Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After leaving Ningguo Mansion, I dismounted in the east courtyard.

Zhang Yong and the others asked, "Second Master, are we organizing a martial arts competition again tonight?"

Jia Lian was determined to improve his physical fitness, but practicing fist, footwork, and swordsmanship all the time was inevitably boring.

The martial arts arena had just been completed, and in the past few days, Jia Lian organized his personal guards to compete on the stage, which not only enhanced the martial arts atmosphere but also added to the fun.

"I have something particularly important to do tonight. I'm leaving the organization of the martial arts competition to you."

I'll be leaving in a month. Leaving the capital, I could encounter danger at any moment.

Last time, Feng Fei was lucky to escape with his life; you should take this as a lesson.

I hope that when I achieve great success in the future, you will all be by my side, sharing in my wealth and honor. Therefore, everyone must work diligently and never slack off!

"Yes, I will heed your teachings, Second Master!"

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Zhang Yong and the other guards were all moved and invigorated.

Jia Lian nodded, relaxed his furrowed brows, flicked his sleeve, and returned home.

Xiangling and Qingwen were both there, but Ping'er and Wang Xifeng were nowhere to be seen.

"Where is your second grandmother?"

He took off his outer garment, leaned against the kang (a heated brick bed), and casually pulled Qingwen into his arms.

Xiangling, who followed, obediently knelt by the footstool and massaged Jia Lian's legs.

Second Grandma said that Second Master works very hard outside, so when he comes back, they all have to take good care of him and give him a good massage to relieve his fatigue.

"Second Grandma is taking a bath in the back bathroom."

"Why did you take so long to shower?"

"Originally, Second Grandmother was waiting at home for Second Master to return, but Second Master never came back. Later, the old lady called Second Grandmother over."

Right there in Rongqing Hall, the old lady held the second mistress's hand and said that she had wronged the second mistress and that from now on, the second mistress should be as cheerful as before and not stay at home alone anymore.

Even the wife said that if the second mistress recovers, it would be better to let her manage the household again.

Hehe, the servants all say that the eldest mistress is not as good at managing the household as the second mistress, and she misses out on many things. In the past month or so, she has made several mistakes. Because of this, the eldest mistress was even reprimanded by the madam.

However, Second Madam seemed quite happy tonight.

Qingwen nestled comfortably in Jia Lian's arms, counting gossip on her fingers.

Jia Lian slapped her on the bottom and scolded, "You're getting bolder and bolder; now you even dare to gossip about the eldest mistress."

"That's true, everyone knows it. People are just trying to be helpful by telling you, but if you don't want to listen, that's fine too."

Qingwen pouted and tried to shrink back.

But Jia Lian wouldn't let her go, and even reached his hand inside her bodice. She blushed and dared not do anything more.

Jia Lian naturally knew that Li Wan was a kind and unassuming person. However, such a person was not well-suited to managing a household.

In particular, over the past hundred years, the Jia family has had many cunning servants who take advantage of their seniority and treat people differently based on their status. These servants are not easy to deal with; even someone as capable as Wang Xifeng has to be careful and cunning in dealing with them to avoid being tripped up.

Wang Xifeng has been out of work for over a month now, which has certainly been tough on Li Wan.

She has to be filial to her parents-in-law, take care of her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and manage the household. She doesn't have that much energy to do all of that.

Long ago, she voluntarily offered to relinquish her management of the household. At that time, Lady Wang even asked Jia Lian how Wang Xifeng was being cared for.

Jia Lian, concerned for Wang Xifeng's health, wanted her to rest longer, so he helped her refuse.

Wang Xifeng was somewhat unhappy about this.

This woman, who helped her aunt manage the household in the Wang family, hadn't had this much free time in many years. It was clear she was somewhat flustered.

According to Qingwen, tonight was an opportunity for Grandmother Jia and others to express their apologies and condolences for their previous cold treatment of Wang Xifeng.

It seems this woman can't hold back any longer; perhaps she'll beg him for mercy tonight...

Well, I don't know how long I'll be away from Beijing this time, so I need to find something for this energetic woman to do, lest she cause trouble while she's idle.

Suddenly, he heard a strange sound. Looking down, he saw Qingwen in his arms, her body tense and her breathing soft.

