The King of Beijing in the Red Mansion

Jia Lan is the eldest grandson of the second branch of the Rong family. He has a very special status and should be valued by the Jia family. In addition, he is diligent in study, sensible and well-behaved, so he should be loved by the Jia family, even more than Baoyu, the second son who was born with a jade in his mouth.

However, the fact is the opposite. Everyone in the Jia family knows Jia Baoyu but not Jia Lan. Perhaps it can be said that Grandmother Jia's preference is because Baoyu looks like Duke Rong, so she loves him and dotes on him.

However, Jia Lan is Mrs. Wang's biological grandson, and as the saying goes, "we are relatives from another generation". The grandmother loves her grandson far more than her son, but Mrs. Wang's attitude towards Jia Lan is the same as that of Jia Huan, who is also a concubine.

Even Mrs. Wang is like this, which shows that Jia Lan is an insignificant and transparent figure in the Jia family.

After thinking it over in his mind, Shui Rong roughly knew the reason. Although Jia Lan was polite at the moment, his upright attitude was a little distant. This was naturally no problem for "outsiders", but when facing close people, he still maintained this "old-fashioned" attitude, which would make people feel bored and create the so-called lack of closeness. Therefore, Jia's mother, Wang Fu-ren and others did not like Jia Lan.

On the other hand, Jia Baoyu looks like a child who never grows up. He sticks to Grandmother Jia and others all day long, so he is naturally loved. This is the saying "the crying child gets the milk". Baoyu will "cry", so Grandmother Jia and others will coax him, but Jia Lan will not "cry", so no one cares about him.

Shui Rong said nothing more, took out a golden nugget and handed it to him, saying with a smile: "Brother Lan, use it to buy some candy."

Jia Lan saw that Jin Luozi was not as happy as Jia Huan. Instead, he glanced at Li Wan behind him. Seeing Li Wan nodded slightly, he stepped forward to take it and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Hearing Jia Lan calling him "Prince", Shui Rong smiled in his heart. You know, most of the younger generations in the Jia family call him brother-in-law to show closeness, even Daiyu and Baochai, the two "outsiders" of the Jia family, do the same. But Jia Lan is different. It can be seen that Jia Lan's "old-fashioned" nature is quite like his grandfather Jia Zheng.

Jia Lan returned to Li Wan's side. Li Wan looked at Jia Lan lovingly, and her indifferent face couldn't help but add a bit of color.

At this moment, Sister Feng came up, twisting her waist and saying with a smile, "My Lord, I've come to join in the fun. Considering how hard I've worked for you, please at least give me a share."

Shui Rong couldn't help but laugh when he heard that. He rewarded the younger generations. Feng Jieer was nominally his sister-in-law, and could barely be considered an elder. Why did she come to join in the fun? What was there to reward? Why should he reward her with a big stick?

Xiangyun smiled with her hands covering her mouth, her bright eyes rolled around, and she chuckled, "Feng girl, come and pay your respects to me, and I'll give you a reward."

Sister Feng sneered when she heard this, raised her eyebrows and cursed: "Go, go, who wants to talk too much? I serve you tricky eldest sister-in-law and sister-in-law so hard, but I can't get a good word from you, and now you are planning on me, look. Do you think I'm easy to bully?"

Everyone laughed, but Feng Jieer didn't care. She raised her eyebrows and said, "Your Majesty, I haven't even had a sip of water. My mouth is dry now. I am busy with the housework. I am so dedicated. You have to give me some advice. Do you think I deserve a reward?"

Hearing this, Shui Rong glanced at Feng Jieer's moist cherry lips. They were crystal clear, so how could they be dry? Feng Jieer was lying with her eyes open, yet she still had the guts to say it.

After thinking for a while, Shui Rong's eyes were full of teasing, and he said with a smile: "Sister Feng, this is what my mother-in-law ordered. Even if you want to ask for a reward, you should ask my mother-in-law for it. Why do you have to ask for a reward from me? Don't you think I'm easy to bully, Sister Feng?"

Everyone understood what was said. Feng Jieer had complained before that she was "easy to bully", and now the prince had caused this again. How could Feng Jieer have the face to reply?

Feng Jieer looked at Shui Rong's smiling face and knew it was a joke. She was not afraid and stretched out her hand in front of Shui Rong, asking for it as a matter of course: "I just think that the prince is easy to talk to."

