The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Daiyu never imagined that her wedding night would be so painful.

She wiped away her tears, nestled in Baochai's arms, looking pitiful and wronged.

Baochai, who was already wearing a bodice and a thin garment, hugged her and comforted her with a smile, "Alright, alright, this is how it is for a young lady the first time. Look at you, how could you kick your husband?"

Upon hearing this, Daiyu secretly glanced at Jia Lian, who was rubbing his ribs and grimacing. Although slightly worried, she still said resentfully, "He deserves it, who told him to..."

As Daiyu spoke, she wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes, but finally felt embarrassed and buried her head in Baochai's soft bosom again.

"Hey, Lin Daiyu, are you even being reasonable?"
I warned you beforehand, and you acquiesced, then suddenly you went back on your word and kicked me. And you still think you're right?

Jia Lian's indignant voice rang out, but Daiyu ignored him.

She simply hid her teary, embarrassed face.

"Alright, Lin Daiyu is still young, there's no need for my husband to rush things."

While comforting Daiyu, Baochai spoke to Jia Lian.

Perhaps even she didn't expect that something that was originally embarrassing would end in such a playful way.

But this is for the best, at least neither she nor Daiyu can laugh at the other.

This is evidenced by the fact that Daiyu actually put aside past grievances and rushed over to seek her protection.

Jia Lian's mask of pain was, of course, an act.

Although the little girl's flying kick in her headache was very powerful, her thin arms and legs were a given, and he was prepared, so it was impossible for her to actually hurt him.

Seeing Daiyu clinging tightly to Baochai, clearly afraid of being taken away by him, Jia Lian and Baochai exchanged a glance and found it somewhat amusing.

He had considered that Daiyu was rather delicate, but he never expected her to be this fragile.

It was also his own fault. Although he was close to Daiyu before, Daiyu was too shy and unlike Qingwen and Xiangling, he had done in-depth research several years in advance.

This is why all our efforts were in vain, and we have no reason to feel wronged about losing.

Although he wasn't angry inside, Jia Lian naturally had to make amends on the surface.

So he sat back down and looked at Daiyu, who was hiding more and more in Baochai's arms, and said in a deliberately fierce tone, "Lin girl, we can put aside the matter of you kicking me for now, but I spent tens of thousands of taels of gold to finally marry you."

It's unacceptable for you, newlywed, not to fulfill your duties as a wife.
Come here, let me pamper you a little more. This time, I promise I'll be gentle.

"Pooh……"

As if bitten by a snake, Daiyu spat and tried to avoid Jia Lian's approach.

She even glanced longingly at Baochai, as if begging Baochai not to abandon her and let her be taken away by bad people.

Baochai indeed displayed the demeanor of an elder sister. While blocking Jia Lian's groping hands that were trying to harass Daiyu, she advised, "Husband, please stop teasing Lin Daiyu. If you're not satisfied, just call the maids in."

Baochai's words surprised not only Jia Lian, but also Daiyu, who looked up in shock.

Is Sister Bao really that virtuous and kind?
Seeing through Daiyu's gaze, Baochai smiled and said, "Silly girl, our husband loves us so much and cherishes you, so we should also think of him."

Daiyu pondered for a moment, then nodded as if she understood.

Baochai then said to Jia Lian, "How about we let Ying'er and Zijuan come in?"

Jia Lian met Baochai's gaze and understood her thoughts to some extent.

However, he still refused, saying, "Alright, it's already so late. The girls have been keeping watch outside all night and they must be exhausted. Let's not bother them."

"But……"

Baochai hesitated for a moment, but then she thought that Jia Lian was right, it was probably already past midnight.

If it weren't for the fact that the nights are longer now, it would probably be dawn by now.

Before she could think it through, Jia Lian laughed and said, "Besides, even if Lin Daiyu is no longer able to work, we still have you. There's no need to call the maids in."

Baochai blushed and didn't know what else to say.

She pulled the blanket up to wrap both her and Daiyu up.

