Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Hengwu Garden is a cool, tiled house built halfway up a mountain, with many flowers, plants and rocks.

Now that mid-spring has arrived, many flowers and plants have regained their vitality.

When Jia Lian stepped in, the first thing he smelled was the fragrance of fresh grass.

This is the scent of spring.

Hengwu Garden seemed even quieter than Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Jia Lian led Xiangling step by step from the rocky courtyard toward the main house, without seeing a single maid.

Only after stepping into the room and looking through the wooden lattice shelves could one see the master and servant sitting opposite each other in the inner room, doing needlework.

Baochai was beautiful and had a serene demeanor, while her maid Ying'er had fair skin and was petite and exquisite. The two of them sitting together were truly like golden maidens, a sight to behold.

Baochai was perhaps not a person who liked luxury and complexity. There was almost no extra furnishing in the room, not even a curtain between the inner room and the outer hall. Therefore, Jia Lian coughed lightly and walked in without any hindrance.

When Baochai and Jia Lian entered the room, they quickly put down their needlework and got up.

Seeing Jia Lian looking at her, Baochai felt a slight blush and asked, "Why is Second Brother Lian here?"

"I had nothing to do today, so I came over to see you."

As Jia Lian spoke, he found a stool and sat down, gesturing for Baochai to sit as well. Only then did he notice a beautiful woman cuddling on Baochai's fragrant couch.

Baochai did not sit down. Noticing Jia Lian looking towards the bed, she said softly, "I don't know where this girl went this morning. After eating, she said she was sleepy and went to bed."

Jia Lian nodded. If he remembered correctly, ever since Xue Pan's accident and Baochai went home to be with her mother, Xiangyun had found living on the mountain boring and had gone down to bother Tanchun.

Baochai has only just returned, and this girl has already moved back?

That was quick indeed. Could it be that Tan Chun also disliked him?

However, considering that Xiangyun is young and lost her parents' love in infancy, an intellectual "older sister" like Baochai would be too much of a threat to her.

No wonder when Marquis Baoling, Shi Nai, brought his family to serve in another post, and when Grandmother Jia brought her from the Marquis's residence, she refused to accept the offer of separate accommodations and insisted on living with Baochai.

Perhaps, for Baochai, it couldn't be easier to handle a simple and lively little sister like Xiangyun.

Jia Lian took the tea that Ying'er brought, but didn't drink it. He simply put it aside and said to Baochai, "Since she's asleep, let's go outside to talk."

As he spoke, Jia Lian stood up and walked out. Baochai did not refuse, and hummed in agreement, following Jia Lian to the outer room.

Sitting down again, Jia Lian looked at Baochai, who was sixteen years old and stood tall and graceful, and smiled.

This girl was a perfect example of fair skin and beauty; every word and action of hers was pleasing to the eye. He used to avoid staring at people, afraid of giving the impression of being a lecher, but now, Jia Lian could finally look at her openly.

Faced with Jia Lian's unrestrained gaze, Baochai showed some embarrassment, but did not appear flustered.

Because Jia Lian was sitting casually on the low kang (heated brick bed), she sat on the stool below, facing him sideways, waiting for Jia Lian to speak.

But Jia Lian seemed lost in his gaze, or perhaps he was simply too engrossed in looking at her for a while. She waited for a long time without hearing a sound, so after a moment's hesitation, she softly parted her cherry lips: "Second Brother Lian..."

"Sister Baochai..."

Baochai, who hadn't expected the two to speak at the same time, paused, turned to look at Jia Lian, and said, "Second Brother Lian, you should speak first."

"I'm not in a hurry, let Sister Baochai speak first."

Jia Lian smiled brightly.

Baochai remained silent; in this situation, she felt her heart beating a little too fast.

Taking a deep breath, Baochai said, "I heard from Mother that Second Brother Lian was punished by the Emperor in the palace yesterday..."

Jia Lian's expression shifted upon hearing this. Few people outside the upper echelons knew that his failed attempt to marry the princess had resulted in him being punished and demoted by the Emperor Emeritus.

The imperial family had already rejected their marriage on the grounds that his affair with Princess Zhaoyang would damage the imperial family's reputation, so naturally they couldn't publicize the matter. Therefore, in the Jia household, apart from Grandmother Jia and a few others, no one else knew about it.

Jia Lian was surprised that Baochai already knew, and even more surprised that Baochai would ask about it.

His smile faded, and Jia Lian said, "What you want to ask about is my relationship with the princess, right?"

"Second Brother Lian, please don't misunderstand. Baochai didn't mean anything by it."

"It's alright."

Jia Lian waved his hand, his expression turning deep: "You've probably heard a lot of rumors about me and her, and you must have some understanding and guesses in your hearts."

I can't go into all the details right now. I can only tell you that we met by chance and became friends through thick and thin.

