The Second Master of the Red Chamber

The three of them nestled together on the large, gently swaying rocking bed, whispering sweet nothings to each other.

Having not spoken to their husbands for a long time, Baochai and Daiyu naturally showered each other with tenderness and affection.

Although Jia Lian has never lacked beauties around him, at this moment, with Daiyu in his left arm and Baochai in his right, he felt endlessly satisfied.

First he kissed Baochai, then he kissed Daiyu.

Seeing the shy blush on Daiyu's delicate face, he couldn't help but tease her, "Good sister, can you answer a question for me?"

"What...?"

Daiyu raised her eyes, which were like dewdrops, and asked curiously.

After being trained by Jia Lian for so long, she has basically adapted to Baochai's presence.

Of course, it could also be because in her heart, Baochai was a woman whose beauty was no less than her own.

If it were someone else she wouldn't have liked, it would have been a hundred times more difficult for Jia Lian to achieve the goal of having women on both sides.

Jia Lian hugged her slender and delicate body and asked with a smile, "Why did you kiss your Bao-jie just now?"

Upon hearing this, Daiyu's face, which was only slightly flushed, immediately blushed even more.

In particular, she noticed that Baochai on the other side was looking at her.

This made her extremely embarrassed.

"It's all...it's all because of you...you scoundrel, you always find ways to humiliate me and Sister Bao!"

Daiyu twisted her body, not daring to meet their gazes.

Jia Lian, of course, wouldn't let her off the hook. With a slight exertion of his left arm, he forced her close, feigning seriousness: "You are not allowed to beat around the bush. Answer my question directly."

"My dear sister, just tell me! I'm so curious!"

Jia Lian knew Daiyu too well. If his tone hadn't changed in the second half of his sentence, making it sound like he was pleading, Daiyu would never have agreed to his request.

The saying "A woman who knows how to be charming has a good life" and "A good woman is afraid of a clingy man" are essentially the same principle.

Daiyu couldn't refuse Jia Lian's request. After hesitating for a long time, she finally leaned close to Jia Lian's ear and whispered, "Sister Bao looked so beautiful just now..."

Moreover, her breath smelled of flowers and herbs.

Although Daiyu's original intention was to whisper something to someone.

But the room was too quiet at the moment, and Baochai was only a head away from her from Jia Lian.

Therefore, her answer was heard by Baochai without missing a single word.

Baochai's face immediately turned red with embarrassment, especially when she noticed Jia Lian looking back at her with the same teasing gaze.

"See? You didn't believe me when I told you before."

Surely Lin Daiyu wouldn't lie, would she?

Seeing that Baochai didn't respond, Jia Lian turned back and coaxed Daiyu, "Good sister, tell me more about the specific fragrance of the flower?"

"You'll know what the fragrance is like once you taste it yourself."

Daiyu originally did not want to continue this topic.

But seeing Baochai so embarrassed, I couldn't help but find it amusing.

Moreover, it was shameful for her to kiss Baochai.

If we can embarrass Baochai now, it would be a way to regain our dignity.

So, just as Jia Lian was getting ready to try, she whispered in his ear, "I don't remember very clearly, but I vaguely felt it was the scent of white roses."

Good brother, please try it for your sister.

After tasting it, tell your sister and see if she remembers it correctly.

Daiyu's voice was playful and her volume was more normal than before.

Clearly, she deliberately wanted Baochai to hear it.

Baochai couldn't bear it and tried to get up, but Jia Lian ruthlessly pulled her back.

It was really just a matter of pulling it back.

Seeing that Jia Lian hadn't carried out the order for a while, Daiyu pushed Jia Lian's chest in dissatisfaction: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and kiss Sister Bao. Can't you see that she can't wait?"

If you don't kiss her soon, she'll leave.

Jia Lian gave the girl on his left a deep look.

She herself probably didn't realize how much impact her sweet, teasing voice, calling him "good brother" and "little sister" at every turn, had on a man.

Quietly sitting up slightly, and following Daiyu's orders, he turned Baochai's bright face around and kissed her crystal-clear lips, which were as smooth as jelly.

Daiyu, who was standing to the side, was watching with a smile.

But gradually, his gaze started to look off.

There's no other reason than that the closer these two get, the more excited they become.

Even Baochai, who had been hesitant and reluctant just moments before, now wrapped her arms around Jia Lian's neck and responded passionately.

Daiyu glared at them angrily, wanting to see how long these two could keep kissing.

In the end, it was Baochai who remembered that Daiyu was still there, and gently pushed Jia Lian away.

