Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Jia Lian served Jia She in his room for a while, then summoned everyone out and gathered them in the outer room to talk.

After asking Madam Xing for the imperial physician's instructions again, Jia Lian said to her, "Madam, since the imperial physician said that Master's illness requires quiet rest, we should follow his advice and not let anyone disturb his peace. Besides, there are many people in Master's courtyard, and it's noisy and poorly ventilated in one room, which is not conducive to Master's recovery. Therefore, I have an arrangement for you to make."

Since the day Grandmother Jia visited Jia She, she hadn't come again, but Jia Zheng and Lady Wang often came to check on him. Lady Xing had been at a loss about this matter, but now that Jia Lian had returned, she finally felt reassured. Therefore, upon hearing this, she said, "You're right. Just say whatever you want. As long as it's good for Master's condition, we'll listen to you."

Jia Lian nodded, then looked at the housekeeper's wife at the door: "Liu Chun's wife."

"This servant is here."

"From today onwards, you will lead eighteen old women or daughters-in-law, divided into three shifts: two at the master's door and two at each of the front and back doors, to keep a close watch on the master day and night."

Apart from me and the First Madam, no one, whether inside or outside the courtyard, is allowed to enter and disturb the Master's peace and quiet.

If any problems arise, I will only hold you two accountable.

Although the number of people in the east wing was not as large as in the main courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion, it was still considerable, especially the number of women. Therefore, there were also extra housekeepers and housekeeper wives. This Liu Chun's wife was the old housekeeper's wife.

Seeing that Jia Lian was staring at her, and noticing his expression—though not hostile, it was unsettling—she quickly stepped forward and agreed.

Jia Lian added, "Apart from that, you don't need to worry about anything else. As for the people who serve the master in this house, apart from me who comes to serve him every day, the rest will be arranged by the First Madam."

As he spoke, Jia Lian looked at Madam Xing and asked, "I wonder what Madam thinks of this?"

Madam Xing had no objection whatsoever and nodded quickly.

So Jia Lian said, "In that case, I have just returned and need to go see the old lady. I'll leave things here to you, Madam."

Jia Lian stood up and glanced at the many women in the room.

He was starting to feel reluctant to stay. Most of the women were eyeing him with lustful intent; clearly, with Jia She's fate uncertain, they each had their own plans. Especially those who had previously been entangled with him.

"Alright, alright, go ahead..."

Madam Xing nodded repeatedly, instructing Jia Lian to go ahead and leave things to her. Perhaps even she herself didn't realize that without Jia She as her support, she had become much more vulnerable. In the past, she would never have listened to Jia Lian's words so readily.

Jia Lian nodded and left Jia She's courtyard.

When Zhang Yong and the others saw him come out, they all followed. Ping'er also saw the two female soldiers who, even though they were wearing armor, were still slender and beautiful. She couldn't help but feel suspicious, just like Wang Xifeng.

Jia Lian was pondering some things until he entered the west gate, where he noticed Ping'er's gaze. He then smiled and introduced them, "I met them by chance when I was at the border. One is named Aqi, and the other is named Aqin. Now... they are my personal guards."

I remember there are a few empty rooms behind my study. Have someone prepare two of them so they can move in. Also, instruct the kitchen to send them meals daily according to your standards.

They're not from the Central Plains, and they might be having a lot of trouble adjusting to their new surroundings. I'm entrusting them to you; please take good care of them for me.

Ping'er was very capable, kind-hearted, and fair in her dealings. This was why he didn't hesitate to take her in, and it wasn't just because of her appearance...

Ping'er naturally had no objection to Jia Lian's words. After learning that Jia Lian wanted to pay his respects to Jia Zheng first, she took the initiative to lead the two taciturn women there.

After all the women had left, Jia Lian turned to look at Zhao Sheng, who was following closely behind him. Zhao Sheng approached him alone and whispered a few words in his ear. Jia Lian nodded in response, but since it wasn't the time to discuss the details, he instructed Zhao Sheng to meet him in the study half an hour later.

Upon arriving at Rongxi Hall, Jia Zheng was not home, saying he had met with friends and had not yet returned. Jia Lian then went directly to Rongqing Hall.

Rongqing Hall had obviously learned that Jia Lian was coming, and there were people waiting at the door in advance to greet him—all of them were maids from Grandmother Jia's room.

