The Second Master of the Red Chamber

"(Lian) Second brother."

When Jia Lian came over, Jia Baoyu, Jia Cong, Jia Huan and Jia Lan all hurried to greet him.

"Everyone, take a seat."

Jia Lian waved his hand and sat down, looking at the two younger generations of the Rongguo Mansion.

Jia Cong and Jia Lan were both serious, sitting with their heads bowed. Jia Huan, on the other hand, looked at Jia Lian with a sly look, his eyes full of flattery.

He had a very good impression of Jia Lian.

In the past, apart from inviting him to the family dinners during the Mid-Autumn Festival and New Year’s Eve, who would remember him at other times?

Although it was Sister Feng who sent someone to invite him here today, he already knew that his powerful sister-in-law also looked down on him, so it must have been the intention of his powerful cousin Jia Lian.

As for Jia Baoyu, he is still a melancholy and handsome young man.

He actually wanted to sit next to Lady Jia because there were many beautiful sisters sitting at that table.

But today, Grandmother Jia changed her usual behavior and asked him to sit over here, and asked him to toast Jia Lian with a few more glasses of wine.

After everyone was seated, a small family dinner began amidst the flowers.

Jia Lian's family dinners were always free of rules. With the sound of piano coming from the back, the atmosphere was very harmonious as people toasted each other with cups and glasses.

Apart from Lady Jia, Jia Lian at the next table was naturally the focus and center of everything.

Even in most people's minds, respecting Lady Jia is just superficial, and being close to Jia Lian is the real thing.

Relying on her young age, closer blood relationship with Jia Lian, and more active personality, Tanchun gradually became the representative of all the sisters and brothers who asked questions about Jia Lian.

They were not in a position to ask in public such sensitive questions as whether Jia Lian was the emperor's grandson, but regarding Jia Lian's dismissal from office, Tanchun felt that with Jia Lian's tolerance, there would probably be no problem.

So she took the opportunity to toast Jia Lian again and asked with concern: "Second brother, Second sister-in-law said before that you were dismissed from office, is this true?"

As soon as Tanchun asked this question, everyone, including Jia Mu and others, looked over.

Jia Lian took the wine glass from Tanchun's little hand, raised it and took a sip before replying, "Of course it's true. Do you think your second sister-in-law dares to use this to deceive people?"

Tanchun looked worried, but seeing Jia Lian drinking with a smile on his face, she couldn't help asking, "But don't those officials who were dismissed or demoted in operas all appear depressed and frustrated?
But from the look on my second brother’s face, he doesn’t seem that sad.”

Tanchun blinked her big eyes, deliberately acting very innocent.

Jia Lian saw that everyone around him stopped talking and looked at him quietly, obviously they were all very concerned about this issue.

So he reached out and touched Tanchun's head, and said with a smile: "Why should I be sad? I have been working like a slave in the court these years. Although I dare not say that I have made great contributions to the country, I think I have done my best for the country and the emperor.

On the contrary, I myself, because of the mundane affairs outside, often cannot go home and neglect your sister Feng and sister Lin.

Now that the emperor has shown mercy and is willing to give me a long vacation, I can take this opportunity to stay at home and spend some time with your sister Feng and sister Lin. Why not do it?"

After hearing what Jia Lian said, everyone had different reactions.

Seeing that Jia Lian was so calm and there was no trace of anxiety in his words, Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang and others thought that even if he was really dismissed from office, it would not hurt himself or endanger the family.

People like Tanchun, Baochai and others are impressed by Jia Lian's open-mindedness.

Of course, most people don’t have so many thoughts and don’t understand fame, wealth and power, so they simply envy Feng Jieer and Daiyu.

To have such a husband who is capable of governing a country with both literary and military skills, and who is so considerate and family-oriented, they must have accumulated merits for ten lifetimes.

Only Feng Jieer and Daiyu felt a little embarrassed. After all, even they themselves could sense the sour taste of Jia Lian's words. I guess by this time, many people already "beared a grudge" against them.

Fortunately, someone helped them resolve the embarrassment.

Jia Qiao, who had just come over and was now sitting in Feng Jieer's arms, seemed a little unhappy.

