Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Jia Lian rode his horse to the Xue family's gate and said to the gatekeeper, "I have something to discuss with your young lady."

The Xue family gatekeeper dared not say a word and quickly opened the gate to let Jia Lian and his entourage inside.

The Xue family's appearance remained unchanged; it was still a quiet and elegant residence with a fresh and refined style, only now it had become somewhat somber.

"Baochai greets Second Brother Lian." Xue Baochai came over from the porch of the main house and gave Jia Lian a graceful bow.

"Sister Baochai, there's no need for such formalities. I've come to understand the specifics of your brother's case. Let's find a place to talk."

Since Jia Lian was so direct, Baochai nodded and led him to the main hall of the house.

"I rode a fast horse back to Beijing, so I went ahead. My aunt expects to arrive in Beijing tonight as well."

While Baochai served tea, Jia Lian gave a brief explanation and then said, "Time is of the essence, so I won't beat around the bush. My aunt left the capital the night before last, so the main reason I came here is to find out if there's any new information about Brother Pan's case these past two days. Sister Baochai, you can tell me in detail."

Baochai looked grateful upon hearing this, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Second Brother Lian..."

As she spoke, Baochai hesitated for a moment, then took out a roll of stationery from her sleeve and handed it to Jia Lian, saying, "This is what I've compiled, all the details about my brother's case. It not only records in detail everything that happened that day, but also includes information we obtained from various sources afterward. Please take a look, Second Brother Lian."

Jia Lian's eyes lit up. It seems this Miss Bao was prepared all along. Not bad.

Taking the paper, which seemed to carry the fragrance of orchids, Jia Lian unfolded it and began to read. The first thing that caught his eye was rows of neat, beautiful, and well-organized small regular script characters.

Even though Jia Lian had seen Baochai's handwriting before, he couldn't help but glance at her with admiration. For no other reason than that, as a court official who had diligently practiced calligraphy, his own regular script was still far inferior to this girl's.

If given the chance to recruit her as my scribe, her handwriting alone would be enough to outshine most of the court's officials.

Baochai was unaware of Jia Lian's thoughts; she only felt that the way Jia Lian looked down at the contents of the note exuded an indescribable air of elegance and authority.

He looked serious, with a hidden glint in his eyes. As he turned the pages, it seemed he had already absorbed all the information into his mind and was confident in his abilities.

She began preparing these notes the moment she learned that Jia Lian had returned to the capital. Her purpose was to ensure that Jia Lian could learn about the situation as quickly as possible, preventing any oversights in the chaos and the loss of the opportunity to save her brother.

Seeing that Jia Lian had quickly finished reading the contents, Baochai hurriedly asked, "How is it? Second Brother Lian, are you confident you can rescue my brother?"

"I'm not sure."

Baochai's expression darkened. Sure enough, even Second Brother Lian wasn't suitable...

"Although I'm not sure I'll succeed, now that I'm back in the capital, I'll do my best. We can talk about that later; right now, I need you to prepare two things."

"Second Brother Lian, please speak."

"Prepare five hundred taels of gold, preferably in small denominations. Also prepare a painting or calligraphy work with a market value of at least three thousand taels, preferably a copybook by a famous calligrapher."

Baochai thought for a moment, then stood up and said, "Second Brother Lian, please wait a moment."

Jia Lian nodded. The Xue family were imperial merchants and also ran a fairly large pawnshop in the capital, so gold and calligraphy and paintings were probably not a problem for them.

Sure enough, a short while later Baochai returned with Ying'er and another maid from the Xue family.

Jia Lian calmly rolled up the paper and put it into his sleeve. Then he picked up the letter that Baochai had brought, unfolded it, looked at it, nodded, and smiled, "In that case, I'll take my leave now. Don't worry, Baochai, I'll send someone to inform you and your aunt if there's any new information."

As they were talking, Jia Lian stood up and gestured for Aqi and Aqin to take the things away.

"Second Brother Lian, please wait."

Jia Lian turned around. "Is there anything else, Sister Baochai?"

