In the south study room, Dai Quan came back to resume his duties.

"Have you accepted everything from Dong Zhaoyang?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Her Royal Highness the Princess has accepted them all. When the servant passed by, Her Royal Highness the Princess was accompanying the Queen Mother and her old man Speaking, the princess liked all the things His Majesty gave her, and even asked the old slave to thank His Majesty for his favor."

"Oh, the Queen Mother is here, what did she say?"

"The Queen Mother... By the way, the Queen Mother asked about Zhenyuan Marquis."

Emperor Ning Kang said hurriedly: "Oh?"

"That's right. She didn’t say anything specific, but after hearing that Her Majesty gave Marquis Zhenyuan such a generous seal, the Queen Mother seemed quite satisfied.”

Emperor Ning Kang was slightly surprised, and then he also laughed.

Speaking of which, Emperor Ning Kang also hesitated about whether to grant Jia Lian the title of Marquis.

After all, although Jia Lian has made great achievements this time, his actions are also very consistent with his wishes. After all, the promotion was a big deal. According to his original intention, it would be enough to promote Jia Lian to the first rank. In this way, other people in the court could not say anything.

But after a confrontation with Jia Lian, he finally decided to break the rules and directly promote Jia Lian's title to marquis. There is only one major step, four levels left, to catch up with his ancestor, the first-class Rongguo Duke.

Of course, he had his own considerations in this, such as completely subduing Jia Lian for his use, and another example, winning over the old noble forces headed by the Four Kings and Eight Dukes.

In fact, there are also some relationships with the Queen Mother involved.

Ever since he asked Princess Zhaoyang to get married, although the Queen Mother did not do anything drastic on the surface, she really didn't have a good face every time she saw him.

Although Emperor Ning Kang was the emperor, he didn’t like to look at people’s faces. But he also knew why the Queen Mother was like this. Not only did he know, but he also felt guilty.

Especially after the government and the public learned that the marriage with Wala was just a conspiracy of Prince Wala, Emperor Ningkang became more and more aware that he was in the wrong, so naturally he could only silently endure the cold attitude of the Queen Mother.

Since I didn’t want to keep going like this, the only way was to resolve the Queen Mother’s dissatisfaction.

He knew that as long as Princess Zhaoyang returned to Beijing safely, most of the Queen Mother's anger would disappear. Thirdly, he also remembered his original promise to the Queen Mother, that when Jia Lian was older and had some qualifications and merits, he would give heavy rewards again.

In this way, as long as the Queen Mother knows that he has indeed reused Jia Lian as promised, she will naturally accept his favor.

As for Zhaoyang...

Originally, Emperor Ning Kang also thought about recruitingShe went to the emperor to talk and comfort her father and daughter. But she was also apologetic for the inconvenience of meeting each other, so she only asked Dai Quan to send a lot of luxurious and expensive things from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, hoping that she would be more tolerant and not blame his old father too much.

Dai Quan looked at Emperor Ning Kang and could guess what Emperor Ning Kang was thinking.

Suddenly thinking of something, he deliberately smiled and said: "I heard that when the Marquis of Zhenyuan left, his face was full of spring breeze, and he solemnly kowtowed to the South Study Room before leaving.

Thinking about it, Marquis Zhenyuan is so grateful for His Majesty’s kindness.”

Emperor Ning Kang’s thoughts changed, and he couldn’t help but smile on his face. Jia Lian's reaction after leaving the south study room has been reported by the eunuch who sent Jia Lian his royal uniform.

He was very satisfied with this.

Although the monarch rewards his ministers, the purpose is to make the ministers work harder for him.

But kindness comes from the top, and monarchs naturally don’t want their ministers to gratify their desires. A minister who can be grateful is a good minister worth cultivating.

"However, because Your Majesty has rewarded Marquis Zhenyuan this time, I am afraid that the adults in the court will criticize Marquis Zhenyuan..." Dai Quan said.

Do you have any criticism of Zhenyuan Hou?

I’m afraid it’s not just the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

Perhaps those people would also say that it was unfair that Emperor Ning Kang favored and believed in others!

But he doesn’t care.

What he cares about is whether he can get the rewards he deserves for doing so.

As for Jia Lian being criticized and even ostracized by the courtiers...

Jia Lian himself was an honorable minister and relied on his kindness. He did not need the approval of the civil servants.

