The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Jia Lian was surprised that Baochai would say such a thing; it was so out of character for her.

Although he used various methods to bring Baochai and Daiyu together quite a few times.

But each time they only went along with it half-heartedly.

Just as he asked them to sleep in each other's pavilions at night, they refused.

Baochai's words clearly indicate that she is willing to serve him if he has his own private bedchamber and summons them to his bedchamber.

It's unclear whether "they" here refers only to her and Daiyu, or includes his other women.

In his excitement, Jia Lian hurriedly asked, "You mean that as long as I move out of Jiaying Hall, Chai'er won't refuse when I summon you to my bedchamber?"

Baochai blushed, seemingly embarrassed: "Didn't you say you wanted to spend more time with...me and Lin Daiyu?"

"Hahaha."

Jia Lian held Baochai tightly in his arms, nodded and smiled, "Absolutely, absolutely."

"Chai'er's suggestion is excellent; I'll take it."

However, Jia Lian immediately frowned: "Although Chai'er understands my good intentions, I'm afraid Lin Daiyu is willful and unwilling to cooperate..."

Baochai gave him a somewhat annoyed look.

Taking advantage of Jia Lian's distraction, he stood up from Jia Lian's lap.

Seeing Jia Lian deep in thought, clearly considering how to persuade Daiyu, Baochai smiled and said:
"Husband doesn't need to worry about Lin Daiyu. Just tell Lin Daiyu the same story you used to coax Chai'er, and she will definitely listen to you obediently."

Jia Lian was stunned for a moment, and tried to grab Baochai back, but she dodged him with a quick movement.

Jia Lian was somewhat embarrassed and annoyed: "Well, now even you've gone bad. What do you mean by deceiving me? Those were clearly my heartfelt words, okay?"

Such deep affection, all given away like water flowing eastward.

"Chai'er's words have made me very sad."

Baochai simply smiled, unmoved.

Jia Lian then laughed, stood up, and walked out from behind the desk.

Baochai thought Jia Lian was going to tease her again, so she quickly waved her hand and said, "Husband, please stop teasing me. It will be dark soon. Sister Feng is probably waiting for you at home. I also need to go back and change my clothes so I can attend the banquet."

Jia Lian stood in front of Baochai and said with a smile, "I have a question. If you are willing to answer it, I will tell you some good news."

Baochai's expression shifted, and she lowered her head slightly: "Please speak, my husband."

"Why are you unwilling to go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion or to let Lin Daiyu stay overnight in Hengwu Garden?"

"Now you're asking me to move out of Jiaying Hall, yet you're willing to share the bedchamber with Lin Daiyu?"

Baochai blinked, glanced left and right, leaned closer to Jia Lian, and whispered:

"My husband, don't you realize that people have been gossiping about how much you favor me and Lin Daiyu?"

If Lin Daiyu and I were to share the bedchamber again, wouldn't people say that Lin Daiyu and I were trying to curry favor with the emperor?
Even if Sister Feng knew, she would suspect that we were working together to compete with her for favor.

However, if the husband moves out of Jiaying Hall and has his own bedroom.

So even if my husband summoned both me and Lin Daiyu to serve him in bed, even if others mocked us, they would only say that my husband was acting absurdly, and would not target us.

She might even remark with emotion, "Lin Daiyu and I are indeed deeply loved by our husbands."

Jia Lian nodded, understanding Baochai's meaning.

It's really just a difference between being proactive and being passive.

There's a lot of gossip going on in the inner quarters. No matter how good Baochai and Daiyu's relationship is, if they often spend time together with him, others will inevitably say that they're using any means to secure his favor.

But if Jia Lian summons them to his bedchamber, then that's Jia Lian's problem.

After all, how could they, as concubines, refuse their husbands' requests?
Taking Baochai's delicate hand in his, Jia Lian looked at her with doting eyes and said, "I have been granted a princely title, and according to the rites, I can appoint a maximum of two concubines."

Today at the Imperial Clan Court, I also filled in your and Lin Daiyu's Gengchen information.

From this day forward, you will be the concubine of the King of Pingliao.

"So, are you happy or not?"

As Jia Lian spoke, one could clearly feel his delicate hand tremble slightly.

Clearly, this news had a powerful impact on Baochai.

The same is true.

Baochai knew perfectly well that after Jia Lian was made a prince, he would have two concubines, whose status would be far higher than that of the other concubines in the prince's mansion.

She had already realized this crucial issue even back when she was in the palace.

However, given her calm personality and deep-seated shrewdness...

Jia Lian didn't speak; she would never ask that question on her own initiative.

Not asking doesn't mean I don't care.

Regardless of the order in which they entered the household, or Jia Lian's favor towards her and Daiyu, these two positions should rightfully belong to her and Daiyu.

But when Jia Lian actually said it himself, Baochai felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

I even had the unbearable urge to cry.

