Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Wang Xifeng is outgoing and generous, but she is very careful to keep her physical privacy hidden.

For example, when it comes to bathing, she usually does it all by herself. At most, she'll have a maidservant beside her to massage her shoulders and arms, which is completely different from her usual style of coming and going with a large group of maids and wives to show off her power.

However, this does not mean that she advocated simplicity when bathing.

On the contrary, knowing that she was taking a bath, almost none of the maids and servants in the entire courtyard dared to stay idle.

Boiling and carrying water, preparing clothes and bath supplies, setting up colorful screens in the bathroom—the maids and servants dared not be careless in any of these tasks, because the Second Mistress had strict requirements for them.

If you do it wrong, you'll definitely get scolded, and you might even get beaten up.

Therefore, when Wang Xifeng took a bath, it caused a much bigger commotion than when Jia Lian made a scene.

However, once the maids and servants had finished their preparations, they would all be driven out and forbidden from peeping at their mistress while she bathed.

"Sister Ping'er."

Ping'er came over with a dress that Wang Xifeng wanted to change into, and the two maids standing at the door of the bathhouse hurriedly greeted her.

Ping'er nodded and walked in through the curtains opened by the maids, but she couldn't see Wang Xifeng. All she could see were layers of colorful screens, and a very faint fragrance filled the room.

It was Wang Xifeng's idea to place so many screens in the bath room. These valuable silk screens, most of which were embroidered with exquisite craftsmanship, could completely surround her bathing area, thus providing shelter from the wind and being luxurious and beautiful, making her feel more pleasant while bathing.

Ping'er walked behind a screen inside, but instead of going straight in, she first softly called out, "Grandma..."

"Come in."

Only after receiving Wang Xifeng's permission did she go inside.

Behind the screen, inside the huge pear wood tub, even the bright red petals couldn't completely cover the water's surface, and wisps of steam drifted and churned.

On one side of the wooden tub, Wang Xifeng leaned back comfortably with her eyes closed, her whole body hidden under the bright red petals, only revealing her slender neck, delicate shoulders, and her beautifully arched head and eyebrows with her thick black hair tied up.

She already possessed an arrogant beauty like a fairy princess, and her smooth skin appeared even more vibrant and breathtaking under the moisture.

Ping'er's heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself, "Second Madam looks so beautiful when she's quiet."

If she can continue like this, it probably won't be too difficult for her to win over the Second Master's heart.

She shook her head inwardly; if things continued like this, she wouldn't be the Second Madam...

"Where are you looking, your mother?"

The sudden sound startled Ping'er. Ping'er looked up and, sure enough, Wang Xifeng was already looking at her, speaking familiar words.

Ping'er quickly composed herself and walked over.

"Help me up, I'm dizzy after soaking in the water for half a day."

Ping'er responded, draped her clothes aside, and then helped Wang Xifeng up.

With the sound of splashing water, a stunningly beautiful image of a woman emerging from her bath appears, but unfortunately, outsiders will never be able to see it.

"How's things going with your second master?"

"Second Master's matter is also settled. Besides the Shan family, Second Master also dealt with Wang Xin, who was in charge of collecting rent..."

While serving Fengjie, Ping'er told her about what was happening outside.

Wang Xifeng's face darkened slightly; Wang Xin was someone she had personally promoted to this lucrative position.

Now that Jia Lian has dealt with the person, it's clear he's not giving her any face.

Ping'er said, "Grandma, don't worry. If Second Master doesn't take one of our people as a scapegoat after dealing with Madam's people, it would seem like we have ulterior motives."

Moreover, Grandma also knew that since Wang Xin and his wife started collecting rent this year, they had often bullied the tenants by taking advantage of their power. Even his brother's wife complained that he was arrogant and reckless outside. I had advised Grandma to keep an eye on them, but Grandma never had the time.

It's good that Second Master has dealt with these people; it saves them from ruining Grandma's reputation outside.

"Look at you, so talkative, you're just making yourself look good. Do you think I'm less knowledgeable than you?"

Wang Xifeng tapped Ping'er's forehead with her finger, stepped out of the bathtub, and then cursed, "They deserve to lose. Other brothers know to support and look after each other, sharing both glory and misfortune. But these two brothers are just thinking about undermining each other all day long, hoping the other will suffer. Humph, in my opinion, it must be that their brother Wang Xin complained to your master, so your master used him as a scapegoat."

Ping'er nodded, but she was actually thinking about something deeper.

The victory or defeat of the two brothers, Wang Xin and Wang Xin, can actually be seen as the victory or defeat of the second master and second mistress.

In the past, Second Madam suppressed Second Master, so Wang Xin bullied his brother.

Now that the Second Master has the upper hand over the Second Madam, Wang Xin, who has served the Second Master since childhood, has naturally gained power and wants to take revenge...

Of course, Ping'er dared not say this to Wang Xifeng, otherwise she would surely anger Sister Feng.

Wang Xifeng hadn't thought of that for a moment; she was thinking about something else. So she whispered to Ping'er, "Tell me, if all those managers really reported to your Second Master about the money they embezzled, how much do you think it was?"

"I'm afraid it won't be less. According to Wang's wife, everyone was frightened by the murderous intent emanating from Second Master. Even Wang'er was so scared that he went up to report the number a second time. So, I think even those who took a chance the first time probably wouldn't dare to do it the second time."

Moreover, from now on, if those lackeys ever harbor greed again, they'll have to think twice...

Ping'er spoke with nothing but admiration in her voice.

The way the Second Master manipulated those servants was something I'd never even heard of, let alone seen. Putting myself in their shoes, it's no wonder those managers were terrified.

Seeing Ping'er like this, Wang Xifeng felt a little resentful. This brat, she never flattered me this sincerely before!

"Then tell me, since only your second master knows this amount, after we receive the silver tomorrow, shouldn't we decide how much to report to the authorities?"

Ping'er was not surprised when she heard this. She knew that what the second mistress cared about most was money!

"Well, perhaps... But this matter is being handled by the Second Master, so it's best if the Second Madam doesn't interfere recklessly. Even if there's something to it, it's best to ask the Second Master's opinion first, lest it ruin his plans..."

Ping'er gently advised Wang Xifeng not to act recklessly.

Wang Xifeng rolled her eyes at her, "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you. Let's ask our master what he thinks first... Tsk tsk tsk, no wonder your second master thinks of you all the time. You are indeed better than me."

Ping'er blushed and dared not retort.

Wang Xifeng grew increasingly playful, whispering in Ping'er's ear, "You can sleep in there tonight. Your second master misses you and wants you to get ready for him. You'd better show him what you're capable of and not disappoint him..."

Ping'er blushed deeply, tied Wang Xifeng's belt, and immediately tried to run away.

"What's the rush? Are you in such a hurry to go back and take a shower?"

"No need for that. It's inconvenient to go back anyway. You might as well just wash your things here properly; it might get them cleaner than if you went back to fetch water to wash them."

Wang Xifeng wrapped her arms around Ping'er's waist, her smile growing even more smug.

"Pah, you're getting more and more indecent..."

Ping'er blushed, turned her head away, and spat.

"Hahaha……"

Wang Xifeng laughed, "You're not willing to use my things for free? Or do you think I've used them before?"

Bah, if you're really that noble, how come...

Wang Xifeng, unsure what to say, subconsciously glanced around before holding Ping'er and whispering, "Why do you like my man so much?"

Unable to bear the teasing, Ping'er pushed Wang Xifeng away, stomped her foot, and ran away.