Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 716 Glass Screen

That night was filled with passionate lovemaking.

The next morning, after waking up, Sister Feng spent some time cuddling with Jia Lian in bed before getting up alone to do her hair and makeup.

Suddenly, he remembered something and wanted to turn back and discuss it with Jia Lian.

Inside the boudoir, Jia Lian was seen reclining against a cushion. Ping'er, the maid, nestled lazily against his chest, her small hand unconsciously drawing circles on his skin.

She glanced up and met Jia Lian's gaze: with a gentle smile, her black hair cascaded down, revealing her pure and innocent beauty.

So be it. She knew perfectly well what kind of looks the maid she had raised since she was a child had. The key point was that Jia Lian was also looking at Ping'er with a smile on his face, reaching out to rub Ping'er's head, his eyes full of doting affection.

This made Sister Feng very jealous, and she couldn't help but make sarcastic remarks.

"What, you haven't gotten tired of it after more than a month? You still treat it like a precious treasure. Look at you, so pathetic..."

Upon hearing Sister Feng's jealous voice, Ping'er's expression changed, and she immediately got up and dressed.

Ping'er was very clear about her position. She knew that Feng Jie was now willing to let her serve her in bed not only because she was well-behaved by the Second Master, but also because she was too shy and acted like a young mistress.

When faced with requests from the Second Master that were unclear about their propriety, and that she was unwilling or embarrassed to agree to but also found it difficult to refuse, she could only offer her own concubine as a substitute.

Therefore, Ping'er now dares to be a little intimate with Jia Lian in front of her, but she doesn't dare to get too much in her way.

Although Jia Lian heard Feng Jie's mockery, he just smiled and didn't take it to heart.

If Wang Xifeng never gets jealous, then she wouldn't be Wang Xifeng.

Although she often said harsh and unpleasant things when she was jealous, on second thought, if this woman, who was somewhat like a wolf in sheep's clothing, didn't express her jealousy but instead smiled, then he should be wary of her.

So he didn't answer, but just admired how his pretty Ping'er looked dressed.

Seeing that Jia Lian ignored her, Sister Feng just hummed and turned back to continue combing her messy hair, saying:

"There's something I forgot to tell you. Madam and Grandma were talking about the twelve young actresses at Pear Fragrance Courtyard."

Now that the Dowager Empress has passed away, according to the rules, our families are not allowed to hold banquets or operas for a year.

The empresses in the palace probably won't need it either.

The lady said it would be a waste to keep them around; they are all young girls, and it would only delay their development. It would be better to let them go.

The old lady didn't concern herself with this matter, so my wife asked for my opinion.

Jia Lian curled his lip, "They're just a few little maids, they don't cost much throughout the year, what's the point of keeping them around for nothing?"

Feng Jie sensed the disdain in Jia Lian's words and was somewhat surprised. She got up and walked over, smiling, "Second Master, are you perhaps reluctant to part with those little maids?"

Jia Lian glanced at her and said, "When those little girls were bought, the youngest was only eight or nine years old, and the oldest was no more than eleven or twelve. They were all innocent and well-known."

Although the Empress is not needed during the year of national mourning, what about after that year? Are we going to send tens of thousands of taels of silver to the south to buy a new batch and train them again?

Even if the Empress no longer visits her family, with so many people in the household and the old lady enjoying lively gatherings, these talented young girls who can sing and dance will always come in handy someday.

"What you said makes sense..."

However, the lady felt that the family was now in dire straits. In the Pear Fragrance Courtyard, not counting the four delicate beauties you moved out, there were twenty or thirty people, including the young actresses, tutors, and servants. Their food, clothing, and other necessities added up to a considerable expense throughout the year.

"My wife is also thinking of the family..."

Jia Lian looked at Wang Xifeng and saw her smiling at him. How could he not understand what this woman was up to?

Even if she were incredibly frugal, with ten heavy boxes of gold under her bed, she wouldn't be stingy with the money to support a small opera troupe.

He suddenly laughed and said, "The second wife is nearly fifty years old and her beauty has faded. It's understandable that she can't stand these pretty little actresses and doesn't want them to be an eyesore in the house."

"But our Second Madam Feng, who is just past her prime, in the prime of her life, and so beautiful that one dares not look directly at her, could she really be so jealous of talent and ability?"

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Feng Jie blushed slightly and spat.

"Pah! You call yourself a member of a prominent family? My aunt is your aunt, and you dare to speak ill of her like this... When has she ever disliked those young actresses? When has she ever been jealous of their talent...?"

