Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"Oh, so you mean Baochai originally planned to enter the palace?"

Inside the Tianxiang Tower, Princess Zhaoyang forced Daiyu and Baochai to have a conversation.

Daiyu, after all, was not one to be approached by strangers. Even though she had a good impression of Princess Zhaoyang, she only answered her questions. Unlike Baochai, who, while answering questions, could also appropriately engage in conversation with Princess Zhaoyang.

After a while, it turned into Princess Zhaoyang and Baochai talking, with Daiyu and Jia Lian accompanying them.

When the topic turned to the Xue family's journey to the capital, Baochai, unable to answer the question about her brother Xue Pan accidentally killing someone, only mentioned that she herself was going to the capital to prepare for the imperial examinations.

"At that time, the palace issued an edict that all daughters of officials and famous families should have their names reported to the relevant departments to be selected as attendants for princesses and county princesses when they entered school."

However, Baochai lacked virtue and talent, and ultimately failed to be selected.

When Baochai said this, she glanced at Jia Lian.

Although she initially applied to be a lady-in-waiting to princesses and noblewomen, not to be selected as a concubine, as the saying goes, once you enter the palace gates, it's like entering a deep sea; from then on, your beloved is just a stranger.

Once you're inside the palace, what autonomy do you have?

Wasn't Yuan Chun also a candidate for the position of female official, but in the end, she was given to the emperor by the Dowager Consort?

She was a little worried that Jia Lian would hold a grudge about this.

"Is this really true? With Baochai's looks and character, how could she have failed the selection? I'll definitely investigate the officials who were in charge of this matter back then, to see if they were blind or if they took bribes from someone to eliminate Baochai!"

"It's a pity that if Baochai had been chosen back then, I would have definitely been the first to win her over. That way, I would have had another capable ally by my side."

Princess Zhaoyang said, half-jokingly.

Although they only chatted for a short while, Princess Zhaoyang was able to tell from Baochai's words that she was a thoughtful and insightful woman, unlike ordinary young ladies.

"It's just that Baochai wasn't lucky..."

"Hehehe... I'm afraid it's not that you're unlucky."

Princess Zhaoyang suddenly laughed.

Faced with the strange looks from Baochai and the others, Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, "If you had entered the palace back then, would you have had such good fortune today?"

Moreover, if I remember correctly, the year the palace was selecting officials was precisely the year when Rong Gong was highly valued by my father, the Emperor.

Based on my understanding of Rong Gong, he has always been willing to do anything to get what he likes.

With her beauty and talent, and having entered the Jia family so early, Baochai must have already caught the eye of Rong Gong.

In that case, how could he just stand by and watch you be selected to enter the palace?

With his abilities and methods, if he wanted to, even if his sister were as beautiful as a legendary beauty, he probably wouldn't be able to enter the palace.

Princess Zhaoyang said with a mocking expression.

However, Daiyu, who was standing next to him, suddenly became serious and looked at Jia Lian.

She thought Princess Zhaoyang's guess was very reasonable and very likely to be true!

She had initially thought Jia Lian was a gentleman, taking meticulous care of his poor, orphaned cousin. Who knew that after the engagement, he would reveal his true colors, not only finding ways to bully her but also openly admitting that his initial kindness was merely a ploy to win her over…

Based on this, if he had also set his sights on Baochai back then, he might very well have secretly sabotaged the Xue family's selection of concubines in order to achieve what he has today!

What a wonderful second brother Lian! He's truly amazing.

Faced with Princess Zhaoyang's teasing and Daiyu's questioning, Jia Lian vehemently denied it, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?"

"You are!" Daiyu snorted coldly, turned her head away angrily, having already forgotten that the princess was beside her, and openly expressed her jealousy.

Baochai was also taken aback for a moment, then smiled slightly.

She thought it was unlikely, but for some reason, she somewhat hoped that things were as Princess Zhaoyang had guessed.

Princess Zhaoyang, seeing that she had successfully made Daiyu jealous, was about to press Jia Lian for answers when Aqin announced her arrival and entered.

"My lord, princess, Prince Xiao has sent someone in to say that he has finished his business and is returning home. He wants the princess to leave as soon as possible."

