Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

When Sister Feng rushed home excitedly, Jia Lian had already changed into casual clothes and was sitting on the couch in the west side room, listening to Qingwen chattering about which mansions and distinguished guests had come that day.

Behind him, Xiangling, the maid who had taken off her outer garment, knelt on the couch as always, massaging Jia Lian.

"May Your Excellency be blessed with good fortune and peace."

As she performed her unique one-handed temple-touching gesture, Sister Feng walked toward Jia Lian with a charming smile.

Qin Keqing, who followed closely behind her, simply bowed slightly, showing no intention of stealing Feng Jie's thunder.

Jia Lian looked up at the two dazzling young mistresses of a wealthy family, and a surge of pride welled up in his heart.

As the maidservant stepped aside, Sister Feng sat down beside Jia Lian and said with a smile, "So many officials, big and small, and so many masters and young masters from various mansions have come to congratulate you. Don't you really plan to go out and meet them?"

"It's been a long time since we've had so many distinguished guests coming uninvited; this is quite a grand occasion."

"Is this what you call grand? There will be many more days like this in the future, and you might be dazzled by them."

"Yes, yes, you are the grandson of the emperor and a duke, so your vision is naturally higher than mine. I am very lucky to be able to see such great things with you."

Sister Feng smiled and didn't seem to care that Jia Lian wasn't going out to see guests.

In one morning, almost every famous mansion in the capital sent out visiting cards, but the highest-ranking guest who actually came was an earl.

Given Jia Lian's current status and position, he naturally wouldn't refuse to see them if he didn't want to, since they had all come uninvited.

After saying this, Sister Feng looked at Jia Lian with a smile, and when Jia Lian's expression changed, she said, "I heard that you originally planned to take Lin's daughter and Xue's daughter out of the city for a trip this morning?"

Seeing Jia Lian nod in agreement without any fear, Feng Jie continued, "Why didn't you invite me to this good thing? Although I can't compare to Lin Daiyu's good background—she has a father who's a second-rank official—I'm not inferior to Baochai, am I?"

Sister Feng's words are quite interesting, making it hard to tell whether she is making a veiled criticism or indirectly attacking someone.

If it were before entering the palace, Jia Lian might have hesitated a bit when facing Sister Feng's interrogation.

However, he was confident this time and naturally didn't bother with words.

"I've taken a fancy to Bao Yatou."

Upon hearing this, the mistress, her niece-in-law, and two pretty maids in the room all widened their eyes in surprise.

Sister Feng didn't seem too surprised. After a brief pause, she smiled and said, "This is good news! Should I go to my aunt's house and put in a good word for you?"

"There's no need to trouble you with that; I've already discussed it with my aunt."

"Oh, that's good..."

Sister Feng tried to appear nonchalant, but faced with Jia Lian's increasingly mocking expression, she finally couldn't hold back and pinched him: "Dream on! I disagree!"

I disagree with that statement; Sister Feng is quite qualified to say it.

Putting aside the fact that she was Jia Lian's first wife, Baochai was her own cousin. She naturally had the right to object to her cousin wanting to take things further and become intimate sisters.

Jia Lian found Feng Jie's changing demeanor and tone quite endearing.

Her quick and decisive manner was tinged with a touch of playfulness.

"You really disagree?"

"disagree."

Jia Lian casually pulled out the book of promotions he had obtained from the Empress from his bosom. "Take a look at this."

"What is this?"

Feng Jie was curious about what method Jia Lian would use to persuade her, and seeing this, she took it with suspicion.

Seeing that Jia Lian had no intention of explaining, he took matters into his own hands and began to take it apart to examine it.

When the red silk was untied, revealing the pale yellow silk underneath, Sister Feng understood. So, with sudden, nimble movements, she threw the silk aside and took out the silk inside to take a look.

The familiar format, the familiar words of praise, and the words "First-Rank Lady of Rongguo" that seemed to radiate golden light in her eyes.

Although the people around couldn't see the contents, they could guess the gist of it just from Sister Feng's excited expression and shining eyes.

Qin Keqing stepped forward, glanced at the woman briefly to confirm her presence, then stepped back, smiled, and knelt, saying, "This humble servant greets the First-Rank Lady of Rongguo. May the Lady of Rongguo enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

Upon seeing this, Xiangling immediately knelt down and repeated it in a sweet and solemn voice.

Qingwen, a beat slow to react, looked at Xiangling's prostrate figure with some surprise, and quickly knelt down as well, saying, "Congratulations, Second Madam! Congratulations, Second Madam..."

Sister Feng slowly gathered the silk in her hand and held it firmly.

First, he turned to Qin Keqing and the others to stand up, then looked at Jia Lian and said, "According to the rules, the palace should only issue the official seal after you submit a memorial requesting it. How come you brought it back directly?"

Jia Lian straightened his robes, feigning nonchalance: "I knew you liked this, and since I was going to Kunning Palace to pay my respects to the Empress, I asked her to do me a favor and bring it back for you ahead of time."

Now your name is on Her Majesty the Empress's golden register. From this day forward, you can exercise the rights of a Duchess, just like the old lady.

The women reacted differently to Jia Lian's words.

Qin Keqing's focus was the most correct.

Look at him, he even got the Empress to help him get it back. He talks like the Empress has to give him face, no wonder he's Uncle Lian!

Qingwen curled her lips, thinking with a hint of sourness, "Yes, Second Master is right, this woman is just vain."

Xiangling didn't think too much about it; she just thought it was a good thing. If Second Madam was happy, she probably wouldn't fight with Second Master, right?

Sister Feng glared at Jia Lian reproachfully.