Baochai hesitated for a moment, but facing Jia Lian's questioning gaze, she still stepped forward and asked, "Second Brother Lian, are you going to see my brother later?"

"Hmm... perhaps. The trial is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. If we want to overturn the verdict, it's better to do it sooner rather than later. Before that, it would be best to see Brother Pan."

Baochai said, "In that case, Brother Lian might take me with him... Brother Lian doesn't know that when he was detained in Shuntian Prefecture, the prefecture allowed my mother and me to visit him. Later, the Ministry of Justice took my brother away and then forbade us from visiting him again."

I haven't seen my brother for quite some time now, and I want to go see him...

Baochai said with a sorrowful expression. She didn't just want to see Xue Pan; she wanted to go with Jia Lian to see how he was dealing with his brother's thorny case.

The incident involving her brother made her even more aware of the decline of the Xue family. She couldn't help but think that if Xue Pan were really gone, the vast Xue family fortune would surely be too much for Aunt Xue to handle alone.

As a daughter, she will have to help her mother in the future. How to help? A sheltered young lady from a wealthy family who never leaves the house certainly can't help well; she needs to learn how to do it.

Learn from Jia Lian, observe from Jia Lian's side. Today is an opportunity—an opportunity to see firsthand the rules of the upper echelons.

When faced with Baochai's sudden request, Jia Lian wanted to say that it was unnecessary. The Ministry of Justice prison was a gloomy and oppressive place, not really suitable for a beautiful young girl like Baochai.

Seeing Baochai, who was usually calm, reserved, and considered by others to be extremely shrewd, so on the verge of tears, Jia Lian was momentarily at a loss for how to refuse. Suddenly remembering his agreement with Aunt Xue, Jia Lian felt that this might be an opportunity.

Didn't I used to regret not having the chance to take her out to play?

So he nodded and said, "In that case, you can come out with me later. But... you'd better change your clothes."

Jia Lian looked at Ying'er behind Baochai and laughed, "I think her outfit is quite nice. I'll trouble Baochai to dress up as my maid later, it'll be more convenient for us, since I'm going to more than just the Ministry of Justice prison later."

Baochai did not notice anything amiss in Jia Lian's words, so she nodded in agreement and then told Ying'er to leave.

Jia Lian had waited for Daiyu to change her clothes before, so he roughly knew how long it took for the young ladies to change. He originally thought that even if Baochai was more efficient, it wouldn't be much more than that, but to Jia Lian's surprise, Baochai returned with Ying'er very quickly.

At this moment, Baochai removed her extra hair ornaments and simply tied her hair into two buns at the back of her head. Most importantly, she was wearing the same pale yellow dress that Ying'er had worn earlier, while Ying'er had changed into a different outfit.

Now Jia Lian believed what Aunt Xue had said; Baochai was very obedient. He had only said it casually, but he hadn't expected Baochai to be so efficient.

Looking at Baochai, who had lost some of her former beauty but appeared more innocent and youthful, Jia Lian smiled with satisfaction and said, "Let's go, I've already had the steward prepare the carriage."

……

At the entrance of the West City Military Command, Baochai lowered her head and stepped out of the carriage. She looked at Jia Lian, who had dismounted and walked to the front of the carriage, and reached out his hand to her. After hesitating for a moment, she obediently put her hand in Jia Lian's hand and jumped off the carriage with his help.

"Is this the Military Affairs Office?"

Baochai followed Jia Lian forward, her gaze involuntarily sweeping over the yamen with the words "West City Military Command" hanging high in front of her.

In her eyes, the Military Commandery was not luxurious or magnificent; on the contrary, it even appeared somewhat simple. However, this simplicity exuded an aura of authority. It was the aura of power.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

The loud shouts of the guards standing at the door startled Baochai, and she involuntarily quickened her pace to follow Jia Lian.

As Jia Lian entered the inner hall, many military officers came to greet him and report for duty. Baochai understood perfectly well that although Jia Lian casually dismissed them, the way they looked at him was filled with reverence.

Clearly, Jia Lian, the chief official, had already consolidated the entire military command into his own power base.