Just stating the facts, you…”

Sister Feng wanted to criticize Jia Lian's inappropriate remarks, but seeing Jia Lian's unmoved expression, she couldn't continue the conversation.

Not only was he unable to respond, but he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Realizing something was amiss, he quickly stopped and couldn't help but roll his eyes at Jia Lian.

What a jerk! He always claims to be sharp-tongued, but he's no better than anyone else!

Although my aunt...

Well, she really doesn't like women who are beautiful and charming, especially those who always dress up in a flamboyant way.

As for the root cause, Sister Feng could probably guess:

It was all caused by Zhao Yiniang, Madam Wang's enemy in the latter half of her life.

Thinking of this eccentric woman, Sister Feng couldn't help but feel indignant on behalf of Madam Wang:

How could my uncle, who comes from a prominent family and seems so respectable on the surface, have fallen for such a thing?

But she only thought it to herself. After everything that had happened, she had long since realized that in this vast Duke's mansion, the only person she could truly rely on was her husband, Jia Lian!

She would never again be so foolish as to stand on Madam Wang's side and target that low-class woman at every turn.

Looking back, I do hate that stupid woman, but I feel that I was somewhat instigated by Madam Wang and used as a pawn by her when I targeted and even oppressed Aunt Zhao.

She didn't really like this feeling.

However, she quickly dismissed these unnecessary thoughts and looked at Jia Lian with gentle eyes.

Although Jia Lian had subtly mocked Madam Wang, she hadn't overlooked the three blatant compliments he had given her, and she felt quite pleased with herself.

Jia Lian was just saying it casually; he didn't really care about Jia Zheng and his wife's affairs.

Jia Zheng got old and started to enjoy being flirtatious... What's wrong with a woman with a sense of style?

As for Madam Wang, it is a fact that she is petty and dislikes women who are beautiful and charming, so it cannot be considered that he made up stories.

Feng Jie's reaction was quite interesting.

"Since Madam doesn't want the young actresses to stay in the garden, then let's move them all to Tianxiang Tower."

Those instructors and those who originally served them were spared; the household staff were returned to their original homes, and the hired staff were given some money to be dismissed.

As for this year, let's give the young actresses a long vacation and let them temporarily serve as maids for Master Gu and others.

A year later, a new team will be formed. Then, whether the Imperial Concubine wants to summon them or the household needs them, it will be convenient.

Jia Lian directly gave the final solution.

Gu Qingyi and the other three beauties were only temporarily staying at Tianxiang Tower. Jia Lian's original intention was to establish a "Women's Music Ensemble" outside and have the four beauties reside there.

This can also be considered as finding them a career to pursue.

All four beauties possess genuine talent and learning, and Jia Lian doesn't mind their talents and musical skills being spread. If the opportunity arises, Jia Lian wouldn't even mind making them stars of the time, ensuring their place in history.

Of course, it all depends on their fate.

The women's music troupe had been fully decorated and furnished, and Jia Lian had ordered Jiang Yun and others to prepare for its opening. Who would have thought that first her affair with Princess Zhaoyang would be exposed, and then the Dowager Consort would pass away, plunging the entire country into mourning.

Under these circumstances, the opening of the women's music ensemble project can only be postponed indefinitely.

As for the twelve officials, Jia Lian certainly wouldn't let Lady Wang send them away.

It cost a whopping twenty to thirty thousand taels of silver to buy these girls and train them into classes! Although most of it may have been embezzled, even if only a small portion was spent on them, it still shows how extravagant it was.

It can be said that each of the twelve officials was carefully selected, and they were all girls with excellent qualities.

If such a group of girls were to be dismissed, not to mention how they would make a living on their own, it would be a great loss to the Rongguo Mansion.

The reason they were dismissed in the original story was because the Rongguo Mansion was declining and Lady Wang wanted to save money.

Nowadays, although the Rongguo Mansion's treasury is also empty, Jia Lian is not poor and doesn't care about supporting more useful idlers.

Seeing that Jia Lian had made a decision, Feng Jie raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything more.

In reality, she didn't really want to disband the small opera troupe that her family had invested so much in training.

She was a person who liked to show off, and she agreed with Jia Lian's words that even if she couldn't use him this year, she could continue to keep him alive until the national mourning period was over, then he could be used.

If we lay them off now, not only will all our previous investments be wasted, but we might also have to pay severance pay.

As for reselling to reduce losses?

