Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

As expected, the old man was a patient man. After Jia Lian humbly asked for advice, he actually taught Jia Lian a few tricks, including basic archery skills and how to generate power when practicing his fists and feet.

However, due to limited time, Jia Lian only had a brief moment of reflection, but he still felt quite benefited. Indeed, although Lian Po was old, he should not be underestimated.

Back at the Linzi Earl's Mansion, the old master looked at Jia Lian and said, "Your foundation is too poor. If it weren't for the fact that you are my grandson, I wouldn't bother teaching you."

If you're diligent, come back to my house tomorrow, and I'll teach you a few more useful tricks. Hmph, if you don't want to come, that's fine too."

Jia Lian readily agreed, saying he would definitely come tomorrow.

It was already afternoon, and Zhang Song and Zhang Su had returned to their residence. Knowing that Jia Lian had gained the old master's initial approval, they were very happy and wanted to invite Jia Lian to stay for dinner, but Jia Lian politely declined.

Upon returning to the Rongguo Mansion, before even entering, he was stopped by a servant: "Second Master, Second Master, the Master wants to see you."

Jia Lian narrowed his eyes, handed the riding whip to Zhao'er, then straightened his clothes and followed the servant to the east courtyard.

Half an hour later, Jia Lian was helped out by the steward and others.

Zhang Yong and Zhao'er, who had been waiting anxiously outside, immediately surrounded them.

Seeing that Jia Lian's clothes were tattered and his face was covered in blood, he immediately panicked.

The steward looked at Jia Lian with a troubled expression and advised, "Second Master, please listen to Master and don't go to the Zhang family anymore. You may not know what Master is thinking... In short, for your own good, please listen to this old servant's advice."

Jia Lian spread his hands weakly: "Look at me, do I look like I can still get through this?"

The butler sighed, then lowered his voice and said, "Master didn't know about yesterday's events. It was that brat Huang Si who complained to him that Master found out, and he was furious this morning."

Huang Si was not a name that came to Jia Lian's mind, but he still accepted the steward's favor and said, "Thank you."

Zhao'er and the others had already found rattan stools and stretchers, and Jia Lian did not refuse. He lay down on them and let a group of servants carry him into the Rongguo Mansion in a panic.

The Rongguo Mansion was thrown into chaos.

……

In Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia was talking with her granddaughters when she heard that Jia Lian had been beaten again. She frowned and asked, "What was it this time?"

The wife of the head steward of Rongguo Mansion, Lady Lai, replied: "I heard that yesterday was the 70th birthday of the old master of the Linzi Marquis's Mansion. Second Master Lian went to pay his respects to the old master without informing the master, and the master found out, which is why he was angry."

"Just for this?" Grandmother Jia asked coldly.

"Just for this."

Lai and his family didn't know the specific details of the incident, but it was rumored that this was the reason.

They were all people who knew the rights and wrongs of those years, and that alone was enough for them to understand why Jia She was angry.

Grandmother Jia said, "This is strange. He is useless and has offended his relatives. Now that Lian-ge is going to pay respects to his maternal grandfather on his birthday, can this be considered a mistake?"

Does that bother him too?

It's clear that many things in this world are illogical. Where is Lian'er now?

"The person has been carried back to the courtyard, and the master has sent someone to fetch a doctor."

"They carried him back? Just how badly was he hit?"

"We don't know the specifics, but we heard he was beaten quite badly, and when they carried him back, Second Master was covered in blood!"

Grandmother Jia had nothing more to say. She glanced at her grandchildren who were already anxious below the hall and said to Lai Da's wife, "Go and see what's wrong. After the doctor examines the wound and asks how it is, come back and report to me."

After the housekeepers and their wives left, Grandmother Jia said to the three sisters, "I know you're worried, but Sister Feng's courtyard is in such a mess right now. If you go there, she'll be even more confused. It's better to go later."

"Yes, madam." Sanchun could only agree upon hearing this.

Jia Baoyu, standing nearby, saw that Daiyu's eyes were red and felt extremely distressed. He didn't know how to comfort her and was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks.

……

Sister Feng's Courtyard.

Upon hearing the news that Jia Lian had been beaten by Jia She, Wang Xifeng immediately dropped what she was doing and rushed home.

"Get out of the way."

Pushing aside the onlookers, they rushed into the room and saw Jia Lian lying on the kang (heated brick bed) in the outer room, his clothes half-undone. Xiangling and Qingwen were both crying as they wiped the bloodstains from Jia Lian's body. Instantly, their eyes reddened, and they rushed over, pulling Xiangling aside and touching Jia Lian's body with their hands, crying and asking, "You heartless wretch, what happened to you? How did you get beaten up like this again?"

