The Zhen family is an aristocratic family through and through, with separate seats inside and outside.
Therefore, after lunch accompanied by Zhen Yingjia and others, Jia Lian prepared to leave.
Before leaving, Zhen Yuhuan's maid came up to him and gave him a gift box.
"Here are early cherries. They are gifts prepared personally by our lady for Mr. Marquis. Please accept them."
Jia Lian recognized Zhen Yuhuan as his god-sister. He also gave Mrs. Zhen a greeting gift before. It was a piece of jade that he wore with him. This was his routine.
Therefore, it is very reasonable for Zhen Yuhuan to return him a gift. Returning such a cherished seasonal fruit to him is neither excessive nor shabby, and it is even more reasonable.
I'm afraid that this may not be Zhen Yuhuan's own intention, but it may be that Mrs. Zhen and others instigated her to do this. Jia Lian always felt that Mrs. Zhen was scheming. Although this time she came to Zhen's house, the Zhen family gave
I received enough courtesy from him, but there was always a feeling in my heart that I was being calculated against.
But it doesn't matter. With the relationship between the two families, unless the Zhen family does something very stupid and affects others, they are the strongest allies. Therefore, even if the Zhen family has some plans to get closer to him,
, it doesn’t matter either.
"After you go back, thank Fourth Sister for your kindness on my behalf. I have other things to do, so I won't make a special trip to ask her to resign. If anything happens in the future, just write to Beijing and let me know."
After receiving Jia Lian's instructions, the maid turned around and ran away in embarrassment.
At this time, Zhen Yutang, who was ordered to escort Jia Lian out, smiled and said: "My fourth sister recognized the second brother Lian as her adopted brother. From then on, the relationship between our two families became closer. If anything happens to us in the future, please ask the second brother Lian."
It’s important that I don’t hesitate to help.”
"Brother Yutang is very polite. With the reputation of the Zhen family, I can help you with anything."
"Second Brother Lian is joking. Although our family is not well-known in Jiangnan, how can we be like Second Brother Lian, who has such a dangerous position among the powerful families in Beijing, even under the disciples of saints. In the future,
I’m afraid there’s still more room for me to look up to Brother Lian.”
Zhen Yutang said pointedly, Jia Lian's expression changed, but seeing that he had no intention of elaborating, he didn't ask any more questions.
Back at Xue's house, the Xue family was busy arranging to recruit servants, shopkeepers, etc. Jia Lian didn't want to get too involved, so he walked to the backyard to look for Daiyu.
Sure enough, as soon as they arrived at the main courtyard, they saw Daiyu, accompanied by Baoqin, and two little girls sitting on the swing, one on the left and one on the right, each holding a book and reading carefully under the pear tree.
The spring breeze blew over their dexterous and peerless faces, occasionally tripping over a few snow-white pear blossoms, making the scene look peaceful and beautiful.
"Second brother Lian!"
Seeing Jia Lian approaching, Xue Baoqin's eyes lit up and he quickly jumped down to greet him with his book in his arms.
Daiyu only glanced at Jia Lian, still sitting swaying, but suddenly closed her pair of legs that she had been kicking casually. And from the look in her eyes, it could be seen that the little girl was not indifferent to his arrival.
So indifferent.
"Brother Lian, have you finished all your things?"
"Um."
Jia Lian brought the gift box that was hidden behind his back to the front and handed it to Bao Qin with a smile.
"what is this."…
Baoqin took the exquisite gift box and was a little curious.
"Wouldn't you know if you took it apart?"
Hearing what Jia Lian said, Bao Qin thought it was a gift Jia Lian bought for them on the street, so he thanked her and immediately carried her back to Dai Yu.
It's not easy for her to open up alone.
Daiyu didn't mind because Jia Lian only brought gifts to Bao Qin and not to her. In fact, she had been smarter than her peers since she was a child, and she had become more mature and steady under Jia Lian's influence over the years.
In addition to being a bit arrogant and petty when getting along with the Sanchun sisters in Rongguo Mansion, and when getting along with Jia Lian in private, he is still very sensible in front of outsiders.
This was mostly due to the fact that Jia Lian took good care of her before and after her life, so that she didn't feel neglected or slighted at all, so she naturally became less sensitive.
Yin helped Bao Qin open the gift box and found that there were two layers of oil paper sandwiched inside the wooden gift box. Inside the oil paper, there were many delicate purple-red cherries.
