Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

A gentle spring breeze wafts through the corridor outside the pavilion.

After a long period of silence from inside the pavilion, Qin Keqing casually walked to the east window and listened intently.

When Gu Qingyi's maid, Xiao Zi, saw her appearance, she thought that this maid was very bold, daring to eavesdrop on her mistress.

Seeing Qin Keqing's slender figure and alluring appearance, and upon closer inspection, she bore a striking resemblance to the eldest young mistress of the manor who frequently came to learn martial arts, the manor's leader guessed that this maid must be quite extraordinary and perhaps even favored by the Marquis.

No wonder he was able to go out with the Marquis.

After glancing around the courtyard, Xiao Zi stepped forward and gently tugged at Qin Keqing, shaking her head as she advised, "Don't do this, it won't look good if someone sees us..."

She was Gu Qingyi's person, so naturally she didn't want anyone to overhear her young lady's private conversations.

Qin Keqing turned to look at her and saw that the girl was not very old. At this moment, she was holding back her shy and serious expression, which was quite beautiful, like a flower bud.

She often interacted with Shen Pan'er and others, so she naturally knew Xiao Zi, but she had never paid attention to her closely before.

The room was quiet, and she hadn't heard any noise, so she nodded and asked softly, "Your name is Xiao Zi?"

"Um."

"I heard you were brought from Jiangnan by your girls. Are you also a courtesan?"

"No. I am our young lady's maid."

"How many maids did your young lady originally have?"

"Four."

Qin Keqing was secretly surprised, thinking to herself that these courtesans really had quite the grand entourage.

It should be noted that even young ladies from noble families like the Jia family typically only had two personal maids, and only when they got married would they be given four.

He didn't pay much attention, then moved closer to Xiao Zi and teased, "Oh, since your young lady has four maids, why did you only bring you back to the capital? It seems you must be the most obedient and the prettiest among them, right?"

"No...no, it's because...it's because the Marquis only allows each young lady to bring one person..."

The little girl shook her head, looking very embarrassed.

Just as Qin Keqing found the girl particularly adorable and was about to tease her further, she suddenly heard a delicate, almost painful yet joyful moan coming from inside the house.

The two were both taken aback, then looked at each other.

Qin Keqing pouted her red lips. Having also lost her virginity to Jia Lian, she could easily guess what was happening inside.

Seeing that the maid Xiao Zi was still in a daze, he couldn't help but hug her and whisper in her ear with a smile, "Congratulations, your young lady has become the Marquis's woman. You are now noble because of your master, and from now on no one will dare to bully you..."

Xiao Zi, who was still hesitant, was immediately convinced after hearing Qin Keqing's words, and her heart was filled with excitement.

The girl had waited so long, and this day had finally come.

Qin Keqing saw through her thoughts at a glance, smiled, and then, realizing that the matter inside couldn't be resolved in a short time, she began to think about something else.

So he said softly to Xiao Zi with a smile, "Your young lady has just received the emperor's favor, so she's probably not up to the task. You stay here and listen carefully, or your young lady might call you later."

After saying that, he ignored the blushing little girl and turned to leave Tianxiang Tower.

Walking effortlessly through the Ningguo Mansion, Qin Keqing felt inexplicably happy. This feeling of viewing old things and events from a different perspective was, to be honest, quite novel.

Back in his courtyard, he said to his maid, "Second Mistress Lian asked me to fetch something from Eldest Mistress Xiao Rong."

The maidservant, unsuspecting, quickly led her into the main room and reported, "Madam, Xiangling from Second Mistress Lian's room has arrived."

Inside the main room, Zhen-Xiangling, who was lying on the bed looking at the gauze curtains, suddenly sat up, her face showing the joy of finding a long-lost relative.

He was about to go out to greet her, but remembering the role she was playing, he silently got up and walked out of the inner room.

The moment Xiangling saw Qin Keqing, she almost burst into tears, until she heard Qin Keqing bow to her and say, "This servant Xiangling greets Madam Xiaorong."

Xiangling shuddered. Her deeply ingrained sense of hierarchy made her quickly help Qin Keqing up. She opened her mouth, but finally said to the maid who was curiously looking at them, "You, you can go down first."

"Yes, Grandma."

After the maid left, Xiangling no longer cared about hiding her true feelings. She pulled Qin Keqing, whose face was full of mockery, back into the inner room and hurriedly said, "Little Rong, you're finally back! If you hadn't come back, I wouldn't have been able to keep up the act."

Last night, my grandmother called me over, and I almost gave myself away.

As she spoke, Xiangling began to take off her clothes. She didn't want to wear these clothes, which represented nobility and beauty, for even a moment longer.

But Qin Keqing pressed her hand down and smiled, "What are you saying, Madam Rong? I'm just here on Madam Lian's orders to fetch something. I need to go back after I get it."

