Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Suddenly, someone in the courtyard called out that Jia Lian had returned. Qingwen immediately forgot about instructing Xiangling and ran out, leaving her behind.

Upon arriving at the main house, they indeed saw Jia Lian's figure.

"Why are you back so early today, Second Master?"

With a charming smile, Qingwen stepped forward to help Jia Lian undress, while saying considerate words to him.

Xiangling's potential betrayal made her feel quite threatened, and she was eager to solidify her position in Jia Lian's heart.

"Second Master, my son will be born in a few days..."

Jia Lian silently turned around and looked at the shy and quiet Qiao Bi beside him. Although his heart stirred slightly, he did not show it on his face.

"Oh, you've grown another year older so quickly."

Jia Lian's nonchalance made Qingwen anxious, and she quickly hinted, "Yes, but this is someone's coming-of-age ceremony, so it's different from previous years..."

"It's different. How about this, I'll definitely pick out a nice gift for your coming-of-age ceremony, okay?"

Qingwen's delicate features immediately furrowed, and she looked unhappy.

However, considering that Jia Lian was very busy and might have temporarily forgotten what he had said, she patiently reminded him, "I don't want your gift, Master. Master, have you forgotten what you promised..."

"What did I promise?"

Qingwen was more beautiful than a lotus flower, with a graceful figure. Even when she pouted or frowned, she was pleasing to the eye. Jia Lian liked to tease her when he had nothing to do.

Qingwen was heartbroken. As Jia Lian's first officially recognized concubine, she had been in the household for four years!

In these four years, Ping'er and Xiangling have both gained favor and become Jia Lian's women, but she, the first virgin, is still a virgin.

Although he knew from Jia Lian's words that this was not because he disliked her, but because he loved and cared for her.

But as a concubine, how can I not receive true favor?

Therefore, after Xiangling was taken in by Jia Lian last year, she had a verbal agreement with him. After she came of age, Jia Lian would officially take her in.

Now, almost a year has passed, and who knew that Jia Lian had completely forgotten about it!

Jia Lian saw that Qingwen had her head down and didn't bother to help him change his clothes. He bent down to look and saw that her bright eyes were filled with tears. He felt both amused and heartbroken.

He quickly pulled her into his arms and gently comforted her, "Alright, alright, when have I ever truly forgotten what I promised you?"

It's just that I want you to be like Xiangling, letting me use your body.

Honestly, where did your usual quick wit go? I can tell I was just teasing you, and you're even crying over it!

"Are you so eager to become my woman?"

"Pah!"

When Qingwen is wronged, her expression is almost identical to Daiyu's, and she can also spit on people.

She squirmed in Jia Lian's arms, but finding him holding her very tightly, she stopped. She murmured, "It's all because Second Master doesn't keep his word. He's been lying to me all these years."

Upon hearing Qingwen's words, Jia Lian realized that whether or not to accept Qingwen was a trivial matter for him, but for Qingwen, it was a matter of great importance.

Indeed, anyone who waits four years for something would likely become obsessed with it.

Even a simple girl like Xiangling offered herself to someone in Jiangnan. By that logic, Qingwen was already considered a very obedient girl with a strong will.

So, holding the little girl in his arms, he laughed and said, "Alright, alright, I won't lie to you this time. How about I give myself to you as a gift on your birthday?"

Even though it was her own request, Qingwen still felt immediately ashamed when she heard Jia Lian say that.

Looking up, she saw through Jia Lian's shoulder Xiangling leaning against the doorway, looking at the room with great interest!

Judging from her appearance, I don't know how long she's been standing there.

Qingwen felt extremely ashamed when she thought about how Xiangling had seen her actively asking Jia Lian to accept her money!

Fortunately, Xiangling was her close sister who had shared joys and sorrows with her over the years. They had even gone through the most shameful things together while serving Jia Lian, so she quickly adjusted her mindset and glared at Xiangling, saying, "What are you doing there? Come in and help the Second Master change his clothes!"

As she spoke, she pretended nothing had happened and said to Jia Lian, "Master, look at Xiangling, she's getting lazier and lazier."

Jia Lian also looked towards the doorway, and after a few glances, he realized that the person in front of him was Qin Keqing, not Xiangling.

Looking at Qingwen's expression, it's clear she didn't recognize Qin Keqing's identity. It wouldn't be strange for Jia Lian to not recognize someone else, but for Qingwen, Xiangling's close friend who spent every day with her, not being able to distinguish the real Xiangling from the fake was rather inappropriate.

