Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 70: Face to face!

A while later, the Fourth Prince returned and saw that Jia Lian and the others hadn't left. He immediately ran over and laughed at Jia Lian, "Jia Lian, right? Haha, the way you beat up that idiot Prince Duan's son was so satisfying."

"Since you helped me get revenge, if you fight me again and beat me, I'll let bygones be bygones for what you did to me before."

Only then did Jia Lian have a chance to ask, "I've always had a question. Today is the first time I've met Your Highness, so why did you say that I harmed you?"

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince snorted coldly, "It's all because of that pedantic remark you made. My father found out about it and used it to lecture me, saying that even a spoiled brat knows what national righteousness is, while I, as a prince, only... never mind, I'm not talking to you anymore. Anyway, you've made me suffer terribly, you know that!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Su hurriedly said, "But the policy essay that His Highness the Fourth Prince asked me to write two months ago, the phrase 'I would risk my life for the benefit of my family,' actually came from your hand, Brother Lian?"

The fourth prince nodded, seemingly indignant: "I clearly memorized the article very well and carefully remembered the points you made to me, but Father still saw through my deception at a glance and made me kneel in the Southern Study for an entire afternoon. My knees almost fell off."

Later, it was Chief Steward Dai who told me that some official in the south had submitted a memorial to the Emperor, in which he mentioned this sentence... I don't need to say much else, but I remember that it was a man named Jia Lian who harmed me, and as a result, my Grand General was also...”

When the topic turned to the Great General, the Fourth Prince glanced at Jia Lian but didn't say anything more.

Zhang Su then looked at Jia Lian, somewhat incredulous that Jia Lian could say such a thing. Could it be a mistake...?

Jia Lian had no time to care what they thought; he had already pieced together the whole story from the Fourth Prince's few words.

Clearly, he said those words when he confronted the salt merchants in Yangzhou, but the emperor found out about them. It's highly likely that Lin Lin Ru Hai helped him gain fame in front of the emperor.

But Lin Ruhai didn't tell him, and he didn't know a thing for two months after returning to Beijing...

By the way, it seems that the emperor described him as a "spoiled brat." Could it be that the emperor had already sent someone to investigate him and found out that he had a bad reputation, which is why there was no follow-up?

If it weren't for the Fourth Prince's petty nature and resentment, he probably wouldn't even know about this.

"Hey, are you going to fight me or not, or are you just too tired? I can let you rest for a bit." The Fourth Prince was somewhat displeased to see Jia Lian standing there motionless.

Jia Lian snapped out of his daze, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness has given the order, and I dare not disobey."

It would be perfect to keep the Fourth Prince company. Although the Prince of Duan's heir might not necessarily retaliate against him, he always adhered to the principle of "better safe than sorry"... He didn't dare add anything else to the wine he bought for Jia She.

Once on stage, the Fourth Prince suddenly hesitated and pleaded, "Um, if I can't beat you, you can go easy on me, but don't beat me like you did Wei Xian."

Jia Lian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Your Highness is too kind. Please."

The fourth prince laughed, struck a pose, and rushed excitedly toward Jia Lian.

……

Upon hearing that his son had been beaten, Prince Duan hurriedly returned to his residence.

As soon as they entered the residence, the chief clerk came to report: "Your Highness, the young master's personal attendant just led a group of guards out, and they haven't returned yet..."

Upon hearing this, Prince Duan immediately understood what it meant. His face darkened, and he scolded the chief secretary and the others, "What are you all doing? He's young and doesn't know what's important. Don't you know?"

Although Prince Duan did not yet know the specific reason why his son was beaten, he knew without a doubt that the person who dared to beat his son must be of high status, otherwise, given his son's temper, he would have taken revenge on the spot.

The fact that retaliation was needed afterwards suggests that the other party's identity was also unusual.

Those lackeys don't know what's important. If someone dies, things will get complicated, and even if you're in the right, you'll be in the wrong.

The chief clerk said, "I tried to persuade him, but the young master insisted. We couldn't stop him. Moreover, the young master was really beaten badly. The other party was extremely vicious."

Prince Duan's expression changed again, but he still said, "Go and find the person quickly. If you cause trouble, I will hold you accountable."

After saying that, she wanted to go in quickly to see how badly her son had been beaten.

But then the steward came running in, "Your Highness, Eunuch Qiu from the palace has come to deliver His Majesty's decree, summoning Your Highness to the palace immediately."

Prince Duan frowned and thought for a moment, then turned and headed towards the palace.

At the same time, Jia Lian and others also received a summons from the palace:

"Summon Jia Lian, the fourth son of the Emperor and son of the First-Class Divine Might General, to the palace for an audience."

Upon hearing the emperor's summons, the fourth prince trembled slightly as cold sweat mixed with the hot sweat from his vigorous exercise.

Although Jia Lian was preoccupied with other matters, he couldn't help but want to laugh when he saw this.