Xiangling's joy froze on her face. She stared blankly at Qin Keqing, a sense of unease rising in her heart.

Could it be that Grandma Rong is trying to possess me...?

Qin Keqing ignored the dazed Xiangling, smiled, and walked directly into the inner room.

Xiangling, having come to her senses, saw that Qin Keqing had indeed gone inside to find something, and involuntarily followed her.

Qin Keqing squatted down in front of the huge row of cabinets in the inner room, opened the bottom shelf, and then reached into the dark cabinet. After groping around for a while, she solemnly pulled out a rectangular box about the length of her forearm.

Xiangling was a little curious about what was inside, and why Grandma Rong was being so careful.

But Xiangling, who was naturally quiet, didn't ask. She silently watched as Qin Keqing took out some handkerchiefs and fabric, packed the box into a bundle, and then carried it on her arm to leave.

Xiangling quickly grabbed her, looking pitiful, and said, "Grandma Rong..."

Qin Keqing turned around and looked at her own replica looking pleading. She found it both funny and bewildering.

In the end, she decided to comfort her: "Grandma Rong, don't worry. Second Grandma Lian said that you are usually very well-behaved, so you can enjoy your retirement here."

There are few people in this mansion, so as long as you don't wander around, no one will definitely notice you.

In a couple of days, and then another two days, someone will come to pick you up. Okay, okay?

After Qin Keqing finished speaking, she mischievously patted Xiangling's head and walked away with a wicked grin.

Qin Keqing's smugness didn't last long. She had just stepped out of the house and walked to the central passageway when she saw Madam You coming from the west with two maids.

She wanted to hide, but it seemed that Madam You had already seen her.

Left with no other choice, she stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "This servant greets Madam Zhen."

"Hmm. What are you doing here?"

"Second Madam Lian asked me to fetch something from First Madam Xiao Rong."

As Qin Keqing spoke, she became somewhat nervous, fearing that Madam You would ask her what she had retrieved.

But Madam You didn't ask. She just glanced at her and said, "I happen to have something I want to discuss with your second mistress. Since you're here, I'll tell you first. Come here."

After speaking, Madam You headed straight for Ningxuan Hall.

Qin Keqing stood still for a moment, frowned and thought for a while, before following You Shi's steps.

Upon arriving at the main room where Madam You resided, she dismissed the maids and servants, sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), looked at Qin Keqing below, and said indifferently, "Tell me, what exactly are you up to?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing immediately understood that Madam You had seen through her. She stopped pretending, smiled, and stepped forward, ingratiatingly taking Madam You's arm, asking, "How did you know, Mother-in-law?"

Madam You glared at her, annoyed.

"How did you figure that out? Do you think everyone is as clever and cunning as you?"

Last night, Xiangling was in front of me, and I could tell something was wrong after she'd only said a couple of words...

You guys are incredibly bold! What will happen if Madam and Grandma find out?

As she spoke, Madam You felt a blush creep onto her face and her heart race. As Qin Keqing's mother-in-law and close friend, how could she not guess the intricacies of the situation?

"Tell me, whose idea was this? Does Feng'er know?"

"Mother-in-law, you are wise. If we hadn't gotten Aunt Lian's permission, how could we have dared to do this?"

To be honest, this was precisely what Second Madam Lian wanted. Yesterday at noon, Second Aunt Lian came to find me with Ping'er and Xiangling…”

As Qin Keqing spoke, she explained the whole story to Madam You.

Now that Madam You had seen through their scheme, she naturally needed to win Madam You over to prevent things from being exposed. With Madam You's involvement, Xiangling's situation would be much more secure.

After hearing Qin Keqing's explanation, Lady You was at a loss for words.

She only felt that Qin Keqing was too enchanting.

What kind of person is Sister Feng? Although she had suspected before that Sister Feng knew about Qin Keqing and Jia Lian's affair, she had never confirmed it.

Hearing that Sister Feng had truly tacitly approved of Qin Keqing and Jia Lian's affair and was even happy to help them, he felt both admiration and envy.

After pondering for a while, Madam You said, "Don't go too far with yourselves. Once you've had your fun, switch back quickly! Although you two look alike, people who know you well will definitely be able to see the difference over time."

"Don't let things get messy later."

Qin Keqing quickly replied, "Don't worry, Mother-in-law. Aunt Lian just wanted me to keep her company. I'll be back soon. As for Xiangling, I hope you'll take good care of her..."

Madam You looked at Qin Keqing speechlessly, thinking to herself that whether she should accompany Sister Feng or her man, the person knew perfectly well.

He finally nodded and agreed to Qin Keqing's request.

Qin Keqing then flattered You Shi with a song and kissed her on the cheek, which made You Shi glare at her, and finally she couldn't say anything more to her.

