Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

In the Jia family mansion, Qin Keqing, having nothing to do, sought out Feng Jie for a chat.

Because it started raining at dusk, Sister Feng asked her to stay overnight.

Now, only two young widows, Lady You and Qin Keqing, live together in the Ningguo Mansion. Although their lives are somewhat monotonous, they are relatively free because they are not controlled by men.

Since Jia Lian was away on a long trip and there were no men in Feng Jie's household, Qin Keqing agreed and sent someone back to inform You Shi.

Qin Keqing was only two years younger than Wang Xifeng. The two young, beautiful, and compatible women naturally had endless private conversations to share. However, they were separated only because Wang Xifeng was called away by Grandmother Jia.

When Qin Keqing saw that Wang Xifeng had not returned for a long time, she knew that Wang Xifeng must have been held up by something important.

She felt a deep envy and admiration for Wang Xifeng, thinking that as a woman, she had managed to earn a place in the Duke's mansion, showcasing her talents and gaining the trust of Grandmother Jia and even Jia Zheng, making her a true heroine among women.

Unlike herself, although she was confident in her intelligence, she was ultimately unable to escape the constraints imposed on women by societal norms and etiquette, and she acted with constant fear and caution.

Not to mention, when faced with major events, she doesn't dare to think and act like Wang Xifeng, and can only place her hopes on men...

Thinking of the troubles caused by Jia Rong, Jia Zhen, and others, she couldn't help but feel grateful and admiring towards Jia Lian, who had led her out of the abyss. However, before she could recall the sweetness and beauty of the experience, she remembered that Jia Lian was Wang Xifeng's husband, and a sense of guilt welled up in her heart.

Feeling bored with the waiting, and thinking that she would probably have a long talk with Sister Feng by candlelight tonight and sleep in each other's arms, she decided to take a bath first.

She and Wang Xifeng had known each other for several years. Everyone in Xifeng's courtyard was very familiar with her and knew that she and Xifeng had a good relationship, so naturally no one would make things difficult for her.

"Where is Madam Qin?"

When Sister Feng returned, she didn't see Qin Keqing at first glance, so she asked the maid on duty outside.

The maid replied, "Madam Rong has just taken a bath and is in the inner room now."

Sister Feng nodded, thinking that Qin Keqing had already gone back because she was bored waiting.

I lifted the curtain and went inside. There was no one in the west side room, so they were probably in the bedroom.

So, after bypassing the wooden screen and stepping into the gatehouse, he saw a tall, slender woman with an extremely graceful figure sitting in front of her dressing table, lightly applying lip rouge in front of the mirror.

Sister Feng was slightly taken aback upon seeing this. In that instant, she felt as if she were a man returning home, entering the door and seeing her beautiful wife dressing in front of the mirror.

After taking a closer look at Qin Keqing's figure, which was about the same as her own, Sister Feng couldn't help but find it amusing.

She thought she probably saw herself reflected in the heartless man's eyes. Before he left, he was always out running errands, and many times she seemed to be waiting for him to come back like this.

Thinking of Jia Lian, I couldn't help but sigh. I still don't know when he will be able to come back!

What was that saying again? "I regret teaching my husband to seek fame and fortune..."

"You're back."

Qin Keqing spotted Feng Jie in the mirror, immediately turned around and called out, her eyes and movements revealing a hint of surprise.

Sister Feng smiled; this was even more like her.

Qin Keqing noticed that Feng Jie was still standing there, so she quickly explained, "Just now I saw so many newly made rouge and lip glosses here, Aunt, and I couldn't resist trying some. Please forgive me, Aunt..."

Wang Xifeng walked over and deliberately sneered, "Stop pretending. I've known you for so long, when have I ever been stingy? Whenever I get something good, I'm always the first to share it with you. Are you saying this now because you're upset that I've been gone too long and neglected you?"

Qin Keqing blushed slightly and quickly said no.

"The old lady and my wife called me to discuss something about the garden in the back..."

Sister Feng casually offered an explanation, noticing that Qin Keqing had only applied lip rouge to her upper lip, not her lower lip, and knew that she had interrupted her by coming in.

