Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After Aunt Xue left, Baochai noticed Jia Lian looking at her with "malicious intent." Now fully awake, she immediately said, "It's getting late. Didn't you say you still had homework to do? Let's go, let's go back early."

After saying that, he went about urging Ying'er and Wenxing to pack their things.

There wasn't much to pack, just a few changes of clothes and some personal jewelry, and it was done in no time.

Perhaps because she already knew Jia Lian well, Aunt Xue no longer stood on ceremony with him and did not personally see him off as she had done before.

Therefore, Jia Lian and Baochai, along with six servants, went straight to the Xue family's main gate.

Under normal circumstances, if Jia Lian did not leave the city, he would only bring about ten people with him.

There were about ten guards, and one or two servants or attendants.

Although the number of people was small, they were all veterans of Jia Lian's battles, and each of them was equipped with a horse and fine gear. Even just standing in formation, they exuded an imposing aura.

Perhaps it was because Jia Lian had seen her virginity tonight that Baochai's mindset changed.

As she left, she subconsciously glanced at Jia Lian's luxurious carriage and the guards lined up on both sides of it.

The BMW, with its golden chariot, silver saddle, and silver armor, exuded grandeur and majesty even in the dim light.

Baochai was slightly lost in thought when she heard someone call her. Turning around, she saw Jia Lian bending down and reaching out his hand to her, clearly intending to help her into the carriage himself.

Although Jia Lian only wore his usual smile, at this moment, his tall figure seemed to rise infinitely higher in her heart. His already refined temperament and extraordinary demeanor, set against the backdrop of the moonlight and the gleaming armor of his guards behind him, were deeply imprinted in her heart.

Perhaps this is my destined destiny. I should, and must, dedicate the rest of my life to maintaining it, nurturing it, and accompanying it through its entire journey.

Life is sometimes so wonderful; perhaps at a certain moment, in a single glance, you will suddenly understand the meaning of your life.

Jia Lian, of course, had no idea that Baochai, whom he had always been unable to control, had unknowingly fallen completely in love with him.

After helping Baochai into the carriage with his cool, delicate hands, Jia Lian then said to Ying'er, who was standing there in a daze, "You can get in too."

"I?"

Ying'er pointed to her nose and immediately became excited.

If you can take a car, who would want to walk?

Moreover, this carriage is really big and luxurious. I remember seeing Second Madam Lian ride in it before and I thought it was so grand. I never thought that I, Golden Oriole, would one day be able to ride in it and experience it!

As expected, the fortune teller from my childhood wasn't lying. He said I was blessed with good fortune and that as long as my name included the character "金" (gold), I would definitely meet a benefactor in the future and live a wealthy life.

At the time, my father complained that it cost eighteen coins to consult a fortune teller. Fortunately, my mother insisted that it would cost more than that to find someone outside to give the child a good name. That's how we were able to bring the name "Golden Oriole" home.

Sure enough, within two years, he caught the eye of the wife and was assigned to serve the eldest daughter.

As his position by the young lady's side became more and more secure, not only he himself, but also his whole family lived a comfortable life.

For this reason, my mother has ridiculed my father quite a bit over the years.

I thought this kind of life was rich enough, and that my daughter was the lucky person in my life.

But it seems that my destiny may be more than that.

Soon, I will accompany the young lady to marry into the Duke's mansion. Perhaps, the fact that she is able to marry such a heroic figure as the Marquis is also due to my good fortune...

Ying'er, who was thinking about all sorts of things, climbed onto the carriage.

Unfortunately, this carriage was higher than ordinary carriages, and the young girl was concerned about her image in front of so many people, so she couldn't get on after a few tries.

Upon seeing this, Jia Lian suddenly grabbed one of her arms and lifted her up.

Fortunately, Ying'er was light and agile; otherwise, she would have been broken in two if she hadn't been careful.

Therefore, Ying'er, who successfully stood on the carriage, not only showed no gratitude to Jia Lian, but also looked back with resentment.

Well, even if I don't treat people with the same gentleness and elegance as I would a girl, I can't be so blunt and rude.

Earlier at the banquet, he held her in his arms, kissing and touching her, making her think she was his darling too.

