Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 316 Failed Complaint

Although Jia Lian said this, Xue Pan didn't think he could convince his mother. However, he didn't have a better way. He originally wanted to stop her, but now it seemed that he couldn't stop her.

The Xue family suffered a loss because of their identity as a businessman. Even if Xue Pan could set up his own business, it would be difficult to change the situation where the Xue family's development had already reached its ceiling.

Being a businessman plus being rich is the original sin! So after earning money, private businessmen either buy land or hide their money.

The Xue family, who did not have sufficient social status and were very rich, became more and more panicked the more successful their business was. They temporarily got rid of the crisis by obtaining the status of imperial merchant, but the title of Ziwei Sheren was not passed down, and without this status, the crisis would always exist. Merchants had few channels to change their fate, and the Xue family had few choices. One was to take back the title of Ziwei Sheren, and the other was to become a relative by marriage.

If you can't have either of these two, no matter how much money you make, it will be saved for others.

Considering that the Xue family and the Wang family are relatives by marriage, Jia Lian gave another idea: "Why not write a letter to General Wang and ask his opinion before making a decision."

Xue Pan was a little resistant to this idea. After all, as for the imperial merchant's affairs, the Xue family took the money but did nothing.

Seeing that he was hesitant, Jia Lian added, "General Wang is not like the other members of the Wang family. Just write the letter."

Although Xue Pan didn't quite understand Jia Lian's meaning, he still nodded and said, "Then let's do as Brother Lian wishes."

After saying this, Xue Pan, who had something on his mind, hurriedly said goodbye. Jia Rong was not in a hurry to leave. After seeing him off, he came back and asked, "Second uncle, why don't you introduce Xue Pan to the Third Prince?"

Jia Lian glared at him gently, "What are you thinking? You are going too far by coming out to cooperate with the Third Prince. Do you really think that Long Jinwei is blind? Or do you think that it is invisible? In the battle for the crown prince, you must not take sides. It is a small matter for you to cooperate with the Third Prince on a small scale, but bringing Xue Pan along is the same as taking sides. Your Majesty is in the prime of his life, what good can you get from taking sides?"

"How come I am not taking sides?" Jia Rong was not objecting, he was just simply curious.

"If I don't take sides, the Jia family won't take sides." Jia Lian said confidently, and Jia Rong thought there was nothing wrong with it, so he nodded. Yes, who am I? The Ningguo Mansion is already a fourth-rank official above me. According to the court system, if His Majesty does not show mercy, the Ningguo Mansion of the sixth generation will be a blank slate family. When I look at the plaque of the Ningguo Mansion again, it will be so ironic.

"Second uncle, what you mean is that you are more optimistic about the Third Prince, and maybe the Ningguo Mansion will be able to rise again in the future?" Jia Rong's understanding could not be said to be wrong, it could only be said to be somewhat interesting.

Judging from information from various sources, Emperor Chenghui has always appreciated the Second Prince more, and the court officials are more submissive to the order of seniority, and there will be no officials who would cause trouble by taking advantage of the seniority.

But what Jia Lian saw was a Second Prince who was completely led astray by the civil officials, was still very soft-hearted, and was flattered without knowing the right direction. Disappointing Emperor Chenghui again and again, no matter how many good impressions he had, would be completely worn away. Even if he was his biological father, he couldn't cover up too many disappointments.

"Don't think too much. The Jia family has me. But you have to be careful about the Xue family. Don't offend the Wang family because of the Xue family. After all, Aunt Xue's purpose of marrying there is that Wang Taiwei wants to use the Xue family as a money bag. With Wang Ziteng here, it's okay to cooperate with the Xue family in business, but it's not right to fall in love with others. As for Aunt Xue's desire to marry into the Jia family, Wang Ziteng will probably stop her if he knows about it."

The author of Dream of the Red Chamber wrote those girls so well, probably intending that none of those beautiful girls would have a happy ending. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste of time?
Sometimes it’s a bit of a pity for Jia Lian as he traveled through time a little too early. Many characters in the book are still children.

Seeing Jia Rong in deep thought, Jia Lian changed the subject: "How is the situation in the East Palace? I heard that you haven't been home much recently. I'm worried that your wife won't let you go to bed."

Jia Rong immediately acted annoyed and said vaguely, "Everything is fine at home. Thank you for your concern, uncle."

Even though the East Palace and the West Palace are connected, Jia Lian is really helpless in many things and can only watch.

"Okay, you can handle your family's affairs yourself. If your father wants to make things difficult for others, just come and talk to me." Jia Lian was not just offering empty words of comfort, he still supported her.

Jia Lian, who slacked off at work and left early as usual, returned home. Wang Xifeng was still serving Jia's mother. Jia Lian first took a shower and then changed into a cool outfit.

After cleaning up, Jia Lian went to see his daughter, who was now fast asleep, with a maid watching her and the wet nurse also able to take a break.

Speaking of which, my daughter's treatment is better than mine, with a team of four maids, four old women, and a nanny.