Jia Lian's heart skipped a beat.

This girl is not only beautiful, but also has an excessively alluring and delicate figure. She has the looks of Daiyu, but is a few years older than Daiyu; perhaps she is worth pursuing.

However, upon further reflection, Jia Lian shook his head, withdrew his hand, and got up from the kang (heated brick bed). He then considered the mediocre Qingwen in his possession.

"Where did Second Master go?"

Qingwen was once again caught in a dilemma by Jia Lian, so she immediately grabbed Jia Lian's arm and looked at him with great resentment.

"Go take a shower."

Taking a bath? Grandma is using the bathhouse.

Qingwen and Xiangling both felt something was strange, and then they exchanged a glance, both showing some unusual expressions.

Could it be that Second Master wants to bathe with Second Madam?

Hehe, then we'd better take a good look...

……

"Second Master."

In the backyard bathhouse, the two maids at the door saw Jia Lian approaching and quickly bowed.

Jia Lian nodded, and amidst the slightly surprised looks of the two maids, he pushed open the door and went inside.

The room was filled with its usual exotic fragrance, and several colorful screens were stacked one on top of the other.

Ping'er and Xiao Hong heard the noise and thought it was some unruly maid who had barged in. They went over to scold her.

Upon seeing Jia Lian, he quickly greeted him in a deep voice.

Wang Xifeng, inside the large wooden tub, spotted Jia Lian at a glance. Despite being an old married couple, she crossed her arms and said coquettishly, "What are you doing in here? I'll be done in a little while, just wait a bit longer..."

She thought Jia Lian had barged in because he was in a hurry to take a bath.

Jia Lian looked around.

When Wang Xifeng took a bath, the preparations were naturally far more complete than his.

There were two shelves on each side for holding bath supplies alone. Actually, this was already quite minimalist for Wang Xifeng.

In the past, when she took a bath, all the maids and wives in the courtyard would be busy.

Even if there's nothing to do, you still have to stand on the veranda and wait.

Now, they're much more low-key.

Because it was summer, there was no misty water vapor, and the flower petals in the bucket also obscured most of the scenery.

But the exposed shoulders, neck, and the ethereal beauty of a fairy maiden, along with the dewdrops, were already captivating enough.

Jia Lian then smiled and opened his arms.

Ping'er and Xiao Hong exchanged a glance, and almost without hesitation, they stepped forward to help Jia Lian undress.

Their actions naturally drew a glare and a scolding from Wang Xifeng.

Jia Lian was quite satisfied; they were indeed two clever girls who knew whose advice to listen to in crucial moments.

Soon, Jia Lian was left with only a loose robe and trousers.

Ping'er was fine, but Xiao Hong suddenly hesitated, thinking to herself, "Could it be that I'll get to see the Second Master's whole body today...?"

"Xiao Hong, Ping'er, you two go out. I'm done washing. Qingwen and Xiangling will come in to serve me!"

At the critical moment, Wang Xifeng made a decisive decision and issued an order.

She wasn't doing it out of embarrassment for Xiao Hong, but to maintain her own dignity.

Even though they are husband and wife, they have always needed to shower separately, otherwise what kind of etiquette would that be? People would laugh at them.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hong's newly mustered courage immediately vanished. She glanced regretfully at Jia Lian's bulging robe, then got up and went out the door.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw four maids outside. One peeked in, while the other three stood there blankly.

"Second Madam has finished washing, now it's Second Master's turn. Second Madam wants you two to go in and serve him..."

"understood."

Qingwen had already overheard the commotion inside and felt a little regretful.

He exchanged a glance with Xiangling and went into the room.

Inside the room, Jia Lian walked to the bathtub and said with a smile, "It's getting late. Take a quick bath and get some rest. We have to attend a funeral early tomorrow morning."

Wang Xifeng blushed and spat, "Why rush it? Bah! This is clearly a trick to tease people, and you've even made up this excuse."

Jia Lian smiled slightly, not taking it to heart, and then took off his robe and trousers and threw them aside.

Wang Xifeng glanced at the resolute Jia Lian, and her heart skipped a beat, knowing that tonight would be another tough battle. So she shifted her position in the tub, making room for Jia Lian.

……