Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Inside the main room, Wang Xifeng, along with Ping'er and the others, were still making arrangements for everything Jia Lian might need on his journey.

Based on their initial preparations, even if two horse-drawn carriages were used to transport all of his belongings, they might not be able to carry them all.

Although Wang Xifeng later listened to Jia Lian's advice and kept everything simple, the woman still planned how to pack the most useful things in the smallest and lightest package.

This involves the issue of adding, subtracting, and choosing, which has caused Wang Xifeng considerable worry over the past two days.

Although Jia Lian felt that Wang Xifeng's efforts were futile, he did not criticize her, after all, it was a direct expression of his wife's concern and affection for him.

Seeing that they were too busy to attend to anything else, Jia Lian summoned Qingwen and Xiangling and went into the bathhouse.

Taking a bath was just a side thing; the real purpose was to spend some time with the two beautiful maids.

However, Qingwen clearly did not understand Jia Lian's intentions. While rubbing Jia Lian's back, she once again expressed her desire to go beyond the Great Wall with Jia Lian.

Jia Lian naturally refused.

"Why not? Why can Ah Qin and her sister go out with Second Master? They're only two or three years older than us."

Second Master is just biased.

Sitting in the bathtub, Jia Lian smiled slightly, picked up Xiangling's small hand that was wiping his arm, and asked with a playful laugh, "Can you ride a horse?"

"Can't I take a car?"

Seeing Jia Lian chuckle softly and then ignore her, Qingwen said anxiously, "Then I'll walk, is that alright?"

"Second Master, don't tell me that this isn't allowed. You can't fool me."

Second Master isn't going out to fight a war this time.

I once heard a storyteller say that even when the emperor traveled, the palace maids and eunuchs walked.

It seems that sending a princess to marry a foreign ruler would be a similar arrangement.

Although I can't ride a horse, I can endure hardship, and I can walk alongside Second Master.

Then, Xiangling and I can serve and take care of Second Master, okay...?

Qingwen wrapped her arms around Jia Lian's neck from behind, pressed her body against him, and began to sway coquettishly.

Because she was serving in the bathroom, she was only wearing simple, light clothing, which inevitably meant that her skin was in close contact with Jia Lian's.

This was a little trick she could only pull when she blushed, hoping to use it to entice Jia Lian to give in.

Her thoughts are actually quite easy to understand.

First, it is said that Jia Lian's trip will last at least a year, which is too long, and she is unwilling to not see Jia Lian for so long.

Secondly, it is said that Jia Lian, as the envoy escorting the bride, was an imperial envoy. Since he was an imperial envoy, it would naturally be a matter of immense prestige.

Local officials along the way naturally fawned over them, offering them food and drink, and sometimes even beautiful women.

In short, it was pretty much the same as sightseeing. She wanted to travel with Jia Lian in style, but also wanted to take care of his daily needs and keep an eye on him.

After all, as long as they stay by Second Master's side, at least he won't feel lonely, which will greatly reduce the probability that Second Master will bring back some strange women.

Given Lian Er Nainai's status, she certainly couldn't take on this task, so it was up to her and Xiangling.

Despite Qingwen's beautiful idea, Jia Lian still refused without hesitation: "No, no means no."

If you keep making noise, you'll get a spanking.

"snort!"

Qingwen released Jia Lian, grabbed a handkerchief, and half-heartedly and fiercely wiped Jia Lian's back, her expression very unhappy.

Jia Lian glanced back at her and asked Xiangling with a smile, "Tell me, are there really such stupid people in the world?"

I was trying to do what was best for her, to prevent her from suffering, and she got angry?

Did she think that the sandstorms beyond the Great Wall, thousands of miles away, were a trivial matter?

Given her laziness, if she were really allowed to go, she would probably complain endlessly and be unable to walk any further than she could walk a short distance.

That would have been truly embarrassing.

Jia Lian naturally couldn't take Qingwen and the others out of the capital.

Putting aside whether Qingwen could endure the hardship, this mission was of great importance, and having a maid by her side seemed inappropriate no matter how you looked at it.

Although there is no explicit rule against bringing it, I'm afraid if the emperor knew, he would think that he was indulging in pleasure and was not fit to be a great leader.

As for the Aqin sisters...

They were assigned to the Royal Guard, which was considered part of the combat order.

Secondly, they come from the grasslands, which might be helpful for this trip.

