A Dream of Red Mansions: A Fairy Tale of Dreams (Complete) - Episode 18

Chapter 107 Springtime in the Imperial Palace (17)

The little princess, clinging to his body, naturally slept in a thin, half-covering Chinese specialty—a bellyband. This was far more alluring than the so-called sexy underwear of the future. Her alluring body, both defiant and inviting, couldn't erase the little princess's unruly nature. Instead, it fueled Bao Yu's mad desire to conquer the wild horse.
"Whoosh!" Under the "threat" of the endless and powerful divine stone, the second young master Bao, whose mind was even wilder and more unruly than before, naturally wouldn't let go of such a delicacy. The peach-colored bellyband flew away amidst endless grievances, and with a wave of his hand, he instantly created a bare-chested, youthful jade peak!
"Ah!" Caught off guard, the girl cried out in surprise, instinctively covering her delicate breasts that trembled in the cool breeze, but she failed to protect what lay below; "Hiss!" Amidst the tearing sounds of her reverie, the little princess was already naked. "You brat, you're doing this again!" Master Bao's large hand moved again, but this time he took off his own clothes, and he retorted with a hot, wicked laugh: "Your Highness is wrong. Last time you did this, and I was just returning the favor!" "Ah!" In a low voice of resistance, the little princess's delicate body trembled, and a hot, large foreign object had deeply penetrated between her wide-open jade legs!
"Slap, slap!" The sounds of flesh colliding echoed and reverberated, instantly enveloping the small space in passion. For the spoiled young girl, Baoyu showed no gentleness whatsoever. The seasoned scholar of the flower garden keenly sensed that the fiercer he was, the more excited the little princess became; the more brutal he was, the more inexplicably passionate she became. It seemed this pampered princess, born of noble birth, had been spoiled since childhood. Having never been beaten, she could only experience the wonderful taste of "being beaten" in this unique way!
"Smack!" With an unprecedentedly loud sound, Baoyu attacked the swaying princess from behind, forcefully slapping her firm, perky buttocks.
"Oh!" A piercing numbness, aching, and burning pain shot through her heart. Unwilling to be beaten like this, the girl immediately launched a frenzied counterattack. No matter how hard the brat hit her, how fiercely he rubbed her, she didn't back down. Even with red marks on her breasts and handprints covering her body, the beautiful girl continued to scream and surge towards the peak of passion.
"Ah...ah...I can't take it anymore!" Amidst a series of groans, Tianyi finally surrendered. She didn't possess the formidable charm of Yuanchun, and was naturally no match for Baoyu!
"You...bastard...good husband...spare me!" A woman's instincts had instilled in the beautiful young girl a seductive charm. She also possessed an indomitable spirit, and her long-planned scheme was finally put into action.
One-on-one, this princess was no match; then a group fight would ensue! Let's see if you, you brat, can withstand it!
With this thought, the little princess struggled to support her still aching body, pulled hard on the silk rope beside the bed, and the "ding-a-ling" of the silver bells echoed, ushering in another round of pleasure for Baoyu!
With a pull of her jade hand, the long silk rope stretched out, its intricate mechanism winding and turning, finally activating the call bell in the maid's room several walls away.
"Ring, ring..." Tianchang and Dijiu jumped up from the kang with a "whoosh," their bodies trembling violently as if they had heard a death knell. The familiar ringing sound was like a giant hammer that slammed heavily into their already uneasy hearts, bringing back the scene of being "coerced" by their master!
"What?! Princess, you've already been... you know... by that brat!" Tianchang and Dijiu were terrified by the little princess's earth-shattering words. They rushed forward and repeatedly asked, "Princess, please don't scare us! If this is true, we'll lose our heads!" "What are you afraid of?!" The little princess waved her jade hand dismissively. "I won't tell the Empress Dowager. Even if others find out, what's the big deal? I'll definitely save your lives!" "But... but this... can only be with the future consort..." Tianchang mustered her courage and asked the question in her heart, "Princess, you're not planning to marry that brat... Young Master Bao, are you?" "Yes, Tianchang is right!" Dijiu hurriedly chimed in, afraid that the princess had gone too far with her antics. "A woman can only be with her husband for the rest of her life. Princess, don't ruin yourself!" "Hmph!" Tianyi gave a smug snort, a rare shy light appearing in her crescent-shaped eyes, which then sparkled with intense joy. Her slightly wrinkled nose made her round, jade-like face even more adorable and smug. "Do you really think I'm an idiot? Do you think I wouldn't know this?! But... hee hee... Little Baozi thought he had tricked her!" "Princess, you mean..." Tianchang and Dijiu were completely bewildered by their mistress. They never expected that their usually simple little princess could be so complicated.
"Sigh! Seeing how stupid you are, I'll tell you!" Tianyi, feigning maturity, used her pride to mask her nervous heart, struggling to recall the Empress Dowager's teachings: "If a woman is interested in a man and wants him by her side all day, then that means she's fallen in love with him. And for a woman to win him over, mere reserve isn't enough; she has to take the initiative! Especially with those guys who have many women chasing after them!" "And then?" Tianchang and Dijiu, intrigued, unconsciously followed the little princess as she strolled around with her hands behind her back. Seeing their mistress pause slightly, the two women couldn't help but ask.
"Hehe… I've already investigated thoroughly. This brat has a whole bunch of cousins at home. If I don't make the first move, how can I possibly win? That's why the Empress Dowager agreed to this imperial decree!" Overjoyed, the little princess blurted out her secrets.
However, the two maids, already stunned, were completely oblivious to the shock in their hearts. Such a "man-stealing theory" was certainly shocking in this era; no wonder the Empress Dowager was the most powerful woman in the land! "So, the princess plans to marry Young Master Jia?!" the two women asked again with certainty, a blush of shy joy flashing across their faces. They were the princess's personal maids and future dowry maids; their future husband was crucial to their lifelong happiness, so how could they not be extremely concerned?
"Of course! Do you think it's so easy to take advantage of me, the princess?!" Tianyi glared at her adorable crescent-shaped eyes triumphantly again, then her expression shifted, and she said with a hint of resentment, "But that brat is too good at that. The Empress Dowager said that if you can't control a man in bed, you won't be able to win his favor in the future, so..." The little princess suddenly stopped speaking, her lively eyes turning to Tianchang and Dijiu's more mature and youthful bodies. Although her words were unrestrained enough to frighten many virtuous young ladies, she was still embarrassed to speak directly about her almost absurd decision. After all, she considered the two women as good sisters and would never use her power to force them!
Young girls are exceptionally perceptive when it comes to matters of love, especially Tianchang and Dijiu, who knew their mistress well. In an instant, their jade faces turned red, their bodies became hot, and they lowered their heads in embarrassment, speechless.
"Doing that with that brat is wonderful. Anyway, you'll be following me in the future, so why not give it a try?" If Master Bao were here, he would definitely hold the little princess in his arms and reward her handsomely. This beautiful girl really understands his heart!
The two girls did not have Tianyi's wildness. Their girlish reserve made them so shy and embarrassed that they wished they could disappear into the ground. However, the joy deep in their hearts stopped them from running away. They just tightly twisted the corner of their clothes and kept silent.
"If you don't speak, I'll take it as your agreement!" The clever girl made a decisive decision. Having some understanding of her two sisters, she also understood Tianchang and Dijiu's intentions. Then, excitedly, she revealed her long-cherished conquest plan, "After that brat comes, I'll..." "Ring, ring..." The urgent ringing of the bell rang rapidly. Tianchang and Dijiu seemed to hear their master's call echoing in their hearts. The two girls, their minds in turmoil, looked at each other, then gritted their teeth, steeled their hearts, and strode towards the princess's palace with disordered steps!
"Little darling, why are you pulling that rope?" Baoyu, in the throes of passion, grabbed the little princess's hand and placed it on his exposed, shameful parts. "Pull it here if you like!" Before he finished speaking, the deliberate thing thrust forward, piercing through the girl's delicate palm and penetrating the muddy valley that had been subjected to so much abuse.
"Ah...ya...come quickly!" At the critical moment, the help that Heaven had been waiting for finally arrived. The two women, who had taken off their clothes on their own, lowered their heads and climbed onto the bed at the princess's urgent summons, but they were at a loss and did not know what to do.
"Good husband...I...I've found two maids for you to serve me in bed!" The little princess used her last bit of energy to reach the peak of passion for the second time, then sweetly begged for mercy, "Go quickly, they are my good sisters, please be gentle!" "My darling!" Bao Yu, burning with passion, had no intention of refusing. Any normal man wouldn't object at such a moment; especially since he desperately needed to harmonize the power of the divine stone. Since absorbing it, his urges had grown stronger and more frequent. Otherwise, why would he have climbed onto the little princess's bed the moment they met, temporarily setting aside his business?
The new Bao Yu is about to return to the beauties of the Red Chamber, filled with aggression and possessiveness. What crazy things will he do?! This scoundrel was already incredibly audacious, and now it's hard to find the right words to describe his newfound "daring"!
A new era of sexual bliss has begun!
Strong hands encircled the two shy lambs in his arms. The little princess, who had wanted to rest and recuperate, couldn't escape the wicked boy's affections. Tianchang and Dijiu were forced to lie prostrate on either side of their master, while Baoyu's wandering lips and hands never forgot the little princess sandwiched between the two women.
"Mmm...oh..." Intoxicating moans flowed from their wide-open, red lips, the most beautiful celestial sounds echoing, constantly fueling the fiery and alluring atmosphere in the space surrounding the four of them!
Gradually sinking into the sea of desire, Tianchang and Dijiu's hands moved unconsciously, and under Baoyu's guidance, they touched their companions' delicate bodies. Looking at the three beautiful young women side by side, the guy with burning red eyes was truly smug, feeling a great sense of conquest, as if he were the only one worthy of the world!
"Ah!" Amidst cries of surprise and pain, Baoyu entered the still somewhat immature bodies of Tianchang and Dijiu one after another. His member, without lingering, thrust in and out, rotating and repeatedly working tirelessly until he finally brought the two women to a blissful, divine state!
The spring breeze blew, the spring scenery intoxicating! On the wide phoenix bed, Baoyu moved like a dragon among the three women, his passion even more intense and uncontrollable than his lovemaking with the three nuns at the Water Moon Nunnery.
"Ah—" With an unprecedented scream, after the three women had reached countless moments of ecstasy, Baoyu finally felt a jolt, losing himself in endless tingling, and poured his immortal elixir into the three women's wide-open jade gates.
When Yingchun and Yuanchun returned to Tianyi Palace together, the refreshed and well-dressed Bao Erye was already sitting comfortably in the hall. His confident gaze, tinged with a relaxed smile, was deeply etched into Yuanchun's beautiful eyes. The unspoken meaning, understood only by the siblings, instantly brought a smile to Yuanchun's face. Even her usual dignified and composed demeanor was swept away by her joyful excitement. Had Yingchun not been standing beside her, the beauty would likely have immediately thrown herself into her lover's arms.
The wind blew, the clouds moved, and the gloom that had shrouded the imperial city vanished like a defeated army.
Because of the mysterious disappearance of the Imperial Preceptor, the emperor, who had always been obsessed with immortality, had surprisingly returned to his throne. Although he still appeared incompetent and foolish, the loyal ministers in the court couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, those with ulterior motives, such as Zhao Quan and Sun Shaozu, were secretly annoyed and deeply resentful!
Unfortunately, this auspicious atmosphere couldn't even sustain the morning court session before an unimaginable and bizarre incident occurred.
"Ah... Help!" A piercing scream echoed from outside the Golden Palace. The panicked head eunuch, before even reaching the palace gates, was overtaken by the fierce-looking Chief Eunuch Li, who swiftly struck him down, adding a wronged soul to the list of the dead.
"Kill..." The disheveled old eunuch stabbed his trusted subordinate to death with a single blow, then raised his long sword high, letting out a long howl, his eyes flashing with a terrifying black light.
Chief Eunuch Li had gone mad! This thought simultaneously crossed the minds of all the court officials. Before they could step forward to protect their master, the old eunuch had already leaped into the hall, his sword felling more than ten armed guards.
"Boom, boom..." Amidst the dense clash of energy, the fearless and incredibly strong Chief Eunuch Li charged straight into the ranks of the imperial guards. Amidst the flashing blades and flying blood, the bloated civil and military officials were terrified. A few loyal and righteous men tried to step forward, but a mysterious force bound their unarmed bodies.
"Ah!" A frantic roar shook the heavens and earth. A blood-soaked figure broke through the encirclement, leaping into the air and instantly traversing several meters to reach the terrified emperor. The emperor, who hadn't yet had time to retreat, had completely forgotten his usual useless magical arts. His eyes, wide with terror, only saw the sword light growing ever brighter.
"Save the Emperor!" Even the so-called Son of Heaven was no different from an ordinary person in this life-or-death situation. His trembling body tumbled off the throne with a thud, luckily dodging the old eunuch's sword aimed at his throat!
"Kill..." The blood-soaked old eunuch, like a demon from hell, roared madly, wielding his sword like a dagger and slashing down with all his might.
Just as the emperor was about to be split in two, more than ten otherworldly figures flew into the hall from outside, countless beams of magical power heading straight for the old eunuch's airborne form.
The powerful force tore through the void with a sharp hiss; even if all of them hit the old eunuch, a single blow would be fatal. The reclusive masters from the Hall of Imperial Sacrifices, who had arrived just in time, finally displayed their extraordinary power before the civil and military officials. Their attacks had blocked all of the old eunuch's offensive routes; his only option to survive was to retreat.
"Ah! Kill..." The "reclusive masters'" wishful thinking had not succeeded. How could the crazed old eunuch be judged by common sense?! The oblivious man ignored the deadly force, instead accelerating the downward momentum of his sword. Just as the emperor was about to perish alongside an old eunuch, perhaps it was truly the dragon spirit within the emperor manifesting itself. At this critical moment, the old eunuch's deadly sword miraculously paused in mid-air. Though the pause was only for a split second, the old eunuch was riddled with holes and unrecognizable by the timely rescue force!
"Ah..." The old eunuch, now riddled with holes, naturally didn't scream. The emperor, who had narrowly escaped death, finally reacted. His deadpan eyes rolled back, and with a terrified scream, he collapsed unconscious on the spot.
"Save the Emperor!" The civil and military officials, their previous fear gone, became incredibly brave, their swift movements likely putting even the most powerful retainers to shame.
"Heh, heh... Mission accomplished!" Little Baozi, hidden in the shadows, let out a string of happy laughter and disappeared. Now it was time to leave the palace with the princess! Heh, heh... This palace is really fun! When I have time, I'll play with those civil and military officials again; they must be some good toys!
"Report—" The flustered imperial physician had just managed to revive the emperor on the spot when a panicked eunuch scrambled in, shouting, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Consort Yuan has been hacked to death by the crazed Chief Eunuch Li, hacked to pieces, her flesh mangled beyond recognition!" The civil and military officials were all shocked again. This was truly a time of great turmoil. It turned out that Chief Eunuch Li had already committed the crime earlier; no wonder he was covered in blood! However, although it was a noble consort who died, at least the emperor's health was preserved, so compared to that, it was not a big deal.
The little princess, surrounded by her retinue, had just left the inner palace when a massive search was launched. The eunuchs who usually fawned over Chief Eunuch Li were thrown into the imperial prison. Before the Ministry of Justice even opened its court, these men had already confessed to the old eunuch's entire life of crimes: peeping at age three, raping at age five, murdering at age seven…
The enraged Vice Minister of Justice, though usually one to believe such things, now faced with the heinous crime of treason and regicide, had to summon his long-dormant intelligence to carefully investigate. Finally, he learned the whole story from the old eunuch's most trusted confidant.
It turned out that Chief Eunuch Li had taken the elixir of immortality from the Imperial Preceptor, which had driven him mad! And Consort Yuan was destined for misfortune, having encountered the insane old eunuch, resulting in her tragic death!
As for why the old eunuch had stormed the palace to kill the Emperor… The presiding judge asked out of curiosity, but the pale-faced prisoner hesitated for a moment and then suddenly revealed a shocking secret—it turned out that Chief Eunuch Li had been colluding with Prince Zhongshun, and Prince Zhongshun had always harbored rebellious intentions, which was why the old eunuch subconsciously wanted to assassinate the emperor!
A sudden storm struck, and this unexpected news naturally shook the court. No matter how incompetent the emperor was, "rebellion" was an absolute taboo—anyone who crossed it would die! Without further ado, they raided the Prince Zhongshun's residence. Although they didn't find direct evidence of rebellion, they did find a mountain of embezzled treasure, and even a blueprint for the construction of the Leopard Chamber. This enraged the emperor. How dare anyone, besides himself, the Son of Heaven, enjoy the pleasures of the Leopard Chamber—he deserved to die!
In the end, although the Prince Zhongshun wasn't executed, the arrogant and domineering prince met a tragic end: his property confiscated and he exiled to the army. From then on, the capital city was spared a vicious dog. The emperor, unintentionally, had done a great service to the common people—truly a rare and precious thing!
The Jia family's imperial concubine died, Prince Zhongshun fell from power, and the Imperial Advisor, second only to the emperor, fled in disgrace. The once-turbulent capital city underwent a dramatic shift overnight. As the saying goes, some rejoice while others grieve; political factions never truly disappear, rising faster and more fiercely than the waves of the Yangtze River pushing the old ones forward.
Zhao Quan, having lost his powerful patron, also lost a major enemy. Coupled with the death of the Imperial Concubine, although he hadn't yet found any leverage over Jia Baoyu, he couldn't help but laugh sinisterly, believing the situation was excellent.
"Ha, ha…" Baoyu, laughing heartily, removed his eunuch's robes. The man who had orchestrated this spectacle was truly enjoying the company of a beautiful woman and the thrill of vanquishing enemies!
