Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Wang Xifeng was surprised that Jia Lian had even calculated the time, which showed that he genuinely wanted to go and was not just trying to please Grandmother Jia. She was both anxious and angry.

She believed that Jia Lian did this to spite her.

"Hmph, Yangzhou isn't like Chang'an. It's a journey of thousands of miles, and you're riding a horse. Can you handle it...?"

Jia Lian didn't respond to Wang Xifeng's blatant contempt. Instead, he said directly to Grandmother Jia, "Grandmother, please let your grandson go. Putting everything else aside, letting your grandson go shows Grandmother's respect for Lin Daiyu more than letting the housekeepers go. I think Uncle will also be more willing to send Lin Daiyu to the capital."

Grandmother Jia looked at Jia Lian carefully for a moment, then sighed, "It's kind of you to have this thought. Since that's the case, then let you go and fetch your sister. But you should still go by boat. Even if you can endure the hardship, do you want your sister Lin to suffer with you?"

Go and make preparations. Once the boats are ready at the manor, we'll set off south. Remember, you must bring your Lin sister back to the capital safely and securely.

Grandmother Jia was indeed surprised by Jia Lian's initiative. After all, according to common sense, if she didn't push him, these young and old men in the family who only knew how to enjoy life would not be willing to move at all!

Regardless of Jia Lian's motives, Grandmother Jia was still pleased that he was willing to take on this task.

As Jia Lian said, even if she was certain that Lin Ruhai would not go against her wishes, if Jia Lian went to pick her up in person, it would let Lin Ruhai know how much the Jia family valued Daiyu, and then he would have even less reason to refuse.

Another point is that these unfilial descendants should be made to do some productive work, to go out and get some exercise, instead of staying at home all day and wasting their time...

"Grandmother's consideration is absolutely right; it was my mistake. How about this: I will ride south first, and then the manor will prepare all the necessary boats to go to Yangzhou. Once I arrive there, I will assist my uncle in handling all the funeral arrangements for my aunt, and then take Lin Daiyu back to the capital by boat. Wouldn't that be perfect?" Jia Lian said with a smile.

Grandmother Jia was greatly surprised. If she had previously suspected that Jia Lian was deliberately trying to curry favor with her, she no longer thought so.

These children and grandchildren in the family are all used to enjoying life, who would be willing to suffer? Besides, she didn't even specify that Jia Lian should go to offer condolences, so why did he insist on riding a horse all the way?

It's clear that Guo has some sincerity.

"Look at him, you two elder brothers are not as good as him, a mere nephew!"

"Alright, Lian'er, since you've agreed, go and prepare. If you do a good job, I'll reward you handsomely when you return. If you don't do well, or if I find out you've been negligent, I certainly won't forgive you."

Upon hearing Grandmother Jia's rebuke, Jia Zheng muttered words like "I am ashamed," while Jia She simply lowered his head and listened to the admonition.

Grandmother Jia was in a bad mood. Seeing that the matter was settled, she told Jia Zheng and the others to disperse.

After leaving Rongqing Hall, Jia Zheng earnestly advised Jia Lian, "This journey south is long. If you travel by land and ride a horse, can your body handle it?"

"Thank you for your concern, sir, but I am young and it might be best to avoid this."

Jia Zheng then refrained from saying anything more.

Jia Lian then said to Jia She, who was standing beside him, "Master, it has been so many years since you left Jiangnan. Is there anything you miss? If so, please tell your son. If you go down here, I will do my best to find it for you."

Jia She glanced at Jia Lian and snorted coldly, "What doesn't this capital city have? Do I need you to find it for me? Just mind your own business and don't cause me any trouble outside!"

After saying this, he nodded slightly to Jia Zheng, then flicked his sleeves and quickened his pace.

Jia Lian feigned embarrassment and said to Jia Zheng, "Perhaps the master is still angry about the broken jade vase we made last time, so..."

Faced with Jia Lian's explanation, Jia Zheng nodded in understanding.

He actually had many grievances against Jia She.

He believed that since the old lady so desired that the two brothers go to Jiangnan, and he was unable to leave due to official duties, Jia She should take the initiative to shoulder this task.

Anyway, Jia She did absolutely nothing all day long except drink and play with his concubines!

Also, Lian'er is usually a well-behaved child, so why does she always glare at him and beat and scold him at the drop of a hat?

