Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 718 Princess Zhaoyang's Speculation

Jia Lian went home first to change his clothes.

But they discovered that Zhen Yuhuan was also there.

"My sworn brother..."

The little girl's eyes were filled with tears, brimming with reluctance.

Jia Lian nodded to her, sat down, and gestured for the maid to prepare his robes before saying to Zhen Yuhuan, "I heard you're going back?"

"Yes, my mother sent someone to pick me up." Zhen Yuhuan walked to Jia Lian's side, looking at him with a deep gaze.

Jia Lian was actually a little reluctant to part with this little girl.

Putting aside the fact that her appearance is a perfect replica of Daiyu's, even her sweet and affectionate way of calling him "sworn brother" right now is enough to evoke boundless tenderness in people's hearts.

"Well, your mother hasn't seen you in a long time, you should go back."

You don't need to be sad. If you miss your sister Lin and the others, just come and find them.

If it's inconvenient for you to come yourself, have Manxue tell me that I'll come pick you up personally.

Hearing Jia Lian say this, Zhen Yuhuan was somewhat moved.

But her expression didn't become happier; instead, it showed an increasing reluctance to part.

She walked up to Jia Lian and said, "I'm afraid that once I leave, I'll never have the chance to come back and drink and recite poetry with Sister Lin and the others again..."

Jia Lian frowned.

Yes, he'd almost forgotten.

The Zhen family came to the capital at the invitation of the Empress, with the purpose of selecting a concubine for the Crown Prince.

It was only because of the tense situation in the court after the Emperor Emeritus's birthday celebration last winter that the Crown Prince was deeply implicated.

Finally, the new year arrived, but then Consort Li acted recklessly, which is why things have been delayed until now.

Now that these issues have gradually subsided, it's unlikely that the Zhen family would be willing to wait indefinitely...

Perhaps we'll have a result soon.

With the results in hand, the Zhen family should return to the south.

Meeting Zhen Yuhuan's gaze, Jia Lian was at a loss for how to comfort her.

Congratulations on her bright future; may she become the Crown Prince's concubine in the future.

Even if Jia Lian was slow-witted, he could tell long ago that this young girl must have developed some different feelings for him.

At this moment, she probably wouldn't want to hear his blessings.

Then Jia Lian's expression relaxed, and he gently tapped Zhen Yuhuan on the head, dispelling her pent-up emotions, before laughing and scolding:

"No matter what happens in the future, I will always be your sworn brother."

What, are you perhaps an ungrateful wretch? If you become successful and powerful in the future, will you disown me as your elder brother, making it difficult for me to even see you?

Zhen Yuhuan pretended to rub her head, and after hearing Jia Lian's words, she chuckled and said ingratiatingly, "How could that be? I like my sworn brother the most."

Once a sworn brother is Yu Huan's brother, he will be Yu Huan's brother for life.

No matter what the future holds, and no matter what Yu Huan is doing, as long as my sworn brother wants to see me, I will come to his side as quickly as possible…”

The little girl had been speaking quickly, but as she met Jia Lian's smiling face, her voice unconsciously softened, her face flushed, and she eventually lowered her head.

What should I do? Will my sworn brother misunderstand what he said...?

Before Zhen Yuhuan could look up at Jia Lian's expression, her maid Manxue's voice came from outside the door: "Miss, it's almost time. The maids outside are coming again to urge you, asking when you'll be ready..."

All her thoughts vanished, and Zhen Yuhuan raised her head.

Jia Lian, however, remained as gentle as ever, simply patting her head and softly saying, "Go."

"Um."

Zhen Yuhuan nodded, but the reluctance she had just felt was written all over her face again.

She looked back twice as she went.

When she realized that Jia Lian's maid hadn't returned from fetching clothes, she suddenly turned around and threw herself into Jia Lian's arms, hugging him tightly for a moment. Then, after glancing at Jia Lian, she ran away quickly.

Only a faint fragrance remained.

……

Jia Lian changed into casual clothes and came to the east wing. Sure enough, he saw the Fourth Prince in the hall.

but……

When he saw a handsome, clean-shaven, and dashing young man rise from opposite the Fourth Prince, Jia Lian's feigned humility and politeness vanished.

He didn't even hear the fourth prince running over to pat him on the shoulder and speak to him; his gaze was fixed on the newcomer.

"Why are you here?"