Seeing that there was still time, Jia Lian went to the study. Xiangling was writing with a serious face. The study was a little hot without ice, and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

After standing behind and watching for a long time, Xiangling finally realized that Jia Lian had come. She quickly put down her writing brush and said, "Oh, Second Master, you came and didn't say anything. Go get some ice cubes." Then she ran away. Jia Lian couldn't help but smile when he saw her. That was good. She wasn't shy at all. But why did she have to go get some ice cubes when there was no ice cubes? Could it be that someone was making things difficult for her?

After waiting for a while, Xiangling came back, followed by a maid, carrying a bucket of ice. She opened the ice jar and poured the ice in. After the maid left, Xiangling approached the ice jar, unbuttoned one button of her collar, raised her hand to fan herself, and said with a happy smile: "It's too hot today, Second Master should come to the study more often."

Jia Lian asked calmly, "Why, they don't let you use ice?"

Xiangling thought without thinking: "Ice cubes are for the master. There is no reason for a servant to use ice cubes. Even Steward Lin doesn't dare to use ice cubes without permission. At most, he drinks a bowl of iced sour plum soup at noon every day."

I see, it's not that someone is deliberately making things difficult for him, it's just the rules in the Jia family. Jia Lian didn't intend to break the rules, so let it be. But Xiangling was wronged in the study.

When he picked up the writing on the desk to read it, Xiangling quickly snatched it away and said, "It's not finished yet. Read it after you finish writing it."

Jia Lian asked curiously, "What are you writing?" Xiangling said shyly, "When Miss Lin was here, I learned to write poetry from her. Now I can't write well. I will ask for advice from Miss Lin when she comes. I will show it to you when I finish writing." Speaking of writing poetry, Jia Lian remembered that Xiangling had indeed learned to write poetry.

"No one comes to this study room usually, so you don't have to dress so neatly." Jia Lian thought he should untie her to prevent her from getting too hot.

"That's not good. The maid is already wearing thin summer clothes. If she wears less, it will break the rules. Second Madam doesn't allow the maids in the backyard to expose their bodies recklessly, so as not to pollute Second Master's eyes. I heard from a few sisters outside that the wife of Bao Er in front wears less and attracts many men. As long as Bao Er has wine to drink, he doesn't care about that."

Uh, I didn't expect Xiangling to be gossipy. How come this Bao Er's wife looks so familiar? Oh, Duo girl.

Speaking of Miss Duo and Jia Lian, there is a considerable amount of description about them in the original novel, which also involves a tuft of hair discovered by Ping'er.

In the original novel, Jia Lian is not picky about food. He first ate Duo Girl and then kept You Erjie. Well, You Erjie and You Sanjie are good. We can't let them live in the East Mansion. If they really come, we should find a house outside to live in, so that Jia Zhen won't have any bad thoughts.

Alas, other people who travel through the Red Mansion are wandering around with all kinds of flowers, but I have to work hard for this family. I am so miserable!
In the future, you should work less, enjoy life more, appreciate beauty more, and have a few more pretty maids around you, otherwise wouldn’t it be a waste of time?

Look at how much fun Jia Baoyu has. I'm really crying!

When Jia Lian was lost in thought, Ping Er came in and saw Jia Lian in a daze. She came over and whispered, "Second Master, Second Madam is back and is waiting to have dinner with us."

Jia Lian came to his senses and said, not seeing Xiangling, "When it gets really hot next time, you and Guixiang can go to the study to cool off. Just tell them that I asked you to use the ice cubes."

Ping'er laughed and said, "Second Master is partial to Xiang, so just say it directly. He has to talk about Mai Zi and Sister Guixiang." Jia Lian, who heard the sour taste, didn't mind it. He smiled and reached out to hug her. Ping'er dodged nimbly and said, "Don't try to coax me. Go and coax Second Madam."

"Why, are you angry again?" Jia Lian was in no hurry to leave, but stopped to ask.

Ping Er said, "Second Madam won't let me tell you." Jia Lian took advantage of her unpreparedness, hugged her and sat her on a chair, and asked, "Tell the truth, or I'll beat you with a stick."

Ping'er looked back at the door nervously. When she found no one outside, she twisted her waist and found a comfortable angle to sit. "When I was serving lunch to the old lady at noon, the second wife mentioned that there was not enough ice this year and it might not last through the dog days. She might have to spend money to buy some. Mrs. Wang replied that there was enough ice in previous years."

Jia Lian understood that there was a conflict between the aunt and nephew, but it was not a big one: "Well, I understand."

Ping'er in his arms was pushed up, and she twisted her waist and stood up, her face flushed, "It's time to go back, or you'll be a punching bag if you go back too late."

I have to say, Ping'er has an amazing waist, neither Wang Xifeng nor Guixiang can compare to her.

Jia Lian got up and went out. When he returned to the main hall, he saw Wang Xifeng scolding the maid: "You are always forgetful. What use are you?" He coughed quickly and Wang Xifeng stopped. Jia Lian came in and took a look at the little maid who was crying with her head down. He said: "Go down. You have nothing to do now."

