Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

When Jia Lian stepped out of the main house again, the courtyard was full of people and brightly lit.

Jia Lian sat down on a camphor wood armchair in front of the main corridor, looked at the people kneeling below, and said calmly, "Tell me, why did you hurt them?"

The Zhao brothers, of course, knew why they had been beaten. Now that they were already sitting in two chairs, they didn't want to give Zhao'er a chance to speak, so they started shouting first.

"Lian-ge'er, you must stand up for us! We're in such a terrible situation, oh dear..."

"That's right. He held a grudge after just a few words with Zhao'er and instigated these people to beat us up like this. We grew up on the same milk, you can't just stand by and watch your brothers get crippled like this."

The Zhao brothers were naturally furious at being beaten, and they wanted to use their relationship with Jia Lian to get him to help them get revenge, preferably to make Zhao'er and the others pay ten or a hundred times for the pain they had suffered.

However, they vaguely knew that Jia Lian was more reasonable than sentimental, and they were afraid that if Jia Lian knew why they had been beaten, he would favor Zhao'er and the others.

The two brothers argued incessantly, each saying their own opinion, as if they wanted to make Jia Lian deal with Zhao'er and the others in a confused manner.

Jia Lian's patience ran out, and he gave a detached look to the guards standing neatly below.

Zhao Sheng, the head of the guards, bowed to Jia Lian with clasped hands, then stepped forward and slapped the incessantly chattering Zhao brothers across the face. He then coldly said, "Silence!"

Zhao Tiandong, who had been beaten, was completely stunned, as was his brother Zhao Tianliang. They couldn't understand why Zhao Sheng dared to commit such a violent act in front of so many people.

In fact, they are related to Zhao Sheng!

Then, in less than two seconds, Zhao Tiandong realized what was happening, and with his teary eyes, he looked up at Zhao Mama, who was sitting next to Feng Jie.

"Mother~~!"

The man in his twenties cried out for his mother with such sorrow and desolation, as if he were a child who had suffered a great injustice.

Granny Zhao was furious the moment Zhao Tiandong was beaten, her mouth trembling with rage.

"This is outrageous! This is outrageous! This is lawless! Second Master, Second Madam, you both saw it. They acted like this even in front of you two. They really don't respect you, Master and Madam, and they don't respect the rules of this mansion!"

Keeping such a person in the household will inevitably lead to disaster sooner or later…

Granny Zhao grabbed Sister Feng's arm and immediately knelt on the ground, wailing and weeping.

While trying to comfort him, Sister Feng glanced at Jia Lian. Even though she knew that Zhao Sheng and the others were acting on Jia Lian's orders, she was still shocked.

Are his men all this ruthless? Seeing these two brothers so badly injured, how could they still bring themselves to hit them so hard...?

Tired of being pestered by Granny Zhao, Sister Feng could only say, "Sigh, these are all his subordinates, I have no say in their affairs and can't make decisions. If you have anything to say, just talk to your good son."

Granny Zhao then knelt down in front of Jia Lian.

Jia Lian made a gesture to help her up, but seeing that she couldn't get up, he sighed softly, "Mama Zhao, raising a child without teaching him is a disaster that will ruin your family and destroy your clan."

One sentence left the weeping Granny Zhao speechless.

Enraged, Granny Zhao only noticed Jia Lian's expression at this moment, and a cold sweat broke out on her back.

She knew that Jia Lian was not a person who spoke without reason. Just hearing such heavy words as "ruining the family and destroying the clan" from Jia Lian's mouth, she realized that the matter of her son being beaten might not be as simple as she knew.

At least, it won't be the kind of petty squabble that the sons are talking about.

Moreover, she also realized that she had been too hasty, which seemed to have displeased Jia Lian. Otherwise, Jia Lian would usually call her "Mom" to her face, instead of deliberately calling her "Aunt Zhao".

While Zhao Mama was lost in thought, Jia Lian said to Zhao'er and the others, "Continue."

"Yes."

