The Second Master of the Red Chamber

A spacious and luxurious inner bedroom.

Jia Lian sat on the edge of the bed, and countless fair and delicate hands draped his outer robe over him.

Looking at the young girl in charge in front of him, Jia Lian asked, "What are you doing here?"

Jia Lian remembered that this was the girl he brought back from Liaodong last year, a little beauty specially given to him by the former King of Joseon.

He named himself Jang-geum.

He should have been staying with the other four Jurchen beauties in the side courtyard in front of the main study of the Prince's Mansion on Ningrong Street.

Jang-geum respectfully explained, "It was Captain A-qin who arranged for me to come here."

She said I had been with the family long ago and spoke Chinese, so she sent me to take care of these older sisters who were also from Korea.

Jia Lian nodded upon hearing this, agreeing that having Jang Geum, who was of the same clan, manage these Korean beauties was indeed a good idea.

Standing up, Jia Lian glanced at the vibrant young women around him, then looked back at the several bodies lying on the bed, his lips twitching slightly.

He was genuinely happy and excited, which is why he decided to come here to relax with these beautiful Korean women.

Although you can still have many beautiful women by your side when you go home, and some of them may even be more beautiful and talented.

But the girls in the family are different from these North Korean beauties.

Especially women like Daiyu and Baochai.

When it comes to the girls he admires, such as Daiyu and Baochai, he likes to communicate with them sincerely and, in a beautiful and harmonious atmosphere, coax them to do some happy things together.

But men, especially when they are feeling triumphant, always tend to want to act recklessly.

All Jia Lian could do was avoid going to see Daiyu and the others at this time.

Only after doing what you want to do and feeling satisfied can you return home with a better state of mind and more patience to simply talk about romance and nature with women who hold different places in your heart.

However, he overestimated himself.

He originally intended to treat all the women equally, even though most of them were still virgins.

However, he ultimately failed to force his way to his goal.

After all, these North Korean beauties are all exceptional, one in a thousand or ten thousand, and are considered rare beauties.

Swallowing information too quickly is ultimately a bit of a downer.

Perhaps this is what it means to feel like you can eat anything when you're hungry.

Once you're full and satisfied, your thoughts change.

Seeing the several beauties on the bed trying to get up, it seemed they felt he was unhappy that they were staying in bed.

Jia Lian waved his hand and said to Jang Geum, "Tell everyone else that since I have brought you back to the Central Plains, I will take responsibility for you."

As long as you behave yourselves and behave yourselves, I will provide you with the best of everything, including food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.

No one will dare to harm you.

If so, come and tell me, and I will stand up for you.

While I am away, you should all follow Ah Qin's arrangements.

Whether it's learning martial arts or other women's skills.

Having some skills to rely on is ultimately a good thing for you.

Upon hearing this, Jang-geum immediately knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude.

She arrived a year earlier than the other Korean beauties, so she had a clearer understanding of her surroundings.

Although I rarely see Jia Lian, just as Jia Lian said...

Beauties like them certainly received very good treatment around Jia Lian.

No one arbitrarily suppressed or bullied them.

In short, it was much better than the terrible situation I had anticipated before coming here.

Of course, it's still much worse than the best-case scenario I'd ever dreamed of.

Ultimately, she was not beautiful enough to win the heart of an outstanding monarch like Jia Lian and make him the most favored concubine.

……

"Welcome back to the Crown Prince!"

North of Ningrong Street, the people from the three mansions of Ningrong and Pingliao Prince's Mansion stood there early in the morning.

When the familiar silver-armored cavalrymen stormed into Ningrong Street, they all knelt down and greeted them respectfully.

The court was extremely efficient in handling such a major event as changing the crown prince.

Almost immediately after the imperial edict was announced at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the news spread like wildfire outside the palace.

After the Ministry of Rites read the imperial edict to the officials, it rushed to draft official documents and sent them to various provinces, prefectures, and counties via post stations.

Even vassal states that had diplomatic relations with the Great Wei would receive the notification documents immediately.

This is the meaning of "announce it to the world, so that all may hear it".

The Jia family was located in the capital, and Jia Zheng was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Rites, so he was naturally among the first to receive the news.

For the Jia family members, "shock" was an understatement to describe their feelings.

In recent years, Jia Lian has brought them so many shocking events that they have become numb to them.

But this news, ironically, made their numb hearts tremble once more.

The Crown Prince, the future Emperor, such a supreme being, is actually Second Master Lian!
Back then, Master Lian even scolded me.

Just thinking about it makes me feel like it's the highest honor.

The wheels stopped turning.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Jia Lian's tall and imposing figure to everyone.

He stepped down from the sedan chair, walked unhurriedly to Grandmother Jia, and bent down to help her up:
"The old lady is so old, why did she come out in person?"

When Jia Lian's hand touched her arm, Grandmother Jia subconsciously pulled her arm back, as if she dared not let Jia Lian support her.

