Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The Grand View Garden was not quiet shortly after nightfall; the chirping of insects and the noise from afar gave this beautiful garden a vibrant energy.

Jia Lian was in a good mood after leaving Xiaoxiang Pavilion. He walked along the narrow path to the main road and was about to step into the garden gate when a little maid suddenly darted in from around the corner and bumped into his arms like a rabbit.

After letting out a sweet "Ouch!", the newcomer looked up and immediately paled, quickly backing away: "I'm sorry, Second Master, I... I didn't see anything..."

Jia Lian stood with his arms crossed, staring intently at the eleven or twelve-year-old girl before him, who was too frightened to speak clearly. Jia Lian remembered her; she was one of the twelve girls learning opera at the Pear Fragrance Courtyard, named Fangguan.

Perhaps because Jia Lian didn't speak for a moment, Xiao Fangguan, in her nervousness, suddenly knelt down with a thud.

Jia Lian raised an eyebrow, and then a slightly older girl walked in. She looked somewhat suspicious, seemingly not understanding what was wrong with her friend who was rushing around so fast that she couldn't keep up. It wasn't until she saw Jia Lian three steps away that she understood, and then she stood nervously to the side.

Jia Lian glanced at her, then walked up to Fang Guan, nudged her small, kneeling body, and said, "Get up. What are you doing running around in the middle of the night?"

The little girl stared blankly at Jia Lian for a moment with her big eyes. Only after confirming that Jia Lian was not angry did she breathe a sigh of relief. Her bright little face became lively, and she stammered, not knowing how to answer.

Jia Lian guessed that it was probably due to youthful exuberance and the fact that she wasn't born a maid and hadn't received proper discipline, leading to her playful antics. Therefore, he couldn't help but warn her: "It's fortunate that you encountered me this time, but the young ladies in the garden are often out and about. Most of them are delicate. If you were to accidentally bump into them and cause them harm, wouldn't it be too late to regret it?"

Fangguan said with shame, "I'm sorry, Second Master. I know I was wrong. I will never run away again."

After speaking, seeing that Jia Lian had no intention of continuing his admonition, he quickly stood up.

"Your name is Fangguan?"

"This servant is Fangguan."

"Where do you come from?"

"This afternoon, the old lady invited us into the mansion. Later, she asked Lingguan and me to stay and sing for her. She even gave us a meal. Lingguan and I stayed in the old lady's room for a while. Just as we were about to go back, we ran into the second master. Hehe~."

It had been almost two years since the Twelve Officials entered the manor, and they roughly knew Jia Lian's temperament. Hearing that Jia Lian actually remembered her name, she was overjoyed and easily regained her lively nature, tilting her head back and chattering away, her little face smiling like a flower.

Jia Lian shook his head. Although he also felt that the girl was indeed likable, his gaze involuntarily shifted to the girl next to him.

Although he had met the Twelve Maids before, they were always on stage, mostly in full makeup. This was the first time he had seen these young girls up close, especially the one named Lingguan, who was hard not to notice.

Noticing Jia Lian's scrutiny, Lingguan frowned slightly and was about to turn her head away when she was startled to find her chin being supported by a pair of warm and strong hands. Then she heard Jia Lian laugh and say, "Hmm, it does look like her."

Jia Lian took a closer look at Lingguan and found that the girl was indeed very beautiful. What was rare was that her features were quite similar to Daiyu's.

Jia Lian had also heard her sing; her voice was light, delicate, and melodious, like that of a nightingale. With such beauty and voice, she was favored by Yuan Chun and Grandmother Jia, which explains why she dared to directly ignore Jia Baoyu in the original work, giving him the cold shoulder and making Jia Baoyu, who thought he was the center of the world, question his existence.

But he didn't know if this girl would dare to give him a hard time.

