The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 534: Taking a Concubine (Part )

"Brother Qiang, how early did you come back?"

Before Jia Qiang and Wang Xifeng and the others could greet each other, Jia's mother, who came out of the carriage, spoke impatiently.

"My dear, I just returned to Beijing this morning. I just heard about Uncle Yi's wedding today at Quyuan Zatan, so I hurried over to ask for a glass of wedding wine!"

"I haven't met Yun Yi yet..."

Grandmother Jia muttered to herself, and then got off the carriage with the help of Yuanyang. She waved to Jia Qiang and said, "Aunt Xing just came in. Your uncle Yi probably doesn't have time to see you now. Come with me first. I have something to ask you."

"Hey!" Jia Qiang couldn't refuse, so he followed Lady Jia and her party to the backyard.

Grandmother Jia said to Youshi, "You go and have some tea first. I'll go to the warm room next door and ask Brother Qiang a few words. You don't need anyone to wait on me."

She was also quite familiar with Ningguo Mansion and pointed to a warm room in the courtyard.

"How can that be possible? Tea has to be brewed anyway!"

Although Lady Jia was humble, it was still a happy event for Zhang Yunyi to take a concubine, so it was impossible for Youshi to be afraid of this little trouble.

Grandmother Jia couldn't refuse, so she helped Yuanyang into the warm room.

When the tea came, she waved away the attendants and asked Jia Qiang, "Did you see your grandfather in Jinling?"

"Not only did he see him, his great-grandson even asked him to go back to Beijing with him on the ship! But he left without saying goodbye!"

"Gone?" The teacup in Grandmother Jia's hand trembled, and the tea immediately spilled out. She didn't care about the scalding hot tea, and asked anxiously, "How early or late did he leave?"

Jia Qiang also noticed something was wrong and asked, "What's wrong? Master hasn't come back yet?"

"Bang!"

Grandmother Jia threw the teacup heavily on the table and urged, "Tell me quickly! When did he leave?"

"It's been a month and a half since I left!"

"What!?" Grandmother Jia slumped down in her chair like a deflated ball.

She raised her trembling fingers and complained to Jia Qiang, "You...why don't you keep a closer eye on me?"

"It was originally agreed that Grandpa would wait for his great-grandson for half a month, and after Uncle Yi's work was done, they would return to the capital together. Who knew that Grandpa would leave without saying goodbye?"

Jia Qiang felt very aggrieved.

Grandmother Jia took two deep breaths, then stared at Jia Qiang and said in a deep voice, "Could it be that he was tricked and abducted by the servant?"

"How could it be? Originally, the great-grandson didn't know that Grandpa was in the old house in Jinling. It was the servants who found the grandson and said that they were ordered by Uncle Yi to take Grandpa back to Beijing. But Grandpa was reluctant to leave after recovering from his illness, so they asked me to go and persuade him."

Jia Qiang secretly complained in his heart, Jia Zheng is an old man who can't even carry anything on his shoulders or lift anything with his hands, should he be taken away and used as a sacrifice?

"Hmm?" Jia's mother asked hurriedly, "Did the servants come to find you?"

Naturally, she did not suspect the servants, but Zhang Yunyi who sent them there.

However, although Jia Qiang invited Jia Zheng back to Beijing to eliminate suspicion, he was worried that he would inform Zhang Yun逸.

Therefore, he pretended to suspect the servants and tested Jia Qiang's attitude, but now he could hear something wrong.

"That's right. Those who went south with the master to take up the post either slipped away or hid in the academic office. If Uncle Yi hadn't sent someone over, the master wouldn't have had anyone to look after him when he was released from the Jinyiwei prison..."

Although Jia Qiang's surname is Jia, he is from the Ningguo Mansion. In terms of blood relationship, he is obviously closer to Zhang Yunyi.

The Rongguo Mansion was in trouble and had no time to take care of him, but Zhang Yun逸 took good care of him and even arranged tasks for him.

In addition, he had good intentions and invited Jia Zheng to return to Beijing on the same ship. It would have been fine if he left without saying goodbye, but when he returned, he was accused by Grandmother Jia for no reason. Even if he didn't know Grandmother Jia's true intentions, he knew that the person was sent by Zhang Yunyi. Although he didn't finish his words, the implication was obvious.

