Chapter 502 The Second Lady’s Feet

“The family is in trouble, making the Marquis a joke.”

Looking at the always arrogant tribesmen, being escorted by Jia Lian’s soldiers Next, he left honestly and dejectedly. Mr. Zhuang couldn't hide his envy.

This is the current situation of the Xue family. The main body is weak. Not only the servants and shopkeepers below are not afraid, but even the clan members are stepping on them.

Jia Lian shook his head and asked Mr. Zhuang with a slight smile: "Did your wife really ask me to help scare the greedy shopkeepers and waiters?"

Jia Lian wanted to know if this was Zhuang's excuse just to give him a legitimate excuse to interfere in the Xue family's affairs, or if it was something else. Because he was sure that before leaving Beijing, Aunt Xue just asked him to bring a letter from home. He also sent someone to deliver it to the Xue family when he went to Jinling last time to mobilize troops.

Who knew Mr. Zhuang would actually laugh.

"Don't blame Mr. Hou, this is indeed what our wife meant. However, our wives know that Mr. Hou has important responsibilities, and they don't know whether he is free. We dare not disturb him because of trivial matters at home. The itinerary of the Marquis was arranged, so I did not entrust it to the Marquis personally.

I just told me in the letter that if there are any troubles that are difficult to solve, and the Marquis happens to be in Jinling, you might as well ask me Please help me.”

It turns out that Aunt Xue also knew that there would be some trouble in the family if the second master of the Xue family died. But she was so determined to move her family to the capital, so naturally she wouldn't give up halfway and come back to solve these problems.

So just a few stewards were sent down to convey the new appointments and arrangements. But a slave is a slave. He is useful to his servants, but he is almost useless to those in the clan. He can only let the Zhuang family coordinate the response.

I also know that Mr. Zhuang is a person who is used to taking things easy, so he is afraid that he will not be able to compete with those in the family. Just as Jia Lian was about to go to Jiangnan, she got some ideas.

Jia Lian’s identity and ability are unquestionable in Aunt Xue’s eyes. If Jia Lian is willing to lend a helping hand, even if he just stands behind Mr. Zhuang, he can scare Xiao Xiao.

That’s why she specifically asked Jia Lian to help deliver the message, that is, to let Jia Lian go to Xue’s house to give Zhuang and others a chance to ask for help. Otherwise, a letter can be delivered by just sending a servant, so why bother asking Jia Lian for help?

Who knew that Jia Lian had no time to go to Xue’s house that day, so he only sent someone to deliver it.

This is actually a consideration that Aunt Xue did not directly entrust. He knew that Jia Lian was on the imperial mission and did not dare to trouble Jia Lian casually. If Jia Lian did not plan to go to Jinling at all, she would naturally be embarrassed to ask Jia Lian to make a special trip for her. But if Jia Lian arrived in Jinling City, based on her understanding of Jia Lian, I don't mind helping you with this.

Jia Lian also smiled. He could easily figure out Aunt Xue's plan. To be honest, he was very satisfied with Aunt Xue's behavior.

In fact, even if Aunt Xue bluntly asked him to come to Xue's house when he was in the capital, he would not refuse. After all, such a small thing is just a piece of cake for him, but no one likes to be treated as such. Free labor, always pushing the limits.

Aunt Xue’s approach can be summed up in one point: if you have time, please help me. If you don’t have time, forget it.

"You ladies are really too polite. We are all close relatives, and we should help each other.

" Well, if my aunt wants me to do anything, just say it. That’s right.”

Aunt Xue, mother and son, are as high as the sky as the emperor is far away, and it is inevitable that the people below will be rampant. All they need to do is hammer and hammer, which is really a piece of cake for him. As for how effective it would be and how long it would last, that was not something he should consider.

In the end, it is up to the Xue family to find a way to overcome the current difficult situation of the Xue family. An outsider can help him for a while, but not forever.

Seeing Jia Lian agreeing to help without hesitation, Mr. Zhuang also seemed very happy. However, she did not tell her plans immediately. Instead, she said that it was getting late and she had already ordered people to prepare a dinner. She would discuss everything at the table.

