Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The sound of horses' hooves suddenly echoed along the wide street, and everyone in the Jia family knew that Jia Lian had returned home.

Feng Jie greeted Jia Lian at the moon gate between the main courtyard and the east wing. She slowed her pace, looked at Jia Lian who walked straight up to her, and asked with a smile, "Didn't you say you were busy? Why did you suddenly come back?"

"There are some temporary arrangements."

Jia Lian casually replied, looking at his beautiful wife's radiant face. He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, then gently stroked her face, feeling its smooth and warm touch.

"What are you doing? There are so many people watching."

Sister Feng pushed Jia Lian's hand away and said in a coquettish tone, "I'm not happy about it."

Jia Lian snorted and, taking advantage of the situation, pulled her into his arms with one arm, completely ignoring the stares of those around them. He whispered in Feng Jie'er's ear, "I'll go pay my respects to the old lady first. You prepare the food and bathwater and wait for me at home."

After saying that, he lightly kissed her forehead, glanced at Qingwen who was pouting behind her, and strode away.

Watching Jia Lian's dashing figure disappear into the distance, Feng Jie almost stomped her foot in annoyance, secretly cursing Jia Lian for becoming increasingly shameless, behaving intimately with her in public. But she had to admit that the feeling of being publicly pampered by her husband was secretly quite delightful.

So she composed herself, turned to look at the sisters Aqi and Aqin who were carrying Jia Lian's old clothes, and said calmly, "You've had a hard time following your lord these past few days. Give the things to them, you should go and get some rest. I'll give you a reward later."

"Yes. Thank you, Second Grandma."

Rongqing Hall.

Grandmother Jia shrugged and looked at Jia Lian, who stood like a pine tree below, and said unhappily, "You're in such a hurry to return to the capital just because of the Xue family's affairs? I say, Lian-ge'er, it's good to be kind-hearted, but don't forget the responsibilities you bear."

Xue Pan's misfortune stemmed from his own negligence; is it worth risking your life for him? What if you get into unnecessary trouble, wouldn't that jeopardize your future and betray your ambition to bring glory to your ancestors?

"Grandma, you've misunderstood. Your grandson's return to the capital this time is not for the Xue family's affairs, but rather for other arrangements."

Of course, I've heard about Xue Pan's situation, and Aunt Xue even personally came to me for help. Since she thinks highly of me and we're relatives, I'll naturally help her if I can."

Grandmother Jia snorted. Unlike Sister Feng, she didn't pay attention to everything Jia Lian did outside, so she couldn't immediately tell whether Jia Lian was telling the truth or not. She could only say, "I know you've always been the most decisive person, and you're never one to be confused about interests. Since that's the case, I have nothing more to say. You can decide for yourself."

"Yes. I have just returned to the capital. If Grandmother has no further instructions, I will take my leave now."

"Go ahead, go ahead."

After Jia Lian left, Grandmother Jia let out a deep sigh.

To be honest, Grandmother Jia hadn't expected Jia Lian to return to the capital at this time. She wasn't unaware of Aunt Xue's trip to Tianjin, but in her opinion, Jia Lian wasn't the kind of person who would easily listen to the "good advice" of his elders. Otherwise, this grandson wouldn't have caused her, his grandmother, so much distress these past few years!

Judging by the timeline, it seems that Xue must have persuaded Jia Lian as soon as she arrived in Tianjin, which is why he was able to return to the capital so quickly. It seems we really shouldn't underestimate this Xue!

But whatever, whatever method she used to persuade this stubborn mule, at least it shows that he's not completely unyielding; as long as the approach is right, he's still willing to listen to his elders.

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia glanced at Yuanyang, whose eyes were fixed on Jia Lian's retreating figure, and suddenly said, "Yuanyang, do you resent me for keeping you by my side all this time and not giving you to Lian-ge'er sooner, so that you can hardly even see him now?"

Yuanyang was taken aback by Grandmother Jia's words and didn't understand her meaning for a moment. She quickly replied, "No, no. It is my good fortune and blessing to be able to serve you, Grandmother. How could I possibly resent you?"

