Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 85 Resting in Peace

Wang Xifeng listened attentively to Jia Lian's words, and slowly, tears welled up in her eyes.

She was indeed heartbroken, carrying Jia Lian's child. Yet, Jia Lian came to cause her trouble because of two immature girls, as if in his heart she was not as important as those two girls.

She sat there without saying a word, and soon tears began to flow.

Jia Lian, who was sitting on the bed, sat down on the edge of the bed when he saw this, picked her up and hugged her: "Don't feel wronged. I did this for the good of both of us."

You have a strong personality, and I'm not weak either. If we can't work things out properly, something bad will happen sooner or later, and we'll end up like strangers, or even hate each other.

I don't want that day to come, which is why I have so many strict demands and words towards you.

When we've truly worked things out and achieved genuine mutual trust—when you understand me and I understand you—we won't have these kinds of topics to discuss anymore.

Hearing this, Wang Xifeng felt a little better, but she still cried and said, "Are you still angry with me because I drove away your former concubines? Otherwise, I'll help you bring them back, and I'll personally apologize to them. Is that alright?"

Wang Xifeng was truly fed up with Jia Lian's unfounded suspicions of her. She had genuinely fallen in love with the changed Jia Lian. Now, Jia Lian was moving towards becoming the husband of her dreams.

He has a strong temper, is responsible, ambitious, and knows how to pamper people...

In comparison, she even felt that her jealousy was completely unnecessary.

Men are uncontrollable no matter what. Rather than guarding your own little patch of land and raising a useless man, it's better to let go and raise a truly great man!

Therefore, if Jia Lian really cares about his previous women and wants her to bring them back for him, she would be willing.

She only hoped that Jia Lian could maintain his current state and truly put aside his prejudices to treat her.

To everyone's surprise, Jia Lian shook his head: "It's rare to see someone so generous, but I'm afraid our seven or eight rooms in the courtyard aren't enough to accommodate everyone."

Wang Xifeng was taken aback, then angrily retorted, "How dare you ask? Just how many women do you have outside?"

"Well, it's really hard to count them all right now..."

Enraged, Wang Xifeng grabbed Jia Lian's arm and bit him. For a moment, as she bit down, she really wanted to bite him hard; that stinky man was so infuriating.

Jia Lian released her mouth, using the web of his right hand to hold it shut, and then laughed, "I have to admit, I wasn't good before, and you have to admit, you weren't good enough either. Since that's the case, why don't we put the past behind us and from now on, let's both try our best to do better?"

What could Wang Xifeng say but nod? Then she said angrily, "Don't worry, I don't care to bully your two precious maids. There are so many servants in the mansion, I can bully anyone, but why are they the only ones missing?"

You don't need to remind me again and again, don't you think you're being long-winded?

Wang Xifeng wasn't saying this against her will. At first, she felt that both Xiangling and Qingwen were too beautiful and were a threat.

However, after agreeing to three rules with Jia Lian, she let it go.

After all, no matter how good-looking she is, she is still young and poses a limited threat. She doesn't believe that a few years isn't enough time for her to give birth to a son!

"I believe in you. You believe in me too. When I return, it will be time to petition for an official title for you," Jia Lian said solemnly.

Wang Xifeng's eyes lit up.

If she could get an imperial decree to wear, she would be willing to give Jia Lian two more maids, let alone two.

Then, half-heartedly and half-seriously, he said, "What do you mean by imperial decree? It's good to have one, but it doesn't really matter if you don't. Don't be foolish enough to risk your life for a promotion. I don't want anything else, I just want you to come back safe and sound."

As Wang Xifeng spoke, she leaned against Jia Lian's chest and said very gently.

Jia Lian's departure to the border was an imperial order, a fait accompli; otherwise, she would never have allowed him to go.

As Jia Lian embraced Wang Xifeng's fiery figure, he couldn't help but feel aroused. However, considering that Wang Xifeng was pregnant, he could only sneakily slip one hand inside her clothes to do his thing.

Seeing that Wang Xifeng suddenly tensed up and her face turned red, as if she might stop him at any moment, he used a topic to break her attention.

"There's one more thing I want to tell you..."

"What, is this another reprimand?"

When Jia Lian heard Wang Xifeng's question, he almost burst out laughing. This woman was quite perceptive; she even knew she was being subtly reprimanded.

So he replied with a smile, "The beatings are temporarily over for now. We'll talk about it again after you give birth to the child."

Jia Lian deliberately emphasized the words "beat with a stick," which the original Wang Xifeng would never have understood, but now she could roughly understand them.

Therefore, he pulled out Jia Lian's hand, which had been used for evil deeds for a long time, slapped it, and scolded, "Speak your mind, stop using these nonsense words to insult people."

