Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 20 First Meeting with Daiyu

After Jia Lian sat down, Lin Ruhai invited everyone to eat, but he himself only ate a couple of bites before putting down his chopsticks and focusing on Jia Lian.

Thus, the others could also see that Lin Ruhai must have something to say, and they all stopped talking without realizing it.

As expected, after the atmosphere at the table quieted down, Lin Ruhai smiled at Jia Lian and said, "I invited you here because there is an important matter I would like to ask you to handle."

"Uncle, please speak."

"My family's ancestral home is in Suzhou. We are only here temporarily, so my elders and I have already decided that your aunt's coffin should be sent to our ancestral home in Suzhou for burial."

They have already chosen two days later to escort the coffin back.

"Because my health is declining and I am burdened with official duties, I fear I am not up to the task. Therefore, I would like to ask you to take care of external affairs for me, so as not to neglect my relatives and friends. I wonder if you would be willing?"

Jia Lian could clearly feel that after Lin Ruhai said those words, the entire hall became much quieter.

Jia Lian himself was also surprised.

Although Jia Min was his aunt, according to the saying "a woman follows her husband after marriage," Jia Min became a member of the Lin family after marrying into the Lin family.

Unless the Lin family is truly destitute, it is not up to outsiders to handle the funeral arrangements.

It was obvious that there were a dozen or so members of the Lin family sitting here, but Lin Ruhai asked outsiders to help with the funeral arrangements, which seemed somewhat unreasonable.

"Uncle, no!"

Sure enough, Lin Lang, who was sitting in the hall, couldn't sit still any longer and immediately stood up to object.

Since their family arrived from Suzhou, they have been in complete control of the Lin family's affairs.

These days, they have personally experienced the wealth of the Lin family. In order to hold Jia Min's funeral, the silver was poured out like water, and naturally, they all benefited from it.

There is also Lin Ruhai's high status in officialdom.

After the funeral was held and the obituary was sent out, every official, big or small, in Yangzhou Prefecture came to pay their respects!

The most crucial point is that Lin Ruhai has no son!

Rumor has it that Lin Ruhai intends to choose someone from his concubine's family as his heir to inherit the family business in the future...

What a temptation!

The reason why his family rushed to Yangzhou overnight to help with the affairs after receiving the news of Jia Min's death was to make a good impression on Lin Ruhai.

The first few days were fine; they all tried their best to behave. But as fewer people came to pay their respects, the days of vigil became increasingly boring. In addition, being in a prosperous place and suddenly having some ill-gotten wealth, they found it increasingly difficult to bear the loneliness, and naturally, they began to sneak out with their clansmen to have fun.

"Uncle, Cousin Lian has come all the way from the capital to pay respects to Aunt. He must be exhausted. Why trouble him with such trivial matters? Let him rest at home. We nephews can handle the rest."

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Lin Lang smiled.

The other Lin family members, who also felt they were competitive, immediately nodded in agreement.

Lin Ruhai remained silent, and the people sitting in the hall also became uneasy. The eldest among them carefully said, "Nephew Ruhai, is there anything that Lang'er and the others have done that is not thoughtful enough these days? If so, please tell us, and they will correct it."

Lin Ruhai quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Third Master, you are overthinking it. Lang'er and the others are very reliable in their actions. These past few days, we have been fortunate to have their help in taking care of things at the manor."

However, they are all young, and the officials from Yangzhou will probably come to offer sacrifices in two days. Langge'er and the others are just commoners, so there might be some inconvenience in receiving them. That's why I asked Liange'er to help.

"Not only does Lian-ge come from a noble family, but he also holds a sixth-rank official position. I've heard that he even handled funeral arrangements when he was in the capital. If he were to help me take care of everything, I would feel much more at ease."

After speaking, Lin Ruhai didn't say anything more, turning to Jia Lian: "I wonder if Lian'er would be willing to help?"

Ignoring the various looks from Lin Lang and the others, Jia Lian stood up and said with a smile, "Thank you for your trust, Uncle. I will certainly live up to your expectations and do my best to handle everything properly!"

Although they didn't know why the Lin clan had lost Lin Ruhai's trust, as Jia Min's maternal relatives, they would definitely stand on Lin Ruhai's side at this time.

Putting everything else aside, he's quite adept at handling these mundane matters.

"Sit down quickly."

When Lin Ruhai saw that Jia Lian agreed, a smile appeared on his face. He then instructed the steward and others to follow Jia Lian's arrangements in all matters.

Although he did not explicitly strip Lin Lang and others of their authority, the steward and others understood Lin Ruhai's meaning: from now on, all external affairs would be handled by Jia Lian.

Although the Lin family members were dissatisfied and resentful about this, they dared not say anything.

