The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Spring nights are quite long, and to prevent insomnia, Jia Lian goes to bed very late.

When I woke up, both arms were numb.

Jia Lian moved slightly, not wanting to disturb the person on his left.

"Second Master, you're awake..."

Zijuan propped herself up on the bed, groggily got up, revealing half of her body.

Jia Lian turned his head, and immediately his arm stopped hurting, and he became clear-headed.

When the maid Zijuan saw that Jia Lian didn't reply to her but instead stared at her, she belatedly lowered her head and then immediately nestled back into Jia Lian's arms in embarrassment.

"Ouch, you little rascal, be gentle, your arms are going numb from all the pressure."

Upon hearing Jia Lian's complaint, Zijuan, who had just tucked herself into bed, immediately sat up again.

Naturally, Jia Lian's gaze returned to the present.

Zijuan dared not dodge any longer, so she quickly stretched out a hand and adjusted her disheveled bodice.

She was indeed wearing a bellyband, but it might not have been tied too tightly. Last night, she slept with someone else, so it was moved and couldn't serve its purpose.

Seeing this, Jia Lian pursed his lips, tried to lift his arm but couldn't, so he whispered an instruction to the somewhat worried Zijuan:
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and give me a massage to relieve the pain."

Honestly, you don't look heavy at all, yet you've weighed me down like this.

Jia Lian was slightly annoyed.

While it may be comfortable for mandarin ducks to share a pillow, this can happen when someone as inexperienced as Daiyu or Zijuan is involved.

Unlike Ping'er and Qingwen, even if they slept next to him for one night, similar situations would rarely occur.

It's also his own fault for forgetting to remind him.

Zijuan knew that she had probably slept with her head on Jia Lian's arm all night, and when she saw that Jia Lian couldn't even lift himself up, she felt extremely guilty.

She quickly turned over and knelt down in front of Jia Lian's arm, earnestly using both hands to help Jia Lian improve his circulation.

She was only wearing a bodice, and by turning her body to the side, her snow-white body was barely visible through the fabric, making her even more eye-catching than when she had previously exposed herself!

Jia Lian was also stunned.

"Second Master, how are you feeling? Are you feeling better?"

While rubbing Jia Lian's arm, Zijuan tilted her head and asked a question.

Noticing Jia Lian's gaze, she merely glanced down at him, then blushed and pretended not to notice.

Since I'm already Second Master's woman, let him watch if he wants to...

"Uh...you continue."

Caught red-handed, Jia Lian wasn't too embarrassed. He moved his arm and found that he had regained feeling, but he didn't stop.

He noticed that the person on his right stirred, as if they were about to wake up.

So he turned his head and looked back.

What comes into view is a delicate little face that is still fast asleep.

Her eyelashes were curved, and her eyebrows were like spring mountains.

Her nose was smooth and creamy, her lips like jade.

As Jia Lian watched, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

He paid no attention to his right arm, which was also being pressed down and had little feeling.

From her elevated position and close proximity, Zijuan naturally witnessed Jia Lian's deep and unwavering affection for his young mistress.

She felt no jealousy whatsoever; on the contrary, she was incredibly happy.

Nothing is more important than the girl being loved by the second master.

Looking at Daiyu's stunningly beautiful face, Jia Lian instinctively wanted to raise his other arm to tease her.

Only when he made his move did he remember that Zijuan was still holding him down.

So they turned back.

Zijuan seemed to have noticed Jia Lian's actions as well. She withdrew her hands, thought for a moment, and said, "Second Master, please rest first. I will go and prepare your toiletries."

After saying that, Zijuan was about to get off the bed.

As soon as I took a step, I felt a sharp pain between my legs.

But she only frowned, paused for a moment, and without daring to look at Jia Lian's expression, she continued.

Jia Lian could certainly tell that the girl was uncomfortable.

Thinking that Daiyu, that stingy girl, had actually been willing to let him enjoy her Zijuan last night, it was truly beyond his expectations.

And Zijuan certainly lived up to his expectations, offering a high level of playability.

Seeing her gentle and compliant demeanor, her jade-like face flushed with shyness, Jia Lian reached out and pulled her back, seizing the opportunity to kiss her.

The lips of a young girl are always so smooth and natural, with a sweet fragrance lingering in them.

After a long while, feeling the hand that had been holding the back of her head loosen, Zijuan raised her head, glanced shyly at Jia Lian, and then turned her head away, saying, "I'm going down..."

"What's the rush? It's barely dawn, and the girls outside probably haven't gotten up yet."

You, as the eldest sister, don't you know how to be more considerate?

It's alright to get up later.

Zijuan assumed that Jia Lian wanted to linger a little longer, so she softly hummed in agreement and rested her head on Jia Lian's shoulder.

Unexpectedly, Jia Lian lowered his head and kissed her on the cheek, then whispered a few words in her ear.