Zhao'er knelt on the ground, her face filled with grief and indignation: "Reporting to Second Master, the reason I beat them was because these two scoundrels took advantage of my absence to bully my husband. They even tried to force themselves on him. If I hadn't been prepared and hired someone to watch over him beforehand, my husband would have been humiliated by these two bastards for nothing."

"I was so angry that I wanted to teach them a lesson. This was entirely my idea; Brother Feng and the others were just helping me vent my anger. So, if you're going to blame me, please punish me alone."

It turns out that Zhao'er had known all along that Jiang Yun was too beautiful, and that once he was not at home, it was hard to guarantee that someone wouldn't have designs on him.

Therefore, before leaving the capital, he specifically spent money to ask the neighbors to look after him. That evening, Jiang Yun returned home from his residence as usual, only to be harassed and pulled by the Zhao brothers, who had ulterior motives. After the neighbors saw this, they immediately reported it to Zhao'er's house.

Zhao'er's grandfather then rushed over with his men and rescued her.

Upon hearing Zhao'er's words, everyone in the courtyard was first surprised, and then relieved.

After all, among all the young wives in the servants' quarters of the two mansions, there were no two who could compare to Zhao'er's beauty.

I heard that she was originally a courtesan from Jiangnan. When Zhao'er went to Jiangnan with Master Lian to handle a case, Master Lian rescued her from a wealthy merchant and then casually gave her to Zhao'er.

The men of the two mansions could only feel envy and jealousy.

But there was nothing that could be done; after all, Zhao'er was so good at winning over Master Lian. Zhao'er's parents died early, and he was raised by his grandparents. When he got married, he even dared to invite Master Lian to sit in his esteemed hall.

The key point is that Second Master Lian actually agreed! This favor is truly unparalleled.

Therefore, some of the maids who had come to watch the play were gloating. The Zhao brothers were originally somewhat irresponsible, and especially in recent years, relying on their relationship with Jia Lian, they had become even more arrogant and domineering, showing no respect for the other servants in the mansion.

Now he has been crippled by Lian Er Ye's confidants and guards, which can be considered as retribution for his evil deeds.

On the main corridor, Sister Feng narrowed her eyes. Knowing Jia Lian's temperament, she had teased him when he gave Jiang Yun to Zhao'er, asking why he didn't keep her for himself.

Now that she sees that the Zhao brothers were crippled by Jia Lian because of Jiang Yun, she can't help but wonder if her husband has some special fetish that she doesn't know about.

Granny Zhao's face was also somewhat pale. Knowing her son to some extent, she naturally believed that he was capable of such a thing. After all, even she didn't take Zhao'er seriously, let alone her two arrogant sons.

Perhaps in their eyes, even if Zhao'er knew they had bullied his wife, Zhao'er might not dare to do anything to them. He could just apologize and that would be it.

Even the masters in wealthy families aren't necessarily clean, let alone the servants.

Without fear, one can do anything.

Who knew Zhao'er would be so ruthless, daring to do something so extreme?

Public opinion was overwhelmingly against them, except for the Zhao brothers who tried to argue that it was just a chance encounter and a joke.

At this moment, Granny Zhao stopped agreeing with her son. Seeing the obvious anger on Jia Lian's face, she knew that trying to argue would only make the situation worse. So she looked at Jia Lian sadly and said, "Even if your two older brothers were wrong, they didn't cause any serious harm. They shouldn't have been beaten like this."

Second Master, my dear Master, even for the sake of my nursing you, you should stand up for me! I only have two sons, and now they've turned out like this. How am I supposed to live from now on...?

Jia Lian felt a pang of pity seeing Zhao Mama crying so bitterly. In truth, if it weren't for her sake, the two Zhao brothers wouldn't have been worth the trouble at all.

Since they've made a mistake, they're done for. Why waste time here making it look like a trial?

Many times, Jia Lian wondered why do doting mothers often spoil their children? Take Aunt Xue and Granny Zhao in front of him, for example; if you take them individually, you could say they are both wise women.

However, they were utterly unsuccessful in raising their sons. Moreover, they always lost their rational thinking when it came to matters concerning their sons.

