Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"Brother Lian, are you really going to marry my sister?"

Baoqin followed Jia Lian out of Rongqing Hall, staring at him with her large, bright eyes.

Jia Lian turned around, patted the cute girl's head, and said with a smile, "Call me brother-in-law."

"Sister...brother-in-law..."

With a half-shy "brother-in-law" in her voice, Baoqin seemed to feel closer to Jia Lian, and her previous negative emotions vanished, her mood brightening once again.

She began to seriously consider what changes and impacts her cousin's marriage to Jia Lian would have on the Xue family and on herself.

Jia Lian was overjoyed by Baoqin's sweet call of "brother-in-law," and for a moment he really wanted to pick up the little girl and kiss her.

Ultimately, due to considerations of his status and the occasion, he refrained from making any rash moves.

He chuckled in response, about to say something, when Ah Qin rushed over and whispered in his ear, "Master, the princess and the fourth prince have arrived in disguise and are waiting in the east courtyard."

Jia Lian was taken aback, then nodded, and said to Baoqin, "Go back and check on your cousin first. Tell her I have something to do and will visit her later."

"By the way, your cousin is shy, so don't bully her. If anyone makes fun of her, remember to stand up for her; it'll be helping me out."

"Okay, brother-in-law~"

Baoqin twisted her fingers, stood on tiptoe and swayed her waist, displaying the demeanor of a young girl, which made Aqin, who had just arrived, think to herself: I've learned something.

Jia Lian was also slightly taken aback, but he didn't say anything more, nodded, and turned to leave.

Although Jia Lian now holds the reins in both mansions, in truth, the east wing is the core of Jia Lian's power.

His core secrets and trusted confidants were also mostly gathered in the front yard of the East Wing.

Princess Zhaoyang and the Fourth Prince were aware of the Jia family's situation and did not want to publicize it, so they went directly to the east wing and were then invited to the front hall.

"I am deeply sorry for failing to greet the Princess and the Fourth Prince properly."

Jia Lian strode into the main hall from the back room and immediately saw Princess Zhaoyang and the Fourth Prince sitting side by side at the guest table.

The fourth prince stood up and said with a hint of reproach, "Given your relationship with us, there's no need for such formality."

These words, so different from usual, surprised Jia Lian, who couldn't help but look at the Fourth Prince.

The once lively and cheerful, even somewhat carefree, fourth prince, though still looking the same, now appeared much more gloomy.

His smile is no longer frequent, and naturally, you can no longer see that familiar silly grin.

Jia Lian couldn't help but think to himself that the Iron Net Mountain incident had a significant impact on the Fourth Prince, and he hadn't yet recovered from it.

Jia Lian didn't have much to say about this. People always need to grow through experiences, even though sometimes the price of growth is very high.

Compared to him, Princess Zhaoyang seemed not much different from before. When she saw Jia Lian looking at her, she smiled and said, "Just call me Miss Wei."

Jia Lian smiled, invited the two to sit down, and then sat down in the opposite seat.

"I heard that Father Emperor has bestowed upon you a higher title, the Third-Class Duke of Rong?"

"Yes. Your Majesty's grace is boundless, and I am unworthy to receive it."

Congratulations.

Congratulations!

After exchanging pleasantries, Princess Zhaoyang got straight to the point: "Today, Ling'er and I have come not only to congratulate you on your achievement of being granted the title of Duke Rong, but also to discuss two other matters."

At this point, Princess Zhaoyang paused, glanced at the Fourth Prince, and then smiled at Jia Lian, saying, "The first thing is that Ling'er heard you have a younger sister, who is also our cousin..."

Before Princess Zhaoyang could finish speaking, the Fourth Prince jumped up.

He pointed at Princess Zhaoyang and cursed, "Didn't you want to see him? I begged and pleaded before I agreed to bring you here to find him. How did it become that I heard, heard..."

For some reason, the fourth prince's voice trembled. Realizing his embarrassment, his face turned bright red.

Upon seeing this, Princess Zhaoyang smiled even more brightly.

"I've heard that Yingchun is very gentle and kind. I wonder if we could summon her so we can meet her?"

After all, we are all blood relatives, and we should cherish each other even more in the future.

