Lian, Second Master

Since entering the borders of Da Zhou, there had been no more barriers between Sun Shaozong and Ruan Rong. They spent their days chatting and whispering sweet nothings, truly inseparable.

Ruan Rong was fine with it; the young girl was just beginning to experience love, and as long as she could be with her beloved day and night, she had no other desires.

But Sun Shaozong looked 'simple and honest' on the surface, but inside he was someone who had already tasted the pleasures of the flesh. How could he be a dull monk who only ate vegetarian food and chanted Buddhist scriptures when he had such a beautiful woman who loved him?

Therefore, before they had traveled for three or five days, he had already stolen a kiss from her sweet lips, indulging in a bit of oral pleasure.

After some time, he used the excuse of cuddling for warmth to sneak his devilish claws into Ruan Rong's bosom.

By the time the three of them had passed through Yun-Gui, taken Jing-Xiang, and drifted down the Yangtze River to Yangzhou City, Sun Shaozong had conquered all of Ruan Rong's territory except for the final step.

It wasn't that he didn't want to break through that final layer of window paper, but Ruan Rong resolutely refused, insisting on waiting until her position was established in front of the Sun family before completely entrusting herself to him.

Anyway, starting from Yangzhou and heading north along the Grand Canal, it would only take about a month to reach the Capital. Sun Shaozong could wait that long—of course, he couldn't help but use his eloquent tongue to ask for some other sweet treats to taste.

Speaking of which, early this morning.

Sun Shaozong, carrying food, knocked on Ruan Rong's door. He saw her washing her tender white hands again and again, wishing she could scrub off a layer of skin. The scene from last night immediately flashed in his mind...

He couldn't help but chuckle lewdly a few times before saying seriously, "Rong'er, you rest at the inn first. I'll take Feng Xin to the docks to see if there are any suitable passenger ships—after noon, I'll take you to stroll around this Yangzhou City."

As a transmigrator, he naturally knew that women needed to be coaxed. Therefore, along the way, whenever they encountered any famous historical sites, he would always take the initiative to accompany Ruan Rong to visit them.

He would also create some romantic atmosphere and say a few sweet words, which made Ruan Rong infatuated and even more convinced that she had not chosen the wrong man.

Hearing Sun Shaozong say that he had to go out to take care of business, Ruan Rong quickly suppressed her shyness and stepped forward to help him straighten his collar, saying, "Yangzhou City isn't going anywhere, we can stroll around anytime—we should book the passenger ship first, it's almost the end of November, don't miss the New Year."

Sun Shaozong casually agreed, and then took the opportunity to bite Ruan Rong's half-silver-ingot-like earlobe, saying a few lewd words that made Ruan Rong raise her hand to hit him. Only then did he laugh and run away.

——Scene Break——

It is said that Yangzhou City truly lived up to its reputation as a famous city throughout the ages. Carriages and horses lined the riverbanks, and boats sailed like shuttles. The rhythmic shouts rose and fell, never ceasing.

It was just past Chen hour (7-9 AM), and dozens of pleasure boats successively docked, unloading gentlemen and wealthy merchants who were unsteady on their feet but reluctant to leave.

Even the courtesans on the boats stood by the railings, flirting across the river, attracting the gazes of tourists on both banks.

Those who were short on money could only feast their eyes and then hurry off to make a living; those who had some spare money in their pockets stood there, commenting on each one, wondering which one to go to for a night of pleasure.

When Sun Shaozong first became a policeman, he didn't know how many anti-prostitution operations he had to participate in each year, and he had long been tired of these women in the pleasure quarters.

Now, not to mention a few courtesans flirting across the river, even if they all stripped naked and danced on the boats, he wouldn't be moved at all—if they all jumped into the river, he might watch.

But Feng Xin was different. First, he had been celibate in Qinglin Prefecture for several months, and then he had been a light bulb all the way, watching Sun Shaozong and Ruan Rong being intimate every day, and he had long been filled with pent-up desires.

Now, seeing these flamboyant women, his steps slowed down, and his eyes moved quickly, only lingering between the courtesans' waists, legs, hips, and breasts.

"Look at your lack of ambition!"

Sun Shaozong gave him a light kick on the butt and scolded with a smile, "Quickly restrain your wandering thoughts. After we hire a boat, it won't be too late for you to have some fun."