The Jia family, both happy and worried, was in an uproar; the once-glorious faces of the four great families began to fade!
The family's most brilliant new star, Baoyu, returned safely to his residence; even the devastating imperial palace hadn't harmed him in the slightest. The four great families were naturally overjoyed and filled with pride! But no sooner had Baoyu entered the mansion than the eunuch in charge of announcing the death from the palace swept away the bright sunshine with a thick cloud—their powerful backer had collapsed; Consort Yuan had suddenly died of a violent illness! What were they to do?! A heavy weight of sorrow pressed down on everyone's hearts, making it hard for them to breathe!
"My son!" Lady Wang cried out in anguish, her vision blurred, and she fainted on the spot. The bond between mother and daughter was far stronger than that of ordinary people!
"Mother!" Baoyu rushed forward and caught Lady Wang's slumped figure. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for his perfect plan. How could he have forgotten to consider that the beautiful woman would be heartbroken?!
What a sin! It seemed he should let his mother and sister meet sooner rather than later. But was it too early to reveal the secret of the Red Mansion?! Even if he were to take his mother, shouldn't he first try to change the relationship between mother and son?! Heh, heh…

Volume 3, Chapter

1: The Arrogant Robbery of a Beauty.

On the surface, Baoyu was equally heartbroken, but secretly rejoiced. Luckily, he had resolved Yuanyang's affair in time; otherwise, the “bad news” would have made the happy occasion quite difficult! Heh heh…
Having just entered the mansion, the Second Master Bao didn't exchange many pleasantries with the welcoming crowd. Thinking of his beloved, he rushed into the Grand View Garden in a few strides, heading straight for the depths of the grove.
“Sigh!” Unaware that her “enemy” had returned, Yuanyang sat alone in her usual spot. The cold stone bench couldn't ward off the chill in her heart. Her sorrowful sighs made the once vibrant maple leaves sway listlessly in the wind.
"When will you come back? Are we really destined to be apart?" The girl stared blankly at the distant sky. As always, whenever she was lost in thought, a phantom would appear in her field of vision. But when the girl, her face streaked with tears of joy, rushed forward, the phantom would always vanish into countless points of light, pushing her into the abyss of despair time and time again.
If it weren't for the deep sisterly care and constant protection of Xi Ren and the other girls, the beautiful girl, trapped in her delusion, would probably have already perished tragically!
Seeing the phantom of her lost thoughts drawing ever closer, tears of mixed joy and sorrow streamed down Yuanyang's face. Even though it was a phantom, it was still hope! Her trembling body rushed towards the radiant figure bathed in sunlight without hesitation. "Baoyu, you're back!" Yuanyang's
eyes were slightly closed as she opened her arms wide. The sorrow that had become ingrained in her heart was already rising, and she was just waiting for her hands to be met with emptiness, when sorrow would engulf her completely.
"Ah!" A trembling sound of surprise escaped her lips. Yuanyang's beautiful eyes blinked heavily in disbelief, the illusion still lingering before her. "Thump, thump..." Her heart raced like a stampede of horses, unstoppable. In her trepidation, she resorted to the age-old, yet most effective, method of verification.
"Ouch!" Caught off guard, Baoyu winced in pain at the sudden sharpness in his arm. Was this truly the best way for a woman to express happiness?!
Good heavens! It's real! Baoyu has really returned! Yuanyang bit down hard on herself—on the body of Baoyu before her. The astringent taste of blood finally made the girl realize the reality before her—her savior had returned, the savior she had longed for had returned!
"Ugh..." A choked groan shattered Yuanyang's carefully constructed facade of strength. The stronger a woman appears on the outside, the more unstoppable her raging fire becomes once she falls in love!
"I'm back!" Baoyu gently stroked the beauty's hair, a thousand words condensed into this tender comfort. His simple, straightforward sentence contained boundless meaning, like a warm spring breeze instantly soothing the cracks in the young girl's heart.
"Come, let's go see the Old Madam!" Baoyu took Yuanyang's arm, his firm words brimming with confidence, a wild aura subtly surging beneath his untamed expression.
"Bao... Baoyu, the Old Madam has promised the Master, she won't take back her word!" Yuanyang was still adjusting to the sudden change in their relationship. Although the embrace had dispelled the long-suppressed resentment and sorrow in her heart, the young woman, who had served the Old Madam for many years, understood the stubbornness of the Old Madam. While aristocratic families might not have absolute authority, they wouldn't easily change important matters to maintain their dignity!
"Listen! I—want—you!" Bao-yu's eyes were filled with solemnity, his earnest expression making the space between them incredibly heavy. Each word he uttered was like thunder, etched directly into the depths of the strong young girl's heart. "I'm not taking you to discuss this with the old lady, I'm just informing them!"
"What?" Bao-yu's domineering expression caused Yuan-yang's beautiful eyes to flash with surprise. Domineering doesn't mean unreasonable! While his wild and assertive nature lacked tenderness and romance, it provided women with the security, stability, and emotional support they desperately needed. "Baoyu, but the old lady is the one in charge!"
"Hmph!" Baoyu's confident and arrogant smile only fueled the girl's infatuation. "No one can stop me, Second Master Bao, from doing what I want! Let's go!"
Before the words were even finished, his strong hands swept her up, and before she could react, Baoyu had swept her into his arms and carried her straight towards the old lady's residence. The maids and servants they encountered along the way were all dumbfounded. If it weren't for Second Master Bao's dignified and calm demeanor, they would have thought their master had fallen ill again!
After the beautiful girl's repeated pleas and coquettish pleas, Baoyu, upon arriving at the main courtyard, had no choice but to release the intimate embrace. However, he still wouldn't let the girl leave his side for more than three feet, otherwise, a punishment for his intimacy would descend from the sky.
Knowing Bao Yu's audacity, Yuanyang was terrified, her delicate face flushed crimson, rarely seen before her prominent breasts. Shyly and timidly, she followed her domineering husband as he lifted the curtain and entered.
"Yu'er, I've missed you so much!" Not only was Grandmother Jia present, but also Xing Shi, You Shi, Feng Jie, Li Wan, and other older, more respected women were all seated. It was clear how lively the gathering had been in front of the old lady recently, each with their own agenda. Xing Shi and You Shi were naturally there for their husbands, while Feng Jie and Li Wan, needless to say, were busy for Bao Yu!
"Come, let Grandmother have a good look at you!" Grandmother was overjoyed and didn't notice the unusually unusual Yuanyang beside Bao Yu.
"Your son greets Grandmother!" Bao Yu's tall figure gave a slight bow, his magnanimous demeanor causing the women in the room to secretly marvel, especially Feng Jie, who was even more impressed. She hadn't seen her beloved for ten days and found him even more manly! This is terrible—terrible! If this continues, won't we have a huge bunch of sisters and cousins in the future?! That would be utterly disastrous!
Speaking of handsome men, while the women of the Jia family were renowned for their beauty, the men were all exceptionally handsome, possessing a striking and refined appearance. However, among all the members of the Jia family, from the innermost to the outermost ranks, only Baoyu stood out. His carefree spirit, seemingly from the future, after his illness, added to his mystique and depth. His pre-illness innocence and post-illness mischievous smile were perfectly complemented by his charmingly wicked grin. This man, who already captivated the hearts of many women, had now miraculously transformed again, becoming not only dashing and debonair but also bold and masculine. Furthermore, the "Spiritual Jade" bestowed upon him a mystical aura, making it no wonder that even the middle-aged beauties, Xing and You, couldn't help but feel a slight tremor in their hearts.
"This servant greets the Old Madam, the First Madam, and Madam Zhen!" At this crucial moment for her life's happiness, Yuanyang finally stepped forward, shedding her girlish timidity and shyness, secretly thinking that Ping'er was right: happiness must be earned! Since Baoyu could be fearless, what did she have to fear?! At worst, she'd be beaten to death by the old lady in a fit of anger! Who said women were inferior to men? Yuanyang refused to believe it!
"It's Yuanyang, good to see you back!" The old lady, seeing her beloved maid who had stormed into Yihong Courtyard in a huff, was overjoyed at her misunderstanding and generously greeted her, "Come and give this old lady a shoulder massage. I feel so uncomfortable without you serving me. Don't worry, Grandmother won't let She'er mistreat you. From now on, you'll be a concubine of the Jia family!"
Hearing the old lady's initial loving words, Yuanyang couldn't help but redden her eyes, and tears of grievance quickly welled up in her eyes. But upon hearing the old lady's self-righteous "comfort" afterward, the stubborn girl felt a sudden chill, abruptly stopping her tears and the steps she had just taken.
The beautiful young woman, having made up her mind to go all in, straightened her expression and was about to solemnly refuse the old lady's kindness again. Her lips had barely parted when Baoyu's confident and resolute gaze calmly closed them, giving her a sense of reassurance—with her beloved by her side, she didn't need to worry; he would handle everything!
"Don't worry, Grandmother," she said, "not only with your approval, but I myself will not let Yuanyang suffer the slightest grievance. Besides, my husband also said..." At this moment, Xing Shi naturally added fuel to the fire. Since she had vigorously promoted this marriage for Jia She, Jia She's attitude towards her had greatly improved recently, filling this honest and dutiful woman with joy and further solidifying her belief in the ancient wisdom of a woman following her husband after marriage!
Before Madam Xing could finish speaking, Bao Yu abruptly and rudely interrupted her. Unexpectedly, Bao Yu coldly retorted, "Madam, you are mistaken! Yuanyang is already my wife; how can she be betrothed to the Master? Wouldn't that be absurd?!"
"Ah!" Bao Yu's words were like a boulder thrown into water, creating a thousand ripples. The old lady and the other women were stunned, while Feng Jie, who understood the situation, secretly chuckled. Her beloved's move was truly brilliant; only this scoundrel would dare use such a dishonorable trick! Hehe…
Yuanyang blushed upon hearing this, but only for a moment. Overwhelming joy filled the young girl's eyes. Her beloved, the dignified Bao Yu, wasn't afraid of gossip; what did she have to fear?! As long as she could be with him, what did a little "reputation" matter?!
"What?! Yu'er, don't talk nonsense! Yuanyang is already betrothed to your uncle!" The old lady's face turned pale, her eyes fixed on Baoyu's face, trying to find a flaw. Having been able to hold power in the large family for so many years, her shrewdness was not for nothing!
"I'm not talking nonsense. Yuanyang was already mine before we entered the palace!" Facing the questioning and shocked looks of the crowd, Baoyu grasped the girl's jade hand, his warm and strong hand sending endless courage into Yuanyang's heart.
"This..." The old lady's mind raced. Faced with Yuanyang's stubbornness and her grandson's sudden "rebellion," the shrewd old woman inevitably felt a slight displeasure amidst the conflict and frustration. She was displeased that she couldn't have the final say, and displeased that her authority as a mistress had been severely undermined. "No! No matter what, Yuanyang must marry She'er. I'll pretend I didn't hear your nonsense. Get out!"
An invisible air current surged violently, and the sudden chill made everyone in the room feel suffocated. Instead of Baoyu and Yuanyang's trembling and submissive obedience, Baoyu suddenly stood up, his arrogant aura shattering the glint in the old lady's eyes. A
mysterious light flashed in Baoyu's eyes, tightly enveloping the minds of the women in the room, especially the old lady and Xing Shi. The boundless pressure transformed into an inexplicable force, deeply etched into their hearts. Even gods and demons would avoid the "Soul-Capturing Eye," let alone two mere mortal women!
"Yuanyang is my woman. Anyone who dares to harbor ill intentions is committing a heinous crime, do you understand?!" Because of the old lady's stubbornness, Baoyu had lost his usual respect. In his heart, he hated such stubborn and pedantic people who harmed others' happiness. Countless tragedies in love stemmed from such self-righteous, high-and-mighty figures. Baoyu, who saw such people as executioners, naturally wouldn't show them any mercy.
"Remember! Yuanyang is Baoyu's woman, no one can harbor any ill intentions!" As if in a dream, the old lady and Xing Shi naturally agreed with Baoyu's words.
"That's good!" Seeing that the matter was settled, Baoyu relaxed, giving his widowed sister-in-law Li Wan a warm smile, then casting a deep, affectionate glance at the equally excited Feng Jie.
Without uttering another word, he surveyed the crowd, then with an air of nonchalance, took Yuanyang's hand and turned to leave. His undeniable words drifted on the wind: "From this day forward, Yuanyang will serve me at the Grand View Garden!"
In the past, with his "fake" Baoyu's eloquence and superior status, he could have easily resolved this minor incident with a little effort and time, even pleasing the old lady. However, Jia Mu's rigid adherence to hierarchy had touched a raw nerve—she had arranged marriages for his own women! Enraged, he resorted to the most ruthless and barbaric methods, largely due to the violent energy constantly emanating from the "divine stone."
Unable to understand and unwilling to understand, Baoyu, along with the happy young girl, flew out of his cage like a bird. While his mind was filled with resentment and turmoil, a fierce fire of desire began to flicker within him, igniting like countless sparks. Fueled by the power of the divine stone, it flared even more intensely. His heart pounding, he quickened his pace, grabbing Yuanyang's slender waist and leaping away.
"Alas! It seems I, the old lady, made a mistake!" The boundless power of the magic easily defeated the old lady's feudal stubbornness. An inexplicable subconscious force brought a smile to her face, and she said with great relief, "Fortunately, Yu'er returned in time, otherwise I would have been so sorry for Yuanyang!"
"Grandmother, it was your daughter-in-law's fault!" Xing Shi's change was inevitable; the already kind and honest middle-aged beauty became even more utterly fervent. "Yu'er has truly grown up. I'll go back and persuade my husband not to commit such sins!"
"Hmm! You're just too honest. You can't always blindly follow Jia She without distinguishing right from wrong," the old lady sighed, deeply moved. Although her mind had changed, she still felt a little resentful about the broken promise. "Go back and tell Jia She that if he wants beautiful women, he can buy a few outside. I, as his mother, will pay for it. As for wanting to be the head of the household..."
The old lady's expression turned serious, and she solemnly said to Xing Shi, "Go back and tell him to do some good deeds for everyone in the household to see. Don't just eat, drink, and be merry all day long without doing any proper work. How can he win everyone's respect like that?!"
"Yes, daughter-in-law obeys!" Xing Shi was surprised by this unexpected joy. She had been worried that Jia She would blame her, but now that the old lady had said this, things were different. Although Jia She wanted to marry Yuanyang because of her beauty, he mainly wanted the old lady's support!
"Let's disperse! I'm a little sleepy too!" The unexpected turn of events was naturally exhausting. The elderly lady, having just "competed" with Baoyu, was inevitably tired. After lazily waving everyone away, she lay down on the kang (heated brick bed) with the less-than-ideal help of her maids and servants. As she closed her eyes, the old lady couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Ah! Yuanyang is still the best! But how could I have been so confused?!"
"What?!" Jia She's thunderous roar startled the entire East Mansion.
"Is that so! Good, good...ha, ha!" A moment later, the man, whose emotions were always on display, was again delighted by the good news and burst into laughter.
"Master, how can we accomplish something great?! What kind of thing would truly bring honor and glory to the family?!" Seeing that she had successfully quelled Jia She's anger, Xing Shi's anxious heart calmed down. However, thinking of her husband's usual behavior, she couldn't help but worry again.
"A great thing?! A glory?!" Jia She, lacking any real talent, indeed frowned. After pondering for a moment, all he could think of besides eating, drinking, and merrymaking were cockfighting, dog racing, and womanizing!
"I've got it!" A flash of inspiration struck the old man, and he came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea. "Didn't I say that my nephew Sun is very capable? If we just get him to help us accomplish a few great things in the capital, then I can immediately buy myself a substantive official position, wouldn't that be perfect?!"
Just as Jia She was laughing triumphantly, the eunuch from the palace finally arrived at the Jia mansion with the news of a death, leaving the group of powerful figures, accustomed to relying on others, feeling as if the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed!
Amidst the widespread grief, a somber atmosphere hung over the Jia family mansion. However, the power struggle for the family headship only intensified, becoming even more fierce. With the premature return of Jia Zhen and his son, the internal strife was on the verge of erupting. Fortunately, the passing of the "Imperial Consort" forced them to maintain proper decorum, and all the unspoken conflicts would erupt after yet another funeral at the Jia family mansion.
The noble imperial consort's remains were, of course, buried in the royal mausoleum, while the Jia family could only mourn this woman who had dedicated her life to the family with a cenotaph! The hundred-day mourning period was filled with mournful music and banners; white mourning clothes fluttered in the air!
Despite the genuine or feigned sorrow and grief of the crowd, Baoyu remained calm and composed, unfazed by the astonished looks of the world. He had lost all interest in pretense; in this vast world, what could possibly require the current Baoyu to feign grief?
The human heart is unpredictable! Ironically, this unusual behavior was interpreted by everyone as a sign of profound grief, and the fact that the younger brother kept trying to comfort his grieving sister left the outwardly calm Bao Yu bewildered, both amused and exasperated. Under the "well-meaning" advice and sympathetic gazes of the crowd, he grew increasingly frustrated and could only sneak back to the Red Mansion at night to frantically assault the body of the "culprit," seeking revenge.
Amidst the bustling crowd, Bao Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "This Jia family is truly going through a rough patch; so many funerals before and after the New Year!"
"Yu'er, don't let your grief ruin your health!" Jia She's "kind" words startled Bao Yu from his reverie. With a warm smile, Jia She showed no airs of an elder, gently patting his nephew's shoulder. "Our Jia family still needs you to bring honor to our ancestors! You must cheer up!"
"What are you saying, Master? I am unworthy and without talent. The family will have to rely on you, Uncle, from now on!" The astute Bao Yu saw through Jia She's intentions immediately, cursing inwardly, "Old man, trying to probe my intentions! But I truly have no interest in being the head of this family!"
