The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 896 Account
The east side hall of Tianxiang Tower is a gathering place for beauties.

The four beauties, Gu Qingyi and Shen Pan'er, were seated in the first row.

The two rows behind are four maids in blue, purple, cyan, and green, two sisters, and twelve officials.

After that, Madam You sent more than ten maids to serve Gu Qingyi and the others.

Of these beauties, more than 80% possess exceptional looks.

Now, rows of these items are displayed before us, their heads bobbing and their movements graceful, a truly pleasing sight.

Jia Lian turned his head to Jiang Yun, who was standing with her head bowed to his left, and instructed her: "While I'm away from home, I'm entrusting them all to you. Please take good care of them for me."

If you encounter any difficulties that you cannot resolve on your own, you can seek help from Grandma You.

If she can't solve it either, then you should ask her.

She was from the Princess's residence and had direct access to the Eldest Princess.

I have already spoken with the Princess, and she will help you if you have any urgent matters to attend to.

In short, I don't want to see anything bad happen to any of you after I get back, understand?

Jia Lian gestured to Hu Yuanyao and Aqin, who were standing on his right.

He was unsure of when he would leave this time, and he was truly uneasy about not making any arrangements for the many beauties kept in the Tianxiang Pavilion.

Jiang Yun readily agreed.

The beauties, including Gu Qingyi, were all moved by Jia Lian's words of advice.

They didn't know what was different about Jia Lian's trip this time compared to before, but they could all feel his concern for them.

The young maids standing at the back were especially excited. Jia Lian's words included them, making them feel incredibly honored and lucky.

"However, the Princess is very busy with official duties, and I don't want you to bother her with trivial matters, understand?"

"understood."

Jiang Yun and the others all answered.

Jia Lian stood up, looked at the beauties, and nodded, saying, "I'm just relieving my worries. I imagine you're all here studying dance, music, calligraphy, and painting without anyone bothering you."

"Alright, you few come with me. The rest of you can go and rest."

……

Inside the main hall of the main building, the sisters from the Grand View Garden arrived together.

For most of them, they hadn't been to Tianxianglou since Jia Lian requisitioned it.

They had also vaguely heard that this place had become a place where Jia Lian kept his concubines.

I've even heard that Jia Lian often comes here to seek pleasure.

I've just never seen it.

Therefore, they felt that there was a certain decadent atmosphere here.

But when they actually stepped inside, they discovered that both the environment inside Tianxiang Tower and the decorations in the hall were exceptionally elegant.

Especially this main hall today.

A bright red carpet stretched all the way to the palace gate, with two rows of low tables and stools arranged on either side.

There was no food or wine on the table, only some fruits and snacks.

On the small shelf next to it was a complete tea set, and next to it was a tea stove.

What a neat and spotless place! Even the screens around it are decorated with landscapes, fields, plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums.

Tan Chun, who was originally assisting Li Wan with housekeeping, couldn't help but exclaim first after receiving the invitation:

"Second brother, what a refined taste! This place is so beautifully decorated; it's truly a wonderful spot for conversation!"

The sisters chatted and laughed, and since they didn't see Jia Lian and the others, they each found a place to sit down.

Without anyone even setting a stage, they couldn't help but whisper among themselves, chatting or gossiping.

So, when Jia Lian walked in, most of the sisters in the garden were already there.

Seeing that they had already lined up according to their age and status, Jia Lian smiled, walked to the head of the table, and turned back to say:
"I have invited all my sisters here today because it has been a long time since we last met, and I have missed you all. So I have prepared some fruits and snacks to gather you all together."

Secondly, I will be setting off for Tianjin soon, and this time I may be away from home for a while.

Therefore, this can be considered a farewell party for me from my younger sisters.

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately started chattering away.

Some of the people who responded to Jia Lian's first words were, like Xiangyun, who complained that Jia Lian's longing for them was fake, but that he truly missed Xue and Lin.

Many more people were concerned that Jia Lian was going to Tianjin again, asking how long he would be gone.

Jia Lian did not answer them one by one. After they had finished talking, he raised his hand and said with a smile, "Alright, since this is a tea party, let's all sit down and talk. There's no need to be so formal."

As everyone took their seats, the sound of a zither suddenly filled the air outside the hall.

The person playing the zither was unaware of how far away they were, and by the time the music reached through the palace doors and windows, the strings were no longer ringing.

Not too big, not too small, neither too fast nor too slow.

It will not disturb the people inside the hall, and its melody can be heard in quiet moments.

The sisters in the Grand View Garden were mostly refined people. When they realized this, they all felt that Jia Lian was indeed more attentive than others, and that it was only natural that they liked to be close to him.

So they all quickly adapted to the environment, chatting amongst themselves.

Of course, most of the conversation started with questions about Jia Lian.

Since Jia Lian had already said he was going to Tianjin, he naturally wouldn't reveal any other information. He only said that there were some troublesome and troublesome matters that might take a long time, and he wouldn't be able to return for a while.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, the other sisters were fine, but Daiyu looked at him with misty eyes and a resentful expression.

In response, Jia Lian gave a helpless yet secretly smug look.

Little girl, you didn't seem to care last night, but now you know you can't bear to part with it, right?

Daiyu had long been spiritually connected with Jia Lian, so she naturally understood the meaning expressed in his expression.

Si Zhi felt that Jia Lian was as annoying as ever, and also felt a little regretful.

She regretted not talking to Jia Lian more last night, and shouldn't have let him leave so early because she was worried that he would try to bully her.