Jia Lian naturally ignored this. In front of his subordinates, he would not appear frivolous.

Baochai actually wanted Ying'er to get on the carriage as well.

Firstly, because of what had happened before, she was a little afraid to be alone with Jia Lian. Secondly, although it was only a few steps, it was still inappropriate for a woman past the age of marriage to ride in the same carriage with an adult man.

Having one's own personal maidservant by one's side can save one from gossip from others.

But Baochai soon realized that she was overthinking things.

After the carriage started moving, Ying'er was busy looking at the items and decorations inside, asking questions here and there, while Jia Lian just stared at her.

Even though Baochai was a woman of good character and had cleverly waited for Jia Lian to sit down before sitting down herself, she gradually became unable to bear Jia Lian's smiling gaze.

A blush began to appear on her bright face, and she dared not look Jia Lian in the eye again.

Ying'er also sensed the unusual atmosphere and began to quiet down. She glanced at Jia Lian, who was staring intently at her, and then at her own daughter, who looked like a child who had done something wrong. She covered her mouth and chuckled.

Her behavior drew an unfriendly glance from Baochai.

With just one glance, Ying'er dared not laugh anymore. But as she lowered her hand and stood in the corner trying hard to suppress her laughter, she looked somewhat comical.

This incident completely shattered the previous atmosphere.

Before Baochai could catch her breath after the pressure on her body had suddenly eased, she saw Jia Lian beckoning to her, signaling her to sit down.

Baochai hesitated for a moment, then said apologetically to Jia Lian, "I think my mother is right, we..."

"What are you thinking? I just wanted you to sit closer so we could talk more easily."

Do you want everyone outside to overhear what we're saying, or do you want us to just sit here in silence like this?

Baochai paused for a moment, then silently stood up.

She certainly didn't want the guards outside to overhear what she was saying to Jia Lian. And if she just sat there, she couldn't stand Jia Lian's undisguised, direct gaze.

Jia Lian's words sounded reasonable.

But Baochai always felt that things wouldn't be that simple.

Sure enough, as soon as she walked to Jia Lian's side, before she could even sit down, Jia Lian grabbed her and pulled her away.

She didn't struggle, but waited until Jia Lian had helped her sit comfortably in his lap before blushing and whispering, "Didn't you say...? Besides, the carriage will stop soon, and people will notice..."

No matter how clever and shrewd Baochai was, she was still a naive young woman who had never experienced the ways of the world. Faced with a seasoned veteran like Jia Lian, she really didn't know how to deal with him.

Jia Lian noticed Baochai's nervousness and unease, and immediately reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you."

"If I really wanted to do anything to you, with that perfect opportunity in your room earlier, wouldn't you have already been taken advantage of?"

Although Jia Lian's words were quite ambiguous, his gentle tone reassured Baochai and calmed her down considerably. She felt that given Jia Lian's character, he would not risk embarrassment by assaulting her in the carriage.

Thinking about Jia Lian's words and recalling her bold actions in the room earlier, Baochai felt unbearably ashamed.

To hide her embarrassment, she retorted without thinking, "How dare you say that? If it weren't for my mother, I would have already been... Anyway, I don't believe your nonsense."

Baochai turned her head to the side, seemingly with disdain, but in reality, she didn't want Jia Lian to see the shyness on her face.

After two breaths, having neither heard Jia Lian's reply nor noticed any improper behavior from him, she couldn't help but turn back to look at Jia Lian again.

But she saw that Jia Lian's gaze was deep, as if he was waiting for her.

"Do you really think that it was because of your aunt that I didn't succeed and that your innocence was preserved?"

Baochai blinked her eyes.

"snort."

Jia Lian affectionately pinched Baochai's nose and snorted, "Silly girl, if I really wanted your body so badly, I wouldn't have waited until today, and I certainly wouldn't have chosen to do it in your house."

Whether it's in the garden or when I was helping you with your brother's affairs, it's never easier to comfort you than it is at home.

Do you think that with my exceptional intelligence, I wouldn't realize that no matter what I want to do to you in your house, over time it will inevitably arouse my aunt's suspicion?

For the sake of your innocence and future, she will certainly not sit idly by and will definitely step in to intervene.