The little maid didn't dare to move. She looked at Wang Xifeng and was scolded again, "Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what the second master said?" The little maid then ran away as if to escape.

Jia Lian came closer, picked up a palm-leaf fan and fanned Wang Xifeng, saying lightly: "Why don't you lower your voice a little, don't wake the girl up."

Wang Xifeng felt relieved after being slapped, and her anger subsided a lot. She couldn't help complaining, "The family only has so much income every year, and the expenses are not enough every year. If it weren't for the money that Master was making outside, the family's savings wouldn't last for three to five years. Master has done so many things, but nothing good has come out of it. Humph! You act as if I don't know that the Lin family doesn't like Baoyu and suspects Master is interfering."

Jia Lian understood that Mrs. Wang's attacks were aimed at him. In the original novel, Jia's mother fell in love with Daiyu, but Mrs. Wang fell in love with Baochai.

Well, it’s not a big problem. After all, Lin Ruhai has a high status, and the Xue family is not as famous as the Lin family.

If Baoyu really married Daiyu, with Lin Ruhai's support, even if Baoyu did not inherit the title and was not good at studying, it would not be difficult for him to donate money to get an official position.

Also, I used to think that Jia Zheng’s refusal to be sent out was a personal problem, but now I suddenly feel that maybe he was preventing Jia She from stealing his house.

Forget it, let’s not bother with these trivial matters.

"You, being angry will hurt your liver. It's not worth getting angry about such a small thing. By the way, did the old lady say anything?" Jia Lian asked casually.

Wang Xifeng shook her head: "The old lady didn't say anything. I don't know what she was thinking."

Jia Lian said calmly, "This Rongguo Mansion is just a treasure for someone. If the master is in a bad mood one day, he can just move out."

Now it was Wang Xifeng's turn to be anxious: "No, that won't do. This is the inheritance that Master deserves. It's such a big house. Master is willing to give it up, but I am not."

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Well, Jia is lucky to have married a daughter-in-law from the Gu family."

As she spoke, she hugged him. Wang Xifeng saw that the maids and servants all lowered their heads. She struggled a few times in shame and said, "Don't make trouble. Everyone is watching us. How can this be proper?"

Wang Xifeng is still a conservative at heart. She is not used to being too intimate in front of others, especially when Jia Lian put his face close to her, which makes her body weak and her face hot.

"Okay, I'm all sweaty and haven't washed myself yet. Don't make me dirty." Wang Xifeng finally broke free to take a shower. It was already dark, and she didn't plan to go over.

Jia Lian was actually quite helpless about the affairs of the Jia family. As long as Grandmother Jia was still alive, he could only maintain the status quo. Otherwise, Grandmother Jia would lose face and shout that Jia Lian was unfilial. That would be bad.

Since you suspect that I am behind this, then just make it clear so that you don't have to take the blame for nothing.

Perhaps Jia Lian's tenderness worked, for Wang Xifeng was particularly submissive in the evening and fully met Jia Lian's requirements.

Jia Lian did not mention the affairs of the Xue family to Wang Xifeng, so it was fine for him to pretend that he knew nothing about it.

The next day, after Jia Lian successfully slacked off for the day, he went to the Lin family after get off work.

Lin Ruhai, who has been busy rectifying the Inspectorate recently, has not returned. It is said that he is in a meeting again. It seems like 996.

Daiyu went out to greet them happily as usual. When Jia Lian came in and saw Jia Min, he complained: "Aunt rejected the old ancestor's idea, and Second Aunt thought I was the one who was making trouble and ruining Baoyu's good fortune."

Daiyu jumped up when she heard this: "How can this be? Their Baoyu is the one who keeps hanging around the maids asking for rouge all day long. Doesn't he know that?"

Jia Min frowned slightly as she listened, and suddenly she covered her stomach, "Oh, oh, I'm about to give birth, go and call your uncle back quickly."

Everything had been prepared at home. With a shout, the midwife came out immediately, and the maids and old women rushed over.

Daiyu was getting anxious, so Jia Lian comforted her, "Don't worry, Aunt gave birth to both babies and everything is fine. I'll go find Uncle."

Lin Ruhai was actually working overtime in the Inspectorate. When Jia Lian arrived, a meeting was in progress. Several senior officials were there, discussing how to rectify discipline.

Jia Lian pushed open the door with a bang and said, "My aunt is about to give birth, why are we still holding a meeting?"

Lin Ruhai was about to speak and was about to get angry, but Jia Lian stopped him with a word. He stood up and said, "Everyone, let's discuss this tomorrow. I'm leaving now."

After saying this, he left in a hurry. Jia Lian hurriedly followed him back. When he arrived at the Lin family's house, he did not go in and said, "Uncle, I will go and inform my family."

Having said that, he hurried back to the Jia Mansion. When he entered the door, he couldn't help but sigh, hoping that today's complaint would not be a failure!

(End of this chapter)