"Ah, the cherries are so fresh and big."
Xue Baoqin was surprised. She had seen a lot of cherries, but it was hard to see cherries of this quality. It felt like they were specially offered.
Daiyu also took a look at it, but suddenly asked Jia Lian, "Where did your second brother get such good cherries?"
When she just dismantled it, she felt that the gift box did not look like it was packaged by a street vendor because it was too exquisite.
At this time, looking at the fruits inside, they are arranged neatly one by one, and even the fruit handles are placed in the same direction. Daiyu feels that this kind of thing can only be done by ladies who have nothing to do, such as
Herself.
Jia Lian had done nothing wrong, so he was naturally not afraid of Dai Yu's questioning.
He walked to the seat vacated by Xue Baoqin and sat side by side with Daiyu. Then he smiled and said, "Didn't I go to the Zhen family just now? This is a gift from the fourth lady of the Zhen family."
Um, Miss Fourth?
Daiyu's brows furrowed slightly.
Jia Lian turned his head and saw it, and couldn't help but smile in his heart. He took out a cherry from the box Xue Baoqin was holding, threw it into his mouth, ate it, and then explained: "Sister Lin still remembers the two Zhens they met on the street yesterday.
A young master?"
Daiyu said nothing. Of course she remembered. That man looked so much like Jia Baoyu that it was difficult for her to forget.
"Didn't they say at that time that their fourth sister was very similar to you? Today I went over and when I saw you, I was almost frightened. I thought you had sneaked away to their house."
Hearing what Jia Lian said, Daiyu had not yet expressed her stance. Xue Baoqin, who was standing in front of the two of them, couldn't help it and asked curiously: "Is there really such a coincidence? Does the Fourth Miss of the Zhen family really look so similar to Sister Lin?
Even Brother Lian, you almost admitted your mistake?"
Because Jia Lian and Bao Qin were sitting on the swing and Bao Qin was standing alone holding a box, she was very curious and couldn't help but move closer to Jia Lian.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Jia Lian saw that she was very cute and touching when she spoke. He also saw that she kept holding the box and refused to eat. Knowing that she was embarrassed, he picked up a cherry by the handle and fed it.
into her mouth.
He was used to feeding Qingwen and Xiangling like this, and after he finished doing it, he was surprised to find Daiyu watching from the side.
With a glance, it turned out that Daiyu's brows were furrowed, indicating that she was eating something. So he remained calm, immediately picked up another one, and put it to Daiyu's mouth...
Daiyu raised her head and said, "If I want to eat, I can take it myself. You don't have to do anything."
Jia Lian didn't mind and just threw it into his mouth.
Xue Baoqin had just accepted Jia Lian's feeding, and he didn't feel anything at all. Seeing Daiyu's behavior, he felt a little shy, so he immediately raised the box and brought it to Daiyu.
Daiyu didn't want to refute Baoqin's reputation, so she slowly picked up one, but did not rush to put it into her mouth. Instead, she pretended to be casual and asked: "Even if she is born with some similarities to me, how can she be so good?
Did she carefully prepare such a gift for you?
Could it be that, second brother, you have known her before?"
Huh, who would believe that he gave me such a thoughtful gift on the first day we met.
If you don't make it clear, I won't eat it.
If Jia Lian had not fully understood Daiyu's thoughts before, now that he heard this familiar tone, he still didn't understand.
He looked at Daiyu and laughed. When Daiyu gradually understood and became angry, he explained: "Of course I didn't know him before. If I did, I will bring you, Sister Lin, here today.
Let you two take a good look at each other.
As for why she gave gifts, there is indeed a reason."
"What's the reason?" Baoqin, the melon-eater, asked.
Jia Lian turned his head, looked at Daiyu's face seriously, and reached out to lift up a strand of her hair that was messed up by the spring breeze.
"I saw that she was so similar to Sister Lin. When I saw her, it was like seeing Sister Lin, and I felt very fond of her. So I asked her if she would accept me as my godbrother, and she agreed. So, I
I have recognized her as my younger sister. This is her intention as my adopted sister. Does Sister Lin have any questions?"
Daiyu originally wanted to interrogate Jia Lian, but just after one day out, she hooked up with another young lady!