Jia Lian naturally remembered that last year at the border, after rescuing these two women, it was with their guidance that he was able to annihilate a group of Tatar tribes that were migrating south.

Xiangling, being more sensible than Qingwen, had already realized that there was no room for negotiation in this matter. Therefore, when faced with Jia Lian's question, she only said softly, "Sister Qingwen is not stupid. She is just worried that Second Master is suffering outside, so she wants to go and take care of him."

However, since Second Master has made his decision, we will all listen to him and wait patiently at home for his return.

"Haha, this is my good Xiangling."

Jia Lian pulled Xiangling's little face close and gave her a big kiss.

Qingwen rolled her eyes at this.

Having already been rejected so many times, she had expected this outcome, so after a short while of feeling sullen, she relaxed and began to serve Jia Lian attentively.

After a quick bath, they helped Jia Lian out.

Just as they were about to help Jia Lian put on his clothes, they saw him brush aside the clothes Xiangling offered, turn around and sit down on a nearby bench, smiling at the two women.

They were all close confidants who knew each other well. When Qingwen and Xiangling saw this, they understood Jia Lian's meaning perfectly. They looked at each other and their faces turned red.

"We'll be parting ways soon, so to avoid you becoming estranged, I'll give you one last test," Jia Lian said with a joking smile, waving to them.

Qingwen spat lightly, grabbed Xiangling, and said with a grin, "Xiangling has always been the most studious. Second Master, you can test her. I won't keep you company."

After saying that, the little girl dashed out the door in a flash.

As soon as she reached the veranda, she raised her little hands and tried to fan herself, and it took a while for the heat on her face to dissipate.

And I have no intention of lingering here. Anyway, no one is likely to come by at this time, so there's no need to keep watch or anything like that.

She wanted to go to the kitchen to get some water to wash herself and cool off. But before she even left the backyard, she bumped into Ping'er.

"Qingwen, come here."

"What, Sister Ping'er?"

Ping'er walked up to Qingwen and whispered, "Second Mistress instructed you and Xiangling to keep watch together tonight."

"oh…"

Qingwen nodded and was about to leave.

"Second Madam also instructed that you and Xiangling should both take a bath first..."

"Uh-huh??"

Qingwen stared wide-eyed at Ping'er's ambiguous smile.

"What do you mean by that?"

Ping'er laughed and said, "It doesn't mean anything. These are Second Madam's exact words. If you don't want to listen, then forget it."

Qingwen immediately became shy and awkward.

From Ping'er's expression and Wang Xifeng's unusual explanation, she seemed to sense something different.

Could it be that Second Madam intends to elevate herself and Xiangling, just as she did to Ping'er in the past?

But we are all Second Master's people, we don't need Second Madam's favor at all!

That being said, it is a fact that Second Master has not yet taken me or Xiangling into his service.

I didn't think much of it at first, because Second Master had explained that it was proof that he loved and cherished them very much!

However, the last time I went to the old lady's house, she specifically asked about this matter. At that time, even the madam, the eldest daughter-in-law, and several old women were there; they were extremely embarrassed.

When she mentioned that she was still a virgin, she clearly noticed that the people's eyes were very strange.

Qingwen felt that it was mockery, and a blatant one at that.

Yes, they mocked her for being born with such good looks, and for being given to the Second Master by the Old Madam for two years, not only had she not become a concubine, but she hadn't even been promoted among the household staff!

It's really embarrassing.

Could it be that Second Madam Lian couldn't stand by and watch us suffer any longer and wanted to help us? But what could she do? She couldn't possibly force Second Master to take us in, could she...?

These thoughts raced through her mind. When she looked up, she saw a mocking look on Ping'er's face. Being competitive, she immediately put on an indifferent expression, said "Oh," and didn't say anything more.

Ping'er shook her head with amusement. This little devil.

Unsure of Wang Xifeng's exact meaning, he didn't reveal more, instead asking, "By the way, why did you come out? Has Second Master finished washing?"

"Uh, yes, I've washed it..."

Xiangling is dressing the Second Master now; he's probably done. If you need anything, just go inside and find him.

Because Qingwen spoke so casually, Ping'er didn't suspect anything, nodded, and headed towards the bathhouse.

"whee."

Upon seeing Ping'er enter the bathhouse, Qingwen's serious demeanor instantly crumbled. She bent over, covered her mouth, and laughed like a little fox.