Zijuan didn't quite understand, so she looked up at Jia Lian.

Seeing that Jia Lian didn't seem to be joking, her face immediately turned red.

"This...I don't know how..."

There is a play!

Jia Lian was immediately pleased and whispered in her ear to explain again.

Zijuan understood now, and her face turned even redder and hotter.

She glanced to the other side, shook her head in a final struggle: "No, the girl will find out."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian realized that as long as Daiyu didn't find out, it would be fine.

I almost softened and agreed, thinking I'd find some time alone to properly train this girl later.

However, gazing at her blushing face, which was even more radiant than usual, Jia Lian couldn't bear to let go.

So he continued to coax her, "No, you know how girls are."

I can't sleep at night, and I can't wake up in the morning.

Hurry up, I'll remind you if she wakes up.

and……

Ying'er is really good at this; you don't want to be outdone by her, do you?

Zijuan hesitated.

Looking at Jia Lian's expectant eyes, well... that's how it is...

After thinking of countless reasons, he finally nodded and, urged by Jia Lian, slowly shrank into the quilt.

Neither of the two people engaged in the illegal transaction noticed that, while they were discussing their plan, the person sleeping inside twitched their eyebrows slightly.

……

Zijuan was right; she really didn't know anything.

However, Jia Lian was not in a hurry, much less willing to teach her.

Feeling a little bored, he turned his head to the side, stretched his right arm, and used his left hand to tuck a strand of his hair behind his ear, gently teasing Daiyu's delicate nose and fragrant lips.

I wanted to see Daiyu's adorable frown after being disturbed in her dream.

Unexpectedly, Daiyu showed no reaction this time.

Just as he turned slightly to tease her further, her tightly closed eyes suddenly opened, revealing a clean and bright gaze.

"Uh……"

Jia Lian was startled, still holding up a strand of his hair in his left hand, unsure how to react.

"what are you doing?"

Daiyu frowned and asked.

At the same time, her gaze swept outside.

Jia Lian reacted quickly, immediately letting go of his hair, pulling Daiyu into his arms, and said with a smile, "Good sister, you're awake? I was just about to wake you up."

Daiyu was clearly not quite used to waking up in Jia Lian's arms, and a hint of shyness appeared on her face. She pushed Jia Lian away slightly and asked, "Where's Zijuan? What were you whispering about with her earlier?"

It turns out that Daiyu had indeed woken up earlier than planned.

However, because Jia Lian's arms were so warm and she felt so comfortable lying down, and she vaguely heard Jia Lian and Zijuan talking, she felt embarrassed to wake up and didn't want to wake up.

"She didn't say anything. She went downstairs to prepare hot water for us to wash up."

Daiyu didn't suspect anything, after all, although she heard Jia Lian and Zijuan whispering something, their voices were too soft and she couldn't make out what they were saying.

She glanced out the window and noticed that it was still gloomy, so she said coquettishly, "You have no sense of chivalry at all."

You bullied Zijuan like that last night, and now you're making her do chores so early in the morning. You don't care about her at all.

If I had known, I wouldn't have given her to you.

Daiyu said this, still feeling quite embarrassed.

She didn't know why she had been so generous last night.

She clearly thought from the beginning that her most important night should be just the two of them, her and Jia Lian.

However, seeing that Jia Lian was clearly not interested, she still did not want to force her and suggested that they go to sleep.

Especially when they recalled what Baochai had said the night before, that their husbands cared for them so much, they should also think more about their husbands.

As if by some strange twist of fate, she kept Zijuan with her.

Then she discovered that Jia Lian was indeed the gentlest to her!
Whether it was Baochai the night before or Zijuan last night, they both seemed to have been bullied terribly by Jia Lian.

As she thought about it, Daiyu's face turned bright red.

Although Jia Lian didn't understand Daiyu's inexplicably shy demeanor, he found it quite pleasing.

Anyway, Zijuan was probably frightened and didn't move for a long time. Jia Lian then put his arm around Daiyu and kissed her rosy cheeks, hoping to give Zijuan a chance to escape.

Unfortunately, Zijuan could not understand Jia Lian's feelings.

She wouldn't seize the opportunity when Daiyu was in a daze from the kiss to run away.

Therefore, when Daiyu thought that it was just her and Jia Lian in the room, she indulged in their intimacy.

In a subconscious movement towards Jia Lian, he kicked something.

Although Daiyu was somewhat lost in thought, and although she dodged the object at the slightest touch.

However, the perceptive Daiyu eventually came to her senses.

She broke free from Jia Lian's grasp, sat up, and looked towards the center of the large quilt.

Jia Lian noticed Daiyu's movements and, feeling somewhat guilty, sat up beside her.

Daiyu stared intently at the arched brocade quilt, her slightly furrowed brows revealing a hint of incomprehension and endless contemplation in her eyes.