Jia Lian did not refuse. In fact, he brought Daiyu over in the afternoon just to have a meal. Since it is just a leisurely stroll, it is natural that the process of visiting relatives and friends and eating for free will be considered complete.

Soon it was dinner time. When Jia Lian was led by Xue Biao to the Xue family dining room, Xue Baoqin also appeared with Daiyu.

After greeting each other, Jia Lian saw that Daiyu’s face was flushed and there was a slight sweat on her forehead. Jia Lian helped her lift a few bangs on her forehead and asked with a smile: "You and Qin What have you done, girl? Look at your blushing face."

In front of the Xue family, Daiyu was a little embarrassed, took a step back and whispered: "I didn't do anything, just in Lihua. I played on the swing under the tree for a while..."

Jia Lian was in a daze, and then he remembered that it was the season when peach and plum blossoms were blooming, and he thought about the two rare and beautiful girls Daiyu and Baoqin, in the pear blossoms. What a beautiful scene it would be to swing under the tree, accompanied by the spring breeze and the fragrance of flowers, and the snow-white pear blossoms scattered all over the ground.

It’s a pity that he couldn’t see such a scene.

So I asked Daiyu if she liked to play on the swing. Daiyu did not answer directly. The swing is a game that every girl of this age likes. However, Daiyu has been living with Jia Mu in Rongguo Mansion, but it is not like she is with her parents, and she can ask for whatever she wants.

　Perhaps girls playing on swings are not respectful enough, so girls in the Jia family basically do not have this entertainment facility.

On the other hand, after the Sanchun sisters moved out of Mrs. Jia’s courtyard, they lived alone in the three small houses behind Mrs. Wang’s courtyard, and they were still more free. Tanchun was so active that he had people hang ropes from the beams on both sides, put up swing boards, and built a simple swing frame, waiting for Jia Lian to pass by, and even watched the Sanchun sisters play.

So I made up my mind that after returning to Beijing, I would set up a swing frame for Daiyu in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

"Everyone is here, Ji'er Qin'er, and I haven't even asked you Brother Lian and Sister Lin to take a seat. Why are you standing there?"

Mr. Zhuang himself He entered the hall carrying a big dish and greeted everyone to sit down with a smile.

Each of them talked about it, and just when everyone was about to take their seats, they suddenly heard a not very sharp, but beautiful and pleasant voice coming from outside the door.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Following this female voice, a woman with long legs, slender waist, and graceful figure appeared to be in her twenties. The extremely charming beauty walked over slowly.

She has a charming face similar to Qin Keqing, but her facial features are very different from those of the Central Plains people.

With a high nose bridge and deep facial features, the most noticeable thing is the pair of azure eyes, so bright and enchanting.

Jia Lian was greatly surprised when he saw this, especially when he saw Xue Biao and Xue Baoqin bowing in greeting and calling the woman "Second Mother", he felt inexplicable admiration in his heart.

It turns out that when he saw Mr. Zhuang before, Jia Lian sighed inwardly that the second master of the Xue family had good taste and had found such a gorgeous wife. He didn’t expect that besides Mr. Zhuang, there were also There is such an exotic, gorgeous concubine!

With such a wife and concubine, the second master of the Xue family is actually willing to do business in various places all year round. It seems that he really likes to do business and travel.

It is a pity that he died so young and left behind an orphan and a widowed family. It is also pitiable.

From the day she was born to the present, Daiyu has spent most of her time staying at home. Even if she does go out for activities very rarely, it is only between the north and south Beijing.

She had rarely seen foreigners, and had only heard about them from books. When she saw the second wife of the Xue family, she naturally opened her eyes with curiosity.

Immediately aware of the other's outstanding beauty, Daiyu subconsciously turned her head to look at Jia Lian.

It was a pity that Jia Lian was so cunning. Before she could react, he had already calmed down his expression, lowered his eyes slightly, and acted as if there was no one around.

Zhuang seemed to know the curiosity of Jia Lian and the two, because she explained: "This is my late husband's second wife. She is not from the Central Plains. She was met by my late husband in the Western Regions when he followed his elders on a long business trip.

