Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"Your Majesty, that's not how it is. You know Baoyu's character..."

Lady Wang was completely taken aback that Xia Jingui dared to complain to the emperor in front of all the nobles. Although she was furious, she couldn't just stand by and watch for the sake of her precious son, so she had to speak up and explain.

However, before she could finish speaking, Jia Lian interrupted her: "Madam Jia, there are times when you should spoil your child."

Lady Wang's words caught in her throat. After a moment of stunned silence, she quickly lowered her head and replied respectfully, "Yes, it was I who overstepped my bounds."

Jia Lian then waved his hand, first looking at Xia Jingui kneeling on the ground, looking aggrieved, and then at Jia Baoyu, who seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

Seeing that Jia Baoyu had no intention of defending himself, he directly asked Xia Jingui: "What is your intention in bringing this up in front of me?"

If you just want me to take charge for you, I will order someone to drag Baoyu away and give him twenty lashes to vent your anger.

Of course, this is on the premise that what you say is true.

Otherwise, those twenty strokes of the cane will fall on you.

Do you understand?

Xia Jingui trembled upon hearing this.

What a joke! If Jia Baoyu were to get twenty lashes because of her, she could forget about ever staying in the Jia family again.

Besides, her original intention was only to use Jia Lian's power to force Jia Baoyu to comply.

Although her husband was a bit of a good-for-nothing, he was born with delicate skin, and she would feel heartbroken if he hurt her.

Therefore, she quickly said, "Your Majesty misunderstands. I do not wish for you to punish Master Bao. I only wish that Master Bao will change his mind and pay more attention to me in the future, and treat me more kindly. That would make me content."

Because she spoke with such grievance and deep emotion, perfectly capturing the image of a pitiful woman who could not win her husband's favor, the women present felt even more sympathy for her.

Even Madam Wang's dislike for her dissipated considerably, and she even felt a sense of sorrow for those who were also in the same boat.

Jia Lian replied, "If you want me to help you vent your anger, that's easy."

Such a request is indeed difficult.

As the saying goes, even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes. If you can't win his favor, do you expect me to force him to accept you?

There is no such logic in the world.

If you really want him to change his mind, you might as well start with yourself.

I do know Baoyu's character; he has loved beautiful women since he was a child.

You're not bad-looking, but I suspect it's your personality that makes him dislike you.

In that case, you should cultivate your own well-being and do more things that he enjoys.

If you truly put his needs first and consider his needs in everything you do, even if he has a heart of steel, he will eventually melt into tenderness for you.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Feng Jie laughed and said, "Your Majesty speaks so eloquently, it seems that Your Majesty is very knowledgeable about these matters."

I just don't know, among us sisters, who is it that melted your heart of steel into a gentle touch?

Sister Feng's teasing elicited a soft burst of laughter from inside the hall.

Many people focused their attention on the chair at the head of the left side.

If anyone present was His Majesty's most beloved, it would undoubtedly be Consort Lin.

This interruption eased the tension inside the hall considerably.

Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang both breathed a sigh of relief. While agreeing with Sister Feng, they urged Xia Jingui to get up and stop making a fuss.

Xia Jingui was somewhat unwilling.

In fact, she herself couldn't understand it. Clearly, after the first time she met Jia Baoyu, this boy was very fond of her and tried to please her.

Why did his expression change the moment he walked in?

Now that Jia Lian has said this, she roughly understands.

I feel that what Jia Baoyu liked was the shy and demure demeanor of a well-bred young lady when they first met, and that I myself failed to maintain that persona well in the long run...

But can we blame her?

Pretending all the time is exhausting, okay?

Besides, ever since I got so angry that I called him a coward in public, he has completely ignored me.

Even if we put it back now, he probably still won't believe us.

Are we just going to let it go like this?

The old lady and his wife both cherished him dearly; no matter how big the problem, as long as he showed a distraught look, they would completely forget about it.

So relying on these two old guys is useless.

We've finally managed to see Jia Lian today, we absolutely cannot back down!

Thinking of this, Xia Jingui completely disregarded the advice of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, and continued speaking to Jia Lian with her head up:

"I understand everything Your Majesty has said."

I have one more request: if Your Majesty agrees, I promise to do exactly as Your Majesty says from now on.

Even if I still can't win back Master Bao's heart in the end, I'll accept my fate.

Perhaps this is what they mean by "a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger."

Xia Jingui's tone didn't sound like she was speaking to the emperor.

At least now, neither Grandmother Jia nor Lady Wang would dare to speak to Jia Lian in such a tone.

Feng Jie was the first to notice the insolence in her words. She dropped the warm smile she had when speaking with Grandmother Jia and the others, turned her head and scolded, "Jia Xia Shi, you are being insolent."

"Don't think that just because you're a commoner, you're above all else. Even if you were a first-rank imperial consort, you would have no right to negotiate with the Emperor here."

