Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 11 First Hint

Jia Lian was unaware of the many cunning thoughts women possessed, and he couldn't explain it to Wang Xifeng in detail. Faced with Wang Xifeng's suspicion, he simply said, "I have my own reasons."

Wang Xifeng was not about to agree to that, and immediately replied with a forced smile, "Everyone says Yangzhou is the most bustling and prosperous place in the world. I'm afraid you've already planned how you'll seek pleasure and are worried that you don't have enough money, so you're asking me to prepare some in advance?"

Jia Lian raised an eyebrow: "Is that how you see me?"

"Otherwise what? Everyone in both mansions knows about Second Master Lian's womanizing ways."

Jia Lian sighed inwardly, realizing that once trust between people is lost, it is very difficult to rebuild.

"Forget it, I can't be bothered to argue with you. If you're not going to give it to me, then forget it."

He had no choice but to learn from his predecessor's shrewdness in embezzling funds. Fortunately, he had intentionally requested more from the budget beforehand, hoping to save some money on this trip and retain a considerable amount...

Seeing that Jia Lian had no intention of persisting, Wang Xifeng was somewhat unable to grasp Jia Lian's thoughts.

Remembering the wonderful night they had spent together, and not wanting to embarrass Jia Lian too much, she asked, "How much do you want?"

"Give me a thousand taels first..."

Wang Xifeng almost sneered out loud, looking at Jia Lian as if he were a fool.

"A thousand taels? Master Lian really doesn't know the cost of living when you're not in charge of the household. My monthly salary is only five taels of silver. Where am I supposed to get a thousand taels of silver for you right now?"

In response to Wang Xifeng's sarcasm, Jia Lian retorted irritably, "We're all people who know our place. What's the point of you saying that? Do you think I don't know that a few taels of silver a month has never been a concern for you, Second Mistress Feng?"

The Wang and Jia families were both among the four great families of Jinling. Putting aside the dowry that Wang Xifeng brought with her, in the two years since she married into the family, she has taken advantage of her position as the head of the household to earn countless extra incomes, both inside and outside the home. Coupled with the rewards she received from her elders, it was far more than just five taels of silver a month.

Furthermore, Jia Lian's savings and income had previously all fallen into Wang Xifeng's hands. Only in the last year or so did Jia Lian begin to scheme and intentionally separate his accounts from Wang Xifeng's so that he could have more money to spend on wine and theater.

Therefore, at this time, Wang Xifeng had at least seven or eight thousand taels of silver in hand, not to mention anything else!

"Twenty taels is all we have, no more!" Wang Xifeng said solemnly.

Jia Lian then said no more.

Twenty taels, is that how you're going to get rid of Granny Liu?

Because I was about to leave after I finished dressing.

Perhaps not wanting their friendship to dissipate overnight, Wang Xifeng barely managed to suppress her displeasure. Ignoring the fact that she hadn't changed her clothes yet, she jumped down and grabbed Jia Lian: "You suddenly want so much money? You have to give me a reason, otherwise how can I give it to you? At this rate, even if the family had a million in assets, it wouldn't be enough for you!"

For once, Wang Xifeng started to reason with him.

Jia Lian thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Tell me, are you truly willing to manage the household in this mansion for the rest of your life?"

"Otherwise what? Are you willing to go back over there?"

Wang Xifeng even retorted with a question.

Indeed, in Wang Xifeng's eyes, even if it was just acting as a housekeeper, it was ten times better here than in the east wing!

Not only did she have to serve the incompetent and immoral Jia She and Madam Xing over there, but the property on that small plot of land was entirely controlled by Jia She, leaving no share for anyone else. She would rather die than go back there.

To be honest, that was her and Jia Lian's home.

This was actually Jia Lian's idea before. It has to be said that on this point, the couple could completely reach a consensus.

Jia Lian continued, "Have you considered that Madam relies on you so much now, but what about the future? In a few years, when Baoyu grows up and gets married, and the new Baoyu's wife enters the family, do you think Madam will still let you continue managing the household?"

Wang Xifeng was taken aback and looked at Jia Lian.

She understood what Jia Lian meant; she was just puzzled by his tone.

