The Second Master of the Red Chamber

The next morning, everyone in the Jia family dressed up in their finest attire and went to the palace to celebrate the Empress's birthday.

Baochai and Daiyu were naturally among them.

The difference is that Grandmother Jia, Madam Xing, Madam Wang, and Madam You all traveled by sedan chair, while Daiyu and Baochai traveled by carriage.

There was no special meaning behind it; Jia Lian's arrangement was simply to make it easier for him and his wife to sit together.

After Jia Lian had arranged the procession to enter the palace and bid farewell to Grandmother Jia, he went to the carriage at the back.

As soon as the curtain was lifted, four women could be seen inside the carriage.

Two stations and two seats.

Standing there were Zijuan and Ying'er, both dressed as elegant maids.

What is striking is Baochai and Daiyu sitting opposite each other, one in the south and one in the north.

This was because both women were dressed in the attire of a fifth-rank noblewoman.

Although these court-style official robes could not compare to the luxurious wedding gowns that Jia Lian prepared for them on their wedding day, they still possessed a sense of purity and solemnity.

Combined with the two women's stunning beauty, there was a kind of aloofness that made one feel unworthy of profanity.

Jia Lian watched with eyes full of approval.

After plopping down on the stool in front of me, I couldn't help but look around.

Jia Lian's undisguised gaze, when seen by Daiyu and Baochai, naturally evoked both shyness and joy.

Their official robes were all brand new; this was the first time they were wearing them in public.

The one for Daiyu was made for her by order of Grandmother Jia.

Baochai's outfit, on the other hand, was meticulously custom-made by Aunt Xue.

The clothing of both imperial consorts and noblewomen could be freely customized.

As long as it's within the standards set by the palace, and doesn't violate regulations or overstep boundaries, it's fine.

For the Xue family, Baochai's imperial robes held special significance.

The Xue family's direct line has not produced a Lady of Imperial Decree for many years.

It is easy to imagine how much Aunt Xue valued Baochai's status as an imperial consort.

Baochai's attire, befitting her noble birth, was naturally exquisite, as she was certainly not short of money.

In addition to her official attire, Daiyu also had a set of fourth-rank noblewoman's robes.

However, Daiyu never wore that noble robe.

I didn't plan to wear it this time either.

Because the Jia family, starting with the old lady, were all members of the imperial family who held titles of nobility.

Duchesses, on the other hand, were generally women from the royal family.

Daiyu had no intention of abandoning her noble status to mingle with the women of the imperial family.

Therefore, she chose the same fifth-rank official robes as Baochai.

This is exactly what Jia Lian wanted to see.

It would be so wonderful if Daiyu and Baochai were one.

"Are you nervous?"

Jia Lian asked with a smile.

Baochai and Daiyu exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

Naturally, I was nervous when I first entered the palace.

Now that it's the second time, and with Jia Lian by my side, I'm not so nervous anymore.

Jia Lian took Daiyu's small hand and led her to sit down beside him, saying with a smile, "Today is the Empress's birthday, so there are probably a lot of people in the palace."

"You should stay with Sister-in-law You. I've already told her to take good care of you."

Seeing that Daiyu sat down obediently, Jia Lian did the same thing again, while talking to her, he also pulled Baochai over and made her sit on the other side.

"Did you bring the painting?"

That's a gift for the Empress; we can't be careless.

Baochai nodded quickly and gestured to the box that Ying'er was holding.

Jia Lian clasped one of Daiyu's hands together in his palms and said to the two standing maids, "It's still quite a journey to the palace. You two should sit down and not break the painting."

"Yes, thank you, Second Master."

After Zijuan and Ying'er thanked them, they sat upright in the two corners.

They all knew in their hearts that Jia Lian was saying he was afraid of breaking the paintings, but in reality he was just being kind to them.

No matter how much she disliked Jia Lian, she grew increasingly fond of and grateful to him.

At this moment, Jia Lian had no time to pay attention to the two maids.

Looking left and right, he let go of Daiyu's hands and tried to put his arm around their waists.

Baochai quickly advised, "Husband, don't be silly. You'll wrinkle the clothes and make people laugh."

Although Daiyu didn't say anything, she still grabbed Jia Lian's groping hand that was reaching out to her.

Jia Lian realized at this moment that this kind of clothing was indeed inconvenient for hugging. He sighed inwardly and had no choice but to let the two women rest their heads on his shoulders.

……

Perhaps it was because the emperor was unwell.

The Empress's birthday celebration was also kept simple.

The palace had given a notice long ago that, apart from members of the imperial family and noblewomen, all civil and military officials were only allowed to send congratulatory invitations and were not permitted to enter the palace to offer their congratulations.

In other words, strictly speaking, Jia Lian doesn't need to go to the palace today.

