The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 856 Elegant and otherworldly

Inside the fragrant bathhouse, Ah Qin stood behind the screen carrying some toiletries and asked softly:

"Miss Xue, may I come in?"

"Please come in."

As Aqin entered the room, she immediately saw that Baochai had already undressed and was sitting in a bathtub filled with flower petals.

Beside her, her personal maid was wiping her shoulders and back with a brocade handkerchief embroidered with peonies.

Aqin stared at the maid's hand, but her focus was not on the embroidered peony pattern, but on the skin exposed after being brushed by the brocade handkerchief.

Such fair skin, such a beautiful person.

Ah Qin was amazed, thinking to herself, no wonder her master never brought anyone else with him, but this time after returning home, he insisted on bringing this Miss Xue here.

This is probably the kind of beauty recorded in their Han Chinese history books, the kind who would cause the emperor to neglect his morning court sessions.

I was afraid of offending the other party, so I didn't want to keep staring at them.

Ah Qin put her things on the shelf and prepared to leave.

"You can stand here for a while."

Upon hearing Baochai's call, Aqin immediately turned around, took two steps forward, and asked with a smile, "What else do you need, Miss Xue?"

As Aqin approached, Baochai subtly concealed herself in the water, and then said:
"I am new here and do not know anything about my second brother's situation. I hope you will be kind enough to give me your guidance in the future."

Guiding Baochai to familiarize herself with the situation here was originally a task assigned to her by Jia Lian, so Aqin naturally did not refuse.

"It would be too polite to say you need my guidance, young lady. Please feel free to ask me anything."

Baochai turned her head and glanced at the woman whose clothes were tightly fitted, highlighting her graceful figure.

Seeing that she didn't seem arrogant, he asked, "Second brother, who usually serves you here?"

Baochai asked these questions to start a conversation and learn more about the people and things around her, especially who Jia Lian's close and trusted people were.

She was a worldly-wise person. When she first arrived in a new place, she naturally learned these things so that she wouldn't be passive when things happened.

However, Ah Qin misunderstood something.

She thought that this Miss Xue was asserting her dominance right from the start, wanting to find out if there were any seductive women around Jia Lian trying to seduce him.

So he smiled and said, "The Duke doesn't need anyone to serve him here. He usually leaves the small things to Zhao'er and Xing'er."

Baochai nodded.

She knew Zhao'er and Xing'er; they were servants who had followed Jia Lian since they were young.

At the same time, she found it rather strange.

Is there really not even a maidservant, or a woman serving by one's side?
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but glance at Aqin again.

Ah Qin quickly said, "Miss, don't look at me. My sister and I are serving as guards for the Duke."

That is, to stay in the Second Master's courtyard at night and protect the Second Master's safety.

Miss, don't be fooled by my current female attire. I've removed my armor so that it will be easier for me to serve you.

Normally, we all wear military uniforms and follow the Duke.

Baochai was surprised by Aqin's many words, and after thinking about it, she understood the other's worries.

She didn't explain, thinking it was fine this way.

This at least proves that the Tatar woman was an intelligent person.

Since they know to avoid confrontation, it's likely there won't be any jealousy or rivalry in the future, making them a worthwhile person to cultivate relationships with.

Baochai then inquired about Aqin and her sister, such as their experiences on the grasslands and whether they had adapted to life in the Central Plains.

If you have any grievances that you are not comfortable discussing with Jia Lian, you might as well tell her, and she may be able to help you.

Baochai originally wanted to give the other party a piece of her personal gold jewelry, but then she thought that the two sisters had been with Jia Lian for many years and probably wouldn't care about such things.

Since it was our first meeting, it wasn't appropriate to be too enthusiastic, so we decided against it.

For Aqin, Baochai was a noble lady from the Central Plains dynasty.

Putting that aside, just from Jia Lian's attitude towards her, one can tell what place she holds in his heart.

For these two women who had come to a foreign land and whose only support was Jia Lian, it was natural not to offend such a person.

Therefore, even though she knew that Baochai was trying to win her over, she couldn't help but feel more favorably toward her when she saw her.

In their responses, they naturally became more sincere and natural.

Without much effort, he gave Baochai a general overview of the situation.

Seeing that Baochai had finished bathing, he took his leave and left.

……

When Jia Lian finished dealing with some matters and returned to Baochai's room, he saw a completely transformed Baochai.

When Baochai arrived, she was still wearing a slightly worn women's dress, and because of the long journey, she looked somewhat travel-worn.

But now, all those things that affected her appearance and temperament have vanished without a trace.

Instead, he wore a brand new set of Confucian scholar's robes, predominantly bright white.

He wore a white, fitted robe, a belt, and a crown.

While possessing an ethereal and otherworldly elegance, it also carries a touch of feminine charm and allure.

It's refreshing.