She shrank from Sister Feng's arms, trotted to Jia Lian's side, pulled Jia Lian's sleeve and pouted, "Daddy, there's still me. You haven't played with Qiao'er for a long time..."

That pouting little mouth and big watery eyes all expressed that she was already very angry that Jia Lian didn't mention her in his words just now. If he didn't coax me now, I would definitely cry.

The people around burst into laughter. Jia Lian immediately abandoned his cousin Tanchun, bent down to pick up his daughter, and stroked her tender face while coaxing her: "It's daddy's fault. Daddy apologizes to you. From now on, daddy must make more time to accompany my Qiao'er."

Only then did Jia Qiao wipe away the tears in her eyes and snuggled into Jia Lian's arms somewhat embarrassedly.

Tanchun was also touched by Jia Qiao's beauty and reached out to pinch her face. But seeing her small body completely melted in Jia Lian's arms, she suddenly felt that she couldn't smile and turned away silently.

The reason why Grandmother Jia came to the banquet this time was just to show the harmony between her and Jia Lian, the grandson of the family. She was already tired from dealing with that group of people, so she sat down and had only a few glasses of wine before leaving on the grounds of fatigue.

Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang also stood up and left.

But after leaving Jia Lian's courtyard, Grandmother Jia called Mrs. Wang alone and let Mrs. Xing do as she pleased.

The two returned to Rongqing Hall. Grandmother Jia sent away all the idlers and left Mrs. Wang alone in the inner room.

"I heard that you sent a letter to the south yesterday?"

Mrs. Wang is not stupid. Just by looking at Lady Jia's attitude towards Jia Lian today, she knows that Lady Jia has already known Jia Lian's background.

She and Lady Jia have been together for more than 20 years and they know each other very well.

Now, it is obvious that Grandmother Jia wants to continue to maintain a good relationship with Jia Lian. Could it be that she suspects that she has ill intentions and is trying to warn her?
what is this?
Even if you want to curry favor with Lian'er, you don't have to be so serious. After all, Baoyu's father is your biological son, right?

"What the old lady said is right. It has been several months since the master left the capital. During this period of time, so many major events have happened at home and in the court. Therefore, I specially sent a letter to our master to tell him about some things at home and in the court."

Hearing this, Jia's mother sighed and said, "Zheng'er's wife, I know a little bit about what you are thinking.

But I’m telling you, some things are destined to happen, and if they are not destined to happen, don’t force it.

Since the death of the eldest master and Zhen'er, you know the family situation better than anyone else. I don't need to remind you how important Lian'er is to our family. Lian'er is a dragon among men. Fortunately, although there have been some rifts between him and us over the years, it has been generally good.

You should also be able to see that Lian'er really values ​​the affection that Baoyu's father showed him, and he also values ​​his brothers and sisters at home.

His friendship is the foundation of our Jia family for the next few decades!

This alone is more important than any calculation.

And with Lian'er's cleverness, if you want to plot against him, I'm afraid you will be the one who suffers in the end.

Just wait patiently. This small Rongguo Mansion won't be able to hold him back for long. Sooner or later, he will carve out a new world for himself.

By then, what you want to give Baoyu will be within your reach, right?"

Mrs. Wang listened carefully to Grandmother Jia's advice. From the fact that she took the initiative to admit defeat and show her goodwill to Jia Lian, it proved that she was definitely not a foolish woman or a reckless man.

In fact, she had never thought of doing anything bad to Jia Lian. She just saw that Jia Lian's background was made public and felt that some things were supposed to be hers.

Grandmother Jia's words also served as a reminder to her.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

These things really cannot be rushed.

The disparity in strength was so huge that they could not get it back by force. They could only continue to maintain a good relationship with Jia Lian. Maybe one day Jia Lian would take the initiative to return the Duke's Mansion and even the title to them.

Isn’t it true that he is the descendant of the retired emperor and is so capable, so what’s the difficulty in making him a king?
By then, he would no longer be interested in or need these things from the Jia family.

Seeing that Lady Wang was a teachable child, Grandmother Jia was relieved and said, "His background has been revealed now. Judging from his expression at the banquet, I'm afraid his dismissal is not as simple as it seems. In short, with the level he is in contact with now, his vision and knowledge are far superior to ours.