With this thought, Bao Yu changed his tone, his expression becoming incredibly sincere as he went straight to the point: "I only enjoy romance and poetry. Father is seriously ill now, so naturally I hope that Uncle can manage the family affairs from now on, and also take better care of his own nephew!"
"Ha, ha..." Regardless of whether Baoyu's words were true or false, Jia She found them very pleasing to the ear, patting his chest vigorously and assuring him, "Yu'er, don't worry, my second brother and I are siblings from the same mother, and I will treat you the same as Lian'er in the future."
Before he finished speaking, the old man's tone changed, and he said in a slightly embarrassed low voice, "Yu'er, don't mind what happened with Yuanyang the other day. Your uncle didn't know she was already yours!"
"What are you saying, sir? It should be my fault!" Baoyu returned the greeting with a bow, a sense of surprise rising in his heart. What was Jia She trying to do? This kind of submissive behavior was unlike his usual style!
"I'm relieved to hear that, Yu'er!" Jia She chuckled, then his voice cleared the fog in Bao Yu's mind. The old man's eyes, clouded by wine and women, suddenly filled with anticipation. "I heard that Yu'er is good friends with the current Vice Minister of Rites, Lord Shi. Is that true?!"
Before the bewildered Bao Yu could reply, the old man pressed on with his final purpose, "Lord Shi, now the Vice Minister of Rites, must be very busy. Wouldn't he be too busy to manage the affairs of the Red Chamber's incense shop? Recently, Jia Qiang has been free and looking for a job. Yu'er, you're in charge of the Red Chamber, could you let Qiang help Lord Shi at the shop?"
Damn it! The old man! Bao Yu smiled naturally while cursing inwardly. This old fellow isn't even the head of the family yet and he's already trying to play tricks! Fine, I'll play along! Isn't life just a game? I'll use the rules of the game to outplay you! Hehe… that's what makes life interesting. Otherwise, it'll all be over in a flash, what's the point?!
However, Jia She's reminder finally made the lazy Baoyu remember that he was still the Vice Minister of Rites. He seemed to have only been to the Ministry of Rites once, when he received his official seal, and hadn't been there since. He didn't know anyone in the entire Ministry, from his superiors to his subordinates. However, Lord Shi Yu had been jointly recommended by the "Loyal Prince" and the "Imperial Guard," and even the Minister dared not utter a word against him. This guy, who had never served a single day, was now the most diligent official in the Ministry of Rites.
"Don't worry, Your Excellency, I'll talk to Brother Shi in a few days. No problem!" The carefree fellow secretly rejoiced. Luckily, he had been clever enough to only accept the minor position of Vice Minister. This way, he wouldn't have to be a lazy bum at court every day, and it would be perfectly useful for his long-planned schemes—a win-win situation!
"Good, good... Your uncle wasn't wrong about you!" Seeing Baoyu's unexpected generosity and noticing there weren't many people around, Jia She pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and offered it to Baoyu. "Yu'er, this stuff is really good. I really regret not discovering it sooner, wasting so much time enjoying it!"
After some casual conversation, a listless Baoyu cleverly made an excuse to leave before losing patience, and Jia She, having achieved his goal, happily saw him off.
Alas! Leaving Jia She's harassment, Baoyu looked at the group of women and sighed deeply. This was probably the second unforeseen flaw in his perfect plan. He had intended to return home and reconnect with his sisters, but the funeral of Yuan Chun had brought grief and sorrow to the unsuspecting sisters, leaving him listless all day. Even Ying Chun, who knew the truth, was greatly affected and lost her vitality. This lecherous man could only watch from afar, unable to find any reason to play with them.
Alas! Another heavy sigh escaped Baoyu's lips. With a final, helpless glance at Daiyu, Baochai, and the other ladies, he turned and walked away pitifully.
"Yu'er, wait!" A soft, alluring call instantly lifted Baoyu's spirits. Turning around, he saw Aunt Xue, accompanied by Li Wan, emerging from the crowd and hurrying towards him. The
air was filled with the melodious chirping of birds and the intoxicating fragrance of flowers. Baoyu felt as if he had ascended from hell to heaven. Had his beautiful aunt, knowing his loneliness, come to "comfort" him?! Every cloud has a silver lining. Although the sisters had "abandoned" the pitiful Baoyu because of the funeral, Aunt Xue, Baochai, and Xiangling had returned to the Grand View Garden—a truly wonderful thing!
"Auntie, I've missed you so much!" Facing the middle-aged beauty approaching, Baoyu tried his best to suppress his surging emotions, but his words were still filled with endless, hidden passion. His already weak self-control, fueled by the power of the divine stone, was even more vulnerable, and he could
n't help but take a step closer to his beautiful aunt. "Yu'er, 'Auntie' missed you too!" Although Aunt Xue was also experiencing a surge of emotion, she dared not be the slightest bit presumptuous with Li Wan beside her. She quickly reminded her young lover to be careful, emphasizing her words.
"Hehe..." Li Wan didn't think much of it; Baoyu's dependence on his aunt was common knowledge! She genuinely favored her brother-in-law, who bore a striking resemblance to her husband, subconsciously always assuming he was the brightest and most noble. The plump young woman, laughing and joking, teased, "Auntie, see? I wasn't wrong! Brother Bao must be even more excited to see you than he is to see his wife. You should have moved back a long time ago!"
Feeling guilty, Aunt Xue forced a smile, subtly rolling her eyes at her lover before calmly shifting her gaze. She dared not linger on this "sensitive" topic. "Yu'er, your elder brother Pan is going to the borderlands to relax. He wants to see you before he leaves!"
Chapter Two: Mandarin Ducks Intertwined, Jade Gate Opens
"Ah! It's been so long since I've seen Brother Pan!" Baoyu exclaimed with a sigh, "I wonder if Brother Pan is feeling any better?"
"Alas! Pan'er is already like this! But it's for the best, otherwise he would have been killed by those good-for-nothing friends one day!" Aunt Xue, mother and son, were deeply conflicted when talking about her usually domineering son.
"Aunt, it's getting late today, why don't you take me to see Brother Pan first thing tomorrow morning?" Baoyu's heart was filled with excitement, and he subtly extended a passionate invitation to his beautiful aunt.
Ah! Aunt Xue's heart skipped a beat, feeling a surge of heat rising within her, rushing into her secret valley and making her jade gate muddy. How could this intelligent middle-aged beauty not understand the thoughts of this wicked young man?! However, he still replied with a hint of excitement, "Alright, I'll be waiting for you first thing tomorrow morning!"
"Sister Wan, how is Lan'er?" Having received his aunt's reply, Baoyu was naturally pleased and immediately turned his attention to his beautiful sister-in-law.
"Lan'er has become much more cheerful lately. He talks about you, his second uncle, all the time," the voluptuous beauty said, a hint of doubt in her eyes, then a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "What kind of magic potion have you given Lan'er? He and Jia Huan talk about your good points all day long, and these two little fellows have become so studious!"
"Heh, heh..." Baoyu's face showed genuine joy, but he dared not tell the truth. He could only try to deceive her with a silly, childlike grin. He knew he had specifically sent people to escort the two little ones out of the mansion to play. If Li Wan, who always forbade her sons from leaving the house, knew this, wouldn't she hate him to the core?!
"Second Uncle!" A child's innocent voice brimming with surprise and joy rang out. Jia Lan, who had been the subject of their conversation, broke free from the care of the maids and servants and rushed forward, leaping into Bao Yu's arms without a word. Jia Huan, following closely behind, though not as excited, also clutched his second brother's sleeve with great enthusiasm.
"Hey!" Bao Yu bent down and embraced the not-yet-ten-year-old Jia Lan. The innocent heart of the child made him feel incredibly relaxed, and a sense of pride as an elder welled up within him. "Come, let your second uncle see if you've grown taller."
"Second Brother, do you have any new toys? We're already tired of the good things you gave us last time!" The slightly older Jia Huan's words revealed Bao Yu's methods for winning over children.
"Brother Bao, you'll spoil the child like this!" Li Wan felt a subtle displeasure and a touch of inexplicable disappointment rising in her heart. This beautiful young woman, who had always been strict with her son, didn't want him to develop a bad habit of playing around from a young age.
Oh no! Baoyu didn't miss the resentment in his sister-in-law's eyes. He secretly cursed Jia Huan, calling him a fool, "How can you be as stupid as Aunt Zhao?!" He had clearly taught him not to reveal anything, yet he spoke loudly in front of everyone!
The calm and collected Baoyu showed no panic. He lifted Jia Lan high to block Li Wan's view, winked at the clever Jia Lan, and then smiled without changing his expression, saying, "Sister Wan, you're overthinking it. This is a reward for Lan'er and the others' diligent study. As long as they meet the teacher's requirements, I'll give them a gift. This is a fair reward and punishment, isn't it?"
"Yes!" The clever Jia Lan immediately understood his second uncle's look and unhesitatingly defended him, saying, "Mother, I should also be rewarded for my hard work. Don't worry, Second Uncle said that only by reading and learning can one understand the principles of being a good person. I won't forget that!"
"You silly child!" Li Wan couldn't contain her joy, feeling apologetic for misunderstanding Bao Yu. She stepped forward and reached out to take her obedient son. "Come here, come to your mother. Don't bother your second uncle!"
The voluptuous beauty's tone changed, and she spoke softly to Bao Yu, "Brother Bao, it was your sister-in-law who misunderstood a good man. You've gone to so much trouble for Lan'er!"
Bao Yu handed Jia Lan to Li Wan, and during the handover, his large hand "accidentally" brushed against the beauty's fair wrist. The delicate arm ignited a burning passion in the wicked young man, and his seemingly tangible gaze directly burned the beauty's face. His passionate words subtly changed amidst the warm family affection, "Sister Wan, you're speaking like an outsider. As his second uncle, of course I should properly teach Lan'er. The Jia family will rely on him to bring glory to our ancestors in the future!" Hmm
! These were ordinary words, yet they struck Li Wan like a boulder into the gently rippling lake of her heart. If these words had come from the deceased Jia Zhu, they would have been perfectly fitting. But coming from her uncle, they inevitably stirred up the deep-seated resentment within this dignified beauty. A surge of emotion blurred Li Wan's vision, and through her tear-blurred eyes, she once again mistook the handsome Bao Yu for her deceased husband. How could she not feel sorrow and self-pity, her passions becoming uncontrollable?
"Huan'er, where have you run off to again, you wild boy!" Aunt Zhao's anxious call rang out from the crowd. The middle-aged beauty who followed the sound couldn't help but brighten before even getting close. "Baoyu, so Huan'er is here!"
Out of respect for Tan Chun, and considering Aunt Zhao's transformed, radiant beauty, Baoyu gave the middle-aged beauty a friendly smile. "Aunt, it's been so long! You've lost weight. Tell me what's troubling you!"
"Nothing, everyone treats me very well!" Aunt Zhao smiled gratefully at Baoyu, but a hint of resentment quietly surfaced in her eyes. Baoyu's casual remark had unintentionally stirred up her resentment. Since Jia Zheng's serious injury, she had become a widow in name only! Even before Jia Zheng's accident, the couple had rarely seen each other. The middle-aged beauty, now in her prime, naturally felt deeply wronged!
"Huan'er, don't cling to your second uncle! You're not studying properly again today!" Aunt Zhao stepped forward to grab Jia Huan. Her son was far more mischievous than Jia Lan. In a flash, he slipped behind Bao Yu.
"Ah!" The middle-aged beauty, unable to stop herself, missed her footing and, by sheer coincidence, stepped on some gravel. Her voluptuous body suddenly fell into Bao Yu's arms.
"Aunt, be careful!" In front of everyone, the agile Bao Yu reached out and pushed, just in time to straighten Aunt Zhao's body. His movements were so fast that even Li Wan beside him didn't see it clearly.
"Huan-di, stop fooling around. Listen to your aunt, or there won't be a reward next time!" Bao Yu turned around with an unchanging expression and led Jia Huan to Aunt Zhao.
"Second brother, I finished reciting the Three Character Classic before coming out!" Although Jia Huan complained, he still obediently accepted Bao Yu's combination of carrot and stick approach.
Whether Aunt Zhao was still recovering from the shock of the fall, or something else, it was unclear. The middle-aged woman, her face flushed with fright, stood frozen, seemingly oblivious to Jia Huan's complaints.
"Then recite it for me!" Bao Yu knew his younger brother wasn't cut out for studying, and wanted to see if his future-orientation would work, and also wanted to impress Li Wan.
"At birth, man's nature is good. Their natures are similar, but habits..." Jia Huan, as expected, treated Bao Yu's words like sacred decree, and surprisingly began reciting it aloud. While not fluent, he recited it perfectly!
"Hehe...good, good boy! Tomorrow I'll bring you something new!" Bao Yu was overjoyed. The admiration in the eyes of Li Wan, Aunt Xue, and Aunt Zhao made him feel elated. So this was what it felt like to be a teacher!
"Brother Bao, I never imagined you were so good at teaching children!" Li Wan's heart was filled with shock, her plump face beaming with admiration and anticipation. "The teacher at the academy has recently returned to his hometown. Why don't you take some time to teach Lan'er?"
"I want Second Brother to be my teacher too!" Before Bao Yu could agree, Jia Huan had already shouted, revealing the child's jealous nature, which made all the adults smile.
"Since Sister Wan has given the order, I will gladly comply!" The boy, who deliberately reversed the "husband and wife following each other" rule, had even more burning eyes, his heart filled with unbridled joy. He never thought he could have such an unexpected stroke of luck. Wouldn't this mean he could see Sister Wan more often?!
The two children cheered with joy, their little minds already filled with the endless fun of their new teacher taking them on a tour of the streets. However, Li Wan and Aunt Zhao, as their mothers, had very different feelings.
The unusual gaze of her uncle struck Li Wan like a giant hammer, creating a huge wave of shock and sounding a warning bell for her reason.
The elegant beauty couldn't help but ponder whether her decision was right or wrong. In a hazy state, Li Wan seemed to see Jia Zhu appear in her mind, a captivating smile of praise and encouragement on his face.
As for Aunt Zhao, from the moment Baoyu "rescued" her, the middle-aged beauty hadn't calmed the turbulent waves in her heart. The burning sensation on her chest still lingered, and the tingling, aching feeling from Baoyu's forceful grip still surged within her. Her inner valley was now soaked and unbearably wet!
As dusk settled, Bao Yu, returning from the mourning hall, dragged his long shadow into the Grand View Garden. The thought of his passionate rendezvous with his beautiful aunt the next day fueled the fire within him, causing the poor "Little Bao Yu" to wail, jump around, and protest defiantly, "It's so hot! It's bursting! I'm going to explode!"
A serious fire, of course, needed immediate extinguishing. Fortunately, Chun Yu, the seasoned firefighter, was nearby. The man, his heart ablaze, involuntarily shuddered, instantly transforming from desolation into vigor, his powerful steps swiftly advancing towards the women in the back courtyard.
"Ah!" The lustful wolf, burning with desire, had just stepped through the back gate when he bumped head-on into Yuan Yang, who was emerging from within! The girl, unable to avoid it, tried to stop and move away, but the quick-witted Bao Yu had already seized the lamb into his arms. Besides screaming, the girl could only obediently submit to his fate!
"Sister Yuanyang, we really are destined to meet!" The chuckling fellow was thankful he didn't have a birdcage, otherwise his demeanor would have been exactly like that of a legendary scoundrel.
"You... what are you going to do? Let me go!" The teased girl naturally had to feign indignation and fear, but her performance seemed less than convincing; her blushing face far outweighed her fear, and she showed absolutely no apprehension.
"Heh, heh... what am I going to do? Of course, I want to have some 'lower body' interaction with Sister Yuanyang!" The dutiful lecher was indeed a skilled actor, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he approached the fleeing lamb. Since returning to the Yihong Courtyard, although the beauty had exchanged flirtatious glances with him, she always seemed to disappear at crucial moments. Furthermore, at the old lady's timely command, she returned to her room to serve the old woman, only returning to the Yihong Courtyard to rest in her spare time. This was clearly an extremely "despicable" act of betrayal!
Alas! Although the depressed guy had the tender comfort of several women, what man doesn't crave novelty?! Since their feelings had already been fully awakened and their hearts had resonated, the collision of their souls naturally led to passionate lovemaking and the fusion of body and soul!
"Baoyu, stop fooling around! I still need to help the old lady get to bed! She's waiting for me!" Yuanyang's heart fluttered under the brighter, more intense gaze of her beloved. The young girl instinctively sensed her troubled situation and quickly invoked the old lady's name as a shield, hoping to get through as easily as before. "Xiren and the others have been waiting for you inside for a long time. You'd better hurry! Otherwise, Qiuwen and Yuchuan won't give you a good look!"
At this moment, Baoyu's passion was even stronger than usual. He paid no heed to Yuanyang's "well-intentioned" reminder and continued to display his lecherous nature to the fullest. "You're such a dutiful maid! Shouldn't I reward you?!"
"No... ah!" The girl was "terrified" by Baoyu's "reward," her face turning from pale pink to crimson in an instant. Before her frantically waving hands could slow down, the lecherous man had already swept her up by the waist, lifting her with his strong arms. Like a bandit snatching a bride, he hoisted the beauty onto his shoulder.
"You scoundrel, you lecher, you big pervert!" In her desperation, the girl, disregarding her upper body, leaned against Baoyu's back, her small fists pounding the lecher's back repeatedly. It wasn't even completely dark yet, and he was already forcibly taking a "commoner's daughter" like this—truly a complete lecher!
Though the beauty's hands pounded incessantly, those adorable fists couldn't even kill a mosquito; it was more like she was giving Baoyu a back massage, comforting the lecher for his hard "work"!