Jia Lian nodded and said, "We should get closer to her, but... my sister has recently caught a cold and is not feeling well, so I'm afraid she's not suitable to receive guests."

Jia Lian's blunt refusal greatly surprised Princess Zhaoyang.

But the Fourth Prince became anxious and hurriedly went to Jia Lian: "What's wrong? She... Sister Yingchun is sick? Let me go see her!"

Jia Lian calmly pushed away the Fourth Prince's hand and said, "She is naturally delicate and afraid of strangers, especially men of noble status like Your Highness. If Your Highness truly cares about her, then let her rest and recover. We'll see each other again next time."

The fourth prince was just a bit slow to react; he wasn't truly blind to subtle cues.

His expression shifted for a moment, then he finally said to Princess Zhaoyang, "You talk to him, I'm going out for some fresh air."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Once he left, Princess Zhaoyang couldn't help but laugh. She got up and sat down in the chair next to Jia Lian, staring intently at him.

After a long pause, seeing that Jia Lian's expression remained unchanged, she smiled and said, "Second Master doesn't want him to see Sister Yingchun?"

"No."

"Hehehe..."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled, then suddenly asked in a low voice, "Is it because of our different statuses?"

Jia Lian turned around and looked at Princess Zhaoyang, whose eyes were deep, and suddenly realized what she might be thinking.

So he reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her hair with his other hand, and shook his head, saying, "No."

"Why is that?"

Princess Zhaoyang didn't believe that Jia Lian, with his keen insight, couldn't see through the Fourth Prince's thoughts, although she wasn't entirely in favor of him either.

However, she couldn't resist the fourth prince's questioning and reluctantly agreed to introduce her to him in exchange for him bringing her to the Jia family mansion.

In her heart, she felt that there was nothing wrong with meeting him. Perhaps the Fourth Prince was just having a fleeting infatuation, and that feeling would fade after meeting him a few more times.

There are so many good women in the world, why choose the unsuitable one and challenge worldly customs and etiquette?

She could object to it, but when Jia Lian showed signs of opposition, she couldn't help but think that if Jia Lian opposed his sister and Ling'er because of blood ties, it meant that blood relations were still an insurmountable red line in his heart.

Could we infer from this that what he said to her at Tiewang Mountain that day was merely a way to comfort her?

Hearing Princess Zhaoyang's increasingly serene voice, Jia Lian was glad that he had reacted in time.

It seems that no matter how carefree and generous Princess Zhaoyang is, or how different she is from others, she is still a woman after all, and she is also prone to gain and loss.

His hand stroked from her hair to her shoulder, and he chuckled, "Have you forgotten how furious he was when he found out about our relationship?"

Since the laws of nature are cyclical and retribution is inevitable, how could I not seize this opportunity to exact my revenge?

"Hmph, you want to see my sister? You'll have to get past me first."

Princess Zhaoyang suddenly moved, then sat up from Jia Lian's lap. Seeing that Jia Lian's expression seemed genuine, she covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"I never knew Erlang was so petty."

"I never said I was generous."

Princess Zhaoyang laughed even more happily, and simply returned to Jia Lian's arms to cuddle with him.

Jia Lian patted his back lightly, his gaze turning somber.

He couldn't quite understand it. The Fourth Prince had never actually met Yingchun. At most, he had only glanced at her briefly when she happened to come to see him last time.

How did I manage to get him to take notice of me?

If one were to say that he was unaware of the Fourth Prince's character, one might mistake him for someone like Xue Pan who was lustful at first sight.

However, he knew that although the Fourth Prince was playful, he was not depraved by sensual pleasures. In his Xiao Wang Mansion, there were all sorts of playthings, but he rarely saw any beautiful women.

I don't know if he's slow to grasp things or if he learned it from his father.

Therefore, although he was unhappy when he noticed that this guy was trying to flirt with his girl, he had considered the feasibility of it.

However, once it was revealed that Jia She was the illegitimate son of the retired emperor, Jia Lian immediately abandoned such thoughts.

There was no other reason than that Yingchun was his sister, and he would not allow her to suffer any harm.