But Jia Lian's sudden actions and loving eyes made her feel very uncomfortable, and her heart was pounding. She couldn't think of anything else. When she heard Jia Lian say again, just because others looked like her, he would
She loved him very much, and felt very ashamed in her heart. In front of Bao Qin, she hurriedly lowered her head and looked at the roots of the old pear tree on the other side.
Although Bao Qin is young, her thoughts are very delicate.
The behavior of Jia Lian and Dai Yu immediately made her realize that Brother Lian and Sister Lin looked like two lovers in a storybook!
But isn't the second brother Lian already married?
Bao Qin had doubts in his heart, but did not show it. He just quietly walked away from Jia Lian and leaned closer to Daiyu to prevent Daiyu from getting jealous. Then he held the box, ate the fruit and watched the show.
But she didn't have time to find out more about the situation, because her mother came over soon.
"The shopkeeper and stewards are all here, and my sister asked me to invite the Marquis."
The second lady is still as slender and tall, with a graceful figure, plump breasts and pert buttocks, and abundant capital. She looks like a leader in fashion when she walks.
"Hey, girl, where did you get this box of fruits? You don't know how to be filial to your mother, so you just eat them by yourself."
"This is from second brother Lian."
The second lady, who had already taken two pills from the box, immediately looked at Jia Lian after hearing this, with a smile in her eyes...
As expected of her hard work last night, Jia Lian started to treat her daughter well. He was really a good man.
In front of Daiyu, Jia Lian didn't dare to meet the second lady's eyes, otherwise Daiyu would see something, which would be devastating. So he nodded slightly, without looking at the second lady, and only gave Daiyu an instruction.
, then got up and walked out.
The second lady hurriedly followed, and thought the cherries were delicious, so she turned around and took a few more, and touched Baoqin's head, "You can't eat alone. I have to give you more, Sister Lin, you know."
"I understand, mother, go quickly."
Baoqin felt a little embarrassed and urged the second lady to leave.
There was no need for the Second Madam to advise her about this kind of thing. She felt that her mother always treated her as an ignorant child, which made her feel uncomfortable many times.
In contrast, aunties respect their children's opinions more.
Seeing the second lady rolling her eyes and then chasing Jia Lian away, Bao Qin said to Dai Yu with some embarrassment: "Sister Lin, don't mind. That's just how my mother is. In fact, she is a very nice person."
When Daiyu heard this, she looked away from the second lady's back and looked at Baoqin.
Like Jia Lian, she felt that Bao Qin's beautiful appearance, which was far superior to that of other girls in the world, was derived from her mother.
What's rare is that since her mother is a concubine, she seems so casual and has a good attitude at home.
This was different from the aunts and elders she had met before.
Apart from anything else, the concubines of the two uncles in the Rongguo Mansion each had their own hardships. She didn't want to mention the concubines of the eldest uncle, but only talked about the decent second uncle, his two concubines, and Aunt Zhou all year round.
No one can be seen, and he is like an invisible man in the house.
Sister Tanchun's mother, Aunt Zhao, was also hated by everyone, and she was also a powerful and carefree person, so Daiyu didn't think highly of her.
Even his father's two concubines were very cautious in front of their father and mother, and did not dare to say anything wrong...
She originally thought that those were all the living conditions of a concubine, but it wasn't until she came to the Xue family that she suddenly discovered that a concubine could also live such a free and easy life.
"Sister Qin, has the relationship between your mother and your aunt always been so good?"
"Yes, as long as I can remember, my mother and my aunt have always had a very good relationship... I know what you mean, Sister Lin. Our family is different. Anyway, I have never seen my aunt bully my mother.
"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Daiyu knew as soon as she heard that Baoqin had misunderstood her, and quickly explained: "Girl Qin, don't mind, I didn't mean that."
Bao Qin shook his head indifferently and said with a smile: "Sister Lin, you don't need to explain, I understand everything. Come, let's eat the fruit."
As Baoqin handed the box to Daiyu, she pulled the rope and sat on the swing again. Then the two little girls continued to talk privately about the little sisters while enjoying the fruit.
…
Under the Xue family hall, the entire Xue family, the main shopkeepers and stewards in Jinling City gathered.
At this time, they were all a little uneasy.
Just because, at this time, there was a neat circle of officers and soldiers standing around the compound.
These officers and soldiers were not only wearing armor and carrying swords, but they also stared at them fiercely, as if they would come up and chop them if they dared to make the slightest move...
Those who are slaves of the Xue family and have evil thoughts in their hearts are naturally very guilty and afraid.