The man who had successfully captured the beauty and brought her into his room suddenly turned back and inexplicably said to the empty corner as he stepped inside, "You lot, stop peeking! I'll deal with you later! Also, remember to go to the old lady's and ask Yuanyang for leave, saying she's not feeling well and needs to rest for a couple of days!"
"Hehe..." The five women emerged from around the corner, smiling broadly as they accepted the order. Having thoroughly experienced their lover's prowess, the women felt no jealousy or resentment; instead, they exchanged knowing smiles. Their relieved expressions stemmed from joy for Yuanyang and relief at having another helper.
A strong thought flashed through their shy hearts—this was perfect! With another sister to share the burden, the five of them wouldn't have to beg for mercy every night. Perhaps they could even turn the tide and bring glory to all women!
"No!" Faced with the teasing looks of her best friends, Yuanyang could no longer contain her embarrassment and blurted out, "Don't ask for leave, I'm perfectly fine, I don't feel unwell!"
"Slap!" Bao Erye's hot hand slapped the girl's pert buttocks hard, the passionate slap echoing as it ignited the fire of desire in the beauty's heart. "Baby, you'll feel unwell in a moment, I promise! You can ask Xiren and the others if you don't believe me!"
Before he finished speaking, and before the five girls, whose faces were also flushed with embarrassment, could utter a coquettish rebuke, the lecherous wolf had already carried the girl into the inner room. Although the door was wide open, none of the five girls, who were itching with hatred, dared to rush in and teach the bad boy a lesson. That was truly the tiger's den; once they went in, they would never return, walking into a trap!
"Yuanyang, you've suffered so much! It's all my fault, making you suffer so much injustice for nothing!" Back in the inner room, Baoyu, contrary to his previous impulsive and wild nature, lowered his head with utmost seriousness, gazing intently
at the girl's delicate face. His tender gaze revealed the words of remorse he had long held back. "Mmm!" Caught off guard, Yuanyang's heart broke instantly. Uncontrollable tears streamed down her face with overwhelming force. Overwhelmed by the sea of deep affection, the girl abandoned all pretense of restraint and threw herself into her lover's arms. "No, it's my fault! It's all my fault for being too strong-willed, that's why I hurt you that time with my impulsiveness."
She paused slightly, then slowly raised her face. Faced with the happiness she had sincerely longed for, the girl lost her usual strong exterior, like any girl about to have her dreams come true, filled with anxiety and uncertainty: "Baoyu, will you stop loving and caring for Yuanyang because of this?!"
"Silly girl!" Seeing the once self-reliant girl now so cautious and fearful, Bao Yu felt a pang of heartache and self-reproach. His expression became even more solemn as he earnestly and sincerely soothed the girl's chaotic emotions. "Yuanyang, do you know, I love your courage and decisiveness, I love your cold rebukes, I love your lack of respect for elders! If you become like Xiren and the others, you won't be you anymore, and you won't be the Yuanyang I love, understand?"
"I..." The fear of happiness plunged the girl into unprecedented deep thought, but Bao Yu's words were like a guiding light in the fog, bringing the girl who had almost lost herself back to the bright spring.
“I understand,” Yuanyang nodded calmly, her voice as flat as if reciting a memorized text, “So you like being scolded by me! Baoyu, are you having another episode?!”
“Thump! Heavens…” The illusory Baoyu let out a mournful cry, collapsing to the ground, foaming at the mouth and unconscious. He never imagined that all his hard work in speaking so many sincere words would result in him being labeled a pervert! Ugh! What kind of world is this?!
Feeling utterly helpless, the man was about to surrender to the girl's stubbornness when he caught a glimpse of Yuanyang's delicate hand secretly twisting the hem of her clothes, clearly showing the joy of a wicked scheme succeeding.
“Fine! You dare to tease your master, see how I enforce the family rules!” Baoyu immediately understood. The clever and beautiful girl had been awakened by his words. The reason the strong-willed girl was grateful to him after returning to normal was because of her habitual teasing, which showed no regard for the so-called difference in status between master and servant.
"Hee, hee..." The girl hurriedly fought back, but how could a lamb be a match for a big lecher? Her clothes were helplessly blown away. The unique girl was about to be completely defeated when a delicate shout brought back her courage to fight back. Her angry jade hand, with a sudden burst of strength, pounced on Bao Yu's body and tore his clothes to shreds as well.
"Mmm!" Before Yuanyang could even utter a joyful cry, Baoyu's fiery lips and tongue had already sealed the beauty's mouth. His deep affection drove his red tongue in a swift attack, breaching her pearly teeth and penetrating her core. Meanwhile, his intoxicating love led his delicate tongue in a fierce counterattack, clinging to her lover's kiss, inseparable!
The passionate kiss, though alluring, could not extinguish the burning passion within Baoyu. His large, almost magical hands automatically climbed onto the maiden's breasts. The sensitive, bright red breasts immediately sensed the approaching hand and sprang to their feet, standing proudly against the wind, closely monitoring the invading enemy's every move.
The five-armed army descended, their combined strength forcefully separating Yuanyang's legs. Just as
the maiden inwardly cried out, "Heavens!", an attack far more powerful than she had imagined
arrived —like a sudden storm!
"Oh!" A trembling moan burst from the lips of the beautiful girl. Driven by her instinctive
sensitivity, the young woman, though unable to see it, fully "saw" her lover's incredibly shameful
actions .
From now on, her most sensitive area would be completely at her lover's mercy. There would be no
gap between body and soul; her future life would be filled with the tall, affectionate figure of her beloved,
leaving no space between heaven and earth!
"Ugh! Baoyu…don't…stop!" The indistinct whisper escaped her lips; even
the beautiful girl herself didn't understand whether she meant "stop" or "don't stop!"
With our adorable, lecherous nature, he naturally chose the seductive invitation that would make any man's blood
boil .
Ah! With a wild roar, the illusory Baoyu, clinging to clarity and reason, leaped into the raging flames, perishing
together . Amidst the boundless, surging "waves," the lecherous man's last shred of self-control turned
to ashes and vanished with the wind!
"Ugh!" A moan of mingled joy and shyness was silenced between her lips and tongue! The girl only had time for a soft moan
before her open body and soul were forever given to him!
The fierce, masculine power of the divine stone transformed Bao Yu from gentle to wild. Though lacking the slow,
gentle tenderness of a slow assault, his wild passion transformed long pain into short-lived agony. This unique passion shared the same
genuine love. The strong-willed and proud girl cherished even more the strength and ferocity of
her ! Unexplained tears welled up in her eyes at this blissful moment, dripping onto her lover's heart
.
"Ah!" "Unavoidably, a piercing stab caused the girl's screams to echo loudly in the room. The tingling
numbness was temporarily masked by the excruciating pain. Her face pale, the girl's heart hardened, and she bit down
hard on her lover's shoulder. 'Live together, die together!' Since we're going to live and
die together, then naturally, I'll suffer, you suffer, we'll all suffer together!
A few 'peach blossoms' formed from endless true love drifted down, and the girl's unreserved devotion was
deeply etched into her lover's heart!
Through wind and rain, flowers bloomed and faded. After the brilliantly blooming, thorny roses had opened and withered several times, the long-dormant volcano finally erupted, and the arrival of 'divine bliss' brought another immortal beauty to the world!
Although the vitality of youth was boundless, the girl's body, newly favored, was delicate and powerless. Before the precious jade could be withdrawn, the girl, unable to withstand the onslaught, fell into a beautiful dream in a final, frantic thrust.
'My darling, rest well!'" A tender kiss landed on the mandarin duck's cheek. After carefully covering the jade-like woman with the quilt, the naked man walked straight through the wall and disappeared into the now completely dark night.
The Yihong backyard was a forbidden place for men, and this was not the first time that Master Bao had acted so wildly! This was the real paradise—a paradise of sexual bliss for him and his woman!

Chapter Three: Engraved Words of Love and Love.
The spacious and comfortable luxury carriage slowly drove out of the Jia mansion, heading straight for the Xue family, which was not far away.
Although this four-horse carriage could not compare to the "crazy" carriage that the little princess had painstakingly crafted with the help of the best craftsmen in the country, it was definitely a top-notch carriage. Not only did it feel like walking on flat ground, but it was also completely silent even at high speeds. The carriage shaft, the carriage, and even the horses' bodies were all wrapped in soft iron, which was not only impervious to swords and arrows, but the hollow layers could also completely isolate the noisy world, providing a safe passage for passengers. The owner of the carriage had ingeniously created a perfect leisure space, where one could lie down, recline, and even walk around! This ingenious design stemmed entirely from Bao Yu's homesickness for the future—it was clearly an ancient-style carriage house, complete with a wine cabinet and a bed!
Since its creation, Bao Yu had never ridden in the carriage more than a handful of times, except at the beginning. Most of the time, it was kept in the backyard for his sisters to enjoy and play with, especially Qiao Jie and Xiang Yun. Whenever they had free time, the two girls would inevitably wreak havoc in the carriage, inadvertently giving Bao Yu many opportunities to torment him!
Now, Bao Yu was finally using his beloved carriage, and he was making the most of its futuristic features!
A beloved carriage? What is a beloved carriage?! It's naturally a carriage for making love—a carriage specially built for doing what he loves most!
"Ah!" Amidst passionate moans, Bao Yu swiftly removed his aunt's lower garment. His hot, enormous member, long since untouched, returned to her familiar territory, thrusting powerfully deep into the woman's flower.
Aunt Xue, lying beside the bed, knew Bao Yu's nature and cried out uncontrollably.
Like a surging tide, splashing waves, their passion ignited instantly. The two lovers, burning with desire, channeled their pent-up longing and love into boundless energy, endlessly thrusting and yielding!
"Yu...Yu'er...gently...slowly...a little slower!" The beautiful woman, already lying on the bed, gasped for breath, her eyes shimmering with desire, forced to surrender.
"Snap!" "This time, it wasn't the sound of fiery flesh colliding, but rather the sound of slapping a fragrant buttock, which only fueled the imagination. As the lovers were making love, the thought of 'carving words,' which had been lingering in Bao Erye's mind lately, finally burst forth. It seemed the influence of the divine stone was truly immense; the more he tried to restrain himself, the more ferocious his surging desire became. If he didn't release it in time, the result would be that it would accumulate, causing his blood to surge and his heart to succumb to demonic possession. Under the frenzied surge of this forbidden love, the fire of desire fortunately erupted prematurely, and his beautiful aunt became the first to receive this 'special' favor!
'Ah… Yu'er… you… you… what are you doing?'" The searing pain jolted the middle-aged beauty. Coming from a wealthy and powerful family, she was familiar with sadomasochistic practices. Turning around, she caught sight of her wicked nephew's fiery eyes. Her intelligent heart leaped in shock. Good heavens! Could Baoyu be a terrifying pervert?! Only incompetent eunuchs in the palace would do such things! The thought of the legendary whips, candles, and other inhuman treatment filled her with rage, even though she loved her young lover to the core. No—she couldn't lose her dignity! If Baoyu really wanted to play these perverted games, then she… she would fight to the death!
Here it comes! Aunt Xue's sensitive heart tightened instantly, maintaining a semblance of clarity. Waves of pleasure surged within her, but she knew Baoyu would soon make "extremely" excessive demands. How could her heart not immediately succumb to a mixture of sorrow, anxiety, and overwhelming pleasure?!
“Dear Aunt, I…I want…” Baoyu’s stammering words fully revealed his rare timidity. Just as the middle-aged beauty, who had misunderstood his meaning, was about to turn hostile in her grief, God bless the anxious Baoyu, who finally mustered up the courage to make a wild request, “I want to have my name engraved on Aunt’s darling!”
Baoyu, in his haste, expressed his burning anticipation, and as he spoke, he gestured with his hand to give the beauty's fragrant buttocks a few firm squeezes!
Whew! The beauty's aunt's heart settled down, and the terrified woman, filled with boundless shyness, was both angry and amused. Although Baoyu's request was excessive, it was nothing compared to what she had imagined—a drop in the ocean. Moreover, having her beloved's name tattooed on her body was an expression of her lifelong, unwavering, and devoted love for the two of them! The beauty, her heart already filled with thoughts of her mischievous nephew, didn't hesitate for a moment. She simply gave Baoyu a coquettish glare, a charming revenge for making her worry unnecessarily. "You naughty boy, when did you get such strange ideas? Tell me honestly, whose body have you already carved your name on?"
"Good aunt, good wife!" Baoyu could easily tell that the beauty had tacitly agreed. His heart was filled with joy, and he said in an incredibly intimate tone, "You're the first! Yu'er will carve your name on it now, so that Yu'er will never be separated from Auntie!"
"Mmm!" The passionate words of her lover stirred a surge of desire within the middle-aged beauty. Hearing that she was the first woman he had ever engraved a mark on, the pride in her heart instantly overwhelmed everything else. "Come, my dear Yu'er, engrave your mark here on your aunt! Your aunt will always be yours, yours alone!"
Boundless magical light swirled around him, and with a wave of his hand, Bao Erye conjured a five-colored magic needle. This magically formed needle was even more effective than any real object. He wielded the brush with lightning speed, his strokes flowing like dragons and snakes, powerful and awe-inspiring.
A moment later, the magic needle vanished into countless points of light, but two extraordinary, vigorous, and rare characters—completely opposite, crooked, and illegible—had already appeared on the beautiful aunt's fragrant buttocks, indelible for a lifetime! On the left was "Bao," and on the right was "Yu"—the very mark of Bao Erye's love!
Baoyu's eyes gleamed as he gazed at his masterpiece. The childlike scribbles, however, were pleasing to his eye, far surpassing the beauty of any genuine work by renowned calligraphers! Heh, heh…
"Mmm!" A slight tremor ran through the valley moistened by spring tides. The middle-aged beauty, who had been waiting for her beloved for so long, turned and met her wicked nephew's bright gaze. Through the Western-style mirror hanging on the carriage wall, she saw the passionate imprint on her plump, fragrant buttocks. A tidal wave of passion surged within her, roaring incessantly!
The intoxicating breath, mixed with heavy panting, seeped into Baoyu's ecstatic mind. The woman's inner call seemed like an invisible thread, drawing Baoyu involuntarily to her rosy body. "Oh!" Both of them groaned in unison, a satisfied pleasure coursing through their bodies.
After a thunderous, galloping attack, the wildly excited nephew grabbed the beautiful woman and stood up, striding confidently back and forth in the carriage. This only fueled the fire of his powerfully erect penis, reaching a new height of passion. Unprecedented shouts and frenzied cries shook even the space around them!
"Ah...ya..." Considering the journey wasn't long, and although Master Bao wasn't quite finished and Aunt Xue still had the strength to continue, he could only relax his grip. As the beautiful woman eagerly awaited, he once again brought her to the heights of ecstasy, lingering there for a long time!
"Squeak!" The clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, just as the carriage reached its destination. After a few moments, the two, who had hurriedly straightened their clothes, forced themselves to regain their composure and leisurely got off the carriage. However, the beautiful woman's eyebrows and eyes were filled with an intoxicating spring-like charm, while the wicked nephew's eyes were also flashing with sparks. Fortunately, the servants had been controlled by the distinction between superiors and inferiors, and kept their faces down so that the shocking ambiguity would not reveal the slightest flaw!
"What?! Pan'er's already gone!" Aunt Xue and Baoyu had just stepped through the gates when the old steward rushed forward and reported in a deep voice. The beautiful woman, shocked and bewildered, muttered to herself, "Didn't Pan'er say he wanted to see Baoyu before going beyond the Great Wall to manage his business?! How could he suddenly leave like that?!" "
Reporting to Madam and Second Master Bao, the eldest master left a letter for Second Master Bao. He also made a last-minute decision to leave with the guards escorting the cigarettes beyond the Great Wall. The eldest master told Madam not to worry, his safety is guaranteed by the Red Mansion guards!" The old steward, a loyal servant of the Xue family for decades, couldn't help but sigh at the thought of the eldest young master's current miserable state. His large hand holding the letter trembled slightly.
Baoyu took the letter and followed Aunt Xue into the backyard. Looking at the desolate courtyard, the beautiful woman couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. The Xue family was already small, and now they were like flowers in the rain, teetering on the brink of extinction!
Baoyu stepped forward and stood beside her, his strong hand firmly supporting the beautiful woman's shoulder. At this moment, the middle-aged beauty was not a mature elder, but simply a helpless and heartbroken woman; Baoyu was not a nephew or junior, but the man of the sorrowful beauty, the hope and reliance of the helpless woman!
Aunt Xue slowly closed her beautiful eyes, and as two clear tears streamed down her face, the beauty gently rested her head against Baoyu's chest. The two lovers remained silent for a long time, enjoying the sweet taste of their tender feelings in this quiet stillness. Their hearts were peaceful and beautiful, and the spring breeze gradually dispelled the gloom in the middle-aged beauty's heart!
"Good sister, let's see what the letter says!" When no outsiders were present, except during passionate moments, Baoyu always addressed her as "sister" affectionately.
"Hmm!" The beauty's face was no longer etched with sorrow. She lifted the curtain and entered the empty room first. Since the great calamity, Xue Pan had been capricious, hiding in the backyard all day, refusing to see anyone. Even the servants were confined to the backyard, forbidden to step inside without being summoned. Thus, while people came and went in the front yard, the backyard was deserted and quiet. Only Bao Yu and Aunt Xue, the lovers, were present in the vast space!
With this favorable timing and location, Bao Yu, of course, unceremoniously sat close to Aunt Xue on the warm kang. Although his passion was stirred, he had to suppress the myriad of emotions igniting within him, remembering the letter from Xue Pan he still needed to read.