"Ping'er's contraceptive soup should not be given to her anymore; there's no need for it."

"Heh, she told you?"

Wang Xifeng's gaze suddenly turned dangerous; clearly, Jia Lian's words made her immediately think of Ping'er's betrayal.

Could it be that this girl's loyalty was all an act, and now that she's just been taken in by Jia Lian, she's already starting to badmouth him behind his back?

Jia Lian slapped her hard on the buttocks, completely crushing her arrogance. Amid her gasp, he said, "Don't accuse me wrongly. I caught her brewing medicine alone in the room."

Wang Xifeng was half-believing and half-doubting, but said, "I did nothing wrong!"

"I kindly gave you my maid to enjoy, but you don't appreciate my kindness and instead feel sorry for her?"

Does this mean I should really let her ride on my head?

"I haven't given birth in two years and nothing's happened. Asking her to wait a year or two is really unfair to her?"

Wang Xifeng's rapid-fire tongue made Jia Lian unable to resist slapping her bottom again, then he said, "You're so impatient, I don't know when you'll change. Did I say I was blaming you?"

Hmph, no wonder Ping'er didn't tell you. With your personality, you're just a bit ungrateful.

Let me tell you, even if Ping'er doesn't take your contraceptive soup, she still can't get pregnant.

"What do you mean?" Wang Xifeng asked, puzzled.

Jia Lian then slowly recounted to Wang Xifeng how Ping'er had begged him the previous night not to proceed with the final sowing step.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng was indeed greatly surprised. She pulled her hand away from Jia Lian's and asked, "Will this really work?"

"If you don't believe me, we can make a bet."

People at that time, unless they were experts in this field, had only a superficial understanding of the essence of carrying on the family line.

Even most women only know that men and women can get pregnant by sleeping together, but they say they don't really understand the underlying principles.

There was no other way; their meager knowledge was basically passed down orally from mother to daughter until their last breath. If any step was slightly missed, they could only rely on their own comprehension.

As for why Ping'er knows more... Jia Lian seriously suspects that Ping'er may have secretly read erotic books!

Wang Xifeng began to think seriously. If what Jia Lian said was true, that would be good. She didn't necessarily have to be the villain.

She believed that Jia Lian might lie to her, but Ping'er certainly wouldn't dare.

Therefore, he called Ping'er in and asked her to put away the prescription, saying that if she continued to act like she did last night, she would no longer need to take the contraceptive soup.

Ping'er was on edge when she learned that Jia Lian would talk to Wang Xifeng about this in the morning. She had been worried sick when she heard Wang Xifeng crying and cursing in the outer room.

Seeing that Wang Xifeng seemed completely unaffected, they became even more curious about how the Second Master had managed to win over the Second Madam.

Hearing Wang Xifeng recount the shameful incident of how she prevented pregnancy the previous night, her face flushed with embarrassment.

She was about to leave after receiving the order when Jia Lian beckoned to her, "You can sleep here tonight."

Ping'er was a little at a loss. Jia Lian looked at her and smiled, "It just so happens that your second mistress doesn't quite believe in our contraceptive methods, so we'll demonstrate them to her ourselves."

Wang Xifeng was furious. She kicked Jia Lian and yelled, "Who wants to see...see your kind of thing? If you want her, go outside and don't get in my way!"

Jia Lian pulled Wang Xifeng into his arms and chuckled softly, "New Year's Eve is almost here. Your uncle said he'll be leaving right after the New Year, and I don't have many days left at home. So, I want to hold you while I sleep these nights. Besides, when we were making love before, Ping'er always peeked at you from outside. Don't you want to see how she'll behave then?"

"Nonsense, why is she looking at me? She's clearly spying on you..."

Wang Xifeng knew perfectly well that Ping'er could not possibly be curious about her body. From childhood to adulthood, they had slept in the same bed and even bathed together. They were very familiar with each other's bodies!

However, she was still misled by Jia Lian, and the idea arose in her mind that she should see how Ping'er was when she was pampered in order to be fair.

Ping'er had already seen through Jia Lian's treacherous scheme, but she didn't know whether she should expose it or not.

Why does Second Madam seem to have been bewitched? She's not as shrewd as before. It seems she's actually acquiescing.

Seeing her two masters sitting on the bed, both looking at her with a hint of mockery, saying nothing, clearly waiting for her to walk right into their trap, Ping'er sighed helplessly and turned to extinguish the candles in the room…

"Leave one lamp behind."

Ping'er was even more ashamed, but she could only leave behind a faint candle, then slowly walked to the bedside and sat down as Jia Lian commanded...