Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

At the same time.

In the grand courtyard of Ningguo Mansion's East Road, the real Xiangling sat in a luxurious room, gazing at the dazzling furnishings and fragrant decorations, her chin resting on her hand in a daze.

She was extremely flustered.

Because she is now impersonating the eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke of Ningguo's mansion.

If someone finds out, that would be terrible.

Therefore, ever since she was forced to accept this task, she has never left this compound.

Even when moving around, she tried to avoid contact with the servants.

The purpose was to prevent others from realizing that she was an imposter, the real Grandma Rong.

She thought that Second Grandma was probably just taking Xiao Rong and First Grandma to keep her company for one night, and would definitely send them back tomorrow morning, at which point her task would be finished.

So, all I have to do is get through tonight.

However, things didn't go as planned, and her worst fears came true.

Her personal maid came in and reported, "Madam, the eldest madam has sent someone to ask you to come over."

Xiangling panicked and touched her gorgeous clothes. The soft, high-quality material made her even more uncomfortable at this moment.

It wasn't because it was too gorgeous, but because the outfit didn't fit her very well.

"Yes, I understand..."

Despite her panic, Xiangling quickly stood up and was about to leave in order to avoid being seen through by the maid in front of her.

Baozhu tilted her head, looking at her young mistress with some curiosity.

She shared the same question as Qingwen: Why is the young mistress acting so strangely today?

She had been cooped up in her room all afternoon, so why did she act so flustered when her grandmother called her?

The young mistress is usually the most elegant, and she and the eldest mistress aren't very close, so why does she look like she's afraid to see the eldest mistress now?

I don't understand.

……

A gentle evening breeze blows, and the air is filled with the warmth of spring.

One night fish and dragon dance.

The spring candle has burned out.

On the luxurious, smooth bed, Jia Lian was awakened by a tickling sensation on the tip of his nose.

Without even opening his eyes, Jia Lian could roughly guess what was going on. So, he gently explored the warm, soft body on the right side with his right hand and accurately located the buttocks. He slapped the buttocks with his large hand and then gave them a squeeze.

"Hmm..."

A beautiful moan confirmed Jia Lian's judgment. Opening his eyes, in the dim candlelight, he indeed saw a stunningly beautiful face, her brows furrowed and lips pouting, her expression a mixture of displeasure and playful teasing.

She was completely naked, half-supported by the quilt, and Jia Lian didn't even need to turn his head; he could see all the spring scenery hidden by her cascading black hair out of the corner of his eye.

Perhaps realizing why she had been hit, the displeasure in the beauty's eyes dissipated. She then loosened the strand of hair she was holding in her delicate hand, pointed to the left, and made a shushing gesture.

Jia Lian looked in the direction she indicated and saw a face that was equally beautiful, but less gentle and more glamorous, resting quietly against his left chest, fast asleep.

Looking at the two beauties, Jia Lian couldn't help but recall his passionate night last night.

There was no way he could forget it; he hadn't gone to bed this early in a long time—he was asleep almost as soon as it got dark.

Normally, he would at least practice his fist and foot techniques or weapons in the east courtyard.

Recalling the wonderful night, Jia Lian looked at the sleeping beauty in his arms, a tender look appearing in his eyes.

This woman was not by nature gentle and understanding, but for his sake, she gradually developed in that direction and has achieved what she has today. Jia Lian naturally felt great pity for her.

Suddenly, he heard a soft laugh beside his ear. Jia Lian turned around and saw the beautiful woman laughing. Then he lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Second Uncle looks at Second Aunt with such tenderness. No wonder Second Aunt spoils Second Uncle so much. Not only did she bring people here for Second Uncle to play with, but she also allowed Sister Ping'er and herself to accompany him."

Before, people would never have believed that Second Aunt was that kind of person. Second Uncle is truly lucky to be treated so well by Second Aunt.

Hearing the beauty's teasing, Jia Lian's gaze involuntarily drifted past her shoulders and neck to look inside.

At the far end of the bed, another beautiful woman's body lay sprawled out. She lay on her side, facing inwards. Jia Lian could not see her face, but he could see something even more attractive than her beautiful face: a section of her fair, flawless back.

This scene, not to mention the beauty whispering in his ear, even Jia Lian himself felt like the happiest man in the world.

He couldn't help but raise his hand, press the beauty's head down into the crook of his right arm, and kiss her deeply.

Although Qin Keqing had long been his woman, and had even given him her most precious first time, this was still the first time they had ever slept together like last night until dawn.

Even though Jia Lian wasn't a sentimental man, he couldn't help but feel slightly indebted to the beautiful Qin.

Seemingly sensing his feelings, Qin Keqing also responded passionately to the man's affection.

For Qin Keqing, this was the scene she had longed for after waking up from countless dreams.