The fine Xuan paper was covered in hasty handwriting, and Bao Yu couldn't help but smile. It turned out that he wasn't the only one with this skill; there were others in the world whose "writing" could rival his! Hehe…
After half-guessing and half-convincing, he finally deciphered Xue Pan's handwriting, which was filled with pain and hatred, and the despair and gloom between the lines even shook Bao Yu, who had never liked Xue Pan. It turned out that the most painful thing in the world for a man to lose his "roots" was indeed this!
"Bao Yu, what did Pan'er say?" Seeing Bao Yu's solemn expression, Aunt Xue asked with great concern. Although she knew where her son was, the intelligent and beautiful woman couldn't help but feel deep worry and doubt!
"Nothing! He just asked me to take good care of my aunt, my precious aunt, and Sister Bao!" Bao Yu's calm face concealed a turbulent inner world. He deliberately used an intimate teasing tone to divert the beautiful woman's attention.
Xue Pan's letter did indeed entrust Bao Yu with the care of his family, but that wasn't the most important matter. Having suffered the most tragic event of his life, the foolish and domineering Xue Pan made a final plea to Bao Yu with tears in his eyes, "Brother Bao, I know you are an extraordinary person!... I have been staying outside the Great Wall for three to five years, and now I am willing to give up everything the Xue family possesses, just to ask Brother Bao to avenge this blood feud!"
"Is there really nothing else? Then why did you look so heavy-hearted just now?" The intelligent beauty stared intently into her beloved's eyes, her doubts unabated.
"Heh, heh..." The wicked chuckle, typical of the man who didn't want the beautiful woman to worry, made her flustered and feverish. The nephew's deep voice was filled with ambiguous emotions, "I was just thinking about how to take good care of Auntie!"
Before he finished speaking, Baoyu had already pressed the beauty down onto the bed, whispering dreamily in her ear, "Good Auntie, does my way of taking care of you count as doing my best?!"
"Mmm!" The words of love between lovers were naturally unrestrained. The beautiful woman's blushing face seemed to drip with the blood of love. The passion that hadn't dissipated in the carriage erupted again, returning with overwhelming force!
Ripples spread under Baoyu's large hands, the tranquility of the space was replaced by flowing heavenly music, and the fiery moans even shook the eternal spring breeze!
"Greetings, Young Mistress Ling!" Just as Baoyu thrust his spear and ascended to the heavens once more, Xiangling's carriage returned to the Xue family. The beautiful woman, her heart in turmoil, saw Xue Pan's face in her mind, but not with affection, only with kind pity.
From the moment Xue Pan proposed accompanying her to the borderlands, the beautiful woman was torn between genuine affection and pity, a painful choice that only came to a stop after the Jia family's funeral, allowing her heavy heart a chance to breathe. Upon returning to the Grand View Garden and seeing Bao Yu again, though they had no opportunity to be alone and express their feelings, the image of her beloved instantly filled every inch of her heart, and her weakness and pity were instantly reduced to ashes by the fire of genuine affection!
The delicate young woman, regaining her composure, finally understood that there are many ways to show pity; why choose the foolish way of sacrificing her own happiness? She had no desire to stay by Xue Pan's side; forcing herself to maintain this false devotion would only harm herself and others—a lose-lose situation!
Xiangling, unaware that Xue Pan had given up and left in utter despair, returned to the manor alone to express her feelings. With her father's protection, she was fearless. At worst, she could obey her father, leave the Xue family, and move into the Red Mansion, living the wonderful life she had longed for.
Thinking of this, the beautiful young woman's courage grew even stronger. She had done more than enough for Xue Pan these past two months; there was no reason to stop her from pursuing happiness!
With determined steps, she rushed towards the backyard. As a mistress, she was not among the servants. Would the determined Xiangling know what awaited her? If she did, would she still be walking so quickly?!
The moon has its phases, and people experience joy and sorrow! The ancient Chinese proverb, "The moon waxes and wanes, and people experience happiness and separation," had long ago explained the so-called theory of relativity! Just as Xiangling strode towards happiness, a long-planned conspiracy against Yingchun quietly began to unfold.
The best restaurant in the capital was undoubtedly "First Residence." Standing at the entrance of "First Residence," Sun Shaozu saw Jia She strolling slowly towards him, and a smug, sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
"Uncle Jia, Shaozu greets you!" The wolf in sheep's clothing instantly changed his expression, bowing deeply with utmost respect. His polite smile delighted Jia She; to be treated with such respect, someone of his stature couldn't help but feel smug!
"Ha, ha… Nephew, no need for such formalities!" Sharing similar interests, Jia She felt a deep sense of regret at not having met his nephew sooner. He laughed heartily, adopting the bold and unrestrained manner of the ancients: "Nephew, you and I can be considered kindred spirits despite our age difference. No need for such formality; I will rely on your help in the future!"
"Uncle is right, we should indeed become closer!" Sun Shaozu's humility remained unchanged as he gestured with his hand, leading the way to a private room upstairs.
After several rounds of drinks and five dishes, amidst the clinking of glasses, both Zhongshan Wolf and Jia She were flushed and hot-faced. Seeing that the old man was completely intoxicated, a fleeting glint of clear-headedness flashed in Zhongshan Wolf's eyes, but he feigned drunkenness and extended an olive branch to the old fool!
"You...do you know?" Sun Shaozu, clearly drunk, blurted out the truth, "The current Emperor...is also very fond of...all kinds of famous fans. Seeing how...generous you are, Uncle, I'll tell you...some great news!"
"Nephew, tell me quickly!" Jia She, a man who had spent years indulging in eating, drinking, and merrymaking, knew nothing of the Emperor's supposed hobbies and was overjoyed without a doubt. He hadn't expected the Emperor to share such refined tastes! Seeing Sun Shaozu's drunken and slurred speech, the impatient old man hurriedly pressed him, "Tell me quickly! If it helps me, I'll never forget your kindness!"
"Uncle, you're speaking like an outsider. There's no need for such formalities... what's this talk of repayment!" The slurred Zhongshan wolf naturally led his prey into the trap, standing up drunkenly as he spoke, "Come on... I'll take you there right now!"
Under Zhongshan wolf's half-pulling, half-dragging hand, the bewildered Jia She was slightly taken aback, then followed his kind nephew out of the "First Residence" gate.
"Nephew, where are you taking me?" The two walked left and right through the streets for a long time, still not understanding what Sun Shaozu wanted!
"Heh, heh... Don't worry, we'll be there soon. You'll understand when we get there!" Zhongshan wolf, perhaps having worked up a sweat from walking, sobered up a bit.
Seeing this, Jia She could only suppress his own confusion and, unusually patiently, walked with Zhongshan wolf through the streets and alleys.
After another half incense stick's time, Sun Shaozu, whose steps were now steady, stopped and pointed to a rather exquisite villa not far ahead, saying with a proud laugh, "Uncle, this is it!"
"Nephew, this..." Jia She looked left and right but couldn't figure out a clue, so he could only wear his doubts on his face.
"Uncle, the owner of this house has nothing but a vast collection of genuine famous fans, including what's said to be a fan that doesn't even look like a fan from the Three Huangs era!" Seeing Jia She's delighted expression, though his face still held a hint of confusion, Sun Shaozu changed his tone, speaking directly: "His Majesty has recently been in a great mood, eager to find famous fans for his collection. Unfortunately, no one in the court can share His Majesty's burden. If you could present him with some famous fans, wouldn't that be a great achievement?!"
"Yes, my nephew is right!" The old man, usually so naive, suddenly understood, laughing heartily with a face full of fantasies. "I will surely repay your kindness in the future!"
"Uncle, you're too kind. I have my own selfish motives, please forgive me!" Sun Shaozu genuinely felt a slight tension. Although this man was naturally cruel and lecherous, he surprisingly had a certain fondness for Yingchun!
"Really?!" Jia She was quite surprised to see Sun Shaozu's serious expression, which didn't seem like a joke. He then generously assured him, "Nephew, just say the word. I will do whatever it takes to help!" "
Thank you, Uncle!" Sun Shaozu was overjoyed and immediately seized the opportunity. "I had the honor of seeing Miss Yingchun's beauty and talent at your esteemed residence. I was amazed by her. I heard that she is still unmarried, and I am also unmarried. I beg you, Uncle, to grant my wish!"
"Ha, ha..." Jia She was overjoyed. In his heart, daughters were a financial burden, and Yingchun had never pleased him. Now, he could exchange a daughter for a capable and sensible son-in-law, which was of course a great deal to him. "No problem. If I didn't agree to such a talented person as my nephew, I would be blind!"
"Nephew... Son-in-law greets Your Majesty!" The two scoundrels laughed at each other, their faces beaming with joy, but their despicable hearts harbored their own agendas!
Inside the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) headquarters, Sun Shaozu, who had recently parted ways with Jia She, was now laughing wildly without any pretense.
"Brother Sun, well done! We'll just wait for the Emperor's decree to confiscate their property! Ha, ha..." Zhao Quan's excited eyes gleamed with the elation of mountains of gold and silver and the impending success of his plan!
"Brother Zhao's plan is truly ingenious!" Zhongshan Wolf raised his cup in return to Zhao Quan, then his tone shifted with a hint of regret: "It's a pity the Jia family is currently holding a funeral. I think I'll have to wait two more months to propose marriage. It's so damn annoying!"
Chapter Four: Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law's Shared Love
"Brother Sun, haste makes waste. Take it slow!" Since the Grand Tutor's disappearance, Zhao Quan had finally regained his arrogant and smug demeanor, laughing sinisterly, "As soon as Jia She comes to forcibly buy the famous fan, we'll immediately..." The treacherous fellow downed his glass of strong liquor and made a gesture of silencing him. Since successfully killing the Imperial Concubine Yuan, he increasingly felt that Heaven was paving a golden road to the pinnacle of power for him!
"Yes, as long as we wipe out the entire Zhang family," Sun Shaozu said, completely unconcerned that he was talking about dozens of lives, "then when the Empress finds out about this terrible thing that happened to his family, the Emperor will be furious without us even having to think about it!"
"Heh, heh... then you, the son-in-law of the Jia family, will put aside your own family for the greater good, revealing the crimes of the four great families conspiring to exterminate an entire family, and then get that idiot Jia She to hand over the fan, and our great plan will surely succeed!" Zhao Quan laughed triumphantly for a long time, never forgetting to encourage his companion, "Then Brother Sun can have any beauty from the Jia family he wants, he can even take them all back to his mansion!"
"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Zhao, I thank you in advance!" Sun Shaozu's heart blazed with rage at the thought of Yingchun's innate charm and stunning beauty.
Ignoring the turbulent atmosphere here, the fearless and undaunted Bao Erye was making waves and displaying his might at the Xue family!
"Ah!" A faint moan made Xiangling, who had just passed through the second gate, tremble involuntarily. Startled, she quickened her pace towards the bedroom.
"Hmm!" A clear, low moan flowed from the half-open door, its ripples easily engulfing Xiangling in a sea of desire!
Good heavens! What kind of sound was that coming from the backyard?! Who was that man? And who was that woman? Xiangling, already a married woman, had her mind racing through countless thoughts in an instant. She couldn't help but wonder if Xue Pan was torturing the maids and servants in a perverse way?!
"Slap, slap..." The dense, powerful sounds of flesh colliding had none of the feigned softness of a fake lover. Coupled with the woman's passionate cries from inside the room, even Xiangling, herself a woman, couldn't help but feel her heart flutter. It was a genuine, heartfelt, boundless passion!
Who could it be?! Who could it be?! A surge of intense curiosity and doubt gripped the young woman's heart, and the astonished woman unconsciously quickened her pace!
No! One should not look at what is improper, nor listen to what is improper! How could she harbor such a shameful voyeuristic thought?! Her inherent modesty and dignity overcame her powerful curiosity, and the clever young woman made the right decision in a flash!
She should return to the outer courtyard and order all entrances and exits to be sealed off. If it was Xue Pan, then so be it; but if it was some disrespectful servant engaging in illicit relations in the backyard, wasn't that blatantly provoking the already mad Xue Pan? Their actions deserve punishment, their intentions deserve condemnation! She must report this to the Madam and punish them severely!
Just as Xiangling's delicate body stirred, a passionate scream from the woman inside the room caused her mind to go blank for a moment. Everything in the world seemed to vanish like dust in the wind, regardless of the ever-changing seasons. Only Xiangling, standing there woodenly, imagining this moment as eternal, remained unaware of the world around her, of what day it was; unaware that she had been turned into a statue by the shock, unable, unwilling, and unable to accept this unimaginable reality!
"Ah... Baoyu... you... are so cruel!" The fragmented words finally revealed a familiar accent to Xiangling, but before her instinctive shyness could rise, the woman's passionate cry of "Baoyu" plunged her into an abyss, leaving her suffocatingly blank!
Heavens! It was Baoyu, and her mother-in-law—her own mother-in-law! How could it be them? How could it be them? Good heavens…
The delicate beauty forgot to shout, forgot to escape, even her anger and sorrow were completely forgotten, leaving only a blank—a blank of thought and feeling!
No wonder! Scenes from the past flashed through Xiangling's mind like lightning, and the beautiful young woman, suddenly realizing the truth, finally pieced together all her confusion, finding the one correct answer among countless threads!
“Ah… Good Auntie!” Baoyu’s deep, passionate whispers struck Xiangling like a hammer blow, and her body trembled violently as a myriad of emotions returned to her senses, leaving only a somber thought in her heart: “I want to leave, leave this place, forget everything I’ve seen, forget everything I can’t accept!” Her
lifeless figure moved slowly, and endless tears finally carried her sorrow out of her heart. Xiangling walked away step by step, like a walking corpse.
Inside the room, Baoyu, lost in a passionate reverie, felt a subtle tremor in his mind. His large hand, which had been admiring his masterpiece on his beautiful aunt's voluptuous body
, went still. His surprised mind, however, drew the hand, which was now moving again, guided by its magical power. His extraordinary abilities easily "saw" the sorrowful, almost suicidal Xiangling. Though startled, Baoyu's eyes flashed with a wild light. Since he would have to face her sooner or later, why not tear away all pretense today?!
"Good sister," Baoyu straightened his back, then whispered in her ear, "Sister Xiangling is outside, I..."
"Ah!" The beautiful woman's voluptuous body stiffened involuntarily, her face turning pale as she tried to stand up. Unfortunately, her wicked nephew, deeply engrossed in the foreign object within him, showed no sign of relaxing, instead launching a fierce and relentless assault.
"Baoyu...stop...no!" Aunt Xue's body and mind were already separated. Her mind was filled with shyness, fear, and helplessness, but her body remained as hot and passionate as ever, frantically responding!
"I want..." This time, Baoyu didn't give the beautiful woman a chance to interrupt him. His magical power directly sent his thoughts to the beauty's heart. Their hearts resonated, and she easily heard her lover's voice. She not only understood the wicked boy's shameful and passionate intentions, but also "heard" all his past feelings with Xiangling!
"Alright!" The helpless beauty knew her lover's strength and domineering nature well. She was already madly in love with Baoyu and knew that this day would eventually come. Rather than the three of them wasting time and living in pain, it was better to embark on the final path to happiness.
Before the words were even finished, the middle-aged beauty, her head slightly bowed, had already shyly burrowed into the covers, her exquisite face flushed red and her beautiful eyes closed so tightly they were almost invisible. The ostrich mentality was indeed effective; this self-deception had actually helped Aunt Xue escape her extremely awkward situation. It seemed that serving her wicked nephew alongside her daughter-in-law wasn't so embarrassing after all!
"Sister, you're so good!" Having successfully persuaded his beautiful aunt, the man's wildness turned to tenderness. After a gentle kiss, he withdrew. Time was of the essence, or perhaps he didn't want to waste time dressing, so the audacious young man simply walked naked over the wall.
Xiangling, her body heavy as a mountain, finally reached the courtyard gate. The sorrowful beauty turned back for one last look at the place of her heartbreak, but the scene that met her eyes in that instant shook her numbed heart once more.
The bright sunlight poured down, making his tall figure appear even more imposing and irresistible. A beautiful halo of light painted a dreamlike silhouette on his naked body! Naked?! Yes—it was the naked Baoyu who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, his unclothed body perfectly blending masculine beauty into the natural world, the sunlight, and even into Mei Xiangling's heart, which was beginning to regain its vitality.
"You…what are you…doing?! No…don't…come closer!" The nakedness of her beloved did not elicit the slightest aversion from her; only a panicked retreat under the immense pressure. Her trembling figure, besides her mournful questioning, once again forgot to run away.
"Sister Ling, I want you!" Baoyu approached step by step, his deliberately slowed movements gradually eroding the beauty's initial resistance. His resounding words of love were like a thunderbolt from the sky, "I want you now!"
"You big pervert, you..." Faced with her beloved's domineering "declaration of love," the girl's previous grievances and resentment erupted at this moment. "You big bad guy, how could you do this?! I won't agree to it!"
"Hmm?" Before the beauty could finish speaking, the domineering bad boy had already pulled her into his arms. His strong arms were incredibly firm, as if he wanted to hold Xiangling tightly into his flesh and blood, merging her into one with him!
"You big bad guy, put me down! Put me down now!" Xiangling's fists pounded relentlessly. The beautiful young woman, her heart in utter turmoil, showed no mercy. Seeing that pleading wouldn't work, she gritted her teeth and threatened fiercely, "I will never forgive you for this! I will hate you!"
"Hate me! Where there is no love, there is no hate!" Bao Erye knew the inner conflict of the beauty well. Determined to cut the Gordian knot, the lecherous man was completely unfazed by the threat. He whispered passionately, "Even if I hate you, I will use a lifetime of love to trap you! Sister Ling, you will never escape my side in this lifetime!"
"You..." The beauty, filled with hatred, saw that neither pleading nor force could escape his clutches. In a fit of rage, she bit down hard on Bao Yu's arm. The force from the bottom of her heart instantly broke the skin and drew blood. Along with the bitter, hot blood came a torrent of tears from the beauty—tears of dissatisfaction and resentment, tears of emotion that had triumphed over reason!