The "young man" tossed a non-existent strand of hair over his shoulder and laughed, "What, does the Marquis not welcome me?"

Jia Lian smiled slightly, ignoring the Fourth Prince whose expression had turned very unpleasant, walked up to the man, and took his hand.

"You've lost weight..."

"That's enough!!"

The fourth prince finally snapped.

He roared at Jia Lian, "Can't you see me, a grown man? Believe me or not...!"

"Shut up."

With a gentle shout, he easily suppressed the rage of the fourth prince.

Princess Zhaoyang then looked up at Jia Lian again, and said with a charming smile, "You've lost weight and gotten darker..."

Jia Lian smiled helplessly.

Although he had been training troops outside the city every day for more than a month, exposed to the wind and sun...

But it's springtime, okay!

Besides, he takes care of his skin, so how could he have gotten darker?

At most, not that fair-skinned...

After giving Princess Zhaoyang a mischievous look, Jia Lian turned around and apologized to the Fourth Prince.

Princess Zhaoyang could brutally suppress the Fourth Prince, so Jia Lian dared not truly ignore him.

Having received a way out from Jia Lian, the Fourth Prince's expression softened somewhat. He snorted, "Someone couldn't stay put as soon as she returned to the capital. She insisted that I bring her to see you. She has no ladylike reserve whatsoever..."

The fourth prince clearly had a lot of resentment he wanted to vent, but when he noticed that his elder sister's gaze had left Jia Lian and returned to him...

He couldn't help but shudder, and immediately changed his tune, saying, "Anyway, I've brought her to you. You can decide how to deal with her."

"Well, I didn't get a good look around when I visited your place last time. I'll go take a look around first, you don't need to worry about me."

After saying that, the fourth prince made a quick escape.

The two people in the hall watched the Fourth Prince slip away and smiled at each other.

Immediately, Jia Lian took Princess Zhaoyang's hand again and said with a hint of apology, "It's been a long time since we last met. I should have been the one to come looking for you, but I didn't expect you to come looking for me first."

Princess Zhaoyang playfully retorted, "Isn't it the same whether you come to find me or I come to find you?"

Jia Lian shook his head, "I'm just afraid that I owe you too much kindness, and a lifetime is too short for me to repay it all."

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Princess Zhaoyang narrowed her eyes, gently nestled into his arms, and softly said:

"If Erlang is truly worried about not being able to repay his debts, then say more of these sweet words to me in the future. I like hearing them."

Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang's personal attendants and guards had all consciously disappeared from their sight when the two were alone.

Therefore, at this moment, Jia Lian did not hesitate at all, and cupped Princess Zhaoyang's face, lowered his head and kissed her.

Unlike other women who were shy, Princess Zhaoyang responded enthusiastically.

After a long while, Princess Zhaoyang stopped Jia Lian's hand from groping inside her clothes.

Her action finally led to the two parting ways.

Seeing Jia Lian lower his head, she shook her head, her face slightly flushed, and said reproachfully, "Even if Erlang is not worried about someone breaking in, can't you at least show some consideration for Qingran?"

She hasn't received Erlang's favor for a long time. If Erlang continues to touch her like this, she's afraid she won't be able to sleep all night.

Or is Erlang planning to pamper Qingran right here?

Princess Zhaoyang's eyes were as bright as spring, and her words carried a deep meaning.

Jia Lian naturally wouldn't mind having a passionate lovemaking session with Princess Zhaoyang right now.

This is his territory, surely he can find a suitable place here?

However, he could tell that Princess Zhaoyang was not willing to do so.

Yes, she is a princess after all.

It was already low enough that she had defied the Emperor Emeritus's orders and sneaked off to see him. If she were here again, she would have made love to him the very first time she set foot in the Rongguo Mansion.

That would make her, as a princess, seem too demeaning.

It's remarkable that she expressed her refusal with such humor and subtlety.

Faced with such a clever and insightful Princess Zhaoyang, Jia Lian truly felt blessed by heaven.

"His Majesty has ordered me to train the firearms battalion. I plan to go out of the city this afternoon."

"Qingran must have had a very tiring time accompanying the emperor to the imperial mausoleum. How about we go to the imperial estate outside the north city this afternoon to relax?" Jia Lian said.

Princess Zhaoyang covered her mouth and laughed.

How could she not know what Jia Lian meant?