How come he's just like Jia Baoyu? He's arrogant and domineering in front of outsiders, but when he's with his own father, he's as scared as a trembling little quail? So I comforted him, saying, "Your Highness, don't worry. Today's matter has nothing to do with you. If His Majesty questions me, I will confess my guilt and explain things to His Majesty. I guarantee that Your Highness will not be implicated."

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince did not breathe a sigh of relief. Instead, he said, "You don't know my father. He scolds me for no reason. Besides... sigh, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Anyway, let's go quickly. If we're late, I don't know how much he'll scold me."

Thus, the Fourth Prince and Jia Lian, escorted by the Imperial Guards, entered the heavily guarded and heavily fortified palace.

"His Majesty is summoning Prince Duan and has ordered the Fourth Prince and Jia Tongzhi to kneel and wait."

After passing through Linjing Gate, outside the Southern Study, Dai Quan walked out with a serious expression to convey the emperor's instructions.

Without saying a word, the fourth prince knelt down outside the door, and Jia Lian naturally followed suit.

Dai Quan glanced at Jia Lian, inwardly marveling.

As a top-ranking noble family, the Jia family often had dealings with him, the inner minister of the Daming Palace.

He recognized Jia Lian, but that was all; Jia Lian had previously visited his residence and brought him gifts.

Unexpectedly, this ordinary member of the Xun family did something big today: he beat up the dignified heir of the Prince Duan, and I heard he beat him up quite badly.

If they hadn't acted rashly, the Jia family might have produced a remarkable figure.

Therefore, he smiled at Jia Lian and turned back to the South Study.

As an inner court official, it was not appropriate for him to speak to Jia Lian at this time, but a smile was enough to convey a lot.

This is the benefit of currying favor with Xunmen...

Not long after they knelt, a middle-aged man with a large belly, wearing a python robe and a jade belt, walked out of the South Study.

He saw Jia Lian and the other two, but didn't show any particular expression. He simply gave the Fourth Prince a slight bow and strode away.

"Summon Jia Lian to an audience."

A eunuch's call came from inside the door, and Jia Lian couldn't help but take a deep breath.

As expected, this was the oppressive power of feudal imperial authority. Even though he had memories of two lifetimes and usually had a great psychological advantage over others, he still couldn't help but feel uneasy when he personally experienced the majesty of the supreme ruler of the mortal world for the first time.

Suppressing his unease and restlessness, Jia Lian stood up and slowly stepped in, following the eunuch's guidance.

The Southern Study was where the emperor handled state affairs and met with ministers; it was no exaggeration to call it the power center of the country.

The interior layout is not particularly ornate, but rather austere. The floor is covered with gold bricks, their surfaces cold and gleaming, and even the dragon patterns carved on the massive beams and pillars can be faintly discerned in the reflections they cast.

After walking about twenty steps, they came to a relatively spacious and well-lit place, where the eunuch stopped.

Jia Lian dared not look around. Recalling the etiquette he had been taught since childhood, he knelt down facing the dragon throne and said, "Your humble servant Jia Lian pays his respects to Your Majesty."

He wasn't told to get up, but Jia Lian, who was still kneeling, knew that the emperor was observing him.

"Raise your head."

Hearing this cold, seemingly emotionless voice, Jia Lian wondered if this was how the emperor would begin when summoning a newly arrived concubine...

Deliberately thinking this way to relieve some psychological pressure, Jia Lian then answered with a "yes" and slowly raised his head.

In the solemn study, facing north, there was a dragon-shaped desk covered with bright yellow silk. Behind the desk sat a dignified man who was nearly fifty years old.

He had thick eyebrows, narrow eyes, a hooked nose and mouth, and a cold demeanor.

So this is the supreme ruler of the world, Emperor Ningkang?

Not daring to look any longer, Jia Lian lowered his head slightly.

"Jia Lian, the eldest grandson of the second-generation Duke of Rongguo, was eighteen years old. He disliked studying and being an official, and preferred to drink and watch plays. He spent his days idly and doing nothing."

A voice, seemingly both a statement and a question, rang out in the quiet study.

Jia Lian immediately feigned shame and replied, "This humble subject is unworthy, having failed my ancestors' virtues, and even more so, I am ashamed before Your Majesty and the court's favor..."

"I also have an introduction about you, you may also listen to it:"

My nephew, though young, is mature in mind, virtuous in character, filial in conduct, and understands the great kindness and righteousness of the emperor. At this time when the court is in need of capable people, if he can be selected and put to use, it may be of great benefit to the country.

Upon hearing the emperor's words, Jia Lian immediately knew something was wrong.

Lin Ruhai knew very little about his past, yet his recommendation of him was too good to be true.

However, the emperor was in the capital, and he could easily send someone to inquire about the world's opinion of him.

Given this inconsistency, one can imagine the depth of the emperor's suspicions.

Everything else is fine, but if the emperor suspects that I am a two-faced person, then my career in this life can be said to be over.

It turns out that performing too well in front of Lin Ruhai is not a good thing!

Now, how should I reply...?