"Too...too!" Bao Er Ye, who had just burst through the door, did not even want to waste a moment of his daughter's time. Ignoring the beauty's gradually disappearing resistance, he went straight to the bedside. Poor Xiang Ling's resistance was completely dispelled by her boundless shyness the moment she met her mother-in-law's eyes. The habitual call had just left her lips when the delicate beauty immediately realized her shameful state!
"Mmm..." Aunt Xue was at a loss for words, her hot, nasal voice making the air in the room even hotter. The beautiful woman had intended to feign sleep to avoid the embarrassing encounter, but she hadn't expected her usually dutiful and polite daughter-in-law to instinctively call out to her. Caught off guard, the mother-in-law felt her body burning with intense heat!
Faced with this scene, Bao Er Ye's pride was unparalleled. His burning passion surged and leaped. How many people in the world could make these two stunningly beautiful mother-in-law and daughter-in-law willingly offer their tender bodies at the same time?!
Ah... just thinking about it makes one go crazy, harden, and swell!
"Sister Ling!" After forcefully carrying the beauty to the bed, the powerful man reversed his previous domineering demeanor and returned to his usual gentle and tender manner. His words were concise and powerful, and the unspoken meaning was clearly revealed in his deeply affectionate eyes!
Perhaps succumbed to the bad boy's savagery, perhaps conquered by the tenderness in his eyes, or perhaps convinced by her own convictions, Xiangling completely forgot worldly etiquette and the so-called "things she shouldn't." Her "mother-in-law and daughter-in-law" relationship with Aunt Xue, far from extinguishing the flames of passion, instead became fuel for her burning love, adding fuel to the fire!
Come on! You big pervert, come on, let me shout like my mother-in-law!
The resonance of their mutual affection bathed the space between them in a beautiful, dreamlike halo. Countless threads of love, intertwined and crisscrossed, weaving a magical net of love for true lovers, carrying them at incredible speed towards a happy future, free from all worldly obstacles!
Her dress danced with the passionate kiss, her undergarments billowed and rippled with tender caresses, and her bodice leaped with delightful moans. Accompanied by this romantic, heavenly melody, a slender, delicate, and alluring body appeared in the room! After a brief pause in the passionate sounds, a new chapter began! The
lustful Bao Er Ye did not immediately merge with Xiang Ling, but instead, as his large hands roamed over the beautiful young woman, he bent down and entered her aunt. He wanted to use the fiery passion with his beautiful mother-in-law to completely and utterly erase the last hesitation in the heart of his beautiful daughter-in-law!
"Mmm..." The alluring moans grew louder, and his beloved's large hands never left Xiang Ling's jade breasts and delicate buttocks. The burning, unbearable beauty witnessed her mother-in-law lose herself in passion, and that desperate cry was far more tempting to her aroused heart than the most beautiful words of love in the world.
At this moment, Baoyu's main target was naturally the amorous Sister Ling. The man who was currently ravaging his beautiful aunt showed no mercy. The powerful "little nephew" swept through "Little Sister Jie" like a whirlwind, leaving her utterly defeated and weeping!
As the surging tide of spring poured forth, Baoyu also generously offered up his own unique and magical magma, unparalleled in the world!
The exhilarating tingling made the lovers embrace tightly. At the peak of their passion, the uncontrollable Baoyu felt a blur before his eyes, and the middle-aged beauty beneath him instantly transformed into the voluptuous woman he had longed for all his life. Her jade-like face, bearing a seven-tenths resemblance, made him lose his senses. His illicit Oedipus complex manifested as a barely perceptible passionate moan, "Ah... Mother!" This
extremely low whisper didn't reach Xiangling's ears, but the beautiful aunt, with her jade ear so close to her lips, heard every single word of her wicked nephew's earth-shattering words.
"Boom!" An invisible thunderclap resounded, and Aunt Xue's body trembled violently again in utter shock. She had been brought to an unimaginable climax by those few incredibly seductive words!
Good heavens! So Yu'er was still thinking about his sister—his own mother! Ah…this is too…too… Thinking of this, the middle-aged beauty's limbs went limp and weak; her thoughts shifted again. This wasn't surprising; she was his aunt, and he had taken her to bed too. So it wasn't surprising that he thought about his mother—his own sister!
Ah! The image of herself and her sister serving her son flashed through the middle-aged beauty's mind, and the tide of passion in her heart surged like a raging storm, an unprecedented roar. This inexplicable thought plunged the beautiful woman into an endless, fiery passion! Yes, she and Baoyu were already like this, why not drag her sister in too?! This was an incomparably blissful new world; of course, she couldn't let her sister live a lonely and resentful life alone!
"You little rascal, I'll help you!" Bao-yu, momentarily out of control and still reeling from the shock, hadn't yet figured out a way to remedy the situation when his usually dignified aunt unexpectedly placed her jade-like hand on his shoulder and neck, whispering passionate words that soared to the heavens and touched the earth!
"Ah!" Bao-yu's boiling flames of joy and excitement soared to the heavens. The lecherous wolf, reduced to ashes, struggled to control his destructive roars and immediately began a fiery, unrestrained thrust.
"Hmm... Bao-yu... I can't... anymore, go find... Xiang-ling!" The beautiful old woman, already exhausted from the onslaught, gently pushed him away, intentionally directing her young lover to change sides!
"Thank you, my dear aunt!" Bao-yu whispered meaningfully again, then gently kissed her, pouring out boundless gratitude and true affection.
"Mmm..." Lost in ecstasy, Xiangling sensed Baoyu's approach. Her slender body arched gracefully, and she nestled into his embrace. Amidst the wicked man's passionate kiss, her long, jade-like legs parted slightly, ready to completely surrender herself to her lover.
Having made up her mind, the beautiful woman had no more reservations. Her raging desire, if left unchecked, felt like it would explode! At this moment, only her lover's favor could save her from this fiery inferno!
Heavens! He's in! Baoyu is fully inside! Xiangling cried out in her heart,
her hand involuntarily darting around, only to accidentally grasp her mother-in-law's hand. Having experienced such an experience herself,
Xue Jie's loving hand returned the grasp, offering her heartfelt blessing and giving her daughter-in-law even greater
courage
. The unprecedented fulfillment filled Xiangling with boundless passion. Her jade-like hands, already out of control,
danced wildly in the air, but were mostly drawn by the wicked man to the beautiful old woman's
seductive embrace. Stimulated by this, the beautiful woman had no choice but to accept it, and later, under
the stimulation of that unique passion, she fiercely fought back. The three of them plunged into the raging fire without hesitation. Blood and flesh,
passion and desire, all turned to ashes and mingled together!
The passionate storms rose and fell several times, and the rainbow after the rain was exceptionally beautiful; under the bright sunshine, the lingering gloom in Xiangling's heart dissipated like smoke in the wind, etching Baoyu's mark on her heart for eternity!
"Ah... what are you doing?!" The beautiful woman, already limp as water, screamed in shock. Unfortunately, lying on top of the beautiful old woman, she was instinctively held tightly by the middle-aged beauty and could not escape, watching helplessly as Baoyu used his needle to carve two shameful little characters on her shapely buttocks! Ugh... how could he do this?! And... and... it's carved so ugly!
Bao Er Ye, who finished in one swift motion, failed to notice the beautiful woman's shy and embarrassed face, still basking in his increasingly skillful movements; once the floodgates of desire are opened, how can they be forcibly closed?! Besides, this would not only not affect his love with his beloved, but would make them even closer, so why not?!
"You..." Xiang Ling, having calmed down from her passion, sat up, about to scold her lover for his unexpected and embarrassing behavior, but was interrupted by the mischievous boy's gesture. Following the direction of his finger, she focused her gaze and her beautiful face instantly turned as red as fire again; it turned out that there were also two identical colorful characters on her beautiful mother-in-law's buttocks. Faced with this situation, seeing that her beautiful mother-in-law treated everyone equally, she, as a daughter-in-law, could only accept it helplessly. However, the teasing look in her eyes, half angry and half delighted, still greatly embarrassed and agitated the newly sober Aunt Xue.
"Ouch!" Two pairs of angry hands landed almost simultaneously on the smug culprit. Shame and anger welled up in the two beauties, and all the resentment fell on the good-for-nothing boy who had enjoyed such pleasure—that's what they mean by "there's no such thing as a free lunch!" But if such a price could be exchanged for such enjoyment, probably no man in the world, except for those who were impotent, would refuse!
"Ouch, ouch, it hurts so much!" Under the relentless and powerful "soul-stirring pinching technique" of the two women, the disheveled fellow could only scramble around the room. His large hands were itching to retaliate, but the marks on the beauties' delicate bodies, covered in the marks of their lovemaking, made him willingly accept the punishment.
The boundless spring scenery, once a magnificent spectacle shattered by wind and rain, transformed into a tender and lingering affection. After a long embrace, the man and three women finally left the still enchanting bedroom with satisfied smiles and hearts. Bao Yu's futuristic RV slowly started again, carrying a carload of springtime beauty towards the Grand View Garden.
When Bao Yu returned home, Jia She, in high spirits, also returned to the Rongguo East Mansion. Drunk and under the attentive care of Xing Shi, the man boastfully revealed Sun Shaozu's marriage proposal.
"Master, we've never met this nephew Sun before, and we don't know his character. Shouldn't we send someone to inquire before making a decision?" Although Xing Shi was honest and dutiful, she wasn't stupid. With her kind nature, she carefully reminded him, "Yingchun is our beloved daughter; let's ask her opinion!"
"Nonsense!" The old man turned hostile in an instant, coldly rebuking his wife, "What do you, a woman, know? Would the person I've chosen be bad?!"
Xing Shi felt a pang of bitterness. Beneath her forced smile, her plump face betrayed her inner resentment. She had this question precisely because she knew her husband well. With Jia She's character, what outstanding person could he possibly associate with?! She had no way back in her life; she didn't want her daughter, who resembled her so much, to follow in her footsteps!
Jia She paused slightly, ruthlessly shattering Xing Shi's wishes before she could even offer any advice. "Besides, since ancient times, marriage has always been arranged by parents and matchmakers. Why should we need to ask Yingchun's opinion?! Having raised this girl for so long, it's time to repay her. Go to the West Mansion tomorrow and bring her back!"
"Master..." The usually gentle Xing Shi was unusually resolute. A mother's love made her unwilling to give up so easily, but before she could finish speaking, Jia She completely shut her down.
"Alright! This matter is settled. Yingchun is still my daughter, and it's not up to others to decide!" The impatient man closed his eyes, his mind already scheming how to obtain the Li family's precious fan!
Silent tears flowed in her heart. The heartbroken Xing Shi couldn't believe that after serving her husband wholeheartedly for over twenty years, she had only received the title of "outsider" in return! This thought filled her with resentment, but the gentle, middle-aged woman, as always, swallowed her bitter tears, letting them sink deeper into the lake of her heart.
"My lord, that's not what I meant!" Madam Xing said through gritted teeth. "It's currently the time of Consort Yuan's funeral. If we bring Yingchun back, won't that displease the old lady?" A sudden thought flashed through her mind; the middle-aged woman wanted to delay as long as possible. She could discuss it with her shrewd daughter-in-law, Xifeng, and then send a message to her daughter, hoping for a miracle!
"Hmm!" Jia She's anger turned to joy upon hearing this, and he said in a calm, indifferent voice, "That makes sense. Let's wait until after the funeral to bring Yingchun back! Oh, and remember to have someone summon Jia Yun and Jia Qiang before you leave!"
"Yes! Master, I'll go out first!" Xing Shi was already used to Jia She's cold expression and his dismissive manner towards servants. As she quietly left, she secretly wondered if she had made a mistake in trying to help him vie for the position of head of the family. Alas... this is fate! Accept it!
The four-horse carriage drove directly into the Grand View Garden. Bao Er Ye, full of energy and high spirits, got out of the carriage first, while Aunt Xue and Xiang Ling were unsteady on their feet and their bodies were weak. The two women had not escaped the clutches of the lecherous man in the carriage. Although they hadn't truly been ravished, they had been touched and made to feel dizzy and unsteady. Fearing that the women of the Grand View Garden would notice their secret, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law cleverly used the excuse of being tired from the journey to escape back to Hengwu Garden!
Baoyu's burning gaze followed the beautiful woman's figure, a smug grin spreading across his face. After standing idly for a moment, seeing that it was getting late, and considering that Sister Feng must be exhausted from managing the funeral arrangements, he instinctively headed towards the steward's quarters. He wasn't just thinking about the woman's body; at this crucial moment, he should naturally share her burdens. Although the trivial matters annoyed him, he was more than happy to help Sister Feng!
Wait! Why were there only maids around the steward's quarters, not a single man in sight?! Greatly surprised, Baoyu's mind raced, but his steps didn't falter.
"Second Master, please wait! Second Mistress Feng has ordered that no man is allowed to enter the courtyard now!" The tall maid guarding the gate, her eyes filled with adoration and infatuation, tried her best to stop Baoyu's path as he arrived!
Chapter Five: The Three Beauties of the Royal Family (Part 1)
When did this strange rule come about?! Baoyu looked surprised and was about to ask a question when he saw Ping'er leading several maids and servants hurriedly enter through another side door. Overjoyed, he no longer cared about any strange rules and followed without hesitation.
"Second Master, no, you can't go in!" The maid guarding the door hurriedly stopped him. Seeing that Second Master Bao was still hurrying inside, the girl grabbed Baoyu's sleeve in desperation. "Second Master, please don't make things difficult for me!"
Second Master Bao, who always cherished women, would not abuse his power. After this commotion, he finally took a good look at the beautiful girl in front of him. In an instant, his perfect memory accurately found the girl in the vast sea of images.
"Aren't you Fifth Miss? How did you end up here?" Bao Yu asked with a smile, his voice filled with joy. This rascal would stop at nothing to get into the courtyard. "Where's your mother? You've been working so hard taking care of Lan'er and the other two little ones these past few days!"
The girl's eyes sparkled with surprise. She couldn't believe that Bao Yu, whom she had only met once, still remembered her. The girl's inner cry was incredibly loud. "Heavens! Bao Yu still recognizes me, still recognizes me..."
"Fifth Miss..." Bao Yu saw the girl standing there speechless with happiness on her face. Not wanting to waste time, he had no choice but to interrupt the beautiful girl's endless reverie.
"Ah!" The girl gasped softly, her heart pounding with embarrassment. She lowered her head shyly and said, "Second Master, it's all thanks to your care. Second Madam Feng transferred me to serve her, and Mother was also taken care of and arranged to work in the kitchen!"
Involuntarily, Bao Yu's mind conjured up the image of Liu Shi's voluptuous figure and delicate features. Although she couldn't be described as having an angelic face and a devilish figure, her alluring appearance was not far off. Coupled with the charming and shy demeanor of Liu Wu'er before him, the image of a mother and daughter was instantly and quietly etched into the heart of the fluttering Second Master Bao!
"Second Master..." It was now Liu Wu'er's timid voice that brought Bao Yu back to reality from his reverie. "This servant thanks you for your great kindness, Second Master. My daughter and I will never forget it!" "
Wu'er, you're too kind. It was nothing!" Bao Yu instinctively reached out and helped the girl up, his tone shifting with a gentle laugh as a surge of emotion welled up within him. "Besides, it's not easy for you two—one guarding the gate, the other in the kitchen. How about this, I'll talk to Sister Feng and have you come to Yi Hong Courtyard!"
"Thank you for your great kindness, Second Master!" Liu Wu'er bowed deeply, her joy barely concealed by a deep shyness. The maids of Yi Hong Courtyard were known for their high monthly stipends and light workload, and were implicitly considered superior to the maids in other courtyards. How could the hundreds of maids in the Jia family not yearn for such a place?!
Unbeknownst to most, Wu'er was deeply moved by the stirrings of first love, her heart fluttering with romantic fantasies. Could it be that Second Master had fallen for her at first sight?! Did he dream of her every night, just like she did?! Ugh… how embarrassing!
"Get up, I'll definitely remember to tell Sister Feng!" Baoyu reached out to help her up again, their skin inevitably touching once more. Though it was just a light touch, Wu'er, helped up by Second Master Bao, had a face flushed with spring, her beautiful eyes sparkling with desire. Even as she watched Baoyu walk further inside, the entranced girl had completely forgotten her duty to stop him!
The despicable fellow managed to get past the gate using his "male beauty," but when he turned around, Ping'er was already gone. Knowing that his precious Ping'er must have gone inside to be with Feng Jie, the wicked fellow rushed anxiously towards the inner room.
"Sister Feng!" The curtain fluttered in the wind, and Bao Yu's affectionate words caught in his throat as he slipped in. His stunned figure was filled with a mixture of self-reproach and joy for his recklessness!
Self-reproach because he hadn't noticed such an unusual situation outside the door. It seemed that lust was indeed a man's fatal weakness, causing even the usually astute Bao Yu to make such a huge oversight! But joy came from this "oversight." Without this rare moment of blissful ignorance, how could he have seen three stunning beauties?! Even the
accustomed to seeing beauties, Bao Yu was struck dumb upon first sight. Although the three unfamiliar women couldn't surpass Feng Jie's peerless beauty after he had touched her, they were still comparable to the spring flowers and autumn moon compared to his former mistress!
Of the three women, two were older and one younger. The older one, around thirty, had a face as smooth and radiant as a peach blossom, and her features bore a striking resemblance to the younger one's. It was hard not to mistake them for sisters! The two stunningly beautiful women, though surprised and embarrassed, maintained a dignified and graceful demeanor, subtly exuding an air of superiority.
