The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Daiyu took a nice bath and then brought Xueyan and Liu Wu'er to the newly established CEO's office.

At a glance, one could see Baochai engrossed in her work.

"elder sister……"

Hearing the sweet voice calling her name, Baochai looked up and saw Daiyu with her hair slightly damp, her face as beautiful as a lotus and her eyebrows as delicate as willow leaves.

Especially when she smiles, it's like a cunning crescent moon.

A smile appeared on his face as he nodded and said, "You've come."

Daiyu walked over to Baochai's side, glanced at the booklet clutched in her hand, then at the stack of books piled up beside her, and asked with some concern:
"Haven't you finished watching yet?"

"That's about it, just a few more books left."

Daiyu frowned, thinking to herself that Jia Lian was indeed a good judge of character.

She doesn't have the patience to read through so many books in one day.

That's exhausting.

Baochai saw through Daiyu's thoughts and said with a smile, "We've only just taken over. If we don't learn more about it, we'll inevitably be laughed at by the people below."

"Once you get used to it, it won't be so tiring."

Daiyu nodded, no longer paying attention to that, glanced around, and asked, "I heard from the maids that Second Brother has returned?"

Baochai nodded, "It seems they went to the East Mansion..."

After thinking for a moment, Baochai added, "Perhaps at Tianxiang Tower."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu became somewhat displeased.

With so many beautiful women at Tianxiang Tower, it goes without saying that they were out having fun.

She dressed up so beautifully to come looking for him.

Baochai asked with a smile, "Does my sister have something to discuss with him? Should we send two people to accompany him?"

Xueyan and Liu Wu'er were left outside by Daiyu, and Baochai, not seeing them, made a suggestion.

Daiyu asked, "What about you, Sister Bao?"

Baochai knew that Daiyu was asking her if she wanted to go with her, so she shook her head: "I won't go, I still have some account books left to read."

Daiyu's original intention was to see what Jia Lian was doing with those beauties behind their backs.

Seeing that Baochai was unwilling to be with her, she knew that Baochai did not want to disturb Jia Lian.

After hesitating for a moment, she said, "If you're not going, then I'm not going either. Who wants to deal with him?"

I'll help my sister finish looking at these things.

Baochai smiled upon hearing this and asked her maid to bring over a chair.

Qingwen was bored lately, so she took advantage of the newly established office and found a position under Baochai to be at her beck and call.

However, Baochai was not short of manpower at all.

Not to mention that she already had five personal maids: Ying'er, Wenxing, Zhen'er, Jinchuan, and Yuchuan.

In addition, Aunt Xue assigned her a group of maids, and Daiyu had a large number of people at her disposal.

So even if Jia Lian doesn't send her more people, she'll have enough.

But Jia Lian even allowed her to draw personnel from the manor at her discretion.

Therefore, it can be said that the General Office doesn't make a difference whether Qingwen is added or removed.

The reason Qingwen continued to come every day was simply to have more opportunities to stay by Jia Lian's side.

At this moment, she had just been ordered by Baochai to put a batch of books into the cabinet in the inner room.

She overheard Baochai and Daiyu's conversation as she came out, and immediately had an idea.

After informing Baochai, she went to the outer room and told the maid on duty that if Lady Xue asked, she should say that she was feeling unwell and was going back first.

Then he ran back to the Grand View Garden in a flash, and from behind the Yihong Courtyard, at the foot of Longcui Mountain, he ran eastward towards the Ningguo Mansion.

The gate connecting the Grand View Garden and the Ningguo Mansion was guarded by servants, but they all knew Qingwen and naturally wouldn't stop her.

Thus, Qingwen arrived at Tianxiang Tower without any hindrance.

Qingwen was very familiar with Tianxianglou, so she found Jia Lian without even asking.

Qingwen originally thought that Jia Lian must be having a good time, but when she slipped into the palace, she found that the situation inside was not quite what she had imagined.