She is just like you, a very, very outstanding girl.

She treated me with sincerity, saying she would do everything in her power to help me rise to the top.

I also reciprocated her vow, promising to protect her for the rest of my life.

We gave each other our true hearts, but fate was cruel; despite overcoming numerous obstacles, we were ultimately unable to be together.

Jia Lian's voice was somewhat low. Seeing Baochai's beautiful eyes fixed on her, listening intently, he gave a self-deprecating laugh: "So, do you think I'm a fickle and heartless person, and regret entrusting your life to me?"

Baochai was slightly taken aback, glanced at Jia Lian, shook her head, and said, "Since ancient times, heroes have been passionate, while beautiful women have short lives; it has always been so."

Although Lian Erge's words were brief, I could still sense his genuine care and love for the princess.

It must be that the princess greatly admired Lian Er Gege (Second Brother Lian) to say such things, and to be willing to be his foil despite her status as a princess.

It's just that she's unlucky; Heaven must not want her to be too happy and must interfere to prevent her from having her way.

Baochai naturally knew a great deal about the complicated relationship between Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang.

Putting aside other things, just take the story of the Empress Dowager's forced marriage, and Jia Lian's escort of the princess to the border, where the princess was lost in the desert, and Jia Lian's solo journey to rescue her. These stories have long been turned into folk tales and circulated among the people.

It is conceivable that if news of what happened in the palace were to spread, it would provide a plausible sequel to these stories.

Given this premise, even though Baochai was surprised when her mother told her about this, she was not shocked.

The story of Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang resonates with a young girl's longing for a beautiful love story.

Moreover, Jia Lian's frankness in telling her about his relationship with the princess, without any concealment, made Baochai feel that Jia Lian was open-minded and had the demeanor of a gentleman.

Therefore, even though Baochai knew that Princess Zhaoyang was her rival, she couldn't feel any hostility towards her and even felt a sense of mutual respect.

She even really wanted to meet the other woman to see what kind of woman she was and to see if she could compare to her.

Baochai's words were calm and objective, and Jia Lian couldn't immediately tell whether she was being insincere.

Baochai did not show any jealousy or resentment; on the contrary, her words were quite respectful, which pleased Jia Lian greatly.

In that instant, Jia Lian understood why everyone in the Jia household spoke highly of Baochai. And Shi Xiangyun, that little maid, especially loved to cling to Baochai.

This woman is considerate of others' feelings in her words and actions, making people feel happy.

If he is like this, what about others?

Therefore, Jia Lian looked at Baochai with affection and beckoned to her.

Baochai's composure crumbled instantly. She subconsciously glanced at the doorway, but fearing that Jia Lian would see through her, she quickly turned back, her body unconsciously rising to her feet.

Seeing Jia Lian beckoning to her again, she walked up to him with a mix of trepidation and confusion, but dared not get too close.

Knowing the girl was shy, Jia Lian didn't intend to do anything too abrupt. He simply took her two cool, smooth hands, cupped them in his palm, and sighed, "How fortunate I am to have met you in this life."

Baochai's fair and clean face immediately flushed red.

But seeing that Jia Lian was only holding her hand and did nothing else, and looking at her with such tender affection, how could her young heart remain calm?

Perhaps it was to break the awkward silence and prevent Jia Lian from talking to himself.

Perhaps it was a genuine feeling in her heart, for her gaze softened as she met Jia Lian's, and she looked at him in almost the same tone, saying, "To meet Brother Lian and to be favored by Brother Lian is... Baochai's good fortune."

Jia Lian was slightly taken aback; he never expected to receive such a response from Baochai.

He originally only intended to launch a sweet talk offensive on Baochai, hoping to win over the girl's heart and soul as soon as possible.

Having spent years trying to win over Daiyu, he subconsciously assumed that even with the same level of difficulty, he wouldn't see results in a short time with Baochai, let alone as long as with Daiyu.

Unexpectedly, Baochai, a cold beauty, responded to his love words on their second meeting after they had been betrothed!

Jia Lian's gaze suddenly deepened as he pondered whether to strike while the iron was hot and do something else.

Perhaps sensing the hidden meaning in Jia Lian's eyes, Baochai suddenly withdrew her hands, glanced at the inner room door, and quickly said, "Second Brother Lian, you should go now. It wouldn't be good if Xiangyun woke up and saw us..."

Baochai herself was surprised by her own boldness.

Upon closer reflection, it is not surprising.

She was not the person Jia Lian saw her to be; she did not fall in love with Jia Lian only after her mother decided to marry her to him.

Long ago, as Jia Lian gradually shone, displaying his powerful abilities and unique personal charm, she had already come to admire and respect him.

However, because she had her own destiny and was bound by the constraints of social norms, she could not reveal it at all.