Even those shopkeepers who are no longer slaves can't help but worry.
They are not slaves of the Xue family. According to royal law, the Xue family has no right to lynch them. But the Xue family is one of the four major families in the old capital. Once this kind of family is offended, there are many ways to deal with them.
Yes.
I can't help but wonder in my heart, is the mistress of the Xue family really stupid and really wants people from the Xue family to replace them?
If that's the case, just watch, in a few years, the Xue family's fortune will be divided up!
Not long after, I suddenly saw a young and handsome man slowly walking out of the hall.
Behind him were the second wife of the Xue family and the eldest son Xue Biao.
Without waiting for them to salute, the officers and soldiers lined up neatly around them shouted in unison: "See you, Lord Marquis!"
Everyone was startled. One was because of the loud and deafening voices of these officers and soldiers, and the other was naturally because of their names.
I didn’t say it, but the Marquis must be referring to the young man in front of me.
Everyone involuntarily bent down a little.
"Let me first introduce that I, the second-class Zhenyuan Marquis Jia Lian, come from the Rongguo Mansion in the middle of Beijing.
As members of the Xue family, you must all know the relationship between the Xue family and our Rongguo Mansion.
For those who don’t know, I can say it again. The head wife of your Xue family is the direct sister of my wife, the head wife of Rongguo Mansion.
Moreover, my wife and your wife also have the same surname, and she is your wife's direct niece.
Because of these two levels of relationship, I can call your wife either aunt or aunt.
I said this, do you understand?"
At this time, most of the people in the compound were people who held important positions in the Xue family's property. Naturally, there was no one who did not understand the situation of the Xue family.
Everyone who had expected such a terrifying formation today, but then heard Jia Lian's opening, immediately became more sure that something big was going to happen today.
The smart ones immediately stepped forward with a smile and began to flatter and get closer.
Jia Lian interrupted them, "As the saying goes, the state has national laws, and families have family rules. Some people have been slaves for a long time, and they think they are their masters. Maybe they just think that the real master is far away in Beijing, and they can't take care of the south, so they don't treat the master as his own.
If you take it seriously, you will become more courageous and dare to try whatever you should and shouldn't do."
As soon as Jia Lian said this, many people's expressions changed and they began to cry out for injustice.
Jia Lian raised his hand and pressed it, and then a neat shout came from the surrounding area:
"quiet."
Everyone was too frightened to say anything.
"I don't care which of you are wronged, these are things your wife should consider.
I am here today just because it is inconvenient for your wife to go back to the south to take care of these troublesome things in person, so she asked me to help her clean up the atmosphere and rectify corruption.
Are there any of you who are dissatisfied with this and feel that I am not qualified to interfere in the Xue family's affairs? If so, you can stand up now."
Everyone in the Xue family looked at each other. In this situation, no one dared to stand up.
This is the wife's niece-in-law, and she came here on the order of the wife. Not to mention, he is still a dignified marquis, and he also comes with soldiers. It is obvious that following the other party's wishes at this time, it is possible to get a
Good death.
If you dare to stand up and oppose, you may live or die.
There are only a few stupid people who can reach this position. No matter how stupid you are, if others don't dare to stand out, no one will dare to stand out.
"Very good. In that case, I don't need to talk nonsense and directly announce the results of your wife's treatment."
As Jia Lian spoke, he took out a pamphlet directly from his arms, glanced at the people with sweaty foreheads, and read slowly:
"Xue Family Pawnshop, the general manager of Jinling City, Zhang Decheng, pretended to be a public benefit for personal gain, made false accounts indiscriminately, and allowed his subordinates to extort people's property, which ruined the reputation of the Xue Family Pawnshop. He was removed from the position of general manager and replaced by Ding, the manager of the Bell Tower West Street Pawn Shop.
Chun serves as the general manager.
I remember that Zhang Decheng has been the shopkeeper of the Xue family for more than ten years. He has done little merit and has a staff of sixty. If he pays a fine of three thousand taels of silver within three days, he will not be sent to the government."
"Ye Dazhuang, the shopkeeper of the Xue family cloth shop... has a staff of eighty, takes back the family property, and sells the dental shop as a family of five."
"The general manager of the Xue family's seven grain stores in Jinling City... has a forty stick. If you pay a fine of eight hundred taels of silver within three days, you will be merciful and not be sent to the government."