Lian, Second Master Learns Art for Love; Shi Daizi Takes Refuge at Uncle's Residence

Besides Aunt Xue, there was someone else in the mansion who was equally unwilling to accept things as they were.

That person was none other than Jia Lian, who had long been pining for Sun Shaozong.

Yesterday, overcome by emotion, he had carelessly let his true colors show.

Ever since then, Sun Shaozong had clearly meant to keep his distance. Jia Lian felt wronged beyond measure, yet he did not dare pour out his feelings, bottling them up until he could hardly bear it.

After the noon banquet, Jia Lian took a jug of aged wine by himself and drank away his sorrows in the East Wing Courtyard's covered corridor.

After only a few gloomy cups, he heard the high, lilting singing from the stage.

Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw Jiang Yuhan once again dressed as Cui Yingying, meticulously rehearsing onstage.

In the past, Jia Lian might have been greatly interested in a man with such feminine features. But now, he gave Jiang Yuhan only one glance before ignoring him.

Lian, Second Master might not have cared, but plenty of people in the mansion were delighted to support Jiang Yuhan.

Jia Baoyu, Xue Pan, and Liu Xianglian, who never missed a performance, went without saying. There were also three or five other dandies leaning over the railing to watch.

At first, they only cheered enthusiastically. But as time passed, idle chatter drifted into Jia Lian's ears.

"What a shame, truly a shame! Of all the women onstage, her every smile and frown are the most enticing, yet underneath it all, she's a man."

"So what if he's a man? He only gets away with it because someone protects him. Otherwise, I'd go up there at once, lift his costume from behind, and put on a Living