Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Qingwen was still trying her best to please him, unaware that Jia Lian had already developed different thoughts about her.

Meanwhile, Xiangling had already cleaned the easily accessible parts of Jia Lian's body and was now bending over, trying to reach the parts that were not easily accessible, which was tantamount to silently showing Jia Lian the beauty of a young girl's figure.

Jia Lian then grasped Xiangling's diligent little hand and said with a smile, "Why don't you take off your clothes and come in? It would be more convenient."

Xiangling blushed instantly, letting Jia Lian hold her hand, unsure how to respond.

Seeing this, Qingwen, who was behind Jia Lian, also stopped talking and suddenly increased the force of her grip.

That scoundrel, he promised to take her as his concubine, but almost two years have passed and he still hasn't kept his promise. Now he's starting to set his sights on Xiangling!

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Jia Lian could see Qingwen's expression, so he turned around and smiled, "Why don't you come in too?"

Qingwen was unmoved and released her, saying, "Since Second Master wants her to serve you, then let her serve you alone. I'll go out first."

Jia Lian grabbed her and brought her close, pretending to sniff her. He laughed and said, "How long has it been since you took a bath? You smell."

"What? How is that possible..."

Qingwen looked panicked and immediately put aside all other thoughts, wishing she could disappear into the ground. She stammered, "It's only been two days... I just washed myself the day before yesterday..."

Her voice trailed off as she spoke, because she was lying.

She hasn't showered for three whole days.

Although it's already spring, it's still cold, and it snows occasionally.

Including their maids, they didn't have such a large bathtub to soak in. They would just boil a bucket of hot water themselves, carry it to a small corner room next to the main room, and wash themselves.

So, without even having time to wash my hair, I had to wash it separately the next morning, otherwise my scalp would get frostbite if I waited too long.

So she knew that many maids might not wash every seven or eight days in winter, while someone like her who washed every three or four days was already very clean. Anyway, she was idle and didn't sweat a drop all day, so how could she possibly smell...

Even though she suspected Jia Lian was lying to her, Qingwen couldn't hold back when it came to such a shameful issue, and immediately wanted to boil water to take a bath!

Jia Lian was obviously lying to her. Seeing that she had fallen for his trick, he laughed and said, "It's time to wash up. If you don't mind, just use this place I used. It's more convenient than you boiling water separately."

Upon hearing this, Qingwen was immediately tempted.

Having stumbled upon a stroke of luck and entered the upper echelons of the Jia family, this was the first time she had ever enjoyed a hot bath in winter. It was after she had served Jia Lian a bath last time, when she saw a full bucket of steaming water and couldn't bear to throw it away. So she closed the door, took off her clothes, and went in for a soak.

That feeling was so wonderful!

As for any disdain, that's impossible with Jia Lian.

The only thing making her hesitate now was that the Second Master didn't seem to have any intention of getting up, and besides, there was Xiangling next to him.

Xiangling is one thing, but the two of them usually bathe together and scratch each other's backs or something...

As for the Second Master, he had already done even more embarrassing things, so getting into the Second Master's bathtub didn't seem like a big deal. He could just consider it as a way to make it easier to serve the Second Master.

Qingwen, whose hand was being held by Jia Lian, quickly came up with a reason, broke free, and whispered a few words into Xiangling's ear.

Xiangling's cheeks remained flushed, but after glancing at Jia Lian and then at Qingwen, she nodded, turned, and went out.

Jia Lian initially thought there was no chance when Qingwen broke free from him, but now that he saw Qingwen become shy after Xiangling left, he knew he had guessed wrong.

He didn't say anything, just smiled at Qingwen.

Qingwen said, "Then, Second Master, you're not allowed to take advantage of this to bully people!"

"I won't."

Only after receiving a reassuring reply did Qingwen turn her back and slowly begin to unbutton her clothes.

When she was left with only a bright red bodice and a small white silk trousers, she stopped, hugging herself with her arms, seemingly feeling a bit cold.

When she turned around, she found that Jia Lian was indeed looking at her. Her face, which had been flushed red from the steam, was now even more rosy.

