The Second Master of the Red Chamber

After Baochai and Daiyu entered, they saw Jia Lian smiling and waving at them at the top of the spacious and luxurious hall.

Sitting next to Jia Lian was a woman in her twenties.

This woman was very different from the one they had seen before.

Although she was not wearing any particularly fancy clothes, but just an ordinary tight-fitting silk gown, she had an indescribable noble temperament as she sat there.

Even Jia Lian, who was sitting with her, could not conceal this.

She has a pretty figure and an elegant appearance.

Her skin is as white as fresh fat and her face is as rosy as spring breeze.

Bao and Dai were both proud people, but they couldn't help but be serious when they saw the woman in front of them who was obviously not much older than them but naturally exuded a strong aura.

While Chai and Dai were secretly observing Princess Zhaoyang, Princess Zhaoyang was also looking at the two women who walked in.

At first glance, Princess Zhaoyang was deeply attracted.

She finally understood why these two women were favored by Jia Lian.

They were seen walking lightly up to Jia Lian and bowing side by side: one was graceful and elegant, the other was bright and beautiful, both were first-rate beauties.

Princess Zhaoyang couldn't help but praise: "What a beautiful couple! Lord Rong is so lucky!"

Facing Princess Zhaoyang's teasing, Jia Lian did not comment, but only said to Daiyu and the others: "This is Princess Zhaoyang."

Although they had guessed it in their hearts, Daiyu and the other two were still surprised when they heard Jia Lian's introduction.

Baochai immediately took Daiyu's hand, stepped back, knelt and said, "I, Xue Baochai, pay my respects to Her Royal Highness the Princess."

Seeing this, Daiyu also hurriedly followed suit: "I am Lin Daiyu, a commoner, and I pay my respects to the princess."

When Princess Zhaoyang saw Jia Lian directly point out her identities to the two girls, she understood even more clearly that these two girls held extraordinary beauties in Jia Lian's mind.

She smiled and stood up, helping the two girls up one by one and said, "No need to be polite, my two sisters."

As she spoke, she observed the two women's bright and clear faces closely, and realized that although they were both stunningly beautiful, they each had their own unique temperaments. More importantly, neither of them had a bit of vulgarity or coquettishness.

I couldn't help but feel a little fond of him.

So she pulled the two girls to sit on the sun loungers. She first looked at the older Baochai, and saw that her expression was upright and showed some respect. She nodded, then looked at Daiyu and said with a smile:

"Your father is a second-rank official in my dynasty, and you are a fourth-rank county lady appointed by my father, the emperor. You don't have to call yourself a commoner. It's more appropriate to call yourself a minister or a subject."

Daiyu's cherry lips moved slightly. She didn't feel like saying more and just nodded.

Princess Zhaoyang was even more delighted by her cute and adorable appearance, so she let go of her other hand, held Daiyu's small hand with both hands, and said from the bottom of her heart: "I have heard from Lord Rong about you a long time ago, saying how smart and talented you are, and how elegant you are. I have long wanted to meet you.

However, due to numerous mundane affairs, I have never found an opportunity.

Seeing my sister’s beautiful face makes me very happy.”

Perhaps it was Princess Zhaoyang's repeated statements that made Daiyu feel good about her. She threw away most of the grudges in her heart and said hurriedly, "Dayu has heard of the princess's reputation for a long time. Now that I have seen her, I know that the rumors are true. Your appearance and demeanor are far beyond the reach of ordinary women. Daiyu is even more ashamed of herself."

When Princess Zhaoyang heard Daiyu directly call her "Princess Sister", her beautiful eyes curved into crescents.

She didn't think Daiyu was overstepping her bounds at all, she actually liked the way she was addressed.

He reached out and touched Daiyu's delicate little face, put aside his love for her for the moment, and turned his head to look at Baochai.

"The Xue family is also a century-old family, and our ancestors have followed Taizu. So you are also a descendant of meritorious service. You don't need to call me Your Highness. Just call me sister like Yu'er did."

Baochai knows more about Princess Zhaoyang's deeds than Daiyu.

This time, seeing that with just a few words, Daiyu, who was always shrewd and difficult to approach, put aside her prejudice and took the initiative to call her "sister", she realized that she was as good at manipulating people as Aunt Feng.

She also took the initiative to mention the ancestors of the Xue family, clearly intending to elevate her status and eliminate the gap caused by the difference in their status.

Moreover, when she did these things and said these words, it was natural and there was no affectation at all. It was obvious that for her, doing things like this had reached a state where she could control herself freely.

Only then did I realize that the rumors were true. This princess of the current dynasty was indeed a beauty as beautiful as a phoenix.