Rumors are like knives, and etiquette is strictly enforced. If Yingchun were to follow in his and Princess Zhaoyang's footsteps, she would certainly face much criticism.

As for him and Princess Zhaoyang...

Firstly, he did not consider himself Jia She's son, and psychologically he did not feel any connection with Princess Zhaoyang and others. This is why, when facing the retired emperor, he only considered gains and losses and did not have any emotional fluctuations.

Secondly, both he and Princess Zhaoyang have a free and easy personality, and they are both very strong and not afraid of others' criticisms.

But Yingchun is different; Jia Lian will not allow her to be put in a disadvantageous situation.

Therefore, he was somewhat annoyed with the Fourth Prince. You, the dignified Prince Xiao, should have seen quite a few women. Even if you were initially captivated by your own sister, you should have given up on the idea once you found out she was your cousin.

Why are you getting more and more excited?

Is there really such a thing as love at first sight and unwavering devotion in this world?

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

No matter the reason, Jia Lian would definitely not agree.

Not wanting Princess Zhaoyang to dwell on this issue, Jia Lian immediately asked, "Didn't you say there were two things? What's the other one?"

"There's one more thing..."

Princess Zhaoyang sat up and said with a smile, "I have met Sister Feng, but there is another younger sister that I have never had the chance to meet."

I've heard that this younger sister is exceptionally beautiful and graceful, like a willow swaying in the breeze, and is deeply loved by Erlang. I've long wanted to see her in person.

"I wonder if Erlang would be willing to introduce me to someone today?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian pondered whether to send someone to call Daiyu out or to bring Princess Zhaoyang into the Grand View Garden to see Daiyu. Just then, he saw Feng Jie swaying her figure as she walked in.

"Almost everyone in the rooms has arrived, we're just waiting for you..."

Sister Feng was always decisive and swift; her voice preceded her arrival. But she quickly spotted Princess Zhaoyang beside Jia Lian, hurriedly lowered her hand, and bowed, saying, "This humble servant greets Your Highness..."

Princess Zhaoyang helped Fengjie up and said with a smile, "Sister, there's no need for such formalities. It was my fault for visiting without prior notice.

Even though Princess Zhaoyang had said last time that they would address each other as sisters, she was still flattered to see how much respect Princess Zhaoyang showed her.

"Princess, you are joking. You can come to our... no, this is your home. You can come anytime. Why do you need to tell me?"

I was unaware of your arrival and failed to greet you; I hope Your Highness will forgive me.

Princess Zhaoyang pulled the somewhat apprehensive Feng Jie to sit down and said with a smile, "Besides congratulating him on his promotion to Duke Rong, the main reason I came here is to see you again, sister."

Since their last parting outside the city, the younger sister has often thought of her older sister's radiant beauty.

I wanted to invite my sister to my home for a chat, but I was afraid she would misunderstand.

I wanted to see my sister in person… But my sister knows that, given my status, it's not appropriate for me to visit in person. So this time, I disguised myself as a maid and had my younger brother bring me here…”

Sister Feng exclaimed in surprise, "The Fourth Prince has come too?"

She said that when she entered, she saw unfamiliar guards and a car, and guessed that there might be important guests arriving.

However, upon looking into the hall from afar, he saw Jia Lian talking to a woman and assumed that Jia Lian was flirting with some young lady again, so he pretended to be reckless and barged in.

Just then, the Fourth Prince returned after getting bored with his stroll, and Sister Feng quickly stood up to greet him.

The fourth prince was surprisingly reasonable in front of women: "Greetings, sister-in-law."

The term "sister-in-law" startled Feng Jie. "Sister-in-law" meant her brother's wife!

How could someone so heartless have become so close to the Fourth Prince?

But then Sister Feng became suspicious again.

After the Fourth Prince finished greeting everyone, Leng Qiuqiu glanced at Jia Lian, then raised her head, sat down at the head of the table without saying a word, rudely poured herself a bowl of tea, and slowly drank it alone with a sullen face.

His obvious anger left Feng Jie somewhat bewildered, but fortunately, Princess Zhaoyang pulled her aside and said with a smile, "You don't need to pay him any attention. By the way, you came looking for Rong Gong earlier, saying that all the sons of each branch of the family had arrived. Is there some kind of activity planned?"

