Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 94 Meeting the Emperor Again

"Cong'er, quickly kneel down before Madam and kowtow!"

The east wing, Madam Xing's main room.

Yang, a concubine of Jia She, whose name was Cuiyun, brought her son to Madam Xing.

Since Jia She became bedridden, Madam Xing had been worried day and night, and her mood and energy were very poor. Seeing the actions of Madam Yang and her son, she frowned and asked, "What are you doing?"

As Yang made her son kowtow nine times, she knelt before Madam Xing and said with a sorrowful expression, "I have something I wish to discuss with you, Madam. Please have mercy and grant my request."

"Just say what you have to say. I'm not in the mood to beat around the bush with you."

Seeing that Madam Xing was somewhat displeased, Madam Yang quickly said, "I have always been in poor health, as you know. Now that Cong'er is of school age, I know that I am shallow and ignorant and have little knowledge. I am afraid that having Cong'er by my side will delay or mislead him."

Therefore, I would like to implore you, Madam, to take Cong'er under your care and raise him. Firstly, he can learn some manners and etiquette from you. Secondly, you are a person of high status, and it would be much better for him to be raised under your care than with me.

Please, Madam, grant my request for your sake. If you agree, Cong'er will be your own son from now on. When he grows up, he can take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days, fulfilling the bond between mother and son.

Upon hearing this, Madam Xing's expression suddenly changed. She seemed to realize that Madam Yang intended to adopt her son into her family!

This……

Madam Xing can be considered a winner in life. She went from being the daughter of an ordinary family to becoming the wife of the Duke's mansion and even obtaining the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady. For a man, this is comparable to a poor scholar becoming a First-Rank Prime Minister through hard work.

It can be said that she now has everything: status and position.

The only thing missing is that they don't have any children to rely on.

This was fate. She had wanted to conceive countless times, but God wouldn't grant her wish, and there was nothing she could do.

It wasn't a big deal originally. Without her son to hold her back, she could have lived a carefree and dignified life as the first wife.

But now, with Jia She about to die, she will truly be left all alone.

So, as soon as Yang finished speaking, she was tempted, but she held back and asked doubtfully, "Are you serious? Are you really willing to let Cong'er be raised here?"

Since ancient times, if the principal wife has no children, but the concubine does, there will always be disputes over who gets to have them.

Now, things have taken a turn for the worse. She didn't even have the intention to snatch it, but the other party has offered up their son on their own initiative!

Madam Yang also feigned some reluctance, but said, "He carries my blood and flesh, so I am naturally reluctant to part with him. But as a woman, Madam should be able to understand my good intentions."

Although he is of the Jia family bloodline, as long as he follows me, others will look down on him because he was raised by a concubine and will not treat him as a proper master.

Only by following you, my wife, can he have a bright future... This is my selfish wish, and I dare not keep it from you.

"But please rest assured, Madam. Since I have agreed to let Cong'er be raised by you, I will not compete with you for anything from now on. I only ask that you remember my kindness and allow me to visit him occasionally every month or two. That would be the greatest mercy you could bestow."

Madam Xing nodded; she agreed with Madam Yang's statement.

Regardless, she was the legal wife, and Cong's son would be far better off with her than with Madam Yang. She could understand Madam Yang's motives. If she had no other desires, she wouldn't have entrusted her perfectly good son to her.

He was happy and his words became gentle. He said to Madam Yang, "You don't need to say that. You know me. I'm not the kind of person who is mean and forgetful. Even if Cong'er is raised by me, I will not let him forget you, his biological mother."

Don't worry, from now on, Cong'er will be with me, and everything I have will also be part of Cong'er's.

Madam Xing smiled and beckoned Jia Cong to come to her side so she could take a closer look at this little brat she had never paid any attention to before.

"Mrs……"

Jia Cong called out timidly.

Madam Yang quickly patted him and instructed, "From now on, you are Madam's own son. Call her Mother."

"Mother" Jia Cong was indeed very obedient.

Hearing this voice for the first time in her life, Madam Xing smiled with joy, just like Grandmother Jia.

He patted Jia Cong's head and said with a smile, "Silly child, you should still call me Madam in front of others."

In this era, "mother" is a very affectionate term, so whether it is a biological son or a son in legal terms, he is called "wife".

Besides, she never imagined that Jia Cong would truly treat her as his biological mother after raising her. Her relationship with Yang Shi was merely a mutually beneficial arrangement. If Jia Cong were to call her "mother," others would likely think she was abusing her status to steal someone else's child.