If those civil servants all bowed to an honorable minister, he would not be happy.

However, although Jia Lian has the hereditary title of Duke Rong as his foundation, he was promoted to marquis after only a few years in the court. I am afraid that not only the courtiers, but even the generals will be jealous and jealous. Unfair.

But this may be just what he wants.

Jia Lian is young, aggressive, capable, and comes from a deep-rooted lineage of old ministers. This is the sharp sword he plans to use to break the situation in the court.

Since it is a sharp sword, of course it can only be used by him!

The influence of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes in the army was too great. He just wanted Jia Lian to be a benchmark, and did not hope to cultivate another leader among them.

Therefore, it is appropriate for Jia Lian, the direct grandson of Rongguo Gong, to be withIt is a good thing for generals in the army to have some resentment.

What’s more, he has another worry.

Most of those ministers listened more to the words of the Supreme Emperor. Jia Lian was also from an old honour, and it was rumored that the Supreme Emperor and the second-generation Rong Guogong were childhood playmates in the past. He was also afraid that if one day the Supreme Emperor had a whim and summoned Jia Lian to show him favor, he was afraid that the peach he had worked so hard to cultivate might be picked away by the Supreme Emperor.

Although he knew that the possibility was low, it was not impossible.

As long as the Supreme Emperor knows that Jia Lian is his favored minister, and that official titles are not earned entirely through merit, then the Supreme Emperor's pride will definitely no longer look down on such a flattering minister as Jia Lian. .

Of course, Emperor Ning Kang did not reveal these considerations to Dai Quan. He just casually said that only people with no talent and virtue will be jealous, so don't pay attention to it.

……

Jia Lian went directly to the side door of Lin Mansion and entered the house familiar with the door and the way.

As the residence of the seal official of Lantai Temple, Lin Ruhai’s official residence looks very elegant.

However, this time the entire Lin family seemed even more deserted than before. Along the way, not even a few servants were seen.

After asking the housekeeper, the housekeeper sighed: "Since I have been seriously ill, I have ordered my servant to send away all the extra servants in the house."

Jia Lian Obviously, when Lin Ruhai came to Beijing to become an official, he did not have many servants of the Lin family with him.

Most of the handymen in the mansion were recruited later.

Now that Lin Ruhai has made up his mind to resign, he will naturally not keep these people around.

"How is my uncle's condition?

I learned from His Majesty that my uncle submitted his resignation to the court last winter?"
< br />"Well, I dare not hide the second master's illness, I'm afraid...

"In the past few months, even the palace doctors have come several times, and they all He said that the master's illness is an old illness caused by overwork, and apart from taking good care of himself, it can be cured by non-medicinal stones."

Jia Lian didn't know what to say after hearing this.

Everyone has his own persistence and choice. At the beginning, he did his best to get Lin Ruhai's favor to return home to rest.

Who knew that Emperor Ning Kang could not help but restart Lin Ruhai after only half a year because of the lack of available people around him.

Lin Ruhai, who was still recovering from his illness, saw that the king was so kind, so he rushed to the capital with a few people.

　This is Lin Ruhai's choice and he cannot interfere.

It’s just a pain for Daiyu. If Lin Ruhai’s illness cannot be improved this time, she will feel the pain of bereavement again.

"Well, I would like to ask, has the second master really been promoted to a marquis?"

Xu saw that Jia Lian was as friendly as ever, not because he was a lowly People just put on airs, so Lin Youquan dared to ask questions.

When Jia Lian heard this, he smiled slightly and raised his sleeves, "Second-class Marquis Zhenyuan, I guarantee it is fake. If Uncle Quan doesn't believe it, wait until next time I wear clothes and come and show him again?" "

"Hahaha, Lord Marquis is joking."

Lin Youquan was very touched. As Jia Lian, he was willing to lower his status and joke with him, which made him Feel flattered.

Then he said with a smile: "Maybe I heard that Mr. Hou returned to Beijing today, and our master looks a lot better today, but I didn't expect that Mr. Hou would come to visit at this time.

Our master is currently waiting in the Nuan Pavilion. Please come in, Mr. Marquis."

...

"Although I had expected it in my heart, Jia Lian couldn't wait to see Lin Ruhai again. He was so thin and haggard that he felt inexplicably sad.

It is a pity to think about the fact that a generation of flower lovers only knew their destiny at a young age and came to the end of their lives.