Shui Rong was speechless when he heard this. What was Feng Jieer saying? He deserved to be bullied just because he was good-tempered and talkative? Yet she acted as if it was her due.

Seeing this, Shui Rong didn't care much, took out a golden nugget and handed it to the bare hand in front of him, saying: "Sister Feng, I'll give you the reward. If you don't do things to my satisfaction, I'll settle the score later."

Sister Feng took the golden nude and acted as if she had found a treasure. She said with a smile, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will definitely satisfy you."

As for arranging the house, she prepared new bedding according to Shui Rong's instructions, and all other furnishings were also brand new, so there would be no mistakes.

Moreover, Sister Feng had roughly understood the character of Prince Beijing, so she would not hold it against him.

Shui Rong couldn't help but smile when he saw Feng Jie'er acting so petty. Wang Xifeng was in charge of the affairs of the Rong Mansion and handled countless amounts of money. How could she be interested in a small golden nude? She was acting like a "lively treasure" just for him to see. No wonder Feng Jie'er could please Lady Jia. She was a natural actress.

Then again, when I handed the golden nude to him, it felt warm and smooth.

Chapter 111 Qingwen is quite interesting

In the side room of Rongguo Duke's Mansion.

Under the guidance of Feng Jieer, Shui Rong walked into the house on the carpet covered with gold brocade and coral. In the middle was a bronze incense burner with three nipples and a plum blossom pattern. Smoke was curling from the incense burner, and the fragrance filled the air. The tables and chairs carved from the finest sandalwood were delicately engraved with different patterns, and every detail was exquisite.

The couch by the window is a step-out bed with a hanging light green gauze curtain embroidered with flowers and insects. On both sides are a pair of plum blossom-shaped lacquer tables. On the left table is a Wenwang tripod, spoons, chopsticks and incense box, and on the right table is a Ru kiln beauty vase with fresh flowers inserted in it, as well as tea bowls and tea sets. In front of the couch is a stone blue golden money python pillow and a bright red brocade quilt with a treasure vase carved in silk.

Seeing Shui Rong's slightly satisfied expression, Feng Jieer raised her eyebrows slightly and asked with a smile, "My Lord, can I take my reward?"

Shui Rong glanced at Feng Jieer who looked a little proud, and nodded, saying, "Sister Feng, you are so thoughtful. I will accept this reward."

Although it was just a temporary room for overnight stay, the decoration was exquisite and luxurious, and Feng Jieer really put a lot of thought into it.

Listening to Shui Rong's words, Feng Jie'er's eyebrows danced with joy, and she complained with a slightly angry tone: "That's right, it's very tiring. I ran several times just to find these things. It really made me tired."

Shui Rong chuckled when he heard this. This Sister Feng spoke without restraint, and seemed to always have deep meaning. Shaking her head, Shui Rong said, "Sister Feng, I want to rest."

Feng Jieer raised her eyebrows after hearing this. Isn't this just chasing people away? Thinking of this, Feng Jieer sighed and said, "Well, I am destined to run errands. I will be disliked after I use my errands. I have also asked someone to prepare the bath water. If the prince wants to take a bath, just tell him. I won't bother you anymore."

Shui Rong looked at Feng Jieer who walked away with a twist of her waist, and sighed in his heart that she was indeed a very versatile person who managed things perfectly.

Qingwen, who was standing by, looked at the graceful back, which was really coquettish. Her pretty eyebrows could not help but raise, and she came closer and whispered, "My lord, do you want me to push the bathtub in?"

Shui Rong didn't realize he was there and nodded. After all, he was sweating a little today. If he didn't take a shower, he wouldn't feel strong.

Qingwen responded and went down to prepare. Not long after, a steaming hot tub was pushed in. Qingwen moved closer with a blushing face. Unlike her usual straightforwardness, she said timidly, "Your Highness, I will help you change your clothes."

Shui Rong understood what was happening. Qingwen was still young and had been given to Yuanchun by the Lai family the other day. She probably had no experience in assisting a man in bathing. Now that she was about to assist him, she could not help feeling shy.

Shui Rong did not refuse the maid's request. After all, serving the master was the maid's duty. If he refused, it would make the little girl think too much. So he nodded and opened his hands.

