Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 75 A Happy Official Appointment

Upon hearing that Grandmother Jia was alright, the group of women in the corridor, whose doors were open, cheered up and dared to speak up.

Nearby, Jia Zheng was still trying to persuade Jia She: "Alright, brother, since His Majesty doesn't blame him and Lian'er has returned safely, it means he's really alright, so you don't need to worry."

Jia She retorted, "What do you mean there's nothing to worry about? He's just a troublemaker. Just because he's safe this time doesn't mean he won't drag us down next time!"

"That's enough!"

Grandmother Jia, leaning on her cane, could no longer bear to listen to Jia She's words. She turned to look at Jia She and scolded, "This is strange indeed. If anyone else knew that their son was protecting them so desperately outside, they would probably be laughing in their sleep. But you, instead of rewarding or encouraging him, only know how to scold him and find fault with him. In my opinion, Lian'er did nothing wrong this time."

If he allows others to insult his father outside, not only will I despise him, but he will also be unworthy of being a descendant of the Rongguo Mansion!

When Grandmother Jia got angry, neither Jia She nor Jia Zheng dared to speak again, and they could only lower their heads and listen to her reprimand.

Grandmother Jia didn't say much, and after silencing Jia She, she said to everyone, "Alright, let's not stand here outside anymore. It's freezing cold in the middle of winter. Let's all go inside."

"Lian'er, come in too, I have something to ask you."

"Yes."

Only then did Jia Lian have the opportunity to step onto the steps.

Wang Xifeng walked over, took Jia Lian's arm, looked him up and down, and asked in a low voice, "Are you really alright?"

Jia Lian smiled and nodded, and Wang Xifeng was finally relieved. She wanted to say something to Jia Lian, but there were too many people around, so she held back and just gave him a knowing look... We have a child!

Jia Lian smiled and reached out to touch her, which made Wang Xifeng blush and quickly walk away.

Upon entering Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia sat down in the soft chair she usually sat on. Turning around, she saw everyone standing and glanced around before realizing that Jia Zheng had also come in, but Jia She was nowhere to be seen.

"What are you doing here? Lian'er said she's fine, so don't waste our time talking. Get out."

Grandmother Jia bluntly ordered Jia Zheng to leave.

Jia Zheng chuckled awkwardly, "I also have a few questions for Lian'er. Since Mother has said so, then forget it. I'll wait for him at Mengpo Studio later."

As Jia Zheng spoke, he glanced at Jia Lian to make sure he understood his meaning, and then prepared to leave.

Jia Lian said, "Please wait, sir. I also have something to say. With you here, you can give me some advice."

"Is there something else? Didn't you finish what you were saying?" Hearing Jia Lian say this, Grandmother Jia became suspicious again.

Jia Lian cupped his hands and said, "There is indeed one more thing."

Although His Majesty did not reprimand him excessively, the Prince Duan's heir had been badly beaten by his grandson, and His Majesty also had to save face for the Prince Duan's family. Therefore, His Majesty gave his grandson a difficult task, sending him to patrol the border with his uncle from the Prince's family.

"Are you going to the border?"

The one who reacted most strongly and quickly was Wang Xifeng, because she was standing right next to Jia Lian. Upon hearing Jia Lian say this, she became uncontrollably anxious and no longer cared about losing her composure.

The border is such a dangerous place that no wealthy young man in the capital would be willing to go there.

In their minds, only those whose homes were confiscated and who were exiled would be sent to the border!

Grandmother Jia frowned. "Didn't you say you wouldn't blame me? Why are you being sent to the border? That's no joke, Lian'er. Tell me the truth, are you lying? The Emperor is still angry, so he's punishing you to go to that harsh, cold border region?"

"Grandfather, your grandson is not lying."

"To be honest, it was mostly my son who volunteered. His Majesty saw my patriotism and even gave me an official position. I expect the official documents from the ministry will be issued in a few days."

Jia Lian laughed.

"They even gave you an official position. What kind of position?"

Grandmother Jia and the others were all surprised. When the emperor bestows an official title, it is a real official position, which is not comparable to the official position that noble families can buy with a few hundred or a thousand taels of silver! The highest limit for an official position is the fifth rank.

"I don't know exactly what kind of official position it was. I was nervous at the time and didn't dare to ask His Majesty. I only heard His Majesty say something about a military officer who helps my uncle manage the army's provisions. I'm afraid my father might know what rank this official is."

Seeing Jia Lian looking at him, Jia Zheng stroked his beard and said, "A captain is a military officer. In our dynasty, there are those who are of the sixth rank and those who are of the fifth rank. The specific rank is not fixed and depends on the number of troops and horses under their command."