Because she has only been in our Central Plains for more than ten years, she still speaks Chinese with some of her original accent. I hope you won’t take it strange.”

Jia Lian and Daiyu hurriedly As a courtesy, "I have met the second lady."

Although according to the rules of large families nowadays, concubines are generally not qualified to meet guests. But since these two ladies dared to come out generously, but Zhuang didn't look displeased at all, whether it was because of the harmony between the Xue family's wives and concubines, or for some other reason, Jia and Lian should respect her.

After all, one of Jia Lian and Dai Yu is determined to break this rule, and the other is also a side wife, so naturally this is even more true.

The second lady was very tall, not much different from Jia Lian. She glanced at Jia Lian first, then set her eyes on Daiyu, and said with a smile: "I heard my sister say before, Mr. Hou and Mr. Lin Xiang, one is handsome and handsome, the other is well-behaved and like a fairy. Now that I have seen it with my own eyes, I know that my sister is not wrong at all.

You can come to visit Qin'er, she belongs to her It's an honor, and I would like to thank you in advance for your kindness."

Being polite, Mrs. Zhuang smiled and asked everyone to return to their seats.

Mr. Zhuang had been polite to Jia Lian before. He sat in the middle of the seat and Jia Lian took action. Jia Lian started with Daiyu, Baoqin and Xue Biao in order, so the second lady sat on the other side of Zhuang.

Looking at her casual appearance, no matter whether it was Zhuang, Baoqin, Xue Biao, or the maids and servants of the Xue family, there was nothing strange about her. It can be known that these two ladies should be the same in normal times. Dined with them. This aspect of the Xue family is still commendable.

Although there are not many people here, they all have different identities, so restraint is inevitable.

Fortunately, Bao Qin seemed to understand this, so she took advantage of her youngest age to not only greet the two guests Daiyu and Jia Lian, but also deliberately livened up the atmosphere. For example, everyone looked at each other speechless at this time, and she deliberately smiled and asked: "Second brother Lian, I wonder how sister Qingran is doing now? I haven't heard from her since I returned to Jinling, and I am still a little worried about her. ."

"She is very good now. After returning to Beijing, she also moved out of the palace, and her father also gave her a super large and luxurious house to live in by herself.

Next time you arrive in the capital, you can go directly to her to play without worrying about being stopped."

"That's it..."

Bao Qin was obviously a little moved, but she knew it would be too difficult for her to enter the capital to see Princess Zhaoyang.

"Qin'er, who is the 'Sister Qingran' you are talking about?"

The Zhuang family didn't quite agree.

Bao Qin glanced at the two Zhuangs, and said in a low voice: "She is the princess sister I told you when I came back last time..."

Zhuang The expressions of the two men changed, and they hurriedly reprimanded: "Nonsense, you are a commoner girl, how dare you call Her Royal Highness the Princess by her first name."

Baoqin looked a little sad, lowered his head and did not dare to speak. .

Jia Lian smiled and waved his hand: "Aunt, please don't blame Baoqin. The fact is that Princess Zhaoyang fell in love with Baoqin the moment she saw her outside the Great Wall, and immediately recognized her as her thief. Sister, this is the name Princess Zhaoyang asked Baoqin to call her.

Otherwise, the princess’s name would not be easily known to others.”

Zhuang Shi and the second lady looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes. If others said such things, they might not easily believe it, but when Jia Lian said it himself, they did not dare to question it.

Glancing at Xue Biao, Xue Biao also explained in a low voice: "My sister also told her father about this at that time, but my father said that the princess was just happy for a moment and just said it casually. Let us Be careful with yourself and don't cling to the prince, dragon and grandson at will, that's why my sister didn't tell you..."

The two Zhuangs didn't know what to say, and the second lady's eyes even brightened. If Girl Qin really had this relationship, then the Mei family would not dare to regret their marriage!

