Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The next morning, Sister Feng arrived at Rongqing Hall early and, at a suitable moment, mentioned to Grandmother Jia that Jia Lian intended to build a house outside.

As expected, Grandmother Jia reacted strongly upon hearing this. If Jia Lian and his wife hadn't changed so much, Feng Jie would probably have been given a good scolding on the spot.

Even so, Grandmother Jia still questioned with a deep expression:

"Did your uncle and aunt cause you any trouble, or do you just not like this old woman anymore? Why are you suddenly moving out again?"

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng knelt down beside Grandmother Jia's legs and said ingratiatingly, "Look at what you're saying, Grandmother, of course not."

To be honest, I wasn't happy about it when Second Master Lian brought it up. I'm living comfortably in my own little courtyard, why would I bother spending money and effort building some kind of house outside? Besides, I'd love to spend my whole life serving the old lady and listening to her teachings, so how could I bear to leave this place?

However, Second Master Lian's attitude was very firm, and I, a mere woman, couldn't persuade him otherwise, so I could only come to ask the Ancestor for advice.

Grandmother Jia sat on the couch, looking down at Feng Jie, who was already a duke's wife but still acted so filial. Her stern expression softened a little, and she said gently, "If that's the case, then what's wrong with Lian'er? Didn't we agree before that the family would live in harmony?"

If he has any complaints, he can speak them out. Only when everyone discusses things can we act like a family.

His sudden decision to move out seems like he's deliberately making our family a laughingstock."

Grandmother Jia was not only angry because of Jia Lian's change of heart, but also because she knew the complicated reasons behind Jia Lian moving out.

What kind of talk is it for a Duke of Rong to move out of the Duke of Rong's mansion?

To reiterate, as long as Jia Lian holds his title, his decision to move out is tantamount to forcing Jia Zheng and his wife to move out as well.

From both a moral and logical standpoint, it was impossible for Grandmother Jia to allow Jia Lian to bully Jia Zheng's family in this way.

At the same time, Grandmother Jia still had some questions. If Jia Lian had had such thoughts before, it would have been understandable, but now that he knew his true parentage, why would he still do this?

He doesn't seem like such a shameless person.

Fengjie then explained the various inconveniences to Grandmother Jia, claiming that Jia Lian now had more and more subordinates and his power was growing, and the small east wing was no longer enough to carry out his duties.

If we come to the main courtyard to handle some business, I'm afraid it will disturb my uncle and aunt's peace.

Grandmother Jia, having managed household affairs herself, naturally understood that the problem Feng Jie was pointing out existed. Having two heads of the household in one mansion was fine if they lived in separate courtyards, but if they were truly united, many issues would be difficult to resolve.

This is also one of the reasons why he likes Jia Lian.

For so many years, Jia Lian had intentionally kept his power confined to the east wing, thus preserving enough dignity for Jia Zheng.

Now that Jia Lian has been promoted to Duke, the problems that Sister Feng mentioned are indeed very troublesome.

She really wanted to call Jia Lian over so that the two of them could discuss the matter and resolve it as they used to, with each side making concessions.

However, judging from Feng Jie's tone and the fact that Jia Lian specifically asked Feng Jie to deliver the message, it was clear that while his attitude was firm, he was also deliberately leaving each other some space so as not to hurt their relationship.

In this situation, if she can't come up with a practical solution, there's no point in calling Jia Lian over.

After thinking it over carefully, she said, "How about we have your aunt switch places with you?"

Seeing Feng Jie'er's surprise, she said, "Anyway, your second uncle is currently working in another place, so there are only your second aunt and two concubines in the main courtyard."

Since you feel your own courtyard is too small, why don't you have your aunt and stepmother move into your courtyard, and you two can move to the main courtyard?

Grandmother Jia was never confused when it came to important matters.

She knew perfectly well that Jia Lian would never move out. At least not right now.

Since he could not move out and was dissatisfied with the status quo, Jia Zheng and his wife had no choice but to back down.

As he said, Jia Zheng was serving in an official post outside the capital and it was unknown when he would be able to return. In the meantime, it would only be a matter of Lady Wang having to endure some hardship.

As for those two concubines, it doesn't matter where they live.

Sure enough, after hearing Grandmother Jia's suggestion, Sister Feng was immediately tempted.

Ever since Jia Lian made that promise to her, she's been eyeing that grand mansion for a long time.

"This... I'm afraid it's inappropriate. How can we treat the Second Madam like this..."

Grandmother Jia saw through Feng Jie's insincerity and snorted, "It's all for the sake of the family. Your mistress can stay in the east wing, so what's the big deal if she moves to your courtyard?"

If you agree with what I'm saying, go back and tell Lian'er that I'll also call your wife over so we can all discuss it.

In short, Feng'er, if you still consider us family, you should know that there's nothing a family can't discuss!

Sister Feng was so tempted that she almost agreed.

Seeing that Grandmother Jia had already sent someone to invite Lady Wang, Sister Feng finally remembered Jia Lian's repeated instructions from the previous night.

"Madam, I'm afraid this is inappropriate..."

Grandmother Jia said angrily, "Isn't that enough? Didn't you say the courtyard was too small and you wanted to move to a more spacious one? Is the main courtyard so big that it's not enough for the two of you to mess around with?"

In Grandmother Jia's eyes, she even felt that this was the real purpose of Jia Lian and his wife: to move into the main courtyard.

For the sake of the bigger picture, she could make concessions and even make decisions on behalf of Jia Zheng and his wife, but she could not accept that Jia Lian and his wife would still push their luck.

Because that meant that Jia Lian and his wife had no intention of saving face for Jia Zheng and his wife.

Sister Feng quickly explained, "Grandma, you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant..."