At this moment, Daiyu quietly stopped crying and secretly eavesdropped on Jia Lian and Baochai's conversation.

Feeling the warmth of Baochai covering her with the quilt, she raised her head, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

Baochai naturally saw this and laughed, "Just say what you have to say, why are you hesitating?"

Daiyu finally made up her mind and whispered, "Sister Bao, you and Second Brother... your husband..."

Daiyu's question seemed somewhat difficult to broach, and as she spoke, her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the center of the bed.

That place was probably where Baochai had previously enjoyed the company of the emperor.

Baochai sighed inwardly, knowing that this slow-witted little maid had finally realized what was going on.

She hugged Baochai tightly and whispered, "You guessed right, my husband and I have indeed consummated our marriage long ago..."

Although she tried to remain calm, Baochai still blushed uncontrollably when she actually spoke.

Especially when faced with Daiyu's clearly surprised gaze, she felt as if she had been stripped naked and had nowhere to hide her shame.

This was actually why she had tried several times to stop Jia Lian and persuade him to rest for the night.

She didn't want Daiyu to find out that she had lost her virginity to Jia Lian beforehand.

When they were in Tianjin, although Ying'er was allowed to serve the emperor, she was not allowed to lose her virginity, and this was for the same reason.

She was thinking that since Jia Lian had taken a liking to Ying'er, Ying'er would definitely be part of his dowry in the future.

On their wedding night, Ying'er should leave behind her blood; this will avoid some unnecessary trouble.

Jia Lian's arrangements tonight have thwarted her plan.

Faced with Daiyu's gaze, the usually composed Baochai was unusually flustered, and added with shame, "You should know that it's hard to remain unmoved by his pleas, so I..."

Daiyu had never seen Baochai like this before, so she quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth and comforted her, "Sister Bao, you don't need to say anything, I understand."

She turned around and glared at Jia Lian, "That scoundrel, he's the best at bullying people."

Thinking back on the two years since their engagement, Jia Lian had harassed and bullied her in various ways.

Especially at Xiaoxiang Pavilion, the things they did to her, taking her to a small room and coaxing her into doing, were truly...

Upon thinking about it, Daiyu's face also turned as red as blood.

Therefore, the situation that Baochai thought Daiyu would look down on her because of this was not true.

Because Daiyu herself knew that if Jia Lian hadn't shown mercy, she would not have fared any better than Baochai.

Daiyu's reaction and words did indeed make Baochai feel better.

Holding the fragrant and soft body in her arms, Baochai understood why Jia Lian treated Daiyu so differently.

She's such a lovely, pitiful, innocent, and kind girl.

Perhaps the reason why the second brother has always been committed to maintaining a good relationship with Lin Yatou is not just for the sake of stability in his own backyard.

She has genuinely come to like Daiyu now.

Looking at the two beauties, one big and one small, wrapped in blankets and so intimate they were practically about to kiss, Jia Lian felt more and more pleased and content the more he looked at them.

His previous attempts, both deliberate and unintentional, to bring the two of them together had only yielded mediocre results.

Unexpectedly, tonight, in a fit of pain, Daiyu kicked him out and ran into Baochai's arms, which became the opportunity for their relationship to advance rapidly.

That's not right either. If it weren't for my previous efforts to make them both psychologically and physiologically compatible, I'm afraid that no matter how panicked Daiyu was just now, she wouldn't have run into Baochai's arms like a child.

Therefore, the credit still belongs to him.

Jia Lian was already in a difficult position because of Daiyu, and now seeing them so intimate, even the half-covered mandarin duck quilt could not hide the glimpses of spring.

Jia Lian's wicked intentions... no, it's that he wanted to solidify their relationship again.

He moved forward and touched Daiyu's shoulder through the blanket: "Hey, it's one thing for you to be irresponsible, but why are you still holding my precious girl?"
Let go quickly.

"I want to be affectionate with your sister Bao, you go away."

Although Jia Lian's words were despicable, his meaning was shameful.

Daiyu glared at Jia Lian...

Actually, she now realizes that she may have overreacted.