With his left hand supporting Lingguan's delicate chin, he waited with a smile for a moment. He noticed that Lingguan's face initially showed surprise and shyness, then her cheeks turned slightly red, and she tried to look away, not daring to meet his gaze. She showed no intention of scolding him. Only then did Jia Lian nod in satisfaction, withdraw his hand, and leave, leaving behind two stunned maids and two gatekeepers with expressions of watching the drama unfold.

When he got home, Feng Jie was indeed waiting for him. As soon as he entered the room, she couldn't wait to ask him how the matter with Xue Pan was progressing.

Sister Feng knew that Jia Lian had rushed out in the afternoon, probably to run errands for Xue Pan.

Jia Lian gave a casual reply, but seeing his beautiful wife dressed in gorgeous clothes, her beauty beyond compare, he suddenly asked, "Have you taken a bath?"

Feng Jie was surprised that Jia Lian would suddenly ask this question. Although she glared at Jia Lian, she still gave a slightly shy "hmm".

Jia Lian smiled, got up and lifted her fragrant body off the kang, immediately receiving a shy punch from Feng Jie.

"What are you doing? Dinner has been prepared for a long time, just waiting for you to come back. Let's eat first and then... we can talk about it later."

"We can eat later. I neglected you at noon, my wife, and now I intend to make it up to you."

"you……!"

Watching helplessly as the second mistress, who was flailing her arms and legs, was carried into the inner room by the second master, the maids exchanged bewildered glances but were not surprised. They went down to prepare the necessary items and supplies.

……

The Xue family courtyard, Xue Baochai's boudoir.

When Aunt Xue came in, Baochai was having her hair combed by Ying'er.

After her bath, Baochai, without any makeup, was already unparalleled in beauty, her flawless loveliness making Aunt Xue's smile even more intense.

Taking the comb from Ying'er, Aunt Xue instructed, "Go and rest. I'll sleep with your young lady tonight, so you don't need to keep watch in the room."

"Yes, madam."

Seeing her mother send Ying'er away, Baochai looked in the mirror at her mother gently combing her hair. She keenly sensed that what her mother was going to say to her tonight would definitely not be simple. This made her heartstrings twitch slightly, and she softly called out "Mother".

Aunt Xue smiled slightly, stroking her daughter's soft hair. Aunt Xue said with a smile, "In the blink of an eye, my girl has grown up so much, and she's reached the age to get married."

"Mom~!"

"What's there to be ashamed of? A girl should marry when she comes of age, it's the same for everyone. It's just that my daughter is so beautiful, she should marry a good man."

Hearing her mother say this, Baochai's shyness lessened somewhat. She understood that what Aunt Xue was going to talk to her about tonight was probably her marriage, and it seemed that Aunt Xue had already made up her mind.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have mentioned a suitable husband. After all, her family originally needed her to enter the palace.

Once you enter the palace gates, it's like entering a deep sea; from then on, your fate is no longer in your own hands, so what's the point of talking about a perfect husband?

Aunt Xue saw Baochai's expression in the mirror and couldn't help but sigh. Her daughter was just too clever; nothing could be hidden from her.

After tidying up her daughter's hair, Aunt Xue pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed and said earnestly, "Perhaps you've already guessed, what I want to talk to you about tonight is your participation in the palace selection."

"After what happened with your brother, I've finally come to a complete understanding. Entering the palace is inherently a difficult path for a woman, especially since our family is not what it used to be. If you really enter the palace, I'm afraid it will be difficult for the family to provide you with any support."

As Aunt Xue spoke, seeing her daughter remain silent and listen attentively with her head bowed, she continued, "And with your brother's affair becoming public knowledge, it has further impacted your future. Under these circumstances, how could I bear to throw you back into that shameful place..."

"Therefore, I have decided to go against your father's last wish and no longer allow you to participate in the palace selection."

Hearing her mother utter those final, resolute words, Baochai was suddenly moved. There seemed to be a time when she had also resented her parents for arranging her life for her when she was still too young to understand.

As she grew older and learned more, she gradually came to understand her parents and the responsibilities she bore from her family, and she was willing to do her best to shoulder those responsibilities.