His gaze shifted to the package Qin Keqing had placed aside, and he casually asked, "What did she ask you to pick up?"

Qin Keqing blinked.

Upon seeing this, Madam You suddenly seemed to have a stroke of luck, her face turning ashen as she spat out, "You..."

No wonder the outline of the package looked somewhat familiar to her...

Back then at Tianxiang Tower, she personally witnessed Qin Keqing take out a box and then use the contents hidden inside to bully her along with Jia Lian!

She's too audacious! Does she intend to take this to the Rongguo Mansion? What if it gets broken, lost, or picked up by someone else? That would be truly...

Just thinking about it sends chills down Yu Shi's spine.

Qin Keqing, however, didn't seem to care and directly changed the subject: "There's something I need to tell my mother-in-law."

Qin Keqing recounted that Jia Lian had visited Gu Qingyi at Tianxiang Tower, and said, "Judging from Second Uncle's appearance, he values ​​those four beauties very much."

In the future, it is said that some of them will hold a pivotal position by Second Uncle's side.

Now that my second uncle is raising them in our household, we might as well take this opportunity to build a good relationship.

Although they were born into the highest social class, they were all pampered and lived lives that were no less comfortable than those of ladies from wealthy families.

"Right now, they don't have anyone to serve them. Mother-in-law, why don't you send more people to take care of them? It would be good for them to remember your kindness."

Madam You nodded in understanding, and gave Qin Keqing some final instructions before sending her away.

When Qin Keqing returned to the pavilion where Gu Qingyi lived in Tianxiang Tower, she saw Xiao Zi carrying a basin of water out of the pavilion.

Upon seeing her, the little girl, whose face was originally just rosy, suddenly turned bright red.

He lowered his head and wiped his mouth on his sleeve, seemingly too shy to look directly at Qin Keqing. He then casually gestured and carried the basin of water down the corridor.

Qin Keqing seemed to be deep in thought, then pushed open the door and entered.

So much time has passed, it should be over by now.

Passing through the wooden screen, one sees a warm and elegant room. On a splendid couch, Jia Lian leans against the headboard, covered from his chest down with a blue silk quilt embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water.

A beautiful woman with disheveled black hair and a face that could launch a thousand ships also lay in bed. Her jade-like face, pressed against Jia Lian's chest, was full of languor and contentment.

Her delicate, bright red lips were slightly parted, as if she were whispering sweet nothings to Jia Lian.

Seeing this, Qin Keqing couldn't help but feel a little jealous. She stepped forward and said, "Second Master, it's getting late. It's almost time for dinner."

Jia Lian nodded and patted the beautiful woman's buttocks in his arms.

Gu Qingyi sat up, still wrapped in the blanket, and glanced at Qin Keqing with a frown. Suddenly, she said, "This girl looks remarkably like the eldest young mistress of this household!"

Girl, you're the girl, a little brat who hasn't even grown all her hair yet!

Despite her dissatisfaction with Gu Qingyi's lack of respect for elders, she still pretended to be a proper maid and gave Gu Qingyi a flattering smile.

Unexpectedly, her smile pleased Gu Qingyi.

The beautiful Gu reached over Jia Lian's chest, took a silver hairpin from the cabinet beside him, and said, "I feel an affinity for this girl. She must be a close confidante of the Marquis."

I wasn't prepared today. I've worn this hairpin for many years, so I'll give it to my younger sister. I hope she won't find it offensive.

Poor Gu Qingyi, although she had secretly inquired about the situation in Jia Lian's room.

However, due to limited information, besides Feng Jie and Daiyu, the only other person known was Qingwen, who was a concubine given to Jia Lian by his elders.

I had met Xiangling before, and I knew that she held a high position by Jia Lian's side.

Since the other party had the opportunity to witness her important event, they also wanted to establish a good relationship, so they presented her with a personal ornament as a gift.

If she had known that the person in front of her, though merely a maid, had a considerable amount of gold lying around in her room, she might not have acted so rashly.

When someone immediately offered her jewelry, Qin Keqing waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "No, no, no, this is too precious, I cannot accept it..."

Jia Lian looked at Qin Keqing with a helpless expression. Seeing that the girl even showed a look of fear and trepidation on her face, and that her words and gestures were exactly the same as Xiangling's, Jia Lian couldn't help but sigh, "Since she's giving it to you, just accept it."

Well, none of the women around me are easy to deal with. They're all incredibly shrewd!

However, they have their own way of dealing with the world, and as long as they are not out of his control, Jia Lian does not want to interfere.

He rose, dressed with Qin Keqing's help, said a few comforting words to Gu Qingyi, and then left Tianxiang Tower with brisk steps, passing through the garden and returning to Rongguo Mansion.