It is clear that Qingwen, though seemingly shrewd, was actually quite simple-minded.

"I originally wanted to come in and serve the Second Master, but seeing that Sister Qingwen had something important to say to him, I felt embarrassed to come in and disturb him."

Hehe, congratulations Qingwen, you'll be of marriageable age soon!

Qin Keqing deliberately drew out the words "coming of age". It was clear that she had overheard Qingwen's earlier words pleading for favor, and was now deliberately saying them to embarrass Qingwen.

Qingwen understood as well, and immediately felt that her "elder sister's" authority was in jeopardy. So she glared at Qin Keqing, left with a remark, and ran out.

Seeing her disappear into the room, Qin Keqing came over and tied Jia Lian's sash. She blinked at Jia Lian a couple of times and suddenly laughed, "When I heard people in the manor talking about it before, they didn't believe it. I didn't expect that Second Master would really not take Qingwen away!"

She was so beautiful, so pitiful, how could the Second Master have remained unmoved for so many years?

Jia Lian walked to the edge of the kang and sat down. Looking at Qin Keqing, whose face was full of curiosity, he sighed inwardly.

In this era, the concept of pedophilia seemed nonexistent, or rather, the tolerance for it was extremely high. As soon as a girl was in her teens, it meant she was ready to marry and serve men.

As for how much more or less, it seems unimportant.

To Jia Lian, even girls of marriageable age were still somewhat immature. But he was willing to take them in, while the other man couldn't wait any longer. What could he do?

"In my opinion, there must be something special about Qingwen's body that makes the Second Master reluctant to take her in too early..."

Qin Keqing walked to Jia Lian's side and said with a smile. Seeing Jia Lian's eyes flicker, Qin Keqing became even more suspicious and couldn't help but continue, "I really want to see for myself what's so special about her that makes Second Master so fond of her."

At this point, Qin Keqing leaned close to Jia Lian and whispered, "How about we let her serve us in the room when Second Uncle takes her in?"

Speaking of which, I am quite familiar with Xiangling, one of the two beautiful maids serving my second uncle, but I have never seen how Qingwen serves him.

Second Uncle, why don't you just indulge their curiosity...?

Even though Qin Keqing was dressed as Xiangling at this moment, as long as she didn't deliberately pretend to be Xiangling, her alluring charm would still shine through.

Moreover, Jia Lian even felt that Qin Keqing was even more captivating in this situation.

Perhaps this is the power of role-playing.

He pulled the beauty over and slapped her hard on the buttocks. Before Jia Lian could take any further action, Feng Jie and a large group of her men returned, causing a great commotion in the courtyard.

Qin Keqing quickly stood up and straightened her clothes.

……

After lunch, Jia Lian sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and said to Feng Jie, "When do you plan to switch her back? She's fine, but I'm afraid there will be problems with Xiang Ling if she stays there too long."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng laughed and said, "Send it back? You'd really be willing to?"

Jia Lian then remained silent.

Seeing this, Sister Feng laughed and said, "Sister-in-law You over there is a smart woman. Even if she sees something amiss, she certainly won't make a fuss."

I finally came up with this plan to switch her with me, and I wanted her to stay here with me for a couple more days.

Feng Jie initially only wanted to use a novel method to make Jia Lian happy, but after she succeeded, she found it quite interesting and was not in a hurry to change it back.

She and Qin Keqing had always had a good relationship. She was usually busy and it wasn't convenient for her to visit Ningguo Mansion often. Qin Keqing, on the other hand, was quite free, but because of Jia Lian's presence, it wasn't appropriate for Qin Keqing to come to her house to talk often.

Now it's all good. By replacing Qin Keqing with Xiangling, the two can not only spend time together, but also treat each other as servants!

The key point is that she could tell that Jia Lian really appreciated her idea.

More importantly, Qin Keqing genuinely had no ulterior motives whatsoever, and never showed any sign of vying for favor or power. The reason she involved Ping'er last night was actually quite simple…

Since her own womb was not fertile, Qin Keqing would certainly not allow her to conceive. Under such circumstances, it would be much safer to let Ping'er bear the child.

Sister Feng is seeing things more and more clearly now.

This was purely due to good luck; the child in the princess's arms probably won't survive. But she can't be so lucky forever. Next time, and the time after that, perhaps another woman who poses a threat to her will bear Jia Lian's eldest son!

In comparison, Ping'er's pregnancy was the most advantageous thing for her.

Although Ping'er was stubborn and unwilling to get pregnant before her, she at least had to show this attitude so that Jia Lian wouldn't think that his lack of offspring was due to her selfishness.

