Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Grandmother Jia originally came to Fengjie's courtyard to play with her grandchildren and express her regard for her eldest grandson, Jia Lian, taking advantage of the fine weather. Therefore, she did not intend to stay long.

As her interest in the game waned, she went home.

Jia Lian, having returned early in the morning, was now preparing to make another trip to the yamen.

Although it wouldn't matter if he didn't go, the Military Command was an assignment given to him by Emperor Ningkang. To avoid leaving a bad impression on his boss, he needed to keep a firm grip on the Military Command, including knowing all the major events that happened in its jurisdiction every day.

Inside the room, Xiangling and Qingwen helped him change into his official robes. Looking at the two equally dressed maids beside him, one exquisite and graceful, the other slender and quiet, both were exceptionally charming.

Jia Lian then thought, it seems they've all been raised quite a bit...

Qingwen bent down to tie Jia Lian's belt, then looked up and saw Jia Lian staring at them, so she pouted and smiled back.

Provoked by her, Jia Lian naturally could not tolerate it. He grabbed her slender waist and lowered his head to kiss her rosy lips.

"What are you doing? The girls are still outside..."

Qingwen didn't let Jia Lian succeed so easily. She tried her best to turn her head away, but in the end, Jia Lian kissed her rosy cheeks all over.

Xiangling smiled knowingly, unsurprised.

Although not every time I served the Second Master I would be bullied or treated inappropriately, it was possible every time.

So much so that before each time they served the Second Master, they would wonder in their hearts whether he would take the opportunity to bully them, and how he would bully them...

Every time I think about it, my heart feels a little numb.

This is a secret they can't tell anyone else.

Releasing Qingwen, Jia Lian glanced at Xiangling, whose face was flushed, and, to be fair, gently beckoned to her.

Having realized her mistake, Xiangling obediently moved closer.

Seeing that her second master indeed lowered his head to kiss her, she subconsciously tried to avoid him, but unlike Qingwen, she was not as resolute and was quickly kissed.

"Alright, Second Master, it's time for you to go!"

Qingwen pulled Jia Lian aside, using words to hide the jealousy on her face.

Honestly, one kiss would have been enough, it's never-ending...

Jia Lian waved his sleeve and smiled at the two girls, saying, "Be good and wait for me to come back at home."

After saying that, he walked out of the room, leaving the two beautiful and charming maids looking at each other, neither daring to ask how the Second Master should interpret what he had just said!

……

Jia Zhen drank some wine and took a short nap in his study, where he unexpectedly had a sweet dream.

In his dream, his charming and alluring daughter-in-law was completely devoted to him, granting him every wish and making him feel incredibly comfortable and happy. His hearty laughter, like a long dragon, pierced through the entire dream until he woke up laughing.

Upon waking, I was filled with disappointment and desolation.

Unable to sleep any longer, he put on his shoes, got out of bed, returned to the inner courtyard, and eventually made his way to his son's yard.

Seeing the servants who usually attend to his daughters-in-law, Jia Zhen knew that Qin Shi had returned to the mansion.

Without showing any emotion, he bypassed the main gate and went to the side courtyard. He walked in through the moon gate with an air of nonchalance, and seeing the servants greeting him, he asked, "Where is Rong'er?"

"This servant didn't know, it seems that Master Rong has gone out..."

"That wretched child, all he does all day is go out and fool around! Go to the front yard and relay my orders. When you see him return, come back to me immediately."

While Jia Zhen said this, he was secretly quite pleased with his own shrewdness.

He knew that this brat would avoid him every time he scolded or beat him.

The best way to avoid yourself, of course, is to go out and fool around...

So good.

After the servant left to carry out his orders, Jia Zhen continued walking inside, looking for an opportunity.

Following the corridor, they soon arrived at Qin's room. Seeing only two maids guarding the door, they walked in confidently and asked, "Where's Rong'er?"

"Grandpa Xiaorong isn't home; only Grandma Xiaorong is inside."

"I understand, you may leave."

Jia Zhen had long held absolute power in the Ningguo Mansion, so how could the two young maids dare to disobey his orders? They could only bow and retreat.

