The Second Master of the Red Chamber

As dusk fell, Tan Chun and the others finally returned from their hunt.

Everyone was delighted to hear of Zhen Yuhuan's arrival and the arrival of the three Li sisters.

"Great! We caught a lot of pheasants and rabbits today, which will be perfect for our picnic tomorrow!"

Xiangyun carried a pheasant in one hand and grabbed a pair of rabbit ears with the other, deliberately walking up to the Li sisters to show off.

Coco Lee and Li Qi sisters indeed looked on with envy and longing.

However, how could they know that Xiangyun and the others could possibly hunt prey in the mountains?

However, Cao Zhong and the others were worried that their mistresses would be disappointed if they didn't hunt enough game, so they urgently took out a batch of suitable game that had been stockpiled in the manor to entertain Jia Lian and his party, and specially put it into their hunting grounds.

Even so, the game was still too difficult for Xiangyun and the others who were powerless.

Their prey was mostly hunted by the female guards who were responsible for teaching and protecting them.

"By the way, wasn't it said that Sister Yuhuan had arrived as well? Where is she?"

"They might still be inside and haven't come out yet."

"No, I just went to Sister Lin's room. Not only is Sister Yu Huan not there, but Sister Lin isn't there either."

I asked the maid, and she said that Sister Lin had gone out to find Sister Zhen.

Hearing her mistresses talking, Xiren smiled and said, "I just heard from the palace maids in the manor that Consort Lin went to the Hot Spring Palace."

I imagine Miss Zhen is over there too.

Upon hearing this, the sisters all suggested that they go find Daiyu and Zhen Yuhuan to discuss tomorrow's itinerary.

Just then, Sister Feng came out after seeing her son, and upon hearing this, she laughed and said, "I advise you not to go looking for her."

Lin is shy. She finally managed to go see your second brother, but you ruined it. She'll be even more embarrassed to go in the future.

If you're bored, come play cards with me.

The resort wasn't very big, but it had many eyes and ears.

Since the Onsen Palace is an independent palace, most people probably know who has been there recently, and how many have visited.

Perhaps that's why everyone feels embarrassed to always head towards the Onsen Palace.

Upon hearing Sister Feng's words, most people immediately gave up the idea of ​​finding Daiyu and her companion.

However, some innocent people were puzzled.

"If Sister Shanlin went there, we wouldn't go looking for her. We still have Sister Zhen."

Maybe they're playing some fun games; we could go over and join in the fun.

Upon hearing Xiangyun's words, Sister Feng glanced at her with a smile, shook her head, and did not answer.

Baochai then said, "Alright, there are still activities tomorrow, so let's all get some rest early tonight and not cause any more trouble."

Baochai's words still carried considerable weight among the sisters, so despite some lingering doubts, they obeyed and dispersed.

……

Night falls.

The inner room of the hot spring palace contains a bed.

Jia Lian opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the magnificent bed curtains, then he looked down.

Under the half-covered blanket, two small bodies lay quietly curled up in his arms.

The same delicate profile, the same fair and tender skin, the same petite and slender limbs.

Their peaceful, sleeping appearance is like that of two adorable little angels.

In this situation, Jia Lian could no longer distinguish between happiness and contentment; he only felt that all his affection was directed towards these two charming little ones.

He raised his forearms together and placed them on his two babies. The delicate touch made him unable to resist lowering his head and kissing each of their identical little faces on the left side.

"Hey..."

With a soft moan, the person on the right woke up.

She propped herself up on one side and rubbed her eyes.

Her originally innocent and adorable appearance instantly turned into a look of annoyance when she met Jia Lian's smiling gaze.

This slight annoyance reached its peak when she saw her sleeping ally on the other side.

She couldn't help but blush and scold, "You bad guy..."

"Hehehe, how did I become the bad guy again?"

Jia Lian grabbed Daiyu's hand, which seemed about to become violent, and pulled it to his chest, looking at her with a smile.

But deep down, they felt proud of their efforts and the success they had achieved.

Admittedly, given his current status, he could achieve his goal of pleasure even through coercion.

But that would inevitably humiliate these women he loved to some extent.

It could even lead to a situation of disunity and alienation.

He didn't want it to be like that, so he preferred to spend more time and effort to coax them into cooperating.

After all, she's his woman; it's not shameful to coax her a little.

Faced with Jia Lian's question, Daiyu was too embarrassed to retort. She crossed her arms and turned to look for her clothes.

Upon discovering that his clothes were neatly arranged on the storage cabinet under the bed, he knew it was the work of Jia Lian's maids.

She turned and glared at Jia Lian, then whispered, "Let go, I need to go downstairs to get dressed!"

With a chuckle, Jia Lian pulled Daiyu down to lie down, and whispered, "Good sister, let's lie down a bit more."

Yu Huan is still sleeping, don't wake her up.

Let's whisper something to each other.