As soon as Jia Zheng was released from the Jinyiwei prison, he fell ill and could not get up. If Zhang Yun逸 had not sent someone to save him, it is hard to say whether he could have saved his life.

Grandmother Jia could tell that he was being sarcastic, but she didn't rebuke him. Instead, she agreed, "Yes, yes, yes! Thanks to Yun Yi for thinking it through!"

Jia Qiang was startled, then he bowed and said, "If the old lady has no other instructions, I will leave first."

"Go! Go!" Jia's mother supported herself on the armrests of the chair with both hands, and stood up tremblingly. "I have asked enough questions, and I should go over to avoid keeping them waiting for a long time."

With the help of Yuanyang, she came out of the warm room and came to the side hall, where she sat between Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Xing.

Grandmother Jia chatted with everyone for a while, then leaned towards Madam Wang and said, "When you see Yun Yi later, tell him to come over to our house tomorrow night. We can have a drink with him and chat."

Grandmother Jia took the initiative to invite Zhang Yunyi to her house, and Mrs. Wang was naturally very happy to do so. She couldn't help swallowing her pride.

But on second thought, even if she wanted to win over Zhang Yunyi, she could do it herself. Why would Lady Jia have to make herself uncomfortable?
She began to wonder in her heart, could it be that Grandmother Jia had regrets?

Thinking of this, Mrs. Wang looked defensive and asked doubtfully, "What does the old lady want to talk about?"

Just by looking at Mrs. Wang's expression, Grandmother Jia knew that she had misunderstood, and she sighed inwardly, wondering what a sin she had committed.

But he still had to put on a warm attitude and said, "I just heard from Brother Qiang that the second brother passed away a month and a half ago..."

"He's not without legs. He might be traveling around and not want to come back! Xiuyan is newlywed and the kang isn't even warm yet! She's already in a hurry to bother Yunyi for such a trivial matter!"

Although the two people's conversation was not loud, Mrs. Xing was close by and could hear it clearly. She interrupted before Lady Jia finished speaking.

Mrs. Wang also echoed, "Yes, old lady! Miss Xing just got married, he can't help but worry about her, and he won't feel at ease drinking, right? Why not wait for two days? If he drinks too much, he can stay in the mansion. He won't worry about her, and we won't neglect her!"

When Mrs. Wang heard that Lady Jia was not regretting her decision but was worried about Jia Zheng, she felt relieved.

Although Lady Jia's proposal was exactly what she wanted, Mrs. Xing's words also reminded her that she couldn't help but worry that Zhang Yunyi was thinking about his newly-married beautiful concubine and was unwilling to stay overnight in Rongguo Mansion, thus missing this rare opportunity.

Seeing that her two daughters-in-law spoke the same language, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but twitch her lips.

Mrs. Xing might be considering her niece Xing Xiuyan, but Grandmother Jia knew exactly what Mrs. Wang was planning.

Although Jia Zheng's whereabouts are unknown and his life or death is uncertain, Mrs. Xing's words do make sense.

Given Jia Zheng's character, it is possible for him to escape.

Moreover, Jia Qiang's words just now also indirectly proved that Zhang Yun逸 had no intention of putting his son to death.

Otherwise, the servants who were sent would not have been busy seeking medical advice and medicine, and would not have found Jia Qiang to persuade him to take a boat back to Beijing.

If not for this, even on this happy day, she might not be able to hold back and would wait until the next day to bring it up, as it would bring up bad luck for Zhang Yunyi.

However, although she was worried, she also knew that her old face was not as good as her own daughter-in-law's butt in front of Zhang Yunyi.

In addition, not long ago, Zhang Yunyi had been in trouble because of Jia Zheng, and she was worried that if it happened again and again, he would become impatient. It would be an extra insurance if she could give Mrs. Wang some convenience, let her be humble and show her courtesy.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh: "Forget it! I didn't think it through and was too impatient. You can invite him to your house when he is free..."

Having said this, Grandmother Jia paused for a moment.

If Jia Zheng returned to the capital, she could send people to search for him along the official road, but Jia's mother was worried that he was trying to escape and run away from home.

She also reminded Mrs. Wang: "With so many people, I'm afraid we'll need help from the government. The New Year is coming soon, so don't delay too long, otherwise, you'll have to delay for another half a month when the New Year comes."

……

(End of this chapter)