Therefore, it's highly unlikely that someone could actually do something to you in your home.

Even knowing this, did I look even slightly anxious just now? It took me ages to untie your bra…”

"Stop talking."

Baochai blushed like an apple and raised her hand to cover Jia Lian's mouth.

Jia Lian pried her delicate hand off with one hand and laughed, "Why don't you say so? You can't understand without reasoning."

Think about it, if I really wanted to have your body right now, wouldn't I have done it quickly and not given your period any time to react?

At the very least, they should send my men to guard the gate and buy me some time...

But I didn't do that. Why do you think that is?

"I have no idea."

Baochai kept her head turned away tightly, not daring to look or listen, and even more afraid that Jia Lian's "wild and indecent words" would be overheard by outsiders.

"Nothing else. It's because I care about you," Jia Lian said affectionately.

"Because from beginning to end, what I wanted was never your body, but your true heart!"

I know you have a strong personality. If I had taken you under those circumstances, I would have been satisfied, but I'm afraid you would have regretted it afterward.

I told you the night I confessed my feelings to you that if I could win your heart, I would treat you like a national treasure.

Since you are my national treasure, of course I can't let my precious one suffer any injustice.

So I made up my mind early on that I would only take your innocent and beautiful body after I gave you a formal title.

This work was compiled and uploaded by [author's name].

I never wanted to marry you because I was lustful. It's because you are so outstanding and wonderful in my heart that I can't help but want to take care of you, protect you, give you the best life, and let you live a carefree life.

Of course I can't let you be looked down upon by others because of me.

I want the whole world to know that your decision to marry me, Xue Baochai, is not a waste of your talent, but a testament to your discerning eye for a hero. Because of this decision, you will become one of the happiest women in the world!

As Jia Lian spoke, he became a little excited and almost believed his own words.

He originally thought that since things had already fallen through, he might as well take advantage of the situation and try to win back Baochai's favor!

Another reason was that Baochai's body was so soft and fragrant that just holding her was very comfortable, and he was reluctant to let go, so he rambled on and on.

Baochai is definitely not someone who can be easily fooled.

But unfortunately, he was facing Jia Lian. And Jia Lian's words weren't entirely baseless.

Following Jia Lian's words, Baochai also felt that with Jia Lian's intelligence, he should have thought that his mother might come to her rescue in that situation.

Jia Lian was genuinely slow and hesitant back then.

Moreover, in the past few months, when they were in the garden, Jia Lian had not done anything inappropriate to her.

I tried to kiss her once, but she dodged me, and I never did it again.

This completely solidified Jia Lian's image as a virtuous gentleman in her mind.

Thinking about how Jia Lian not only didn't blame his mother for her betrayal today, but was also willing to set her free.

At the time, she felt wronged and wondered if Jia Lian didn't care about her. Now, thinking back, she naturally admires Jia Lian's magnanimity and character.

On the contrary, it was himself who actually...

Even under those circumstances, Jia Lian did not rush to possess her. Instead, he carefully admired her, which gave his mother time to come to his rescue.

When his good deed was ruined, he didn't show any anger or frustration, but rather appeared relieved as if he had expected it.

Therefore, what Jia Lian said is entirely possible.

He truly had no intention of taking his own life under the circumstances he was in today, considering his own long-term future.

Baochai was reasonable and understood human nature, so she naturally realized how precious Jia Lian's sincerity was towards her.

Having already confessed her feelings to Jia Lian tonight, she had fewer worries. Faced with Jia Lian's vows of eternal love, she looked up and replied emotionally, "I believe what Second Brother Lian said, but Second Brother Lian is giving Baochai too much credit."

In Baochai's eyes, being able to give herself to Lian Er Gege (Brother Lian) was not a grievance at all; on the contrary, it was the most correct decision she had ever made in her life.

"real?"

"Hmm...~? Uh..."

Baochai, who was just opening her heart, could never have expected Jia Lian to suddenly launch a sneak attack.

They were stunned and didn't have time to react.

Fortunately, Jia Lian only took a small sip, then looked up and smiled, "Bao'er's mouth is so sweet, and it even has a... um, come to think of it, it seems to have the fragrance of peonies?"