However, Emperor Ningkang reminded him twice to prepare a congratulatory gift for the Empress, so Emperor Ningkang regarded him as a member of the imperial clan.
The banquet was to be held in the Imperial Garden.

The fourth prince led the imperial family members to the Wanchun Pavilion area in the east, while the noble ladies gathered in the west.

Of course, Jia Lian was neither in the east nor in the west.

He had barely parted ways with Daiyu and the others when Princess Zhaoyang summoned him away.

Outside Weiyang Palace, Princess Zhaoyang, seeing Jia Lian walking slowly, turned back and pulled him aside:
"Why are you so petty, Erlang? It's just that Grandmother didn't see you once."

She's my imperial grandmother, can't you at least be a little more lenient with your elders for my sake?

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian sighed and said, "Then let's do it this time."

If she gives me a hard time again this time, I won't come next time no matter what you say.

"Okay, okay, don't worry, I promise she won't."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled broadly.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, without having anyone announce their arrival, they led Jia Lian directly inside.

"Royal Grandmother~Royal Grandmother~"

Looking ahead at Princess Zhaoyang, whose hurried footsteps and voices echoed throughout the palace.

Jia Lian could clearly sense that Princess Zhaoyang, upon arriving here, had lost much of her composure and gained a greater sense of genuine ease and joy.

It seems that here she is no longer the eldest princess of the Great Wei, nor the commander of the Imperial Guards.

Instead, it is a child returning home.

Realizing this, Jia Lian felt even more pity for the princess who was so deeply in love with him.

He also decided to let it go for her sake and not hold a grudge against the Empress Dowager. He would treat her as an elder and show her respect from now on.

Following Princess Zhaoyang to the Empress Dowager's bedroom, they soon heard the Empress Dowager's voice giving instructions.

"I could hear your voice from far away. You're not a child anymore, can't you be more mature?"

The Empress Dowager appeared to have just gotten up, her hair slightly combed.

Her stunning beauty is breathtaking, even without makeup.

She was originally speaking to Princess Zhaoyang, but when she suddenly saw Jia Lian behind her, her brows furrowed slightly, and her expression changed from doting to aloof.

Princess Zhaoyang seemed oblivious, and simply stepped forward to hug her arm, laughing, "I only act like this in front of my grandmother."

Maintaining a composed demeanor in front of strangers is tiring enough; having to do the same at home is exhausting.

Jia Lian stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant Jia Lian greets the Empress Dowager."

"Hmm." The Empress Dowager nodded casually, not even looking at Jia Lian, and pulled Princess Zhaoyang to sit down, continuing:

"You're about to become a wife, and you still don't know how to save face for your husband's family. You're getting so close to some people, what are you going to say about you?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian's face darkened.

Seeing that things were not going well, Princess Zhaoyang immediately said in a coquettish tone, "Look at what Grandmother is saying, what do you mean by 'some people'? It's so rude."

As she spoke, Princess Zhaoyang stood up, took Jia Lian's arm, and stepped forward, solemnly introducing him to the Empress Dowager:
“Jia Lian is the grandson of the Emperor, which means he is my cousin. Shouldn’t we siblings be close?”
Just like my grandmother and I, we are the closest of people.

Would the Empress Dowager really want to see Qingran's closest people become estranged from her?

Princess Zhaoyang's words and statement surprised Jia Lian.

Although it was he who forced Princess Zhaoyang to accept it.

Because he knew that there was no actual sibling relationship between them, not even a physical kinship.

However, he knew that in Princess Zhaoyang's heart, he was indeed her cousin.

For the sake of the bigger picture, Jia Lian could not tell her the truth.

Unexpectedly, only a year has passed, and she has completely accepted it.

Not only did they accept it, but they were also able to so openly declare their relationship to the Empress Dowager.

If Jia Lian was like this, one can only imagine how the Empress Dowager was treated.

Because Princess Zhaoyang had confided in her, the Empress Dowager knew very well that Princess Zhaoyang's words did not mean she had let go of the past and wanted to become siblings with Jia Lian.

She was clearly afraid of giving up worldly constraints and becoming fearless.

Before, she was evasive about this and didn't dare to meet Jia Lian openly, did she?
Considering Emperor Ningkang's serious illness and his entrustment of military power in the capital region to her and Jia Lian, the Empress Dowager could easily draw a conclusion.

It must be that Emperor Ningkang no longer had the will or the ability to care about their affairs, which is why they have become so unscrupulous!

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager glared fiercely at Jia Lian.

That damned brat! My precious granddaughter's life is ruined because of him.

Jia Lian was naturally unconcerned about the Empress Dowager's gaze.

If Princess Zhaoyang is so open-minded, how could he be inferior to his own woman?

No matter how many rules of etiquette and morality there are, as long as I remain unmoved, they can do nothing to me.

