Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

He lowered his head and kissed Jin Chuan on the cheek, then reached out and pulled Yu Chuan over to sit on his other leg, and kissed her as usual.

Holding two youthful bodies in one's arms creates a vivid and pleasant sensory experience.

Seeing Yu Chuan's somewhat shy demeanor, Jia Lian couldn't help but tease her, "Next time I favor your master, would you be willing to keep him company in bed?"

Yu Chuan was too ashamed to answer and looked to her older sister for help.

Jin Chuan laughed and said, "Of course we would like to. It's just that the Crown Prince has so many beauties around him, and even our master rarely gets to see him come over."

When that time comes, it will be Ying'er who will serve us until we are settled in bed; there will be no place for us."

"What are you afraid of? Just come at me all at once."

"Hehe, I'm just afraid my body can't take it."

Jia Lian smiled upon hearing this, thinking that Jin Chuan truly had the talent to be a seductress.

Few of the other maids dared to respond to him like that.

Just as he was joking with the two maids, a light, airy voice suddenly came from behind him:

"Brother-in-law..."

But it was Baoqin who walked in.

She was clearly not prepared for this situation inside the room. She paused for a moment, then quickly turned around to leave.

"It's Qin'er, you were looking for me?"

Jia Lian's voice called out to Baoqin.

Baoqin stood there for a moment before weakly replying, "No, I just heard you were here, so... I came to see you..."

Where Jia Lian was, Yu Chuan got up and left the moment Bao Qin appeared.

Jin Chuan hesitated for a moment, but still managed to stand up.

Jia Lian patted Jin Chuan's bottom, signaling the two of them to go out first.

Jin Chuan rolled her eyes at him resentfully, but obediently left.

As she passed Baoqin, she glanced back at Baoqin's rosy cheeks and thought to herself that the pressure of starting a new job was too great.

Even the girl with the zither has grown up and is now participating in the competition.

Once the Second Master becomes emperor, I'm afraid the two sisters will have even less of a chance.

After Jin Chuan and her sister left the room, Jia Lian stood up from his chair, walked over to Bao Qin, looked at the little maid with her back to him, and asked with a smile, "You seem to be avoiding me lately?"

"No...no..."

Baoqin answered haltingly, her little toes clenched tightly inside her embroidered shoes.

Jia Lian's question made her naturally recall the scene she had witnessed at the Hot Spring Palace that day.

Perhaps it was because of the handrail that she couldn't see the most crucial scene.

Instead, it became a torment in her heart, making her unable to stop recalling and speculating.

Looking at Xue Baoqin, whose nervousness was evident even from behind, Jia Lian smiled inwardly but couldn't help but sigh.

The little girl who was just over ten years old when I first met her has now grown to his chest and looks very graceful.

So he walked around to her side, tilted his head to look at her exquisitely beautiful face, which seemed straight out of an anime, and teased, "Did your sister tell you about promising you to me?"

Upon hearing this, Baoqin lowered her already evasive face even further and did not reply.

Seeing this reaction, Jia Lian knew that Baochai must have told her.

This must be why she avoided him so many times, but came to see him tonight.

Knowing the little girl was shy, he didn't tease her too much. Instead, he took her little hand and pulled her back to the round chair.

Baoqin kept her head down the whole time, but she did not express any resistance to Jia Lian's closeness.

Sitting back in his chair, Jia Lian smiled at Baoqin: "Although your sister told me, I still don't know what you mean?"

There are only the two of us in this room now, so tell me, would you like to come with me?

Because Jia Lian was sitting down, Baoqin could no longer avoid his gaze.

Knowing that she would have to face it eventually, she finally mustered her courage and whispered, "This is the common decision of my mother, my aunt, my other aunt, and my sister. Of course, I will listen to them..."

"But I'm asking what you yourself mean."

Baoqin's little face scrunched up. She glanced up at Jia Lian, but when she met his mischievous grin, she quickly lowered her head again and nodded gently, "Mmm~".

Her shy and demure demeanor, coupled with her exquisite features, almost left Jia Lian speechless.

So he lost interest in teasing her, pulled the little girl in front of him, hugged her with both hands, and said gently, "Good Qin'er, don't worry, your brother-in-law will definitely treat you well in the future."

When Baoqin was hugged by an adult man other than her father for the first time, she felt her heart beating very fast.

Hearing Jia Lian's gentle and doting voice in her ear, she felt incredibly at ease.

I thought to myself, this must be how my older cousin and Sister Lin feel. They are so happy...

Baoqin was captivated by Jia Lian's embrace from the very first time they met, and Jia Lian was equally thrilled.

You should know that the girl he's holding right now is the cutest and most well-behaved among all the beauties in the Dream of the Red Chamber.

In this respect alone, even the most virtuous women cannot compare.

Without needing any special personality or emotional intelligence, her looks alone make her absolutely irresistibly cute.

She's Baochai's cousin...

With all these conditions combined, one can imagine Jia Lian's current mood.

It truly feels like a long-cherished wish finally being fulfilled.

