Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Most of the people present noticed Wang Xifeng's nervousness just now, and they all chuckled.

"Second Sister-in-law Lian, who exactly is this Miaoyu?"

"She's a nun, but I don't know exactly who she is. You'll have to ask her."

Tan Chun was just asking casually; she was too embarrassed to inquire about her cousin's private affairs, lest it lead to something else.

Turning back, she saw Daiyu's slightly furrowed brows and melancholy gaze, and couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Sister Lin, do you perhaps know this Miaoyu?"

Daiyu was unaware of her own expression until she saw Tanchun looking at her with surprise, at which point she realized it.

To avoid arousing suspicion from Tan Chun and the others, she quickly adjusted her mindset and then asked Jia Lian with feigned curiosity, "Second Brother, is this Miaoyu the one we met at Xuanmu Panxiang Temple that year?"

Jia Lian had already known from Daiyu's appearance that he couldn't hide it, so he simply nodded generously: "That's right."

Daiyu's brows furrowed. Of all those present, besides Jia Lian, she was the only one who had ever seen Miaoyu, and only she knew what a beautiful and refined woman Miaoyu was!

Moreover, she had vaguely noticed something amiss in Suzhou when Miaoyu was looking at her second brother...

Now that they've actually followed her to the capital, it's impossible not to be suspicious and wonder.

Hearing Daiyu ask this question, everyone became curious.

Jia Baoyu was greatly surprised: "Sister Lin, you even know this Miaoyu?"

The people Lin Daiyu knew must have been extraordinary, perhaps even exceptional women, or even a nun...

Even though Zhi Neng'er is a nun, she is extremely beautiful!

Wang Xifeng was, after all, a woman. As a woman, it was impossible for her not to care about other women who suddenly appeared beside her man.

Therefore, he hurriedly asked, "Lin girl, you actually know about this? Why don't you tell us about Miaoyu's background and character, so that we can also see what kind of enlightened master she can admire."

Last month, I was outside the city and was too busy to visit her.

Daiyu's lips twitched slightly, but after weighing the options, she decided it was best not to reveal the truth.

"Why don't you ask him instead of me? I've only met her once, how would I know her character or background?"

Daiyu was being rather uncouth, eating the meal prepared by her second sister-in-law without showing her any respect.

But for Jia Lian, it was so thoughtful; he thought, "What a good sister! It was worth all the love I had for her."

However, since things had already come to this point, Wang Xifeng and others had already become suspicious, and deliberately concealing the truth would only arouse suspicion.

Therefore, facing everyone's gaze, Jia Lian said quite frankly: "Miaoyu, like Lin Daiyu, is originally from Suzhou, and her ancestors were also officials. However, because she was sickly from a young age, many substitutes were bought but none of them worked, so she eventually entered the Buddhist order herself."

That year, I accompanied Lin Daiyu on her journey back to Suzhou to help carry her aunt's coffin. We met by chance at the Xuanmu Panxiang Temple.

Unexpectedly, she also came to the capital with her master last year and stayed at the Muni Temple outside the West City.

This Miaoyu was no ordinary person; she was of noble character and well-versed in Buddhism. The last time I visited Master Jingci at the Muni Temple, I happened to run into her again. She did not look down on my worldly and mediocre life, and we became close friends.

I suppose she learned of my birthday when I consulted her about spirit writing last time, which is why she sent me a birthday invitation today as a small token of her congratulations.

After hearing Jia Lian's explanation, the image of a highly virtuous nun who grew up in a nunnery and was well-versed in poetry and scriptures came to mind.

Tan Chun complimented, "Second Brother Lian is truly remarkable. Even such an enlightened person considers Second Brother Lian a confidant. It's clear that Second Brother Lian is indeed extraordinary!"

Everyone except Daiyu smiled.

After the small talk, the game continued.

This time, Jia Lian finally rolled a dot, and Jia Baoyu and the others were immediately overjoyed.

"Alright, it's finally Lian Er-gege's turn to make a move!"

"That's right, that's right. Lian Er Gege hasn't participated yet today; he's been watching us play from up there the whole time."

"Auntie, hurry up and throw the dice! Let's see who gets the winning combination!"

Aunt Xue watched the children grow increasingly excited, knowing that what they wanted most was to play with Jia Lian.

