The Second Master of the Red Chamber

"Your son kowtows to your father and two mothers, wishing them a long and healthy life, and eternal happiness."

On the high table, looking down at the fair-skinned Jia Lan, who was kowtowing solemnly like a little adult, Jia Lian smiled sincerely.

He raised his hand to indicate, "Alright, alright, your father knows your intentions. Stop kowtowing. If you kowtow and hurt your scalp, you're not allowed to cry."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lan stopped banging her head repeatedly, wiped her forehead with her sleeve, and smiled sheepishly.

Jia Lian glanced at Li Wan, who looked pleased, then took a jade pendant from his person and said to Jia Lan:

"This is my personal jade pendant, engraved with my personal mark."

From now on, whatever you need, you can bring this to me; there's no need to send word."

Jia Lian carried some jade pendants and similar items with him, which he could use for bestowing gifts.

But most of them are just ordinary jade pendants.

Such items, which represent his status, are usually not given away. Once given away, it means that he truly values ​​that person.

He had high hopes for Jia Lan, believing that with proper nurturing, her future potential would undoubtedly surpass that of Jia Yun.

Seeing that Jia Lan seemed embarrassed to accept the gift, Jia Zheng, who was close to him, quickly reminded him, "Lan'er, hurry up and thank the Prince."

Jia Lan then stepped forward, bent down, and accepted the jade pendant handed to him by Jia Lian with both hands.

Before he could even look at her, Jia Lian said, "Your mothers, Consort Lin and Consort Xue, don't know that I'm going to adopt you as my godson. They probably haven't prepared any gifts for you to change your address to them. You must understand."

But don't worry, they're all richer than me, so they'll probably give you plenty of gifts too.

"If they forget later, remember to ask them for it."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lan blinked and then looked at Baochai and Daiyu.

The two women, Daiyu and Baochai, who were already troubled about whether to give a gift and what gift to give, breathed a sigh of relief.

Especially Daiyu.

Although Jia Lan is indeed still a child, she is actually only four or five years older than Jia Lan.

Being addressed as "Mother Consort" by Jia Lan in public still makes her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

After all, he is Li Wan's son. They used to live in the same garden and saw each other all the time.

Unlike Jia Yun.

Although that boy was older than both her and Baochai, he looked like a smooth-talking, glib fellow.

These days she helps Baochai manage the business affairs and has also summoned Jia Yun.

That guy had absolutely no sense of shame; whenever he saw her or Baochai, he would address them as "Mother."

Aside from being a little strange at first, I later found nothing wrong with it, and it even sounded somewhat pleasant.

After Jia Lan left, Daiyu remembered what Jia Lian had said earlier and quietly asked, "You said you were going to leave the capital. Where are you going?"

Jia Lian turned around and looked at Daiyu's beautiful face, which was as clear as autumn water. He placed his hand on her small hand and said, "This is a long story. Let's talk about it after the banquet."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu did not press the matter further, as it was common for Jia Lian to leave the capital on official business.

She assumed that Jia Lian was going to Tianjin or something similar.

Having sat for a while, she felt the urge to urinate, so she got up and left her seat when no one was looking.

Seeing this, Jia Lian also felt a bit anxious, so he told Baochai and left the table.

There was a special toilet built in the Grand View Garden, and it was not far from the main hall, just at the north corner.

However, that area is usually used by servants.

The masters, mindful of their status, generally wouldn't go.

Not only did the masters have their own "changing rooms" in their residences, but even for banquets like this, temporary changing rooms would be set up in nearby pavilions or side rooms for guests to take care of their bodily needs.

Because Jia Lian's study was located in the east corner of the main hall, and the chamber pot was placed in a small compartment inside the inner room.

Every day, a maid would be responsible for emptying the container, washing it clean, filling it with wood ash, and then putting it back.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about indoor air pollution.

Just as they left the back hall, Ping'er, Qingwen, and the others followed from behind.

Once it was confirmed that Jia Lian needed to relieve himself, people were immediately put in charge of running around to help.

Some lit the lamps, some moved the screens, and some prepared hot water and towels.

When Jia Lian slowly walked into the inner room of the study, the maids were almost ready.

As soon as Jia Lian stood still, two maids immediately came forward with a chamber pot and knelt in front of him.

Qingwen and her maid Tanyun knelt down on either side of Jia Lian and helped him take off his pants.

Jia Lian smiled and said to Qingwen, "You can leave these things to them. Why bother doing them yourself?"

As Qingwen worked, she looked up and laughed, "I'm used to serving you, Master. Besides, I was originally your maid, so serving you is only natural."