"Lin Daiyu?" Jia Lian called out tentatively.

Daiyu turned around and looked at Jia Lian, her eyes gradually filled with anger.

"You liar, you said..."

Daiyu found herself unable to continue.

Jia Lian chuckled, kicked Zijuan under the covers, and said with a smile, "Alright, Zijuan, Lin Daiyu has already discovered you, so you don't need to hide anymore."

After saying that, Jia Lian said to Daiyu, "Zijuan is still a child at heart. She made a bet with me, saying that she is hiding in the quilt and we'll see when you can find her."

Daiyu glared at Jia Lian, giving him an expression that said, "Do you think I'm an idiot?"

As Jia Lian spoke, Zijuan slowly emerged from the foot of the bed.

She didn't dare look at Daiyu, keeping her back to her the whole time. She hurriedly got out of bed, saying guiltily, "Miss, I'll go downstairs and prepare your washing and toiletries..."

Daiyu was initially a little angry with Zijuan.

They actually conspired with Jia Lian to deceive her.

However, seeing how embarrassed Zijuan was, wishing she could disappear into the ground, and how ashamed she was to look at her, she herself blushed.

She turned around and pinched Jia Lian hard.

This time it was serious; Jia Lian grimaced in pain.

Zijuan dared not rescue Jia Lian now. She quickly wrapped two inner garments and hurriedly ran out with the remaining outer garments and other clothes.

Jia Lian was embracing Daiyu, coaxing her with kind words.

Daiyu, however, showed no mercy, pushing Jia Lian away and saying angrily, "Liar..."

After cursing, he added, "Pervert."

Although she didn't quite understand why Zijuan was hiding under the covers so early in the morning, it was all Jia Lian's doing.

Since it was Jia Lian's doing, it was definitely not a good thing.

Otherwise, why would he lie to himself and say that Zijuan had gone out?

"Well, how dare you insult your husband."

Jia Lian also pretended to be angry and pressed Daiyu down on the bed to kiss her.

The original intention was merely to give her some gentle guidance, but little did they expect that Daiyu, who had just received the emperor's favor, was simply too alluring.

Adding to his anger was the fact that Zijuan was more trouble than she was worth, which made him very angry.

Therefore, when Zijuan led the maids to prepare the washing utensils and was about to enter the room to help her mistress get up,

Then I heard some soft, melodious sounds.

She immediately left, feeling both happy and heartbroken.

After all, her own daughter, or rather her own grandmother, was so delicate, how could she withstand a war?

Before long, it was broad daylight.

Inside the room, Jia Lian personally helped the weak and aching Daiyu put on her clothes.

Seeing her forehead glistening with fragrant sweat and her skin flushed, I couldn't help but love her more and more, so I cupped her little face and kissed her again.

Daiyu was too exhausted to resist and could only sit on the bed and glare at him helplessly.

Jia Lian stood up and said with a smile, "Good sister, you should rest well for a day. Tomorrow is the day you return to your parents' home. If you can't stand up, it will be embarrassing..."

"Pooh……"

Upon hearing this, Daiyu was both angry and ashamed.

That scoundrel! He knows it's her homecoming tomorrow, yet he still bullies her like this.

They deliberately wanted to embarrass her.

However, the thought of returning to her parents' home made Daiyu feel somewhat disheartened.

Why would she go back to her parents' home? She doesn't even have a maternal family. In the villa, there are only a few old servants from the Lin family.

Jia Lian noticed her sadness and sat down to comfort her, saying, "Are you thinking about returning to your parents' home? Silly girl, we're family now."

Wherever we go, that's your home.

Oh, right, didn't you learn how to make soup?

"Tomorrow we'll bring your sister Bao along too. When we get to the other courtyard, you, as the host, have to show us your skills."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu blushed slightly.

She doesn't know how to make soup; she can't kill or cut this thing.

It's just a matter of having the cook prepare the ingredients for her, and then she cooks them one by one according to the recipe...

"No way, I don't want her to dislike me."

Daiyu knew that Baochai was the kind of woman who could grace a formal occasion and cook in the kitchen, unlike Daiyu, who was merely a half-baked cook who had only made soup for Jia Lian twice.

Jia Lian chuckled and said, "No, you know your Baochai sister. Even if she dislikes it in her heart, she won't say it out loud. It's no big deal."

Daiyu glared at her angrily.

"Haha, okay, I'm just teasing you."

Take good care of yourself and see the auspicious time tomorrow.

If we have time, I'll take you out of town for some fun, okay?

Upon hearing this, Daiyu was truly moved.

Yes, it's February again in the blink of an eye, and it's time for the annual spring outing.

Her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to last year, to the day Jia Lian took them out of the city for a spring outing.

That's how it is for daughters of noble families; even going out casually isn't easy for them.

Therefore, a real trip can be memorable for a long time. (End of Chapter)