In the blink of an eye, she seemed to have figured things out. With a quick glance, she knelt down in front of Grandmother Jia and said, "How could Yuanyang not know how kind you have been to me all these years?"

Although I am just a maid, I know right from wrong. Putting aside the old lady's kindness in giving me a second life, just look at the present, is Yuanyang so confused that she doesn't understand the old lady's good intentions at all?

The old lady intended to bestow Yuanyang upon Second Master Lian, out of pity and affection for me. But how could Yuanyang not know that I am also in the old lady's room? The old lady does not despise me and treats me as a person. If I were to leave the old lady, Yuanyang would be nothing.

Even if I were to go to Master Lian's room, I would only be a lowly maid. If Master Lian and his wife took pity on me, I would be better off. Otherwise, I would be nothing more than a rootless duckweed. How could I be as comfortable as I am in the old lady's room?

Moreover, even if Yuanyang only learns a fraction of the old lady's lifelong cultivation and knowledge, it would be enough to benefit her for a lifetime. Therefore, even if the old lady wants to send me away, Yuanyang is absolutely unwilling. These are Yuanyang's heartfelt words; if there is any falsehood in them, may Yuanyang suffer the consequences, becoming lonely and helpless from now on, with no one to care for her for the rest of her life.

Since everyone in Rongqing Hall knew that Grandmother Jia intended to bestow her upon Jia Lian, Grandmother Jia no longer concealed it. Instead, she would occasionally teach Yuanyang some ways to survive in the inner quarters, which made Yuanyang very grateful.

Actually, she wasn't lying. Yuanyang herself understood that even if she followed Jia Lian now, she would probably find it difficult to stand out among the beauties in Sister Feng's courtyard, and at most she could only be a supporting character.

She was only truly special when she was by Grandmother Jia's side, and everyone in the household treated her with respect. Only in this position would even Jia Lian pay her special attention.

Therefore, she was indeed in no hurry to leave Grandmother Jia, and she knew that Grandmother Jia had no intention of letting her go for the time being.

Grandmother Jia was very satisfied with Yuanyang's statement. She smiled and said, "You can think like this. It's true that my efforts have not been in vain."

Speaking of which, you've been with me for so many years. Originally, I was going to marry you off to Baoyu, which would be a good match for you. But then I overheard the maids teasing you and found out that you, this little girl, actually had feelings for that boy Lian'er. That's when I changed my mind.

"You're right. There are quite a few girls in Lian'er's room who are even more beautiful than you. If you were to go there now, you wouldn't really have any advantage. It would be better for you to follow this old woman and learn some ways to make a living."

Since Grandmother Jia intended to cultivate Yuanyang, she naturally hoped that Yuanyang would be loyal enough, so that she would be worthy of her more effort.

When Yuanyang heard from Grandmother Jia that she had changed her mind because she knew beforehand that Grandmother Jia liked Jia Lian, she was very grateful. After all, not every master can be so considerate of their servants' feelings.

……

The bathhouse behind the flower hall in Sister Feng's courtyard.

Jia Lian was soaking naked in the pool. The warm water enveloped his skin from the shoulders down, seemingly able to dispel all his fatigue.

"Go down."

Qingwen took the clothes brought by the maid and unceremoniously chased her out of the bathing room. She then placed the clothes on the carved pear wood rack and walked to the edge of the pool, kneeling down like Xiangling, to massage Jia Lian's other shoulder.

After a long while, seeing that Jia Lian remained silent, she couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Second Master, how long will you be staying at home this time? You won't be like last time, only staying for two days before heading back to Tianjin, will you?"

She asked a question, but seeing that Jia Lian only closed his eyes and ignored her, she was not discouraged and asked again, "Why did Second Master come back this time? Could it really be as Second Mistress said, because of the matter of Master Xue killing someone?"

"To be honest, this Master Xue really deserves it. I heard that before he went to the capital, he had killed someone, but the other party was powerless and the matter was dropped. Now, the other party is also a son of an official, and not a low-ranking one at that. Now the Xue family has no way to deal with it."

"When Consort Xue came to the mansion the other day, she cried so bitterly."

"Too talkative."