Daiyu then sneered, "Good brother~! Tell me, what exactly does it taste like?"

Before he succeeded, Jia Lian would have been terrified if he had heard Daiyu call him "good brother" with such venomous grit.

But right now?
Jia Lian was not intimidated at all; on the contrary, he found it rather endearing.

So she jokingly said, "If my good brother can't tell the difference, why don't you, little sister, try it for me?"

Daiyu didn't answer, spat, punched Jia Lian again, and then buried her head in Jia Lian's chest, not daring to look at anyone.

Seeing how adorable she was, Jia Lian was about to tease her a little more.

Unexpectedly, Baochai propped herself up from his embrace.

"My lord, it's getting late, Lin Meimei and I should go back now."

Jia Lian was taken aback: "It's almost midnight, why are you going back?"

Why don't we just rest here?

Baochai shook her head: "That's not good."

My husband is currently in mourning, and according to custom, he should not have sexual relations with his wives and concubines.

Our current actions are already smack of pandering to the emperor.

"If we stay here to keep my husband company for another night, people will gossip."

Baochai's words caused Jia Lian's smug expression to fade somewhat.

But he did not refute it.

Because what Baochai said was indeed true.

Although he didn't really regard the Emperor Emeritus as a close relative or elder, he wasn't even sure if the Emperor Emeritus was an elder of this body.

In his heart, the retired emperor was far less important than Emperor Ningkang.

However, now that he has inherited the glory of the retired emperor's bloodline, he naturally has to abide by certain rules and fulfill his obligations.

During the period of mourning for close relatives and elders, sexual relations are prohibited; this is a matter of etiquette.

But then again, who can know what couples do in private?

As long as you don't make a big fuss or cause a huge uproar, no one will bother you.

Those scholars with the same name would usually separate from their wives and concubines during the mourning period to show that they adhered to the rules of etiquette.

This is an attitude.

As for whether maids were assigned to warm the beds after the rooms were assigned, that's unknown.

Jia Lian was not a scholar of the Qingliu school, nor did he need to deliberately act in this way to please anyone.

However, since Baochai had brought it up, Jia Lian couldn't ignore it.

Moreover, the reason Baochai gave was probably just an official one.

Just like before, when he was present, neither of them stayed overnight at Hengwu Garden or Xiaoxiang Pavilion. They were still concerned about their own dignity.

Tonight, Baochai is still busy with her work in the study so late. People who don't know her might think she's very diligent.

But it was obvious to anyone with eyes that she was waiting for Jia Lian to return to the mansion.

If it were just a matter of waiting for Jia Lian to return to the mansion, that would be fine.

If she were to openly spend the night with Daiyu in the study with Jia Lian, others would inevitably speculate about her intentions.

This is the core reason why Baochai was willing to ruin the atmosphere and displease Jia Lian in order to suggest going back.

As expected, after hearing Baochai's words, Daiyu hesitated for a moment and then got up from Jia Lian's arms.

It's clear that she's aligned with Baochai.

Jia Lian could no longer force the issue, and said with a wry smile, "It's been half a year since we were separated, and it's so hard to reunite with you all, but I can't hold you and sleep until dawn. It's truly a pity."

Hearing Jia Lian's reluctance to part with them, Baochai felt somewhat guilty.

She quickly took Jia Lian's hand and comforted him, "Husband, there's no need to rush. There's plenty of time."

Now that we have become our husbands' women, we belong to them for life. Does our husbands have any fear of not having the opportunity to be close to us in the future?
As for our feelings for each other... well, let's talk about it after my husband finishes his busy schedule."

Jia Lian's lips twitched. He could tell what Baochai was about to say and why she had paused.

"If love between two people lasts forever..."

Clearly, their relationship is not one of mutual affection.

Daiyu also realized it, and although she didn't find it particularly funny, she still chuckled at that moment.

When Baochai looked over, she immediately changed the subject: "Don't lie to us."

Want to sleep until dawn?
Don't think we don't know; you have to go to the palace before dawn tomorrow.

Daiyu originally wanted to end the evening's affectionate time with a lighthearted and humorous tone.

However, when the topic of Jia Lian's entry into the palace came up, his tone became dejected again.

Because she remembered what Jia Lian had told her before, that tonight would be the last night he would spend at home this month.

Starting tomorrow, he will stay at Chonghua Palace all night.

The next morning, we were to escort the Emperor Emeritus's coffin to Xiaoci County.

This round trip will take at least another month.

They had just reunited, but now they had to part again.

This is also why Jia Lian made her and Baochai submit so easily before.

