zhixiao's wife returned, she exclaimed with a smile, "Grandma, good news! Great news!"

"What's the good news?"

"Our second master has been promoted again!"

'

A hush fell over Rongqing Hall. Madam Zhen's eyes darted around, and she, who had already planned how to refuse Grandmother Jia's invitation to stay, immediately sat back down on the side she had moved aside.

……

When Jia Lian returned to Rongqing Hall from Mengpo Studio, she noticed that the maids in the connecting corridor looked at her with reverence and worship.

Jia Lian quickly realized that the news of his promotion had spread.

To be fair, Jia Zheng's information network is quite extensive.

Upon entering Rongqing Hall, he greeted Grandmother Jia, Madam Zhen, and others. Grandmother Jia immediately inquired about his promotion.

Jia Lian said casually, "It is indeed a promotion. His Majesty wants to establish a new type of Imperial Guard and wants to promote me to the position of commander."

Jia Lian did not wish to discuss the matter of firearms with Grandmother Jia and the other women and children, nor did he intend to mention the matter of building warships in Tianjin.

"They actually transferred him to the Imperial Guard, and he's even a commander?"

Even though Jia Lian explained it very simply, it still shocked Grandmother Jia and the others. The Imperial Guards were the troops that protected the capital and the emperor; in the eyes of ordinary people, they were the most prestigious and powerful army in the world.

"It's not that I'm being transferred to the Imperial Guard, but rather that His Majesty has ordered me to establish a new force under the command of the Imperial Guard. In terms of rank, it's only a third grade, which is a promotion from my previous rank."

After reiterating his explanation, Jia Lian said no more and turned to look at Zhen Yuhuan.

Even though he had seen her before and was mentally prepared, Jia Lian's heart still pounded when he saw his adopted sister again.

There was no way around it; she and Daiyu were just too alike.

People in the Jia family used to say that Xiangling looked more and more like Qin Keqing as she grew up. Even Jia Lian himself had Xiangling wear Qin Keqing's clothes to compare... and sure enough, she really did look like her!

However, even when Xiangling was dressed in Qin Keqing's clothes, Jia Lian could easily tell the difference.

As for Zhen Yuhuan...

Let alone wearing the same clothes as Daiyu, even if they wore different clothes and appeared in a different place, Jia Lian felt that he might mistake her for someone else.

They're even more like twins than twins!

"Sister-in-law, it's been a long time."

"Yu Huan greets her sworn brother~"

Facing Jia Lian, Zhen Yuhuan appeared much more natural. Her eyes, as clever as Daiyu's, blinked as she looked at Jia Lian, seemingly wondering: "Brother, how come you are so capable as an official at such a young age?"

Seeing her adorable expression, Jia Lian was about to say something to tease her when he suddenly sensed a sharp gaze from afar. Turning around, he saw Daiyu staring at him. Jia Lian smiled and turned to sit down beside her.

As soon as he sat down, Madam Zhen, following in the footsteps of Grandmother Jia and others, began to inquire about Jia Lian's official career, seemingly even more concerned about Jia Lian's future than Grandmother Jia herself.

Jia Lian smiled inwardly, exchanged a few perfunctory words, and then asked, "It has been more than half a year since I bid farewell to Madam in Jinling. May I ask what brings Madam and her sworn sister to the capital this time?"

"Well, well... the main problem is that your sister is in poor health and has been sick for many years. We've consulted countless famous doctors in Jiangnan, but to no avail. That's why we thought of bringing her to the capital for a checkup. We also want to visit our family friends and relatives in the capital."

"I see. It just so happens that I know a few famous doctors in the capital region. I'll invite them over later so my sworn sister can have a consultation."

"Why go through all this trouble?"

Grandmother Jia suddenly interjected with a smile, "I also take medicine often, and I know all the skilled imperial physicians in the palace. I observe that Yu Huan's ailment is probably the same as my Yu'er's."

The imperial physician Wang in the palace is very skilled at treating children's frail health. Why don't you stay here with us? Tomorrow or the day after, I'll invite him over to examine both maids."

"This might not be suitable; it's too much trouble."

"What's the trouble? We have many maids, and I think Yu Huan gets along quite well with them. Letting them travel together and keep each other company might be good for her recovery."

"It's settled then. From the very first moment I saw her, I liked Yu Huan. So even if it weren't for this, I'd still want to keep her by my side, to keep this old man company and have some conversations with her."

No one in the Jia family found Grandmother Jia's words strange. They all knew she enjoyed lively gatherings, and she usually liked to invite any of her relatives' children to stay as guests.

Seeing how polite and warm Grandmother Jia was, Mrs. Zhen felt a little awkward and couldn't help but look at her daughter.

Upon seeing this, Zhen Yuhuan was immediately tempted. Before entering the Rongguo Mansion, she had never imagined that the Jia family would have so many sisters of her age!

Moreover, the Jia family's sisters were all intelligent, graceful, and well-mannered, surpassing even her own sisters. In particular, there was a sister who looked exactly like her. Just now, they had taken her to visit their home, and although it was only a brief look, she could still see the celestial scenery.

She was just a girl in her early teens, so naturally she was playful. Besides, she was the only one who had come to the capital with her mother this time. If she could stay at the Jia family home and play with these sisters, it would be much more interesting than going back to the villa.

Madam Zhen understood her daughter's thoughts, smiled, stood up and bowed, saying, "Since the old lady has said so, I dare not disobey. However, our family has lived in the south for generations, and on this trip to the capital, we should indeed visit our old friends and relatives."

Therefore, I will refrain from doing this myself. I will allow Yu Huan to remain by the Old Madam's side and accompany her in my place. However, my daughter is unruly, and I beg the Old Madam and all the ladies to be lenient with her.

After much coaxing from Grandmother Jia and others, Mrs. Zhen was finally allowed to have dinner at Rongqing Hall before leaving.

Zhen Yuhuan, of course, stayed behind, which made Jia Baoyu smile all night, a stark contrast to his usual dejected state.

"Girl, your sisters all live in the back garden. They must have taken you in to see it before."

Think about it yourself, which of them would you rather live with? If you don't want to live with either of them, you can stay here with me and keep this old man company.

After finishing the tea, Grandmother Jia looked at the room full of her grandchildren and said to Zhen Yuhuan with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuhuan immediately looked at Daiyu.

Jia Baoyu became anxious and quickly said, "Grandmother, let her live with Sister Bao. Sister Bao is thoughtful and knows how to take care of people. Letting her live with Sister Bao in Hengwu Garden would be the most appropriate thing to do."

As soon as Jia Baoyu spoke, almost everyone understood his little scheme.

After what had happened, he could no longer enter Xiaoxiang Pavilion. If Zhen Yuhuan and Daiyu lived in Xiaoxiang Pavilion together, it would be inconvenient for him to visit them. Therefore, he suggested that Zhen Yuhuan live in Hengwu Garden with Baochai. His little scheme was perfectly reasonable.

However, his words offended Daiyu once again.

What does it mean that "Baojie is thoughtful and caring"? Does it mean that she is careless and bullies people?

Baochai didn't want to be associated with this either, so she quickly smiled and said, "Yu Huan is in poor health, and Hengwu Garden is a bit far away and on higher ground. Let her stay with Lin Daiyu instead. That way, it will be more convenient for the Old Madam to arrange medical treatment for them."

Zhen Yuhuan, unaware of the secrets involved, had originally intended to live with Daiyu, so she readily took Daiyu's hand and said with a smile, "Sister Lin, shall I stay at your place?"

Daiyu nodded silently.