The fact that Jia Lian and Daiyu were exchanging messages with their eyes naturally did not escape the notice of those who were paying attention.

Noticing people pointing and whispering about her, and others gesturing to cover their mouths and giggle, Daiyu decisively cut off her communication with Jia Lian. Seeing this, Jia Lian glanced at Baochai, who sat silently yet radiated beauty and elegance, and then smiled at the crowd, saying:
"Don't keep asking me questions."

If you have anything you want to say or talk about, or any opinions or misunderstandings between you that you don't usually discuss, why not take this opportunity to talk about it today?

As the saying goes, a smile can dissolve all enmity. Some things are better said than kept inside, lest you suffer from bottling them up.

Anyway, I've already said beforehand that we can all speak freely today, and no one will be punished for their speech.

Otherwise, it would be disrespectful to me.

As for the consequences of disrespecting me, you can ask Consort Xiaoxiang.

Seeing that Jia Lian had once again drawn everyone's attention to her, Daiyu's lips twitched, but she ultimately did not embarrass Jia Lian in public.

After all, she knew very well that Jia Lian was close to her, which was why he used her as a topic of conversation.

As for the consequences of disrespecting him, Daiyu said that she often did so and never knew what the consequences would be.

The others knew more or less what kind of temper Jia Lian had in front of Daiyu, and upon hearing this, they all secretly mocked Jia Lian.

Xiangyun used to respect Jia Lian quite a bit, but ever since she was bullied by him repeatedly, she has come to enjoy opposing him.

She laughed and said, "Nobody believes what Brother Lian said."

What about speaking freely, and what about not being punished for speech?

We are all willing to listen to you, but what can you do if Sister Lin breaks the rules?

If you don't give us a definite answer, we dare not offend her.

Jia Lian laughed and said, "By saying that, you have already offended her. Look what she said."

Besides, I didn't see any fear on your face.

You're clearly very bold, which shows that your words and actions don't match.

Everyone laughed.

When it comes to arguing, only Sister Lin (Lin Meimei) can rival Brother Lian Er.

Xiangyun knew she was no match for him, yet she always liked to provoke him, so it was only natural that she would suffer defeat.

"eccentric!"

Seeing Xiangyun utter her last words of unwillingness, the others either laughed or offered words of comfort to her.

Daiyu glanced at her indifferently, then picked up her teacup and sipped it slowly.

Although she wasn't afraid of Xiangyun's provocations, the feeling of Jia Lian suppressing the enemy for her without her having to lift a finger made her feel extremely happy.

Seeing that everyone was listening to him and no longer focusing all their attention on him, Jia Lian saw the atmosphere return to normal.

He was happy to be in a superior position, observing the words and actions of the women, their every smile and frown.

Then he quickly discovered it.

As the eldest, Baochai, now sixteen years old, truly stands out among the other young women.

Especially after being pampered by him, Baochai's already stunning beauty seemed to have gained an even more alluring charm.

Jia Lian couldn't help but glance at it a few more times.

Fearing that Daiyu might notice and become jealous, he devised a plan. While Qingwen was pouring him tea, he whispered something in her ear.

Qingwen glanced at him sideways.

Although I didn't really want to, I nodded anyway.

She stood by for a while, and only after receiving a second eye signal from Jia Lian did she begin to act.

When no one was paying attention, she walked up to Ying'er, nudged her, and gave her a look.

Ying'er understood and, taking advantage of Baochai's inattention, followed Qingwen to the back hall.

"Sister Qingwen, what do you want with me?"

Looking at Ying'er, who was petite, beautiful, and seemed very well-behaved and cute, Qingwen thought to herself that appearances can be deceiving.

If one hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who would have known that such a erotic painting, so explicit and offensive that it would be considered morally offensive, was actually created by the person in front of them?

A blush flashed across her face, and Qingwen feigned seriousness, saying, "It wasn't me looking for you, it was our Second Master."

Ying'er was even more puzzled: "What does Second Master want with me?"

"He has something important for you to do."

Qingwen smiled, beckoned Ying'er over, and whispered in her ear.

Ying'er looked surprised upon hearing this, but she seemed to quickly understand its meaning, and her eyes lit up with delight.

However, out of caution, she still said, "Why would Second Master ask me to lie to our girl for no reason?"

"Qingwen, you're not deliberately lying to me, are you?"

Qingwen said irritably, "Even if I'm bold, would I dare to falsely relay our Second Master's words?"

Even if I dared to falsely relay our Second Master's words, I wouldn't dare to lie to Miss Bao.

Ying'er thought about it and agreed that it made sense.

If we're talking about fabricating stories about Jia Lian to deceive people, given how favored Qingwen was by Jia Lian, she could probably get away with it by just being coquettish.

But if he were to deceive their daughter, and she were unwilling to let it go, I'm afraid even Master Lian wouldn't be able to show favoritism.

So he asked a couple more questions to make sure he hadn't misunderstood Jia Lian's meaning before nodding solemnly.

Qingwen glanced at her one last time, and a pang of jealousy stirred within her.

Despite her repeated pleas, she was unable to go to Tianjin with Jia Lian.

This girl actually got to spend more than half a month in Tianjin with the Second Master just because she followed a good master.

However, she quickly came to terms with it.

Even if she's lucky, she'll only ever be a maid, and at most a concubine.

Unlike her, who started her own school of thought.

She already has her own maids and her own staff by the Second Master's side; she will at least become a concubine in the future.

Their status is incomparable to that of second-rate people like Ying'er.

(End of this chapter)