The Splendor of the Red Chamber

After all, Grandmother Jia was getting old and her energy was waning. Coupled with the commotion that morning, she unconsciously showed signs of fatigue after dealing with Qin Keqing's matter.

Upon seeing this, Jia She and Jia Zheng quickly rose and led the group to take their leave.

After leaving the old lady's main room, Wang Xifeng apologized to the elders, saying that she needed to make arrangements in advance so that Qin Keqing could be brought to the mansion in the afternoon.

Then he took Ping'er and two maids and went ahead.

Seeing this, Jia Lian quickly bowed to the elders and followed them out.

When he caught up with Wang Xifeng, he waved to Ping'er and the others, signaling the maids to slow down and keep their distance.

Then Jia Lian lowered his voice and questioned, "You didn't already plan to arrange for Qin Shi to live in Sister-in-law Zhu's courtyard, did you?"

He initially thought that Wang Xifeng had backed down, but it wasn't until she used Li Wan as a shield that he realized something was wrong.

If there's any place in the Rongguo Mansion that Master Lian (Second Master Lian) can't easily go to, then Sister-in-law Zhu's widowed courtyard would definitely be at the top of the list.

"So what if it is?"

Wang Xifeng glanced at Jia Lian and sneered, "I am a soft-hearted woman. I would only do my best to save her from danger. I would never do anything like taking advantage of someone in distress."

"you!"

Jia Lian was speechless for a moment.

Although his initial purpose was revenge, an eye for an eye, his later attempt to take Qin Keqing as his own concubine could not be an exaggeration to say that he harbored malicious intentions and took advantage of her vulnerability.

Just then, Lady Wang's maid, Jin Chuan'er, caught up from behind and said that Second Master Jia Zheng invited Second Master Lian to come over for a talk.

"This isn't over!"

Helpless, Jia Lian could only utter a harsh remark before following Jin Chuan to see his uncle.

This wasn't just Jia Lian making empty promises. Even if it wasn't easy to get close to Zhu Dasao, according to the subsequent plan, Qin Keqing would eventually have to move out and live alone.

When the two of them are out there making love, let's see how this fiery Feng can stop them!

As Wang Xifeng watched Jia Lian's figure disappear around the corner, her face suddenly lit up like a spring breeze and peach blossoms.

"Ping'er!"

She called Ping'er to her side, clutching her handkerchief, unable to contain her emotions: "Did you see that? Our Second Master is really impressive this time. That big screen, I'm afraid even ten people would have a hard time lifting it, but our Second Master can carry it through the house!"

With such robust physique and imposing presence, he truly is a towering hero!

There used to be gossips in the manor saying that our Second Master was irresponsible and didn't do his job properly. Now that he has witnessed such a miracle, who in the entire manor will dare to be disrespectful from now on?!

"You didn't see it? Even the old lady and the second master looked at our master differently just now!"

She first praised Jia Lian highly, then clasped her hands together and repeatedly thanked her ancestors for their blessings.

Ping'er was also proud and happily echoed, "That's right! Judging from what Second Master said, he's probably going to the army to earn an official title for Grandma!"

Wang Xifeng, a woman known for her competitiveness, immediately shook her head upon hearing this, saying, "Do you think that imperial title is easy to earn? Even my uncle narrowly escaped death several times when he was fighting on the frontier."

She frowned and pondered for a moment, then said, "This matter needs to be carefully planned. It would be best if Second Master could be a peaceful and stable official in the Beijing Garrison."

It can only be said that it is true that she is inherently jealous and intolerant, and it is also true that she is deeply in love with Jia Lian. These two aspects complement each other, and without either one, she would not be the fiery and shrewish Feng.

At this moment, Wang Xifeng suddenly remembered something and asked Ping'er, "Have you taken care of the matter I asked you to handle earlier?"

"It's all taken care of."

Ping'er hesitated and said, "But if this happens, I'm afraid Master Zhen will hold a grudge against you."

"So what if you hold a grudge?"

Wang Xifeng sneered disdainfully, "Others may be afraid of Brother Zhen, but I am not! He's the one who's going to do something shameful, and he has the nerve to blame others for stopping him? If he dares to come after me, I'll spit him out!"