Now that her mother and Jia Lian have hit it off and decided on her life, it can only be said that it has fulfilled a deep-seated wish of hers, allowing her to no longer be so restrained and to dare to express her true feelings.

But she also knew that it was only an agreement between Jia Lian and her mother. Her relationship with Jia Lian had not yet been approved by the Jia family, especially by her cousin Wang Xifeng.

She wasn't worried that Jia Lian wouldn't keep his promise, nor was she in a hurry to urge him.

However, as long as her affair with Jia Lian was not "announced to the world," she would not allow anything out of line to happen between them.

So, even though Jia Lian had only been there a short while and hadn't said more than a few words, she started urging him to leave.

She worried that if Jia Lian stayed any longer, he would be unable to resist doing something to her, and she was even more worried that she would be unable to resist.

"Well……"

The girl who had been so affectionate and sincere in her confession to him just a moment ago suddenly turned around and asked him to leave, which made Jia Lian feel a little uncomfortable.

But seeing Baochai's pretty face flushed with shyness, her eyes lowered, her hands hidden in her sleeves, and her body turned sideways to reveal the direction leading to the door, it was clear that she was seriously trying to get rid of him.

With a dry laugh, Jia Lian stood up, making a move to leave.

But as he passed by the girl, he suddenly reached out and grabbed her delicate body.

Smelling the unique fragrance of a young girl wafting from her nose and mouth, Jia Lian smiled and said before the beauty could get angry, "When Xiangyun wakes up, just say hello to me and that I've come to see her. Don't say I'm biased or don't care about her next time."

After saying this, while Baochai was preoccupied with his words and had no time to think about anything else, he gently kissed Baochai on the head, then waved his sleeve and left without taking a single piece of clothing with him.

……

After entering the Grand View Garden, Qin Keqing concealed her true form and pretended to be Xiangling's charming and innocent appearance.

To be honest, with her resemblance to Xiangling being eight-tenths, plus the makeup, if she didn't speak, no one would really be able to tell the difference.

Having followed Jia Lian through most of the Grand View Garden, no one had ever questioned her identity, which made her feel both excited and proud.

But when they're alone, she can't help but reveal her true nature.

At this moment, she appeared beside Jia Lian, her hands clasped behind her back, tilting her head to look at him.

Look left and look right.

Jia Lian, annoyed that she was blocking his way, reached out and cupped her exquisitely beautiful face, then shoved her aside.

Qin Keqing let out a sweet cry, and a moment later jumped in front of Jia Lian, hands on her hips, tilting her head and asking, "Second Master, you and Miss Bao...?"

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing..."

After a while, she changed to a playful tone and asked, "Does Second Madam Lian know?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian knew that she had seen through him, so he smiled but did not reply.

Qin Keqing laughed, "Then it seems you don't know. Humph, Second Master is really greedy. He already has Second Mistress Lian and Miss Lin, yet he still has his eye on Miss Bao!"

"Grandma Lian has been so good to you, can't you be a little more considerate and bring fewer people into the house?"

Jia Lian stopped, smiled at the person before him, and asked in return, "Then in your opinion, with a character like Miss Bao's, who in the world, besides me, is worthy of her?"

"Hehehe, what Second Master said makes sense!"

Qin Keqing showed no intention of refuting Jia Lian; instead, she smiled and echoed his words.

Jia Lian was delighted by her tactful gesture and pulled her close, slipping one hand under her spring dress and into her soft, warm place.

Qin Keqing let out a soft moan, her face flushed as she nestled tenderly in Jia Lian's arms.

After a while, she crossed her arms, looked up at Jia Lian with misty eyes, and said coquettishly, "Second Master, are you suddenly bullying me like this because you're thinking of Miss Bao? Humph, you bad Second Master, I know that this place is not as good as Miss Bao's, and you don't need to humiliate me like this."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian sheepishly withdrew his hand, glanced guiltily at the beauty in his arms, threw her down, and walked forward.

Alas, this woman is too clever and too charming. Even he, her master, can't hide his feelings. What can he do?

Behind them, Qin Keqing found Jia Lian's reaction amusing. She glanced around, straightened her clothes, and quickly ran up to him, asking, "Second Master, Second Master, where are we going now?"

But then Jia Lian turned around, lifted his leg, and began to climb the steep stone steps beside him.

Qin Keqing looked up and saw a verdant mountain gate standing gracefully atop dozens of stone steps, with three large characters inscribed on it:

Longcui Nunnery

Qin Keqing's expression brightened. Remembering her and her mother-in-law You Shi's speculations about the relationship between Jia Lian and the abbess of the Longcui Nunnery, a burning desire for gossip ignited within her. She quickly lifted her skirt and followed in Jia Lian's footsteps.