Princess Zhaoyang paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand. Go tell him I'll be right out."

After Aqin left to carry out her orders, Princess Zhaoyang stood up and said to Baochai and Daiyu, "I was very pleased to meet with my second sister today. Unfortunately, the opportunity was too short to fully express my feelings."

"I will invite my two younger sisters to my residence for a gathering another day, and I hope you will not refuse."

Baochai and the other woman quickly and respectfully said that they dared not accept such an invitation, and that they would certainly keep their promise.

Princess Zhaoyang reached out and touched the two girls' cheeks, then smiled at Jia Lian and said, "I know the way very well, so please stay here with my two sisters, there's no need to see me off."

After saying that, he turned and strode away.

His decisive and swift movements drew the attention of both Baochai and Daiyu. Just as Baochai was about to say something, Jia Lian spoke first: "Wait here for me, I'll be right back."

After saying this, Jia Lian strode away.

Outside, Princess Zhaoyang slowed her pace as soon as she stepped out of the hall. When she turned around, she saw Jia Lian, and a bright smile appeared on her face, warmer and more comforting than the sunshine.

As Jia Lian approached, she laughed and said, "You left two stunning beauties to see me off, aren't you afraid they'll get jealous and give you a hard time later?"

Jia Lian stroked Princess Zhaoyang's hair and said softly, "Although they are not as magnanimous as Qingran, they are not unreasonable people either. It is rare for Qingran to come to see me, so how can we not see her off?"

Princess Zhaoyang nuzzled her head slightly against Jia Lian's hand, and after Jia Lian finished speaking, she replied, "I'm not magnanimous at all. Seeing your two concubines, each more obedient and charming than the last, I'm so jealous. My magnanimity just now was just an act."

"Hmph, if Erlang hadn't come out to see me off and had instead been cuddling with them inside, I would have tricked them into coming to my manor and then bullied them mercilessly, making you heartbroken."

Jia Lian smiled and affectionately ruffled her hair, then said with a laugh, "Let's go, if we don't get out soon, your brother might just storm in."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang immediately felt embarrassed and was too ashamed to act coquettishly with Jia Lian anymore.

The two walked side by side towards the outside of Ningguo Mansion. After a brief silence, Princess Zhaoyang said softly, "I'm quite worried."

"What are you worried about?"

Princess Zhaoyang stopped in her tracks: "Seeing Erlang's confidantes, each one more serene and elegant, and more beautiful than the last, I am very worried."

I worry that I'm not as good as them, and I worry that one day Jiro will feel that our relationship is a burden...

Upon hearing Princess Zhaoyang's words, Jia Lian was at a loss for words.

The first question wasn't really a problem; it was just a woman's natural anxiety and insecurity. Princess Zhaoyang had asked similar questions more than once, and Jia Lian didn't think it would bother her.

"The jewel of the empire, no matter where it is placed, will always be the brightest."

Sure enough, Jia Lian was able to easily dispel Princess Zhaoyang's craving for snacks with just one sentence.

She chuckled: "The jewel of the empire? I like that title!"

"Hmph, countless handsome men of the empire pursued me back then, but that one person was ungrateful and ignored my feelings. It makes me furious just thinking about it."

Jia Lian smiled, put his arm around Princess Zhaoyang's shoulder, and pulled her into his embrace.

Seeing that Jia Lian did not respond to her second question, Princess Zhaoyang remained silent for a long time before saying, "Because of the passing of my grandmother, the Dowager Consort, I have already reported to the Empress Dowager that I shall observe three years of mourning for my grandmother, the Dowager Consort."

"What did the Empress Dowager say?"

"She agreed."

Now it was Jia Lian's turn to remain silent.

He understood perfectly well what Princess Zhaoyang meant by bringing up this topic.

If one observes a three-year mourning period, one need not marry.

In other words, Princess Zhaoyang's engagement to the Wei family can be postponed for three years!

But what about three years later? Will Princess Zhaoyang really marry into the Wei family, or will Wei Ruolan move into the princess's residence as her husband?

Perhaps Princess Zhaoyang is feeling lost, and she needs him, her pillar of support, to give her some advice.

But what ideas could Jia Lian possibly have?