After a good spring nap, I can wake up in my second uncle's arms and then have a passionate kiss with him.

Now, it has finally come true.

Perhaps that's why she was the first to wake up. She was worried that last night was also a dream, and only after waking up and observing for a long time did she realize that it was real.

Therefore, she was exceptionally enthusiastic.

After a long while, she found herself on top of Jia Lian, who seemed to want her to use gentleness to soften his iron will, and in the manner she liked best, the posture of a heroine galloping on horseback.

She certainly wanted to. But for the sake of the long term, she still released Jia Lian's mouth and whispered with a smile, "Shh, don't wake Second Aunt, let her sleep a little longer."

After saying that, she smiled sweetly at Jia Lian and kissed his lips again. But she wasn't greedy; instead, she quickly moved her kiss away, carefully moving down along Jia Lian's skin, step by step, until she finally burrowed completely into the large, soft quilt.

Just as Jia Lian knew her favorite posture, she also knew Jia Lian's favorite mood and was happy to accommodate it.

The beauty's gentleness captivated Jia Lian, leaving him utterly mesmerized.

Although this was not the first time he had received this treatment, he had often tricked Ping'er and even Feng Jie into serving him in this way after waking up first.

The difference is that Ping'er is very obedient, and given the opportunity, she can almost always win him over. Feng Jie, on the other hand, is very rebellious. She always refuses to speak, and even if she agrees, she often only goes so far as to leave him behind and run away.

Now, just because it's a different person, the feeling is completely different.

Just then, Ping'er, who was in the innermost position, turned over and stretched slightly. Then, under Jia Lian's gaze, she slowly opened her eyes.

Ping'er's bright eyes met Jia Lian's gaze. She was taken aback at first, and then, as if she had thought of something, she blushed again.

She looked up and glanced outside. It was still dark, but judging from the remaining candlelight on the candlestick, she knew it was time to get up.

Just as Ping'er was about to ask Jia Lian whether she should go back to sleep or help him get dressed, she suddenly realized something.

If she remembers correctly, it wasn't just her and Second Grandmother last night...

Where is Xiao Rong's great-grandmother?

Then she saw the high arch of the lower half of the large quilt.

Ping'er was stunned. As someone who had been through it all, she could easily guess what Madam Xiao Rong had gone to do.

She was in a daze, as if she had become the Second Madam. She guessed that on some mornings, when the Second Madam woke up, she probably gazed at her through the blanket in this way.

Ping'er's reaction was quite amusing to Jia Lian.

He beckoned. Ping'er blushed, but still obediently leaned over and snuggled into Jia Lian's arms.

Qin Keqing was replaced by Ping'er, and she remained by the side of Wenxiang. Jia Lian looked up at the gauze curtains, and at this moment, all his troubles seemed insignificant.

He has enough patience and motivation to solve them one by one.

Sister Feng was eventually woken up.

Although Qin Keqing anticipated her fate and crawled out of bed before Feng Jie could ask any questions, how could she possibly fool the shrewd Feng Jie?

As the hostess, Sister Feng naturally felt dissatisfied immediately.

As a younger sister and best friend, I've already been incredibly loyal by sharing my things with you. How could you still steal them?

Qin, being the most clever, immediately devised a clever scheme to use one wolf to devour another. In the midst of laughter and play, she pushed Jia Lian, who was already in high spirits, onto Feng Jie, and even said, "I'm doing this all for Second Aunt, so that Second Aunt will definitely be able to conceive sooner."

Wang Xifeng was no fool. Although she had been deceived by Qin Keqing's superb acting skills a long time ago, she was not immune to seeing through Qin Keqing's true nature over time.

She's such a glutton! She'd be more than willing to be with her own man, why force her?

She could even sense that if she were to grant her wish just once more, she would be willing to do anything for her.

She's still putting on an act in front of me, pretending that she seduced my man early in the morning, completely for her own benefit.

Who are you kidding?

He wanted to say something sarcastic, but the other party had already instigated Jia Lian to carry out the most primal punishment against her, causing her to lose her composure and be unable to organize her thoughts effectively, ultimately turning into seductive sounds.

……

"Xiangling!"

In the corridor, Qingwen chased after her good friend who was returning to the west wing, and called out to her.

"Qingwen, what's wrong?"

Xiangling tilted her head back and slowly watched Qingwen run over.

Qingwen frowned.

Xiangling's behavior is becoming increasingly strange.

First she said she caught a cold and her throat was sore, so she was speaking in a strained voice. Now she doesn't even call her Sister Qingwen anymore.

Could it be that he has truly changed his mind?

"Come with me!"

Pulling Xiangling into the west wing and pressing her against the door, Qingwen asked sternly, "You didn't sleep outside last night, did you?!"

"Uh, what's wrong?"

