The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 931 Purest and Most Benevolent
When Jia Lian left the palace, it was nearly dusk.

He ran into someone he didn't want to see on the street.

Seeing the composed young man walking towards him, Jia Lian cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yun."

The Third Prince smiled broadly as he helped Jia Lian up, his radiant expression suggesting that no conflict had ever occurred between them.

"No need for such formalities, Duke Rong."

This time, the Duke of Rongguo swept away the Jurchens and recovered Jianzhou, making another great contribution to our dynasty. I am both envious and ashamed.

I wonder when I will be able to wield a three-foot sword, fight on the battlefield, and serve my country like the Duke of Rong.

"Your Highness is too kind. As a prince, Your Highness is of noble status and naturally does not need to risk your life like I do."

"Hehe, judging from the direction the Duke of Rong came from, did he go to visit the Empress Dowager?"

"I have indeed just come from Kunning Palace."

Although Jia Lian didn't have much of a relationship with the Empress, since she had previously expressed goodwill towards him, he naturally had to uphold that kindness.

Moreover, if you go to visit the Empress, you might even see Yuan Chun.

Unfortunately not.

Moreover, given his current status, he can no longer go directly to Fengzao Palace to see Yuan Chun as he did before.

Upon hearing that Jia Lian had indeed emerged from Kunning Palace, the Third Prince's expression shifted almost imperceptibly, but he chuckled and said:

"As expected, the Duke of Rongguo is still favored by the Empress Dowager. Unlike me, even as a prince, I rarely see the Empress Dowager."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian thought to himself, "Nonsense. You weren't even her biological son to begin with. Your birth mother might even have had a grudge against the Empress."

Given that she knows you're a heartless scoundrel who murdered your elder brother, why would the Empress give you a kind look?

"I have just returned from the border and still have some official business to hand over, so I will not disturb Your Highness any longer. Farewell."

After Jia Lian finished speaking, he cupped his hands, took two steps back, and turned to leave.

The eunuch leading the way noticed Jia Lian's puzzled expression and offered to explain, "Lord Rong, are you wondering why His Highness the Third Prince is here?"

Jia Lian was indeed a little curious. It hadn't even been a year yet, so how could the Third Prince dare to cause trouble?

The eunuch leaned close to Jia Lian and whispered, "When His Majesty was about to hold a birthday banquet for the Emperor Emeritus, the Third Prince seized the opportunity and offered to host the banquet himself."

Perhaps the Emperor was too busy with state affairs, and since there was no one more suitable than the Third Prince, he agreed.

From that time on, the Third Prince stopped obeying the confinement order, and no one said anything about it.

These days, the Third Prince has been going to the palace every day to pay his respects to His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus, and his filial piety has even moved the princes of the imperial clan…”

Jia Lian understood immediately upon hearing this.

It was obvious that the Third Prince seized the opportunity of the Emperor Emeritus's birthday to lift his confinement.

Jia Lian didn't really care about this, after all, what difference did it make if he was confined for a few more months or a few less?
What made Jia Lian uneasy was why Emperor Ningkang was so confused as to allow the Third Prince to hold a birthday banquet for the retired emperor.

Did Emperor Ningkang fail to learn from the Crown Prince's example?

Wasn't he afraid that his own son would also collude with the retired emperor to oppose him?
Just thinking about it made Jia Lian chuckle to himself, realizing he was worrying unnecessarily.

Even if he had this concern, could he possibly run over and remind Emperor Ningkang?
I fear that Emperor Ningkang will not only ignore this advice, but will also think that he is trying to sow discord, and that his intentions are despicable.

When the Third Prince recklessly smeared Princess Zhaoyang last time, and he killed a lot of people in front of Prince Yun's mansion, Emperor Ningkang had already taught him a lesson.

The Third Prince is, after all, a prince of Emperor Ningkang; it's not his place to bully him.

Jia Lian casually tossed a small gold ornament, which he had picked out from the spoils, to the eunuch who had taken the initiative to curry favor, and then rode out of the palace.

……

In the main building of the Grand View Garden, Sister Feng had ordered a banquet to be prepared well in advance.

But as she waited and waited, and it was getting dark, Jia Lian still hadn't returned to the mansion, so she couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

"Ping'er, go out and ask why your second master hasn't returned yet."

Ping'er agreed and was about to go out when Qingwen suddenly ran back and said with a smile, "Second Madam, Second Master is back. He told us to prepare for the feast. He will be here soon."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng almost stood up and hurriedly asked, "Where is your second master now, and what is he doing?"

"Second Master is in the main study now, and Second Master Yun is leading the way."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng immediately understood.

