Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

At the Xue family home, Baochai suddenly fell silent when faced with Aunt Xue's question.

She felt that Aunt Xue's words sounded familiar.

Yes, the relationship between myself and my mother is closer than that of most mothers and daughters in the world. When the mother and daughter talk, they inevitably touch on the topic of a son-in-law.

Given Lian Er's dazzling talent, his mother had jokingly asked him her opinion of him more than once. The difference was that before, she had asked about Lian Er's character, but this time she was asking, "What do you think of him as a son-in-law?"

The slight differences had a profound impact on her inner world.

Baochai's silence made Aunt Xue uneasy, because her daughter's reaction was beyond her expectations.

"Bao'er..."

Just as Aunt Xue was about to explain, Baochai suddenly looked up and asked, "The reason why Mother was able to successfully bring Brother Lian back from Tianjin this time, and why Brother Lian immediately began to arrange things for his brother after returning to the capital..."

Behind all these events, is it all because the mother promised to marry her daughter to Lian Er Gege?

Aunt Xue hesitated for a moment, then nodded in vain.

Baochai suddenly burst into tears, crying, "How has my mother treated me so poorly?"

A tearful question pierced Aunt Xue's heart like a sharp blade. But she couldn't care less about her own heartache; she quickly hugged her daughter and comforted her, "Good girl, don't cry, let me finish."

Aunt Xue held her sobbing daughter in her arms and sighed softly, "I have no other choice. Your brother's life hangs in the balance, and this is the only way I can save him. But your second brother Lian is a man of principle. He said you are a strong-willed child, and if you are unwilling, he doesn't want to force you."

Baochai, who was gently resting her head on her mother's shoulder, was startled by the sound and even stopped crying.

Although she could understand her mother's actions, and even had some suspicions before Aunt Xue spoke, as an independent and self-reliant woman, she instinctively felt wronged that her mother had chosen to sacrifice her to save her brother.

Despite feeling wronged and heartbroken, she knew she couldn't and wouldn't disobey her mother's arrangements. Her brother's importance to her mother and the entire Xue family was irreplaceable.

As long as her brother can be saved, even sacrificing herself would be worthwhile.

She had accepted the outcome in her heart, but she never expected her mother to say that her second brother Lian would not force her.

Yes, with Lian Er's character and abilities, what woman couldn't he have? Naturally, he wouldn't stoop to taking advantage of someone in distress. However, if he really helps rescue my brother this time, how will the Xue family repay this kindness?

When Aunt Xue saw that her daughter had stopped talking, she knew that she had listened to her words. So she took her daughter out of her arms, looked her over again, and said, "So, don't think that your mother is heartless, and don't feel wronged. In the end, the choice is yours. Neither your mother nor your second brother Lian will force you."

But there's one more question I want to ask you... Do you really not like your second brother Lian?

Faced with Aunt Xue's sudden question, Baochai seemed at a loss for words. She dared not deceive herself; she admired Jia Lian, for since arriving in the capital, she had seen in him most of the qualities she longed for in her ideal husband.

Capable, courageous, and loyal.

She couldn't help but recall the day in the military prison, when, after her initial shock, she instinctively hid in Jia Lian's arms and was comforted by his embrace—a feeling of unprecedented peace.

She could never forget the feeling of nervousness and embarrassment she felt when Jia Lian held her hand. At that time, she dared not think of it as a romantic relationship, because she and Jia Lian were both married, and she herself was destined to enter the palace to fight for an opportunity for her family, so she only dared to regard Jia Lian as her brother.

At this moment, after Aunt Xue expressed her intention to marry her to Jia Lian, she suddenly realized the pounding of her heart when she recalled these events.

She didn't directly answer Aunt Xue's question, but lowered her head and said softly, "What does it matter whether he likes me or not? He has Sister Feng and Lin Yatou, what does my past mean to him?"

What good is being attracted to someone? Jia Lian still got married, and to his cousin no less. Since arriving in the capital, his cousin Xi Feng had taken good care of him. If it were him... how would he face his cousin in the future?

He dotes on his cousin so much, and he also has Lin Yatou, so what am I?

Aunt Xue suddenly laughed. A mother knows her daughter best; she knew what her daughter was thinking and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "What's the big deal? Look around, which capable man in this world doesn't have three wives and four concubines? Let alone capable men, even the noble families and princes in the capital, who doesn't have three wives and five concubines? They're here one day, gone the next. Even if they marry a celestial beauty, they'll only be gone for three or five nights before forgetting her."

