The Second Master of the Red Chamber

When Princess Zhaoyang returned to Zhaoyang Palace, she dismissed her maids.

He entered the palace alone and went to the inner room, where he saw Jia Lian lying on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Beside Jia Lian, two fully clothed maids knelt facing each other, diligently massaging his shoulders and back.

Princess Zhaoyang smiled and stepped forward, saying, "My grandmother and I haven't seen each other for many days, and we have a lot to talk about. Erlang, have you been waiting for a long time?"

Jia Lian glanced at her sideways, then said without looking up, "I didn't wait long. Anyway, with them around, I wasn't bored."

When the two maids saw the princess arrive, they wisely got off the kang (heated brick bed) and made way for her.

Princess Zhaoyang then sat down on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed). Seeing that Jia Lian didn't seem to be getting up, she casually massaged his shoulders while smiling and saying:
"How did Erlang become so honest?"

I had them bring you over so you could have some fun.

It seems Erlang didn't touch them. Does he not like them?

The two maids who had just stood to the side felt somewhat ashamed upon hearing this.

At the same time, she looked at Jia Lian on the kang with eyes that were both resentful and worried.

They were all used by the princess to please Jia Lian when she was pregnant.

As a result, their status around the princess was greatly elevated.

Therefore, they were very worried that if Jia Lian said he didn't like them, the princess would replace them with other people to serve Jia Lian, and their status would likely be in jeopardy.

However, their worries were completely unnecessary.

Without hesitation, Jia Lian replied, "No, I'm just saving my energy to deal with you."

"If they eat it all, what will you eat?"

Jia Lian's blunt and direct words were so blatant that even Princess Zhaoyang, who was trying to make a joke, couldn't take it.

She tried her best to remain composed, but two red blushes eventually appeared on her cheeks. She gave Jia Lian, who was enjoying the moment with his eyes closed, a rather annoyed look.

He turned to the two maids who wanted to laugh but dared not, and said, "Alright, you may both leave."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, the two maids, Ziwei and Yuanxi, quickly composed themselves and retreated to stand guard outside the palace gate.

Once the maids left, Jia Lian stopped pretending.

He flipped over and pinned Princess Zhaoyang beneath him, bowing his head to her.

Knowing that he would be attending the Empress's birthday celebration later and that time was limited, he decided not to dawdle.

After only a few simple kisses, he was about to remove Princess Zhaoyang's palace dress.

Unexpectedly, Princess Zhaoyang stopped her in a hurry, and gestured towards the outside of the hall: "No, the palace maids will hear us..."

Jia Lian didn't think much of it when he heard this, assuming that Princess Zhaoyang didn't want the Empress Dowager's people to know.

So he countered, "Then what should we do? Why don't you just bear with it?"

Princess Zhaoyang rolled her eyes, sat up, adjusted her clothes, and explained in a low voice:
"Although this is where I used to live, I have taken away most of the people who used to serve me."

Many of those who remain here today were later arranged by the Empress Dowager.

"It would be terrible if they told the Empress Dowager."

Jia Lian turned over and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling somewhat discouraged.

The moment he pinned Princess Zhaoyang down on the kang (heated brick bed), he felt exceptionally good.

It is no less than the combination of Daiyu and Baochai.

He probably understood, because this was in the palace, and the person he was pressing down on was a princess.

Besides, didn't the Empress Dowager dislike him?
He insisted on seeing his most beloved granddaughter writhing and submitting to his pleasure beneath him.

Right in her bedroom.

With several factors weighing on him, Jia Lian was reluctant to give up halfway.

If the target hadn't been Princess Zhaoyang, he would have preferred to force himself on her.

Princess Zhaoyang knew Jia Lian well, and could tell from his expression that he was very unhappy.

Then she smiled and said in a low voice, "Behind the Empress Dowager's palace is a two-story pavilion, which was originally built by the Emperor's grandfather for the Empress Dowager to practice the zither."

Later, it became the place where I studied.

After I moved out, the place became deserted..."

Jia Lian understood immediately and asked with bright eyes, "Can we get through?"

Princess Zhaoyang smiled slightly, stood up, took Jia Lian's hand, walked around the room, and opened the back door.

Sure enough, the backyard was very quiet. The two of them, like thieves, quietly walked along the covered walkway and soon arrived at a secluded two-story pavilion.

Seeing that no one was around, Princess Zhaoyang gently pulled Jia Lian inside.

……

Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang believed they were keeping their whereabouts secret.

Little did they know that as soon as they slipped out of Zhaoyang Palace, their whereabouts were reported to the Empress Dowager by a palace maid.

"Qin Pavilion?"

"Yes, this servant saw with her own eyes that Her Highness the Princess took the Duke of Rong to the Qin Pavilion..."