"Oh right, his uncle is going to lead troops to patrol the border? How come I didn't know about this?"

Wang Ziteng was Jia Baoyu's maternal uncle, so the family usually addressed him as "Uncle," even Jia Lian in the past did so.

This shows that he is now wholeheartedly following the second branch of the family. Jia Lian now intends to change the subordinate relationship, so he starts calling Wang Ziteng "uncle" on Wang Xifeng's side.

Jia Zheng was actually a little upset. He didn't even know that Prince Teng was going to send troops to patrol the border, and he had to find out from Jia Lian.

This made him feel somewhat embarrassed.

Jia Lian was surprised that Jia Zheng was unaware of this matter, which meant that the news had not yet spread. He then said, "His Majesty said it himself, so there must be no mistake."

Jia Zheng nodded, seemingly lost in thought.

As Grandmother Jia watched the two men, uncle and nephew, talking, she felt a pang of emotion.

Unexpectedly, Jia Lian turned misfortune into good fortune after beating the Prince.

Putting everything else aside, being able to speak with the emperor is an immense honor!

What's more, he was also given an official position. Whether it was a fifth or sixth rank, it was a real official post.

Just think of Jia Zheng. His father left a memorial on his deathbed, which only earned Jia Zheng the official title of a sixth-rank official. This shows how difficult it is for someone without official rank to get an official position from the emperor.

Although military officers are not as good as civil officials, especially civil officials in a department, Jia Lian obtained this position through his own luck! The significance of this is somewhat different.

For a moment, even Grandmother Jia feared that Jia Zheng might be depressed. He had worked diligently his whole life, and even with the help of his father's influence, he had only managed to become a fourth-rank official. Now, Lian'er was almost catching up...

Fortunately, judging from Jia Zheng's appearance, he didn't seem to have any such intention.

Grandmother Jia didn't care whether Prince Teng was on a border patrol or not; she was only curious: "Didn't you used to dislike being an official? Why do you seem quite happy that the Emperor has appointed you as a grain transport officer, which is clearly a tough job?"

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Buying an official position doesn't give you any real power, and you'll be looked down upon in the local areas. Why bother going through all that trouble? This is different. It may be a bit tough, but I imagine you'll have a lot of people to manage. Besides, following my uncle, I might even learn some real skills."

Jia Lian chuckled deliberately, seemingly expressing his disdain for the previous system of purchasing official positions, which lacked real power, and his preference for the one granted by the emperor.

As expected, Grandmother Jia was amused and scolded, "You probably don't even know your wife is pregnant, and you still want to go to the border? Aren't you worried? Don't you want to spend more time with her?"

"Is it really true?"

Jia Lian turned to look at Wang Xifeng and saw that she seemed somewhat resentful. He didn't say much, but just smiled and said to Grandmother Jia, "With Grandmother at home, what could I possibly worry about?"

Such simple and direct words are most likely to please Grandmother Jia.

She had initially worried that Jia Lian was putting on a brave face and would be too embarrassed to admit it after being punished by the emperor.

Now that I see he genuinely seems happy to be in this position, I believe he wasn't lying.

That's really strange. Has he suddenly become so ambitious?

Logically speaking, it wouldn't be difficult for families like theirs to become officials. Even substantive positions, as long as they didn't aspire to a high-ranking position in one of the Six Ministries like Jia Zheng, would be easily attainable for them.

However, neither Jia She, Jia Zhen, nor Jia Lian in the past were willing to do it.

The salary is meager, and there's a lot of work to do...

Where can you find the comfort of drinking and watching a play at home?

I don't know what's wrong with Lian'er, she's completely changed her personality now.

With no doubts, there was nothing more to ask. After telling Jia Zheng to leave, the atmosphere in the hall completely improved.

"I was planning to throw a banquet to celebrate your wife's pregnancy, but your father sent us the news, which scared us half to death, so the banquet couldn't be held. It's almost time for dinner."

Upon hearing what Grandmother Jia said, Lady Wang immediately stood up and invited Li Wan to the back to prepare dinner.

Jia Lian should have left at this point, but since Grandmother Jia hadn't told him to leave, he decided to stay.

Why should Jia Erbao be allowed to eat here all the time? He only occasionally freeloads a meal, and I doubt that Grandmother Jia would be too stingy with his food.

"Have you eaten yet? If not, you can eat here today."

Just then, Grandmother Jia noticed that Jia Lian showed no sign of leaving, so she asked him a question.

Jia Lian immediately smiled and said, "Then thank you very much for the meal, Ancestor."