Jia Lian appears to be playing cards with the beauties!
Although the bed and floor were filled with beautiful women, most of whom were scantily clad, creating a very erotic atmosphere.

But what's the point of having so many beauties around instead of doing bad things, and instead dragging them to play cards?
Speaking of playing cards, the reason why Qingwen has been playing less lately is partly because she has noticed something.

Aside from the maids who served Jia Lian, the other maids in the other rooms were not well-off.

Sometimes it's easy to get angry when you lose, which is really boring.

Later, she simply stopped hanging out with people who were short on money.

Secondly, it was also because we happened to encounter someone who didn't follow the rules, which caused some unpleasantness and spoiled our mood.

But she actually quite enjoys playing cards, especially with Jia Lian.

Seeing this, she took off her shoes, stepping onto the carpet in only her stockings, and approached with a smile: "Second Master, are you playing cards..."

Qingwen's sudden appearance startled some people who hadn't seen her before.

Only after recognizing Qingwen did he relax.

Jia Lian looked up, glanced at her, and smiled, "Yes, you want to come too?"

"Hmm, there are still seats available..."

Qingwen glanced at it.

There were many people in the bed, but only one deck of cards.

Many people gathered around Jia Lian, either watching him play cards or giving him massages and tenderness.

Below, on the ground, groups of three or five had gathered at several tables.

She wanted to play with Jia Lian, but she was worried that the others wouldn't give up their spots.

Jia Lian said, "If you want to play, you can go and change into the same clothes as them."

"Didn't you say you looked better in these clothes than all of them? Go and put them on for me to see!"

Jia Lian's words were clearly intended to incite hatred against Qingwen.

Qingwen wasn't stupid or arrogant enough not to understand, so she quickly blushed and retorted, "No way... they just said I look good in it, they didn't say... they didn't say I look better than them... you're slandering me."

Even Qingwen was finding it hard to withstand the hostile gazes of more than twenty pairs of eyes.

After all, Qingwen wasn't truly friendless; Fangguan stepped in to help her out.

"Sister Qingwen, let me take you inside to change your clothes."

"Ah."

When Qingwen came out in a set of clothes similar to a Japanese school uniform, before everyone could appreciate her superior charm, cheers were heard coming from the other side of the bed.

"Alright, time's up, Second Master won again!"

"Hey down there, whoever won the most, hurry up and come up here to be Second Master's wine cup!"

Qingwen was surprised. Was there a time limit?
Also, what's used as a wine glass?
She clearly saw that the players had money in front of them, weren't they playing for money?
Without Qingwen even needing to ask, she quickly understood.

On the ground, at three or four tables, the big winners counted their brand-new copper coins and compared them.

"Haha, Little Blue Sister won! She won the most!"

Despite being shy, Xiao Lan did not break the rules despite the teasing from the crowd.

She stood up shyly and began to take off her maid outfit.

However, she had barely started when the other girls, annoyed by her slow pace, swarmed around her and quickly stripped her naked, pushing her onto the cool couch.

"Let me pour you some wine, Second Master!"

Little Purple, who was closest to Little Blue, took the wine jug from her.

Little Blue looked at the spot next to Jia Lian that everyone had made way for, and at her best frenemy Little Purple's eager expression.

He took a deep breath, knelt down beside Jia Lian, and, imitating the previous seniors, straightened his arms and bent over.

Thus, the dimples on her smooth, white back naturally emerge.

Seeing this, Xiao Zi wasted no time and immediately stepped forward, tilting the spout and pouring the fine wine from her good friend's high-raised shoulders.

Accompanied by the soft sound of flowing spring water, the fine wine flowed down the beautiful woman's back, gathering in her waist hollow, and soon forming a spring.

Qingwen was greatly surprised.

She truly hadn't expected that such a beautiful woman would actually possess the power to intoxicate a wine cup. Where did Second Master come up with this utterly degrading idea!
No, perhaps it wasn't Second Master's idea.