Feng Jie carefully considered her words and said seriously, "Old Madam, as you know, our Second Master Lian has always respected Second Uncle and Second Aunt. He has no intention of competing with Second Uncle and Second Aunt for the main courtyard."

He told me that he didn't actually want to move out unless absolutely necessary.

He had to make this decision simply because of his background.

The old lady probably doesn't know that many people inside and outside the house are saying that Second Master Lian and the late Master Lian have usurped the title that rightfully belonged to Second Master Lian...

The old lady also knew that Second Master Lian was a man with a strong sense of self-respect, and naturally he could not tolerate this.

He told me that he could get whatever he wanted through his own abilities and had no interest in stealing from others.

Since he is not a member of the Jia family, the Jia family's title should be returned to the Second Master.

Unfortunately, the title was bestowed by the emperor, and he had no way to return it, which he still resented.

But...

Hearing what Fengjie said, Grandmother Jia scolded, "He's supposed to be a general, yet he believes everything people say."

Everyone in our family knows that although his title is partly due to his family's influence, if he were incompetent, how could he have gotten to where he is today?

His second uncle hasn't said anything about it yet, but he's already acting all dramatic?

After scolding him, he asked again, "Just say what you want to say, don't beat around the bush."

Sister Feng then said, "If it were just outsiders saying this, that would be one thing, but unfortunately, many of our own family members also hold this view."

"Family members? Who?"

"Reporting to the old lady, it was those people in the clan... The old lady should have heard about it yesterday at the ancestral worship ceremony, when Jia Gui and Jia Qin, father and son, joined forces with many others to oppose him."

Grandmother Jia was taken aback, then a look of understanding appeared in her eyes, but she still said with displeasure, "Didn't you say that those good-for-nothings were punished by Lian'er on the spot? He also ordered that from now on no one in the clan is allowed to talk about his background, and those who disobey will be severely punished?"

"What? He's already been hit, the order has been given, why are you still harping on this?"

"The old lady also knew that those were just empty words he said for the sake of the bigger picture."

He's a proud and arrogant person. He may say that, but how can he truly deceive himself?

He genuinely didn't want to compete with the Second Master, and he didn't want to be misunderstood by the other households and have them speak ill of him behind his back, which is why he was determined to move out.

Grandma, you don't need to worry about us. We have the money to build our own house.

We've already chosen the location; it's where the Lai family used to live, and it's not far from the mansion.

Once the house is built, it will be convenient to travel between the two sides, and it won't cause any problems.

When Grandmother Jia heard that Jia Lian and his wife had even chosen an address, she knew perfectly well that they were determined to move out.

She suddenly felt incredibly tired, realizing that at almost eighty years old, she shouldn't be worrying so much.

He took a deep breath and said, "Even if you want to build a house, it's not something that can be done overnight. Let's put this matter aside for now, and let your uncle and aunt discuss it before you make a decision, okay?"

Hearing the pleading tone in Grandmother Jia's voice, Sister Feng didn't hesitate much and agreed.

Her trip was merely to relay a message from Jia Lian to Grandmother Jia and others; the actual decision rested with Jia Lian.

According to her own opinion, she thought that Grandmother Jia's suggestion was quite good.

After Sister Feng left, Grandmother Jia immediately had someone summon Lady Wang and recounted the conversation between Sister Feng and her.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang was initially surprised, and then began to ponder silently.

Grandmother Jia reminded him, "I know what you mean, but don't forget, Lian'er still carries a title, bestowed upon him by the Emperor. Unless the Emperor speaks up, no one can take it away!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang smiled and said, "What are you saying, old lady? How could your daughter-in-law be so unreasonable? Of course, she understands the big picture."

However, the old lady also said that even if Baoyu's father and I moved out of the main courtyard and exchanged places with them, it wouldn't work, so the daughter-in-law had no idea what to do.

"Tomorrow is the 26th, otherwise I'll bring it up with the Empress after I go to the palace tomorrow and see what she says."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's eyes lit up: "Alright, I'll go to the palace with you tomorrow!"

In the eyes of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, Yuan Chun, who was already a Noble Consort, had more authority than anyone else.

……

The 26th of each month is the day when the imperial family grants permission for each household to visit the imperial concubines.

Since this benevolent policy was introduced, the imperial harem has become much more lively on the 2nd and 6th of each month.

When Yuan-chun saw that Grandmother Jia had also entered the Fengzao Palace, she was very happy.

He led his mother and grandmother to the Empress's palace, went through a brief ceremony, and then returned to Fengzao Palace for a chat.

After exchanging pleasantries and dismissing the palace maids, Grandmother Jia and her husband discussed the family's predicament with Yuan Chun, focusing on Jia Lian and his wife's plan to build a new house and move out.

Yuan Chun immediately became anxious: "This is absolutely unacceptable!"

"We know it's impossible, of course, but..."

With a sigh, Grandmother Jia and her companion explained their predicament one by one, and finally said, "Your father is currently in the south, and we won't be able to contact him for the time being."

But Lian'er seems so determined, and we really can't find a suitable solution, which is why we thought of contacting you to ask for your advice.

The two women, Jia Mu and Yuan Chun, were originally just at a loss for what to do, so they thought of consulting with Yuan Chun, who was of noble status.

This might have involved Yuan-chun persuading Jia Lian to give up on moving out. They all knew that Jia Lian had always held Yuan-chun, his elder sister in the deep palace, in high esteem.

To everyone's surprise, after listening carefully, Yuan Chun did not rush to express her opinion, but instead pondered it slowly.

After a long pause, she slowly said, "If that's the case, I do have a perfect idea..."

The two women, including Grandmother Jia, were immediately stunned.

……