So he helped her sit down, then picked up the box of lip rouge, gently picked up a little with his ring finger, and personally applied the lip rouge to Qin Keqing.

The two were close friends, and it was common for them to appreciate rouge together and add makeup to each other's faces.

Therefore, Sister Feng's movements were natural, and Qin Keqing immediately tilted her head back to cooperate.

Sister Feng took the opportunity and gently applied lip rouge to Qin Keqing.

Qin Keqing's lips were delicate and thin, quite alluring, and when Feng Jie gently parted them, her pearly white teeth were revealed. Twice in a row, Feng Jie couldn't help but be distracted, her gaze involuntarily shifting to Qin Keqing's face.

Qin Keqing's face was delicate and beautiful, her skin glistening with moisture. Her beauty was like that of a peerless enchantress, and the moist scent and alluring fragrance of crabapple blossoms emanating from her body after her bath were enough to stir even a woman like Sister Feng's heart.

"What's wrong?"

Qin Keqing noticed that Feng Jie'er was slow to move and opened her eyes to look at Feng Jie'er.

Feng Jie'er's face was flushed with a spring-like smile, her phoenix eyes looking down at her with a dignified air, seemingly lost in thought. She immediately lowered her eyes, a little embarrassed, and asked.

"It's nothing."

Sister Feng quickly applied lipstick to Qin Keqing's lips, then tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and then teased her, "Look at our great beauty. The ancients' description of her as 'shaming the flowers and hiding the moon' is no more than this."

Now I understand Brother Zhen from back then. If I were a man, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to resist either, hehehe..."

Sister Feng had a wicked grin on her face.

"Auntie~!"

Qin Keqing was extremely embarrassed and raised her delicate fist to punch Feng Jie. At the same time, she looked around. Fortunately, there was no one else in the room, otherwise she would have been mortified.

But she still glared at Sister Feng with great dissatisfaction.

Feng Jie was naturally unfazed. She still smiled and glanced at Qin Keqing twice before ordering a maid to bring her washing and toiletries.

She removes her skirt, revealing a captivating figure. She removes her phoenix hairpin, revealing a graceful beauty. She gently gathers her fragrant sleeves, revealing her soft, sweet arms. She removes her silk stockings, revealing her slender, jade-like feet.

This is Sister Feng. While Ping'er and the others were serving her as she washed up, Qin Keqing finally caught a glimpse of the beauty that belonged only to Jia Lian.

2k

This was no less beautiful than her, which was also the reason why Qin Keqing was so close to Feng Jie.

Qin Keqing was a person who relied on her emotions for her actions; emotions were the greatest criterion guiding her thoughts and actions.

She found emotional solace in Jia Lian and pursued him without hesitation.

Having finally succeeded in her plan, she began to think of her sisterly bond with Feng Jie. So after Jia Lian left, she often came to keep Feng Jie company and talk to her to relieve her boredom, which was also a way of alleviating her own guilt.

However, she still knew that one day, if her relationship with Jia Lian were exposed, given Feng Jie'er's personality, even if Feng Jie'er treated her well now, she would not tolerate her.

Everyone has a greedy side. Back then, she was at her lowest point in life, even willing to give up her life, so naturally she didn't have time to worry about much else.

Now that Jia Rong and Jia Zhen are a thing of the past, and both the Ningguo Mansion and her own life have become peaceful, she still wants to retain the kindness that Feng Jie has shown her.

When Sister Feng was applying makeup to her just now, the way she looked at her would have been completely unexpected to other, less perceptive women.

But she was different.

It has always been known that there is a group of men who are not interested in women but prefer the south wind. In order to cover up their shortcomings, they call it being elegant and refined, a legacy of the Wei and Jin dynasties.

Under the influence of such a trend, even some normally normal men, driven by boredom and curiosity, embark on a journey to seek elegance.

As far as she knew, Jia Zhen and Jia Rong were people involved in this field.

If this applies to men, what about women?

Women deeply educated in traditional morality would often outwardly claim that this is a man's right. But for a woman to harbor such improper thoughts, isn't that tantamount to promiscuity and shamelessness?

