The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Princess Zhaoyang was a playful person, as evidenced by her frequent attempts to entangle herself with Jia Lian after she captured him in the desert, even going so far as to play the role of a female thief to provoke him.

As far as she was concerned, it was unlikely that she would release her closest maids.

Because they all knew some secrets, more or less.

Therefore, among these maids, those whom Jia Lian took a liking to, she would certainly not mind keeping as her true confidantes, bound to her for life.

If Jia Lian didn't think much of her, he would probably give her to a soldier or guard as his wife, or reward her to someone useful or meritorious.

Compared to the latter, Princess Zhaoyang actually preferred the former.

After all, since she had chosen these maids to train, she hoped that they would serve her for life.

This is the core reason why she didn't care that Jia Lian was targeting her maids; in her heart, these maids originally belonged to Jia Lian as well.

However, she still greatly admired Jia Lian's approach in this regard.

Unless she gives it to him voluntarily, Jia Lian will not easily take action against her subordinates.

Jia Lian felt deeply grateful for Princess Zhaoyang's generosity.

He had Sister Feng completely under his thumb, but even when she was deeply moved, she was still reluctant to give him a nephew's wife.

Although it was just a game, Jia Lian took it quite seriously and asked with a smile, "I don't even know the names of many of them, how can I tell them apart?"

"That's easy. Each of you, please introduce yourselves."

Princess Zhaoyang knelt on the soft couch covered with brown bear fur, leaning on Jia Lian's shoulder, looking very comfortable and easygoing.

Although the maids were a little shy, they still read out their names one by one under the princess's gaze.

They all sound pretty good.

Some are given their full name and surname, while others are clearly pseudonyms.

Jia Lian guessed that those two-character nicknames were probably given to them by Princess Zhaoyang because she disliked their original names for being unpleasant to hear or difficult to remember.

Jia Lian took careful notes, and while they were talking, he also made a point of observing the patterns on their clothes and the accessories they wore.

Thinking that this way, even if he wasn't very familiar with these girls, he could still judge them based on these external things.

Unexpectedly, Princess Zhaoyang saw through his thoughts at a glance. After smiling, she instructed the maids: "You should all take off your outer garments and only leave your inner garments on."

Furthermore, all head and body ornaments should be removed temporarily to prevent Rong Gong from cheating.

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian said speechlessly, "Isn't that unnecessary? What if they catch a cold in this cold weather?"

"There's charcoal burning in this room, it's freezing cold."

Your objection proves that you do indeed have the intention to cheat.

"Quickly, take off all the extra things you're wearing."

Actually, the maids were quite touched when Jia Lian said he was worried they might catch a cold.

After all, although they were maids, they were still human beings.

The fact that their masters used them as props in their games was somewhat disrespectful to them.

However, if it's used as an entertainment prop for Duke Rong and the princess, and one can take the opportunity to get closer to Duke Rong, then that's a different story.

So, urged by the princess, they shyly began to remove their clothes.

When the maids all started to act, Jia Lian, who was prone to talking, fell silent.

Watching these beauties undress with indifference.

As for Princess Zhaoyang thinking that this would stump him, she is underestimating his abilities.

So when all the maids had stripped down to just a thin layer of clothing, they stood with their arms around each other, seemingly feeling quite cold.

Princess Zhaoyang didn't waste any words. She asked Jia Lian if he was ready, and then stretched out her hands and tightly covered Jia Lian's eyes from behind.

Then, with a confident look on her face, she started randomly calling on people for Jia Lian to guess.

Jia Lian guessed the first one correctly, without any surprise.

Princess Zhaoyang frowned but remained silent for the time being.

The second one was correct.

The third one is the same.

Princess Zhaoyang immediately objected: "How can you do this? People ask you to use your hands to judge, and this is how you use your hands?"
Not only did you touch them one by one until they were moaning and groaning, but you also deliberately pinched them.

They all cried out, so you can probably guess what happened.

No, none of these count.

Let's start over.

Jia Lian glanced at the eight maids in front of him, their faces flushed red, especially the three whose identities he had accurately guessed, who were now utterly ashamed.

Then he turned to Princess Zhaoyang, who looked unconvinced, and smiled, "How can it not count? I did speak, and I used any part of my body other than my hands to distinguish it."

As a princess, I cannot be a sore loser.

Princess Zhaoyang's rule was that he couldn't ask questions, but it didn't say that the maids couldn't speak.

Of course, even if Princess Zhaoyang spoke up, it would probably be ineffective.

Under his methods, these beauties couldn't simply hold back their desires.

Therefore, having just heard their voices and knowing that many of them were familiar to Jia Lian, it was not difficult for him to guess who they were.

Princess Zhaoyang pouted, looking like she was going to cheat: "I don't care. It just doesn't count."

Yes, you listened with your ears.

"You violated the rules first, so it doesn't count."

Jia Lian shook his head helplessly, not wanting to argue with Princess Zhaoyang.

They put on this show clearly just to make him happy.

Then he laughed and said, "So what do you suggest we do?"

"From now on, you are only allowed to touch their faces and judge them by their appearance."

And all of you, shut up! Don't make another sound.

The other five were relieved that Princess Zhaoyang had changed the rules at the last minute.

How could we not be happy?
In front of the princess and her other sisters, being touched by a man and unable to help but cry out, is it shameful or not?
However, while feeling fortunate, some people found themselves with a slight sense of regret.