Baochai remained silent, standing quietly behind Jia Lian, fully fulfilling her role as his maid.

"Sir, why have you suddenly returned?" A slightly thin, middle-aged military officer rushed over.

Jia Lian asked him, "Where is Sun Shaozu?"

"Reporting back to you, sir, this boy is in our military prison!"

Jie Jun probably guessed Jia Lian's purpose in returning to the capital, so he hurriedly explained: "That day, this boy went to Jinxiang Courtyard with Master Xue. Unexpectedly, Master Xue had an accident, and this boy took advantage of the chaos to slip away."

He even tried to pack his things and run away. If the adults hadn't told us to keep an eye on him and catch him halfway, he probably would have already made it away.

Jia Lian nodded.

He had Sun Shaozu arrested and tortured in the military prison, but unexpectedly, the Sun family, which was left with only a sick wife and widow, managed to get help from Jia Zheng.

Considering the ancestral connections between the two families and the fact that Sun Shaozu hadn't committed any serious offense, Jia Zheng wrote to Jia Lian to plead for his release. Jia Lian, however, thought that simply subjecting the scoundrel to imprisonment would be too monotonous and not in line with his original intention of luring Sun Shaozu all the way to the capital. Therefore, he ordered Xie Jun to release him, instead placing him under close surveillance and adding more glitz and glamour to his life.

His encounter with Xue Pan and his attempt to curry favor with him were unexpected, but his decision to gamble his life at the gambling den was guided and arranged by Xie Jun and others.

"Take me to see him. It's time to meet this wolf in sheep's clothing."

Instructing Jie Jun to lead the way, Jia Lian turned back to Baochai with a smile: "Do you dare to come and take a look?"

Baochai nodded, but inwardly she wondered: It sounds like the person her brother has recently befriended might have a grudge against Lian Er Gege. After all, Lian Er Gege seems to dislike this person very much.

Jie Jun had already noticed that Jia Lian had brought a beautiful maid with him today. Seeing how Jia Lian was talking to her, he knew that Baochai was no ordinary woman. At first glance, he was immediately struck by Baochai's stunning beauty and felt extremely envious. He deeply felt that his master was indeed a dragon among men, and even the women around him were all exceptionally beautiful.

……

The dark prison environment did make Baochai somewhat uncomfortable, but she did not show it.

She followed Jia Lian to a cell and, seeing him stop, obediently stood behind him.

Jia Lian silently watched Sun Shaozu inside the prison cell. Sun Shaozu lay slumped on the ground, yet he also looked at Jia Lian with suspicion. Although Sun Shaozu did not yet recognize Jia Lian, judging from his demeanor, he knew that the newcomer was no ordinary person.

Jia Lian glanced at him twice and lost interest, then casually ordered, "Bring him out."

"Yes."

Sun Shaozu felt as if he had been granted a pardon, thinking that a savior had arrived. But then Jia Lian added, "Break both his legs."

The soldiers of the Military Command were exceptionally efficient in carrying out Jia Lian's orders; several rushed out in unison and immediately subdued Sun Shaozu. Terrified, Sun Shaozu cried out in despair, "My lord, spare my life! I don't know what I've done to deserve this! Please enlighten me, and I will certainly repent and reflect upon my actions..."

Jia Lian, however, had no intention of paying him any attention.

Jie Jun, however, had known from the beginning that Jia Lian disliked Sun Shaozu, and now, seeing his wailing, he felt a perverse pleasure. He grabbed Sun Shaozu and grinned maliciously, "Boy, you only have yourself to blame for doing evil, and even more so for falling into the hands of my master! In your next life, remember to be a good person."

Sun Shaozu was stunned. Having suffered several losses at Xie Jun's hands, he already knew the other party's identity. Now, hearing Xie Jun address Jia Lian so respectfully as "my master," he not only immediately realized Jia Lian's identity but also felt a sudden awakening, as if the fog had cleared and the light had finally come to him!

"It was you! It's always been you? You're the one who ruined me?!"

Sun Shaozu is not stupid. Since the beginning of last year, his family, especially Sun Shaozu, has been as if cursed, falling from a family of middle-ranking military officers to where they are today.