Sister Feng hesitated and said, "It's nothing, it's just that he was granted the title of Duke, and according to custom, he should open the ancestral hall to pay homage to his ancestors..."

Princess Zhaoyang's eyes lit up: "I've often heard people say that a prestigious family like the Jia family, with its many members, holds grand and solemn ancestral worship ceremonies. I wonder if my brother and I will have the honor of witnessing one today?"

"This..." Sister Feng looked at Jia Lian.

Jia Lian said, "It is an honor for our family to have His Highnesses witness the ceremony."

The Jia family's ancestral worship was far more grand than that of ordinary families; each ceremony was a spectacle in itself and was open to outsiders.

Of course, not just anyone could come in for a visit; at the very least, only those whom the Jia family would treat as honored guests were allowed to come.

……

"Young Master Wei, Miss Wei, this way please."

In the west courtyard of Ningguo Mansion, in a three-story pavilion, Sister You San respectfully and carefully carried out the task assigned to her by Sister Feng.

Princess Zhaoyang and the Fourth Prince were of special status, so it was inconvenient to let them mingle in the crowd. However, Jia Lian and Feng Jie were both going to participate in the ceremony and could not accompany them. Therefore, it was arranged for You Sanjie to lead the two of them to this pavilion to watch the ceremony.

This pavilion is built next to the ancestral hall. Standing on the back corridor on the second or third floor, one can see most of the ancestral hall inside, making it a very good place to observe the ceremony.

Although Sister You San had never met the Fourth Prince, she had met Princess Zhaoyang.

Considering the names "Miss Wei" and "Young Master Wei," it's not hard to guess that she is a prince or grandson of the emperor.

The Jia family had eight branches in the capital, spanning from the second to the fifth and even the sixth generation, with at least one or two hundred descendants. If the wives of the various branches were added, the number would be even greater.

Therefore, even though not everyone was there today, the large number of people crowding into the ancestral hall courtyard still made it seem bustling and lively.

Standing on the high corridor overlooking the ancestral hall compound, the fourth prince was quite interested, looking around from time to time. He even asked who the elderly Jia Dairu and Jia Daixiu were when they appeared.

Princess Zhaoyang, however, was not very interested in what was happening in the ancestral hall. After all, in terms of the grandeur of the ancestral worship ceremony, the royal family was naturally far superior.

She was actually more interested in Sister You Sanjie.

"I've seen you before." Princess Zhaoyang turned around and smiled at Sister You Sanjie.

Sister You immediately shrank her neck and stammered, "Last time at the Imperial Horse Ranch outside the city, I had the honor of seeing... seeing Miss Wei's esteemed face."

"Yes. You were sitting in Rong Gong's carriage at the time, and you seemed to have a problem with me."

"No, no... I was just admiring..."

Miss Wei was radiant that day, and her maids were all dashing and heroic, which made the commoner girl very envious and admiring.

Moreover, I have long heard of Miss Wei's heroic deeds of managing to outmaneuver the 100,000-strong army of the Tatars and Oirats with only a few hundred followers, which I greatly admire!

My greatest wish in this life is to be like Miss Wei, a woman who is just as capable as any man, leading troops across the battlefield.

Indeed, I dare not lie. Ever since I met Miss Wei that day, I have also asked Lord Rong to assemble a female guard of more than ten people for me.

"Lord Rong also told me that as long as I can train this guard to be of good quality, he will recommend me to... to serve under you, Miss Wei..."

Faced with Princess Zhaoyang's scrutiny, You Sanjie, who was usually fearless, became quite timid and blurted out all the flattering words she could.

Princess Zhaoyang looked at her with a smile until she noticed that her forehead was starting to sweat, then she laughed and said, "Alright, take me to meet your guards later. If they're not bad, you can work for me from now on."

"Yes." Sister You San breathed a sigh of relief.

From the moment she met Princess Zhaoyang, she was afraid of being recognized, but she didn't expect the other party to have such a good memory.

Fortunately, the princess doesn't seem to be causing her any trouble right now, so she can only pray that her female soldiers will perform well and help her change the princess's impression of her.