The younger woman, also in her early twenties, though dressed as a woman, clearly still possessed a youthful vigor. She was also taken aback by Baoyu's sudden intrusion, but curiosity outweighed displeasure, and a hint of secret delight arose within her at this unexpected turn of events! A mundane and monotonous life can easily bore a young beauty; life always needs surprises to spice it up!
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind in an instant. While Master Bao was pondering these thoughts, the three women also got a clear look at the man who had suddenly appeared. Such a distinguished person always catches the eye, and the shock in their hearts was like a thunderbolt. Even the fierce glint in the eyes of the imposing, cold beauty flickered into a fleeting, radiant light.
"Brother Bao, how could you be so rash?!" Sister Feng was shocked that someone would disobey her orders and was even more worried about her beloved's actions. If she angered the three women, she would be in deep trouble. "Spicy Sister Feng" quickly hinted, "Quickly apologize to the three distinguished guests, and then go to pay your respects to Madam!"
Faced with Sister Feng's anxious gaze and the three women's stunning beauty, Master Bao instantly made a very certain judgment: the three women were no ordinary people, and their status was definitely above Sister Feng's! These beauties were no ordinary women, especially the two stunning beauties whose innate nobility and cultivated majesty even surpassed that of Sister Feng. If he didn't understand all this, he wouldn't be worthy of being called a "fake" Baoyu!
In feudal times, women couldn't casually meet strange men, especially those of high status! Under normal circumstances, such an impudence might not lead to imprisonment, but at worst, a beating, and at least a slap! Now that Sister Feng, the mistress of the house, had preemptively reprimanded him, the three women, under the influence of some inexplicable impulse, didn't pursue the matter further. The youngest beauty's eyes even gleamed with a hint of mockery; she wanted to see how this reckless fellow would explain himself!
If it were Baoyu before the "Spiritual Jade" underwent its transformation, he would have readily accepted the situation, politely bowing and retreating. But now, he was the Second Master Bao, empowered by the divine stone, a daring and lustful man, and a plan formed in his mind in an instant.
A mischievous grin, typical of his youthful innocence, crept onto his lips. His words, like a gentle spring breeze, soothed the women's embarrassment and anger. His deep, captivating eyes, like bright stars, subtly piqued their curiosity.
"Sister Feng, it's not that I'm being impetuous, but last night I had a very strange dream, so I rushed in in a hurry. I didn't expect you to be entertaining guests. Please forgive me!" Bao Yu's handsome face showed a hint of reminiscence, as if he were still enthralled by the dream.
"What dream? Tell me about it!" The young beauty, true to Bao Yu's observation, was the first to be intrigued and eagerly pressed him for answers.
"Brother Bao, you should go down first. We can talk about it tomorrow!" Sister Feng was unsure of her lover's intentions. The three women before her were all renowned talents in their chambers. If Brother Bao were to give a perfunctory answer, it would surely lead to trouble. It was best to avoid him. The beauty believed that her beloved was simply making things up to avoid being exposed for their ambiguous relationship. Thinking of this, Sister Feng was naturally even more worried.
“Feng-mei, let him tell the story, I want to hear it too!” One of the two beauties interrupted Feng-jie, whether genuinely wanting to hear about the magical dream or deliberately exposing Bao-yu's lie as punishment?!
“Yes, tell us quickly, let’s see if it’s really magical!” The younger beauty was even more excited, forgetting to maintain her previous demure demeanor, her lively hand waving urging them on.
Just as the women were talking, Bao-yu had finally perfected the magical story. This was his forte from the future, a skill he excelled at, fooling a few ancient beauties was a piece of cake!
“This story is about the Monkey King’s journey to the West five hundred years later…” Bao-yu cleared his throat and told the story, slightly modified from his favorite “A Chinese Odyssey.” The women were all familiar with the story of the journey to the West, and couldn’t help but smile, but still didn’t interrupt, sincerely wanting to see him make a fool of himself.
An unexpected story unfolded in Baoyu's mouth, vividly presenting itself in the minds of the women. Their previous carefree laughter vanished, and their hearts beat in unison with the moving scenes. When they heard that the reincarnated Monkey King, "Supreme Treasure," had become a bandit, they laughed. When the White Bone Demon committed suicide, their innate sympathy finally transformed into tears welling in their beautiful eyes.
Baoyu paused slightly, cleared his throat, and then, amidst the women's anticipation, said in a solemn voice, "Supreme Treasure, holding the Moonlight Box, once again..."
"Ah!" The women, including Fengjie, Ping'er, and the maids, exclaimed in surprise. They had never heard of time travel before; such a novel concept naturally sparked their imaginations and filled them with wonder!
"Hehe..." When Baoyu recounted how Supreme Treasure lied to Qingxia at night, claiming to be his twin brother, Supreme Jade, the women's laughter rose and fell. Baoyu's story was definitely more interesting than anyone else's, because "Supreme Treasure" plus "Supreme Jade"—wasn't that his own Supreme Jade?!
This guy really knows how to make things up! The women, all intelligent and perceptive, couldn't help but think that the name must have been made up by Baoyu. Their playful joy fueled their secret curiosity, wondering what other interesting plot points he would come up with! The guy, who had been focused on
recalling "A Chinese Odyssey," hadn't noticed this natural coincidence until the women's playful laughter made him realize it immediately. He began to vividly and eloquently recount the story, unconsciously enjoying himself. If he were the reincarnated Sun Wukong, he would definitely rewrite the fate of "A Chinese Odyssey." Why should the mighty Great Sage Equaling Heaven be bound by a "rotten iron ring," unable to love even if he wanted to? He had left behind a love story spanning "ten thousand years" in vain!
"Wow!" A silent gasp rippled through the hearts of the women. Hearing the fairy Zixia's romantic dream and prophetic love, their unwavering romantic hearts filled their beautiful eyes, as if a prince on a white horse, riding on auspicious clouds and clad in golden armor, was flying towards them.
The infinitely captivating legend, heard by these unsophisticated "country bumpkins," seemed even more enchanting than any performance on stage!
"Once upon a time, there was a sincere love… I hope it lasts ten thousand years!" Bao Er Ye, equally engrossed in his tale, seemed to transform into Supreme Treasure, his solemn and sorrowful tone revealing boundless affection.
"Mmm!" The women's slightly parted lips couldn't help but murmur softly. Even the most esteemed beauty, who had remained silent until now, was instantly captivated. The legendary classic was indeed incredibly powerful; that "love for ten thousand years" was the dream of every woman in the world—an unattainable yet unchanging dream! Now, with the intention of the Second Master Bao, it had been instantly unearthed from the depths of their hearts. How could the women not have tears of emotion and a dreamlike brilliance shimmering in their eyes at the same time!
"Ah! How could this be?!" When the women heard that Supreme Treasure had willingly been killed by a demon to save his sisters Qingxia and Zixia, the little beauty exclaimed in shock. Fengjie, Ping'er, and the two beauties were equally shocked and saddened, unable to bear the sound!
With a serene smile, Baoyu soothed the anxious hearts of the beautiful women like a gentle spring breeze. His clear words, after a moment of sorrow, shifted, revealing a hidden joy and excitement that seeped into their hearts. Simultaneously, his incarnation as the "Supreme Baoyu"—the "fake" Baoyu—also infiltrated their lives!
Given the incredibly distinguished status of these three unfamiliar beauties, they would never normally give Baoyu the slightest opportunity to approach them, let alone engage in such a prolonged conversation! Although Baoyu was merely playing the role of storyteller, wasn't this a unique form of communication?! And a far more powerful and effective way to win a woman's heart than usual! What a formidable and lecherous Baoyu!
The "dream" continued, accompanied by the women's joys and sorrows, their myriad thoughts. The increasingly engrossed Baoyu finally brought the story to a close: after an earth-shattering battle, justice triumphed over evil, but love was forever left with a regret!
"Alas! How could it end like this?! And then?!" Hearing that the Monkey King could only part sadly with the two fairies, Ziqing and Yang, the tears that had been flowing endlessly finally burst from the eyes of the beauties. Their hearts echoed for a long time the declaration of love—"If I had to put a time limit on this love, I hope it would be ten thousand years!"
"Heh, heh..." Baoyu chuckled softly, easing the heavy atmosphere in the room. Under the expectant gaze of the little beauty, he leisurely continued, "Later, the Monkey King told me, 'Tell this story to your Sister Feng first thing tomorrow morning, and you will be lucky enough to meet the three kind fairy sisters!'
" "Hehe..." The little beauty couldn't help but laugh out loud first, while Ping'er and the other maids also smiled at the same time. The three women were delighted and amused by Baoyu's obvious flattery, and even the two beauties were not angry at his slightly teasing words after his previous careful preparation!
"Brother Bao, alright, don't let these three distinguished guests laugh at us." Although Sister Feng was also captivated by the story of Supreme Treasure, the voluptuous young woman who knew her lover well felt a sense of foreboding. What was he planning?! These three were not people to be approached. She had to get rid of this big bad guy immediately and settle accounts with him properly that night. This was too much! With so many sisters in the garden with him, he still dared to act recklessly!
"Sister Feng, it's alright," the gentle beauty who had spoken earlier interrupted Sister Feng's plans, smiling softly as she said, "You must be Second Young Master Bao! I've only heard my lord say that you are learned and talented, but I didn't expect you to be so novel and wonderful at making up stories!"
Bao Yu was slightly taken aback, and the image of Prince Bei Jing quickly flashed into his mind, because he had only displayed his "world-shaking" talent in front of him!
Seeing that things had come to this point, Sister Feng had no choice but to introduce the three women, deliberately emphasizing their identities to warn her nemesis not to misuse them. "Brother Bao, this is the Princess Consort of Bei Jing, this is the Crown Princess, and this is the Princess Consort's elder sister!"
"Jia Baoyu greets the three fairy sisters!" To everyone's surprise, Bao Yu's smile remained unchanged even after learning the women's identities. Though still refined and dignified, he showed no sign of yielding to power. His nonchalant and mysterious aura made the three women's eyes light up again!
Beneath Bao Yu's calm face, however, lay an excitement and doubt unseen by the women. Seeing that the three women were indeed extremely noble women as he had guessed, he felt no fear or regret. Instead, under the influence of the divine stone's power, he became aroused, as if the more dignified and noble the woman, the more the divine stone's power would be activated!
The lingering doubts and confusion stemmed from the final, cold and beautiful woman. The identity of a "princess sister" could not possibly match her majestic aura. His own identity as the second young master of the Jia family clearly had no power to intimidate her. All of this naturally made Master Bao ponder deeply!
"Hehe..." The Crown Princess, clearly not yet accustomed to the transition from girl to young woman, playfully remarked with an innocent smile, "Don't talk nonsense! What immortals? We're not some fairy descended from heaven!"
"Zhi'er, stop fooling around, sit down properly!" Although the Crown Princess was of noble birth, the Princess still gently scolded her. The beautiful woman then turned to Baoyu and said, "Logically, I should call you Brother Bao. The Prince often mentions you at home!"
"Thank you for your kindness, Princess!" The rascal immediately seized the opportunity, his intimate address startling Fengjie. "I also often miss you, Brother, but recently I've been busy with family matters and am in mourning, so I can't visit you. Please convey my regards to you, Princess, and I'll visit you as soon as I have time!"
"You must be the Jia family's young master, born with a jade in his mouth!" The cold and beautiful woman finally spoke leisurely, her gentle and melodious voice carrying an air of noble majesty—something that couldn't be cultivated overnight! The icy beauty's eyes rarely showed appreciation. "The poem you inscribed on the painting for the prince is truly excellent!" It seemed this mysterious woman indeed had a close relationship with the Prince of Bei Jing's mansion, even knowing about Bao Yu's poem!
"Ah!" Before Bao Yu could respond, the Crown Princess spoke again, cheerfully, "I've seen that poem too, it's wonderful! By the way, were you really born with a divine jade in your mouth?"
"Zhi'er..." This time it was the cold and beautiful woman's turn to scold, but her tone wasn't very firm, her clear and deep eyes flashing with curiosity and anticipation!
"Auntie!" The Crown Princess, arm in arm with a beautiful woman, pleaded, "I want to hear it!"
The Princess of Bei Jing, her curiosity also subtly taking hold, exchanged a smile with her sister and didn't stop the Crown Princess from pressing for the truth!
So the three women were family! No wonder they looked somewhat alike! Baoyu's thoughts raced, his handsome face radiating even more extraordinary charm. He deliberately responded to the Crown Princess's curiosity in a mysterious tone, and then confidently added, "This 'Spirit Jade' is truly magical. In other people's hands, it becomes an ordinary piece of jade, but when it returns to my hands, it immediately becomes a magical treasure. It can not only cure all diseases, but also exorcise evil spirits and demons. It's omnipotent! If you don't believe me, ask Sister Feng!"
For some reason, Baoyu was particularly arrogant today, a stark contrast to his usual reserved demeanor. With a wave of his hand, magical light danced in the air, and to the astonishment of the women, the magically transformed "Spirit Jade" suddenly appeared out of thin air. Its flowing, dazzling light instantly overshadowed the stunning beauties in the room, stealing much of their brilliance.
"Wow!" The Crown Princess's exclamation drowned out the soft murmurs of the Princess and her sister. Faced with such a beautiful scene—yes, beautiful, not magical—their feminine nature completely captivated them with the myriad rays of light emanating from the five-colored divine stone. As for Baoyu's "minor" supernatural powers, they had long been forgotten!
"So beautiful!" The three royal girls, seeing the "Spiritual Jade" for the first time, had only this one thought in their hearts. Their beautiful eyes, like pools of water, were involuntarily filled with a thousand kinds of dreamy colors. They were speechless with infatuation, as if they were seeing their dream lover. Where was the previous dignity, elegance, virtue, and nobility?!
Oh no, he overdid it! Baoyu, whose limelight had been stolen, was filled with regret and distress. The clever fellow, not wanting the three girls to only see this illusory broken stone, swiftly flipped and pulled back his large hand with a thought, and the "Spiritual Jade" that had suddenly appeared was gone!
"Princess Consort, please have some tea!" The afterglow faded, but the three women were still lost in their reverie. Fengjie and Ping'er, having seen the divine stone long ago, were much more resistant. The fiery Fengjie, the first to awaken, gently jolted the three royal women from their endless daydreams, then gave Ping'er a knowing look.
Ping'er and Fengjie, having been mistress and servant for many years, naturally understood each other. The charming young woman spoke up at the opportune moment, diverting everyone's attention, "Reporting to Second Madam, the Grand View Garden has been cleared as you wished, awaiting the Princess Consort's visit!" It turned out that Ping'er had led the clearing earlier; since the Crown Princess and the Princess Consort wanted to enjoy the Grand View Garden, all other people and servants had to leave, but Bao Yu, the only man, became an unusual exception!
After some polite exchanges, a group of beauties emerged gracefully. At the Crown Princess's suggestion, the man carrying "Bao Yu" became the lucky darling, accompanying the women as they leisurely strolled around the Grand View Garden.
Princess Bei Jing had long been familiar with Bao Yu because of her relationship with Prince Bei Jing, and now that she was captivated by his magical dream, she naturally had no objection. Although the cold and beautiful woman did not speak up, her clear eyes also shone with a hint of surprise, and she tacitly approved the bold and wild Bao Yu to accompany her!
While everyone was distracted, Fengjie, secretly lamenting her misfortune, glared fiercely at her audacious lover. She was both angry and anxious at his stubbornness. Ping'er, following behind, was no longer gentle; taking advantage of her convenient position, she playfully clung to her nemesis's arm. Both women were now convinced that the scoundrel had ulterior motives towards the three women, hence his unrestrained and arrogant behavior!
"Brother Bao, your sister-in-law didn't know you were such a good poet!!" Fengjie was now determined to crush Baoyu's arrogance, hoping to greatly disappoint the three women. The formidable beauty smiled serenely, "I've never seen you write any good poems before. So you were deliberately letting your sisters win!" "
Heh, heh..." The "unfriendly" look in Fengjie's eyes made Baoyu feel uneasy. If anyone in the Jia family understood him best, it would undoubtedly be Fengjie! The guy, trying to fool her with an innocent smile, said in a soft, ingratiating tone, "Nothing of the sort! I was just struck by inspiration that day, a stroke of genius, which is why I performed so well. Please don't laugh
at me, Sister Feng!" Even with her deep resentment, the beauty, who loved her nemesis to the core, sighed helplessly. Her softened heart gave up on pressing him, and she chose to let him be, both angry and amused. The beautiful Sister Feng had already made up her mind; even if she wanted to "discipline" the rascal, she couldn't do it in public. She'd teach him a lesson back in her boudoir! A man's pride must be respected!
Chapter Six: The Three Beauties of the Royal Family (Part Two)
Seeing her beloved's expression soften, her helpless coquettishness moved and delighted Bao Er Ye. Sister Feng truly understood him!
Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes. Before Baoyu's joy could even reach his lips, the Princess of Beijing, with good intentions, had driven him to a dead end. "Brother Bao, you're too modest. My lord is usually quite arrogant, but since meeting you, he no longer dares to claim himself as the foremost scholar in the capital. Besides, such exquisite lines aren't something one can come up with casually!" Before
the Princess of Beijing could finish speaking, the Crown Princess chimed in cheerfully, "Why don't you, Young Master Bao, compose a poem on the spot about the scenery of this garden? Let us broaden our horizons and see if what your uncle says is true or false!"
"This..." Now, Second Master Bao was finally in a bind. He could easily plagiarize a poem, but the Crown Princess wanted a specific topic. How could he possibly find a suitable one from the vast sea of poetry?! And one that none of the women had ever heard of—it was truly difficult, extremely difficult!
Should he refuse? Although he could set aside his useless pride, the words of the Princess of Bei Jing and the Crown Princess had placed a shackle on him. If he couldn't answer, wouldn't that mean the Prince of Bei Jing lacked discernment and was a blind fool?! Utterly annoyed!