In the past six months, Jia Lian's study, or the inner study, which he personally selected and designed, has been completed.

The large study occupies the central position and is designed and built in a graceful and grand manner, which even Sister Feng liked.

It was reasonable for Jia Lian to go and inspect the property as soon as he returned.

So he ordered Qingwen, Xiangling, Xiaohong and others to quickly invite Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng and Lady Wang to take their seats.

Outer courtyard.

Jia Lian briefly toured the newly built study, found it to his liking, and then entered the garden.

He was originally planning to go back to the main building to change his clothes.

But after glancing down at his gleaming golden armor, he turned and headed towards the Xiaoxiang Pavilion in the west.

Unlike the golden armor worn by the other soldiers in the firearms battalion.

Although their armor was called golden armor, it was actually just a mixture of copper and iron.

At most, they just coat the outside with a layer of gold paint.

This set of golden armor was specially made for her by the artisans of the firearms battalion.

The raw materials are gold and copper, which are forged through repeated hammering and refining.

So although it looks similar to the armor of other soldiers, upon closer inspection, its texture and luster are incomparable to ordinary armor.

It can be described as a must-have for showing off.

Previously, in Kunning Palace, he noticed that the young palace maids there looked at him with shining eyes.

He hadn't seen Daiyu for half a year, and he wanted to dazzle her beautiful eyes.

Sure enough, when Jia Lian entered the familiar room, he saw that graceful figure, as delicate as a willow swaying in the breeze.

The girl's eyes, like the silhouette of autumn water, fell directly on him.

"Lin Daiyu, it's been a long time."

Jia Lian opened his arms, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the beautiful young woman.

However, the girl remained silent, staring intently at him, and after a long while, crystal tears streamed down her face.

She just looked at Jia Lian and silently shed tears.

Jia Lian, no longer caring about maintaining his dashing posture, quickly stepped forward and embraced her.

He took off one of his gloves, wiped the girl's tears, and said with a smile, "What's wrong? Why are you crying as soon as you see me?"

Seeing that the girl did not answer, Jia Lian asked the maid who was spying on him, "Did someone bully your young lady while I was away?"

Before the maids could answer, the girl slapped his hand away, her voice choked with sobs, "You... heartless liar..."

"Not only did you lie, but you've been gone for so long..."

"I don't want to care about you."

As Daiyu denounced Jia Lian's crimes, she tried to turn away, not wanting him to see her tear-streaked face.

Jia Lian then remembered that when he went on the expedition, in order to keep it a secret and not to worry Daiyu and the others, he had indeed lied to them and said that he was only going to Tianjin.

I wonder how worried Daiyu, this naturally sensitive girl, must have been when she learned that he had run off to the Liaodong battlefield without a word.

No wonder she couldn't see her own clean and beautiful armor, and instead cried as soon as she saw him. She was truly a woman of deep affection.

So he quickly hugged her and coaxed her, "It's alright. It was my fault, I shouldn't have kept it from you."

"Stop crying, you'll ruin your makeup and make you look ugly."

Daiyu was immediately startled.

Because Sister Feng had already informed everyone that a welcome banquet would be held for Jia Lian in the main building tonight, she had dressed up and put on makeup well in advance.

Daiyu knew very well that if she wasn't wearing makeup, she wouldn't look ugly when she cried.

But if you're wearing makeup, that might not be the case.

So she quickly turned her back to Jia Lian so he wouldn't see her face, and while secretly wiping away her tears, she also glanced at the mirror in the corner.

Seeing her little action, Jia Lian turned around and instructed Zijuan, "Go and fetch water for your young lady to wash her face."

After saying that, he took Daiyu's small hand and sat her down in front of her dressing table. He touched her small face and smiled affectionately, "After you wash your face, I will do your makeup myself."

"No way, your makeup looks awful."

"Haha, I can't speak for others, but with makeup on your little face, how ugly can it get?"

Upon hearing this, Daiyu felt a surge of joy in her heart.

Only then did she notice Jia Lian's armor and couldn't help but reach out and touch it.

"How about it, isn't it cool?"

When Daiyu realized her little trick had been discovered, she sheepishly stopped and then pouted, saying, "What's so cool about it? It's just a pretty face."

"Well, you've grown bolder, daring to call this great general a pretty face!"

I will not spare you.

As Jia Lian spoke, he pulled Daiyu onto his lap with one arm, and his gloveless hand began to tickle Daiyu's armpits and lower abdomen.

This caused Daiyu to twist and turn between his legs to avoid him.

Fortunately, the armor was there to keep them in check, otherwise the lecherous man would have been aroused.