He dared to ask Emperor Ningkang for favors before, but now? If he dares to go now, Emperor Ningkang will make him a eunuch to be by his side forever!

So Jia Lian said, "Don't worry, I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer within three years!"

For now, we can only take it one step at a time.

Ok……

Three years later, the retired emperor appeared to be in his eighties.

……

At the entrance of the east courtyard, Jia Lian saw off Princess Zhaoyang and her brother, but instead of rushing back to Tianxiang Tower, he walked through the main gate.

Inside the main hall, Wang Ziteng was indeed still waiting for him.

The two were old acquaintances, so there was no need for excessive formalities. Wang Ziteng directly relayed the gist of what the Fourth Prince had said earlier and asked if it was truly Jia Lian's intention.

Jia Lian smiled upon hearing this.

Having the Fourth Prince try to win over Prince Teng was just an excuse to get rid of him.

If the Fourth Prince knew how to win over court officials, he wouldn't be the Fourth Prince.

"Your Highness Xiao is right. Prince Yun is two-faced and plots to kill his brother. He is certainly not the kind of ruler one should be."

Prince Teng said, "But now that the Crown Prince is dead, among His Majesty's sons, besides Prince Yun, who is capable of taking on this great responsibility?"

"Prince Xiao!"

Jia Lian's directness did not surprise Wang Ziteng.

Unlike his relationship with the Fourth Prince, putting aside the relationship between the Jia and Wang families, he and Jia Lian were also related as brother-in-law and nephew-in-law. In addition, he had helped Jia Lian in the past, so now that Jia Lian had grown up, the two of them were naturally political allies.

Do you believe the Fourth Prince will be a wise ruler?

"Even if he is not a wise ruler, he will not be a tyrannical one like Jie or Zhou."

Wang Ziteng remained silent, agreeing with Jia Lian's assessment. Although the Fourth Prince seemed unreliable, he had never been known to commit any misdeeds.

On the contrary, the Third Prince, who has always had a good reputation, was unexpected to be able to do such an inhumane thing once he got the chance!

Such a person's scheming and cunning are truly terrifying. If he were to become emperor one day, all his ministers would feel a sense of unease.

"However, judging from the Fourth Prince's remarks, it seems he intends to pave for the Fifth Prince to ascend the throne?"

"His Highness Prince Xiao is of pure and kind nature. Having witnessed the cruelty of the struggle for the throne, he is unwilling to get involved himself."

Wang Ziteng was speechless. If anyone else had told him he didn't want to be emperor, Wang Ziteng would never have believed it.

But if it's the fourth prince, Wang Ziteng thinks it's quite possible.

"However, if Prince Xiao himself has no intention of vying for the throne, even if we use all our resources, I'm afraid we will still find it difficult to succeed."

Jia Lian laughed: "Whether he wants to compete or not is not important. What's important is that he doesn't want Prince Yun, who has the blood of his brothers, to ascend the throne. That's enough."

Wang Ziteng was taken aback, then gave a wry smile.

Well, Jia Lian has even schemed against the Fourth Prince.

No wonder the Fourth Prince kept saying he would help the Fifth Prince ascend the throne; it was probably just Jia Lian's deception.

Therefore, Prince Teng had only one last concern: "How does His Majesty view the two princes?"

That's right, Wang Ziteng isn't the kind of person who would impulsively follow Jia Lian to do something big.

In fact, if it weren't for the fact that Jia Lian was Emperor Ningkang's trusted close advisor, and that Wang Ziteng believed that Jia Lian understood Emperor Ningkang's thoughts better than he did, he wouldn't have been willing to discuss the possibility of success with Jia Lian.

Otherwise, only a fool would choose a simpleton over the already established Third Prince, who only had minor flaws.

Seeing that Wang Ziteng had gotten to the crucial point, Jia Lian also became serious: "Uncle, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"What about telling the truth or lying?"

"The truth is that His Majesty has not yet decided who will succeed him. I believe that Prince Yun and Prince Xiao each have a 50% chance."

Wang Ziteng frowned: "The truth?"

"Sanqi".

"Who gets three and who gets seven?"

"Prince Yun is third, Prince Xiao is seventh!"

Wang Ziteng was stunned, feeling that it was completely different from what he had imagined.