Don't be ridiculous. How could the Duke's mansion sell people instead of buying them?

As for her earlier suspicion that Jia Lian was reluctant to part with these minor actresses...

Firstly, Jia Lian hasn't made a move on these young actresses in so long, and secondly, Jia Lian already has quite a few women both inside and outside the household, so she wouldn't really be afraid of these girls who won't pose a threat for at least a few more years.

Even if we take a step back, a seductive woman raised at home, someone you know well, could exhaust Jia Lian's energy, it would be better than a vixen he brought home from outside.

After settling the matter, Fengjie and Ping'er helped Jia Lian get up and change his clothes while chatting about everyday things.

Suddenly, a servant announced from outside: "Second Master and Second Madam, your eldest uncle has sent someone to deliver a Western-style glass screen, saying it's for Second Madam's use."

Sister Feng frowned upon hearing this: "We have so many screens at home that we don't even have room for them all. What's the point of him sending them over for nothing..."

Suddenly remembering something, Sister Feng glanced at Jia Lian and had someone bring the things in.

A few servants carried in the item, which was a full-length mirror that was as tall as a person and two feet wide.

Sister Feng already had a similar full-length mirror.

But when she heard the old woman who delivered the message say that her brother Wang Ren had specially bought it from a foreign merchant for her, she was still quite happy.

So she dismissed the servants, pulled Jia Lian to sit on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed), and spoke indirectly about her brother Wang Ren before finally saying:

"So, my brother felt that he wasn't cut out for business, so he sold off most of the properties in the south and moved the whole family back to the capital."

But he's been away from the capital for so many years and doesn't have any connections there. He happened to hear that you're rising through the ranks, so he asked me to inquire if you're looking for anyone who might need personnel…

I think my brother isn't exactly an outsider, so if you really have any manpower-related jobs, you might as well give one to him.

"You don't even need to be picky. He's not very capable. Just give him whatever you have, and that'll be enough for him to cause trouble."

Although Feng Jie spoke with a forced smile, Jia Lian still saw the ulterior motive and ingratiation in her eyes.

She clearly knew he disliked Wang Ren, and even more so, he disliked her helping anyone to seek official positions.

"I'm actually a little curious."

In terms of official rank and power, I am no match for my uncle. Why doesn't he ask my uncle for help, but instead comes to me through you?

Could my brother-in-law possibly be closer than my own uncle?

Jia Lian flicked his robe and sat up straighter.

Sister Feng was a little embarrassed: "My second uncle's idea is for him to go to the border army to hone his skills for a few years, but he's physically weak..."

"Since you're in poor health, you might as well stay in the capital and live the life of a wealthy idler."

Jia Lian waved his hand, not wanting to listen to any more nonsense.

With a powerful uncle holding a first-rank official position, wouldn't it be easy for him to get an official job?

It might be a bit difficult to become a civil official, but military officers below the fifth rank are easy to choose from.

Ultimately, it's because they don't want to suffer.

Indeed, how many children from large families are willing to endure hardship and strive for advancement?

Take Jia Lian from the past, for example. He bought a minor official position and then just lazed around waiting to die.

This suggests that his request for an official position was probably not sincere. He was likely just seeing his brother-in-law's success and, in a moment of folly, began to fantasize about a day when he could enjoy beautiful women, fine wine, and great power...

Even if he didn't know that the other party was a "heartless and ungrateful" person, he wouldn't use him.

As he got up to leave, his arm was grabbed.

He turned around and saw Sister Feng tugging at his sleeve, looking at him with a pitiful expression.

"My parents died early, and I only have one older brother. Now my uncle and aunt are both at the border, and he is all alone in the capital with no one to rely on. If I don't take care of him, how pitiful he will be."

Please help me out, okay? Just for my sake, please, Second Master…”

Jia Lian remained silent for a moment.

Firstly, when have we ever seen the bold, meticulous, and extremely proud Sister Feng beg for help in such a humble and almost coquettish manner?

behave in a spoiled manner?

Just thinking about it makes me feel that this word doesn't match Wang Xifeng at all.

Secondly, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

There are very few people in this world who would make Sister Feng lower herself to beg for help.

This Wang Ren, however, is one of them.

However, Jia Lian knew that Wang Ren's reputation for being ungrateful and unrighteous stemmed from his betrayal of Feng Jie, his sister who had been completely devoted to him and trusted him implicitly!

In the original novel, when Wang Xifeng was in dire straits, having fallen out with Jia Lian and facing the confiscation of the Jia family's property, the only person she could think of was her brother.