Lin Ruhai himself did not have any sad emotions. He leaned on the bed, looked at Jia Lian, and then said with a smile: "Yes, after going out for a trip, I really got the experience, and I became more and more mature." He has a bit of the demeanor of the old prince."

Jia Lian just smiled at this and was still concerned about Lin Ruhai's condition.

"You don't have to worry too much about me.

Throughout my life, I have been selected as an editor in the Hanlin Academy through the high school entrance examination. I have been working step by step, and now I am a second-rank minister.
/>
The noble people have almost reached the end. Even if the ice melts and collapses now, there is nothing to regret.

It’s just...”

Lin Ruhai seems to have Before he finished speaking, Jia Lian didn't push him, but after waiting for a while, he didn't hear anything more from Lin Ruhai. Instead, he heard him ask: "I heard that your Majesty has promoted you to a noble title, and now you are a Marquis?"


"Okay, very good. In this way, Master Taishan can be regarded as having a successor..."

As the son-in-law of Rong Guofu, Lin Ruhai had naturally seen the style of Duke Rong Guo.

Duke Rong Guo is also one of the few people Lin Ruhai admires.one.

After nodding and smiling for a while, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but feel sad.

The Rongguo Mansion has a successor, but the Lin family has almost no heirs.

I still remember that when he won the first grade in spring, his old father looked ecstatic.

Later, she gained the favor of Duke Rong of the current dynasty and married his legitimate daughter to him in a high-profile manner, which made countless people envious of her.

Now that decades have passed, the people of the past are gone, and he, Lin Ruhai, has also reached the fate of following the path of his predecessors.

It’s not a matter of unwillingness, but there is some regret after all.

But the most regretful thing is that I still hate myself for not trying my best to find a satisfactory marriage for my daughter for so many years.

With these thoughts in mind, his eyes kept falling on Jia Lian, who was sitting in front of him with his hands down, observing the etiquette of a junior in a humble manner.

Jia Lian, who was seven feet tall, had red lips and white teeth, and a face as beautiful as a crown jewel, could not find anything wrong even in Lin Ruhai's eyes.

The fact that he is now a Marquis has secretly added an inviolable noble temperament to him.

It is a pity that such a young talent was discovered a little late, otherwise he might have become the son-in-law of my Lin family.

The daughter of the Wang family is also very lucky. Although she is also an orphan who lost her parents, she married the man she wanted.

At the beginning, the Empress Dowager wanted to grant Jia Lian a marriage. Although he advised Jia Lian not to go against fate, in her heart, she still felt very fond of Jia Lian for his kindness and trustworthiness, and for not leaving his poor wife in court.

Only a man who keeps his promises and keeps his word can be worthy of such a reputation as a hero of the country!

After asking Jia Lian about many matters during his trip, he didn't pay much attention to Lin Ruhai's current situation, and the topic soon turned to what was on his mind.

"By the way, when you picked up Yu'er from Yangzhou, you promised me that you would take care of me.

"I have one thing on my mind now. I want to ask you."

"Uncle, please tell me."

"In these years, apart from you and Baoyu, have you seen your sister in your family? A man from a relative or friend?"

Lin Ruhai now doesn't have as many worries as before. He wants to know the specific situation of Daiyu in Jia's house in the past few years.

Seeing Jia Lian’s suspicious expression, he explained: “You don’t have to worry too much, I have no other intentions.

It’s just that in my current situation, I’m afraid I won’t last long. Day. SoTherefore, I want to make some arrangements for your sister Lin's life-long affairs while I can still be in charge, so as not to leave her with nothing to rely on in this world after I am gone. "

When Jia Lian heard this, he was shocked, but facing Lin Ruhai, he still replied in a calm voice: "Reporting to uncle, Sister Lin has been raised by my old lady these years.

My family has a large number of people, and there are many rules. Sister Lin has a simple temperament. If it were easy, except for me and Baoyu, and the two young concubines in the family, I am afraid there would be no chance. , meeting other young men. "

When Lin Ruhai heard this, although he knew it was unlikely, he still refused to make any mistakes and asked Jia Lian about the situation of the other two concubines in Rongguo Mansion.

With Jia Lian's keenness, it was natural to see at this time that Lin Ruhai really wanted to choose a son-in-law for Daiyu.

Although he didn't know why even Jia Cong and Jia Huan were concerned about Lin Ruhai, he immediately Let’s talk about the situation of these two people one by one.