But how could Qin Keqing, as a woman herself, not understand women?

She knew that the harmony of yin and yang was the natural order of things, but at the same time, everyone has a love for beauty.

She admired men like Jia Lian, who possessed a masculine spirit and were handsome and dashing. However, she also knew that she occasionally felt a sense of disrespect towards a woman like Feng Jie, who was slender and exceptionally beautiful.

At first, she felt guilty, but as she became more and more enamored with Jia Lian, she gradually realized that this was human nature.

Men could have multiple wives and concubines, and keep young boys and actors to satisfy their desires through constant curiosity.

And how could a woman be without desires?

If seducing other men is considered lewd and shameless, then what about seducing one's own man's woman?

Don't all men hope that their women can love each other and live together harmoniously?

Most importantly, if she could have some elegant affairs with Sister Feng, it would not only soothe their hearts, but also give her more room to maneuver in the future with Jia Lian.

Having easily convinced herself, Qin Keqing no longer hesitated. While Feng Jie was sitting on the couch, comfortably enjoying a foot bath, she also got up from the couch, knelt behind Feng Jie, and gently massaged Feng Jie's shoulders with her ten fingers.

This was a skill she had learned from Jia Lian at Tianxiang Tower.

Wang Xifeng was perhaps truly exhausted, and the gentle massage from Qin Keqing made her feel incredibly comfortable, so she couldn't help but let out a soft moan.

Sensing something was wrong, he immediately calmed himself down.

As the maids were washing Qin Keqing's feet and carrying the foot-washing water out, Feng Jie was just about to call Qin Keqing to bed and chat with her when she noticed that Qin Keqing's hands were being rather improper, making her neck itchy.

"Stop fooling around, you brat." Sister Feng slapped Qin Keqing's mischievous hand and scolded her with a laugh.

It was common for the two to joke and tease each other, and Sister Feng didn't take it to heart.

Unexpectedly, Qin Keqing leaned on her back and whispered with a smile, "Auntie works so hard for our family every day. Now that Uncle isn't home, no one cares about her. I just learned a new massage technique, so let me serve you and help you relax. That would be my way of doing something."

"Oh, you can even serve people?"

Although Wang Xifeng felt a little uncomfortable with Qin Keqing embracing her like this, she didn't dislike it. She just twisted her body slightly and asked in surprise.

"Auntie, just watch me."

Qin Keqing smiled mysteriously and then began to manipulate Feng Jie.

Every night before bed, Ping'er would go to Feng Jie's room to check the lamps and candles. Especially after Jia Lian left the capital, she almost always slept with Wang Xifeng.

Since Madam Qin is here tonight, she naturally doesn't need to sleep with her, but she still needs to be prepared for any other instructions from Sister Feng.

As soon as she entered the door, she saw Second Madam standing there, arms crossed, glaring at Qin Keqing with a reproachful expression.

Grandma Rong, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, spreading her hands as if she were completely innocent.

Both were exceptionally beautiful and of equal stature. Dressed only in thin nightgowns, they sat together on the fragrant couch, like roses and crabapple blossoms vying for attention.

My second mistress is a beauty with divine looks, radiant and stunning, truly a peerless beauty in the world.

As for Xiao Rong's eldest wife, she was both clever and charming. Not only was her appearance no less than that of the second wife, but in terms of allure and charm, she was even more captivating than the second wife.

Even Ping'er was slightly stunned by the sight. She thought to herself, if the Second Master could see such beauty, she wondered what he would think.

I'm afraid he might also be tempted to abandon his imperial duties and go home to enjoy the pleasures of life.

Before she could dwell on it too long, Ping'er noticed the unusual expressions on her second mistress's and Xiao Rong's eldest mistress's faces. With a quick wit, she realized what was going on. She casually blew out the extra candles in the room, leaving only a small ember that was expected to burn for an hour, and then bowed to the two women on the bed, saying, "If you have no further instructions, mistress, I will take my leave."

"Go ahead."

Sister Feng waved her hand, and sure enough, there was a strange emotion in her voice.

Ping'er glanced at the two of them again, then gracefully withdrew.