Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The two hugged and talked for a long time about their children.

Suddenly, Daiyu raised her flushed face, panting slightly, and said reproachfully, "Can't you speak properly..."

As she spoke, Daiyu subtly shifted her little bottom.

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Sure, but who can blame me when my Yu'er is so stunningly beautiful, so incredibly lovely, and smells so wonderful?"

How could my mortal body possibly resist?

Daiyu was petite, soft, and fragrant. Holding her so tenderly, Jia Lian couldn't help but feel an itch in his hands and couldn't resist.

However, given Daiyu's constitution, Jia Lian wouldn't dare to be as unrestrained as he was with You Erjie.

Daiyu herself did not allow it.

So when Daiyu reminded him, he slowly reduced his strength and even gradually withdrew his hand from inside Daiyu's clothes.

Daiyu outwardly showed disdain for Jia Lian's platitudes, but inwardly she was quite pleased.

Her face was flushed. Seeing that Jia Lian showed no sign of leaving, she knew he would be staying at her place tonight.

So she whispered, "Do you... want Zijuan or Wu'er?"

She was already frail and couldn't withstand the strain.

She usually needs help from Zijuan and others, let alone now that she is pregnant.

Therefore, it became a routine for her to summon her close maids to accompany Jia Lian when he came to stay overnight after she discovered she was pregnant.

Zijuan, needless to say, was the most beautiful and highest-ranking woman by her side.

As for Liu Wu'er, Jia Lian himself gave her that girl, and she felt at the time that his intentions were impure.

Sure enough, as time went on, she discovered that Liu Wu'er was more favored by him than Xueyan, and was approaching Zijuan's level.

Although deep down she definitely felt a deeper connection with Xueyan, after all, Xueyan was her childhood playmate.

However, according to Jia Lian, Liu Wu'er is physically weak and has a delicate voice.

My overall image and temperament are very similar to hers, which is why I like her.

Although Daiyu was somewhat dissatisfied with this, she could still accept it. Over time, she tacitly allowed Jia Lian to choose between her and Zijuan as his assistant.

Although Jia Lian was pleased that Daiyu had asked her maid to accompany her, he wasn't particularly looking forward to it, perhaps because it wasn't a matter of a young lady getting married.

Instead, he longed to enjoy the pleasing and gentle nature of the person in front of him.

So he laughed and said, "Neither of them can compare to my Lin Daiyu, I don't want either of them..."

Daiyu looked up in surprise, but she was too lazy to expose such a blatant lie, and simply said, "Then you just have to bear with it."

"hehe."

Seeing that Daiyu didn't respond, Jia Lian picked up the small hands that he had been playing with for a long time and deliberately caressed them in front of Daiyu.

Daiyu's once again blushed, her delicate face gradually losing its color.

It was simply because she was too familiar with Jia Lian's habits.

They used to find all sorts of ways to bully her, forcing this well-bred, scholarly young lady to learn a lot of things she should and shouldn't know.

Therefore, she abruptly pulled her hand back, stood up, and spat, "If you don't want them, then go somewhere else."

Anyway, your women are everywhere in this harem.

Stop with your snide remarks; do you think everyone knows what you're really thinking?

After saying that, he made a move to leave.

He was pulled to his feet by Jia Lian's hand.

Jia Lian laughed and said, "How could this be considered filthy thoughts?"

"Alright, alright, it's getting late. Let's wash up and rest."

"What, do you really want to send me to another palace?"

Daiyu had been turning her head away, not wanting Jia Lian to see her expression or reaction.

Upon hearing his words, she finally turned around slowly.

Even if she were aloof, she wouldn't have driven Jia Lian away after he had already come.

Although Jia Lian had slept during his previous visits, he did sometimes sleep in a vegetarian room.

But at this moment, faced with Jia Lian's initiative to back down, she actually felt a little guilty.

She rolled her eyes at Jia Lian helplessly, giving him a look that said she couldn't do anything about him, then pushed away Jia Lian's hand that was holding her wrist and walked gracefully to the door of the inner room.

He summoned one of the maids, who he didn't even recognize, whispered a few words to her, and then returned home.

A moment later, Zijuan and Xueyan came in, each carrying a pure gold washbasin.

Behind her, Liu Wu'er and another maid each carried a golden nanmu wood table, on which neatly folded silk handkerchiefs, perfumes, scented soaps, and other items could be seen.

Wearing a plain palace dress, Zijuan, whose temperament was becoming increasingly intellectual and beautiful, instinctively looked up, but when she noticed Jia Lian looking at her, she immediately lowered her head again.

When she came to Daiyu's side, since Daiyu was shorter than her and was sitting on the bed, she knelt down in front of the bed and picked up the washbasin.

"Please wash your hands, Your Highness."

At this moment, Daiyu was still a little shy, but in front of the maids, she knew that the more awkward she appeared, the easier it would be for them to see through her.

Although she felt that Zijuan, being so intelligent, must have noticed.

But others may not be.

So she casually hummed in agreement and put her small hands, which she had just hidden from Jia Lian, into the basin of water.

Her hands were small and delicate, with slender fingers.

Overall, it is clean and delicate, like grease and jade.

Naturally, it attracted Jia Lian's attention.

As expected, his judgment was correct.

Even though he was surrounded by many beautiful women, Daiyu's small hands still held a strong attraction for him to this day.

Daiyu naturally noticed Jia Lian's prying eyes, and felt both ashamed and delighted.

Feigning composure, she gently splashed warm water, soaking her ten fingers and half of her palms, before a maidservant brought her cleaning supplies.

After slowly washing herself with soap and other clean water, Zijuan withdrew, and Xueyan stepped forward again with another basin of clean water.