The Lin family has fallen into decline. Now, apart from Lin Ruhai, there isn't a single person in the clan capable of upholding its honor. If it weren't for Lin Ruhai's support over the years, some members of the Lin family would likely be living worse than ordinary people. Under such circumstances, who would dare to defy Lin Ruhai?

After the meal, each with their own thoughts, Lin Ruhai called Jia Lian into the inner hall to talk.

Lin Ruhai, mindful of keeping family scandals private, did not explain his reasons for making such arrangements to Jia Lian. After a few casual words, he simply said, "I'll trouble you to take care of your aunt's funeral arrangements."

"I wouldn't dare, Uncle, you flatter me. This is simply my duty."

After a few polite exchanges, Lin Ruhai turned his head and instructed the maid, "Call Yu'er here and tell her that her second cousin Lian has arrived. Have her come out to greet him."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian felt a slight stirring in his heart, but he did not show it on his face.

After a while, sure enough, a girl was seen being led out of the back room.

Judging from her age, she was about eight or nine years old, and her figure was unusually delicate.

Even the ordinary white mourning clothes, commonplace items, seemed to convey a sense of melancholy and sorrow when worn.

When she walked up to him and raised her small face, which seemed to be both weeping and sorrowful, Jia Lian finally understood what it meant to be as delicate as a willow swaying in the breeze, and as sickly as Xi Shi!

This is a person who, at first glance, would make even the most hard-hearted person feel tenderness and affection.

"I've met my father..."

Her soft, gentle voice perfectly matched her expression, making it beautiful and melodious.

Perhaps a little shy, after paying his respects to Lin Ruhai, he only glanced at Jia Lian and bowed in return, without saying a word.

Jia Lian had already stood up and hurriedly returned the greeting.

Knowing that his daughter was lonely, Lin Ruhai took the initiative to introduce her to Jia Lian: "This is my daughter with your aunt, her childhood name is Daiyu."

Jia Lian then cupped his hands in greeting again, saying, "Greetings, younger sister."

Lin Ruhai then said to Daiyu, "This is your second brother Lian, the son of your eldest maternal uncle."

Daiyu quickly said, "Daiyu greets Second Brother Lian."

Having said that, he was unwilling to engage in any more formalities and went to stand beside his father.

Jia Lian naturally didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Lin Daiyu was born with a melancholy temperament and had no siblings, growing up alone from a young age, which inevitably led to her withdrawn personality.

Her mischievous and playful personality was probably developed later in her time at the Rongguo Mansion.

It can also be said that the years from when she was taken to the Rongguo Mansion by Grandmother Jia until she had not yet grown up were the happiest days of Daiyu's life.

As for what happens when we grow up...

In this era, women whose marriages are not arranged by their parents inevitably face a more tragic fate.

She was such an independent and aloof woman, yet she happened to encounter Jia Baoyu, who was only good at "daydreaming," and the result was predictable.

In his past life, Jia Lian was deeply indignant when reading *Dream of the Red Chamber*. If Jia Baoyu had been even a little bit more assertive, less afraid of the authority of his elders, and had even resorted to smashing the jade to protect his relationship with Daiyu as he did when they were children, the outcome would likely have been different.

It's just fate.

However, in this life, if he can achieve his ambitions and establish a career, he will do whatever it takes to protect this fairy maiden who has fallen to the mortal realm.

Jia Lian didn't take it seriously, but Lin Ruhai was afraid that Daiyu would lose her manners in front of Jia Lian, so he said, "Yu'er, your second cousin Lian came to Yangzhou from the capital this time not only to pay respects to your mother, but also specifically to pick you up."

Your maternal grandmother wrote a letter saying she wants to invite you to stay in the capital for a while. After your mother's matter is settled, you should go to the capital with your second brother Lian. Your maternal grandmother will take care of you there, which will be better than staying with me..."

Lin Ruhai spoke with a touch of sadness, unconsciously wiping away his moist eyes.

If he was like this, then let alone our sentimental Lin Daiyu!

Upon hearing her father's words, Lin Daiyu's two large, watery eyes immediately welled up with tears, giving her a pitiful appearance. However, because there were outsiders present, she remained silent, simply looking at her father with tears in her eyes, as if trying to defeat him with her tears and make him retract his decision.

When Jia Lian saw the father and daughter who were likely to burst into tears, he knew that staying any longer would be an eyesore and would not help Lin Ruhai comfort Daiyu, so he decisively asked to leave.

Sure enough, as soon as he left, Daiyu couldn't help but cry again. She knelt before Lin Ruhai and pleaded, "I am willing to serve you, Father, by your side, serving you tea and meals every day. Please, Father, do not send me to the capital..."