Seeing that Madam Yang and Jia Cong obeyed her words as if they were sacred decrees, Madam Xing was even happier. She had a maid take Jia Cong downstairs to eat fruit and snacks, and then spoke a few words with Madam Yang before letting her go downstairs.

Subsequently, Yang arranged for Jia Cong's personal belongings to be delivered to the main house, which is not mentioned here.

……

A few days later, outside the capital city, which was ravaged by the last cold wind of the year, a group of six riders finally arrived.

"Sigh"

All the horses stopped moving under their master's control. Wang Dashuan looked up at the familiar city gate and sighed with a smile, "Finally, we're back in the capital before the New Year!"

Jia Lian turned around, first glancing at the two Mongolian girls whose large, bright eyes were wide with awe at the magnificent city walls before them, before turning to his personal guard, Feng Fei: "How do you feel?"

Feng Fei felt somewhat ashamed: "Thank you for your concern, Second Master. I am fine. It's all my fault. If I hadn't been injured, Second Master could have returned to the capital at least two days earlier."

"We've been very quick. Besides, if it weren't for you, I'd probably be the one who got hurt."

Alright, after we enter the city, you go back to your residence first and let your family know you're safe. The rest of you, come with me to the palace.

"Yes."

Following Jia Lian's instructions, Feng Fei was the first to return home to report the news. The entire household was overjoyed to learn that Jia Lian had returned safely.

……

Daming Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Emperor Ningkang was preparing to take a nap in the warm pavilion when he heard that Jia Lian had returned to the capital and entered the palace. He still put on his dragon robe and summoned him to the palace.

After a short while, Jia Lian, guided by an eunuch, strode in with his head slightly lowered.

"Your humble servant Jia Lian greets Your Majesty."

"Rise."

After a brief exchange of courtly formalities, Emperor Ningkang looked at Jia Lian, who had risen from his seat.

Yes, compared to a year ago, his face did have a more resolute expression, and his figure looked more upright. In addition, his light armor, which gleamed and shone, did add to his imposing presence.

Emperor Ningkang was somewhat dissatisfied after reading it.

The saying goes, "Nourishment shapes the body, and living environment shapes the temperament." These subtle changes in Jia Lian prove that he had indeed been tempered at the border.

First, he asked Jia Lian about the progress of the counterattacks by the various armies. After Jia Lian answered in detail, Emperor Ningkang nodded in approval.

Although this counter-offensive against the Tatars, Oirats, and other tribes only mobilized tens of thousands of troops, the winter march posed a severe test for the soldiers, so Emperor Ningkang kept a close eye on the situation at the front.

After hearing Jia Lian's account, Emperor Ningkang finally believed that everything was going smoothly at the border, and he could finally relax and enjoy the New Year.

"I heard that Wang Ziteng later promoted you to commander of an army, and you made many contributions in that position?"

Having finished discussing matters of great importance, Emperor Ningkang finally brought up Jia Lian's personal situation.

He hadn't forgotten that just over half a month ago, he had said he would investigate whether Jia Lian's military achievements were fabricated.

Jia Lian could also sense Emperor Ningkang's distrust of him, so he said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed true, but I have not made any great contributions. My minor achievements were all due to the favor of the Prince and the hard work of my soldiers."

As for this humble subject, I can only say that I didn't disgrace Your Majesty too much.

Jia Lian's last words were a reminder to Emperor Ningkang that he had personally selected Jia Lian to fight, and that any merit he had earned was due to Emperor Ningkang's discerning eye.

Once Emperor Ningkang understood this meaning, he would be too embarrassed to doubt his contributions any further.

Emperor Ningkang naturally understood, and not only did he understand, he understood it very clearly.

He snorted, "You went to the border and learned nothing but how to flatter and fawn?"

He wasn't really angry, and then said, "Regarding your merits, the Ministry of War will verify them after the war ends. I will not shortchange you on any reward that is due to you."

"I have only one question for you: after returning from the border, do you wish to return home and continue being a spoiled young master, or do you wish to obtain an official position and continue serving the court?"

When faced with a multiple-choice question, there is usually only one true option.

Therefore, Jia Lian immediately bowed and said, "Your humble servant has only one thought: to continue serving the court and remaining loyal to Your Majesty!"

Emperor Ningkang paused for a moment before telling Jia Lian to stand up, and then said, "After you return, first fulfill your filial duties to your father, and then await the court's appointment."

"Yes... may this humble subject take his leave?"

Seeing Emperor Ningkang casually wave his hand, Jia Lian bowed and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.