Jia Lian reached out and patted Wang Xifeng's head, laughing, "I'm fine. It's not the first time. Look at you, crying like this, aren't you afraid the servants will laugh at you?"

"Go away." Wang Xifeng reflexively pushed Jia Lian's hand away, then wiped away a tear.

After a while, she was certain that although Jia Lian looked quite miserable, he was still in good condition, with all his body parts intact, except for a few shocking bloodstains on his face and hands.

Therefore, he hurriedly took the warm handkerchief from Xiangling and personally wiped Jia Lian's face, asking, "Have you gone to fetch a doctor yet?!"

Everyone said that they had already invited him, so Wang Xifeng carefully cleaned Jia Lian's wounds. Fearing that Jia Lian would catch a cold, she took a quilt and covered the exposed parts of his body with it.

At this moment, Wang Xifeng's concern for Jia Lian was revealed without any pretense.

Qingwen secretly observed this, thinking to herself, "It seems that it won't be easy for me to usurp the throne..."

Jia Lian felt a sense of relief.

It wasn't in vain that he spent more time and effort to win her heart, rather than resorting to the simpler and more ruthless method of divorce.

A doctor was soon called, prescribed medicine, and left.

Despite the doctor's assurances that there was nothing seriously wrong and that she would recover in a few days, Wang Xifeng and the others were still not entirely convinced. The twenty-odd women were busy running around, applying ointment to the wounds, preparing herbal soups for recovery, and receiving visitors. They were busy until nightfall, and many of them didn't even have time for dinner.

Soon after, the three sisters of the Spring Festival, Daiyu, and Jia Baoyu also arrived.

At this moment, Jia Lian had changed into clean clothes and was half-lying on the kang (a heated brick bed). Apart from some gauze bandages on his face and hands, he looked quite well, including his complexion. The three sisters and the others then secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, girls are naturally more sentimental, and after only a few words of concern, her eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.

Jia Lian looked closely and found that Daiyu's tears were indeed falling the fastest, which comforted him even more.

This little sister, we didn't spoil her in vain; those tears were the best medicine to heal her wounds!

After arranging for the maids and wives who had missed their meal to eat, Wang Xifeng returned to her room and found that Daiyu and the others were still there, not saying much and not leaving. She deliberately smiled and said, "You should all go back. The doctor said that he is just pretending to be sick, but he is actually fine. He will be completely recovered in three to five days."

Yingchun and the others knew that sitting for too long would be pointless, so they obediently stood up, said their goodbyes, and left.

Before leaving, Jia Baoyu took one last look at Jia Lian's miserable state and secretly rejoiced, thinking how fortunate he was. Although his master often glared at him and frequently had the urge to beat him to death, he had yet to suffer a severe beating!

Sigh, compared to Brother Lian, every day seems brighter...

After dismissing the others, Wang Xifeng's face fell, and she sat down beside Jia Lian, touching his face and asking, "I've already applied the medicine, does it still hurt?"

Jia Lian shook his head: "You really don't need to worry, it's nothing serious. It's just that I was caught off guard and the master whipped me in the face, which makes me look a bit scary. Compared to last time, it's not even as badly injured."

Last time they used heavy wooden bolts, but this time they used whips, so the difference is obvious.

Thinking of Jia She's powerless rage at the time, and how he flew into a rage after being retorted by Jia She, Jia Lian couldn't help but sneer.

The old man's strength is getting weaker and weaker.

As for why he acted so pitifully, it was naturally to gain sympathy.

Unlike last time when he silently swallowed his bitterness, this time, the reason for being beaten was perfectly justified!

The wider the story spreads, the worse Jia She's reputation becomes, and by comparison, people will sympathize with him even more.

Wang Xifeng was quite puzzled when she saw Jia Lian suddenly looking radiant, even with a gleam in his eyes. Could it be that he had been beaten senseless?

Then Jia Lian beckoned Ping'er forward: "I'd like you to go out there yourself and tell Zhao'er to go to the Marquis of Linzi's residence first thing tomorrow morning and say that I can't go. If your uncle asks, don't let him tell you the real reason."

Ping'er thought for a moment and said, "Then should we make up a plausible reason? Otherwise, I'm afraid he won't know how to respond later."

"No need, that kid's shrewd enough, he knows what to say."

……