I feel like I can just bear with it and it will pass.

If Jia Lian were to coax her properly at this moment, she would actually be willing to try spending time with him again. After all, she genuinely wanted to give herself to him on this special day.

However, given Jia Lian's obvious lack of reluctance, it was impossible for her, being as proud as she was, to bring it up herself.

So he pretended to ignore Jia Lian, but after a while he reluctantly let go of Baochai's soft, jade-like waist.

Baochai felt a little embarrassed and advised, "It's almost dawn. We still need to serve tea to the Old Madam, Madam, and Sister Feng later. Why don't you get some sleep first?"

Baochai felt embarrassed, after all, today was a big day for both her and Daiyu. She had already completed the grand ceremony with Jia Lian, while Daiyu had given up halfway.

She would feel embarrassed if it happened again.

Jia Lian didn't care about that. Seeing that Daiyu tactfully let go of his hand, he immediately pulled Baochai out of the quilt.

"Anyway, it's almost dawn, and I can't sleep well now. I'll feel uncomfortable for a while after I get up."

"Why don't we wait until dawn, then I'll accompany you to offer tea, and after that, we can come back and catch up on our sleep."

Having already been brought out by Jia Lian, Baochai felt shy and helpless upon hearing his domineering remarks, but she still decided to lie down.

To her surprise, Jia Lian lay down on the two folded cushions she had pulled over before she could, and pulled her hand, laughing, "This time, you're on top."

"This……"

Looking at Jia Lian's enthusiastic expression, Baochai knew that this was in line with Jia Lian's personality, but it was still too embarrassing.

Daiyu, wrapped in a quilt, sat alone on the inner side of the bed like a little penguin, looking at the situation before her with confusion and curiosity.

Suddenly, her own face turned red.

From Jia Lian's words and the expressions of the two men, she recalled a painting in the booklet that Wang Mama had given her, a painting that she was ashamed to look at even when she was alone in her small room.

But for some reason, she doesn't want to hide at all now, and even has a faint sense of anticipation.

……

After all that trouble, it finally dawned.

The eight maids serving outside were alright; apart from being troubled and somewhat tired from sitting all night, they had no other thoughts.

However, the old women and young wives who were responsible for serving inside and outside the hall were shocked.

The candles in the bridal chamber remained lit all night.

Is Second Master Lian really that strong?

Indeed, anyone who gets two beauties like Baochai and Lin Daiyu would be endlessly entangled in their affairs!
Ping'er came early in the morning on Feng Jie'er's orders to check on the situation. She learned that Jia Lian and the newlyweds had just gone to bed. Ping'er quickly told the maids not to disturb them, and then went back to report to Feng Jie'er with mixed feelings.

Inside the main room of Jiaying Hall, Sister Feng took a sip of the meat porridge that a maidservant had brought to her lips.

Seeing Ping'er come in, he wiped his mouth and asked, "How is it? Have the Second Master and the others gotten up yet?"

Ping'er said, "Grandma knows that last night, Second Master escorted the Emperor back to the palace and didn't return until four in the morning."

So people are not up yet.

"Not up yet?"

Sister Feng pursed her lips, not fooled by Ping'er's embellishment, and said lightly, "I'm afraid the main reason for returning late is that the two new brides are too beautiful, and your second master is reluctant to go to bed early."

After saying that, Sister Feng seemed a little embarrassed and said, "It's getting late, but I'm fine here."

However, since Bao-ya and Lin-ya were only visiting the family for the first time, if they got up late and missed the time to serve tea to the old lady and madam, even if the old lady and madam didn't blame them, the servants would probably gossip.

Go and wake your second master up.

"Yes."

Ping'er also felt that Feng Jie'er's consideration was correct, so she went forward again.

The maids in the corridor and the outer room had already made preparations, and they all stood silently waiting.

Ping'er gestured for them to be quiet and walked inside by herself.

She was Jia Lian's maidservant and the only person who officially held the title of concubine, so naturally no one would stop her.