Feng Xin was overjoyed when he heard this, and was about to thank 'My Lord' for 'showing mercy outside the law', when he suddenly heard someone behind him shout loudly, "Is that Sun Family's Second Son in front?"

Then came another voice, "Brother Shaozong, wait a moment for me!"

How could Sun Shaozong have imagined that he would run into an 'acquaintance' in this place of pleasure?

Subconsciously, he looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young master wearing a brocade hat and sable fur coat, with a moon-white long shirt underneath, rushing up from behind. Before he even reached the front, his fluent Capital dialect filled his ears: "It really is Second Son! It's been more than a year since I last saw you, you've grown even more burly, I almost didn't recognize you just now."

Sun Shaozong carefully sized up the newcomer, noting his tall and straight figure, a face like jade, and a pair of flirtatious eyes that seemed to promise spring with every glance. He was indeed the epitome of a romantic hero born into a wealthy family. At this, a name readily sprang to mind: Jia Lian, Lian, Second Master.

This Jia Lian hailed from Rongguo Mansion, also a branch of the Four Princes and Eight Dukes. Because Rongguo Mansion and the Sun family were old friends, Sun Shaozu often brought Sun Shaozong to Rongguo Mansion to freeload when the Sun family fell on hard times. Therefore, he was quite familiar with this Jia Lian.

Recalling the man's identity, Sun Shaozong quickly laughed and cupped his hands in greeting, "So it's Brother Lian! Why aren't you enjoying the good life in the Capital? What brings you to Yangzhou City? Could it be you angered your wife and were kicked out?"

In his memory, this Lian, Second Master, seemed to have a fear of his wife, so he casually teased him about it.

"Bah! Give that woman two guts, and she wouldn't dare chase me out!"

Jia Lian scoffed dismissively, then his expression turned slightly more serious as he said, "Actually, it's because my uncle unfortunately passed away while serving in Yangzhou. His family is dwindling, and he only had one young cousin who hasn't come of age yet. Therefore, my old lady asked me to come and help manage things, to assist my uncle with the funeral arrangements."

As he spoke, he exaggeratedly slapped his thigh and complained, "Over the past half-year, I've been running back and forth between the Capital, Yangzhou, and Suzhou several times, and I've finally managed to handle everything properly. Another inch and my legs would have broken off!"

Before Sun Shaozong could respond, he curiously asked, "By the way, Second Brother, weren't you sent to that Qian Xiang Country on official business? How did you end up in Yangzhou City as well?"

Although the two families could barely be considered old friends, Jia Lian's relationship with the Sun brothers was only superficial when they were in the Capital. This current warmth was likely due to the excitement of meeting an acquaintance in a foreign land.

Remembering that Rongguo Mansion had shown kindness to the Sun brothers in the past, Sun Shaozong didn't want to neglect him. So, he found a nearby teahouse and briefly recounted the events that had occurred in Qian Xiang Country.

Lian, Second Master, clicked his tongue in amazement, repeatedly saying, "Second Brother is truly developing now, actually accomplishing such a great feat that even the Emperor was alarmed."

When Sun Shaozong mentioned that he was ordered to return to the Capital and was preparing to find a northbound passenger ship,

Jia Lian immediately took on the responsibility, saying, "I thought it was some big deal! You don't need to look anymore. My ship has plenty of space. What does it matter if there are a few more of you? By the way, don't stay in any inns. Just go to my uncle's official residence for a few days. Once I've taken care of things here, we'll set off for the Capital together!"

Sun Shaozong declined a few times, but seeing that he was truly enthusiastic, he had no choice but to agree.

[For those who are always confused about the timeline, I explained it in the author's notes, but they don't read it and leave messages blaming me for writing nonsense. I can only explain it here in advance.

When Daiyu was 5 or 6 years old, her mother died, so she was sent to the Jia family to live for several years.

In the spring when she was 11 years old, Lin Ruhai became seriously ill, and Jia Lian escorted Daiyu back to Yangzhou to serve Lin Ruhai.

In the autumn when she was 11 years old, Lin Ruhai passed away, and Jia Lian spent several months handling the funeral.

In the winter, he took Daiyu back to the Jia family to live again, until Daiyu passed away.

The book is writing about the winter when Daiyu was 11 years old.

So, stop questioning me why Daiyu went to the Jia family at 11 years old, why she had a Zijuan before she went, and why she knew there was a Brother Bao in the mansion before she went...]