Jia Lian was also seeing Baochai in this state for the first time, and couldn't help but stare at her for a moment. Baochai, who got up to greet him, felt slightly uncomfortable because she was dressed in men's clothing.

Feeling even more embarrassed under Jia Lian's gaze, she quickly explained, "Because you said I had to dress as a man here, that's why... If you feel it's inappropriate, I'll go change right away..."

"No!"

Jia Lian waved his hand and walked up to Baochai.

He looked Baochai up and down closely and smiled, "No need to change, I think it's fine."

After saying that, seeing Baochai looking up at her, and fearing that she might misunderstand, she added, "My Baochai is naturally beautiful, and looks good in anything."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Ying'er's snickering came from the side.

Jia Lian couldn't help but look over there.

Ying'er quickly stopped laughing, then bowed slightly and consciously left the room, giving Jia Lian and Baochai some space.

Baochai breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that there was truly no displeasure in Jia Lian's eyes.

She knew what Jia Lian meant by making her wear men's clothing.

Jia Lian has a legitimate job here. Given her status and looks, if she were openly kept by Jia Lian's side, it would inevitably cause some negative consequences.

Unless she remained hidden inside the headquarters.

Therefore, wearing men's clothing is quite necessary.

Firstly, men's clothing doesn't attract as much attention as women's clothing, and secondly, men's clothing can also conceal one's feminine features, making one appear more ordinary.

That's what Baochai thought.

She had actually tried it on once at home, and her mother was very satisfied with it.

She changed her clothes after bathing and washing up because she heard that Jia Lian was coming to see her again, and she wanted Jia Lian to take a look so that she could change them if there was anything inappropriate or disliked by him.

Women dress up for those who appreciate them, and even Baochai is no exception.

Jia Lian, however, had no idea that this was inappropriate. As soon as he got close to Baochai, he smelled the long-lost fragrance again.

So he didn't stand on ceremony with Baochai and directly took her hand and walked towards the bed.

Baochai blushed slightly and quickly said, "No, it's too late today..."

Although she knew she shouldn't let Jia Lian succeed so easily, Baochai just didn't know how to refuse him.

Moreover, the other party usually doesn't give her a chance to refuse.

For example, Jia Lian acted as if he hadn't heard her at all. He led her to the bedside, sat her down, stared at her for two breaths, and then lowered his head to kiss her.

Baochai instinctively turned her head to avoid him, but Jia Lian accurately found the location of her lips, and then she resigned herself to her fate.

After absorbing the fragrance of peonies between Baochai's lips and tongue, Jia Lian reluctantly released the beauty's head.

Seeing Baochai's dazed expression and flushed cheeks, Jia Lian felt a sense of smugness.

Unlike Daiyu, whose relationship had already entered a stable phase, Baochai, who had just confirmed her relationship with him, was experiencing a rapid escalation of their feelings.

During this period, whatever he did to Baochai, she would mostly give in half-heartedly.

So he became even more unceremonious, reaching out to remove the long jade hairpin from Baochai's head, and after her flowing black hair cascaded down, he went to untie the blue belt that Ying'er had painstakingly tied for her.

Baochai remained silent throughout.

Neither cooperating nor resisting.

She has never liked to do useless work or make useless noise.

With Baochai's encouragement, Jia Lian quickly peeled off her already thin right-fastening garment, revealing her inner garments.

Her shoulders were smooth and delicate, and her strapless bra billowed up in magnificent waves.

But Jia Lian only glanced at them briefly before going to untie his thin, gauze-like trousers.

Baochai wanted to escape, but the cunning Jia Lian always kept a hand on her, leaving her nowhere to hide.

In the end, she could only huddle tightly in Jia Lian's arms to reduce the exposure of her body in Jia Lian's eyes.

Little did she know that this was undoubtedly a signal urging Jia Lian to take action against her.

Therefore, after Jia Lian removed Baochai's embroidered shoes and trousers as planned, he hesitated briefly when he saw a pair of flawless, long, white legs lying across his own.

Suddenly he stood up, picked up Baochai's suddenly tense body, and gently placed her on the couch.

Under Baochai's unwavering gaze, he pulled the blanket next to him over her.

Baochai, whose neck and head were the only parts visible, looked at him with some confusion.

Jia Lian smiled, feigning generosity, and said, "You've been traveling all day; you must be tired."

Get a good night's sleep, and get up early tomorrow. I'll take you to see the sunrise at sea!

Watching the sunrise at sea?
Baochai has seen the sunrise, but she has never seen the sea.

But she had read about it in books and knew about the spectacular sight of "the moon rising over the sea".

but……

Baochai thought about it silently for a moment, and finally nodded quietly.

Seeing Jia Lian give her a deep look before turning and leaving, Baochai smiled knowingly.

Then, with a sweet smile, she quickly drifted off to sleep, unaware of when Ying'er entered the room.

(End of this chapter)