I've followed Second Master for so many years, and I've never seen him play like this before.

It must be these vixens in front of me who, in order to curry favor, bewitched the Second Master into doing such absurd things.

Qingwen's idea was soon proven true.

The person holding the wine vessel, Xiao Zi, noticed that Jia Lian was looking at the fine wine and cups with a burning gaze, clearly very satisfied.

On a sudden inspiration, she asked with a smile, "Second Master, how does this wine cup compare to the previous one?"

The girl's question not only intensified the romantic feelings in everyone's hearts, but even Jia Lian's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but glance at her.

Then he nodded: "That's right, it should be the best of the top three."

"Hehehe."

Xiao Zi seemed determined to embarrass her best friend, and upon hearing this, she immediately lowered her head to claim credit:
"Sister Xiaolan, did you hear that? Second Master is praising you."

I got all of this for you. Remember to share half of your winnings with me later!

Xiao Lan rested her head on her hands and remained silent.

Whether we get a share of the money or not is another matter, but if you wait any longer, I'll definitely beat you to death.

Seeing Jia Lian lower his head and take a sip of wine, Qingwen finally couldn't help but ask, her face flushed, "Second Master, what are you doing..."

Everyone was taken aback for a moment before realizing that there was an outsider here who didn't know the rules of the game.

Without Jia Lian having to explain himself, Shen Pan'er, who was kneeling in her flight attendant uniform, introduced, "As you can see, the table above us and Second Master is the main table."

The three tables below are the secondary tables.

Each game lasts for one incense stick's time (about half an hour). When the current game ends, a winner is selected.

If the Second Master wins at the main table, the winner at the next table will come up to serve as his wine cup.

If the second master loses, the biggest loser from the next table will come up and serve as a wine cup for the winner at the main table.

Qingwen was speechless.

Why are the stakes so high when it's just a game of catching thieves (Dou Dizhu)?

"Of course, whether Second Master wins or loses, anyone who has been pawned as a wine cup or drunk wine can take away the money she won or lost."

"Yes, everyone started with a single string of cash, all given by Second Master."

Qingwen keenly noticed the loophole: "What if the biggest loser at the next table loses all the money?"

"She can only blame her bad luck; she got no money even after being used as a wine cup."

Qingwen thought to herself: "So it makes sense. Regardless of whether Second Master wins or loses, everyone will try their best to win as much money as possible, since the big winner has a high probability of taking all the money."

As for the big losers, whether Second Master wins or loses, there's no benefit for them.

Pshaw, what are you thinking?

I'm not short of money, why would I want to take that humiliating job of being a wine cup?

Of course, I'd like to sit at the main table and play with Second Master.

If others knew what Qingwen was thinking, they would definitely laugh at her.

She's been with Second Master for so many years, an "old hand," and she still wants to sit at the table?

Although the Second Master didn't say it explicitly, judging from his arrangement, it's clear that the nine people on the ground, who have the chance to become wine cups, are all beauties who haven't been "opened" yet.

Commonly known as a virgin.

If Qingwen truly deserved to sit at the second table, then they would truly admire Jia Lian!
Seeing that Qingwen had figured out the rules, Shen Pan'er voluntarily gave up her seat for Qingwen.

While the "fairy maid outfit" (flight attendant uniform) that Second Master mentioned does enhance one's charm, the skirt is not suitable for squatting or sitting cross-legged.

My legs are quite sore from kneeling on the tatami for so long.

Qingwen didn't stand on ceremony, thanked her, and took over Shen Pan'er's position.

She was ambitious and would never intentionally lose to Jia Lian so that he could drink the wine from the beauty's waist.

In fact, what she liked most was winning Jia Lian's money.

Because the Second Master was very magnanimous, he could always accept both winning and losing.

She completely forgot that Shen Pan'er had said that the big winner at the main table would be drinking fine wine.

So, after she finally succeeded in becoming the big winner, she finally achieved her goal.

