Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"Ahem~"

A soft cough interrupted their engrossed performance.

Yuan Chun quickly got up from Jia Lian, lowered her head, and dared not look at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager said coldly, "This is not a place for you to seek pleasure. If the Emperor wants to play with women, he should go elsewhere."

Jia Lian calmly observed the angry Empress Dowager.

Previously, due to the unequal social status, seeing this cold face was somewhat unpleasant.

But now...

Surprisingly, it's kind of cute in a contrasting way.

After all, he had already seen that stunningly beautiful face and how she looked when she was moved.

So he completely ignored her challenge and simply smiled and said, "After my birthday, I plan to travel to Jiangnan, which will probably take quite a while."

Before leaving, I thought I should come and see you.

"I meant well, and this is how you treat me?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager hesitated for a moment, then her expression softened.

She had also heard about Jia Lian's upcoming southern tour, and rumors circulated that he would be taking almost the entire harem with him.

It seems this trip will take a long time.

Thinking about it, she couldn't help but look down at the gorgeous palace dress she had specially changed into when she entered the inner palace, and then glanced at the person who was occupying her spot before turning around and walking towards the zither platform next to her.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager had calmed down, Yuan Chun was about to slip away, leaving the two of them alone.

Unexpectedly, her wrist was grabbed by a large hand, and her light body fell into that strong and domineering embrace once again.

She couldn't struggle, so she could only look at Jia Lian with pleading eyes.

She didn't want to displease the Empress Dowager.

The other person's expression just now clearly showed that they were jealous.

However, Jia Lian didn't care about any of that. After confirming that Yuan Chun wouldn't leave, he looked up at the beautiful woman next to him and said, "Judging from this, you were practicing the zither just now."

It just so happens that I haven't heard the Empress Dowager play the zither in a long time.

"The time is perfect today. How about the Empress Dowager deigns to play another piece for me?"

As soon as the beautiful Bai turned around and sat down, she saw Jia Lian pull Yuan Chun into his arms, which made her very unhappy.

Upon hearing this, she said directly, "If the emperor wants to listen to music, why does he have to come to my palace?"

Didn't you specially establish a music hall in the palace? It's rumored that the beauties selected for it are all exceptionally talented and beautiful.

"Can't you find even one among them who plays the piano well and plays for you?"

Jia Lian was speechless upon hearing this.

Unexpectedly, among all the women in the harem, this one was one of the most prone to jealousy.

I don't know where she got her confidence from.

Therefore, he mocked, "How dare you say that Zhaoyang was taught by you? Can't you learn from her and be more magnanimous and virtuous?"

I have to go to the front court to receive the congratulations of the officials, and then I will host a banquet for foreign guests. I don’t have much time to linger here.

Are you sure you won't let me play?

When the Empress Dowager heard Jia Lian mention Princess Zhaoyang, her expression immediately turned unnatural.

She cursed Jia Lian inwardly for being shameless, daring to mention Zhaoyang in front of her.

He ruined Zhaoyang, who was perfectly fine before.

More than just virtuous and generous!

According to her observation, among the maids she had carefully selected for him, those with outstanding looks had probably all been handled by this brat.

However, considering that the unfilial daughter was willing to pack herself up and send herself away, a few maids were nothing out of the ordinary.

The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed and angry I became, so I simply pretended not to hear it.

Jia Lian said, "You're ignoring me, aren't you?"

Alright. Just before Zhaoyang left the capital, I promised her I would take good care of you.

I am truly uneasy about leaving you in the palace in your current state.

"How about I take you with me on this southern tour?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager quickly turned around: "You...you mustn't act recklessly..."

Just kidding. She's an Empress Dowager, the Empress of Emperor Taizong, and still relatively young. If Jia Lian were to take her on a southern tour...

Wouldn't that be clearly telling the world that her relationship with him was not legitimate?

Although she had accepted and acquiesced to Princess Zhaoyang's arrangements, it did not mean that she had reached a point where she could disregard the opinions of the world and the judgments of future generations.

If that were the case, she felt she might as well be dead.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I will go to see the Empress Dowager in a moment and ask her to take you to visit the water towns of Jiangnan."

"The journey will be long then, but I refuse to believe I won't hear your music."

"No... I'll play it..."

The Empress Dowager was so nervous that she could hardly breathe.

Although reason told her that Jia Lian was unlikely to be so reckless.

But she also knew that Jia Lian could be frighteningly bold at times.

We really need to ask her to speak to the Empress Dowager.

Regardless of the Empress Dowager's reaction, I will definitely never be able to face her again.

Imagine yourself as the Empress Dowager, your mother-in-law suddenly becomes your daughter-in-law.