Even if there are mistakes, if you patiently teach her, wouldn't Lian'er listen to you?

Jia Lian was unaware of Jia Zheng's thoughts. If he knew that Jia Zheng was standing up for him in such a way, he probably wouldn't be able to help but laugh out loud.

In my opinion, you actually treat young Baoyu even better than he does...

Upon arriving at the study again, Jia Zheng exchanged a few necessary words with Jia Lian and then said, "You are also adept at handling administrative affairs, so I'm not worried about anything else. Just one thing: take more people with you and be careful on the way."

As for the expenses of this trip, go down and calculate how much you need, then just go to the accounting office to collect it. This is a significant matter, so don't try to save money. That's all.

Jia Lian outwardly agreed, but inwardly he also felt something.

To be fair, Jia Zheng, the boss, is quite good; at least he treats him fairly well. I suppose that's the biggest reason why he's been able to stay here and manage the household for Jia Zheng with peace of mind.

……

After everyone had left Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia sent for Wang Xifeng.

"I heard that Lian Er has been sleeping in his outer study these past few days?"

With a composed expression, Grandmother Jia asked the question. Upon seeing this, Wang Xifeng immediately put on a wronged look and nodded sheepishly.

"What exactly is the reason? Even if the couple is arguing, you shouldn't make him move outside. Even if the servants find out, won't they laugh at you?"

Wang Xifeng had long intended to use Grandmother Jia's influence to subdue Jia Lian and force him to submit, but she dared not disturb her because Grandmother Jia was in a bad mood lately.

When asked about it today, I didn't hesitate and immediately recited the explanation I had prepared.

"...It's just because he always favors that girl, and when he saw that I sent her away, he was upset. I told him to ask Madam what she thought, but he didn't dare to go, so he got angry and moved out in a huff."

I begged him repeatedly, but he refused to come back. Even when I asked Ping'er to bring him pillows and blankets, he scolded her severely...

I truly had no other choice. I wanted to ask the matriarch to uphold justice, but I was also thinking that the matriarch had been grieving over my great-aunt's illness lately, and I didn't dare to trouble her with such a trivial matter. That's why I didn't dare to speak to the matriarch.

Although Wang Xifeng's words were perfectly logical, Grandmother Jia was not so easily fooled.

The claim that the girl was caught red-handed for theft is nothing more than a prank she staged to get rid of the people who used to live in Lian'er's room.

However, since she has already been sent away, there is no way to bring her back. "Since she made a mistake first, it's not wrong for you to send her away. She's just an unsung maid. If Lian'er makes a fuss over such a small matter, I'll be on your side and I certainly won't give in to her."

However, Lian'er is, after all, a man of the household, and he can't be without any other women in his household besides you. If others see this, they'll laugh at you, saying you're jealous and intolerant.

"Alright, I'll make a decision for you. I'll call Lian'er back later and have him choose one he likes from my group of maids. It'll be a way of compensating him for you, how about that?"

As she spoke, Grandmother Jia glanced at the group of maids around her, making the young girls blush with shyness, yet none of them dared to voice their objections.

Wang Xifeng was stunned for a while. When she saw Grandmother Jia tilting her head and staring at her, she laughed and said, "Grandmother still loves me the most. The maids in Grandmother's room are all well-trained and beautiful. Even if Second Master Lian is not satisfied, knowing that I sent one away, I brought him back an even better one. How could he not be grateful to me?"

But I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I was originally planning to let him take Ping'er into his room after a few days, but who knew that the old matriarch would be so generous and give him away for me ahead of time. So I've gained someone for free. How can I thank the old matriarch?

Although she felt like she had a fishbone stuck in her throat, Wang Xifeng still had to force a smile.

She could tell that Grandmother Jia was warning her, and she reflected on whether she had acted too hastily and had not left herself enough room for maneuver, which had aroused Grandmother Jia's dissatisfaction.

Whether a woman is generous or jealous, we are all women, and everyone understands the reasons behind it. As long as Grandmother Jia sides with her, it doesn't matter.

However, since Grandmother Jia had already spoken, she dared not accept the title, so she brought up Ping'er at the last minute to show her "magnanimity".

Grandmother Jia smiled and nodded, pleased with Wang Xifeng's understanding, and then indeed sent someone to summon Jia Lian.

……