Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

Hearing Gu Jinhong say this, Jia Lian's smile deepened: "That would be great. That would be great. I'll definitely have to ask Second Master Gu for some pointers then. You don't know, my wife nagged me about it yesterday, saying I'm spending money recklessly outside."

He shook his head and sighed, looking quite helpless.

Gu Jinhong picked up his teacup, using it to observe Jia Lian's expression, already having made up his mind. He knew perfectly well the situation of the eldest son's branch of the Rongguo Mansion. Although Jia She had inherited the title, he lived in a remote courtyard, and the power to manage the household fell entirely in the hands of the second son's branch. Jia Lian, as the eldest son's legitimate son, was like a mere errand boy in the mansion, and even his wife, Wang Xifeng, though in charge of the household, was merely doing errands for the second son's branch.

There's probably a long-standing, unresolved issue between the first and second wives.

"What you're saying, Second Master Lian, is quite true. It's just brothers having some fun together; winning and losing are common occurrences. Speaking of which, Second Master Lian is the eldest son of the first branch who inherited the title, so it's rather surprising that your sister-in-law would nag you over a mere fifty taels of silver."

These words, though spoken lightly, struck Jia Lian right in the heart.

Jia Lian's smile faltered slightly, then he chuckled dryly twice: "Family matters are a long story. In our household, the Old Madam is in charge, and the Second Madam has the final say in matters within the inner quarters. Although Feng'er is in charge of the household, the Second Madam makes all the decisions, big and small. Although I am a member of the eldest branch, the household's income and expenses..."

He stopped mid-sentence, realizing he had said too much.

Gu Jinhong knew that Jia Lian probably harbored resentment for a long time, and his dissatisfaction with the second branch of the family was even deeper than he had thought. Otherwise, he wouldn't have spoken so carelessly, complaining about these things in front of him, an outsider.

Gu Jinhong replied calmly, "I see. I originally thought the Rongguo Mansion's steward was the eldest son's son; I was mistaken."

"On the surface, it's the eldest son's family that's in charge." Jia Lian picked up his tea and took a big gulp, as if trying to suppress the frustration in his heart. "Feng'er gets up before dawn every day to manage things, she's so busy she barely has time to breathe, but in the end, she has to report to the second madam for even the slightly larger expenses. The job of managing things sounds nice, but in reality, it's just a life of worrying. She doesn't get much benefit, but she gets a lot of complaints."

"In that case, why don't you find an opportunity to talk to the old lady of the manor?" Gu Jinhong asked, feigning concern. "You are, after all, the eldest grandson of the main branch, and you will inherit the title in the future. There should be some explanation."

Jia Lian gave a wry smile and shook his head: "Second Master Gu, you don't know this, although the Old Madam still loves me, she mostly doesn't care about the affairs of the manor now. Besides, with Bao Yu, that auspicious creature, and the Second Madam's brother being the Commander-in-Chief of the Capital Garrison, their words carry weight in this manor..."

He didn't finish speaking, but the meaning was clear enough.

Gu Jinhong was waiting for these words.

"Second Master Lian, you are mistaken." Gu Jinhong leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if speaking intimately, "Lord Prince Teng is indeed of high rank and great power, but Second Master Lian, do not forget that the Rongguo Mansion's title ultimately belongs to the Jia family. No matter how important the Second Madam is in the mansion, in the end, the Rongguo Mansion's title is not for the second branch to inherit. Now the eldest branch is yielding in every way, while the second branch is making all the decisions. In time, I'm afraid everyone in this mansion will only know about the second branch and not the eldest branch."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian's expression changed.

"I speak frankly, please don't take offense, Second Master Lian." Gu Jinhong leaned back, his tone returning to its previous casualness. "But seeing you make a special trip for fifty taels of silver today, I truly feel sorry for you. You, the eldest grandson of the Rongguo Mansion, are being nagged by your wife for such a small sum, while those in the mansion who truly spend money like water are probably not from your eldest branch, are they?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Jia Lian's head, sending a shiver down his spine.

He had thought about these things before, but he had never dared to delve into them. Now that Gu Jinhong had pointed them out so bluntly, all the resentment and frustration that he had been suppressing in his heart surged up.

Where does the money for the second branch of the family come from? It comes from the public funds! And whose money is in the public funds? Logically, the eldest branch should inherit the title, and this family fortune should belong to them. But now, the eldest branch has to be careful with their money, while the second branch spends lavishly. Not to mention anything else, the monthly wages of the maids and servants in Baoyu's room are much higher than those in his own courtyard.

Not to mention that the second wife would send lavish gifts to the Wang family at the drop of a hat, and no one ever dared to say a word against the expense.

The more Jia Lian thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, and he gripped the teacup tighter and tighter.

Seeing that the time was right, Gu Jinhong stopped talking and changed the subject to other matters.

"Enough of these unpleasant things. Since Second Master Lian is here today, I've remembered something. My mother often says that although Miss Lin has maids to take care of her in the Rongguo Mansion, she is still young and shy, and may be too embarrassed to speak up if there's anything she needs. In the future, if she encounters any inconvenience while she's in that mansion, I hope Second Madam Lian will look after her."

Jia Lian was still reeling from Gu Jinhong's words, his mind filled with old grievances between the eldest and second branches of the family. Upon hearing this, he quickly composed himself and patted his chest, saying, "Of course, of course! Lin Daiyu is a distinguished guest of our household, and we would never let her suffer the slightest grievance. As for Feng Yatou, she adores Lin Daiyu and talks to me about her good qualities all the time."

"With Master Lian's words, I'm relieved." Gu Jinhong nodded in satisfaction, his tone becoming even more affectionate. "In the end, we're family from now on. Family doesn't need to be so formal. If Master Lian encounters any difficulties outside, or if there's anything you need me for, just ask. Don't be shy."

These words warmed Jia Lian's heart.

He came today with the intention of currying favor. The Rongguo Mansion looks glamorous on the outside, but it's empty inside. He, as the eldest grandson of the main branch, is a useless figure, and he has no capable help outside.

Although Gu Jinhong is younger than him, he is the son of the eldest princess and the current emperor's nephew. In terms of status and position, few in the entire capital can compare. If he could establish a connection with him, even if he didn't achieve great success in the future, his words would at least carry more weight in the household.

Moreover, Gu Jinhong's words just now were all in defense of him, and every word hit him right in the heart. This "gratitude for recognizing his talent" moved Jia Lian quite a bit.

"What you've said, Master Gu, leaves me speechless." Jia Lian stood up and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting. "If you ever need my help in the future, Master Gu, please just ask. Although I, Jia Lian, may not have any great abilities, I am certainly capable of running errands."

Gu Jinhong smiled and offered a gesture of support: "Second Master Lian, there's no need for such formality. Please sit down and let's talk."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Jia Lian rose to take his leave. Gu Jinhong personally escorted him to the entrance of the side hall and instructed the servants to ensure he left the mansion safely.

After leaving the Marquis of Duanping's residence and mounting his horse, Jia Lian realized that his palms were covered in sweat.

Today's trip was much more fruitful than I had expected.

Gu Jinhong gave him a definite answer, saying that they could interact more in the future, and this connection was now established.

He wasn't stupid; he knew that what Gu Jinhong said might not have been out of genuine sympathy for him, but so what?

Over the years, the eldest son's wife has been overshadowed by the second son's wife in every aspect of the household. Their father, Jia She, spends his days drinking and listening to music with his concubines, and has long since lost interest in such matters. He himself does not hold a proper official position, so his words carry little weight in the household. Feng'er is capable, but no matter how capable she is, she is destined to serve the second wife.

When will this end? He has to make plans for himself.