Unable to resist, Daiyu could only lightly punch Jia Lian twice to stop.

After a while, Jia Lian did not speak, but she felt one of his hands gently stroking her body.

Daiyu then peered out the window, only to find the night pitch black. She quickly asked, "What time is it?"

"I don't know either, it's probably around 7 PM."

Upon hearing that it was already so late, Daiyu quickly sat up again, looking slightly anxious: "No, we have to go back."

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Why go back? Wouldn't it be better to rest here tonight?"

Daiyu rolled her eyes at Jia Lian, then glanced at Zhen Yuhuan beside her, and asked, "I'm fine, but what about her? How are you going to explain this to Sister Feng and the others tomorrow?"

Whether it was because Daiyu's words contained some hidden meaning or not, the eyelids of the quiet and lovely girl in the crook of her left arm twitched and then opened.

Upon catching Daiyu's gaze, he quickly hid under Jia Lian's arm.

Jia Lian said, "Isn't this obvious? What's there to explain?"

Daiyu's meaning was clear: as Jia Lian's concubine, it was only natural for her to serve him in bed.

However, Zhen Yuhuan is still his sworn sister on the surface.

Although, given Jia Lian's status, it wouldn't be a big deal for him to sleep with whichever woman he fancied.

However, since it was a match made without any intermediary, it has drawn criticism.

Seeing Jia Lian's attitude, Daiyu glared at him and couldn't help but think to herself.

Because of Yu Huan's matter, her second brother was afraid that she would be angry, so he made a special trip to explain to her and promised to grant her one wish.

But they weren't afraid of being discovered by Sister Feng and the others, and didn't even seem to bother to explain.

Does this mean that I am special to him?

Or perhaps, in his heart, Sister Feng and Sister Bao were both sensible and knew how to behave appropriately.

He was afraid that I would quarrel with him because of my own petty temper, so he made a special explanation to me.
Jia Lian had no idea that Daiyu was having a internal struggle with her left and right brains. Seeing her silence, he assumed she had given in and was about to hug and kiss them again.

Unexpectedly, the girl on the left suddenly raised her head, her face flushed with shyness, and said, "Brother, let's listen to Sister Lin and go back first... Otherwise, how can I face the other sisters tomorrow..."

Jia Lian stopped what he was doing, looked at Daiyu's teasing eyes, and then looked down at his sworn sister's timid little face.

Finally, he sighed and said, "Alright. Neither of you has had dinner yet, have you?"

They must have already prepared dinner by now. You can eat with me before you go back.”

"Uh-huh……"

Standing to the side, Daiyu looked at Zhen Yuhuan, who was so attached to and obedient to her, and suddenly felt a sense of crisis.

However, she has always been indifferent to fame and fortune. Even if she realized that Zhen Yuhuan's personality was more appealing to men, she would not be jealous, nor would she want to change herself because of it.

I am who I am. If my second brother has changed his mind, it must be his fault. "Master, dinner has been prepared long ago, but I dared not disturb you without your permission."

"Would you like to change your clothes and have dinner in the dining hall, or would you prefer that dinner be served in the room?"

Yuanyang, having served Grandmother Jia since childhood, was far more capable than Qingwen and Xiangling.

Therefore, after becoming familiar with the affairs around Jia Lian, she naturally gained more "real power".

The saying goes, "The capable are often given more work."

"Hmm, put it inside. Also, call two quick-witted maids in."

"Yes."

Yuanyang bowed and stepped back.

Before leaving the room, I couldn't help but glance at the two little masters on the bed, each clutching a corner of the quilt, looking shy and timid, more like twins than twins themselves.

Seeing their snow-white skin, flower-like faces, jade-like arms, and delicate features, they seemed like fairies descended to earth, and one couldn't help but admit it.

These two women are indeed more deserving of Jia Lian's favor.

If she were Jia Lian, she would also cherish them.

……

The vacation time was pleasant and leisurely.

On this day, Jia Lian received a secret letter mentioning an invitation from an old friend at the foot of the mountain.

Upon seeing this, Jia Lian led a group of trusted guards and descended lightly to the foot of Longyin Mountain.

Then, after traveling three or four miles west, one sees a quiet little courtyard by the roadside, enclosed by a fence, with only four or five thatched huts.

Jia Lian dismounted and stepped forward, pushing open the courtyard gate.

The vegetable plots in the courtyard were neatly arranged. A young woman, dressed in coarse linen clothes but new and clean, and with a pretty appearance, was hoeing the ground.

She seemed to hear the sound of the door hinges turning, and looked up.

A bright, clean face beamed with a smile: "You've arrived."

Jia Lian shook his head and smiled, then walked along the earthen embankment.

He glanced at the "embroidered hoe" in the woman's hand, then at the vegetable patch that had only been turned over two or three feet, and couldn't help but laugh: "Whose wife is this, so diligent in turning over the soil?"
However, efficiency still needs to be improved.