Speaking of which, Jia Lian does not need to deliberately discredit the situation of these two concubines. He only needs to highlight some areas that Lin Ruhai may care about. Sure enough, This made Lin Ruhai look confused.

Obviously, based on Lin Ruhai's understanding of her daughter, it was impossible for these two mediocre, even inferior children to catch Daiyu's eyes.< br />
However, if according to what Jia Lian said, Daiyu can see, it can only be a direct descendant of the Jia family. Considering the century-old family of Jia's family, and Jia's mother's status as the Duke's wife, it is impossible to It is impossible for a foreigner to see Daiyu easily.

So, what Jia Lian said must be right.

But if it weren’t for Jia Baoyu, Jia Cong, and Jia Huan, One of them, who could it be?

In a daze, feeling blessed, Lin Ruhai immediately raised his head and looked at Jia Lian.

Could it be that he was darkened under the lamp?< br />
But if this is really the case, it will be difficult.

Lin Ruhai fell silent.

After Jia Zheng and his wife refused to get married, he actually He didn’t want to stick to the family view anymore. He thought that if his daughter really had a sweetheart, he might as well fulfill her.

Even if the other person was a commoner, he would admit it.

But what if Jia Lian...

He didn’t think that Jia Lian, with his temperament that dared to resist even the marriage granted by the Tian family, would divorce his wife and marry another for the sake of his Lin family.

Between his thoughts, he Suddenly he said: "Brother Lian, I heard that you haven't taken a concubine yet? ”

Lin Ruhai felt that she must be crazy, why would she ask this at this time.

In fact, he just thought of many things about Jia Lian, and suddenly wondered why Jia Lian had not taken a concubine so far.

After all, even though everyone envied him and the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Guo, the daughter of a fairy, in the end, they ended up having two concubines a few years after they got married because of their children.

It was his wife Jia Min who took the initiative to organize it for him.

However, he knew that Jia Lian had no children, but had never taken any concubines, which made him quite curious.

But as soon as he asked the question, he knew he shouldn't. Normally, as an elder, he could ask questions at will.

But he had just mentioned to Jia Lian that his daughter’s marriage was not settled. Wouldn’t it be misleading to ask this now?

When Jia Lian first heard what Lin Ruhai said, his heart skipped a beat, and then he was overjoyed.

But out of years of caution, he calmed down immediately. He knew that what he had hidden in his heart for many years was not that simple.

Sure enough, seeing Lin Ruhai's expression next, he knew that he might have misunderstood.

My heart suddenly sank again.

Didn’t speak immediately, his brain started working quickly.

His thoughts about Daiyu have become much clearer to him as he watched Daiyu grow up in front of him over the years, becoming more and more like a down-and-out little fairy.

So, over the years, he has been taking care of Daiyu overtly and covertly, showing concern in everything.

Therefore, he was granted the title of Marquis this time, and he didn't even have time to return home, so he came to visit Lin Ruhai first.

Because he knew that if he said that he had any unreasonable thoughts about Daiyu in the past, it would be ridiculous and make him lack of confidence.

Then, when he was promoted step by step, from receiving a title to being promoted to a Marquis, and became a Marquis that attracted everyone's attention, he felt that he seemed to have some qualifications.

Speaking of which, Jia Lian is actually not a self-centered person.

Although he liked Daiyu, he didn’t want to possess her from the beginning.

He had also considered that if Daiyu was really destined to be with Jia Baoyu, even if he was "in the way" in the middle, Daiyu would still like and admire Jia Baoyu, then, he You might as well be a flower protector for once and keep her safe for the rest of her life.

This is why he did not try every means to prevent Jia Baoyu and Daiyu from living in the same courtyard.

He just did his best and listened to God's will, telling Daiyu the precautions between men and women, magnifying Jia Baoyu's shortcomings as much as possible, and letting Daiyu knowTao, that's all. He felt that he was already a gentleman.

The facts are developing in the direction he expected.

Although in these years, Daiyu had never shown any emotion towards him beyond that of a cousin, he could tell that the little girl must have some different feelings towards him.

At least, he is closer, more trusting and more intense than Jia Baoyu!

Since this is the case, he will naturally not talk about the conduct of a gentleman.

The opportunity has been given to Xiao Baoyu, but if he can't seize it, he can't blame his brother for his clever methods.