Because they didn't want to miss this rare opportunity for intimacy.

As for why they didn't go to Xiaoci County.

Actually, given their status, they could have gone together.

However, Daiyu was frail, and Baochai needed to manage the business affairs.

Most importantly, escorting the retired emperor to his funeral was not some romantic affair.

There are too many rules, and too many people watching, not to mention...

Upon arriving at the imperial mausoleum, all civil and military officials, as well as those holding imperial titles, were to be arranged separately for men and women.

Therefore, even if they went with him, they would likely suffer alongside him and have little chance of getting close to Jia Lian.

Now that Jia Lian has the power to make them take leave and not go, he naturally doesn't want to make things difficult for them.

However, Sister Feng still needs to go.

Firstly, because she was a respectable princess and it was inappropriate for her to be absent, and secondly, because she herself was willing to endure this hardship.

After a brief moment of tender affection, he ordered the maids to come in and help him change his clothes.

After Daiyu and Baochai left, supported by their respective maids, the room became empty.

Jia Lian's once passionate heart suddenly felt empty.

"Second Master..."

Qingwen's voice came from behind him, and Jia Lian looked up.

Then I saw that she and Xiangling had followed us over at some point, and they even brought in water.

Jia Lian felt somewhat comforted, thinking that with these two maids by his side, he was not much worse off than Daiyu and Baochai.

After wiping her face, Qingwen leaned down and sniffed Jia Lian, then pretended to be disgusted and said:
"Second Master, you smell of sweat all over your body. Would you like to take a shower before going to sleep?"

Jia Lian shook his head, saying it was too late and he was too lazy to bother.

Qingwen didn't force him, but ordered the maids to bring more hot water. Together with Xiangling, they took off Jia Lian's undergarments and carefully wiped his entire body clean again.

Then he squatted down and washed Jia Lian's feet.

She kept chattering about how she had waited until this hour, and about what happened after she heard that Jia Lian had returned to the mansion.

Guessing that Jia Lian would be sleeping in this study, they pulled Xiangling over to prepare to serve him.

Because of her cherry-like lips opening and closing, and her demeanor possessing six or seven parts of Daiyu's elegance, Jia Lian, looking down at her, naturally and easily had the idea of ​​checking whether the young girl's skills had regressed in the past six months.

Suddenly, Qingwen said, "Just now, when Xiangling and I left the garden, we passed by the foot of Longcui Nunnery and heard faint music coming from above."

"Second Master, isn't it strange that Miaoyu would have the leisure to play the zither on the mountain in the middle of the night?"

Jia Lian's heart skipped a beat.

Qingwen was a bit dim-witted, but he was not.

Longcui Nunnery is located on the east side of the Grand View Garden.

From the main gate of the garden to the main hall, taking the east route is shorter than taking the west route.

So, why was Miaoyu playing the zither so late at night?

Clearly, she was standing high up on the mountain and had a wide view, so she probably heard him returning home.

So when he played the zither halfway through his journey, all he wanted was to imagine that when he passed by, he would follow the sound of the zither and step onto Longcui Mountain.

Jia Lian was helpless.

No wonder people say that being too sentimental can be a burden on a beautiful woman.

He has too many beautiful women around him, and he's busy right now.

Even with the best intentions, it's inevitable to overlook certain beauties.

Thinking back to the banquet held in the main hall last night, I had met most of the beauties I wanted to see, except for this otherworldly fairy from the nunnery.

So he lost interest in disciplining Qingwen and instructed Xiangling to find a clean set of clothes from the wardrobe.

Qingwen wiped Jia Lian's feet clean and asked with a smile, "Second Master, don't you dislike sleeping in your clothes?"

Jia Lian stood on the carpet, patted Qingwen's head, and instructed, "You and Xiangling will sleep here tonight."

If the princess sends someone to inquire, just say I need to get up early tomorrow, so I'm sleeping here.

Qingwen had anticipated that Jia Lian would sleep in the study; otherwise, she wouldn't have called Xiangling over to serve him so early on.

However, she also realized that Jia Lian intended for the two of them to sleep there, while he seemed to have other plans for himself.

So she pouted and asked, "What about Second Master?"

"Never mind that."

"Humph."

Qingwen immediately became dissatisfied: "Even if you don't say it, I know you must be trying to steal the princess's affections without her knowledge."

You even asked me to cover for you.

No way.

"If the princess sends someone over later, I'll tell her the truth."

Jia Lian simply smiled upon hearing this and didn't take it to heart.

After Xiangling brought the clothes and was dressed with their help, she slipped out through the back door. (End of Chapter)