"Fine, if you won't listen, I'm too lazy to argue with you anymore."

"Tell me, what brings you here so early in the morning?"

"Hehe, it's nothing important."

We came with Jia Lian to visit you, sir.

"Grandpa, do I look old?"

"Of course not. In my heart, my grandmother is the most beautiful woman in the world."

I think my grandmother is younger than me, only sixteen years old.

"If Grandmother would be so kind, I'd even like to call you 'sister.'"

"Hehe, you're such a smooth talker."

Seeing Princess Zhaoyang clinging to the Empress Dowager's arm and acting coquettishly, Jia Lian, standing to the side, looked slightly embarrassed.

With nothing to do, he could only look around at his surroundings.

There wasn't much to look at in terms of the environment, since this wasn't her first time visiting the Empress Dowager's bedroom.

His gaze involuntarily fell upon the palace maids inside the hall.

His gaze was casual.

Having seen so many beautiful women, he would not be infatuated with any palace maid who was pretty.

However, this caused great hardship for the palace maids on duty inside the palace.

A single glance from the imposing Jia Lian sent shivers down their spines, their minds racing with unrestrained thoughts.

Ultimately, knowing that the relationship between their princess and Jia Lian was unusual, they dared not flirt with Jia Lian casually.

"Duke Rong... Duke Rongguo!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Jia Lian snapped out of his daze and clasped his hands in a respectful greeting.

The Empress Dowager said displeasedly, "Does Rong Gong have taken a fancy to one of my people? Just say the word, and I can give her to you."

"Your Majesty is too kind. This humble subject dares not accept such praise."

"Humph."

The Empress Dowager looked at Princess Zhaoyang in her arms, as if to say, "See, this is the person you have chosen."

Princess Zhaoyang laughed and said, "Grandmother, you misunderstand. Duke Rong is not that kind of person."

You haven't seen how beautiful his two new brides are. If you had, you wouldn't doubt him.

As Princess Zhaoyang spoke, she noticed that Jia Lian had nothing to do there, so she called to her maid:
"Ziwei, Yuanxi, take the Duke to my bedchamber. I need to talk to my grandmother for a while, and I'll be back in a bit."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager opened her mouth as if to speak.

She finally saw it.

The two little ones' visit to her was just an excuse; they couldn't find a suitable place for a date in the palace, so they used her place as a ready-made venue, right?
However, after thinking about it, I didn't say anything to stop or object.

What can we do now?
Are we really going to marry Zhaoyang off to that sickly man from the Wei family?
According to the information she had gathered, it was uncertain how many days Wei Ruolan would have left to live.

Well then, children and grandchildren have their own destinies. Since she is willing to live this way, let her be.

Anyway, it seems that no one can interfere with them now.

……

Princess Zhaoyang's sleeping quarters were named Zhaoyang Palace.

Although it's called a palace, it's actually just a side courtyard next to the Empress Dowager's bedroom.

Jia Lian was actually quite curious about where Princess Zhaoyang grew up.

I've been here before, but I've never had a chance to explore it properly.

Since no one was around at the time, he carefully looked around the house, inside and out.

After reading it, Princess Zhaoyang still hadn't come over, so they knew that the grandmother and granddaughter had something to say to each other.

"My lord, please have some tea."

Sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), Jia Lian had just picked up a miscellaneous book from the head of the kang to pass the time.

Suddenly, a maid brought tea, so Jia Lian put down his storybook and looked at the two maids in front of him.

"My lord~"

The maid holding the teacup, seeing no reaction from Jia Lian and still looking at her, immediately called out coquettishly.

Jia Lian chuckled, took the teacup with one hand, and grasped the maid's small hand with the other.

Enjoy tea while appreciating your hands.

The maid was extremely shy. She symbolically tugged at her hand and then let Jia Lian caress it.

A moment later, Jia Lian put down his teacup and waved to the other one.

Although she was shy, she obediently came over and offered her little hand for Jia Lian to play with.

Although Jia Lian isn't a hand fetishist, he does have a certain fondness for young girls' small hands.

For example, Qingwen and Daiyu's small hands were Jia Lian's favorite.

However, he found it difficult to play with Daiyu's small hands carefully. Every time he had a wicked thought, Daiyu would be too embarrassed to let him play with them.

The two maids before me, though not as beautiful as Qing and Dai, are like wildflowers that smell sweeter than garden flowers.

At this time, it can be quite interesting to pass the time.

That's all.

How could Jia Lian not know what Princess Zhaoyang's true purpose was in inviting him to Weiyang Palace?

Although it's unclear why Princess Zhaoyang was so insistent on having a date here.

However, Jia Lian, who was indebted to her, naturally did not hesitate to fulfill her wishes.

Therefore, Jia Lian would not lay a hand on Princess Zhaoyang's maid until he had satisfied her needs. (End of Chapter)