The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 873 Peeping into the Secrets of Heaven
Jia Lian was also somewhat helpless, sometimes coaxing Daiyu was like coaxing a daughter.

The tears came so suddenly.

However, on the other hand, if any family's daughter looked like Daiyu, the old father would not only be willing to coax her, but would probably be willing to give his life for her.

So Jia Lian patiently talked to Daiyu for a long time before finally making Daiyu's gloomy face brighten up.

Jia Lian considered the situation. Although Daiyu was no longer angry with him for last night, it would be difficult for him to do anything to her in her current state.

So he simply put aside his distracting thoughts and said with a smile, "The weather is nice today, and it's boring to stay indoors. Why don't we go out for a stroll?"

Upon hearing this, Daiyu thought for a moment and said, "Where should we go for a stroll?"

She did feel very bored during the days Jia Lian was away from home.

Aside from visiting Grandmother Jia's room and occasionally playing chess with her friends, she spent almost all her time at Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

She already harbored resentment towards Jia Lian for being too busy with external affairs to spend time with her, so she was naturally very happy that he had made time for her now.

"Didn't you say yesterday that your cousin Baochai came back from her trip? How about we go to the Xue family to visit her?"

Daiyu, who had been full of anticipation, immediately turned pale upon hearing Jia Lian's suggestion.

"If you want to go, you can go, I won't go."

Jia Lian was somewhat surprised, not expecting Daiyu to refuse so decisively.

It's obvious that the two of them are getting along quite well now.

Too lazy to rack my brains to figure out where Daiyu's displeasure came from, I immediately changed my suggestion:

"How about we go to Longcui Nunnery to have Miaoyu's tea?"

Daiyu's brows remained furrowed, but she ultimately did not refuse again.

Although she knew in her heart that Miaoyu was probably also Jia Lian's confidante.

After all, she had personally witnessed Miaoyu's unusual attitude towards her cousin back in the Xuanmu Panxiang Temple in Suzhou.

However, she was only nine years old that year, and at that time she also identified herself as Jia Lian's cousin.

So by that calculation, she became the one who came later.

Furthermore, she is not Sister Feng.

Sister Feng is bold and meticulous; she dares to say anything.

But she is different.

Miaoyu has a special identity; she is both a Buddhist nun and a Taoist priest hired by Jia Lian.

She simply couldn't bring herself to question such an embarrassing relationship.

So Daiyu half-agreed and let Jia Lian lead her out of Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

However, she knew that Sister Feng was moving today, and there were many people in the garden, so she didn't want to be the subject of gossip.

Therefore, as soon as they arrived at the entrance of Xiaoxiang Pavilion, she pulled her little hand away from Jia Lian's and followed him to find Miaoyu to drink tea and play chess.

On the main building, Sister Feng was busy tidying up her new home.

Hearing that Jia Lian had returned to the mansion, I originally thought he would come to help soon.

Unexpectedly, after waiting and waiting, Jia Lian did not appear. Upon asking, they learned that Jia Lian had taken Daiyu to the Longcui Nunnery.

Sister Feng immediately wanted to complain.

She was busy with all the moving, but Jia Lian acted as if he didn't know anything and went off to enjoy his leisure time.

However, she didn't seem inclined to go looking for Jia Lian.

Anyway, Jia Lian's meaning is that he's letting her have full authority.

She would be happy to arrange everything according to her wishes, and even if Jia Lian was dissatisfied in any way, he would be too embarrassed to say anything.

So he worked even harder, working non-stop for two hours straight, barely managing to grab a quick bite for lunch.

She finally breathed a sigh of relief after carefully moving all the important items into the inner palace.

Feeling that the move would be completed by the afternoon, she arranged for someone else to prepare a banquet in the kitchen, and then invited the masters of both households to come and celebrate the housewarming together.

She was still feeling quite uneasy.

It's been almost three years.

Even though Jia Lian's official rank and her title were getting higher and higher, the couple had never held a proper banquet for guests!
She had already begun to plan that after Jia Lian finished his mourning period at the beginning of next year, she would find some excuse to invite all the high-ranking families, old friends, and relatives in the capital to a grand and lavish affair.

While Sister Feng was busy in the main hall, Qingwen seized the opportunity to slip away.

Just as they arrived at the west wing, they suddenly saw Xiangling slip into her new room as well.

Qingwen was taken aback.

After all, she knew firsthand how obedient Xiangling was; she rarely saw her slacking off.

So he secretly followed her into Xiangling's room.

The room was large and divided into several spaces.

There were some of Xiangling's belongings in the room, but they were just piled up haphazardly in a corner.