Jia Lian gave a light reprimand, but in his heart he was thinking: The news of Xue Pan killing someone last time has spread far and wide; at least the entire Jia family knows about it. Yet he still doesn't know how to restrain himself. He's harming others and himself; he deserves to die!

Qingwen rubbed her hands a few times, feeling a bit tired. She lazily said, "Is Second Master coming back to save Master Xue? I feel like if he doesn't, he's doomed!"

The chattering maid kept interrupting Jia Lian's thoughts, until he finally replied, "Oh, so do you think I can save him?"

"Of course! If Second Master wants to save someone, it won't be easy for them to die!"

"Heh, you bootlicker."

Jia Lian was amused by Qingwen. He turned to look at the girl's extremely beautiful appearance and laughed, "Instead of worrying about others, you should worry more about yourself. Come on, lower your head and open your mouth. Let me see if you've been disobeying me and secretly eating candy while I've been away."

Qingwen felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this, but she still obediently lowered her head and opened her mouth so that Jia Lian could reach out and check.

"Not bad, fresh lips and tender tongue, pearly white teeth." Jia Lian nodded in satisfaction after a careful inspection.

Whether it's Qingwen or Xiangling, they are both people he has raised since they were eleven or twelve years old. They are absolutely precious treasures to him, so he naturally cherishes them at all times and avoids any unnecessary flaws.

He then looked at Xiangling, who also opened her mouth obediently. Seeing that both maids had complied, Jia Lian happily rewarded each with a kiss, then got up, dressed, and returned to the main room.

Feng Jie had been waiting for Jia Lian to speak. After tidying herself up, she hurried to the west side room and said to Jia Lian, who was sitting on the kang enjoying a back and shoulder massage from his two maids, "I heard your aunt went to Tianjin to look for you. Why did only you return? Where is your aunt?"

"My aunt couldn't bear the fatigue of traveling back and forth, so I went ahead."

"oh."

Sister Feng walked over and sat down next to Jia Lian. She stared at him for a few moments and then smiled, "So, you really were invited back by your aunt?"

Seeing that Jia Lian remained silent, Feng Jie asked curiously, "Are you really prepared to personally intervene in Master Xue's case? This is no easy task; the Ministry of Justice has gotten involved, and I heard that the Prince Zhongshun's Mansion is also involved!"

Jia Lian glanced at her. "What's wrong? Didn't you write to me repeatedly these past few days, asking if I had any ideas on how to save Xue the Fool? Now you don't want me to get involved?"

Sister Feng snorted, "If you can help, I naturally hope you will. After all, he's my aunt's only son, and it would be good if you could save his life. But I don't want you to do something you know is impossible... Do you understand what I mean?"

Jia Lian smiled slightly, then embraced Feng Jie and fondled her as if she were a beloved object, until Feng Jie became very uncomfortable.

Seeing that Jia Lian didn't speak, Feng Jie didn't ask any more questions. She simply lay quietly in Jia Lian's arms, enjoying the rare moment of affection.

However, Jia Lian's hands were very restless, and soon he started groping her again. She hadn't seen Jia Lian for more than half a month, so she soon became a little restless.

She tilted her head back, her eyes glazed, and looked at Jia Lian. "You..."

Jia Lian glanced at her, then suddenly remembered something. He took out his Western watch from his pocket, looked at it, and immediately released Feng Jie, saying, "Alright, it's almost time. I have to go out for a bit; I have some things to do."

Seeing that Jia Lian actually stood up, straightened his clothes in front of the mirror, and then walked away.

Furious, Sister Feng sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and sulked. The two maids behind her were about to sneak off the kang and run away when they were caught by Sister Feng's eyes.

"What are you two doing? Give me a massage too! If your second master can't boss you around, then I can't boss you around."

Qingwen and Xiangling dared not make any rash moves. Qingwen even changed her expression and cheerfully stretched out her hands to massage Fengjie's back, saying, "Look at what Second Mistress is saying. Being able to serve Second Mistress is something we can only dream of."

"Oh, really? Then from today onwards, you'll follow me just like Ping'er."

"Uh, well, okay..."