"Well, I understand.

The Qin Pavilion was where the princess studied when she was a child; perhaps they went there to study.

Okay, just keep this to yourself, don't tell anyone else.

After dismissing the maids, the Empress Dowager intended to pretend she didn't know anything and continue fiddling with her musical score.

But I found that I couldn't calm myself down.

So I got very angry.

She knew her grandniece's temperament all too well; despite her obedient demeanor in front of her, she was actually incredibly audacious and reckless.

Just moments ago, he was in front of her, repeatedly assuring her that nothing had happened between her and Jia Lian.

Turning around, she actually pulled Jia Lian to the attic...

The Empress Dowager felt that she was already very enlightened.

Apart from forcing Princess Zhaoyang to choose a husband due to the Emperor Emeritus's order, she did not interfere with Princess Zhaoyang's choices after the Emperor Emeritus was placed under house arrest.

She thought to herself, "A son grows up and is no longer under his mother's control."

Whatever they did outside, she decided to ignore it.

Who knew that her indulgence would only make the other party more arrogant, and now they even dare to do whatever they want in her palace?

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got, and I wanted to grab the person and teach them a lesson.

I did feel a little embarrassed.

Having endured so many years of loneliness and isolation, she actually understands the impulses of young men and women to some extent.

And what if they really are just reading a book?

If I rush over rashly and get a misunderstanding, wouldn't that be a loss of face for the Empress Dowager?

Let's clarify the situation first.

However, this kind of thing definitely shouldn't be known to too many people.

There was no other way but for her to go and see for herself.

Having made up her mind, the Empress Dowager immediately began to take action.

Fortunately, she preferred peace and quiet, and now there were far fewer people in the entire Weiyang Palace than before.

Therefore, there was no need to avoid others; they simply left the back room and headed straight for the Qin Pavilion.

She was both relieved and nervous that she didn't encounter anyone along the way.

After hesitating for a long time in front of the attic, and making sure no one was following me, I went inside.

Finding no one on the first floor, she made her way to the second floor with the lightest steps she had ever taken.

Sure enough, after climbing only half of the stairs, they could faintly hear some indescribable sounds coming from above, sounds that seemed to stir up the most primal human impulses!
She stood frozen in place.

After a while, he finally lifted his heavy legs and went to the outer corridor.

The attic was small, and there was only one room on the second floor.

So she didn't need to think to guess the source of the sound.

Standing outside the front door, her face was ashen. Because of this position, every sound was clearer.

She now has two choices: pretend she knows nothing and turn away.

Or they should speak up and rebuke them to stop their immoral behavior.

After struggling for a while, she decided to confirm it again.

What if it's just Jia Lian giving the little one a massage...?

So, he cautiously peeked through the crack in the door.

With just one glance, she hurriedly shrank back, her stunningly beautiful face turning crimson.

At the same time, my heart trembled.

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would hardly have believed that the little guy who was so well-behaved in front of her and so decisive outside could have such charm.

How could she, a princess, possibly lower herself like that!
The Empress Dowager couldn't understand it at all.

Originally, it was thought that, given his status as his own precious daughter, and now that she held the power of the Imperial Guard and served as a minister of state, she would be able to achieve great things.

In front of her, Jia Lian should at least be obedient and coaxing, even if he couldn't hold his head up.

Why were they so rude and brutal?

She hadn't felt anything before, but now, standing here, she felt as if the entire attic was shaking.

The source of that shaking force was Jia Lian, who then transmitted it through Xiao Baicai's hands to the pillars in the attic...

She was somewhat angry.

I can't believe my precious child could be so shameless.

She needs to see things more clearly.

If her precious child was coerced by Jia Lian, she would not let him off the hook.

So she took a deep breath, turned around, and walked along the attic corridor to the back of the room.

Just as the Empress Dowager left, Princess Zhaoyang in the room seemed to sense something and turned her head to glance at her.

"what happened?"

"nothing……"

"Hehehe, are you tired?"

Jia Lian wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and smiled.

Upon seeing this, Princess Zhaoyang knew that it was actually Jia Lian who was exhausted.

So he readily agreed.

Jia Lian immediately said that the couch was too small and asked her to sit on the table.

Princess Zhaoyang hesitated for a moment, but she was in high spirits and did not want to go against Jia Lian's wishes.

Thinking that the table in the warm spring of March should be warm enough that even without a silk cloth, it wouldn't be too cold for her bottom, she wrapped her arms around Jia Lian's neck and said coquettishly, "Then carry me up there."

How could Jia Lian refuse? With a gentle embrace, he lifted the princess onto the table, beginning a new chapter in their journey.

After a long while, Princess Zhaoyang pulled up Jia Lian's trousers.