Clearly, Xiangling had been helping out in the main hall and hadn't had time to tidy up her own room yet.

Not seeing anyone, she tiptoed inside.

Sure enough, as soon as I entered the bedroom where the bed was, I saw a little girl squatting under the large cabinet behind the bed, fiddling with something.

Qingwen, with a mischievous glint in her eye, quietly walked behind Xiangling and suddenly asked, "Hey, what are you doing?"

Then she saw the person in front of her tremble and fall to the ground with a thud.

The little face that turned to look at her was deathly pale.

Qingwen was speechless.

Is it really that scary?

"Are you alright? I was just kidding. You were acting all mysterious, so I thought I'd give you a little surprise."

"You're such a coward."

When Xiangling saw that it was Qingwen, the color returned to her face, and she quickly shook her head: "I'm fine. It's just that you suddenly spoke behind my back, and I was startled because I wasn't paying attention."

Qingwen sighed inwardly.

This is why she and Xiangling have been able to get along amicably for so many years.

She has a strong personality, and if she were with a friend who also has a temper, even if they didn't fight, they would probably easily argue and get angry.

However, apart from a few arguments, she and Xiangling almost never had any conflicts.

Yes, how did the conflict arise?
Right now, it was clearly her doing that scared Xiangling. Xiangling didn't blame her at all, and even went so far as to explain why she was frightened.

Therefore, even Qingwen wanted to sincerely apologize.

Before I knew it, I discovered that Xiangling's restless hand was hiding something behind her back.

"What are you hiding? Let me see!"

Qingwen was used to bullying Xiangling.

As soon as he said it, he saw that Xiangling seemed even more nervous, and he immediately became suspicious.

Ignoring Xiangling's resistance, she walked directly in front of Xiangling and immediately saw the wooden box that Xiangling was hiding behind her back.

What's inside?
I noticed you treasured this box like it was something, always holding it by yourself.

Let me take a look.

Seeing that Qingwen had discovered it, Xiangling immediately waved her hand and said, "No, Qingwen, these are all Second Master's things. He instructed that no one else should see them..."

If Xiangling hadn't said anything, it would have been fine; Qingwen was just generally curious.

Upon hearing this, Qingwen was determined to see it.

Besides curiosity, there was also a bit of jealousy.

Good, she kept all the good stuff from him, but entrusted it to Xiangling for safekeeping.

She absolutely had to find out.

So he bent down to snatch it.

Because Qingwen was very active, she often ran around.

Even with her bound feet, her strength should not be underestimated.

Xiangling, however, dared not exert herself because of the cramped space, fearing she might hurt someone. Before long, Qingwen pinned her against the large cabinet with her body.

Seeing that the box was beyond saving, Xiangling had no choice but to plead, "Good sister, please spare me."

I can show you the things, but you absolutely mustn't go around telling everyone..."

Xiangling knew that there was nothing shameful in the box, but it was just some of Jia Lian's small collection.

Xiangling wouldn't let anyone else know, but she didn't think it mattered much about Qingwen.

Seeing that Xiangling had given in, Qingwen released her and stared intently at the box that Xiangling had taken out from behind her.

Xiangling first brushed aside Qingwen's disheveled hair, and then solemnly said to Qingwen:
"Sister Qingwen, this is something that Second Master entrusted to me to keep. If you insist on seeing it, I won't stop you."

However, the Second Master had also earnestly instructed that no one else should see it.

Therefore, I will not help you keep it a secret from Second Master.

After you've seen it, I'll tell Second Master the truth, saying that it was you who insisted on seeing it, and I couldn't take it from you.

So, do you still want to watch?

Hearing Xiangling's solemn words, Qingwen hesitated for a moment.

Although she sometimes acted arrogantly because of Jia Lian's favor, she was still somewhat afraid of him.

She dared to joke with Jia Lian, but dared not anger him.

Judging from how seriously Xiangling is talking, it can't really be something that can't be looked at, can it?

No, no, if it were really unacceptable, Xiangling wouldn't have given in so easily.

She's so honest, she definitely wouldn't harm me.

So Qingwen made up her mind and nodded, saying, "Stop talking nonsense and open it for me to see."

Xiangling had originally hoped that Qingwen would back down, but seeing her like this, she sighed and had no choice but to do as she was told.

But before she could unlock the door, she was afraid that someone else would sneak in.

So he quickly got up, went to the door, and locked the inner door first.

Her behavior only made Qingwen feel more and more annoyed.