Baochai's eyes were still wide open at this moment, but she suddenly lowered her head shyly, "Nonsense, there's no such thing as a peony..."

Jia Lian had only said it casually, and he was afraid of making Baochai uncomfortable, so he didn't have time to think about it carefully.

Upon seeing Baochai's appearance, he couldn't help but feel pleased.

"There really is one? Let me examine it closely!"

Baochai was unwilling to comply. She quickly got up from Jia Lian's lap, stood next to Ying'er, and reminded her, "The carriage hasn't moved..."

Jia Lian was stunned for a moment before realizing that the carriage had stopped sometime earlier.

Indeed, the Xue family's residence is only diagonally across the street from the back gate of the Grand View Garden, about a mile away.

Feeling a sense of loss, I regretted not having arranged for them to tour around the two mansions.

While feeling regretful again, I couldn't help but find it funny.

He won over Daiyu step by step, from holding hands to kissing her cheeks and forehead, to her lips, to An Lushan's claws, and finally to looking at her body.

Unexpectedly, Baochai has achieved so much today, almost surpassing Daiyu. But he has never even kissed Baochai, so does he have to try to win her over from the opposite direction?

Seeing Baochai tidying her appearance with Ying'er's help and preparing to get out of the carriage, Jia Lian suddenly said, "How about I take you out of the city for fun tomorrow?"

Baochai and Ying'er stopped what they were doing at the same time.

"Leave the city?"

"Yes, out of the city. Now that I have some free time, I should spend some more time with you all."

Baochai thought for a moment and asked, "Am I all alone?"

Jia Lian wanted to take her out of the city for fun, and she was naturally happy. However, there were many issues involved. Putting aside everything else, this was an improper and unjust act, how could it not attract criticism?

Unless Jia Lian has already decided to announce their relationship to everyone.

Just like when Jia Lian took You Sanjie to the Imperial Horse Ranch outside the city, although no one knew what crazy things the two of them did on horseback in the mountains, the servants of Ningguo Mansion became much more polite to You Sanjie after that day.

Jia Lian stood up, took Baochai's hand and held it in his, sighing, "Let's bring Lin girl along too. It'll be a good opportunity for you two sisters to get to know each other better."

When Baochai heard that she and Daiyu would be accompanying Jia Lian on a trip outside the city, she felt inexplicably nervous, knowing Daiyu's sharp tongue.

But then I thought, if Jia Lian only brought her and Daiyu along and no one else, it would undoubtedly be a way of showing everyone their relationship and defining her role.

Give her a status equal to Daiyu!

Thinking of this, Baochai inexplicably felt like crying.

Although she had always believed that Jia Lian would not deceive her, she always felt uneasy as if she were hiding in the shadows as long as Jia Lian did not reveal her identity to the outside world.

She originally thought that Jia Lian would wait until his mourning period was over before clarifying their relationship, which was what he had said before.

Perhaps it was what happened tonight that made Lian Er feel indebted, so he disregarded the pressure and wanted to immediately clear her name?

So she became a little worried: "If Brother Lian is still in trouble, there's no need to rush. I... Chai'er can wait..."

Baochai is not as naive as Daiyu.

She knew all too well that Jia Lian exposing their relationship was not something that could be accomplished with just a few words.

How to explain this to Sister Feng, Daiyu, and others? How to balance her relationship with Daiyu? And what about the Grand Princess, whom we've only heard of but never seen? What would she think if she knew? Would it affect Jia Lian's future?

Jia Lian understood Baochai's gaze, and what was originally a tentative suggestion immediately became a complete decision.

"There's nothing difficult about it. My daughter has already been waiting for months, and I can't let her wait any longer."

After all, my hairpin has never been something that can't be shown to others. On the contrary, it is so bright and lustrous, a rare treasure praised by everyone.

Therefore, I must announce to them as soon as possible that you belong to me, and I want them all to envy me.

Baochai didn't know what to say; she looked at Jia Lian and her eyes were faintly filled with tears.

Second Brother Lian, why do you speak so cruelly? Do you have to bring tears to Chai'er's eyes before you'll stop?

……