Therefore, she secretly sent her only hope—her daughter Qiaojie—to Wang Ren, hoping that he would take care of her as she grew up.

But Wang Ren didn't know if it was because the Wang family had also fallen on hard times and was short of money, or if he was afraid that Qiao Jie, this "hot potato," would drag him down, so he sold her to a brothel...

Human?

Thinking of all this, and seeing how Sister Feng was now desperately pleading with Wang Ren, Jia Lian felt extremely uncomfortable.

He bent down and helped Sister Feng up, asking earnestly, "Do you really want me to help him?"

"Mmm-hmm." Sister Feng nodded repeatedly.

"Forget about the firearms battalion. That's part of the Imperial Guard. They frequently enter and leave the capital, and if they offend someone important, they could easily get into trouble."

Let's go with Bingmasi.

Later I'll have someone recruit a batch of city patrol officers, you can have your brother sign up.

Patrolling the city is a simple job, and there's not much danger. Tell him to do a good job, and once he's gained experience, I'll naturally promote him.

As Jia Lian spoke, a chill crept into his heart.

He originally disdained to punish someone based on things that had never happened.

The world is different now. Perhaps Jia Lian has always had a smooth life, but Wang Ren would never dare to treat Feng Jie badly in his entire life.

This is also why Jia Lian has never caused trouble for Wang Ren all these years.

But whenever Jia Lian thought of Qiao Jie'er's tragic fate, with the line "When power is lost, do not speak of nobility; when the family is destroyed, do not speak of kinship," and the silent accusation of "cruel uncle and treacherous brother" in the dream song...

Looking at her own clever and obedient daughter in this life, whose presence could melt one's heart, she couldn't suppress the evil thoughts she felt towards Wang Ren.

Just then, he came knocking on our door.

In this society where personal connections are so important, it's really not appropriate for such a powerful brother-in-law to leave his brother-in-law to fend for himself.

Therefore, Jia Lian decided that it would be better to recruit Wang Ren into his ranks.

Just like the Zhao brothers back then, they're under constant surveillance. If they behave themselves, fine; otherwise, it's a good opportunity to deal with them.

As for promotion and training?

That is impossible.

"Ah, the city patrol officer..."

"What, you don't think much of it?"

Seeing Jia Lian's ambiguous smile, Feng Jie quickly shook her head and laughed, "I know you too well. It's already a great blessing that you, an incorruptible and impartial official, are willing to help him."

If he doesn't like it, let him find his own way. That way, I'll have an explanation to give.

Wang Xifeng was a remarkable person; regardless of her true thoughts, she was always the best at maintaining appearances.

Moreover, she knew that the Wang family was not like the Jia family; they had long since lost their noble titles.

Therefore, her brother Wang Ren could not possibly obtain an official position through legitimate channels like Jia Lian did back then.

Wang Ren had no official rank, so if he wanted to become an official, he could only start as a clerk.

And didn't Jia Lian say that one could be promoted after gaining seniority?

So how could Sister Feng be dissatisfied? No one knew better than her how difficult it was to get Jia Lian to pull strings, so she happily ordered the maids to serve breakfast.

After the meal, Jia Lian noticed that Feng Jie hadn't found a place to put the glass screen yet, so he said, "Ying Yatou's room seems to be missing one of these mirrors. If you don't need it, send it over to her."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng instinctively retorted, "You seem to dote on your sisters. Whenever I have something good, they're always the first people you think of!"

Seeing Jia Lian turn and leave without a word, Feng Jie quickly grabbed him and said with a smile, "It was just a joke, and you're already angry? It's rare that you have a day off today, what are your plans?"

Jia Lian smiled and said, "I don't have any plans. What, Second Madam, are you planning to stay home with me?"

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng was momentarily tempted. But she immediately scoffed, "You have so many good sisters and so many 'beauties,' why would you need me to accompany you?"

Alright, enough joking. The carriage is ready; shall we head to the East Mansion together?

Sister Feng understands romance, but not much of it.

What she valued more was that she had just returned to the manor yesterday, and there was a lot of work waiting for her to do!

As Jia Lian expected, Feng Jie's reaction was exactly what he had in mind, and he was not dissatisfied with it.

He's long been used to this woman not being clingy.

Anyway, he has his own things to do. Even when he's free, he can go see Miaoyu and tease Daiyu...

So Jia Lian and Feng Jie went to Jia Jing's mourning hall together, and then went back to their respective homes.