While Xiangling was away, she rummaged through the box a few times. Unfortunately, it was locked, and Xiangling had the key, so she could only wait for Xiangling to come back and unlock it.

When Xiangling returned, the box was opened under her unwavering gaze.

Qingwen had already been holding her breath.

However, when she saw what was inside the box, she was immediately stunned.

She was stunned and asked, "What are all these things? You didn't just put them on your own and pretend they belong to the Second Master to tease me, did you?" No wonder Qingwen was speechless.

The box didn't contain the rare treasures she had imagined, or any obscene picture books or the like...

These were actually some women's personal items.

Her first reaction was that these things belonged to Xiangling, who deliberately made these fuss to get revenge for scaring her.

However, Xiangling did not feel the smugness of "getting revenge" at this moment; her face turned even redder.

"I'm not lying to you. These things aren't mine. Every single one of them was entrusted to me by Second Master for safekeeping..."

Qingwen, who trusted Xiangling, reached inside and rummaged through the tumblers with a skeptical mind.

What about bellybands, silk stockings, sachets with fragrant stems...

The items used by women were of all kinds, some she had seen before, and some she had never seen before.

But all of them are made of superior materials and are exquisitely crafted.

Qingwen suddenly realized that with Xiangling's blockheadedness, she would never have thought of using these things to tempt the Second Master.

So she asked, "You mean, these were all taken from other women by the Second Master and then given to you to keep?"

Xiangling wasn't sure either: "It should be like this..."

Qingwen then stuck out her tongue and complained, "Second Master is really strange. Why is he keeping these things for no reason?"

As Qingwen spoke, her face was full of disdain: "These are the things you keep hidden away like treasures. Is that all you've got?"

Even if Xiangling is honest, she still has a temper, okay?

She clearly insisted on seeing it, and she got upset when she was allowed to see it?
So she thought for a moment, reached into the rather large box and rummaged around inside, taking out a roll wrapped in red silk.

He untied the cover, pulled out the roll of toilet paper, and handed it to Qingwen without saying a word.

"what?"

Qingwen instinctively took it, opened it, and took a look.

With just one glance, her face flushed red, and she threw the scroll away, exclaiming, "Damn it, where did you get this filth? It's an eyesore..."

Xiangling originally just wanted to intimidate Qingwen and make her look down on people.

I didn't expect Qingwen to react so strongly.

She picked up the scroll, wiping away any dust that hadn't even been there before, as if it were a precious treasure, and then mocked Qingwen:

"You're making a big fuss over nothing. Can't you tell who the man up there is?"

Xiangling thought to herself, "This is what I'm thinking."

I've seen things in real life that are ten times more naked than what's depicted in this painting, and I've never seen you so shy!
However, upon hearing Xiangling's words, Qingwen immediately lost her shyness.

She widened her eyes: "You mean, the person upstairs is Second Master?"

Xiangling was too lazy to pay attention to her anymore, and rolled up the scroll to put it into the case.

She specially made this red silk cover to store the painting, so as to preserve this important scroll intact.

However, Qingwen snatched it away again and unfolded the painting to look at it once more.

Then she saw a smile appear on Qingwen's beautiful face, even in her peach blossom eyes:
"That's right, this must be Second Master himself!"

Once she confirmed that the man in the portrait was Jia Lian, Qingwen was no longer shy at all.

She even started comparing Jia Lian's thighs and buttocks in her mind to see if the portrait was accurate.

The more she looked at the painting, the more she appreciated its beauty, making her feel as if she had found a priceless treasure.

"If the man in this painting is Second Master, then who is this woman? She's shamelessly trying to seduce him like this..."

Qingwen's scolding lacked conviction.

Because she knew that if the man in the painting was her second master, then the woman must also exist in reality.

Moreover, if the painting wasn't deliberately embellished, then the beauty's figure and appearance are truly...

nice.

An undeniable beauty.

Even she, who considered herself the most beautiful woman in the world, felt a little jealous.

With skin as smooth as ice and bones as fine as jade, she possesses natural beauty.

Xiangling replied, "I don't know who she is either. This painting was just given to me by the Second Master yesterday when he returned to the manor..."

Hearing that she didn't even recognize Xiangling, Qingwen became even more excited.

Pulling Xiangling along, the two sisters sat down together and began to discuss.

"Since she is Second Master's woman, we must know each other."

"Tell me, is it possible that the woman in this painting could be Second Madam?"

Xiangling stared wide-eyed at Qingwen as if she were an idiot: "How could this be? How could Second Madam..."

Xiangling thought Qingwen must have gone mad.