She didn’t find it too strange. Anyway, being good-looking makes it easy for others to give her preferential treatment. It is especially good to see beauties of their level, like her. Over the years since she came to the Central Plains, even Zhuang, who should have regarded her as a thorn in the flesh, has gradually been won over by her. She is as close as a sister, and the two of them interact with each other. Support and care for each other, and help each other during the years when her husband is not at home.

After all, the Zhuang family was a native of the Central Plains gentry, and was extremely reverent to the imperial power. Even though he believed that Xue Biao and others were not lying, he still warned Bao Qin with gentle words: "Even if the princess asked you to call you that, You shouldn't call her that anytime and anywhere. Apart from anything else, you can't just reveal the princess's name to outsiders."

"Yes, I understand." Baoqin turned to worry. Out of joy, he responded with a smile.

After this small episode, the atmosphere at the table seemed to open up.

Mr. Zhuang was no longer polite and asked Xue Biao to accompany Jia Lian to have a glass of wine. Then he took the initiative to mention that he had asked Jia Lian to help scare the shopkeeper of the Xue family.

According to Zhuang's intention, she has actually determined the fact that several people were greedy and embezzled the property of the main family, but only those in the Xue familyThe shopkeepers who have the foundation are all cunning and cunning, and they are related to each other, and their influence can affect the whole body.

She is also known as being unreasonable and unreasonable. If she doesn't want to make a big fuss, such as taking the shopkeepers to court, she really can't help Aunt Xue deal with these people.

Therefore, she wanted to ask Jia Lian to deal with a few people on her behalf, and also to scare others, so as to serve as a warning to the monkeys.

Jia Lian also felt that this was the easiest, so he asked Mr. Zhuang to prepare and call the main shopkeepers and clerks of the Xue family here tomorrow afternoon. He would just come over again then.

Seeing that Jia Lian accepted the matter in an understatement, Mrs. Zhuang couldn't help but feel the same emotion as Aunt Xue when she saw Jia Lian.

It would be great if their Xue family had such a man!

The Xue family lacks nothing but men!

When Xue Biao was mentioned, there were a few complaints, saying that he didn't study hard and who should they rely on in the future? This made Xue Biao's already shy little face feel hot.

That day at the frontier, after being stimulated by Jia Lian, Xue Biao returned home and picked up his book to prepare for a big fight. This undoubtedly makes Zhuang and others very happy.

Who would have known that within just a few days, Xue Biao would feel the powerlessness of studying at the beginning. In addition, his father also died of illness soon, and he completely lost his ambition and never wanted to pick up a book again.

After hearing these words, Jia Lian couldn't help but look at Xue Biao a few more times, then shook his head and laughed.

“I feel that my aunt’s words are not only biased, but also unfair to my brothers.”

Parents always treat their children with dignity. I'm sorry, it's hard to put yourself in someone else's shoes. It's just that Jia Lian's identity is here. Even if what Jia Lian says is wrong, they still have to show respect.

“There are all kinds of people in the world, and there are all kinds of ways.

Some people are born to read, and they are also smart. They can gain fame and future through reading. This is just It’s just one of many avenues.

And other people who can’t read, or who are not as good at reading as others, are not necessarily unintelligent.

Just like the tadpole brothers , I feel like a spring breeze when I talk to and get along with him. I think that the so-called modest gentleman in ancient times describes the character of Brother Tan. There is no good future."

Jia Lian's remarks are just like Jia Baoyu's slander, which is contrary to the world. Therefore, Zhuang could not help frowning and asked: "Even so, but he If you don't study hard, you won't be able to get a good name or get a good name.If he is an official, he will be just like his father and uncle. He will spend his whole life as a traveling businessman. How can he be called a promising person? "

" It is said that reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles. Isn't it good to be like Xue Shishu, who traveled across thousands of mountains and rivers, traveled around the world, and looked at the world with a broad mind? "

Well, Jia Lian talks about her man, what can Zhuang say?

"Besides, who said you have to be an official to have a future?

There are tens of millions of people studying in the world, but can everyone be an official? As far as I know, there are only a few thousand civil and military officials, large and small, in Beijing.

Even if all the local prefectures and counties in the entire Wei Dynasty were put together, there were only tens of thousands of officials.