Jia Lian disliked their appearance, so he stood up coldly and looked down at Zhao Mama, saying, "Hasn't Zhao Mama always wanted my two brothers to follow me and work for me?"

"Perfect! Why don't I take them both under my command now and make them my personal guards?"

Upon hearing this, not only was Granny Zhao stunned, but Sister Feng beside her was even more astonished. You despised the Zhao brothers when they were perfectly healthy, and now that they've been crippled, you want to recruit them into your personal guard?

Although Granny Zhao heard from the doctor that her son was ruined, she believed that he could be cured in the future. She naturally knew that being Jia Lian's personal guard was more promising than collecting rent for the mansion, and thinking that it might be Jia Lian's way of compensating his two sons, she nodded.

Jia Lian then looked at the Zhao brothers below: "Are you all willing to serve as my personal guards?"

The Zhao brothers, without any suspicion, all expressed their willingness and took the opportunity to suggest that Jia Lian severely punish Zhao'er and the others.

Jia Lian, however, had already turned to Zhao Sheng and asked, "According to the rules of our army, what should be done to those who commit adultery with women?"

Zhao Sheng straightened up and uttered a thunderous command: "He shall be executed!"

"In that case, drag him out and execute him."

"yes!"

Zhao Sheng was like an emotionless machine; upon receiving the order, he would step forward to arrest the person.

In that instant, countless eyes quietly narrowed.

Feng Jie, who was sitting upright on the high corridor, twitched her eyelids and immediately looked at Jia Lian with a fearful expression.

Good heavens, you call me heartless? I'm nowhere near as ruthless as you. So you agreed to take them in as bodyguards just to have a legitimate reason to kill the Zhao brothers?

"No……"

Granny Zhao watched in horror as her two sons were forcibly dragged away, chairs and all, crying and screaming.

She threw herself down in front of Jia Lian, grabbed his leg, and desperately pulled and begged him.

"Lian-ge'er, no, no, they are your nursing brothers, you can't be so cruel..."

Yes, we won't be your personal guards anymore, okay?

"Please, sir, have mercy on them this time, please? I'm begging you..."

With a wave of his hand, Jia Lian had Zhao Sheng and the others throw the Zhao brothers to the ground.

"Sigh, does Mom really want me to let them go?"

Zhao's mother nodded repeatedly.

"Alright. For Zhao's sake, I can let them off this time, but if they dare to do it again, they will be executed without mercy."

As Jia Lian spoke, he bent down to help Zhao Mama up, and said earnestly, "Today, thanks to your pleading for them, they were spared death. But you must know, Mama, you can't protect them forever."

Granny Zhao looked grateful and was about to say something when Jia Lian continued, "Now that my two brothers are seriously injured, I'm afraid they can no longer do their jobs in the manor. How about this, since you have raised me, I will, out of consideration for you, decide to release my two brothers from the manor so that they can become free men and no longer be slaves."

"Furthermore, given the health conditions of my two older brothers, to avoid future financial difficulties... So, starting today, in addition to my monthly allowance, I will receive two extra allowances to support my two older brothers."

This extra money doesn't need to come from the government funds; it can be deducted from my monthly allowance.

Jia Lian's last words were spoken to Feng Jie.

Granny Zhao's expression shifted. From Jia Lian's arrangements, she seemed to understand that Jia Lian had completely given up on the Zhao family. These arrangements were merely compensation for the kindness he had shown her as his wet nurse.

But what could she say? At least to outsiders, Jia Lian had already shown the Zhao family immense favor, not only releasing both of his sons but also considering their future livelihoods by giving her, the old mother, two extra monthly allowances!

Such favor was unprecedented even among the servants since the Jia family established itself.

Under such circumstances, who can say that Jia Lian has wronged the Zhao family?

So, Granny Zhao kowtowed in gratitude with tears in her eyes.

Jia Lian didn't make Zhao Mama kneel down again, but instead said to Feng Jie, "Arrange for a few proper people to send Mama and the two wet nurses back."

While Sister Feng was arranging people, Granny Zhao looked at Jia Lian with tears streaming down her face: "Brother Lian..."

Her voice was soft and mournful, her emotions inexplicable.