"and many more."

Princess Zhaoyang climbed to the head of the bed, pulled out a black ribbon from somewhere, knelt behind Jia Lian, and blindfolded him.

Before leaving, he ran to the front, held up two fingers, and asked, "How many is this?" "Okay, I can't see anymore."

Jia Lian then slapped Princess Zhaoyang on the buttocks.

Princess Zhaoyang then withdrew in a huff.

As expected, Jia Lian failed miserably under Princess Zhaoyang's harsh conditions.

If he was only allowed to touch the face, he could only barely guess four skin types or facial features that were relatively easy to identify, which barely accounted for half.

Princess Zhaoyang was clearly very satisfied to see that Jia Lian had guessed four wrong.

She took the initiative to untie Jia Lian's sash and said with a smile, "It seems that Erlang's judgment is indeed quite good. He actually guessed four people just by looking at their faces."

Alright, now those four belong to Erlang. What do you plan to do with them?

Jia Lian glanced at the four shyly bowing maids and laughed, "It's just a game."

"Let them leave."

Jia Lian is a cunning person.

Even if you know the beautiful woman doesn't mind, isn't it a bit inappropriate to accept her kindness without even putting on an act?
Sure enough, upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Princess Zhaoyang immediately said, "That won't do. You have to keep your word."

Since Erlang guessed four correctly, how can I go back on my word?

"You lot, now assist Duke Rong to take a bath."

After giving instructions to the maids, Princess Zhaoyang turned to Jia Lian and introduced the estate: "This imperial estate, bestowed upon me by my grandmother, was originally built on top of a natural hot spring."

When I was a child, my grandmother would bring me here to soak in the hot springs every winter. It was so relaxing.

Now that Erlang is here, how can he not give it a try?

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian was indeed somewhat tempted.

Although there is a bath at home, the hot water heated by firewood must be different from a natural hot spring.

Perhaps this is the essence of royalty.

Any truly good things have already been taken by them.

So he smiled and said, "Together?"

"I'm not going."

Princess Zhaoyang looked slightly embarrassed.

Then she laughed and said, "I had already soaked in it before Erlang came over."

Besides, if I were here, wouldn't it interfere with Erlang's ability to favor them?

As she spoke, Princess Zhaoyang began to help Jia Lian to his feet, and then addressed the four maids who were also preparing to dress:

"Why are you still wearing these?"

"The clothes will be brought to you shortly. Come quickly and help your new master away."

The four beauties, like wooden fish, were directed by Princess Zhaoyang, two on each side, to step forward and take Jia Lian's arm.

……

The rear hall is not too far from the house where the hot spring is located.

However, at this time of year, it's still quite uncomfortable to walk around outside wearing only a thin layer of clothing.

As the maids undressed him, Jia Lian could feel the coolness of their small hands that occasionally touched his skin.

So he went down into the hot spring pool and felt the strong heat in the water. Jia Lian then said to the four beauties who were standing on the shore, looking a little lost, "Come down, all of you."

The four beauties' faces immediately turned bright red.

They all thought Jia Lian was going to enjoy the prizes they had won, so they awkwardly began to take off their last layer of clothing.

Some originally intended to remove their undergarments as well, but seeing that others did not, they stopped.

The four people, as if they were being led to their execution, slowly entered the water.

They dared not approach, but instead, with perfect understanding, they spread out to either side of Jia Lian, two on each side.

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Why are you all so far away from me? Do you think I'm going to eat you?"

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, two of the maids who had served Jia Lian chuckled and, as expected, no longer hesitated.

One of them stepped forward to massage Jia Lian's shoulders, and the other to massage his arms.

The remaining two people, seeing this, also came over.

They originally thought that Jia Lian was just keeping his composure, and that he would soon lose his beastly nature and take real action against them.

But after a while, it was discovered that Jia Lian would at most hug and touch them, and after he had satisfied his desires, he would quietly sit on the steps in the pool, lean against the edge of the pool, close his eyes, and enjoy their service.

A maid who had served Jia Lian twice leaned against his chest for a long time, then suddenly looked up at him and said, "Does Your Highness know that our princess was just lying to you?"

"Oh, which statement lied to me?"

"It was the princess who said she was talking about her period..."

I am the princess's close attendant, and I know better than anyone which days her menstrual cycle is.

That's not the case today.

Jia Lian opened his eyes and looked at the beauty in his arms.

Looking at the beautiful woman's earnest face, Jia Lian asked with a smile, "Your name is Yuan Xi?"

"Hmm~"

"Yes, I remember you."

For the maid named Yuanxi, the simple phrase "I'll remember you" was like the highest reward.

After giving Jia Lian a loving look, she hugged his waist tightly and lay prostrate on his chest again.

The water in the pool overflowed Jia Lian's chest and splashed onto her face, but she didn't feel that it was scalding hot.

Recalling the first time Princess Zhaoyang summoned her to the inner palace to serve Jia Lian, she suddenly took a deep breath and buried her head in the pool water, following Jia Lian's chest.

The other three girls, who were initially envious of Jia Lian's praise, were stunned when they saw her like this.

Then their cheeks flushed, and even their massaging and serving movements became unnatural.

Some clever ones seized the opportunity to lean against Jia Lian's chest and take over the spot left by Yuan Xi.

...(End of chapter)