It's ridiculous just thinking about it.

Knowing she couldn't defeat Jia Lian, the Empress Dowager chose to back down. She gently placed her delicate hand on the strings of the zither, and after calming down, she skillfully plucked the strings, producing a melodious sound.

Hearing the melodious tune, Jia Lian stared intently at the Empress Dowager playing the zither, before vaguely recalling that he had a great beauty in his arms.

Looking down, she saw that the other person was also looking at her.

Seeing his expression, she even gave him a look of admiration.

Clearly, he deeply admired Jia Lian for making the high and mighty Empress Dowager bow down with just a few words.

As the first among the four springs, Yuan Chun's beauty surpassed that of the other three.

Putting aside her temperament and figure, just her beautiful face alone is a picture of worldly wealth and nobility.

Although the lines of her facial features and cheeks were not as perfectly smooth and flawless as those of the Empress Dowager, they seemed to have been meticulously drawn by the Creator.

However, her skin was rosy and radiant.

If you really compare her to the Empress Dowager, she is a perfect work of art carved with a chisel, elegant yet with a touch of otherworldly allure.

Yuan Chun, on the other hand, is a colorful lotus that blooms naturally in the pond.

It is crystal clear and bright, with a pleasing luster.

Jia Lian felt more and more at ease as he looked at it, thinking that this was probably why he was willing to bear the guilt towards Emperor Ningkang in order to resolutely take him down.

"Since Your Majesty wishes to hear the Empress Dowager play the zither, I will not disturb you any longer..."

Feeling a little embarrassed by Jia Lian's gaze, Yuan Chun spoke in a low voice.

Unexpectedly, Jia Lian not only did not release her as instructed, but instead hugged her even tighter.

After kissing her on the forehead, he leaned close to her ear and whispered with a smile, "How can that be? Such beautiful music should not be enjoyed by one person alone."

Besides, I have always loved the duet of the qin and xiao.

Now, with only the zither and no xiao, something is ultimately missing.

Yuan Chun didn't take it seriously, thinking that Jia Lian wanted her to play the flute with the Empress Dowager, so she said, "But I didn't bring my flute. Please allow me to go back to the palace to get it."

"No need for that, I have some on me."

Yuan Chun's breathing quickened as Jia Lian spoke in her ear, his hot breath lingering on her neck.

Moreover, it's impossible for someone to just talk honestly; the occasional rough touch of skin and lips only stirred her heart.

Losing her ability to think calmly, she was still wondering why Jia Lian, as the emperor, would carry a flute with him.

He was already puzzled, and seeing that Jia Lian was slow to take it out, he suddenly felt a sense of relief.

She looked up at Jia Lian with a questioning gaze.

Seeing that he seemed to have a clear understanding, Jia Lian smiled with satisfaction.

He then took one of her small hands and gestured for her to take whatever she wanted, without having to be polite.

Yuan Chun could not possibly comply. She hurriedly turned around and glanced at the Empress Dowager, who appeared to be playing the zither quietly but had actually been keeping a close eye on things. She whispered urgently:

"no……"

"Why not?"

"She saw it..."

Upon hearing the tone, Jia Lian sensed an opportunity and couldn't help but laugh, "What are you afraid of? Didn't we serve me together last time?"

Yuan Chun was speechless, her heart already wavering.

Indeed, Jia Lian had expressed his determination to have her as early as three years ago.

Given his skill in seducing women over three years, it's not surprising that he managed to win her over.

After all, she had personally witnessed how docile the Empress Dowager and Princess Zhaoyang were in front of him.

The Empress Dowager was helpless against him, and she was under their very noses, so it was only a matter of time before Jia Lian, with his own intentions, took both of them to bed.

What she didn't expect was that the Empress Dowager, who appeared so noble and aloof to outsiders, would be so charming in bed.

Seeing that Yuan Chun refused to move, Jia Lian guessed that she was worried that the Empress Dowager would be jealous if she saw this.

So he continued to coax her, "Don't be embarrassed. I'll call her over later too. If you two are together, neither of you can laugh at the other."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun glanced at Jia Lian with some surprise.

However, she didn't doubt Jia Lian's ability to keep his word.

Women, in the end, still need men to cherish them.

The Empress Dowager was no exception.

Sensing that Jia Lian had a clear goal and a sincere attitude, Yuan Chun, whose mindset had already begun to change, ultimately did not want to spoil the atmosphere.

She glanced back at the person playing the zither, then slowly and gently squatted down to the ground, following the rhythm of the music, and began to practice a unique ensemble.

The Empress Dowager was initially puzzled, but the two embraced and whispered something to each other.

Suddenly seeing Yuan Chun lying on the ground, she was first stunned, then felt both ashamed and angry.