After cleaning thoroughly, wipe it dry repeatedly with a silk handkerchief.

Zijuan, who had already turned back, took the fragrant dew from the side and was about to sprinkle some on her as usual so that she could apply it.

Seeing this, Jia Lian quickly said, "There's no need for that, you may all leave."

Faced with the slightly surprised gazes of the maids, Daiyu's heart skipped a beat.

Fearing the maids might know too much, she withdrew her hand and said, "Alright, leave your things here, you may leave."

"Yes."

The maids responded in unison, tidied up the items, and turned to leave.

However, some doubts arose in their hearts.

Daiyu loved cleanliness and often washed her hands, which is not something to be suspicious of.

What's puzzling is why they chose such an important time, when the Emperor was coming.

And then they were made to put their things down...

This makes it hard not to let one's imagination run wild.

After the maids left, Daiyu, who was already shy, turned around and saw Jia Lian looking at her with a sly smile.

She immediately retorted in annoyance, "What are you laughing at? Wash it yourself!"

Jia Lian smiled.

What a joke! It's been years since Second Master Lian has washed himself.

Although he knew it wouldn't be difficult to get Daiyu to help him, he was too lazy to bother.

If he didn't find watching Daiyu wash her hands a pleasure and a ritual, he would have not only stopped her from applying perfume.

So he eagerly pulled Daiyu closer and said ingratiatingly, "Good sister, let's begin, I can't wait."

Seeing Jia Lian like this, Daiyu frowned and showed a hint of disdain.

But when she met Jia Lian's gaze, she finally softened.

She glanced back at the now completely quiet inner room, nodded subtly, and, with Jia Lian's help, obediently knelt down in front of the bed.

……

After Jia Lian ascended the throne for several years, he reformed corrupt practices, and the country became prosperous and strong.

He also won the war of annihilation against Fusang, and his prestige reached an unprecedented level.

His first major birthday celebration after the mourning period ended was undoubtedly a significant event, and the court's level of attention to it was considerable.

The Ministry of Rites originally planned to hold a grand celebration for half a month.

Jia Lian refused, citing the waste of national resources, and the deadline was shortened to three days.

Even so, the spectacle was unprecedented and unparalleled.

The entire capital city was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and was filled with a joyful and festive atmosphere.

Everyone knew that it was the Emperor's birthday, and those who admired and had received favors from Jia Lian even spontaneously took to the streets to hold and participate in various grand events to add to the festivities of the birthday celebration.

Jia Lian was also aware of the bustling activity outside the palace.

But he didn't seem to care.

He knew very well that the current situation was the result of his deliberate suppression.

If he were to show even a little more importance on his birthday, who knows how far things would escalate between the court and the public.

Leaving aside his demonstrated dominance after ascending the throne.

Given his age, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he is destined to rule the world for a very, very long time.

Too many people want to flatter him.

At this moment, he was in the main hall of the Daming Palace, receiving kowtows from the princes and princesses.

"Everyone's here, let's get started."

The hall was packed with people, and the noise was deafening.

The chairs on both sides were full of people, and at a glance, they were all beautiful women.

When Sister Feng arrived last, after exchanging pleasantries and sitting down next to Jia Lian, Xiangyun, who had been unable to contain herself any longer, stood up and laughed.

As she spoke, the others urged her on as well.

So, the few kids who had been instructed countless times before, under the watchful eyes of many people, quickly stepped forward and knelt down in order.

"Sister Shufei, hurry up and carry your little nephew upstairs too..."

Xiangyun saw that Sister You Sanjie was still holding and playing with Sister You Erjie's child, so she went up to urge her to hurry up.

"it is good."

Sister You smiled and, along with several others who needed to take care of the young prince, stepped forward to place her little nephew on the red carpet and taught him how to kowtow and say auspicious words.

Soon the six little devils took their places, under the direction of the "etiquette officer" Consort Lan (Tan Chun).

The Crown Prince, who was at the head of the group, was the first to kowtow to Jia Lian: "Your son kowtows to Your Majesty, wishing Your Majesty a long and healthy life and a happy birthday."

The other little ones followed suit and did the same.

In response to his sons' greetings, Jia Lian smiled and nodded, "Alright, get up, all of you."

After a prince, there is naturally a princess.

There were even more princesses than princes, a total of eight.

The youngest of them was only two months old; she was Qin Keqing's daughter...

After taking care of her aunt Xichun in the palace for a year, she was finally "unexpectedly" favored and was given the title of Consort Li.

"Alright, alright, quick, get up, everyone..."

Facing the adorable little ones, each one delicate and sweet, Jia Lian couldn't stop smiling.

Starting with Qiao Jie'er, anyone who could stand on their own was summoned to his side, and he would pat their head and face to show his care.

Faced with Jia Lian's clearly different attitude, Xiangyun, sitting below, laughed at Tanchun and the others, "See? I told you he preferred the princess, but you didn't believe me!"

Everyone laughed upon hearing this.

Tan Chun said, "Since you know this, why don't you give him a princess? Then the emperor will definitely love you even more."

"Oh dear, Third Sister, you're still as annoying as ever..."

After three years in the palace, Xiangyun, whose belly showed no signs of pregnancy, stomped her foot playfully and turned away, pretending to be angry.

However, she couldn't help but turn around and look up at the Third Princess, who was standing in front of Jia Lian with a smile on her face, so cute that it made people jealous.

That was the little one born a year after Tan Chun entered the palace, and she was Jia Lian's favorite among almost all the princesses.

Seeing the envy in Xiangyun's eyes, Tanchun smiled slightly.

He also glanced back at his daughter, his expression one of contentment.