But since things had already come to this, she relaxed and slowly walked over, reached out to test the water temperature, and then said, "Let me add some more hot water for Second Master."

After saying that, he turned around, picked up a large kettle from the ground, and slowly poured the still-boiling water into the bucket from the corner.

Jia Lian pulled his legs back, and from beginning to end, he didn't make any unnecessary movements or say anything.

This girl has really developed well!

Having passed her teenage years, she already appeared quite graceful and tall, not much shorter than Wang Xifeng, thus perfectly showcasing her slender waist and narrow shoulders.

A bright red silk bodice, tied only at the neck and waist with thin straps, conceals the most beautiful scenery from direct view. Yet, from the side, it creates a more subtle, yet still undeniably beautiful view.

This is the finishing touch; without it, the beauty would not have been enhanced.

Therefore, Jia Lian did not urge her to take them off. If leaving these two pieces of cloth would make her feel safer, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?

"Alright, come in quickly, don't get cold."

Hearing Jia Lian's call, Qingwen, who also felt cold, immediately stopped hesitating. She pulled the shelf holding the soap and other items closer together, pulled her hair back up, and then raised one leg to tentatively step into the tub.

As her delicate skin was immersed in the hot water, a refreshing sensation immediately spread from between her legs. Qingwen smiled at Jia Lian, then jumped in, splashing water everywhere. The water level rose, almost overflowing, and Qingwen instinctively let out a gasp.

"You stupid girl, what's your name...?"

The little white rabbit was already trapped, so Jia Lian naturally didn't hold back and pulled it into his arms, holding it with one arm.

Sure enough, snuggling together like this felt different from hugging on the street earlier.

Qingwen seemed to have forgotten that she came in to help Jia Lian wash his body, and at this moment she obediently leaned against Jia Lian's chest.

Realizing that Jia Lian hadn't done anything further, she felt both relieved and disappointed.

After a while, she finally couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Second Master, before you went to the border, didn't you promise that you would take me as your concubine after you came back...?"

This is both a reminder and an urging.

Although Qingwen didn't understand the big events outside, there was one thing she did understand.

Jia She is about to die, and Jia Lian will have to observe mourning, during which time he certainly cannot take a concubine...

In other words, if you miss this period, it will take at least three more years to get your position back on track, which is far too long!

Jia Lian chuckled as he embraced the most beautiful maid in the Red Chamber. Upon hearing this, he thought for a moment and realized that he had indeed said those words.

But at the time, I thought I might be gone to the border for two or three years, but I was back in just one year.

He glanced down at Qingwen's pretty face: rosy lips, delicate cheeks, a crystal-clear nose, and the beauty that emerged from the hot water pressing against his ribs.

It's beautiful, but it would be even better with some more care.

Then he laughed and said, "Are you really in such a hurry? Aren't you having a good time in the yard?"

Do you know that becoming a concubine might not necessarily bring you the same carefree life you have now...?

Upon hearing this, Qingwen seemed to be deep in thought.

It seems that there are many separate rules for becoming a concubine.

"First of all, you can no longer do that, going wherever you want. After becoming a concubine, you will have two maids following you every day, and a matron who teaches you manners will watch over you day and night. If you make even the slightest mistake, you will be slapped on the hand at best, and made to kneel at the door at worst, without food for a whole day."

"It can't be that powerful..."

Qingwen was somewhat skeptical, but still became suspicious.

Jia Lian ignored her and continued, "Secondly, you will have to live in a room by yourself, and get up at a fixed time every day to follow the rules. This includes your Second Madam, First Madam, and Old Madam. You will have to pay your respects to them morning and evening, and serve them meals and tea."

Qingwen didn't refute it; this seemed to be true.

"Thirdly, you are absolutely forbidden from playing cards with the maids and servants!"

"Ah... Second Master, how did you know...?"

Qingwen's face, which had just regained some color, immediately flushed red again.

Since following Jia Lian, not only has she had more free time, but she has also become much wealthier!