She had an imperial estate outside the north city, which was bestowed upon her by the Empress Dowager when she came of age. It was only twenty or thirty miles away from the horse farm that Jia Lian had built in the north of the city.

There is a temporary palace within the imperial estate.

That was the place where she and Jia Lian left the most traces of their lovemaking.

Therefore, she understood Jia Lian's meaning as soon as she heard it, but she did not agree immediately. Instead, she smiled and sat down gracefully in the hall.

"I wonder if Erlang has visited my princess's residence in a long time?"

Jia Lian frowned.

After Jia Lian took the initiative to reveal their relationship to Emperor Ningkang, he occasionally visited Princess Zhaoyang's residence.

However, ever since the Emperor Emeritus interfered in their affairs, even though Princess Zhaoyang was released from the palace, Jia Lian would naturally no longer risk offending the Emperor Emeritus by openly going to the princess's residence.

Now that I think about it, it has indeed been two or three months.

Seemingly noticing Jia Lian's hesitation, Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said:

"I haven't been idle since I left the palace. I've trained another batch of sword attendants. Don't you want to go and see them, Erlang?"

And isn't Erlang's favorite thing to watch? I've also had some beautiful palace maids learn to dance...

Princess Zhaoyang's words were clearly suggestive.

Jia Lian smiled and sat down on the other side. Then he looked at Princess Zhaoyang seriously and said, "It's not a big deal for me to go to the princess's residence. Even if someone tells the Emperor Emeritus, at worst the Emperor Emeritus will just demote my title."

Anyway, it's what I deserve.

I just don't want Qingran to suffer because of my negligence.

Qingran possesses the ambition to be just as capable as any man, and her current position has not come easily. How could I bear to sacrifice Qingran's favor with the emperor time and time again?

Although Jia Lian's words were quite sincere and could be considered the kind of sweet talk that Princess Zhaoyang liked to hear, they did not move her at this moment.

She even pouted, as if she was completely uninterested.

"Honestly, Erlang doesn't know how to go along with other people's wishes at all."

Princess Zhaoyang gave Jia Lian a coquettish yet reproachful look, and finding it uninteresting, she confessed: "Yuan Yao is my closest maid, we grew up together since childhood, so I gave her a token that allows her to freely enter and leave my princess residence."

If Erlang truly cared, when she missed me, he should personally arrange for a carriage to escort her back, directly to the princess's residence to reminisce with me…”

Jia Lian was taken aback by what he heard, but Princess Zhaoyang just winked at him.

Jia Lian laughed, "My Qingran is so thoughtful. Alright, I'll arrange a carriage this afternoon to take her to see you."

Princess Zhaoyang was overjoyed to see that Jia Lian not only understood her meaning but also immediately decided to go to the princess's residence to see her.

Ultimately, her ladylike reserve prevented her from showing too much of her composure, so she simply replied lightly, "In that case, I'll stay in the manor and wait for Yuan Yao to return."

Then his gaze shifted, and his expression suddenly became serious.

"Actually, the reason I had Ling'er bring me here wasn't simply to see Erlang..."

"I feel like my father is plotting something..."

It took Jia Lian a great deal of effort to shake the words "Ling'er" and "Ling'er" out of his mind and to deeply engrave the two words "Wei Ling" on the forehead of the tiger-headed fourth prince before he could suppress the strange feeling in his heart.

Then, looking at Princess Zhaoyang, whose brows were furrowed, as if she were hesitant and anxious, a thought struck him, but he calmly asked, "Oh, Qingran, what do you think His Majesty is plotting?"

Princess Zhaoyang was still hesitant at first, worried that she might be overthinking things.

But facing Jia Lian's usual calm demeanor... it seemed that nothing could deceive him beneath that handsome, serene face!

Suddenly, I made up my mind.

She picked up the teacup beside her, dipped her index finger in the tea, and then, turning to an angle convenient for Jia Lian, wrote two characters:

"Forced abdication."

Jia Lian was shocked. He didn't bother to hide his feelings and asked in a deep voice, "What did you discover?"

Princess Zhaoyang was paying attention to Jia Lian's expression while she was writing, and seeing this, she became even more certain of her guess.

Princess Zhaoyang casually erased the two words and shook her head:

Actually, I didn't find anything either.

I just feel that ever since my grandfather's birthday celebration, my father has been very depressed.

Although my father was not fond of smiling and was very stern, he was still very loving towards me and Ling'er.