Unaware of her own unease, Daiyu eventually burst into laughter after a period of restraint.

"Good brother, I was wrong, please forgive me."

It was the dead of winter, and both of them were wearing thick clothes.

Even though nothing went wrong, Jia Lian couldn't hide his affection for the beautiful and pure flower in his arms, who could cry and laugh at the same time, like a pear blossom in spring rain.

He cupped Daiyu's small face in his hands and suddenly kissed her.

Daiyu only had time to punch Jia Lian twice before giving up her resistance amidst moans and groans.

There was hot water in Daiyu's room, so Zijuan didn't need to go out at all.

She had just poured the water and adjusted the temperature, and was about to bring it over.

Upon suddenly seeing her master and mistress kissing, she paused for a moment, then quickly covered her mouth to stifle the giggle that was about to escape her lips.

She gave Xueyan, who was also staring wide-eyed, a gesture, and the two girls left together, leaving the space to the long-separated young man and woman.

After an unknown amount of time, Jia Lian finally released Daiyu's delicate tongue, blinked his lips, and looked at the little beauty in his arms with a smile.

Daiyu's eyes were already glazed over, and she was panting heavily.

Seeing Jia Lian looking down at her, she immediately lowered her head in embarrassment, muttering, "You're bullying me as soon as you get back..."

Jia Lian laughed and replied, "Who can blame me when my Yu'er is so beautiful, so pitiful? If I don't bully her, who else should I bully?"

"You have no idea how much I've missed you these past six months. I can't stop thinking about you, even in my dreams."

Daiyu buried her head in Jia Lian's arms, listening to his endless sweet words, and felt her face burning.

But she was not willing to let Jia Lian continue to be so smug.

Suddenly remembering something, she looked up at Jia Lian and said, "What do you mean you miss me? I don't believe your nonsense."

"You're a great general now, surrounded by beautiful women wherever you go, how could you possibly think of me?"

Seeing Daiyu's expression change in an instant, Jia Lian feigned confusion and asked, "Where did this all begin?"

Daiyu sneered, "Don't think I don't know that you brought back quite a few women this time!"

Like Feng Jie, Daiyu was overjoyed to learn that Jia Lian had returned to the capital.

She just didn't show it in public.

But having lived in the Jia family for so many years, she also had her own channels for gathering intelligence.

She heard in the afternoon that Jia Lian had sent back a lot of things, including several delicate and beautiful young women.

Moreover, none of them were women from the Central Plains.

Now he keeps his body in the small courtyard outside his study, where he lives with the two guard sisters.

Jia Lian looked like he suddenly realized something and laughed, "So you're jealous of them."

Upon hearing that Jia Lian was not ashamed at all, but rather smug, Daiyu immediately became angry and said:

"Who's jealous? You're successful now, you can have any beauty you want at will."

"How dare I, a mere girl, be jealous?"

As she spoke, her tone inevitably carried a hint of grievance.

Seeing this, Jia Lian quickly said, "Alright, alright, look at you, why are you about to cry again?"

They were just a few foreign women.

It was originally a gift from His Majesty and a tribute from the King of Joseon to me.

If you don't like them, how about I send them all away?

When Daiyu heard that the gifts were from the emperor and a foreign king, she immediately felt much better.

Hearing Jia Lian's tone, which suggested he didn't care much about those beauties, he calmed down.

Worried that Jia Lian might actually kick her out because of what she said, he quickly said:
"Whenever I said I didn't like it, you didn't need to send the person away for me."

If word gets out, what kind of person will I be?

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian immediately laughed and said, "I knew it. My Yu'er is the most broad-minded, generous, and kind-hearted person. She wouldn't take a few Hu women seriously."

"Don't worry, forget about that Hu woman. Even if she were a celestial being descended to earth, she couldn't compare to my Yu'er in my heart."

Even though she knew it was Jia Lian's flattery, Daiyu still found it very pleasing.

Besides, she was perfectly aware of men's little schemes.

If Jia Lian were to actually drive those women away, it's hard to say whether he would truly be willing to do so.

Take those Hu women for example. Since they have come to a foreign land, how can they survive if they have no one to protect them?

If those women were to suffer any harm because of her momentary willfulness, how could she bear it?

So he gave a feigned innocent hum and turned the page.

"Don't linger here any longer. Sister Feng has prepared a welcome feast for you. You should go back now."

Aren't you going over there?

"Don't worry about me, you should go back quickly, don't keep Sister Feng waiting."

As she spoke, Daiyu got off Jia Lian's lap and pushed and shoved him out of the room.

(End of this chapter)