Unless one day the master no longer wants to be served.

Jia Lian chuckled, patted her head, and said nothing more.

After the two maids lifted the chamber pot, with the help of Qingwen and Tanyun, they poured water into the spout of the chamber pot with perfect precision.

As for whether being stared at by several pairs of bright eyes will make it difficult to let go.

Jia Lian stated that it does not exist.

At first, it might feel uncomfortable, but after so many years of indulging in extravagance, it has long become a habit.

He was standing inside the screen.

The screen, neither too big nor too small, was just enough to completely conceal the figures of the four maids, some squatting and some kneeling.

Outside the screen, Ping'er was still preparing his post-coital handwashing supplies.

Jia Lian then instructed Ping'er: "Tomorrow, bring more people and clean up the Aojingxi Pavilion to serve as the future residence for Sister-in-law You's two younger sisters."

The wedding room was also decorated there.

Try to decorate it as festively as possible.

Ping'er nodded and asked Jia Lian a couple more questions.

Ping'er only left after the sound of water inside stopped.

Behind the screen, two young maids, their faces flushed, carried away the dangling chamber pot. Suddenly, Qingwen gently patted Jia Lian and scolded, "Master, you're being naughty again..."

She's just using this as an excuse to make a fuss.

After all, being supported by them, it would be abnormal for someone to remain completely obedient unless they were in a state of post-coital tranquility.

She was fully aware of this; it was clearly an expression of her dissatisfaction that Jia Lian was going to be the groom again.

But perhaps she forgot, or perhaps she didn't.

At this point, even if she didn't cause trouble, Jia Lian would still mistreat her, let alone after all this.

Sure enough, Jia Lian pressed her head down almost without thinking.

Seeing this, Xiao Tanyun's face flushed red.

……

As the hostess of the banquet, Li Wan naturally couldn't stay at the table indefinitely.

That's why he checked the jade pendant that Jia Lian had given him for his son, confirmed its valuable worth, and told him to keep it safe before getting up to arrange other things.

Just then, she saw Jia Lian leave. After thinking for a moment, she told Tan Chun what to do and then followed him out.

Seeing Jia Lian return to his study from the back corridor, she roughly guessed that he was relieving himself or something, so she led Su Yun to wait quietly in front of the corridor.

Little did they know that this wait would last for a very long time.

Li Wan was somewhat surprised, thinking that Jia Lian would never have come here if he hadn't needed to relieve himself.

After all, Jiaying Hall is right behind here, so it's unlikely that he would come to his own study to learn the secrets.

Just then, Ping'er came out, and when the two faced each other, Li Wan immediately chickened out. She realized she had been too eager; even if she wanted to see Jia Lian, she shouldn't have been in such a hurry.

If Ping'er misunderstands, she can tell Feng Jie later.

Given that shrew's personality, I'm afraid we'll have a hard time getting along in the future.

Just as Li Wan was thinking about whether to pretend to pass by and then leave, Ping'er had already taken the hot water for washing her hands from the maid and asked, "Is Madam looking for the Prince?"
The prince is relieving himself; may I announce his arrival?

Li Wan quickly said, "It's alright, I just have a few questions I'd like to ask Your Highness."

Since the prince is relieving himself, I'll wait here for him to come out.

Ping'er nodded and carried the hot water inside.

Standing in the inner room of the study, I looked through the dim candlelight at the shadowy figure behind the screen.

Ping'er blushed slightly, but still calmly said, "Second Master, the eldest mistress is waiting for you outside. It seems she has something important to say to you."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian turned his head and glanced at him.

He looked down at the girls in front of him, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

Ultimately, they all felt like their own little beauties, and they could be eaten again anytime.

So he released Qingwen and said to Ping'er, "Let your sister-in-law come in and talk."

Qingwen blushed deeply, purely from embarrassment.

Therefore, he shoved Jia Lian hard, then disregarded his duties, slipped behind the screen, and ran away.

Seeing this, Ping'er took the initiative to come in and, together with the maids, helped Jia Lian tidy up his clothes and appearance before turning around and going out to call Li Wan in.

When Li Wan came in, Jia Lian had already come out from the inner room and sat on a chair outside.

"This humble servant greets Your Highness."

"My sister-in-law is looking for me, is there something you need?"

Although Jia Lian was now dressed neatly and sitting in a chair, he was quite relaxed.

But Li Wan blushed inexplicably when she saw him.

It wasn't that she was lovesick, but rather that when Qingwen ran out just now, her face was flushed, and her cherry-like lips were not only covered in rouge but also glistening, as if she had applied flower dew.