But when she went to Beijing with her mother, filled with trepidation and unwavering courage, she failed to be selected. Although she later comforted her mother, saying that they could try again in three years, an invisible pressure had already formed in her heart.

She knew in her heart that her failure to be selected was not her fault, nor even the fault of Aunt Xue's poor handling of the situation, but rather the decline of her family. At this time, the Xue family could not compare with the families behind the other daughters of officials and famous families who participated in the selection, so her failure was not too surprising.

But the more she realized this, the more she understood how important it would be for the Xue family, one of the four great families of the old capital, to have a "noble lady" in their family.

This also made her understand better how much determination Aunt Xue had to make this decision. Aunt Xue had expressed her desire to cancel her entry into the palace several times before, but she had never been able to make a firm decision.

This time, her brother's drunken assault and subsequent disturbance before the Emperor will inevitably affect her, just as Aunt Xue said. Even if she is selected a year later, her future prospects are likely bleak.

If her mother decides not to let her participate in the palace selection for this reason, she will naturally be grateful for her mother's loving heart.

Seeing her daughter's tearful eyes, so pitiful and heartbreaking, Aunt Xue held her hand tightly and said, "I've decided to choose a man of outstanding character and ability who can protect you as your husband. That way, even if your brother doesn't survive this ordeal, you'll have someone to rely on in the future, and you won't be bullied."

"Mother!"

Baochai wiped away her tears. "Mother, there's no need to be so sad. Brother will definitely be safe and sound this time. Second Brother Lian is extremely intelligent and will surely find a way to protect your life."

Aunt Xue sighed, "I know you've always been the most sensible person since you were little, and I won't hide it from you. But I didn't make this decision solely for your sake."

You know your brother better than I do, and I won't have any higher expectations for him anymore. I only hope that if you do well in the future, you can help your brother and the Xue family in return. That would make me happy.

Although Baochai appreciated her mother's honesty, she had her own calculations in mind.

"I will always remember your love and care for me. However, as you just said, our family is not what it used to be, and there is also the big fuss about my brother. Although I do not belittle myself, I know that it will not be easy for you to find a good husband for me under these circumstances."

Although there are many princes and noblemen in the capital, and quite a few of them come from good families, how many truly ambitious men are willing to become sons-in-law of the Xue family?

In my daughter's opinion, the best course of action now would be for her to enter a position of high power and influence. Even if it were more difficult, if she were truly destined for greatness, she would naturally be able to make a name for herself.

Just like Aunt Xue at the beginning, Baochai spoke earnestly this time. Even Aunt Xue, who was shrewd and calculating, felt for a moment that her daughter was right.

Yes, in the capital, who among truly well-off and ambitious people would marry the sister of someone from a fallen family who had committed murder? If they only value a daughter's appearance, they are mostly lecherous and debauched, and naturally, they are not worthy of their precious daughter.

Thinking of Aunt Xue, she couldn't help but think of her sister, Lady Wang. She could tell that Lady Wang liked Baochai very much and even intended for Baochai to become her daughter-in-law.

But at this moment, if she were to propose a marriage alliance to her sister, the outcome would likely be the same as when she suggested that Yuan Chun intervene to save her son. As a mother herself, she knew how much Lady Wang valued Jia Baoyu.

None of this matters anymore.

She has already chosen a future for her daughter! After careful consideration, she feels that it will definitely be a good future, and may even be a choice that pleases everyone.

Whether it's for their daughter or for the Xue family.

Therefore, facing her daughter's courageous and resolute spirit, Aunt Xue firmly shook her head: "I know you are a good child with good fortune, and I believe in your abilities."

But as parents, we should naturally plan far ahead for our children. You know how difficult it is to enter the palace, I don't need to tell you. Just look at your cousin Yuan Chun. With her family background, she remained unknown in the palace for so many years. If it weren't for the opportune moment, she probably would never have had a chance to rise in her life!