However, it must be said that although from the moment she learned that Jia Lian had been granted the title of Duke, she knew that her status as the Lady of Rongguo was probably secure...

Unless the Empress Dowager still has her eye on her and steps in to sever her honor. But that's unlikely, since even the retired emperor is now being cared for by the current emperor, and the Empress Dowager probably doesn't have the same power she once had. She probably doesn't have the energy to deal with a mere commoner like her.

But when she actually saw the imperial edict stamped with the phoenix seal, especially today, she was still overjoyed.

At the same time, she gradually came to her senses.

Jia Lian's understanding and knowledge of her, and his special effort to help her reclaim her imperial title, naturally delighted and moved her.

But at the same time, she realized that this was probably Jia Lian's way of appeasing her.

After all, Jia Lian has a criminal record.

Previously, this scoundrel, in order to make her willingly accept Lin Yatou, directly threw ten boxes of gold, knocking her unconscious.

Is this just repeating the same old trick?

Sister Feng hesitated, unsure whether she should eat the candied date.

Not eating it would seem too insincere.

Moreover, Jia Lian was able to break with palace custom and retrieve her imperial decree ahead of schedule. Regardless of whether his intentions were pure, he at least showed some good intentions.

If you don't accept it, he definitely won't put in the same effort to make you happy in the future.

If I eat it, it will make me seem like I have no temper.

It's as if Wang Xifeng is a woman who can be easily bought off by money and status.

Thinking of Sister Feng, I couldn't help but feel a little resentful.

Why in front of Madam Qin and the maids? If it were just the two of them in private, she wouldn't have to worry about it like this.

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Even now, can she really stop her from taking a second or third wife?

Since it was something that couldn't be stopped, and he was so sincere, and if he put in a good word for her in private, she would reluctantly agree.

Why in front of outsiders? Doesn't she have any pride?

So he feigned ignorance and laughed, "Weren't we talking about you and Bao'er? Why are you showing this to me all of a sudden?"

In fact, Jia Lian already knew that Feng Jie had tacitly approved of Baochai's affair when they were exchanging words earlier.

He couldn't help but feel a little guilty towards Sister Feng.

Although he was confident he could appease his women, he was still quite touched by Sister Feng's understanding and sensible nature.

Therefore, presenting the imperial edict was more likely intended to please Sister Feng.

Seeing that Sister Feng was pretending to be deaf and dumb, Jia Lian naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to explain.

That's enough setting the mood. The rest is better left to be discussed in bed after you've pampered her a bit.

So, taking advantage of Feng Jie'er's unpreparedness, he grabbed her and held her in his arms.

At first, Sister Feng thought Jia Lian was going to play a prank on her and was about to scold him when she noticed that Jia Lian had stood up and seemed to be heading towards the inner room.

Sister Feng immediately became anxious and slapped Jia Lian, saying, "Put me down! I have important business to attend to. Who's going to waste time with you!"

"Is it serious business?"

Seeing Jia Lian stop, Feng Jie, disregarding the expressions of Qin Keqing and the others, hurriedly said, "Do you think everyone is like you, able to act recklessly?"

Since the guests were guests, the old lady instructed that they should not be neglected and should at least be allowed to have lunch before leaving.

I still have to go downstairs and prepare!

Jia Lian asked, "Where is Ping'er?"

Sister Feng hesitated for a moment, then said, "Ping'er, I told her to keep an eye on things in the kitchen for now..."

Jia Lian smiled slightly: "It's still early before noon, you can stay a little longer."

Seeing that their mistress was about to seek pleasure, Qingwen and Xiangling had to start making preparations.

Qin Keqing also stood up with a smile, and said softly, "I won't disturb Second Uncle and Second Aunt any longer, I'll go back first."

Her enchanting voice seemed to have attracted some ferocious beast.

Jia Lian turned to look at her, unsure of what she was thinking, but ultimately just nodded.

Although Qin Keqing was somewhat disappointed, she could only bow and prepare to leave.

Feng Jie, who was being held in Jia Lian's arms, resigned herself to her fate, knowing that Jia Lian wouldn't stop until he made a scene.

Suddenly noticing the way Jia Lian was looking at Qin Keqing, she pouted and said, "Wait."

"Is there anything else you need, Aunt?"

"Take off your clothes."

"Forehead……"

"Stop playing dumb with me! I knew what you were up to the moment you started following me! Are you going to take your clothes off or not?"

Sister Feng struggled to prop her head up and gazed at Qin Keqing.

Faced with Sister Feng's sharp gaze, Qin Keqing, though embarrassed, did not hesitate.

Of the people in the room, only Qingwen was a stranger to her; the others, whether it was Fengjie or Xiangling, had all served Jia Lian alongside her.

Therefore, she tucked the handkerchief in her hand into her sleeve, raised her fair hand, and slowly unfastened her silk skirt.

As her skirt slowly fell to the ground, revealing Qin Keqing's stunningly beautiful body, even Feng Jie, who knew her body intimately, couldn't help but purse her lips and admit that this girl certainly had the looks to seduce men.

When Qingwen saw this, she curled her lip and said, "What's so great about it? In two years, I'll grow up to be just as beautiful as you, no, even more beautiful!"

"Ling girl."

Sister Feng glanced at Qin Keqing, who was pretending to be shy with her arms crossed, and then looked at Xiangling beside her.

Xiangling sighed inwardly and silently went forward to pick up the clothes on the ground.

Qingwen, who was standing nearby, also stepped forward and removed the hairpins from Qin Keqing's head one by one. Then the two sisters slowly retreated.

Are you satisfied now?

"Madam is truly righteous."

"go!"

……