Especially after my grandmother, the Dowager Consort, passed away, even just looking at him from afar, I could almost feel the coldness emanating from him.

I also learned that on the day my grandmother, the Imperial Concubine Dowager, passed away, my father went to Chonghua Palace to plead for her life… In the end, my father stormed off in front of my grandfather!

Jia Lian listened quietly.

What Princess Zhaoyang said alone does not seem to be enough to support her shocking viewpoint.

Emperor Ningkang was never one to smile and couldn't tolerate any wrongdoing, which led many in the court and among the people to call him harsh.

His meticulously planned "land survey" policy was rejected and shelved, which naturally displeased him. The emperor's displeasure, coupled with his overwhelming imperial power, was something ordinary people could hardly bear.

As for slapping the Emperor Emeritus's sleeve...

After all, Consort Li was his birth mother. It was only natural for Emperor Ningkang, as a son, to express his dissatisfaction and resentment after his birth mother was ordered to commit suicide.

Princess Zhaoyang waited a moment, and seeing that Jia Lian did not speak, she continued, "During this trip to Xiaoci County, Father Emperor summoned many of the accompanying civil and military officials."

Although my father did the same thing when we were in the capital, I noticed that almost all the ministers, especially the military officers, whom my father summoned this time were promoted after he assumed power.

Most of these people are relatively young military personnel working in Beijing.

Although they were all public audiences, not secret ones, I'm always worried. Do you think my father might actually want to...?

Princess Zhaoyang sounded worried.

Putting aside the fact that both Emperor Ningkang and the Emperor Emeritus treated her well... aside from the matter between her and Jia Lian, she harbored a deep resentment towards the Emperor Emeritus.

But overall, these two are her closest relatives, and she doesn't want to see them fall out, no matter who gets hurt.

Moreover, what a terrible scene it would be if the two supreme beings were to clash with each other, and how many innocent people would die tragically!

This was a situation that Princess Zhaoyang was even less willing to see.

Therefore, he looked at Jia Lian with hope.

In her view, Jia Lian, as a military general personally promoted by Emperor Ningkang, wielded considerable military power. If Emperor Ningkang truly had any plans, Jia Lian was very likely to know them!

After listening to Princess Zhaoyang's words, Jia Lian realized that she was only guessing and had no direct evidence.

But the more this was the case, the more Jia Lian regarded the woman.

It should be noted that his ability to keenly sense that Emperor Ningkang might launch a major campaign was mainly due to his memories from his previous life!

He knew that Iron Net Mountain was a special place, and its sudden appearance at such a time of impending doom suggested that something big was about to happen, which was not something to be celebrated.

However, Princess Zhaoyang did not possess such prophetic abilities, but she still boldly guessed, based on some clues, that her father, the emperor, was about to undertake a major undertaking.

Although it was just a guess, it was enough to earn Jia Lian's admiration!

This also proves that his decision to support Princess Zhaoyang as his right-hand woman was wise and farsighted.

Princess Zhaoyang's understanding of the political situation and her grasp of the overall trend were far ahead of her time.

This also made Jia Lian feel a little worried.

It is said that things are accomplished in secrecy.

Jia Lian was unaware whether Princess Zhaoyang's condition was an accident.

If other intelligent people besides him and Princess Zhaoyang also see this, will it affect Emperor Ningkang's important affairs?

Although he knew from the prophet's perspective that Emperor Ningkang was likely to win the power struggle between Emperor Ningkang and the retired emperor.

As I said before, the world is definitely different because of his arrival!

Even Princess Zhaoyang could be said to have been influenced by him.

Indeed, without him, Princess Zhaoyang might not have established her own residence and military headquarters, nor would she have had so much money to cultivate her power.

Without these factors, Princess Zhaoyang might not have been able to guess it.

Jia Lian's current worry is that, because of him, the outcome of this major event might go astray!

Emperor Ningkang was his greatest political resource and backer. If Emperor Ningkang were to fall, Jia Lian did not have enough confidence to calmly face the ensuing bloodshed.

Although the retired emperor had treated him quite well, if one of the two tigers had to be injured, Jia Lian naturally hoped that Emperor Ningkang would win!

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Jia Lian also noticed Princess Zhaoyang's expression and guessed what she was thinking.

He shook his head: "You don't need to look at me. I know even less than you do."