Since Sister Feng wasn't in a hurry to switch people back, Jia Lian naturally wouldn't insist.

Just then, Ping'er walked in, and he gave her another instruction.

"It's Qingwen's birthday in a few days. Ping'er, could you please help her decorate the west wing to make it more festive?"

Jia Lian's words made Ping'er ponder deeply.

As a prominent figure in the courtyard, she, Qingwen, and Xiangling would all have their birthdays celebrated simply by Sister Feng out of kindness.

This kind of thing didn't need Jia Lian to specifically instruct on it. More importantly, Jia Lian specifically mentioned that it should be held in the west wing where Qingwen and Xiangling lived, and that it should be decorated in a festive manner.

This made her, who often followed Sister Feng on business, think of another aspect.

Ping'er was already quite perceptive, but Feng Jie, sitting on the kang (heated brick bed), was even more perceptive. Almost as soon as Jia Lian opened his mouth, she reacted and teased, "What, finally willing to take your precious maid in?"

Seeing that Jia Lian remained silent, Feng Jie laughed again: "It should have been done long ago. Heaven knows how much injustice I have suffered because of this girl's health."

Yesterday, when the old lady called me over, she scolded me, saying that I was the one who kept an eye on me and wouldn't let me touch the maids or wives in the house, which is why I let you go outside...

She had no idea how wronged I felt! Now, at least I don't have to bear that stigma anymore.

"She's just a servant girl. When will the Marquis take her in? Why make such a fuss? Aren't you afraid that Ping'er and Xiangling will be jealous of you praising her so much?"

"When you first took them in, you weren't so particular."

After saying this, Sister Feng raised her eyebrows and glanced at Jia Lian.

Faced with Sister Feng's deliberate provocation, Jia Lian said, "It's not really an honor. When the old lady gave her to me, I didn't have a single servant in my room, so she was the first one."

Now that so many years have passed, it's time to give her a proper status.

However, I am still in mourning, so it's not appropriate to hold any special ceremony. I thought I could take advantage of her birthday to make it more festive, so as not to let her hard work in serving me over the years go to waste.

As for Ping'er and Xiangling, after the mourning period ends, I will definitely hold a special wedding ceremony for all three of them together.

Although Ping'er wasn't jealous, she couldn't help but be moved when she heard Jia Lian say that.

As a maidservant, she was practically the lowest-ranking concubine. Her greatest wish was to stay peacefully by Jia Lian's side and not be disliked by her master.

She never expected to receive any favors or recognition from Jia Lian.

Qin Keqing, standing nearby, was also moved. Her second uncle had said he wanted to hold a marriage ceremony for Ping'er and Xiangling…

Does this mean that as long as she dresses up as Xiangling, she will have the opportunity to marry him legitimately and have him lift her veil?

Qin Keqing lowered her head, silently considering the feasibility of this matter.

Feng Jie didn't notice Qin Keqing's expression; she kept looking at Jia Lian and Ping'er.

Seeing the look Ping'er gave Jia Lian, she knew she had been unjustly treated as a villain.

That scoundrel of a man is still so good at charming girls.

She pursed her lips, stood up, and said, "The Second Madam just asked me to go to her room after I've eaten. I'll go now."

Ping'er and Qin Keqing were eager to follow, but Feng Jie said to Qin Keqing, "You don't need to go. Our second master loves you. What will happen to him if you leave with me? You should stay here and keep him company."

After saying that, she gave Jia Lian a meaningful look, then swayed her graceful waist and walked away.

After Fengjie and Ping'er left, only Jia Lian and Qin Keqing remained in the room.

Qin Keqing looked somewhat shy, likely due to Feng Jie's parting words. Or perhaps, being a woman skilled in seduction, she had already foreseen what might happen next.

Jia Lian actually wanted to do as Qin Keqing had predicted, to carry her to the bed and spend some time with her.

This woman has a natural ability to arouse a man's desire.

But Jia Lian held back. He didn't want to be looked down upon by Sister Feng.

If I wait for her to come back and find myself still embracing Qin Keqing in bed doing whatever I want, wouldn't that be exactly what she teased me about before she left?

So he stood up and said, "I'm going to take a walk in the garden, are you coming with me?"

Qin Keqing was taken aback, then immediately nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

"Is it possible to avoid revealing any flaws to others?"

"Don't worry, Second Master, Xiangling will definitely be fine." Qin Keqing blinked, thinking that it would be especially interesting to travel around with Jia Lian using Xiangling's identity.