The room was still exactly as she had seen it when she came in last night, bright red and purple, exuding wealth and good fortune.

The bed and its surroundings were neither as messy nor as alluring as one might have imagined.

All the clothes were neatly folded and placed on the bench next to the bed.

Three people were sleeping under two brocade quilts shaped like mandarin ducks.

Jia Lian was in the center, with a stunningly beautiful woman with loose hair and captivating looks nestled in the crook of his arms on either side.

Coupled with Jia Lian's handsome face, which was not much less striking, this scene was truly pleasing to the eye, like a poem or a painting.

There was no surprise or jealousy. Ping'er even bent down and carefully tucked the quilt up to cover Jia Lian's exposed arms.

Then he stood by the bed, waiting patiently.

Only when she felt that it would definitely be late if she stayed any longer did Ping'er bend down and gently push Jia Lian's shoulder, saying softly, "Second Master, it's time to get up. The newlyweds still need to serve tea to the elders later."

Disturbed from his sleep, Jia Lian frowned and turned over impatiently, pulling the beauty in his arms with him.

The beauty naturally woke up.

Upon seeing Ping'er, she quickly regained consciousness.

"Lady Xue is awake. It's not that I'm disturbing you on purpose, it's just that it's time, and we still need to serve tea to our elders later."

Baochai nodded knowingly, then sat up and nudged Jia Lian and Daiyu inside: "Second Master, Lin Daiyu, get up, it's time to serve tea to the elders."

Daiyu, of course, ignored him and even snuggled closer to Jia Lian in an attempt to find a more comfortable position to continue sleeping.

Jia Lian muttered, "What's the rush to serve tea? It's the same whether we serve it early or late. Ping'er, don't make a fuss. We're so sleepy. We can go after we wake up."

Jia Lian's ramblings caused Ping'er and Baochai to exchange a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

Admittedly, neither Grandmother Jia nor Madam Xing would dare to blame Jia Lian, but if they were to serve tea again in the afternoon, the elders and everyone in the household would have opinions about Baochai and Daiyu.

So Baochai got up and dressed first, and when she was dressed, she saw that the two of them were still sleeping soundly in each other's arms.

Baochai thought for a moment and said to Ping'er, "If Second Master wants to continue sleeping, let him. But Lin Yatou has to get her up."

After saying that, she gave Ping'er a look, then knelt on the bed, lifted some of the quilt, and reached out with both hands to forcibly take the petite Daiyu out of Jia Lian's arms.

Seeing this, Ping'er quickly stepped forward to help.

"Sister Bao, what are you doing..."

When Daiyu opened her eyes, she found herself out of her warm bed and being restrained by Baochai and Ping'er. She immediately frowned and questioned them.

Baochai smiled and said, "You sleepy girl, get up and come with me to serve tea to our elders."

"You can go to sleep after you've finished serving tea."

After being done like that, even the sleepiest person should be wide awake.

Therefore, Daiyu did not cause any trouble, and her willfulness was mostly directed at Jia Lian.

So she reluctantly let the two men drag her off the bed and help her get dressed.

Seeing that they didn't move Jia Lian, she couldn't help but ask, "Where is he? Isn't he coming with us?"

Baochai hesitated for a moment.

It would certainly be best if we went together; Jia Lian agreed last night.

However, since Jia Lian was her husband, they did not have the right to force him to get out of bed.

Secondly, I also felt sorry for Jia Lian yesterday, as he had worked so hard all night, and I wanted him to get some more sleep.

Just as they were about to speak, they saw Jia Lian suddenly turn over and sit up as if possessed, looking at them with an unfriendly expression.

Ping'er said somewhat awkwardly, "Second Master, you're awake."

"With you all making such a fuss, how could he not wake up?"

Jia Lian twisted his shoulders and, seeing Baochai and Ping'er personally dressing Daiyu, asked, "Where are the maids? Let them come in and serve us."

"Finish the tea ceremony early, then come back and catch up on some sleep."

Upon hearing this, Baochai and Ping'er were both delighted, responded, and called the maids in. (End of Chapter)