Given Second Madam's temperament, Second Master could probably coax her into posing like this by the window if he put in the effort.

But it's absolutely impossible to get someone to draw it again.

Qingwen agreed, and then asked, "Then who do you think it resembles?"

"I think she looks a bit like Grandma Rong."

Upon hearing Xiangling's words, Qingwen immediately unfolded the painting and placed it next to Xiangling. Then, glancing at the painting and then at Xiangling, she smiled and said:
"It does indeed look somewhat similar."

If I didn't know you were an honest person, I would have thought this was a drawing of you.

After Qingwen finished speaking with a smile, she ignored Xiangling and buried herself in studying the details of the painting.

"No, no, it's not Grandma Rong!"

Qingwen suddenly channeled Sherlock Holmes.

"You just said that the Second Master gave you this painting when he returned to the manor yesterday."

In other words, this painting was probably completed after he left the capital.

It's impossible for Xiao Rong's eldest mistress to stay by Second Master's side, so how could she do such an absurd thing with Second Master?
Surely it couldn't have been retrieved from the East Mansion after Second Master returned yesterday? There wouldn't have been enough time..."

Xiangling thought about it and agreed.

She guessed it was Qin Keqing.

Aside from the fact that Qin Keqing's appearance, figure, and the person in the portrait match,

Furthermore, it was because of Qin Keqing's personality.

It is entirely possible that she would cooperate with Jia Lian in doing such an absurd thing.

"Who do you think Qingwen could be?"

Qingwen did not answer, but simply looked at the painting.

After a long pause, he said, "I think the person in this painting looks remarkably like Miss Bao..."

Upon hearing this, Xiangling laughed and said, "You must be possessed. How could Miss Bao possibly..."

Before the words were even finished, the two little girls' eyes met, and the scene immediately fell silent.

Qingwen slapped her thigh and said excitedly, "That's it! This must be Miss Bao!"

I knew it! What a coincidence!

Yesterday, Second Master just returned, and I heard that Miss Bao, who had been missing for so long, had also returned to the capital.

Yes, that's right.

Miss Bao wasn't going down to investigate the employees' embezzlement; she clearly went to Tianjin with Second Master.

No wonder Miss Bao left the day after Second Master left last time.

They really fooled people so well, they even deceived Second Grandma and us.

Qingwen said angrily.

Xiangling remained silent.

Although she found it somewhat unbelievable, she also knew that Qingwen's guess was very likely true.

As everyone knows, the Second Master never goes out to indulge in sensual pleasures.

Therefore, they should all know the people who had affairs with the Second Master.

In the two prefectures, there were very few women who possessed the figure and appearance of the woman in the portrait!
Coincidentally, Baochai fits the bill perfectly.

What's even more coincidental is that Baochai and Lian Er Ye left the capital at almost the same time and returned at the same time.

Therefore, no matter how unbelievable the answer may seem, it should still be the truth.

Perhaps even Jia Lian couldn't believe that such a secret, something that even Feng Jie and Daiyu hadn't suspected, could be so easily solved by two young maids working together because of a painting.

"Second Master is too biased!"

Qingwen put down the painting scroll with little interest.

For many years, she had wanted Jia Lian to take her out to "see the world," but Jia Lian had never agreed.

This wouldn't have been a big deal, as women are supposed to stay within the confines of a grand mansion.

But right now...

Miss Bao hadn't even entered the house yet, but Second Master secretly took her out to play without telling anyone.

They also brought back this painting.

It's clear how much fun they had in Tianjin!
Qingwen, feeling that her position in Jia Lian's heart had dropped a notch, wished she had guessed wrong:

That's completely untrue. The person in the painting isn't Baochai at all, but a prostitute that the Second Master met outside...

Xiangling accepted it very quickly.

She comforted Qingwen, saying, "Sister Qingwen, regardless of whether your guess is right or wrong, you absolutely must not tell anyone about this."

Otherwise, if we harm Miss Bao's reputation, Second Master will definitely not let us off the hook.

Qingwen pouted, but finally nodded and said, "Don't worry, I promised you before, don't you trust me?"

He watched helplessly as Xiangling put everything back in its place, locked the box, and then her eyes searched around.

Clearly, she must have been hiding here, contemplating where to hide the box.

Qingwen didn't disturb her any further, got up, opened the door, and went out.

Although she wouldn't reveal any secrets about Jia Lian, she had already made up her mind to find an opportunity to verify them with him.

Ideally, we should use this as leverage to force Jia Lian to take her with him on his next trip to Tianjin.

The Jia family mansion is so boring without the Second Master.

(End of this chapter)