Perhaps at first he thought it was an injustice of fate, or even retribution for his many years of evil deeds.

But as time went on, he couldn't help but wonder if someone was deliberately trying to harm him. However, he couldn't find any clues or confirm it.

Just today, in Xie Jun's simple words, he suddenly realized that everything that had happened to the Sun family, especially to Sun Shaozu, was thanks to the person in front of him!

This person is the heir to the Rongguo Mansion of the Jia family, the commander of the military and cavalry, and the famous Marquis of Zhenyuan!

Everything makes sense now. It's laughable that he initially presented himself as a disciple of the Rongguo Mansion, attempting to use this connection to revive the Sun family!

Looking up at Jia Lian's cold and indifferent eyes, Sun Shaozu confirmed his thoughts. He also saw that one of his legs had been forcibly held down by the constables of the Military Affairs Bureau, and that Jie Jun had already drawn his sword, ready to break his leg.

Sun Shaozu was never a kind person; his previous submissiveness in front of Xue Pan was merely a result of his desire to survive. Now, truly understanding his predicament, a surge of overwhelming hatred welled up within him. He somehow found the strength to break free from the guards restraining him and charged desperately towards the prison door, towards Jia Lian standing outside!

"Even if I die, I'll make you pay with your life!!"

"Be careful, sir!"

"Protect the adults!"

The sudden situation shocked everyone.

Jie Jun was also thrown off balance by Sun Shaozu's jolting. Although he knew that Jia Lian was not weak, he also knew that Sun Shaozu, with his hands bound and unarmed, was unlikely to cause Jia Lian any harm.

But he still instinctively raised his sword and slashed fiercely at Sun Shaozu, who was trying to escape.

He had originally planned to use the scabbard to break Sun Shaozu's legs, but now he didn't even bother to draw his sword. If he hadn't known that Jia Lian might still have a use for Sun Shaozu and hadn't deliberately left him some room to maneuver, this one strike would have been enough to kill Sun Shaozu.

Even so, the sight of the sharp steel knife slicing through the back of the tall Sun Shaozu and the blood spurting out from the blade was still shocking.

Baochai was already frightened when Sun Shaozu suddenly launched his attack. Upon witnessing such a horrifying scene, her girlish nature led her to immediately rush into the arms of the person who made her feel safest.

Jia Lian remained calm throughout, only instinctively stepping back to protect Baochai. Seeing her pale face and her rushing into his arms, Jia Lian quickly held her tightly, gently patting her back and soothingly whispering in her ear, "Don't be afraid, it's alright..."

In truth, she held Baochai in even higher regard. Surprisingly, she wasn't startled enough to scream.

Looking back at Sun Shaozu, who was lying on the ground convulsing but still staring intently at him, Jia Lian coldly said, "Don't let him die," and then considered whether to pick up Baochai and take her away.

However, Baochai was no ordinary girl, and at sixteen, she was no longer naive. She quickly realized that it was inappropriate to throw herself into Jia Lian's arms, so she composed herself, stepped out of his embrace, and gave him an apologetic look.

Although Jia Lian felt a slight regret, he didn't make any further moves and simply walked away. After taking a few steps, seeing Baochai's pensive expression, and fearing that what he had seen that day might have left a bad impression on her, Jia Lian asked, "Do you think I was too harsh on that person, girl?"

Baochai shook her head.

"This man is inherently wicked and deserves to die. Moreover, one should not show mercy to one's enemies..."

At this point, Jia Lian frowned and suddenly stopped. Looking at Baochai, who was deep in thought with a furrowed brow, Jia Lian abruptly changed his tune: "However, girls should still remain kind; that's how you become likable. Especially before confirming that the other person is a mortal enemy, you absolutely must not act rashly or reveal your weaknesses first. A woman should prioritize self-preservation..."

Although Baochai was puzzled by Jia Lian's sudden cryptic remarks, she still politely nodded and replied, "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Second Brother Lian."

Jia Lian's lips twitched, and he said no more. He hoped that today's trip hadn't had any negative impact on Baochai.