However, Jia Lian eventually helped her up.

His old eyes, though raised, were already cloudy and filled with intense emotion.

"With the Crown Prince's arrival, how could I dare not come to greet him? How could I not come to greet him?"

As she spoke, Grandmother Jia looked up at Jia Lian, her head trembling.

The scrutiny and pampering of the past were gone from his eyes; only boundless awe for those in power remained.

Jia Lian smiled and helped Jia Zheng and Madam Xing, who were standing beside him.

Then he smiled at everyone and said, "Let's call it a day."

You are not allowed to do that again.

We're all family, so such formalities not only create distance but also make each other uncomfortable.

If you insist on doing so, I will assume that you do not want me to return here.

If that's the case, I'll take Feng'er and Lin's sister back to the capital as soon as possible.

As Jia Lian spoke, he glanced at the women beside him, including Feng Jie, Baochai, and Daiyu.

Seemingly understanding the meaning behind Jia Lian's interaction with them, they either looked back at him coquettishly or lowered their heads shyly, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.

Jia Zheng and Grandmother Jia exchanged a glance and quickly echoed Jia Lian's words: "We will obey the Crown Prince's order."

"Hehehe, that's good then."

This is not a place to talk.

You have all accompanied the imperial tomb procession for a month; now you should all go back and rest.

Later, I will have Feng'er prepare some fruits and snacks in the main hall. We cordially invite the Old Madam, Master, and Madam to grace us with their presence.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng and the others knew that Jia Lian must have been exhausted after a long day, so they dared not press the matter further.

He uttered a few empty words and then led the other bystanders away.

When only Feng Jie and the others remained in front of the gate, Jia Lian stepped forward and pinched Daiyu's rosy cheeks.

"You seem to have gained weight in just one month!"

"Who's gained weight..."

Daiyu angrily shook off Jia Lian's hand, thinking to herself that nothing good could come out of a dog's mouth.

No one else can gain weight, but I will never gain weight!
Jia Lian then looked at Baochai, whose fair skin and delicate bones made her look very appetizing, as well as You Erjie, who was slightly pregnant, and You Sanjie, who was supporting her.

Seemingly afraid that Jia Lian would also pinch their cheeks, the three women each stepped back.

"Alright, alright, why are you bullying our Lin girl as soon as you get back?"

Sister Feng teased, taking Jia Lian's arm and helping him walk into the mansion. Then she asked impatiently, "Master said it himself, that His Majesty has changed the name of you to Crown Prince. Is this true?"

"You said it yourself, so how could it be false?"
Look, there you are.

Jia Lian smiled and turned around to glance at Qingwen, who was following behind him, holding her head high like a rooster.

In her hands, she meticulously held the gilded paper box.

Inside was the imperial edict that belonged to him.

Originally, Jia Lian intended to leave the imperial edict at the Imperial Palace after returning there.

But then I thought about how there were so many women in the family, and instead of explaining it to each of them individually, it would be better to bring the imperial edict back for them to see. That would be clearer and less troublesome.

This allows them to accept the fact as quickly as possible, saving a lot of explanation.

Following Jia Lian's gaze, Feng Jie guessed a thing or two just from Qing Wen's demeanor.

But she still asked, "This is..."

"This is my copy of the imperial edict establishing the Crown Prince."

There's another copy in the Palace Archives.

hiss~
Several women around her gasped, their gazes toward Qingwen becoming solemn and respectful.

Perhaps because there was no one else around, Sister Feng seemed much more at ease.

She strode up to Qingwen and reached out to take it.

Qingwen instinctively looked away, then realized something was wrong, especially when she saw Feng Jie'er looking at her with a hint of murderous intent.

She hurriedly replied weakly, "Second Madam, this is an imperial edict, be careful not to break it..."

"You little brat who hasn't even grown a beard yet, you think you can lecture me?"

"If you can touch it, why can't I?"

Qingwen, who was being scolded, dared not talk back and had no choice but to obediently present the imperial edict.

She thought to herself, "Second Madam is still the same Second Madam. Even after becoming a princess and about to become the crown princess, she is still as vulgar as ever!"

Also, this great lady isn't just undergrown, she's simply not grown at all.

Hehe, you long-haired girl, you'll never know how much Second Master likes you.

Seeing the three sisters and all the head maids crowding in front of Feng Jie, Jia Lian advised, "Let's wait until we get back to see, be careful not to fall."

Feng Jie realized that she shouldn't rush things, and quickly said to the eager young ladies around her, "The prince is right, it's better to wait until we get back to open it and take a look."

After saying this, he picked up the box and turned to Jia Lian, saying:
"The hot water in the pool at Hanfang Pavilion is ready. Your Highness, please go and bathe and change."

"Alright."

Jia Lian felt fortunate that they were in public now, so it wouldn't be convenient for Feng Jie and Daiyu to get close to him and sniff him.