Fearing that Ping'er would chase after her and cause trouble, she glanced around and went back to the west wing to find a change of clothes.

Because she always kept Wang Xifeng's instructions in mind, she couldn't help but stand in front of the wardrobe and ponder repeatedly when choosing her inner and outer clothes.

Is this one prettier, or is this one more tempting...?

A while later, when she reappeared in the backyard, she was surprised to find Ping'er coming out of Jia Lian's bathhouse, pretending to be serious.

Qingwen couldn't help but stare at her and laugh.

Ping'er couldn't hold back any longer; her already rosy cheeks, tinged with the blush of spring, turned even redder. She glared at Qingwen, then walked past her into the main room.

"Why have you been gone so long? Hasn't Second Master washed up yet?"

As soon as he entered, he was met with a suspicious look from Wang Xifeng.

Ping'er said, "I've already washed it. Second Master said it's inconvenient to take a bath on the road, so he told me to wash it carefully, and he even washed my hair."

Xiangling was wiping slowly by herself, so I helped her wipe it too.

"Is that so?"

Wang Xifeng glanced at Ping'er with a hint of disbelief and snorted.

She strongly suspected that Ping'er had secretly eaten something earlier.

But what can be done?

This girl has become increasingly daring thanks to her mother's indulgence. She doesn't care about stealing food anymore. She even dares to eat right in front of her, and seems to enjoy it immensely.

"By the way, did you tell Qingwen what you wanted to say?"

"I said..."

Ping'er replied, then suddenly lowered her voice and asked, "Does Second Mistress really want Second Master to take them in?"

Ping'er found it strange; Second Madam had suddenly become excessively virtuous.

"Otherwise what?" Wang Xifeng retorted, then, noticing the admiration in Ping'er's eyes, she began to explain.

"Others may not understand, but don't you?"

Your second master has two such beautiful women in his room, who have remained virgins and are always lively and energetic in the mansion.

Others don't know this was your second master's intention; they'll probably all say I'm just jealous because I can't bear a son, so I won't let your second master touch other women!

Hearing Wang Xifeng mention her inability to have a son, and her expression turning sorrowful, Ping'er quickly said, "No, Grandma, the number of children is determined by fate. Grandma has a little sister, and she's so healthy and adorable, which means Grandma will soon give birth to her eldest son."

"Don't interrupt."

Wang Xifeng patted Ping'er on the shoulder and continued, "Now I understand how your second master treats me."

To be fair, if it were any other man in my position, I doubt he would have been so tolerant of me.

So I've figured it out. Since my stomach isn't cooperating, I might as well borrow yours.

"At least we should leave an heir for your second master. He's often away from home; even just for good luck would be helpful."

Upon hearing this, Ping'er was moved by Wang Xifeng's words and said, "Actually, Grandma doesn't need to think that way. Second Master has never blamed you."

"Hehe, of course he doesn't blame me. I don't think he's worried at all about not being able to have a son. I bet he's secretly pleased that I can't have a son, so he can comfortably go out and flirt with other women..."

Wang Xifeng suddenly looked as if she had seen through the situation and said somewhat angrily.

Ping'er was speechless and remained silent.

"Alright, enough nonsense. Didn't I tell you to specifically ask the kitchen to boil extra water?"

Go and make the arrangements yourself. Take some of my usual things with you. Tonight, let those two little maids enjoy the treatment of their masters. Make sure they are thoroughly washed and brought in."

Wang Xifeng had the air of someone about to accomplish something big.

She wasn't lying; most of what she said to Ping'er just now was from the bottom of her heart.

But what she didn't say was...

She made the right gesture; whether Jia Lian accepted it or not was up to him.

Her first concern was the gossip circulating in the mansion.

Therefore, she made a big show of it by having the kitchen boil more hot water so that Qingwen and Xiangling could take a bath.

As summer approached, Jia Lian improved the treatment of his two concubines, specially ordering a half-sized bathtub for their small bathing room.

Although it was only half-grown, it was still a luxury for Xiangling and Qingwen. Each wash required four or five buckets of water!

In addition, she would have Ping'er spread the word that she had strongly urged Jia Lian to take Qingwen and Xiangling as his wives.

In this way, regardless of whether Jia Lian ultimately accepts Qingwen and Xiangling, her goal has been achieved.

No one will use this incident to attack her anymore.