After a while, Shui Rong took off his clothes and came to the bathtub. When he saw rose petals and spices in the bathtub, he was a little surprised. He thought that this was arranged by Sister Feng. She was indeed a considerate and good sister-in-law.

Sinking into the bathtub, Shui Rong slightly closed his eyes and enjoyed the comfort of taking a bath.

Qingwen looked at the prince taking a bath with her sparkling eyes. Her pink little face was as soft as water. Thinking of the prince's great stature and upright figure, her heart trembled violently.

After being distracted for a moment, Qingwen came back to her senses. She was originally the prince's maid, and it was only natural for her to serve him. Now that the prince was bathing, how could a maid not go forward and serve him?

And she remembered that the prince once said that if she performed well, he would ask the princess for it.

Thinking of this, Qingwen plucked up her courage and whispered, "My Lord, would you like me to rub your back?"

Shui Rong nodded slightly upon hearing this, and did not say much. It was common for a maid to help her master bathe. When Ying Luo was around, Shui Rong did not need to say much, and she would have come forward to serve.

Seeing this, Qingwen came forward with a towel, dipped it in water and wiped the prince's back. However, when her small hands touched the prince's well-proportioned skin, Qingwen felt a little embarrassed. Her hands trembled slightly and were too weak to use any strength.

Shui Rong felt Qingwen's uneasiness and understood it in his heart. After all, it was Qingwen's first time to be properly served, so it was inevitable that she was nervous, especially since this was serving her bathing.

But it doesn’t matter. After the first time, I’ll have a positive attitude after I open my eyes to it.

Just feeling the trembling touch of the little hand made Shui Rong feel different, and there was something strange in his heart, so he changed the subject and asked softly: "Qingwen, are you used to staying in the palace?"

Qingwen blushed slightly and replied, "There's nothing for us maids to get used to. We just hope to meet a good master."

Shui Rong was a little surprised when he heard this. If he asked other people the same question, most of them would say something like "not bad", but Qingwen spoke in a very straightforward manner.

But Shui Rong didn't care. Apart from Qingwen's pretty appearance, her straightforward nature was also rare.

So Shui Rong smiled and asked, "Then tell me, can I be considered a good master?"

Qingwen's eyes lit up when she heard that. Although she was serving the prince at the moment, her master should be the princess. Could it be that he approved of her by asking her like this?

Thinking of this, Qingwen's mouth corners slightly raised, and she pursed her pink lips and replied: "The prince has always been kind to others, so he is naturally a good master."

Shui Rong chuckled, turned around and looked at the pretty lady, and said jokingly: "A good master is one who treats others kindly. If I criticize you harshly, wouldn't I be a bad master?"

Qingwen's face flushed red when she heard this. She didn't mean that, so she quickly replied, "That's not what I meant."

Shui Rong looked at the flustered Qingwen. Her charming peach blossom eyes were so anxious that tears were about to come out. There was no trace of the charm of "brave Qingwen" at all.

Shui Rong understood this very well. After all, Qingwen was just straightforward, not stupid. In the original novel, she spoke without restraint because she relied on Baoyu's indulgence. But now, she was following Shui Rong and was not spoiled by him, so how could she just do whatever she wanted?

Thinking of this, Shui Rong smiled and said, "I was just joking with you, why are you so anxious?"

Qingwen felt a little relieved when she heard that. She now understood that the prince was teasing her. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly, pursed her pink lips and spat softly.

Shui Rong chuckled at Qingwen's spit and didn't take it seriously, enjoying the little maid's service peacefully.

After a while, Shui Rong finished his bath and changed into a middle-length dress. Qingwen's pretty face was already red as fire.

Shui Rong chuckled and said nothing more. He sat on the brocade cushion and ordered, "Qingwen, I am a little tired. Go make the bed."

Since it was a return visit gift, Shui Rong, as the protagonist, naturally had many social engagements and drank a lot of wine. After bathing, Shui Rong felt tired and planned to rest early today.

Qingwen looked slightly surprised when she heard this. She pursed her lips, walked to the couch, took off her small blue embroidered shoes, knelt beside the couch, and deftly spread out the red brocade quilt with a carved pattern of a vase. She said in a clear voice, "Your Highness, I just took a bath and my body is damp. Why don't you wait a while?"