Otherwise, you would definitely be able to detect the lingering scent of a vixen on him.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, after returning to the Grand View Pavilion, Jia Lian separated from Feng Jie and the others, and took only Qing Wen and Xiang Ling with him, heading towards the slanting building.

After taking a nice, relaxing bath and changing his clothes, he returned to Jiaying Hall.

By this time, the sisters had already finished reading the imperial edict and dispersed for the time being.

So after Jia Lian entered the room and sat down, Feng Jie sat affectionately in his lap and said with a happy smile, "So, I'm about to be promoted to Crown Princess along with you?"

Jia Lian nodded, then asked, "What, you don't want to be the Crown Princess?"

Sister Feng pursed her lips, somewhat sighing: "Of course not."

People just felt like they were dreaming.

Their identities have changed so quickly over the years.

"I haven't even warmed my seat as a princess yet, and I'm already going to be the crown princess."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian smiled and said, "If you find it too difficult to accept the change in status, you can give it to Lin Daiyu or Baochai. I believe they would be happy to help you share your troubles."

"How dare you..." Sister Feng looked at Jia Lian with a bitter and resentful expression.

After a moment, she pinched Jia Lian's arm and scolded him playfully, "You heartless bastard..."

"Hahaha."

Jia Lian laughed loudly, hugged Feng Jie'er's slender and graceful body tightly, and lowered his head to kiss her red lips.

Sister Feng then stared at Jia Lian with a flirtatious look in her eyes.

For the past month, although she could see Jia Lian often, she couldn't eat him, and she had been holding back for a long time.

Although the banquet will start in a little while.

But she figured that, given Jia Lian's habits, he might take the opportunity to have some fun with her.

But Jia Lian did not.

He simply pecked her lips again, then helped her up and said with a smile, "Alright, I'm tired after a whole day of running around."

Call two maids in and give me a shoulder massage.

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng was somewhat disappointed, but she didn't say anything.

He went outside and glanced at the maids waiting in the outer room.

In the end, they chose the most beautiful Qing'er (Liu Xinqing, Xiren's cousin) and Hongling (Hongling, Tanyun, Huixiang, and Caihua, the four little girls in their early years, one of each of Fengjie, Ping'er, Qingwen, and Xiangling) to serve Jia Lian.

She herself went to the main hall to help Ping'er set up the venue.

……

The family banquet was still held in the spacious main hall.

However, both the format of the banquet and the attendees were clearly more formal and reserved than before.

Before Jia Lian appeared, not a single person dared to sit down.

Everyone just stood there, pretending to have endless gossip to share, pulling each other along as they waited for time to pass.

"The Crown Prince has arrived."

The once bustling hall suddenly fell silent.

Dozens of eyes turned towards the rear hall at the same time.

Dressed in a light yellow casual outfit, Jia Lian, looking calm and composed, strolled out of the inner room.

"Welcome, Crown Prince."

"Hehehe, what are you all standing for? Please get up and sit down."

Jia Lian raised his hand in a gesture, took Feng Jie'er's hand, and walked to the high seat.

Seeing that there were four seats in total, Jia Lian nodded secretly, then looked at Daiyu and Baochai beside him.

Knowing they couldn't avoid it, the two women had no choice but to obediently step forward and sit on the other side of Jia Lian.

The other members of the Jia family only dared to sit down after Jia Lian and the other three had all taken their seats.

The scene was familiar, the process was familiar.

After raising their glasses three or four times, Grandmother Jia suddenly spoke up: "I have observed His Highness the Crown Prince for so many years, and he only has two maids, Qingwen and Xiangling, who serve him personally."

Although they were both excellent maids, the Crown Prince's status was now quite extraordinary.

It's a bit lacking if there are only the two of them.

"I happen to have an excellent candidate here. If His Highness the Crown Prince takes a liking to her, I am willing to offer her to him."

As soon as Grandmother Jia said this, everyone immediately turned their attention to Yuanyang, who was standing behind the pillar of the main hall.

It's no wonder everyone guessed correctly; there was only one maidservant among those around Grandmother Jia who deserved such serious consideration and was personally recommended to Jia Lian.

Moreover, even after such a long time, rumors about Yuanyang's affection for Jia Lian still quietly spread throughout the two mansions.

There is nothing to say about this.

Nowadays, which of the maids in the two mansions who is truly beautiful would not want to follow Jia Lian and rise to prominence like a phoenix?

Jia Lian glanced at Yuanyang, who was keeping her head down, and then asked, feigning ignorance, "I wonder who the old lady is referring to?"

Grandmother Jia smiled, turned around and called out, "Yuanyang, why don't you come forward quickly?"

Even if one feels ashamed or resentful under the watchful eyes of others, one should not do so.

The clever mandarin ducks knew that being coy in such a situation would only make them a laughing stock.

So she composed herself, slowly walked to the center of the hall, and kowtowed to the prince, saying, "This servant Yuanyang greets the Crown Prince and the three princesses."

...(End of this chapter)