Jia Lian smiled slightly: "Don't worry, Mother. If anything happens at home in the future, feel free to come to the manor to find me or Feng'er."

Jia Lian inherited all of his predecessor's memories, so he knew that Zhao Mama's care and attention to his predecessor since childhood could not be described as meticulous.

Otherwise, with his mother dying so young and Jia She being so unreliable, he probably wouldn't have had a good life, even if he wasn't completely alone. So, Zhao Mama deserves some credit for his handsome appearance and healthy body.

Hearing Jia Lian say that she could come in and see him again, Granny Zhao visibly breathed a sigh of relief. After bowing deeply, she staggered downstairs and, along with several other servants arranged by Sister Feng, led her sons away.

Meanwhile, her two sons, still unwilling to give up, asked her if she was going to let bygones be bygones when Zhao'er and her men beat them up. Zhao Mama did not answer.

As the show came to a close, the audience gradually dispersed.

But the music hadn't ended even after the crowd had dispersed. It's easy to imagine that tonight's events left a deep impression on everyone who witnessed them.

In particular, the fact that the Zhao brothers were severely beaten for forcing Zhao's wife, and that they almost got executed by Master Lian according to military law when they came to complain, will surely cause a huge reaction in both mansions.

Many wives who couldn't control their husbands had already decided that when they got back, they would definitely use this incident to give their husbands a good talking-to, telling them not to have affairs both inside and outside the household. Because if they fell into the hands of Second Master Lian, they might lose their heads!

At that time, there won't be another Zhao Mama to plead for them.

As Jia Lian's gaze grew increasingly stern in front of the main corridor, everyone—from kneeling figures like Zhao'er and Feng Fei to Zhao Sheng and the other guards—felt their hearts sinking.

Although their joint effort to cripple the Zhao brothers was for the greater good, it ultimately went against Jia Lian's wishes.

"Everyone except them, step down."

Without saying much, Jia Lian casually uttered those words and then turned and went into the house with Feng Jie.

Inside the room, Sister Feng asked Jia Lian with a smile, "What do you plan to do with Zhao'er and the others?"

"What, how should it be handled?"

Well, just by listening to her tone, Sister Feng knew that the Zhao brothers would only get beaten for nothing.

So, out of curiosity, you asked, "You really dislike the Zhao brothers so much that you wish you could kick them out? After all, they are your biological brothers; they are your natural support wherever you are."

There are many slaves and servants in the world, and for the vast majority of people, being able to escape slavery is a blessing. But this absolutely does not include the servants of the Jia family.

Especially the Zhao brothers, who had powerful connections, were seen by outsiders as powerful servants, and most ordinary people dared not offend them.

Therefore, there are only two possibilities for the release of the child born into a family.

One possibility is that their masters were extremely favored and freed them from slavery so that they could have a better future.

For example, Lai Shangrong, the eldest grandson of the Lai family.

The second type, naturally, is like the Zhao brothers, who were disliked to the extreme by their master, but were too embarrassed to deal with due to personal feelings, so they were simply kicked out.

Having lost the status of a servant of the Rongguo Mansion, one can no longer consider oneself a member of the Rongguo Mansion.

In other words, whatever they do in the future will have nothing to do with the Rongguo Mansion.

When faced with Feng Jie's question, Jia Lian replied nonchalantly, "Over the years, I've already given them chances. Since they're hopeless, it's better to let them go, lest they stay in the mansion and cause trouble by abusing their status."

Sister Feng gave an ambiguous expression.

Looking at his wife's lively and playful appearance, Jia Lian was delighted, so he took her hand and let her sit on his lap.

Feng Jie half-heartedly declined, but warned her cautiously, "Don't do anything rash, I still need to go to the old lady's room."

"What are you doing out so late?"

"The old lady hasn't been feeling well these past few days, so I have to go check on her more often, morning and night. Do you think we women are as carefree as you men, daring to ignore our elders?"

Jia Lian paid no attention to his wife's habitual complaints, only focusing on cuddling and whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

Feeling embarrassed and itchy, Sister Feng tried to stop Jia Lian's actions and changed the subject with a flushed face: "Thank you for your concern about my aunt's family."