His worries and anxieties swirled, and under the expectant gazes of the women, Bao Er Ye was drenched in cold sweat. He finally understood what it meant to be on pins and needles, to have thorns in one's back!
"Hee hee..." At this critical moment, a group of children's clear laughter came from the willow shade. The women were standing on the waterside pavilion and corridor. The vast lake shore was winding and meandering. After a moment, Jia Lan, Jia Huan, and a group of children rushed out, each holding a kite and running towards the open space by the lake, clearly wanting to take advantage of the gentle spring breeze to fly their kites and play.
"Ping'er, how could you do this! Didn't I tell you not to disturb the Princess's enjoyment?" Fengjie wouldn't truly reprimand Ping'er; her words were partly for the Princess and her two daughters to see, and partly to ease the embarrassment in her lover's eyes. The beautiful woman, with her unspoken understanding, sensed her lover's subconscious plea for help. She had initially wanted to see him make a fool of himself, but now, overwhelmed by boundless love, she blurted out without thinking,
"Sister Feng, I'll take Lan'er and the others away right away." Baoyu, being the clever man he was, immediately made an excuse to escape.
"No need!" To Bao Yu's surprise, the one who spoke was the stunningly beautiful woman. Her elegant and noble demeanor thawed instantly as she looked at the group of innocent and adorable children, her beauty blossoming like a peony. Bao Yu's eyes lit up. Her melodious words carried a hint of nostalgia and longing. "They're just children, it's nothing. It's been so long since I've seen children fly kites!"
"Sister is the best!" The Princess of Bei Jing stepped forward and clasped her sister's hands. The sisterly bond was especially precious at this moment. Any previous resentment or regret from the stunningly beautiful woman vanished like smoke in the warm embrace of this affection!
"Young Master Bao, have you made up your mind? I'm still waiting!" The Crown Princess didn't look like a married woman at all—she was a young girl in every sense of the word. She slightly raised her oval face and said with a hint of pride, "I'll also take one of your masterpieces back home so my sisters can be envious!"
Before Bao Yu, who was inwardly wryly smiling, could respond, the Crown Princess, true to her ever-changing nature, suddenly changed the subject, pointing to the kite the child had released into the air and cheering, "Wow! What a beautiful kite! I want to play with one when I get home, even if the Crown Prince forbids it!"
This was considered beautiful, and Bao Yu couldn't help but feel a little smug. Of course, this ancient kite was far inferior to the styles of the future! The bored fellow suddenly had a flash of inspiration. Heaven had once again bestowed its supreme favor upon this darling of destiny!
"Your Highness, then I will make a fool of myself!" The women sighed inwardly, their eyes fixed on him expectantly. Bao Yu, with a contented smile, satisfied their refined tastes and curiosity.
"In the second month of spring, when the grass grows and orioles fly, willows along the dike are intoxicated by the spring mist. Children, released from school early, rush to fly kites in the east wind."
Heh, heh... The illusory Baoyu wiped the cold sweat from his brow with a smug look, letting out a long, tense sigh. He secretly lamented that he would never again try to be elegant; it was exhausting! This job was inhuman, far more difficult than slaying monsters! Sigh!
The brilliantly talented Baoyu, with a leisurely smile, showed no awareness of plundering others' work. Instead, he feigned the refined elegance of a scholar, quietly awaiting everyone's admiration!
Silence—a silence so deep you could hear a pin drop, an eerie silence, a silence that made Baoyu's heart pound with unease! In this terrifying silence, the "great" poet Baoyu, feeling uneasy, once again felt the pain of being a thief. He couldn't help but wonder, had he misremembered the era? Had this timeless masterpiece already appeared?! No way?! If that were to happen, his glorious image would be ruined!
"What a wonderful poem! Clap, clap..." After someone's crisp and melodious exclamation of surprise, thunderous applause grew louder and louder, from sparse to dense. Bao Yu, his composure restored, was instantly overwhelmed by the burning gazes of the women. Even Feng Jie and Ping'er, who were already accustomed to his extraordinary talents, were beaming with delight, their eyes sparkling with admiration. They hadn't expected their lover to possess such skill!
Even the Grand View Garden, however large, had its limits. Under the enthusiastic guidance of Bao Yu and Feng Jie, the three women, in high spirits, explored almost the entire garden, only leaving when they were panting and slightly sweaty. The dashing Bao Yu had certainly had a fruitful experience, spending the entire time under the admiring gazes of the three royal women, especially the Crown Princess. Add to that the virtuous smile of the Princess of Bei Jing and the appreciative eyes of the cold beauty, how could our Bao Yu not be overjoyed and extremely proud?!
"You little rascal! You womanizer!" Baoyu's wicked smile had barely appeared on his lips when Fengjie, who had just seen off the three women, caught him red-handed. Apart from Ping'er, the two of them had no one else around them. As soon as they returned to the steward's room, the beauties started to throw a tantrum, and the one who suffered was, of course, Baoyu's disobedient ears!
"Baoyu, you're being too reckless! You dare to plot against the Princess and the others?!" The usually gentle Ping'er, now on the side of justice, warned angrily, "Do you know who the Princess's sister is?"
Her delicate face hardened, and she promptly revealed the truth, "She is the current Empress—the Empress who rules the world! How dare you be so bold? Don't you want your head?!"
Baoyu's heart skipped a beat, but he wasn't particularly surprised. From the Empress's noble aura and the Crown Princess's respect for her exceeding that for his aunt, the shrewd boy had already guessed most of it. He chuckled to himself, not caring at all. If it weren't for the Empress herself, she wouldn't have bothered with such an effort!
Despite these thoughts, facing the two jealous lions about to erupt, the poor Baoyu, unwilling to experience their roars, still gratefully assured them, "Don't worry, sisters, am I that kind of person?!"
"You're not that kind of person?! Humph!" The two women scoffed mercilessly, with Sister Feng's beautiful eyes flashing with a clever light, a hint of smugness in her smile. "Today, I'll have my sisters interrogate you properly. You're getting more and more arrogant, daring to even have designs on a royal lady!"
"Innocent! Sisters, I'm innocent!" After the awkward and affectionate address, Bao Er Ye's tone changed, half-jokingly reassuring the two women, "You don't really think I'm a lecherous wolf who can't stand women, do you?! Actually, I did this on purpose to observe the evil disease the Empress has contracted."
"Empress, you look much better," inside the luxurious carriage heading towards the Prince of Bei Jing's residence, the three royal women were discussing the same topic. The virtuous and beautiful Princess's eyes shone with joy. "It seems that this 'Spirit Jade' really can exorcise demons and cure evil. The bluish tinge between your brows has faded considerably after just one meeting with the divine jade!"
"Sister, please call me 'elder sister' in private. It sounds nicer that way, and I won't have to go through the trouble of calling you 'I' and 'you'!" The cold and beautiful Empress smiled, and she and the Princess clasped hands affectionately. A deep sense of sisterly love filled the space between them.
The Crown Princess, newly married, still retained her innocent and pure nature, which hadn't been completely eroded by worldly concerns. Greatly influenced by the Empress's charm, the beautiful young woman nestled against her, giggling, and said, "Then should I call you Empress, or Mother-in-law, or still Aunt?! Hehe... How about I call you Empress Aunt, or Empress Mother-in-law?"
"You little rascal!" The two beauties simultaneously patted Li Zhi'er's shoulders with boundless affection. They loved and cherished this adorable niece from their maternal family, and they rarely dared to say a harsh word to her!
"You're the Crown Princess now, the future Empress. You can't always be so lacking in royal dignity. You need to be as dignified and elegant as your aunt!" The Empress felt that calling her "Aunt" was more intimate at this moment, and her heartfelt affection made her want to pass on all her experience to her adorable niece who never seemed to grow up!
"Sigh! That's so boring!" Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess sighed sadly, her words of deep feeling leaving the Empress speechless. "Aunt, look how tired you are! It breaks my heart to see you like this! Seeing you all so unhappy makes me feel bad too!"
In her excitement, the Crown Princess unconsciously waved her hand in the air, her teeth slightly clenched, and said resentfully, "If the Crown Prince becomes Emperor and abandons me, see if I'll forgive him?!"
Zhi'er's unintentional words struck a nerve with the Empress. Although she enjoyed all the honors of the world as the Empress, she lacked the love that all women truly longed for. How could the cold and beautiful woman not stand there speechless, stunned by these words?
Princess Bei Jing, being of mature age, immediately sensed her elder sister's bitterness and quickly spoke to ease her distress, saying, "Sister, I think it would be better to let Brother Bao treat your strange illness. I think he really has some supernatural abilities, unlike those folk charlatans!"
"Yes, eldest aunt, just listen to your second aunt! Zhi'er's heart aches seeing you having nightmares every night, being frightened by ghosts," the Crown Princess said, her royal willfulness bursting forth, though far less formidable than the little princess's, it still possessed a certain arrogance, "Hmph! It's all because there are too many quack doctors and charlatans in this world. The Empress is sick and no one can cure her. Before, there was that strange Imperial Advisor who could use magic to stabilize her condition, but now the Imperial Advisor has disappeared without a trace. What are we going to do?!"
"Silly girl, I am the Empress, protected by the gods. You don't need to worry!" The Empress spoke these comforting words, which even she herself didn't believe, with a natural air. After a moment's thought, she softly rejected her sister's suggestion. "Young Master Jia is so young; he can't possibly have any real skills. My good complexion is probably just due to the nice weather today, plus I had a good time at the Jia family's place. When you're happy, of course your complexion is good!"
Long confinement in the palace had not only cultivated the Empress's incomparably noble demeanor but also taught her to conceal her true feelings flawlessly. Beneath the calm surface of this cold and beautiful woman, her thoughts were churning, unable to settle for a long time.
She wasn't blind or stupid; how could she not see the magic of the "Spirit Jade"?! Logically, having secretly left the palace to mourn her good friend, Consort Yuan, she should have felt a strong sense of unexpected joy. Indeed, the moment she first sensed the divine power of the stone, she felt a surge of hope! Her heart stirred slightly, and she should have followed suit, but Baoyu's series of unexpected and extraordinary actions made the Empress, who was eager to cure her strange illness, hesitate and stop. The fluttering in her heart turned into an inexplicable will, and her instinctive protectiveness aroused the vigilance befitting an Empress. For some reason, she forcibly demanded that she stay away from this strange and dangerous fellow, Baoyu, and her determination was so strong that she could even put aside the torment of her illness!
Such intelligence, keen insight, and strong willpower truly made her worthy of being called the phoenix among women! Although she was inflexible under the rigid rules of etiquette and not worth praising, her graceful and dignified demeanor was enough to make all the lustful men in the world give up!
"Sister, won't you reconsider?" The Princess Consort felt differently. The beautiful woman in her thirties, who had a very good relationship with Prince Bei Jing, completely regarded Baoyu as a wise and virtuous man—her sister's savior and hope! After repeated attempts to persuade her failed, the virtuous and beautiful woman had no choice but to give up. "Alright, sister, don't go back to the palace yet. Since the imperial physicians are no good, I'll try to find some doctors and immortals among the common people. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to meet a master!"
"Sigh! Let fate decide!" The Empress sighed, ending the topic. Then, her tone shifted, and she cheerfully recalled the happy times the two sisters had shared in their youth. Amidst the Crown Princess's occasional interjections and curious questions, the Princess also fondly reminisced about the sisterly affection in her heart. It was as if their lost youth had returned to the two sisters' side. The slightly stuffy space inside the carriage was filled with laughter and joy, and the joyful atmosphere did not dissipate even after the luxurious carriage entered the Prince of Bei Jing's mansion!
The plan for the year starts in spring, and the plan for the day begins in the morning.
It was another early spring morning, and the enthusiastic Second Master Bao stepped out of the Jia mansion gate with excited steps. He hadn't been to the Red Mansion for a whole day. A day—that was a very, very long time. He wondered if his sister, Qingwen, and the others were waiting for him at the gate. Ah, ah… Thinking of this, Baoyu couldn't help but smile happily from the bottom of his heart. In his heart, he always subconsciously regarded the Red Mansion as his "real" home!
"Second Uncle Bao! Are you going out too?" Just as he stepped through the gate, a surprised voice called out behind him, stopping him in his tracks. Turning around, he saw his nephew, Jia Yun, who was even older than him, quickly catching up.
"It's Brother Yun! Where are you rushing off to?" Second Master Bao didn't have much prejudice against the Jia family's scions, except for the likes of Jia Zhen and his son.
Baoyu's question was casual, but given his exalted status, Jia Yun answered earnestly, "Second Uncle, I am going out to buy antique fans on the orders of the eldest master!" In the Jia family, Baoyu was not only the old lady's darling, but also the younger brother of an imperial concubine. Although the concubine was dead, her influence remained. Most importantly, the Red Chamber empire that Baoyu had single-handedly built—the sheer amount of gold and silver he possessed—was something that would make the young men, living off their monthly stipends, both envious and jealous! Having the opportunity to get close to Baoyu was a godsend; of course, they had to make the most of it!
"Oh!" Baoyu had long heard of Jia She's hobby of collecting famous fans, and patted Jia Yun's shoulder lightly with a smile, saying, "It's good that you're diligent, but there's no need to rush like this. These fans aren't going to grow legs and run away!"
"Alas! Second Master, you don't know, these antique fans won't run away, but the owner of the fans is very strange. No matter how much price we offer, he won't sell them," Jia Yun immediately began to complain, his face full of worry. "This isn't the first time I've done things for the Master, but this is the first time I've encountered such a strange fellow. He just holds onto that pile of fans and won't sell a single one. We went there several times, and he even cursed at us, as if he wanted to kill us!"
The two walked along, and coincidentally, their destinations overlapped for a part of the route. Master Bao had a great understanding of these legendary "fools," and said to Jia Yun with a soft laugh, "You're right. These kinds of people treat what they love as their lifeblood. Try to persuade him with words of common interest. If that doesn't work, have the master meet with him in person and have a chat. You might even receive an unexpected surprise!"
"Second Uncle is indeed very knowledgeable, he has enlightened me!" Jia Yun felt more and more that Second Uncle Bao's words had hit the nail on the head, but when he thought of Jia She's arrogant expression, the joy on his face turned into helplessness. "If only Master Bao were as wise as Second Uncle!"
Jia Yun sighed sadly, but unexpectedly Jia She's roaring voice echoed in his mind: "What? You won't sell it even if you have the money! And you dare to insult me! Go, go again! Even if you have to snatch it, you have to get it back for me!"
"What's wrong? You can tell me what's wrong!" The worry in Jia Yun's eyes met Bao Yu's superhuman gaze, and his curiosity made him unusually kind.
“Second Uncle, it’s not a big deal,” Jia Yun hesitated slightly, then mustered his courage and whispered, “It’s just that the Master was so angry that he was about to forcibly seize it. I tried my best to persuade him, but to no avail. Alas! This is the last chance for a peaceful resolution!”
He paused slightly, noticing a slight change in his Second Uncle’s expression, and then added, “Second Uncle, I think the Li family seems to have quite a background, but they can’t persuade the Master. If you have time, please help persuade him!”
“Yun-ge’er, what you say makes sense!” Bao-yu looked at Jia Yun with new respect for the first time, and replied with certainty, “You can put this matter aside for now. I’ll talk to the Master first thing tomorrow morning. Let’s not cause any trouble!”
"By the way, come find me in the courtyard after you finish this matter. I have something for you to do!" Baoyu had originally planned to complete the Pear Fragrance Courtyard after returning to the manor, but it was delayed by the funeral of
Consort Yuan. Now, having finally encountered a talented young man, he couldn't help but admire him and decided to give him a try. "Thank you for your high regard, Second Uncle. I will definitely come to serve you as soon as possible!" There were no fools in the Jia family. Jia Yun cleverly chose a patron. Under Jia She, he had never been favored as much as Jia Qiang, who was better at flattering. Now, being appreciated by Second Master Bao was undoubtedly like a sparrow flying to a branch and finding a way to get ahead.
Inside the Red Mansion, Second Master Bao, unusually, did not go to the back courtyard to see the beauties first. The more he thought about it on the way, the more nervous he became, and he had a strong premonition of something bad happening. The "General Sun" that Jia Yun mentioned casually before leaving made him wary, and he had to be cautious!
"Second Master, I'll take care of it right away!" After hearing his master's stern instructions, Ni Er, a rough and straightforward man, couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why do we need to investigate the background of the Sun family? Why have I never heard of them before?"
"Ni Er, you can go now!" Bao Yu didn't say much, waving his hand with a solemn expression. "I don't quite understand either. You'll know when you return from your investigation. In short, it's definitely related to Sun Shaozu."
"Damn it, it's that bastard again!" Ni Er, who had already turned around, suddenly turned back, and the question that had been swirling in his mind for so long finally burst out, "Second Master, why not just kill that Sun guy? Why waste time with him like this?!"
“Heh, heh…” Baoyu was unfazed by Ni Er’s straightforwardness and wildness, and said with a smile, “So it was because you weren’t confident, now it’s because you disdain doing it, and you shouldn’t do it!”
Seeing that Ni Er was still confused and bewildered, Zhen Shiyin finally spoke up, playing the role of strategist, “Before, our foundation was not stable and our power was insufficient, so we naturally couldn’t act rashly to avoid mutual destruction; now, although we can successfully eliminate the enemy, the enemy can never be eliminated completely. If we kill every enemy with a powerful blow,” the middle-aged scholar stroked his black beard and pointed to Ni Er’s head with a smug look, “If we don’t use our brains, they will atrophy. It’s fine if the opponent we encounter is weaker than us, but what if the opponent is stronger than us?! Then we will definitely be killed in one blow!”

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A Dream of Red Mansions: A Fairy Tale of Dreams (Complete) - Episode 18

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