Regardless of what she was thinking, Baochai still showed a look of joy and gratitude on her face, and bowed her head and replied, "Baochai will obey your orders, sister."

Princess Zhaoyang also looked at Baochai with a smile.

But she actually doesn't know as much about Baochai as she appears.

Although she wanted to know a lot about the people and things around Jia Lian, her attention among Jia's relatives and sisters was mainly focused on Daiyu, who was engaged to Jia Lian.

I also know that Feng Jieer has a cousin who is temporarily living in the Grand View Garden of the Jia family. According to the servants of the Jia family, she is extremely talented and beautiful, and is not inferior to Daiyu in any way.

But rumors are just rumors after all. If you haven’t actually seen it, it’s not intuitive enough.

Seeing it with my own eyes today, I feel that the rumors are probably too vague. This daughter of a fallen imperial merchant, with her fairy-like appearance and temperament alone, has indeed reached the pinnacle of a noble lady and can be called a model.

From a selfish point of view, Princess Zhaoyang could see at a glance that this woman posed a much greater threat than Daiyu.

Fortunately, judging from his appearance and expression, he doesn't seem like a wicked person.

So she held Baochai and Daiyu's hands again and said to Jia Lian and the others, "This Jia family is truly a place of great talent and beauty. Not only is it not enough that they have a rare genius like Rong Gong, but they also have two sisters who are so stunningly beautiful. If you don't see it with your own eyes, who would believe it?"

Jia Lian knew that Princess Zhaoyang was good at talking, so he didn't think much of it. However, Baochai and Daiyu felt a little flattered.

After all, given their identities, there is no need to please them at all.

In fact, even Baochai was worried that she would be bullied by the princess before.

A woman does not care about her future or career in her life. The only thing she is looking for is a husband of her dreams.

Under such circumstances, they naturally care more about the person they love.

Perhaps this is also the reason why women are jealous.

Unexpectedly, this princess who actively pursued Jia Lian and caused a sensation in the world, but ultimately had no fate with Jia Lian, was so open-minded and generous. She was not jealous of her and Daiyu, two women who easily formed relationships with Jia Lian.

Not only is she not jealous, she even acts like an older sister taking care of her younger sister.

Baochai is well aware of human nature and does not think that the princess is so magnanimous by nature. After careful thought, she feels that the problem must lie with Jia Lian.

This princess must have loved Jia Lian very much, and Jia Lian must have done something to make her willing to give in for him.

Just like her and Daiyu. A few years ago, she never imagined that, in addition to entering the palace, she would become someone else's concubine.

But now, she did it anyway. She was even prepared to face all the hardships and obstacles in order to become a concubine.

After all, when you first meet someone, praising each other can quickly enhance the relationship, but if you keep repeating the same old things, it will inevitably seem insincere.

So when the greetings were over, Princess Zhaoyang took out the gift she had prepared long ago and put it in Daiyu's hand.

Daiyu took it subconsciously. It was a very square jade pendant.

There is a raised word "赠" on the front, and the word "赵阳" is engraved on the back, which shows that it was specially carved.

Facing Daiyu's stunned gaze, Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, "This is our first meeting, so I don't have any good gifts to give you. I specially ordered someone to make this jade pendant. With this jade pendant, you can freely enter and leave the imperial city and my princess's mansion.

I hope my sister will take good care of it and come to my princess's mansion when she is free, so we can talk about our sisterly friendship again."

Although Daiyu did not respect the powerful and did not like vulgar things, she was deeply touched by Princess Zhaoyang's kindness.

She subconsciously glanced at Jia Lian next to Baochai, and seeing him nod, she no longer hesitated, accepted the jade pendant, and stood up to thank him.

Princess Zhaoyang pulled Daiyu back to sit down, then looked at Baochai.

Just as Baochai was wondering what kind of gift Princess Zhaoyang would give her, would it be better than Daiyu's, or worse?

Probably not as good as that. After all, even she could see that Princess Zhaoyang seemed to really like Daiyu.

This girl, before she started to be mean to others, was popular with everyone, regardless of gender, age or status.

At this moment, Princess Zhaoyang raised her hand and took off a silver hairpin from Baochai's head.

Baochai adheres to the principle of keeping a low profile and guarding herself, so even though the Xue family is quite wealthy, her food, clothing, housing and transportation are always simple and unpretentious.

Even jewelry and accessories are mostly made of silver, with gold rarely used.

The most conspicuous item she wore was the golden locket she wore all year round, because the old immortal said it was related to her life, and her mother Aunt Xue ordered her to wear it with her at all times.

As Baochai and even Daiyu looked puzzled, Princess Zhaoyang put the hairpin she had taken from Baochai on her own head, then took off the gold hairpin she had pinned in her hair and said to Baochai, “Before I came to your house, I did not know that your sister was promised to Mr. Rong, so I did not prepare any gifts.