"It's rare to find someone as kind and righteous as your Second Brother Lian. Just look at how he treats your Sister Feng."

"As for status... I know you are strong-willed and unwilling to be inferior to others, but some things need to be viewed from two sides."

To say nothing of the distant past, take the first wife of their household. Although she had the title of principal wife and was even a first-rank noblewoman, when the master was alive, he never treated her as a human being. Judging from his attitude towards his second wife, she was not even as good as a lowly servant.

And then there's Madam You in the East Mansion. When Master Zhen was alive, she was nothing more than a wooden fish, only moving when struck. It wasn't until Master Zhen died that she started to act like a proper mistress.

Therefore, everything external is illusory. For us women, only the love and care of our husbands is real.

Look at Lin Yatou again. Isn't that child even better than you? Ever since she was betrothed to your Second Brother Lian, look at her now. In their household, who dares to look down on her or bully her? Even if Baoyu slights her, he'll get in trouble! All of this is thanks to your Second Brother Lian's love.

And in your second uncle's family, Baoqin's mother was only a concubine, but because of your second uncle's favor, your second aunt didn't dare to mistreat or bully her. I watched from afar, and after your second uncle died, the two of them were actually closer than before, supporting and looking after each other. It's quite enviable that they can keep each other company in their old age..."

As Aunt Xue spoke, her emotions inevitably drifted away, but Baochai listened attentively.

She was half-convinced and half-doubtful of Aunt Xue's words. She accepted Aunt Xue's reasoning, after all, most of the education she received since childhood came from Aunt Xue.

However, she disagreed on some key points. She felt that she and Lin Yatou were not the same.

The reason why Daiyu stood out in that mansion and was doted on and respected by everyone was inseparable from the fact that she was the direct granddaughter of Grandmother Jia and the title of Lady of the Township that her father had earned for her through imperial favor.

She has neither of those things.

As for the second uncle's family, the reason why the second aunt and Baoqin's mother got along like sisters was firstly because the second aunt was kind and gentle, and secondly because Baoqin's mother was good at handling things, never fighting or grabbing, which made her a role model.

A brief silence fell over the mother and daughter's conversation. Aunt Xue, regaining her composure, was pondering how to further persuade her daughter when Baochai softly asked, "Mother, you've said so much, essentially explaining the importance of a husband's favor for us women. But how can you be so certain that if I marry Brother Lian... and become his concubine, I will receive his favor?"

Daiyu possessed three essential qualities for her survival: being the granddaughter of Grandmother Jia, holding a prestigious position, and being doted on by Jia Lian. She lacked the first two.

Aunt Xue paused slightly, then nodded secretly. Right, after talking for so long, how could I have forgotten the most crucial point?

No matter how precocious and sensible a daughter may be, she is still a young girl of sixteen or eighteen. She will care about the attitude of the man she likes towards her, which is a normal thought for a young girl.

Aunt Xue laughed. She had never worried about this, so she took her daughter's hand and said with a smile, "With my girl's looks and character, any man who gets her will be extremely lucky. Your second brother Lian will certainly be no exception."

Seeing that Baochai did not show any emotion on her face, and that she was obviously not complacent or arbitrary, he also became serious, "You are also my precious daughter. Do you think I would easily give you away to someone else?"

That day I went to Tianjin and personally asked him what he thought of you. He said that Baochai had the qualities of snow-white snow and the beauty of a national treasure. I then asked him what he would do if I gave you to him. He said, "If I could have you in this life, I would treat you like a national treasure."

Baochai's heart skipped a beat. Did Second Brother Lian really say that? To treat him like a national treasure? Besides her mother, could she, Xue Baochai, truly be treated the same way by anyone else in this world?

Aunt Xue sighed, "You know your second brother Lian's character. He wouldn't even force you, so there's no need for him to lie to you or us."

Alas, nothing in this world is perfect. Although I may not be very capable, I am confident in my judgment of character. Listen to me, if you also like him, you might as well let go of some things.

Perhaps if you miss this chance at marriage, you'll find it hard to find another person who treats you like this.

Aunt Xue's words resonated like a morning bell and evening drum, leaving Baochai's heart unsettled. Ultimately, she said nothing. Since her mother wasn't pressuring her, and her second brother Lian didn't seem to be seeking any favor in return, she still had time to think carefully about her choice.