I am old and won't live long. So what happens to him has nothing to do with me.

But you are still young, I just want to give you this advice. As long as you don't offend him and follow him, you and Baoyu will have your own destiny in the future."

Mrs. Wang nodded and said with a smile, "What are you saying, old lady? You still have a lot of life ahead of you, and I want to be filial to you for the rest of my life."

In response, Grandmother Jia just snorted.

……

At the banquet, after Lady Jia and others left, Aunt Xue, who had been forced to stay by Lady Jia, also said goodbye.

She also took Xue Baoqin away.

The sisters, who were hiding in the inner hall, probably heard Mrs. Mei trying to use the marriage contract to force Jia Lian to help save her son.

Although no one thought it was Baoqin's fault, she felt very guilty.

However, she was sensible enough to pretend not to care and went to the banquet, but she didn't say much the whole time.

Aunt Xue was worried that she would spoil everyone's fun if she stayed here, so she took her away and comforted her at the same time.

When Baochai saw this, she also wanted to leave, but Aunt Xue gave her a look. Baochai then remembered her mother's instructions and stayed.

As soon as Aunt Xue left, Li Wan felt it would be awkward for her to be the only widow left here, so she said goodbye.

As Jia Lan was taken away by Li Wan, Jia Cong and Jia Huan, who had eaten and drunk their fill, also tactfully left, because they knew that these intellectuals might have some elegant activities or games next, which were not suitable for them to play with.

Jia Baoyu originally wanted to leave.

He couldn't bear to see Jia Lian and Daiyu being so affectionate. Whether it was when Jia Lian brought Daiyu into the room hand in hand, or when Jia Lian later showed his affection in public with words, he felt his heart ached.

"Sister Gu's piano playing is so beautiful. I think we should move the table and let her come to the front to play for us!"

Jia Baoyu immediately sat down firmly.

It turned out that after Lady Jia and the others left, not only did the flower hall become empty, but without the restraint of the elders, Yingchun and the others opened the door as they pleased.

After listening to the music for a long time, they didn't even see the person who played the piano. Everyone wanted to see with their own eyes what this master of piano, who was praised repeatedly by the imperial concubine, looked like when he played the piano.

Since they were going to enjoy the zither and the beauty, Jia Lian felt that the three round tables were not in line with the elegant style, so he waved his hand and ordered all the round tables to be removed and replaced with high tables.

So all the maids and servants in the yard worked together, and even the masters and daughters helped, and soon all the tables and benches were removed and replaced with high tables surrounding the sides.

When everything was ready, everyone sat down again.

Seeing the peerless beauty slowly walking in from outside the hall holding a zither, everyone sighed, "As expected of Second Brother Lian, she is more elegant and knowledgeable than others.

Although I just replaced the table with a high table, it suddenly felt like a gathering of literati, and even I almost felt like a scholar myself. "

"Don't think so. You are a gentleman..."

"Ha ha……"

"Come on, I finally understand. You just dislike the tacky look of my decoration, right?" Feng Jie, who was sitting on Jia Lian's right, pretended to be displeased, which naturally led to the collective apologies of the sisters-in-law.

Then she waved her hand and said generously that it was okay, saying that she was just an ordinary person and did ordinary things.

Daiyu, who was sitting on Jia Lian's left, looked at Feng Jieer who was chatting and laughing, and admired her open-minded nature.

As the hall was not very big, there were three high tables at the front, on which she, Jia Lian and Sister Feng sat.

She didn't want to sit here at first, but the sisters laughed and forced her to sit here.

At this moment, she looked around and saw that on the side where she was making her move, facing the courtyard, were Baochai, Xiuyan and Xiangyun, and on the other side were Yingchun, Jia Baoyu and Tanxi.

The sisters and brothers sat on both sides, only she and Feng Jieer sat high beside Jia Lian. Looking at the wealth in the hall and the peerless beauty sitting slowly in the courtyard, setting up the zither and preparing to play the music, at this moment, Daiyu suddenly adapted to her role. (End of this chapter)