The Second Master of the Red Chamber

In the afternoon, Jia Lian was diligently painting in his study.

Baochai brought in the soup.

Seeing the crumpled papers scattered all over the floor by Jia Lian, she picked one up, unfolded it, looked at it, and then asked, "What troubles have you encountered, my husband?"

Jia Lian looked up and waved to Baochai.

As she approached, he pulled her onto his lap and said with a smile, "The Empress's birthday will be here soon."

The Empress has always been kind to me, so I thought I should prepare a birthday gift with care.

I had originally learned that the Empress was a Buddhist, and I had planned to give her some Buddhist scriptures and statues as a congratulatory gift.

But then I thought, the Empress has received countless such gifts; even if I collect the best ones and send them, I might not be able to please her.

Baochai, who was also watching Jia Lian paint, smiled and said, "So, my husband was thinking of painting a birthday picture himself to present to the Empress?"

Jia Lian sensed the teasing in Baochai's tone and couldn't help but lightly pat her shapely bottom: "What, is it not allowed?"

Baochai's ample buttocks were assaulted, and she gave Jia Lian a coquettish glare.

"It's alright, but this kind of gift is far too meager."

Baochai meant that when others gave gifts to the Empress, they all wanted to give the most valuable ones.

Jia Lian, on the other hand, actually thought of painting a picture himself as a congratulatory gift.

Don't say that Jia Lian was not a master of painting.

Even if Jia Lian is indeed a renowned master painter, using a painting he created as a congratulatory gift seems rather insignificant.

After all, even famous paintings often only become valuable after the artist's death.

Moreover, this is a live painting.

Jia Lian, however, did not take it to heart. He held Baochai's soft waist and enjoyed the faint fragrance of seasonal flowers emanating from her.

He boasted shamelessly, "I used to think you were smart, but it seems I overestimated you."

Don't you think about it? What kind of precious gifts hasn't the Empress received?

Therefore, the value of the gift was never the most important thing to the empress.

The important thing is the person who gives the gift, and whether the gift was given with care.

Instead of spending money to buy those unoriginal gifts, I'd rather make one myself.

Even if it's worthless in itself, as long as Her Majesty the Empress can see my sincerity in it, she will naturally be very happy.

Upon hearing this, Baochai naturally understood Jia Lian's meaning.

Indeed, given Jia Lian's current status and position, a gift he makes with his own heart is far more meaningful than one he buys with money.

So he looked down at Jia Lian's work.

Ok……

From Baochai's professional perspective, there's really nothing remarkable about it.

Moreover, while the idea is good, the presentation is somewhat flawed.

Since it concerned the Empress, Baochai naturally didn't want Jia Lian to make a silly mistake, so she reminded him: "Husband, this 'Child Offering Peaches' painting, although well-intentioned, is slightly inappropriate for the Empress."

It is said that the Empress and the current Emperor have a harmonious marriage, but the Empress has no children.

This must be a source of great anxiety for the Empress.

Although my husband's painting was well-intentioned, the Empress may not think much of it. I fear others might find fault with it, thus failing to appreciate your good intentions.

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian was startled.

Indeed, he only thought that the Empress had treated him very well and had even intended to adopt him as her son, so he thought of sending her a congratulatory gift from the perspective of a son.

The child in his painting is actually a veiled reference to himself.

Little did they expect that such a painting might stir up painful memories for the Empress.

After frowning and thinking for a moment, Jia Lian looked at Baochai in his arms and suddenly smiled, "What Baochai said makes sense. It was I who overlooked it."

This painting, however, was conceived by my husband with painstaking effort.

"If I were to change it now, firstly, I can't think of a good solution, and secondly, I don't have that much time to waste on it."

Baochai knew that Jia Lian had just taken charge of the capital garrison and was busy with military affairs, so she didn't think much of it.

After hesitating for a moment, she offered, "I do have time. If my husband trusts me, I can paint another birthday greeting picture for him."

Looking up, she saw Jia Lian smiling and assumed he was worried about her skill level, so she explained:

"To be honest, my father was very fond of painting."

Therefore, when I was a child, he hired a famous teacher to teach me painting.

Although I am not an expert, Chai'er still understands the general principles of painting.

My lord, please allow me to draw it. If you find it good, then please use it.

If it doesn't work, my husband, may we try another method?

"Hehehe, alright, we'll do as Chai'er says."

Jia Lian had no reason to worry about Baochai's abilities.

From the scene in the original novel where she teaches Xichun to paint, and her eloquence amazes and amuses Daiyu, it's clear that she is a master painter.

Moreover, although Baochai likes to hide her talents, everyone knew about her abilities to some extent when they were together before.

Baochai had no idea that she had fallen into Jia Lian's trap.

Upon seeing that Jia Lian agreed, he immediately picked up Jia Lian's drawing and began to carefully study the revised plan.