Everyone wants to be an official, but who knows where there are so many official positions for them.

Furthermore, even if you become an official, how can any official have a bright future?

Don’t you hear that the officials in the world are doing nothing, and only a few make great achievements?

Even some officials made a mistake and not only lost their lives, but also caused disaster to their families. ”

Jia Lian’s topic was a bit exaggerated, and all those present here were women or children. However, because Jia Lian himself was qualified to say such things, they all sat upright and listened very carefully. .

“Therefore, I feel that being an official is just one of the well-known ways to realize ambitions and values, but it is not the only one, and it is not even necessarily the best choice.

The so-called three hundred and sixty lines, the best in each line.

Just like Shang Zhidao, if done well, it may not be able to benefit the people of a certain area, or even benefit a country.

For example, Guan Zhong and Fan Li in the Spring and Autumn Period, and Bai Gui and Lu Buwei in the Warring States Period. They all entered Taoism through business, then ruled a country, and finally became famous in history.

Therefore, if brothers can study and become officials, it will be good. If not, in the future, the son will inherit his father's legacy, and he will be better than his master, and he may not be able to carve out his own world. ”

As soon as Jia Lian finished speaking, Xue Biao immediately became excited.

He had never heard of such remarks. For the first time after becoming a big man, he felt that maybe he was not so worthless.

He followed his father since he was a child, and what he saw and learned were all things related to business.
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Many, he found it very interesting, and he also intended to inherit his father’s business.

But people around him, including his mother, told him that being a businessman was not a good idea.It is only right for those who have a bright future to study and take the imperial examination.

He had no way to refute, but he thought, even among those who study, how many people can produce a scholar, a scholar, and how many scholars can produce a scholar, and how many scholars can be successful. A Jinshi?

Studying for the imperial examination is so difficult!

Now after listening to Jia Lian’s words, Xue Biao suddenly felt that there is no one to worry about in the future.

In addition to Xue Tao, the same is true for the other four women, big and small.

Mr. Zhuang, the second lady and Baoqin all looked very different. They all looked at Jia Lian with reverence and admiration as if they were listening to the evening drums and morning bells.

Sure enough, only a person like Jia Lian could say such different words, but they sounded enlightening and soul-cleansing.

Daiyu glanced at Jia Lian blankly, then lowered her head and took a sip of wine silently.

No wonder the old ladies in the family all said that the second brother was born to be an official. This was such a big deal that it frightened these people.

He also said that being an official is not the only way to realize his ambition. Who doesn’t know that the second brother has been busy outside every day in order to be an official these years, and rarely even returns home.

Fortunately, although the second brother Lian has blended into the secular world, his actions and words do not behave like ordinary people.

It’s barely enough, and I’m considered a semi-elegant person.

At this time, Mr. Zhuang had no choice but to agree with Jia Lian, sighing: "I am a womanizer, and I didn't understand these principles originally.

But since Brother Lian, you are all Having said that, how can I be confused again?

It doesn’t matter, you are still young anyway, from now on, you can learn to manage the family business and study hard at the same time. If you can It is of course the best to obtain fame. If you really fail the exam, I will not talk about you again.

Anyway, your father and grandfather have built the family business for you, and the family will not miss you. Eat and drink. As for how far you can go in the future, it depends on your own destiny."

When Xue Biao heard this, he immediately stood up, bowed to Mr. Zhuang seriously and said, "Son, thank you mother. I understand that from now on, I will work harder to study and live up to my mother's high expectations."

After saying that, Xue Biao turned sideways and bowed to Jia Lian: "Xue Biao, thank you brother Lian for your advice. ."

Jia Lian pressed his hand slightly, and was about to show that he didn't have to be polite, but suddenly he realized that his calf hidden under the table had been kicked.

It feels light and airy, like a daughter’s little foot.

Jia Lian remained calm, but his eyes immediately glanced at the people on the table.

Everyone else was doing business as usual. Only the second lady, who had been sitting opposite and said nothing, showed an apologetic look to him the moment he looked at him. Thinking about it, she must have been careless. Kicked himself.