When they saw Jia Lian, their eyes lit up with a strange light.

The armor worn over Jia Lian's robe was a gift from Prince Teng before his departure, both to commend his achievements and to allow him to "return home in glory."

It was a brand-new set of light armor. While its defensive capabilities weren't particularly outstanding, its colors were dazzling, a shimmering interplay of gold and silver. It must be said, Wang Ziteng certainly understood the tastes of young people.

Therefore, in the eyes of these maids who had never seen the world in these secluded mansions, Jia Lian at this moment was just like a victorious general returning to court in a play!

"Lian...Second Master Lian is back~~!"

The maidservant in charge of announcing the news stammered for a moment, and Jia Lian turned to glance at her. Just one glance made the fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl take a step back, involuntarily covering her chest with her hand, her face burning.

Just as she began to wonder if Jia Lian had taken a liking to her, Jia Lian had already gone inside and disappeared.

Seeing her like that, the other maids all laughed and said, "Sister Amber, why is your face so red? Have you been bewitched by the Second Master?"

"Go! Go! Go……"

The maid named Amber, feeling ashamed and angry, chased her away.

The others joined in, holding hands and joking in hushed tones. One of the bolder ones exclaimed, "Hehe, Second Master has changed so much in the year he's been gone! He's even more handsome than before, especially since he's wearing a general's uniform. He looks even more majestic than the young male lead playing a general in a play..."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Although the Second Master Lian was handsome in the past, firstly, his family didn't think highly of him, and secondly, his Second Mistress Lian was formidable, so they didn't have the opportunity or dare to look at him too much.

Today's meeting truly allowed them to witness the extraordinary handsomeness of Second Master Lian. Compared to Second Master Lian, Second Master Bao, whom they had previously thought was quite good-looking, now appeared to be nothing more than a chubby, immature little boy!

No wonder Second Madam Lian forbids us maids from getting close to Second Master. With a character like Second Master's, let alone being his concubine, I'd be willing to be a foot-washing maid for the rest of my life...

Jia Lian had no interest in speculating about the maids' fantasies about him. He quickly went to the inner hall where Grandmother Jia often chatted and entertained guests.

Although the number of people remained the same, Jia Lian immediately sensed upon entering that the atmosphere was far less lively and cheerful than usual, appearing somewhat cold and desolate.

Without giving the people in the room much attention, Jia Lian went to Grandmother Jia first and bowed, saying, "Grandson greets Grandmother."

Like everyone else, the women in the room were immediately drawn to Jia Lian the moment he entered.

Looking at her eldest grandson, who was kneeling before her and seemed even taller and more imposing than before, Grandmother Jia finally showed a slight smile.

He woke Jia Lian and said, "It's good that you're back safe and sound. Did you go to see your father?"

Seeing Jia Lian nod, Grandmother Jia sighed and said, "He has been sick for almost two months now. We have tried everything at home, and we have even consulted the imperial physicians countless times. It is probably going to end like this. You should be prepared."

Jia Lian felt a little strange upon hearing this.

Why does it seem like Grandmother Jia has given up on Jia She? It shouldn't be like this. Grandmother Jia is a sentimental person. She remembers how heartbroken she was when her eldest grandson, Jia Zhu, died, not to mention when Jia Min passed away the year before last.

How could Jia Lian know how Jia She acted so recklessly after falling seriously ill? Not only did he ignore everyone's advice, but he also severely "humiliated" Grandmother Jia, who had come to visit him before. Grandmother Jia had only just recovered from her shock!

Grandmother Jia didn't say much about Jia She's affairs, and immediately asked about Jia Lian's experience at the border over the past year. She didn't ask him what he had done specifically, but only how he was doing, whether he had settled in, and whether he had encountered any danger.

Jia Lian answered them one by one.

Since he looked left and right but couldn't see Daiyu, he asked her.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia smiled slightly and said, "I have two pieces of good news to tell you. First, Daiyu's father has been promoted to the position of Director of the Imperial Library. He arrived in the capital a few days before you, and Daiyu is currently with him."

Jia Lian was naturally very surprised. He never expected that Lin Ruhai was not only alive, but also promoted.

Could it be that my advice to the emperor before I left had an effect?

If that's the case, then it's a good deed; I'll give myself a thumbs up.