Jia Lian was the elder brother and of noble status, so he rarely had time to play with the children.

Finally, Baochai rolled a dot and challenged Jia Lian to a drinking game.

Gu Ju

"Haha, this is interesting."

"That's right, it's like two strong men meeting one strong one when Lian Er Ge (Second Brother Lian) faces Bao Jie Jie (Sister Bao)."

Upon hearing Jia Baoyu and Tanchun's words, even Baochai couldn't help but straighten her posture, waiting for Jia Lian to give the order.

"Why are you all so nervous? I've already said that I'm not well-educated, and I certainly don't remember as many poems and allusions as you do."

However, since I'm the commander, I can just choose one randomly.

Jia Lian smiled, glanced at Baochai, and said softly, "Gold."

When Baochai heard that Jia Lian's mask had the character "gold" on it, although there were many gold items around, and everyone was wearing gold jewelry and headdresses, for some reason, when she met Jia Lian's gaze, her first thought was of the gold lock she wore on her chest, and she reached out to cover it...

Baochai hesitated. Although she knew she was probably right, it was inappropriate for Jia Lian to use her belongings as the winning combination.

To avoid the embarrassment of guessing wrong, Baochai said, "The word 'gold' is still too broad. Please, Second Brother Lian, guess another word."

Jia Lian didn't think too much about it and said the word "iron" again.

Golden locks and iron locks are commonly used in classical Chinese poetry, and Baochai's choice has already been decided.

Feeling a little embarrassed, but seeing Jia Lian's composed demeanor, she generously replied, "碧, the '碧' of 'azure blue sky'."

Jia Lian, seeing the change in Baochai's expression, knew she had guessed correctly. He didn't need to consider the origin of the "jade lock" that Baochai had mentioned, so he nodded and drank a cup with Baochai.

Jia Baoyu then stepped in to explain: "Brother Lian covered the words 'gold' and 'iron,' so the bottom of the token must be Sister Bao's golden lock."

An old poem says, "Jade towers and pearl pavilions are locked with golden locks," and there are also lines such as "Fire trees and silver flowers merge, star bridges and iron locks open."

As for the "jade lock" that Sister Bao shot, I have no idea where it comes from.

"There is a line in Lady Huarui's 'Palace Poems' from the Five Dynasties period, 'I tear open the five-colored gold-flecked paper and practice cursive script before the green-locked window,' which is the source," Baochai explained.

"Sister Bao is indeed knowledgeable in every book; she even knows such obscure verses!"

Jia Baoyu offered a flattering remark.

Daiyu glanced at him but didn't say anything.

Jia Lian and Baochai exchanged a glance, and it seemed they sensed a unspoken understanding in each other's eyes...

The act of guessing what the other person is thinking requires a tacit understanding to be able to quickly guess their thoughts.

This is why the game of guessing riddles was so popular among scholars; those who didn't share the same ideals simply couldn't play it well.

In the next round, Aunt Xue rolled a six, which belonged to Wang Xifeng, and Jia Lian also rolled a six.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

This is going to be interesting.

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "Why don't I just admit defeat? I don't know how to give any orders..."

"No, even Lan'er accepted the order just now. As the order-giver, Sister-in-law Lian, you can't go back on your word."

"That's right, that's right..."

Baochai suggested, "Giving a poem is easy. Just think of any poem you've heard, then see if there's one we can find here, and then pick a related word or phrase."

"That's right, Sister-in-law Lian, just give it a try. It doesn't matter if it turns out well or not."

Wang Xifeng sneered, "Looks like I have no choice but to take action today?"

Although Wang Xifeng was not well-educated, she was very clever and had figured things out after playing around for so long.

Besides, even if she can't write poetry, surely she can at least recite a couple of lines?

She recalled the line, "The cassia blossoms fall in the quiet of the day, and the spring mountains are empty in the stillness of the night," and looked up at the sky, thinking, "If even Jia Lan's 'wind' can be used as a theme, then spring can certainly be used as well."

"My command is ready; it's the character 'mountain'."

After Wang Xifeng finished speaking, she seemed somewhat smug and looked at Jia Lian provocatively.

She felt that her order was excellent, and that Jia Lian would never guess it.

Hmph, if he can't guess it, let's see how he'll have the nerve to complain about me being stupid in the future!