She was naturally fair-skinned, with bright eyes and white teeth, and now, with her serious expression, she appeared even more aloof and refined.

So Jia Lian couldn't resist turning his head to kiss her luscious red lips.

Helpless, Baochai had no choice but to temporarily put aside her business and focus on dealing with her husband's requests for a kiss.

Not long after, she noticed that Jia Lian was aroused, so she quickly grabbed his hand and said shyly, "Husband, have you forgotten that I haven't been feeling well these past few days..."

Jia Lian hadn't forgotten her; he was just thinking of spending time with her before finding another beauty to vent his frustrations on later.

But when she spoke, her lips parted slightly, revealing her pearly white teeth, and she looked shy and reserved—it was incredibly alluring.

Suddenly an idea came to her, and she feigned a troubled expression: "But I really want to be intimate with Chai'er, so perhaps..."

As Jia Lian spoke, he bit Baochai's ear and whispered his unreasonable demands into her ear.

Baochai immediately lowered her head, unable to speak due to her embarrassment.

Jia Lian was her husband, and serving him was her duty.

Moreover, the fact that Jia Lian is so eager for her, even wanting to take advantage of her absence during her truce period, also proves his affection for her.

Knowing that Daiyu probably wouldn't be coming today, she hesitated for a moment before replying softly, "Not here..."

"Hahaha... Okay, not here."

Jia Lian laughed loudly, picked up Baochai, and stood up, heading towards the dimly lit inner room at the back.

After a long while, Jia Lian sat down behind his desk again.

After taking a sip of the soup that Baochai fed him, he smiled and said, "It's a little cold."

Seeing that Baochai was about to put down the soup bowl, he stopped her again: "It's alright. After all, it was prepared for me by Baochai. Even if it were poisoned, I would still drink it, no matter if it's just a little cold."

"What nonsense are you talking about, my husband?"

Baochai gave her a playful glare. With a flick of her fingers, she scooped up half a spoonful of soup and brought it to her lips. After taking a small sip, she found it was indeed a bit cold. "If my husband wants some, I'll have the maids take it away and heat it up before bringing it back."

Jia Lian shook his head.

He wasn't particularly interested in eating, but looking at the stunningly beautiful woman before him, especially her once clean and vibrant red lips, now somewhat moist and disheveled, stirred a ripple in Jia Lian's heart.

I couldn't help but recall the wonderful moments that had just taken place in the inner room.

So he took the soup bowl from Baochai's hand and said with a smile, "Chai'er worked so hard just now, she must be hungry. How about I feed her?"

Baochai instinctively wanted to shake her head and refuse, but seeing that Jia Lian had already moved the chair back half a step and spread his legs, clearly intending for her to sit on his lap so that it would be easier to feed her.

Baochai subconsciously glanced around the study.

Fortunately, the maids were all very sensible and knew that their mistress needed some private space, so they all stood guard outside.

Ultimately, the urge to be intimate with Jia Lian overcame her shyness. She lifted her skirt slightly, turned around, and sat on Jia Lian's left leg.

Seeing that even the way Baochai sat down was so elegant and graceful, Jia Lian liked her even more.

With his left hand, he skillfully wrapped his arm around Baochai's soft waist and let Baochai hold the soup bowl herself. Then, with his right hand, he picked up a spoon, scooped up some soup, and brought it to Baochai's lips.

Baochai glanced shyly at Jia Lian, lowered her head slightly, parted her lips slightly, and took a small sip from Jia Lian's hand.

Seeing that Jia Lian was not cooperating, she looked up and found that Jia Lian's expression was blank and his eyes were staring straight at her.

Baochai was intelligent and, seeing this, seemed to sense Jia Lian's despicable intentions, so she wanted to get up.

Jia Lian quickly stopped him, and said with a smile, "Is it delicious? Have some more..."

As she spoke, she continued to bring the remaining soup in the spoon to Baochai's lips.

Baochai could not refuse, so she could only open her mouth again.

This time, Jia Lian was very cooperative. He not only raised his arm to make it easier to feed her, but also, the moment Baochai opened her mouth, he inserted a large portion of the white ceramic spoon with red plum blossom patterns into Baochai's red lips.

This forced Baochai to open her mouth, revealing her pearly white teeth and fresh tongue.

Baochai seemed a little uncomfortable, and with her bright eyes filled with confusion, she questioned Jia Lian.

Jia Lian ignored him and continued feeding the beauty.

And even after the beauty had passively drunk all the soup from the spoon, he did not withdraw, but instead used the spoon to gently stir the soup in the beauty's mouth.

The white porcelain spoon lightly touched Baochai's white, porcelain-like teeth, producing a soft, metallic sound.

Her tender, fragrant tongue stepped forward to assist, gently pressing against the spoon, which only intensified Jia Lian's gaze.

A satisfied and playful smile graced his face, as if teasing the beauty in this way brought him pleasure.