Jia Zhen suppressed his excitement and walked into the fragrant room.

Sure enough, Madam Qin was writing at her desk in the outer room. Her slender and graceful figure was like the most alluring temptation in the world.

Upon seeing him enter, Madam Qin took a few steps to greet him and gave a graceful bow: "Daughter-in-law greets father-in-law..."

Jia Zhen looked at Qin Shi, and upon hearing that enchanting voice, he was almost unable to control himself, and his face also showed a look of infatuation.

Only when he saw Qin lower her eyebrows and see fear in her eyes did he restrain himself somewhat.

Seeing that Qin was only wearing a thin ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and that she could see that she only had a simple undergarment underneath, he said with concern, "You child, although it is already March, the weather is still cool. Why are you dressed so thinly? Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"

"That little rascal Rong'er, all he does is go out and fool around all day, he doesn't even care about his own wife. Is it because you're short of clothes for the changing season? I'll have your mother-in-law buy you a few more outfits later."

While Jia Zhen said this, he secretly wished that Qin Shi would wear as little as possible. He didn't pay much attention to his behavior and unconsciously walked towards Qin Shi, as if she were his child, wanting to touch her head and pat her shoulder.

Qin's face paled slightly, and she quickly took a few steps back.

Qin was fully aware of Jia Zhen's feigned intentions.

As a father-in-law, Jia Zhen's consistent tactic was to not call her "daughter-in-law" but instead affectionately call her "child."

After all, he grew up surrounded by women, so he knows a thing or two about how to get closer to them.

It's ridiculous that she almost got lost in these sugar-coated bullets before!

That's because, compared to Jia Rong, Jia Zhen at least still resembled a man.

However, now that she has clearly witnessed the demeanor of Jia Lian, a true man of the world, when she looks back at Jia Zhen, she only finds him childish, laughable, and utterly vulgar.

At the same time, they felt sorrow for their own situation.

If she hadn't still held onto a sliver of hope, she would have long ago abandoned her femme fatale status and perished during that serious illness.

Although the unspoken understanding between her and Jia Lian had never been crossed, and Jia Lian had never indicated what he would do to her, she knew that Jia Lian liked her too. Even if it was just his attraction to her body, it wouldn't matter.

Moreover, she knew that Jia Lian must also know about the rumors circulating in the mansion last year!

She even speculated that Jia Lian was driven to despair that night in the ancestral temple by those rumors, under such a perfect setting and with such a beautiful scene.

She had already jumped into his arms, but he still put her down with an iron will...

If she had already fallen into depravity and ruin, it would be one thing, but now that I still retain my purity, I will not give up this only thing that can prove my innocence.

She already despised herself, and she couldn't let Jia Lian despise her too; this was her most sincere desire.

Therefore, Jia Zhen could no longer harbor any designs on her.

Judging from his appearance, he probably came here with premeditation...

If, if he really wants to force me, then I'll just end it all.

A resolute thought suddenly flashed through the mind of Qin Shi, a woman of gentle nature and kind heart.

"Thank you for your concern, father-in-law. I have plenty of clothes, so there's no need to worry."

Is Father-in-law here to see Rong'er?

Rong'er is not home right now. I will have him come to see you in person when he returns.

As Qin stepped back, she spoke softly.

Seeing Qin Shi's wariness of him and her desire to drive him away, Jia Zhen felt a sudden surge of nameless anger!

That wretched, damned Jiao Da!

His original plan was to put pressure on Jia Rong on one hand and try to please Qin Shi at all costs on the other. With this two-pronged approach, Qin Shi was clearly somewhat compliant with him. He was just waiting for the final push to win her heart.

As a result, the oblivious Jiao Da, as if possessed by a demon, actually exposed his thoughts in public, causing him to lose all his previous efforts and fail at the last moment!

That's fine. He's quite patient. He plans to do it secretly after the storm has passed, and he'll be even more careful than before...

Unexpectedly, after recovering from her illness, Qin seemed to have changed her nature, becoming extremely wary of him, leaving him with no way to make a move!

This was the umpteenth time he had been turned down; his patience was wearing thin, and he was growing increasingly annoyed.