Otherwise, your husband and children might go hungry.

Following Jia Lian's gaze, Princess Zhaoyang easily realized where the flaw had been revealed.

However, she didn't mind and handed the hoe to Jia Lian with a smile: "Hoeing is a man's job."

If you think I didn't do it well enough, then do it yourself.

Holding the hoe handle, Jia Lian couldn't help but feel a sense of how many years had passed.

Being in such a charming rural setting, how could one not feel a longing to return to rural life?
Without delay, he chased Princess Zhaoyang aside, found a suitable place to settle down, and then actually started wielding a hoe.

At first, he was unfamiliar with the work, but after a few strokes of the hoe, he became more and more adept at it, and began to wield the small hoe with great skill.

This scene astonished not only Princess Zhaoyang, but also the guards near the fence and courtyard wall.

"When did Erlang learn this?"

"I know a lot more, you'll find out later."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled. Although it wasn't a particularly difficult task, it was enough to show that her elder brother was indeed exceptionally capable in both action and learning.
So he simply stepped outside the vegetable patch and said with a smile, "Since Erlang likes hoeing, you can hoe first, and I'll go to the backyard to pick some fruits and vegetables to prepare dinner."

As she spoke, seemingly afraid that Jia Lian would object, her expression became downcast: "I want to cook dinner for Erlang myself."

You abandoned me back then and married Miss Wang from the city.

I know I'm not good enough for you.

I'm so glad you came to see me today.

I don't dare ask for too much, I just ask that you let me cook you a meal, just one..."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian looked up without saying a word.

Why is this girl so dramatic?

I nodded at him, too lazy to delve any deeper.

Princess Zhaoyang became happy and skipped away.

Jia Lian had practiced martial arts for many years and was also young.

Before long, he had completely turned over a vegetable patch that was more than ten feet long.

As he carried the hoe toward the thatched hut, he had just put it down when he bumped into Princess Zhaoyang coming out.

"Oh, Erlang, you've finished your work? You've worked hard."

Princess Zhaoyang, being very virtuous, stepped forward and raised her sleeve to wipe Jia Lian's sweat.

Although Jia Lian did not sweat.

Jia Lian took her hand away and laughed, "My dear wife, whom I cruelly abandoned and who is now married, has your dinner been prepared?"

"Not yet, it'll be a while longer..."

Princess Zhaoyang replied shyly and hurried to the kitchen.

Turning around and seeing Jia Lian about to follow, she immediately snapped, "The kitchen is a place for women, you're not allowed in!"

After saying that, he turned around and pushed Jia Lian.

Jia Lian raised an eyebrow slightly, but did not insist. He smiled and agreed, then turned to look around the other houses.

Although it was a thatched cottage, the house and courtyard were kept very clean and tidy, unlike those of an ordinary farmer.

It is highly likely that this was a retirement home specially built by a wealthy family.

It was a rare occurrence that Princess Zhaoyang found them.

After wandering around for a while, Jia Lian went outside again and instructed Zhang Yong and the others to go elsewhere to "beg for alms" to solve their own dinner problems.

When they returned, Princess Zhaoyang was already preparing dishes under the eaves of the main house.

"You're back! Come and eat!"

Princess Zhaoyang gestured and moved two stools, placing them at either end of the small table.

"The food is simple, Erlang, you mustn't complain."

Jia Lian smiled and sat down directly.

There were quite a few dishes, five or six in total, but they were mostly green vegetables.

It seems she really did just pick them fresh from the garden.

The only meat dish was a clay pot of soup.

It's a chicken soup that almost every noble lady knows how to make.

"Not bad, quite a feast. It seems your cooking skills have improved since you left me all these years."

"Really? Then you should try it and see how it tastes."

Jia Lian picked up his chopsticks, not expecting much, but after tasting the food, he was surprised to find that it tasted quite good.

He picked up another dish and did the same.

So Jia Lian put down his chopsticks and smiled, "You've practiced before?"

Jia Lian had tasted Princess Zhaoyang's cooking.

It all started in the desert. But at that time, the only concern was a safe return to Han territory, and there were no requirements for the quality of food.

Later, when Princess Zhaoyang established her own household, she also prepared soup for him.

However, Jia Lian suspected that she had hired a prostitute because of the significant discrepancies between her previous statements.

This is the first time I've seen a table full of stir-fried dishes like this, and it's the most likely one that she made entirely by herself.

Princess Zhaoyang, who had been watching Jia Lian with some nervousness, knew from his reaction that things hadn't gone wrong.

So he said, "I haven't had any special training... I just learned a few moves from the lady of this house..."

Jia Lian nodded: "Then you have good comprehension."

After saying this, Jia Lian said no more and handed over the bowl with a smile.

Affirmation through actions speaks louder than words.

Princess Zhaoyang was overjoyed and quickly stood up, obediently serving Jia Lian a bowl of rice. (End of Chapter)