The concubines in the palace hadn't seen Sister Feng scold anyone in a long time, and when they suddenly saw her cold face, they all subconsciously shrank back.

After glancing at Xia Jingui, who was clearly also frightened, the concubines couldn't help but think to themselves, "This Xia is indeed quite bold, daring to make demands of the Emperor in public."

Jia Lian, however, remained unfazed by the situation.

Perhaps it was because I had opened my third eye and knew all along that this was Xia Jingui's true nature, so I didn't feel offended.

However, I am still very pleased with Sister Feng's behavior of always upholding his authority.

So he took her hand and said softly, "Alright, let's hear what she wants."

"Your Majesty is magnanimous."

Sister Feng complimented Jia Lian before finally shifting her almost tangible aura away from Xia Jingui.

Xia Jingui breathed a sigh of relief, only daring to speak after confirming that the Emperor and Empress had given her permission:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress."

Besides his own concubine, Master Bao now has two other concubines in his room.

They are all more favored than I am.

Especially Mushe, who was originally just a servant, is now not only a son, but also a sixth-rank concubine bestowed by the emperor himself.

Although I am the legal wife, the Emperor himself was the matchmaker, so the marriage can be considered a marriage by imperial decree.

Now he's still just a commoner, and he's being overshadowed by that servant. This is completely unfair.

How can I, as a concubine, exercise the authority of the principal wife and assist my wife in managing the household affairs in the future?

We implore Your Majesty and Empress to investigate this matter thoroughly.

Sister Feng almost laughed in anger after hearing Xia Jingui's words.

Well, it seems that seeing Musk Moon receive an imperial decree has made him resentful, and he wants to claim a similar status for himself.

Feng Jie understood Jia Lian's decision to bestow the title of "Musk Moon" upon her.

Her husband was clearly a sentimental person, but due to certain reasons, he and Baoyu, though outwardly amicable, were actually secretly competing with each other.

As a result, in the many years since Jia Lian ascended the throne, almost every prominent member of the Jia family has been rewarded.

The only one I forgot was Jia Baoyu.

Perhaps feeling somewhat guilty, he used the excuse of Musk Moon giving birth to an heir for the Jia family to bestow additional rewards upon her.

This can be seen as a way of indirectly helping Baoyu.

Unexpectedly, this aroused the insatiable greed of this foolish woman.

However, from Sister Feng's perspective, she also felt that Jia Lian's act of bestowing an imperial title solely upon Musk Moon was inappropriate.

How can a concubine's title be greater than that of the principal wife?

If this continues, it's hard for Baoyu's room not to be in chaos... Hmm, could this also be intentional on the part of a heartless person?

Thinking this to herself, Sister Feng said aloud, "Thunder and rain are both the Emperor's grace, so how can there be any talk of fairness or unfairness?"

Besides, you've been an apprentice for two years and haven't accomplished anything, so what right do you have to ask for a reward?

Sister Feng knew that Jia Lian was a tolerant person, especially when it came to women.

Therefore, it's more appropriate for her to say certain things, so as not to break the rules.

Otherwise, anyone would dare to come and demand rewards.

Jia Lian also asked, "Did you understand everything the Empress said?"

I bestow this honor upon Musk Moon because she bore a son for the Jia family.

If you can bear children for the Jia family in the future, I will naturally reward you.

"Alright, go now. Live a good life with Baoyu and take good care of the old lady. That's your destiny."

Since the Emperor and Empress had spoken, Xia Jingui, though unwilling, dared not say anything more and could only kowtow in thanks before silently retreating.

He had already begun to plan how to control that slut who had gained power when he got back.

Thinking of Musk Moon made her feel uneasy.

I thought she was an easy target, but I didn't expect that slut to have some skills.

Several times, I tried different methods to discipline her, but she managed to evade them.

In addition, she was trusted by Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, so they couldn't do anything about her and could only watch helplessly as she, the principal wife, gave birth to a child first.

……

Chonghua Palace.

Inside the Weiyang Palace, two stunningly beautiful figures sat facing each other, playing the zither.

Yuan Chun occasionally looked up and saw the beautiful woman sitting gracefully opposite her; even her gorgeous palace dress could not hide her slender and graceful figure.

Her face was adorned with lotus blossoms, her features delicate and alluring.

Although she sits quietly and gracefully, she still exudes endless elegance.

Yuan Chun couldn't help but think that the Empress Dowager was clearly nearly ten years older than her, yet she could still maintain such a beautiful appearance, which was truly rare.

No wonder she captivated Lian Di, who was willing to defy public opinion to come and kiss her every now and then.

The thought of kissing her made Yuan Chun feel secretly ashamed.

Especially when recalling certain embarrassing yet heart-fluttering experiences, I can't help but feel my cheeks flush slightly.