"It's admirable that you've thought this far ahead. If things really come to that, and Madam doesn't want me to manage the household anymore, I might have no choice but to go back to your place and live that impoverished life. Alas, since I've followed you in this life, I'll follow you wherever you go. Wherever you go, I'll go. Is there any reason for me to complain?" Wang Xifeng sighed.

That docile and easygoing tone really did give her the air of a virtuous wife and loving mother.

Jia Lian laughed, "What, haven't you ever thought about taking over from Madam and becoming the true mistress of this mansion?"

Wang Xifeng frowned deeply. "What nonsense are you spouting? What true mistress of the house? This household's property will naturally belong to Baoyu in the future. What does it have to do with me?"

"Oh, Baoyu's? That's not necessarily true..."

Seeing that Jia Lian didn't seem to be joking, Wang Xifeng finally realized the seriousness of the problem.

She suddenly tensed up, glanced instinctively at the door twice, and then grabbed Jia Lian's arm tightly: "You, you want to compete with Baoyu for this part of the family property?"

"What, you think it's not okay?"

In terms of lineage, we are the eldest son. In terms of legal system, we inherit the titles from our ancestors.

Tell me, to whom should this Rongguo Mansion's estate belong?

Wang Xifeng's pupils widened in shock.

To her, Jia Lian's words were like a thunderclap out of nowhere.

The reasoning seems to have some merit, but it is seriously inconsistent with the current situation!

Jia Zheng and Jia She had actually separated their households! The accounts in this mansion and those in the east wing had long been separated, and Jia Zheng had been the owner of this house for more than ten years!

Regardless of any past grievances or entanglements, those are matters of the previous generation, and Jia She's defeat in the division of the family property is already a foregone conclusion.

Even Jia She, an elder with a first-rank noble title, could not change this fact. So how could these younger generations possibly reverse the situation after so many years?

Although she knew in her heart that it was impossible, Wang Xifeng was still stirred up by Jia Lian's words and had boundless delusions.

As a woman with an insatiable thirst for power, how could she not want to become the true mistress of this vast Duke's mansion, just like Madam Wang? But she hadn't dared to think about it before, not only because things were already a done deal, but also because she felt that even if they were given the chance, they wouldn't be able to compete.

With their meager resources—an old drunkard and lecher, a young lecher, and a useless Madam Xing—how could they possibly be a match for the old lady, uncle, and aunt?

"Are you serious? Is this your idea, or the master's?"

Wang Xifeng became anxious.

Although she was somewhat loyal to Lady Wang, she couldn't help but seriously consider the possibilities when faced with the temptations of power and wealth.

She felt that if Jia She really wanted to take back the family business, there might actually be a chance to succeed.

Although Jia She was incompetent, the ancestral titles he held were genuine.

If only, if only we can wait until the old lady passes away and the master is no longer oppressive, we might actually be able to take back this family fortune by brute force.

Seeing Wang Xifeng getting anxious, Jia Lian laughed again.

He glanced at Wang Xifeng, who was in such a hurry to get out of bed that she was poorly dressed, wearing only a bright red bodice and a pair of loose and thin pajama bottoms, with even her undergarments vaguely visible.

The refreshing and cool flavor of this spicy pepper is simply irresistible.

Because of time constraints, Jia Lian dared not examine the matter too closely and could only say, "I was just asking you casually. Who can say for sure what the future holds?"

Now you just need to serve the old lady well, establish a firm foothold in this household, and it's best not to reveal a single word of what I told you today.

In a year or two, our family will have another momentous occasion, and the power and influence of my husband and wife will be even greater. Those other ideas will then be even less likely to come true.

Jia Lian was referring to the matter of Yuan Chun being made a concubine.

Jia Zheng was originally a court official, and Lady Wang was the legitimate daughter of the Wang family and the younger sister of Wang Ziteng, the military governor of the capital. This couple already suppressed Jia She and his wife to the point that they could not breathe.

When Yuan-chun is made a concubine, or even a noble concubine, Jia Zheng and Lady Wang's status will become even more esteemed and their position will naturally become more secure.

If you want to kick the Imperial Concubine's birth mother and father out of the house, you have to ask the Imperial Concubine for permission first!

Perhaps this was a defensive move made by Jia Zheng and his wife to prevent Jia She from rekindling his desire to divide the family property after the death of the matriarch, Grandmother Jia. As it turned out, this move not only succeeded but was also more perfect than expected.

Jia Zheng, truly a winner in life...