Looking at the fine wine poured in front of her, she blushed and didn't know what to do.

……

Seeing that Qingwen had endured the discomfort and drunk the wine, she then stepped down and refused to continue, the group of beauties who had just gotten used to it laughed uncontrollably.

Jia Lian's playful mood also subsided, and he ordered the playing cards and copper coins to be removed.

Then, he grabbed the official, who had just made Qingwen's wine cup and hadn't even gotten up yet, and while playing with him, said to the four beauties:
"I just went to check on the music hall. It's all decorated and ready to open at any time."

You don't need to feel any pressure. You can come anytime you want. Just remember to tell Jiang Yun in advance so she can arrange for my bodyguards to pick you up and drop you off.

If you have any problems, communicate with Jiang Yun promptly. If she can't solve them, send someone to me. Don't keep anything to yourself, or I'll be unhappy.

The four stunningly beautiful "celestial maidens" all answered yes.

Jia Lian then looked at the eleven officials standing in two rows on the other side: "If any of you want to show your talents, become famous, or help your four gentlemen, you can also sign up with Jiang Yun and get a job in the music hall."

However, you must understand that when you're outside, things are naturally not as relaxed as at home.

Everything must be done according to Steward Jiang's arrangements; no whims are allowed.

"Yes……"

The minor actors who had initially been somewhat envious and wanted to go out and make friends with socialites and noblewomen, and incidentally help Jia Lian earn money, immediately gave up their plans.

Yes, how could I have almost forgotten? Outside, we little actors have no status whatsoever.

It was only under the protection of the Second Master that no one dared to bully them.

Because they had access to the Second Master, the servants of both households had to treat them with respect and dared not offend them.

Why not stay at home and live a carefree life? Why go out and suffer?

Aside from a few individuals who genuinely believed they were talented and wanted to gain more attention from Jia Lian, they were determined to follow the four gentlemen to the music hall.

Qingwen, who was kneeling behind Jia Lian and massaging him, heard something about "music hall" and then about displaying talent and becoming famous, and she hurriedly asked curiously.

Jia Lian patted her, signaling her to shut up, and then continued with the arrangements.

"I started this music hall because I was afraid you would be bored at home, so I wanted to provide you with a place to pass the time."

This is also an opportunity for you to showcase your talents and gain recognition.

But I don't want you to help me earn money to support my family.

I, Jia Lian, have not fallen to that level of destitution.

Therefore, you don't need to compromise yourselves in the music hall; just treat yourselves like teachers in a private school.

The only difference is that the private school teachers taught the Four Books and Five Classics, while you were taught music, dance, and the arts of playing musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

The standards for joining the music troupe are very high, so those who come are mostly daughters of wealthy and powerful families, and they are usually well-mannered.

If you encounter someone who is rude and tries to bully you, I give you the right to drive them away and declare that the music hall will never entertain them again.

I have already discussed this with Jiang Yun.

In business, harmony is paramount.

However, Jia Lian's business wasn't entirely about opening a shop, so he didn't need to worry too much.

They are not afraid of offending anyone.

As the first Duke of the dynasty, the military governor of the capital, and the grandson of the retired emperor, anyone who dares to cause trouble in his territory is clearly disrespecting him.

Not causing trouble for the other party shows his magnanimity.

However, Gu Qingyi and the others were unaware of Jia Lian's considerations, and were deeply moved upon hearing this.

Although they were just one of the women in the Second Master's life who didn't hold a high position, the care and attention he showed them was something that other men couldn't do for their wives.

Being by the Second Master's side, they no longer needed to give anything beyond pleasing him.

Jia Lian would not only provide them with the best living conditions, but also prevent anyone from bullying them or using them for personal gain.

He was even willing to support them in becoming famous.

This was simply unimaginable for courtesans like them.

The future is unpredictable, but at least in this moment, each of them is incredibly grateful and loyal to Jia Lian. (End of Chapter)