She originally thought that, by a twist of fate, she had become Jia Lian's concubine, and as long as Jia Lian treated her well enough, it would be a decent outcome.

At her wedding, she was bestowed the title of Fifth-Rank Noblewoman by the Emperor, and she felt that her life would be without regrets. Little did she expect that things would turn out this way.

Jia Lian has actually been made a prince!
The husband I chose was made a king; it feels like a dream, almost unreal.

What's even more unreal is that even after her husband was made a king, he showed no sign of changing his mind.

He immediately decided to grant her the title of concubine.

Boundless emotion enveloped Baochai's originally calm and composed mind, giving her a determination to serve Jia Lian to the death.

Although Baochai didn't say anything, her feelings were written all over her face.

Jia Lian was somewhat smug. He reached out and placed his hand on her fair and delicate face, wiping away the tears that hadn't yet spilled from her eyes with his thumb, and laughed, "Alright, alright, why are you crying?"

I don't want to see you become another Lin Daiyu.

If you truly appreciate my kindness, then when you serve me in bed in the future, listen to me more and offer fewer objections.

Jia Lian's actions made Baochai somewhat embarrassed. She took a step back and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "Husband, you always know how to wrong people. Haven't you been obedient enough? You always use those shameful methods to bully people, and I've already complied. What more do you want?"

"See, you're not being obedient enough now."

I say one thing, and you reply with two.

Baochai was speechless. Suddenly, she stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Jia Lian's waist, and nestled against his chest, whispering, "Since my husband still thinks I'm not obedient enough, then from now on, in the inner chambers, I'll try my best to be even more obedient than before..."

Even though she knew Jia Lian couldn't see her, Baochai's face still couldn't help but turn red.

However, there was a reason behind what she said.

She meant being obedient in the inner chambers, but she didn't mention being obedient elsewhere.

After a year of Jia Lian's instruction, Baochai had actually accepted some of Jia Lian's ideas.

I feel that when serving someone in bed, one should indeed be more relaxed; this is the essence of marital intimacy.

Even if it's just to reciprocate, she's decided that in the future, when she's serving Jia Lian in bed, she'll be more compliant with his wishes.

However, this is only allowed during the most private time inside the inner chambers.

In other places, one should also correct one's words and deeds.

She didn't want to one day become like the characters in the book, a plaything who only uses her looks to please men and has no personality.

Jia Lian held Baochai's shoulders, pushed her away slightly, looked at her face, and asked with a smile, "Really?"

"If my husband doesn't believe me, then so be it."

"Hehehe, I believe you. My Chai'er is a woman of her word, and I admire that very much."

Jia Lian carefully examined Baochai's almond-shaped eyes, delicate eyebrows, red lips, and white teeth, admiring her stunning beauty.

He finally resisted the urge to punish her on the spot, and instead took her hand and led her back to the garden.

Upon arriving at the "Heavenly Realm" archway, they parted ways with Baochai and her servants.

It was already dark when Qingwen caught up with Jia Lian, chattering away.

Unexpectedly, Jia Lian suddenly stopped, and Qingwen, not paying attention, bumped into him.

"Second Master, what are you doing..."

Jia Lian glanced at her sideways, then turned and headed towards the left-hand sloping building.

Seeing this, Qingwen was puzzled, but she quickly followed.

The main hall of the imperial palace, and the sloping building on the west side, was originally used by Jia Lian to build an indoor hot spring pool for Yuan Chun, which was called "Hanfang Pavilion".

Now, this is naturally the place where Jia Lian and Feng Jie bathe.

In fact, Jia Lian and Feng Jie did not come here every time they bathed. After all, this hot spring pool was quite large, and except in summer, it would take a lot of manpower and financial resources (firewood) to use it each time.

Seeing Jia Lian looking around the pavilion, Qingwen assumed he wanted to take a bath and went to arrange for someone to prepare.

Jia Lian called out to her and dismissed the idea of ​​moving here.

Although this sloping building has a large number of rooms and even a large hot spring pool, it is very convenient to enjoy romantic moments after moving in.

However, it's not quite appropriate for someone as dignified as the Prince of Pingliao to live in such a place.

Therefore, he took Qingwen with him and came to the main hall.

The main hall of Daguan Tower is the most majestic and magnificent building in Daguan Garden, and even in the Ning and Rong mansions.

The palace was built according to the regulations for imperial concubines and fully meets the standards of royal palaces.

Needless to say, the first half is a spacious hall used for banquets and ceremonies.

The latter half has many cubicles.

It was originally a functional area.

Later, in order to bring Daiyu and Chaichai into the family, Jia Lian modified the layout of the house, combining them into a spacious and fully functional inner room.

The wedding was only a month ago, but many of the festive decorations still remain.

After looking at it carefully, Jia Lian felt that if he were to move out of Jiaying Hall, it would be most appropriate for him to move here instead.

However, Jia Lian hadn't yet made a decision about whether to move. (End of Chapter)