Before Jia Lian went to the Xue family, he had already told Wang Xifeng about Xue Pan's situation, so she knew that Xue Pan's matter was no longer a big problem.

From her perspective, Jia Lian's dedication to helping the Xue family was indeed out of consideration for her, so it was reasonable for her to thank him.

But Jia Lian was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and his hand involuntarily loosened its grip on Feng Jie's breasts.

Sister Feng astutely noticed this subtle change, looked up at Jia Lian, and her gaze became slightly dangerous: "Speaking of which, you're going to such lengths to help my aunt rescue Master Xue, don't you perhaps have some other scheme in mind?"

You're overthinking it.

To prevent Sister Feng from turning into Sherlock Holmes-Xi Feng, Jia Lian interrupted, saying, "I'm going out of the city tomorrow, why don't you come with me?"

"Huh? Why did you call me along?"

Even when Jia Lian was in the capital, he often went out of the city, but he never asked her to come along. Therefore, when Feng Jie first heard this, she was naturally very surprised.

"The eldest princess wishes to see you."

Sister Feng's expression froze on her face, and she suddenly lowered her head: "Didn't she refuse to see me before? Why does she suddenly want to see me again...?"

Feng Jie would naturally not take this rival, whom she had never met but with whom she had a long-standing feud, lightly.

After learning that the other party and Jia Lian were having an affair, she mustered up the courage to try to meet him. Unfortunately, he didn't seem ready to see her and refused.

The fact that he suddenly wants to see her again must mean he has made some preparations.

Seeing the changes in Feng Jie'er's emotions, Jia Lian felt a pang of pity and couldn't bear to hide it from her. He hesitated and said, "She is pregnant."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Jia Lian could clearly feel the delicate body leaning against him tremble. He had no other way to comfort her, so he could only tighten his arms around her.

Sensing Jia Lian's actions, Feng Jie took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying, "I see. Congratulations, Lord Marquis."

For Sister Feng, the fact that the other party was a princess was like a mountain weighing down on her.

What's more, she's now pregnant...

Pregnancy had always been a source of worry for her. Although she had a daughter, she had not yet given Jia Lian a son. If he were to become pregnant with another boy, what would she have to offer in the competition?

There's really nothing to argue about. If the other party really wanted to compete, even without being pregnant, she wouldn't be able to win.

In truth, she had already lost two years ago, lost completely. Maintaining that glory for the past two years is already a luxury for her.

She had already considered her options.

Seeing the suppressed sorrow in Feng Jie'er's eyes, Jia Lian felt a pang of sadness and couldn't help but comfort her, "Don't worry, no matter what, I, Jia Lian, will never let you down..."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng's expression calmed down a bit. She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, and then chuckled, "What do you mean I'm at ease? I think it's you who's worried."

You don't need to comfort me. I knew this day would come from the moment you honestly told me about your relationship with her.

Don't worry, I won't overestimate myself or invite trouble. Didn't you say I, Wang Xifeng, am a very shrewd woman?

Hehe, maybe this is actually a good thing. Anyway, I can't control you. Once you're under a public servant's supervision, let's see if you still have the guts to fool around outside!

Feng Jie is known for her long-winded speech, but at this moment, Jia Lian didn't find her words tedious at all; instead, he found her quite adorable.

Moreover, he could tell from Sister Feng's tone that she had already made mental preparations to abdicate.

Although this was not what Jia Lian hoped for, reason told him that if there was no turning back, he would have no choice but to nominally wrong Sister Feng. After all, the royal family could not nominally wrong its princess.

As for why it was only nominal, it was because he knew that Princess Zhaoyang would not enter the Rongguo Mansion.

Putting aside the fact that the current Princess's residence far surpasses the Rongguo Mansion in both scale and size, Princess Zhaoyang has no need to enter the Rongguo Mansion to compete for anything.

It's said that both he and Princess Zhaoyang have greater ambitions. Princess Zhaoyang staying at the Grand Princess's residence to consolidate her own power is the only correct choice.