I will absolutely not allow you to repeat the same mistake. From this day forward, never mention entering the palace again.

Baochai was puzzled. Knowing Aunt Xue as she did, Aunt Xue shouldn't be so opinionated. Could it be…?

She looked at Aunt Xue suspiciously: "Mother is so insistent, could it be that you already have... someone in mind?"

Aunt Xue looked slightly uncomfortable, but she knew she had laid enough groundwork, so she moved closer, took her daughter's hands in her lap, and asked in a seemingly relaxed manner, "What do you think of your second brother, Lian?"

……

Rongguo Mansion, Fengjie's courtyard.

Two young maids were playing football with Qiao'er in the courtyard, and Qiao'er's tender and clear voice filled the entire courtyard.

This scene, witnessed by Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, and Xiangyun who had come together, immediately brought smiles to their faces that were beyond their years, like those of an aunt.

Shi Xiangyun stepped into the courtyard first. Qiao'er, who was playing happily, immediately ran to her with her short little legs and called out, "Aunt Yun, Aunt Yun, come and play with me..."

"Haha, okay, but you have to let me hug you first!"

Shi Xiangyun quickly picked up Qiao'er and pecked her on her rosy cheek. Then, seeing the three girls gathered around, she quickly stepped aside to prevent Qiao'er from being snatched away, and asked the little darling in her arms with a smile, "Qiao'er, your father is back, why didn't you let him play football with you?"

Shi Xiangyun's question only made things worse. Qiao Jie'er immediately pouted and said, "Father is bad, and Mother is bad too. They don't play with me. They just whisper in the room."

"Whispering?"

Sanchun and the others looked towards the brightly lit but tightly closed main rooms. Yingchun and Tanchun seemed to understand something, Xichun was confused, but Xiangyun's focus wasn't on that; she was only concerned with talking to Qiao'er: "Hmm, so they're naughty. But it's okay, if your father and mother won't play with you, Aunt Yun will, okay?"

"good……"

Tan Chun, who was standing nearby, realized that her sisters and others seemed to have come at an inopportune time, so she naturally did not rush to knock on the door, and they all consciously circled around Qiao'er.

Tan Chun was the first to pick up a bamboo-woven cuju ball and kick it under her feet, which made Qiao'er struggle to get down from Shi Xiangyun's arms and chase after her.

Inside the main house, the atmosphere was completely different from that in the courtyard.

After a long, suppressed moan, there was the rustling sound of clothes being put on.

"You're still laughing! It's all your fault..."

The commotion in the courtyard naturally couldn't be kept from those inside. Feeling humiliated, Feng Jie, after getting dressed, saw Jia Lian still reclining on the couch, smiling and watching her without moving, and angrily cursed him.

She stood before the mirror, and after confirming that she was alright, she left Jia Lian behind and hurried outside. Seeing Xiangling guarding the entrance to the inner hall, she asked, "Where's Ping'er?"

Xiangling honestly replied, "Sister Ping'er is preparing a banquet in the flower hall."

Sister Feng nodded. Before Jia Lian rose to prominence, the couple usually ate their meals at a small table on the kang (heated brick bed) in the west side room.

There is also a dining room, in the east side room, but it was not needed before, and now it is considered unworthy.

Fortunately, her small garden was spacious enough, and the central flower hall was perfect for banquets. Today, Jia Lian returned home, and she had originally planned to host a welcome dinner for him. Who knew that Jia Lian would be so lustful, dragging her to seek pleasure as soon as he got home, and they were caught by her sisters-in-law!

"Go in and help your second master change his clothes."

With a casual remark, Sister Feng took a deep breath at the main entrance, then lifted the heavy curtain and smiled at the young women in the courtyard, "Oh, I was wondering what all that chatter was about outside. What brings you all here?"

The crisp, clear voice made Yingchun and Tanchun, who looked over at the sound, realize that perhaps they had been overthinking things; perhaps their second brother Lian and sister-in-law were simply discussing serious matters.