The scene before her naturally reminded her of her previous collaboration with Yuan Chun.

What angered her was that Jia Lian didn't take her seriously at all.

It's one thing for the Empress Dowager to play the zither for him, but he didn't even listen attentively!

What did they take her for? A tool to entertain them?

She was also furious that Yuan Chun was so compliant. She was clearly a very proper person, yet she was doing such an absurd thing so openly in the main hall.

And right in front of her!

She wanted to walk away, but after all, she had done the same thing in front of Yuan Chun herself, so she didn't have the confidence to back it up.

Although I managed to sit still, I forced myself not to look up, trying to make it so that I wouldn't see it.

I was still feeling resentful.

So after she had barely finished playing the piece, she stood up and said, "I've finished playing, so I won't disturb Your Majesty's enjoyment any longer."

Jia Lian had his eyes closed, peacefully enjoying the wonderful experience of hearing and touch.

Hearing this sound, I was suddenly awakened.

He raised his hand and placed it on Yuan Chun's head, briefly calming her unease, then said to the tall and imposing Empress Dowager, "Stay and keep me company..."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager instinctively sneered and was about to speak.

Jia Lian continued, "This trip will take at least half a year, and at most until the end of the year, before I can return."

According to my wishes, I really want to bring both of you along so that we can be together every day, which would be the only way to truly enjoy life.

However, even though I am the most powerful emperor, I still cannot act entirely according to my own wishes.

That's why I made a special effort to spend time with you all today.

This is both compensation for you and a way to ease the regret in my heart.

So Chang'er, don't go, please stay, okay?

The Empress Dowager's sarcastic remark was cut off.

Although Jia Lian's words were not eloquent, their sincerity touched her.

Yes, today is Jia Lian's birthday, so you can imagine how busy he is.

But he still came to Weiyang Palace.

Although it is as absurd as ever!

But then again, he is now the emperor, with countless beauties in his harem.

Yet he still remembers to come and cause her trouble, which proves that she is not someone who is dispensable to him.

Most importantly, he calls himself "Chang'er"...

This was a title I had never heard before, except when I was a child and my parents called me that, but years later, I heard it from a man who was ten years younger than me.

My heart suddenly softened.

After hesitating for a moment, he ultimately couldn't bear to leave.

So he could only walk upstairs, grumbling with feigned dissatisfaction, "Honestly, you already have someone with you, so what am I supposed to do staying here?"

Seeing that the woman was still being arrogant even at this moment, Jia Lian smiled slightly and waved to her.

The Empress Dowager blushed, but her body moved uncontrollably, and she fell onto the soft couch, nestling into the man's arms.

His gaze naturally fell on Yuan Chun's face.

Yuan Chun dared not meet his gaze, but she gained a clearer understanding of her good younger brother's ability to charm women.

Moreover, Jia Lian's words just now were effective not only on the Empress Dowager, but also on her.

Therefore, after confirming that the Empress Dowager would not turn against him, she played the flute for Jia Lian with even greater gentleness and care.

"Together?"

Seeing that the Empress Dowager was staring at Yuan Chun, making Yuan Chun a little embarrassed, Jia Lian smiled and made a suggestion.

The Empress Dowager then raised her flushed face, buried it in Jia Lian's chest, and said nothing.

Jia Lian lowered his head and gently touched her rosy, flawless lips with his own. Then he patted her head and coaxed her with a smile, "Good Chang'er, just do me a favor, I want to see you two together."

After hearing this, the Empress Dowager stood up, supporting herself on his chest, after a long while.

Her beautiful eyes rolled at him, and then, to his delighted surprise, she raised her hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear...

Even as the Empress Dowager's slender figure knelt beside Yuan Chun, the surprise in Jia Lian's eyes did not fade.

This proud and arrogant woman has finally agreed to cooperate with other women.

He had wanted to have her cooperate with Princess Zhaoyang like this for a long time.

Princess Zhaoyang said that if she could be pleased, anything would be fine.

But the woman absolutely refused.

Even after he pulled the two of them onto the bed, they refused to cooperate.

Later, when she changed her partner to Yuan Chun, things got better, and she became more relaxed.

However, achievements like today's are still a long way off.

I never expected to succeed today.

Since Yuan Chun can do it, Princess Zhao Yang must be not far behind.

When he returns, we must try again.

As my thoughts drifted, my gaze repeatedly locked onto the two stunningly beautiful faces before me.

Suddenly I thought of Baochai and Daiyu.

As I thought about it, I smiled.

If we're talking about that pair, they represent the pinnacle of girl groups.

So this couple right now is experiencing the ultimate pleasure for a beautiful young woman.

Hmm, I need to really experience the differences.