"What's wrong with you?"

A gentle and clear voice rang out, and Yuan Chun quickly looked up. Seeing the Empress Dowager's concerned eyes, she hurriedly stood up and replied, "It's nothing. I just remembered that today is His Majesty's birthday. I wonder how lively the previous dynasty was."

She was asked suddenly and just answered casually.

Unexpectedly, the person they were talking about was a taboo subject for the two of them.

Especially when both sides are fully aware of this.

As expected, the Empress Dowager fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, a hint of unease flashing across her face.

Looking at Yuan Chun's face, which was slightly younger than hers, she felt a little resentful.

That brat, completely disregarding his own status, treated me like a plaything, wantonly desecrating me.

They even treated this place as a shelter.

He sent the woman to Chonghua Palace because he had an affair with his father's concubine and was afraid that her mother would find out.

He claimed to be taking care of her, the Empress Dowager, but in reality, he just wanted her to protect his woman.

Although they understood each other implicitly, they were both women of status and it was not appropriate for them to speak plainly.

So she said, "Alright, I'm tired too. You should go back and rest."

"Yes."

Just as Yuan Chun was about to take her leave, a palace maid came to report: "His Majesty has arrived."

The two exchanged a glance instinctively, and the Empress Dowager said, "Go and greet them."

Yuan Chun nodded and moved with graceful steps. Before she even left the palace, she saw Jia Lian, a tall and imposing man with steady steps, walking towards her.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Seeing Jia Lian stop and bow first, Yuan Chun quickly returned the greeting.

After Yingying stood up, she heard Jia Lian ask, "Where is the Empress Dowager?"

Yuan Chun thought to herself, "An old lady, huh? What old lady can withstand your playing around like that..."

"The Empress Dowager is playing the zither inside. Your Majesty, please come in with me."

"Um."

Jia Lian casually swept his gaze over them, and both the people he had brought and the maids in Weiyang Palace themselves tactfully withdrew.

Upon entering the hall, Yuan Chun found no one there and said, "The Empress Dowager must have gone inside to change her clothes."

After grunting "Mmm" again, Jia Lian walked to the head of the table and plopped down on the Empress Dowager's phoenix couch.

Seeing this, Yuan Chun naturally had nothing to say.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable standing there, I decided to sit down at the piano again.

But then she saw Jia Lian beckoning to her, and she immediately became flustered.

He quickly glanced around and found that there was no one else in the hall...

He secretly mocked himself for being stupid; how could there possibly be anyone there?

Those who serve in this palace are all shrewd and capable individuals, and are absolute confidants of the Empress Dowager or the eldest princess.

So he walked towards Jia Lian with a sense of relief.

"What? It's only been a few days, and the Imperial Concubine doesn't recognize me?"

Faced with Jia Lian's teasing, especially hearing him refer to her as "Empress Dowager," Yuan Chun felt somewhat indignant.

Why should men be allowed to be so wanton and unrestrained, whether it be the Empress Dowager or even herself, the late emperor's concubine, who can do whatever they want?

She was clearly seduced by him, yet she had to worry about the Empress Dowager's punishment while enduring inner torment.

And she even had to endure his flirting?

This is not fair.

Thinking of this, before Jia Lian could make a move against her, Yuan Chun gracefully sat down on his lap and asked in a coquettish manner:

"Today is His Majesty's birthday. Instead of spending quality time with Feng'er and the others, why has he come to Chonghua Palace?"

Yuan Chun's sudden initiative surprised Jia Lian.

He paused for a moment, then without any hesitation wrapped his arms around the other's soft waist, and his head naturally pressed against the other's breasts, which were much fuller than Tan Chun's.

After embracing the warm fragrance, he said, "I missed you, so I came to see you."

With her arms wrapped around Jia Lian's neck, Yuan Chun laughed and said, "Your Majesty's words are hard to believe. I'm afraid Your Majesty is thinking of someone else."

Jia Lian looked up and stared at Yuan Chun.

His sudden action surprised and unsettled Yuan Chun. After a while, seeing that he was still staring at her, she couldn't help but raise her hand to smooth a strand of hair from her forehead and ask:

"Your Majesty, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Jia Lian said, "The Empress Dowager is acting a little differently today."

"Oh, how is it different?"

"She's even more charming than before."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun blushed slightly, glared at Jia Lian, then wrapped her arms around his neck and asked with a smile, "Does Your Majesty prefer the Yuan Chun of the past, or the Yuan Chun of the present?"

I like the past, but I like the present even more.

As Jia Lian spoke, he held Yuan Chun's body firmly with both hands and kissed her without saying a word.

Yuan Chun offered slight resistance, but upon discovering Jia Lian's intense actions, she eventually yielded.

So, when a certain beautiful woman came out while changing clothes, what she saw was an inappropriate scene, but one that stirred up primal pleasure.