"Don't try to deny it. I checked this morning, and the blankets on the crib were still neatly folded by me. You didn't touch them at all! You must have slept with Second Master and Second Madam last night!"

Xiangling raised an eyebrow, a smile involuntarily appearing on her face, but she quickly suppressed it and replied innocently, "Yes, I was originally just warming the bed for Second Master and Second Mistress. Later, Second Master said it was too cold, so he didn't let me get down. Second Mistress also said that the bed was big enough for everyone to sleep in."

"I'm a maid, how could I not listen to Second Master and Second Mistress?"

Qingwen's suspicion deepened. Something was wrong with Xiangling!

Didn't she know that although the Second Madam didn't forbid them from getting close to the Second Master, she didn't allow them to sleep in the main bed?

In the past, even if the Second Master was in a good mood and occasionally invited them to come up for pleasure, the Second Madam would ruthlessly send them to sleep in the next room as soon as it was over!

Without exception.

Qingwen understood perfectly well that it wasn't that Sister Feng was stingy, but rather that she was using this method to establish hierarchy and status!

Only Ping'er, the second mistress's absolute confidante brought from her maiden home, was qualified to be granted permission by the second mistress to sleep in the same bed as her mistress.

Now, this ironclad rule has actually been broken!

Previously, although she knew that Second Madam favored Xiangling, she didn't care, knowing that Sister Feng was intentionally suppressing her.

Being suppressed by Sister Feng shows that she has the potential to threaten Sister Feng, which makes her quite proud.

Who would have thought that Sister Feng would be so biased towards Xiangling that she would even break this rule!

This is no small matter.

There's no reason for Sister Feng to use such a method to win over Xiangling. Therefore, something must have happened that she doesn't know about.

"Tell me, what method did you use to bribe Second Madam?" Qingwen stared at Xiangling with an unfriendly tone.

What happened to our promise to be sisters who stand together through thick and thin? Have you betrayed our sincere friendship?

Qingwen, who prided herself on her intelligence, could never have imagined that Xiangling in front of her was actually a completely different person.

Although she also felt that her best friend was acting strangely, she never imagined that in just a moment, the other person would be replaced.

Therefore, in her view, Feng Jie'er's sudden high regard for Xiang Ling must mean that she and Xiang Ling had reached some important agreement.

Whatever this agreement may be, it is definitely detrimental to her.

Qingwen dared not take it lightly and was determined to find out the truth before she could feel at ease.

Qin Keqing looked at Qingwen, who was staring at her with the same expression she'd given a heartless man, and suppressed a laugh, feigning shyness as she said, "Actually, it's nothing..."

"Say it!"

"that is……"

Qin Keqing leaned close to Qingwen and whispered a few words in her ear.

Qingwen quickly took two steps back, looking as if she'd seen a ghost, her face flushed red. After a long while, she glared at her and said, "Xiangling, you...you're so shameless!"

Qin Keqing found Qingwen's appearance adorable and laughed, "Didn't you want to ask someone? You're cursing me again after I tell you."

"Pooh."

Qingwen turned and sat down on the stool at the tea table. After thinking for a long time, she turned back and asked questioningly, "Is that really all? But... how could you..."

"Why not? Just like how Second Master likes us to serve him together, so does Second Madam."

Qin Keqing felt she had found the same happiness as Jia Lian. Her second uncle was surrounded by many stunningly beautiful young women and maids, who were quite amusing to tease.

Qingwen was speechless, feeling that her worldview had been completely overturned.

She already felt ashamed enough about serving Jia Lian alongside Xiangling and others in the past.

Fortunately, the Second Master was a man, and she and Xiangling were all his women, so they were naturally like-minded sisters.

Unexpectedly, they were up to these underhanded tactics in private!

Women and women, how can this be...?

For a moment, Qingwen didn't know whether to scold Fengjie for being shameless and bullying Xiangling like this, or to scold Xiangling for lacking integrity and being willing to do such a thing just to please Fengjie!

After thinking for a long time, Qingwen felt that she couldn't interfere in such matters, but she also didn't want to see the Iron Rod sisters leave her, so she said, "What you do is none of my business. But don't forget, we're still together."

Even if Second Madam is kind to you for a while, it's only to use you. If it weren't for Second Master's favor, do you think Second Madam would be genuinely kind to you?

In short, the most important thing is for the two of us to work together to maintain our position by Second Master's side. That way, Second Madam can't do anything to us, understand?

"Okay, sure."

Qin Keqing smiled broadly. She hadn't expected such an amusing incident to occur in her second aunt's room. This girl, Qingwen, dared to form cliques right under her second aunt's nose—how interesting!

Seeing Xiangling's expression, Qingwen knew that Xiangling hadn't taken her words to heart, and she felt somewhat disappointed.

I also felt that saying anything more at this point would be useless; she needed to suffer at the hands of the Second Madam before she would remember her kindness.