Jia Lian simply embraced her exquisite body and continued to ravage it.

Princess Zhaoyang, unable to bear it any longer, said breathlessly, "Stop fooling around, there's not enough time, I still have to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet later!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian picked up Princess Zhaoyang and sat her on the small couch for a tender moment.

Princess Zhaoyang loved this part the most. She nestled in Jia Lian's arms like a cat and whispered, "Second Brother, do you know how special it feels here?"

"Hehehe..."

Sensing mockery in Jia Lian's laughter, Princess Zhaoyang punched him lightly and then scolded:

"Don't play dumb. Don't think others don't know; you're the same..."

As she spoke, Princess Zhaoyang looked up at Jia Lian, her eyes bright as she asked, "How is it? Are you particularly proud of playing with the emperor's daughter in the harem?"

Jia Lian coughed lightly, unsure how to answer this pointed question.

So he countered, "Why did Qingran stop making a sound? Was I not trying hard enough?"

Princess Zhaoyang blushed upon hearing this and said, "What, does Erlang really like it when people make noise?"

"Not really, it's just that if we had known Qingran was so patient, we wouldn't have bothered hiding here."

Princess Zhaoyang, having understood Jia Lian's meaning, pinched Jia Lian's waist.

His gaze, however, unconsciously glanced at the back door, and he suddenly said, "Second Brother, do you know that there is a small cubicle behind this room?"

If someone was hiding inside just now, wouldn't they have seen everything about us?

Jia Lian was taken aback, then his gaze darkened. He put down Princess Zhaoyang, took two quick steps to the door, and pushed open the back door.

Sure enough, there was a long, narrow cubicle behind it.

Unfortunately, there was no one there.

Jia Lian even went to the back corridor to take a look before returning and saying to Princess Zhaoyang, "Don't worry, there's no one there."

Princess Zhaoyang pondered for a moment, then said nothing more.

Having already dressed simply, she picked up Jia Lian's outer robe and, while helping him put it on, casually asked:
"What gift did Erlang prepare for the Empress Dowager?"

Jia Lian said it was a birthday celebration painting he had painted himself.

"Erlang can even paint. He's really multi-talented."

I heard that Erlang opened a women's music hall in the west of the city, and it has a very elegant style.

Within just a few days, the news spread among the noble ladies of the capital, attracting a great many eager to pursue it.

Jia Lian smiled and nodded.

The music troupe's start went even more smoothly than he had imagined.

That's true; his reputation as the employer speaks for itself.

Take Gu Qingyi for example, she has many titles.

Once the most renowned courtesan in Jiangnan, a master musician skilled in both the qin and xiao, and a guest of honor of imperial concubines and empress dowagers.

The last point, in particular, is not only eye-catching but also serves as a deterrent to scoundrels, making it a key point that the music troupe emphasizes.

In comparison, the other three women are much less famous.

Princess Zhaoyang continued, "I think Erlang's idea is excellent."

Among the noble ladies of the capital, there are occasional gatherings, and they just need a place like this for them to relax.

Yesterday I took Miss Liu to have a look, and who knew she would fall in love with the place.

He then told me that he wanted to buy his freedom and stay there permanently.

She was just too embarrassed to contact you, so she asked me to ask you if you would take her in.

Jia Lian adjusted his belt and replied, "As long as you're willing to let her go, I'm happy to take anything you need."

The four beauties of the music hall are all women from Jiangnan, and they just happen to lack a woman from the capital to take charge.

Liu Rushi was a perfect match in terms of both appearance and talent.

"What's there to be reluctant about? If I want to listen to music in the future, I'll just go to the music hall. It'll be more convenient."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian knew that Princess Zhaoyang was deliberately trying to curry favor.

Indeed, with Princess Zhaoyang joining the troupe, it would be difficult for the music hall not to become popular.

Putting everything else aside, the mere fact that going to the music hall might lead to meeting Princess Zhaoyang is enough to make countless people desperate to go.

What Jia Lian should be worried about now is whether the music hall can accommodate so many noble ladies.

I'll have to discuss this with Jiang Yun and the others later.

After tidying their clothes, the two went downstairs to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager.

A palace servant relayed a message: "The Empress Dowager has ordered that the Eldest Princess stay behind, and that the Duke of Rong may leave on his own."

Seeing Jia Lian hesitate, Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, "Perhaps the Empress Dowager has given some special instructions. You go ahead and don't worry about me."

Jia Lian nodded, thinking that even if the Empress Dowager felt they had stayed in the room for too long and had her suspicions, she probably wouldn't do anything to Princess Zhaoyang.

After all, according to Princess Zhaoyang, the other party was the one who doted on her the most. (End of Chapter)