Only when Baochai's bright eyes revealed her dissatisfaction did Jia Lian reluctantly pull out the spoon, scoop out another half spoonful of soup, and feed it to Baochai.

Of course, he was still as mischievous as before.

After a while, Baochai realized that Jia Lian was doing it on purpose.

Baochai, who roughly understood where Jia Lian's pleasure came from, could only suppress her shame and sit silently on Jia Lian's lap, cooperating with his teasing.

It wasn't until a sweet, coquettish voice rang out that the increasingly intimate and inappropriate feeding session was interrupted.

"Oh dear, I've come at an inopportune time."

Daiyu led Xueyan into the study and immediately saw Baochai sitting on Jia Lian's lap, being fed soup by Jia Lian.

No one knows what Jia Lian did that caused Baochai's originally fair face to turn bright red.

When Baochai saw Daiyu, she quickly took off Jia Lian's arms, straightened her clothes, and said awkwardly to Daiyu, "Sister Lin, you've come."

"Yes, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I've come at an inopportune time."

Seeing that Baochai was embarrassed by Daiyu's teasing, Jia Lian laughed and said, "Your sister Bao made me some soup, but I couldn't finish it. I thought it wouldn't be a waste, so I fed it to your sister Bao."

If you're envious, there are some more here; come over and I'll feed you.

As Jia Lian spoke, he patted his thigh, gesturing for Daiyu to come over so he could feed her in the same way.

Daiyu, of course, wouldn't go over; she only retorted in a coquettish voice, "I don't care. Who knows what you're feeding Sister Bao..."

He does not mean that.

Baochai seemed to have thought of something, and her already fair and rosy face flushed bright red and even felt hot.

She couldn't help but look at Jia Lian, only to find that Jia Lian was also looking at her, which made her lower her head in embarrassment.

The two's slightly unusual behavior aroused Daiyu's suspicion.

When she said that, she meant that Jia Lian could make Baochai's face turn red just by feeding her soup, so it must not have been a proper way of feeding her soup.

He circled Baochai suspiciously, scrutinizing her for a moment, trying to find clues on her face.

Feeling guilty under Daiyu's gaze, Baochai couldn't help but wipe her lower lip with the embroidered handkerchief she had just taken out of her sleeve, and asked shyly, "Good sister, what are you looking at..."

Seeing that even the usually outgoing Baochai dared not look her in the eye, Daiyu felt even more strongly that there was a secret between her and Jia Lian that they were keeping from her.

Unable to guess, he imitated Jia Lian's usual tone and teased, "Me? I'm admiring a beautiful woman."

Look at how rosy my little sister's cheeks are! She's so envious!

Daiyu wanted to imitate the lecherous tone of the big lecher, but her sweet and charming voice was just too adorable.

Jia Lian laughed heartily, not wanting Daiyu to keep embarrassing Baochai, otherwise Baochai might not be willing to cooperate with him next time.

So he called to the two women and changed the subject: "The Empress's birthday is in a few days. I'll have your sister Bao draw a 'birthday celebration picture' for me to present to the Empress."

Lin Daiyu, if you have nothing to do, you can also help your Baochai sister.

"If you handle this matter well, I'll take you to the palace to celebrate the Empress's birthday, how about that?"

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Baochai's mind stirred.

It's the Empress's birthday celebration, and I'm afraid all the noble ladies and ladies of high rank in the capital will be there.

Being able to attend such an occasion is undoubtedly a symbol of status and position.

If the emperor had not bestowed an imperial decree upon her on her wedding day, Baochai would most likely have rejected Jia Lian's proposal.

She was a very polite person and didn't want to go to such an occasion as a layperson and be criticized.

But now, thanks to Jia Lian's favor, she is a proper fifth-rank noblewoman, and naturally, she is qualified to attend such occasions.

Anyway, Sister Feng is currently eight months pregnant, so it's highly unlikely she'll be able to go.

Baochai was pondering this matter in her heart, while Daiyu seemed indifferent.

"You mean if we can't handle this for you, you won't take us with you?"

"Haha, how could that be? As long as you want to go, I'll take you regardless of how well it goes or not."

Daiyu was somewhat satisfied then.

Thinking of the Empress's dignified and noble demeanor on her wedding day, and how kind she was to them, Daiyu did not refuse.

Although she didn't particularly like those grand occasions, she knew that after marrying Jia Lian, she would still have to attend such events to some extent.

Otherwise, over time, others might really look down on her.

Having decided on this matter, and taking advantage of the remaining time, Jia Lian and the other two simply gathered around the desk to discuss and practice how to construct a birthday celebration painting.

For Daiyu and Baochai, being able to stay by Jia Lian's side and engage in literary pursuits was a poetic and picturesque experience.

For Jia Lian, it was even simpler.

With such beautiful and intelligent young women as Daiyu and Baochai by his side, everything he did was pleasant. (End of Chapter)