Knowing that Baochai might return at any time, he wanted to deepen their relationship before the little girl realized what was happening.

So, with a heavy heart, I let go of her, cupped her small face in my hands, stared at her for several seconds, and then leaned closer.

Baoqin felt very embarrassed being stared at by Jia Lian. Her mind was in a mess and she didn't know how to react, so she just acted on instinct.

Suddenly, she saw Jia Lian leaning closer, and she realized: her brother-in-law wanted to kiss her!

Looking at Jia Lian's handsome face, his reddish-blue lips with distinct contours, she thought that this was the person she was going to entrust her life to... He was really good-looking.

In that instant, she really wanted to close her eyes and go to meet her.

However, reason prevailed in the end, and she suddenly pushed Jia Lian away, breaking free from his control.

Seeing that Jia Lian seemed puzzled, she said in a coquettish voice, "Brother-in-law is a bad guy~"

After saying that, she glared at Jia Lian, covered her chest with one hand, and ran away.

She only dared to come over while Baochai was taking a bath.

If her sister were to see her secretly meeting with Jia Lian and doing something indecent, she would be mortified.

Jia Lian did not stop Baoqin from escaping.

Watching her run quickly with small, quick steps until she disappeared through the doorway, Jia Lian even smiled.

He picked up both hands and looked at them, then sniffed his right hand, which seemed to still carry the faint fragrance of a naive young girl.

It's subtle, yet captivating.

Sitting there listlessly, Baochai returned shortly afterward.

Seeing that he was alone in the room, Baochai was somewhat surprised and turned to Yuchuan at the door, saying, "The Crown Prince has arrived, why didn't you go in to serve him?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Chuan lowered her head guiltily.

Jia Lian said, "Don't blame them, I was the one who let them go out."

Baochai was even more surprised to hear this, but she didn't take it to heart.

She gathered her hair, which was tied up in a bun, walked to the tea table, poured Jia Lian another cup of tea, and was about to find a seat.

But then they saw Jia Lian holding a teacup in one hand and patting his leg with the other.

Baochai blushed and glanced at Ying'er.

Ying'er smiled knowingly, put down what she was holding, and then called Zhen'er and the other maids to leave.

Only after Baochai and the others left did she dare to sit on his lap. Jia Lian laughed and said, "We're an old married couple now, what's there to be shy about?"

Baochai gave Jia Lian a reproachful look, but didn't dwell on the question. Instead, she asked, "My husband hasn't been home for several days. Why did you suddenly return today?"

"Feng Yatou came to the South Study to find me in person, saying that if I didn't come back soon, you would all miss me so much that you would go crazy."

For your physical and mental well-being, I have to come back and check on you.

Baochai was amused by Jia Lian's words and covered her mouth, saying, "You're lying. Sister Feng would never say that."

Jia Lian wrapped one arm around Baochai's waist and embraced her.

Although eighteen-year-old girls like Jin Chuan and Yu Chuan are soft to hold, when it comes to true warmth and softness, Baochai is the best.

She possesses both the slender figure of a young girl and the warm, full figure of a mature woman.

Moreover, it was Baochai who had just taken a bath, so the touch was absolutely top-notch.

To fully savor the tactile sensation, Jia Lian placed his other hand on Baochai's plump thigh, gently stroking it as he asked with a smile, "So, have you missed me?"

"No." Baochai shook her head without hesitation.

Jia Lian immediately became dissatisfied: "Really not?"

"without……"

Baochai originally wanted to joke with Jia Lian, but faced with Jia Lian's threatening gaze, especially with his two large, unruly hands, she hesitated.

One of them had already been lifted off her lap, as if to punish her immediately if she dared to misbehave again.

Finally, she nodded in surrender: "Okay, I admit it, I've been thinking about it..."

"Hahaha, if you miss me, why don't you come to the palace to see me? Even your sister Feng knows to come."

Facing Jia Lian's interrogation, Baochai remained calm and looked directly at Jia Lian: "Sister Feng is the Crown Princess, and she can enter the palace to visit the Empress Dowager every day. Naturally, she can freely enter and leave the palace."

How could Lin Daiyu and I easily go in?

Faced with Baochai's somewhat calm expression, Jia Lian felt a pang of urge to slap himself.

However, she still stubbornly insisted: "So what? Didn't Mother say that you can go to the palace to see her anytime?"

Besides, I am the Crown Prince. I have granted you special permission to enter the palace at any time. Is there anyone who would object?

Baochai shook her head: "The rules of the palace cannot be abolished. It's not a big deal, why make such a fuss?"

Besides, my husband is back now.

Seeing that Baochai let the topic go so easily, Jia Lian thought to himself, "This girl is just too sensible, which makes her seem less cute."

He affectionately patted Baochai's buttocks as a reward for her sensible nature, and then said, "Alright, let's not gossip anymore."

I came back because I have something important to tell you.

Then Jia Lian told him about his plan to establish a Commerce Bureau and appoint him as its deputy director to assist Princess Zhaoyang.