During the year Jia Lian was away from home, she developed a new hobby—playing cards.

Moreover, money must be transferred.

The Rongguo Mansion did not explicitly prohibit its servants from playing cards, so it was common for those who were idle to gather in the servants' quarters to play a little card game, whether in the front courtyard or the back residence.

Qingwen also enjoyed this activity. Her happiest moments were when she won money from the maids and servants.

After all, the feeling of making money based on intelligence is just too great.

After Jia Lian returned, she became much more restrained, but unexpectedly, Jia Lian still found out.

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Look at you now. You don't have to do much work in the courtyard. You can go wherever you want to play for a while, and you can follow me around for a while if you want. Even if you want to play cards, no one will bother you. Unlike others, you don't have to worry about not doing your job well and being scolded by the housekeepers while playing cards."

What is this called? I'll tell you, this is called freedom!

This is the most important and happiest thing in the world.

"So, think about what life would be like if you became a concubine, compare it to your current life, and which do you think is better?"

Qingwen was very clever and quickly realized that it seemed to be true.

Just look at the two concubines in Jia Zheng's house. Even Zhao Yiniang, who gave birth to the third daughter and Huan Ge'er, was often scolded by the madam and the old lady and was not respected in the mansion.

Not to mention Aunt Zhou, she wasn't even qualified to attend formal occasions.

It seems that someone who has become a concubine has a lower status than a maid. She can go to Rongqing Hall anytime... This is really strange.

Qingwen hesitated.

If you become a concubine, you'll really be stuck in this courtyard, and the only time you go out is to pay your respects to your elders. Wouldn't that be incredibly boring?

"Well... I mean, what if the master passes away? Wouldn't that mean you can't take a concubine then?"

Only Qingwen would dare to speak like that. Jia Lian laughed and replied, "Other seventeen or eighteen-year-old girls are more likely to worry about this. What are you worried about?"

"It's only three years. By then, won't you be the perfect age? Fool, wouldn't it be better to spend those years as a first-class maid, living a carefree life? Why go through all this trouble at such a young age?"

Qingwen had already weighed the pros and cons in her mind and felt that Jia Lian was right. She then realized that Jia Lian was using her hand to do something bad...

Qingwen immediately felt ashamed.

She sensed it; the Second Master must have been putting up with her for a long time!

Therefore, she glanced up at Jia Lian. Having already had some experience, she didn't pretend to be reserved and served Jia Lian very readily.

The second master treated her too well. He not only granted her every request, but also made her live better than a concubine when she was a maid, and she was rewarded for it.

Before long, Xiangling returned.

It turned out that Qingwen was embarrassed to serve Jia Lian naked, so she asked her to fetch a set of their undergarments so that she could change out of her wet ones later.

Jia Lian originally wanted to experience the feeling of holding two pretty maids in his arms while taking a bath, but he changed his mind at this moment.

Firstly, he had a special affection for Xiangling, so he always took good care of her. For example, he never let Xiangling do the things that Qingwen did.

Secondly, it's too cold, and the water is almost cold, so it's not suitable for much activity.

So he had them take turns scrubbing him thoroughly, one inside the tub and one outside, and then he grabbed Qingwen and made her enjoy a full-body scrubbing service from her master. During this time, he also uncovered a secret about Qingwen…

While they were playing around, Ping'er gently opened the door and walked in.

"Second Master, are you not done washing yet? Second Madam is back and waiting for you to eat."

Qingwen was too embarrassed to let Ping'er see her shamelessly bathing with Jia Lian, and with nowhere to hide, she gave Xiangling a look to cover for her before plunging into the water, trying to get away with it.

In her desperation, she hadn't considered that she still had a head of long hair that she had managed to tie up. The moment she entered the water, it all floated to the surface, resembling a black lotus...

Jia Lian was stunned by her actions, and Xiang Ling was also dumbfounded.

Only Ping'er, who had just entered, blushed deeply upon seeing the scene in the bathtub, as if suddenly remembering something. She glared at Jia Lian and fled the scene.