Considering the time and place she came out, it's hard not to have some thoughts.

"Lan'er told me that the master and madam had approached him before, saying that he would inherit the family's title. I wonder if Your Highness is aware of this?"

Jia Lian nodded: "I know, I was the one who suggested this to the master and the others."

As Jia Lian spoke, he recounted the benefits of Jia Lan inheriting the title that he had discussed with Jia Zheng and the others that evening.

Li Wan's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she thought to herself, "Just as I thought."

"Lan'er also said that the title he received would be that of a first-class general."
I think Lan'er is probably too young and misheard.

The family's title, starting from the first Duke, has been passed down to Lan'er's generation, which is already the fifth generation. How could they still be first-class generals?

I even scolded Lan'er, asking him if he knew what a first-class general was.

His great-great-grandfather in the East Mansion was a first-class general.

Jia Lian immediately knew that Li Wan had come to gather information and confirm the news.

He gestured to Ping'er, who was standing to the side, and Ping'er understood and led the two maids out.

Seeing this, Su Yun looked around and followed suit.

So only Jia Lian and Li Wan remained in the room.

Seeing Li Wan suddenly become flustered, Jia Lian smiled and waved to her.

Li Wan hesitated for a moment, but then she remembered Jia Lian's current status and that no one dared to speak ill of him.

At least the Jia family didn't.

So he mustered up his courage and walked up to Jia Lian.

Sure enough, Jia Lian now has no idea what politeness is.

He immediately put his arm around her waist, placed her in his lap, and teased, "Is sister-in-law really confused or just pretending?"

"Your Highness, please don't do this. It wouldn't look good if someone saw us..."

That day at Daoxiang Village, Li Wan found You Shi's wild style, which was so exciting, to be too much for her.

Besides, now.

A large family is holding a banquet in front of us.

Behind it is Jiayingtang, Sister Feng's lair.

She, the eldest young mistress of the Rongguo Mansion, actually stole Yasha Star's man here. Just thinking about it made her feel incredibly audacious.

Jia Lian, however, didn't care about any of that. He continued to tease Li Wan while laughing:
"Generally speaking, Lan'er naturally cannot inherit the title of First-Class General."

But my sister-in-law has forgotten that I was promoted from a second-class general to a duke in the Jia family.

Although I am no longer a member of the Jia family, I still have some influence within the royal family.

If we reconsider from my perspective, what does it matter that Lan'er inherited the title of a first-class general?
If I didn't know that my sister-in-law only had this one son, and that she couldn't bear to let him lead troops into battle, I would have made him a marquis at the highest possible level.

Upon hearing this, Li Wan immediately put her worries aside.

Looking at Jia Lian's feignedly teasing face, Li Wan paused for a moment, then said deeply, "I will never forget the kindness Your Highness has shown to my daughter and me!"

Li Wan's words came from the bottom of her heart.

Although she was initially seduced by Jia Lian.

However, Jia Lian's intrusion can be seen as making up for the regrets in her life.

She didn't think she was particularly attractive to someone like Jia Lian who lacked nothing.

She even thought that Jia Lian was just seeking thrills.

After a few times, he lost interest in her.

As for the things said when they're being affectionate, there's no need to take them too seriously.

She thought to herself that even if Jia Lian only remembered one good thing about her, and would help and take care of her and her son in the future, that would be enough to show that Jia Lian was kind and righteous.

I never expected Jia Lian to go to such lengths.

They took back the entire Rongguo Mansion's assets, including those belonging to the mother and son.

That's right, it was taken, not stolen.

Although Jia Zhu died a few months after she entered the household, she was burdened with the stigma of bringing misfortune to her husbands.

From then on, the elders in the family became cold towards her.

Even though she gave birth to a posthumous child, the eldest grandson of the Rongguo Mansion, the situation did not improve much.

All the favors and affections of the elders were given to the younger brother-in-law, Jia Baoyu.

She even hinted, openly or subtly, countless times that the family business would eventually go to her brother-in-law.

Although she has accepted her fate over the years, she has resigned herself to it.

But when she forced her son to study day and night for his future, and saw him exhausted but not daring to resist her, she felt sorry for him.

At the same time, he might not be without a trace of resentment in his heart.

However, the education she received from childhood taught her to obey the arrangements of her elders, and she had no thoughts of resistance or struggle.

It's better now.

Without her resisting or fighting, everything that belonged to her and her son was to be returned.

All of this stemmed from a single, casual remark by the powerful man before them! (End of Chapter)