Baochai, who had been nonchalant, became increasingly alarmed as she listened, and even straightened up a bit on Jia Lian's lap.

"Is my husband serious?"

"Would I lie to you?"

Jia Lian held Baochai in his arms, rested his head on her chest, and answered in a muffled voice.

Baochai, tickled, forcefully pushed Jia Lian's head up and said seriously, "But how can a woman be an official? Perhaps..."

It's still at such a high rank.

"Who says women can't hold official positions? The princess is a woman too, and she's the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Guards."

"She is a princess, naturally she is different from us..."

Jia Lian tried to lean in twice, but Baochai pushed him away both times, so he had no choice but to get down to business first.

"What's the big deal? Throughout history, there has never been a rule that women could not hold official positions."

The Tang Dynasty had figures like Shangguan Wan'er and the Song sisters, while the Song Dynasty also had female officials in the Ministry of Personnel.

I believe that with Chai'er's abilities, she is certainly no less capable than these heroines of history.

Baochai's eyes deepened upon hearing Jia Lian's words.

Thinking that the Commerce Department was ultimately in charge of Princess Zhaoyang, and with her supporting everything, he figured there wouldn't be any major problems since he was just offering advice behind the scenes.

She was already quite tempted, but she still said, "However, I still need to help my husband manage the family business..."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian thought to himself, "Where will there be any family-run businesses left in the future?"

That's the Royal Trading Company!

However, Jia Lian was not in a hurry to merge with the royal family, so he smiled and said, "As for the trading company, even if you are gone, we still have Lin Daiyu, right?"

Lin Daiyu was simply aloof and disliked external affairs.

Actually, when it comes to management, she's probably not much worse than you.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Baochai nodded, "What my husband says makes sense."

Having spent a lot of time with Daiyu, Baochai naturally realized that Daiyu was quite clever.

I'm just a bit lazy and have a tendency to procrastinate.

It's rare that Jia Lian could even see that.

Sometimes, Baochai couldn't help but wonder if Jia Lian was a born genius with some kind of magical talent.

Otherwise, why is he always so accurate in judging people?

Therefore, Baochai herself was often somewhat intimidated when facing Jia Lian.

After thinking it over carefully for a while, Baochai finally nodded: "Since it is my husband's arrangement, if the princess doesn't mind, I am willing to serve."

But Chai'er is still young. If she does anything wrong in the future, please, my husband, put in a good word for her with the princess.

"Haha, don't worry. Even if someone is wronged, I, the Crown Prince, would not wrong my beloved concubine."

Jia Lian smiled and rested his head on Baochai's chest again.

This time, Baochai did not refuse.

After Jia Lian had had his fill of fun for a while, he pushed him up again and asked him for more information.

The two talked about this issue for a long time until Sister Feng sent someone to invite them, saying that the game was ready and most of the others had arrived, and only a few of them were missing.

So the two tidied themselves up quickly and went out hand in hand.

When Jia Lian walked onto the veranda, he saw a sickle-like tool hanging on a pillar behind the owl perch.

Although it was encased in a wooden box, it still looked easy to remove.

At first, Jia Lian thought it was some kind of decoration, but when he got closer, he realized that it was indeed a knife, and it even looked quite sharp.

So he asked, "Why are you hanging a knife here?"

Seeing this, everyone looked at Baochai.

Ying'er then explained, "Our young lady asked us to hang it up..."

He glanced at Baochai to make sure she didn't look strange before continuing, "Our young lady said that owls are birds of prey and like to eat meat."

It's getting bigger and bigger now, and our courtyard is full of women.

The young lady said, "If this beast suddenly attacks and hurts someone, let us take the knife and chop it up..."

Ying'er spoke softer and softer, seemingly also feeling that her young mistress's decision was not that of a good man.

Just then, Xiangyun finished tidying up and came out of the house. Hearing this, she ran ahead, stroking the owl's glossy feathers while complaining:

"Sister Bao is overthinking it. Owls are so cute, how could they hurt people?"

Look, it's even rubbing its head against my hand. How docile and obedient it is!

Hmph, Sister Bao is going too far, she even wanted to chop it with a knife.

I told her she could give it to me if she didn't like it, but she wouldn't agree.

Jia Lian had already taken the knife off to examine it. After understanding the whole story, he looked at Baochai with considerable surprise.

Baochai thought Jia Lian was displeased, so she explained, "Animalistic creatures can't speak, so this is just to prevent problems before they arise."

Jia Lian said nothing, silently put the knife back, turned around and went down the steps.

The reason he kept observing the owl was because he felt it was too big.

He even regretted giving his woman such a large pet and wanted to recycle it.

In hindsight, he was overthinking it.

This woman is capable of great things.

Seeing that Jia Lian left directly, the crowd didn't quite understand his intentions, but they still followed him.

Baochai said, "If my husband feels it's inappropriate, I'll have it removed."

Jia Lian shook his head: "It's all done, just leave it there."

However, there's no need to chop it up; just trim its claws and beak regularly.

"Yes."

...(End of this chapter)