Because Jia Zheng's wife, Lady Wang, was her aunt, Fengjie had been moving around the Rong and Ning mansions since childhood. She was used to calling Jia Zhen "elder brother" and "younger sister," a habit that is hard to break even now.

…………

at the same time.

Jia Lian had already arrived in front of Jia Zheng and Lady Wang.

Jia Zheng first showered his nephew with praise, and then lamented the hardships the Rongguo Mansion had endured over the years.

It wasn't until Madam Wang couldn't help but remind him that he finally got to the point: "From what you just said, it seems you're interested in gaining experience in the army, but I don't know your specific plans?"

Jia Lian cupped his hands and said, "Uncle, before officially enlisting, I plan to hone my martial arts skills. Although I have undergone a complete transformation, it will be difficult to stand out in the army if I rely solely on my brute strength."

"Good, good, good, that's the down-to-earth way to do things!"

Jia Zheng was very satisfied with the plan, but then regretfully said, "It's a pity that our family hasn't been active in the military for many years. The family generals that the old master valued back then have all been released, just like the Marquis of Ningyuan during the founding of the dynasty."

When the name "Marquis of Ningyuan" was mentioned, he suddenly became excited: "By the way, why don't you go and become a disciple of Gu Yankai, the Left General of the Eagle Guard of the Marquis of Ningyuan's mansion?"

General Gu once served under your uncle in the Wang family, and it is said that his martial arts skills were passed down from his ancestors—given the friendship between our two families, if you go to him to become his apprentice, he will certainly not hold back any knowledge.”

The first Marquis of Ningyuan was originally a retainer of the Jia family. Later, due to his outstanding martial arts skills, he was selected as the vanguard and followed the two old dukes in their campaigns. With his long spear, he swept across the land and had few rivals.

When the country was founded and titles were conferred, he specially requested the character "Ning" as his title to show that he would not forget his origins.

[PS: The first Duke of Ningguo was the eldest brother and also the head of the Jia clan.]

Jia Lian laughed and said, "That's what I think too. Although the second son of the Gu family is a well-known playboy in the capital, he is one of the best among the younger generation in terms of martial arts. It can be seen that General Gu is quite good at teaching his disciples."

The uncle and nephew chatted animatedly, one sentence after another, while Madam Wang, standing nearby, could hardly contain herself.

"Ahem~"

She cleared her throat and reminded him, "Master, don't forget that the old lady instructed Lian-ge to escort Lin-ya-tou south to visit her relatives."

"this……"

Remembering the old lady's instructions, Jia Zheng frowned slightly and looked at Jia Lian hesitantly.

"uncle."

Jia Lian cupped his hands again and argued his case: "Escorting Lin Daiyu south is certainly important, but the ominous sign of the impending collapse of the great building in my dream is really making me uneasy. So I still want to go to the army to gain experience as soon as possible, so that I can help my uncle support this family."

A round trip to the south would take at least half a year, and if Lin Daiyu were brought back exactly as the old lady wished, it could take a year or two.

Jia Lian, however, feared that time was running out and naturally did not want to waste so much time.

"this……"

Jia Zheng was in an even more difficult position, sighing and hesitating to speak.

Seeing this, Madam Wang pointed out to Jia Lian, "Lian-ge'er, this time it was actually your Uncle Lin who specifically asked you to go. He probably has something to entrust to you."

"Revitalizing the family's reputation is of utmost importance, but your Uncle Lin is now on his deathbed, and his affairs cannot be delayed any longer..."

Lady Wang clearly hoped that Jia Lian would go south.

Because as long as Jia Lian leaves the Rongguo Mansion, she can suppress the influence of the ancestral blessings, so as not to shake Baoyu's auspicious status.

This was the first time Jia Lian had learned of these inside details.

His crisis radar was immediately triggered. His uncle, Lin Ruhai, had been serving as the salt commissioner in Yangzhou for six years, a highly lucrative post. It was said that the salt administration also involved important figures in the imperial court.

Could it be that the Rongguo Mansion's future annihilation is related to the matter entrusted to it by Uncle Lin on his deathbed?

If that's the case, then we must handle it carefully.

Now Jia Lian also began to hesitate.

The uncle and nephew remained silent for a long while before Jia Zheng waved his hand and said, "Go back and rest first. I will consult with the old lady before deciding whether to send you south."