If you don't mind, I would like to exchange this hairpin with you as a token of friendship. What do you think?"

Exchanging ornaments between women is an act to prove their friendship, and Baochai naturally understands this.

But even when Princess Zhaoyang was dressed as the Fourth Prince's maid, the accessories she wore were extremely simple.

However, the golden hairpin on her head was also made by the Imperial Household Department. It was not only finely crafted, but also had a phoenix pattern on it. It was not something that an ordinary woman could wear.

Therefore, Baochai hurriedly declined, saying, "This gift is too valuable. Baochai is ashamed to accept it."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled, held Baochai's head, and put the golden hairpin on her. Then she looked at her and said with a smile: "Sister, you are so bright and beautiful, gold is more suitable for you. I guess Lord Rong is stingy and is unwilling to give you gold as a gift?"

Jia Lian didn't take Princess Zhaoyang's teasing seriously.

He was not short of money, nor was he stingy, but he had never given Baochai too many gifts before. And even if he had the nerve to give her gifts, Baochai would either refuse or hide them.

But he had to admit that Princess Zhaoyang had good taste. Baochai's beautiful and charming appearance was indeed more suitable for gold.

I'll just need to find a skilled craftsman to make more gold jewelry for her in the future.

Baochai knew that Princess Zhaoyang had made up her mind to give the gift, so she naturally didn't say anything. She raised her hand and touched the golden hairpin on her head, feeling the remaining warmth of Princess Zhaoyang on the cold hairpin. Even though she knew that Princess Zhaoyang was trying to bribe her, she still felt grateful at this moment.

Princess Zhaoyang has an extraordinary status, and now she and Jia Lian have become siblings for no reason. She is an existence that they cannot and do not need to compare with.

Only Fengjie, Daiyu and her were left.

Feng Ji has an innate advantage. As Jia Lian's first wife, she doesn't need to compare herself with them.

The only person who will naturally be compared is her and Daiyu.

But Daiyu still has a father who is a famous official, and she herself was chosen by the saint as the county lady.

Therefore, among all the women with status around Jia Lian, she has the lowest status and the smallest family.

This is also the reason why she chose to give in when facing Daiyu.

Even so, she knew that she would be talked about in the future, especially when she already knew that Jia Lian had publicly asked Lady Jia to act as a matchmaker for him to the Xue family.

However, when he met the princess today, not only was he recognized by the princess, but he was also given a golden hairpin by her.

In this way, with Princess Zhaoyang's powerful status and reputation, as long as the news of today's "exchanging hairpins" spreads a little, many gossipers will shut up.

After the greeting gifts were given, there wasn't much to say, after all, we weren't really familiar with each other.

However, Princess Zhaoyang wanted to stay longer, and the Fourth Prince had not returned from seeing Wang Ziteng yet, so she remembered something and told him.

"In fact, I wanted to say this when I saw Sister Lin just now. If I hadn't heard many people say it before, I would definitely be shocked.

Sister Lin and the fourth daughter of the Zhen family are neither sisters nor from the same clan, yet they look so similar!

Even though I have carefully observed my sister's appearance just now, if my sister and Miss Zhen Si appeared in front of me at the same time in the future, I am afraid I would not be able to tell who is who. "

Daiyu has long been immune to discussions about her appearance compared to Zhen Yuhuan.

But Princess Zhaoyang's next words moved her a little.

“No wonder when Fourth Miss Zhen was pushed into the water by the late Crown Princess last year, Guild Rong was so anxious that he jumped into the water to save her, regardless of the fact that it was winter.

In a fit of rage, he even kicked the nanny who was in charge of the Crown Princess and almost killed her.

I originally thought it was just out of brotherly love, but now it seems that it is out of love for my wife."

Most of the sisters in the Grand View Garden knew that Zhen Yuhuan fell into the water and was rescued, and everyone thought it was a matter of course.

Second Brother Lian loves and cares so much about his sisters at home. When he saw Sister Yuhuan fall into the water, how could he not save her?

But when Daiyu heard this incident again from Princess Zhaoyang, the person involved, she had a different feeling.

Is it really because Yuhuan looks like me that he cares about her so much, even at the cost of offending the Crown Princess at the time?

Facing Daiyu's gaze, Jia Lian raised his head at a 45-degree angle.

He couldn't get a word in when these women were talking, but he was happy to just watch from the side and keep an eye on the overall situation.

Now that he saw that not only did they not cause any bad friction, but Zhaoyang Nizi also helped him win Daiyu's heart, he felt so happy. (End of this chapter)