Before His Majesty left the capital, he only ordered me to train the soldiers well, and then he gave me no further orders.

I had thought His Majesty might summon me today, but so far, he hasn't.

Therefore, I cannot determine whether Qingran's guess is correct. I can only tell Qingran that, since ancient times, "there can be no two suns in the sky, nor two rulers in a country."

Given the current irreconcilable conflict between the retired emperor and His Majesty, it is inevitable that they will not be able to reconcile, therefore…”

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang was initially disappointed, but then couldn't help but ask, "Even Erlang couldn't solve this?"

Jia Lian smiled wryly: "Qing Ran is overestimating me."

Let alone me, when it comes to the supreme imperial power, apart from His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus, even the Crown Prince has no right to speak.

"Qingran, don't even think about getting involved. Believe me, it won't do you any good, it won't benefit us, and it might even harm your father!"

Princess Zhaoyang remained silent for a long time before revealing a bitter smile.

Yes, how could she not understand this principle? Just like how she clearly suspected that Emperor Ningkang might be planning something big, but she dared not tell anyone and could only wait until she returned to the capital to secretly come to see Jia Lian.

"Don't worry, Erlang, I know what's important. I haven't told anyone about this except you, not even the Empress Dowager."

Hearing Princess Zhaoyang say this, Jia Lian felt much more at ease.

She was afraid that Princess Zhaoyang might act on impulse and tell the Empress Dowager about it.

Once the Empress Dowager finds out, whether out of affection for the Emperor Emeritus or out of her own position, she has no chance of keeping it from him.

If that's the case, it would be good if Emperor Ningkang knew better and backed down. The real fear is that he was unaware and launched the coup without fully understanding the situation, in which case the outcome would be unpredictable.

Having ruled for decades, the retired emperor was well-versed in the art of power. Even now, residing deep within the Chonghua Palace, he still holds military power over the capital region, especially the Forbidden City.

Emperor Ningkang certainly didn't waste his years of power. But only he himself knew the exact extent of his influence and infiltration.

Therefore, on the surface, it's really hard for Jia Lian to determine who won and who lost.

All he knew was that without him, Emperor Ningkang would have won. And since he, the biggest variable, supported Emperor Ningkang, there was no reason for Emperor Ningkang to lose…

Patting Princess Zhaoyang's hand, Jia Lian suddenly whispered, "If Qingran's guess is true, based on my understanding of His Majesty, he is very likely to make his move during this Iron Net Mountain hunt."

For Qingran's safety, you shouldn't go to the Iron Net Mountain hunt. Qingran is a woman anyway, she doesn't need to go; there's no need for her to put herself in danger…”

Princess Zhaoyang was so affectionate towards him that Jia Lian naturally cared about her safety as well.

The matter involved a coup d'état, which would most likely lead to armed conflict and bloodshed. Jia Lian did not want Princess Zhaoyang to be in danger.

But before he could finish speaking, he knew he had done something futile.

Princess Zhaoyang looked at him and shook her head firmly: "If Erlang's guess is correct, then I will definitely go."

On one side is my father, the emperor; on the other side are my grandfather and my beloved grandmother. I have to go.

But don't worry, Erlang, I won't do anything reckless. The reason I'm going is to protect my grandmother and Ling'er, and to do my best to minimize the bloodshed.

Moreover, I once said that I would help Erlang achieve his lofty ambitions.

Even if Erlang is incredibly capable, he probably wouldn't be able to control the course of events once they occur.

If I were in the middle, even if it was just to pass on a message to Erlang, it might play a crucial role.

So whether it's for Erlang or for everyone I care about, I have to go.

Jia Lian remained silent.

"Don't worry, Erlang. I won't take sides with Father or Grandfather until things happen."

I just don't want to be there when something actually happens, and then be unable to do anything and end up with the worst possible outcome.

Moreover, as a princess, I am certainly in the safest place. I believe that no matter how my father and grandfather fight, they will not harm me, so Erlang need not worry about me.

As for Jiro himself, being in the middle of the vortex, he should be careful in everything he does…

Princess Zhaoyang seemed to remember something as she spoke, looking at Jia Lian with some nervousness. Ultimately, she simply took Jia Lian's hand and placed it in front of her stomach, saying gently yet earnestly, "I've already lost one child. I'm still waiting for Erlang to bestow another child upon me, so please, please ensure your safety..."