Shui Rong chuckled after hearing this, and said in a slightly joking tone: "You know a lot."

Qingwen's eyebrows slightly raised when she heard the words, her jade-like face filled with joy at being praised, she looked back at Shuirong, and said with pursed lips, "Of course not, Your Majesty should listen to me, let's move around first, if you are really tired, I can chat with you."

Looking at the little girl's playful expression, she was quite cute. It seemed that the current Qingwen had the flavor of the original novel, which made Shui Rong feel happy.

After a pause, Shui Rong picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip, then said, "It's okay. I know what I'm doing. Just make the bed."

Shui Rong knew that he couldn't go to bed right after taking a shower, but he was indeed a little tired, so it would be better for him to lie down. Besides, he didn't fall asleep as soon as he hit the bed, so it wouldn't be a problem.

After hearing the prince's instructions, Qingwen pursed her lips and said no more, and carefully made the bed.

Shui Rong was unaware of him, he just looked at Qingwen kneeling beside the couch. Her slightly raised body was exquisite and graceful, with a faint hint of unparalleled charm, which seemed to be fascinating.

Wow, this Qingwen is quite interesting.

Chapter 112 Sharing a Bed with My Brother-in-law

By the beginning of the Xu hour, the sun had already set and everything was hazy.

At this time, Shui Rong was leaning on the Babu bed, with his left hand behind his head and his right hand holding a book. Except for the sound of reading, the room seemed quite quiet.

After a while, Shui Rong yawned and rubbed his eyes.

Qingwen walked in, saw Shui Rong's drowsy look, and said with a smile: "If the prince is tired, he should go to bed early and read Lao Shizi's book!"

Previously, it was not advisable to fall asleep after taking a bath, so I advised him not to do so. Now that a long time has passed, it is not a problem for the prince to take a rest.

Shui Rong raised his eyes and glanced at Qingwen without saying much. Although he felt tired, it was still early and he couldn't fall asleep for a while, so he could only look for something to hypnotize him.

After a careful feeling, Shui Rong felt that it was still a little short of the mark, so he decided to continue reading the book, so he said softly: "I'll take a look."

Qingwen curled her lips when she heard that, and moved to the coral wood screen-style lamp stand. She picked up the lamp with her bare hands and flicked the candlelight, and the room instantly became much brighter.

Seeing this, Shui Rong was satisfied. Qingwen was quite discerning in serving people. If she was just a maid with good looks, she would not have become the apple of Baoyu's eye in the original novel.

Overall, Qingwen is pretty, cheerful and likable. Now that Qingwen is by my side, it would be nice to bring her into my room when she grows up.

After some consideration, Shui Rong decided to win her heart first, so he took the initiative to ask, "Qingwen, who else is in your family?"

Qingwen was stunned when she heard this. Her hand that was stirring the candlelight paused. Her charming peach blossom eyes looked at Shuirong in confusion. Seeing that Shuirong was concentrating on reading, she asked casually, pursed her lips, and said in a rather indifferent tone, "I have a cousin brother in my family."

Shui Rong nodded slightly after hearing this. In his impression, Qingwen did have a cousin who seemed to be a chef in Rong Mansion. He was cowardly and incompetent and was not outstanding in the original novel. However, he had a nickname "Duo Hun Chong" and his wife was more outstanding. She was the "Duo Girl" who was frivolous by nature, loved to flirt with other women, and had an affair with Jia Lian.

Seeing the resentment that could not be hidden between Qingwen's brows, Shui Rong roughly understood in his heart that Qingwen was a maid bought from outside. She had been sold from one uncle to another since she was a child, so it was normal for her to feel resentful towards her.

Although Shui Rong understood the reason, he still pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Why, what do you think of your cousin brother?"

Qingwen's eyebrows slightly raised when she heard this, and she said in a cold voice: "My cousin is just a drunkard, drinking all day long and never doing anything serious."

Shui Rong was satisfied that Qingwen told her cousin about his temper without hiding anything.

After a pause, Shui Rong looked at Qing Wen with a frown, turned the page, and asked in a clear voice, "So you really hate that cousin?"

When Qingwen heard this, she was choked with speech, her pretty face flushed slightly, and she hesitated for a long time without giving an answer.