The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 589 The target of public criticism
"Put a stool here!"

Zhang Yunyi ignored the fact that the girls intentionally or unintentionally made way for him, and squeezed next to Xichun.

During the meal, he chatted with the girls about some trivial matters and told two jokes.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Fang touched Xichun's head and said softly, "My cousin was too busy last month and didn't have time when you went. I'll teach you the Western painting method when you go this month!"

Xichun's tense face relaxed a little after hearing this, and she pouted and said, "What's so good about learning the painting methods of foreign countries..."

"It's different. Although Western paintings have form but no spirit, they are very convenient for drawing patterns or something. If you learn well, you can even help your cousin draw a pattern or something."

Although Zhou Xuan was just flattering, he also made Zhang Yunyi feel some traces of his past life in this era without cameras.

However, although he has excellent painting skills, he still has studies to attend to. Moreover, Zhang Yunyi has already put the exploration of mineral veins and drawing maps on his agenda.

Zhang Yun逸 knew how to use people well and planned to let Zhou Xuan be in charge of this area.

It would take more than a short time to soften Xichun's cold personality.

He didn't have much time to begin with, and with so many women around him, he couldn't spare much time for Xichun.

Teaching Xichun sketching was, on the one hand, to please her and get closer to her, and on the other hand, also to have her dress up as a man and take her out occasionally as a traveling secretary.

On the one hand, it not only benefits both public and private interests, but also fills the vacancy left by Zhou Xuan.

Xichun was still young and had not grown up yet. Besides, in those days, it was normal for a playboy to have two handsome servants around him. With a little disguise, she would not be seen through by disguising herself as a man.

Of course, even if he was seen through, Zhang Yun逸 didn’t care too much.

Although his calculations were very good, Xichun did not seem to be interested in Western painting techniques. She said coldly, "I haven't even learned Chinese painting thoroughly yet, so who would want to learn that kind of painting technique..."

"I..." Xue Baoqin suddenly interrupted, "I am very curious about these new things. I wonder if I can learn them?"

"This……"

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Zhang Yunyi, but also a group of golden hairpins looked sideways at Xue Baoqin.

To be honest, Zhang Yun逸 wished that Xue Baoqin could replace Xichun.

However, Xue Baoqin is not Xichun after all, and she is her cousin. It is reasonable for her to learn painting from her, but it is impossible for her to be a secretary and be kept by her side.

Moreover, he had just led the impeachment of Li Congwen on the grounds of forcibly seizing a woman and ruining his marriage. It was extremely inappropriate for him to keep Xue Baoqin, a woman who was engaged, by his side.

Zhang Yunyi hesitated. Xue Baoqin saw that everyone was looking at her again. Her face turned slightly red and she said, "I... I am really interested in these novelties. I have been waiting to try on the western-style skirt that Brother Yi mentioned last time! I wonder if it is ready?"

Having lived in the Grand View Garden for so long, she naturally noticed that Zhang Yunyi was favored by the sisters.

Just now, I heard that Zhang Yun逸 also knew Western painting techniques. I was so excited that I blurted it out without considering this aspect.

At this moment, seeing that Zhang Yunyi seemed to have concerns and the sisters looked at him strangely, she hurried to explain.

However, it would have been better if she didn't explain. The more she explained, the more confused it became.

In ancient times, men and women were strictly separated. Although a woman's waist was not as good as a golden lotus and could not be shown in public, it was also a place that could not be touched easily.

The skirt is tied at the waist, and since you are trying it on, it has to fit you properly.

Although Zhang Yun逸 would not cut the clothes himself, even if it was a maid sewing them, she would have to measure the body's body and tailor the clothes. Isn't that just trying to cover up the truth?
Therefore, except for Lin Daiyu who already knew the inside story, everyone else looked at Xue Baoqin with caution.

Even Xichun, who usually did not care about anything, looked at Xue Baoqin with a bit of scrutiny.

Zhang Yunyi could only touch his nose and pretend to be relaxed: "I told Qingwen before, but I have been busy recently and forgot about it. I will ask her later if she has done it."

His words were half true and half false. The skirt was indeed not finished, but it was not because Qingwen was lazy. On the contrary, she urged several times, but it was the peacock tail feathers that Zhang Yunyi promised that had not been delivered.

He thought too simply at the time. Peacock had many meanings in ancient times, and its tail feathers were also a rare commodity.

Although the palace had some stock, the quantity was small. Zhang Yunyi was worried that after the stock was misappropriated, the expenses of the emperor and concubines could not be guaranteed, which would cause unnecessary trouble, so he delayed the purchase.

Originally, he planned to find another replacement, but according to Dong Guangrun from the Guangchusi, there was a kind of white peacock in Southeast Asia, which was not liked by concubines because of its monotonous and plain color, so it was just right to be used as a replacement.

After all, for the lining of a skirt, fancy colors are not as good as pure white.

However, this thing is not produced locally after all, and it is rarely used in the palace, so a lot of it has been misappropriated and there is not much left.

Zhang Yun逸 then arranged with the Maritime Customs to take some rubber with them when they purchased it.

Being asked by Xue Baoqin in public, he naturally couldn't explain the reason in detail, so he could only pretend to be unconcerned.

However, in this case, if he refused Xue Baoqin's offer to learn painting, it would seem too perfunctory and a bit like a distancer.

He hesitated for a moment, then added, "If Sister Baoqin wants to learn painting, she can learn from her next time when I teach Sister Xichun."

It’s the same old saying, one person acts for private interests, two people act for public interests.

He agreed to Xue Baoqin's request without being suspected of having an affair.

"Thank you, Brother Yi!" Xue Baoqin hurriedly thanked him.

Tanchun looked curious and said, "I'm curious about what kind of skirt would attract Sister Baoqin so much. Why don't we take a look at it when she tries it on?"

"Of course!" Xue Baoqin explained quickly, "The last time Brother Yi went to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to tell stories, I mentioned the clothes worn by that Western woman..."

She explained the whole process, then pulled Lin Daiyu aside and said, "Sister Lin is a witness!"

They originally thought it was a private affair, but when they learned that Lin Daiyu was involved and heard that Zhang Yunyi only talked about some bland anecdotes about foreign countries in Xiaoxiang Pavilion, the girls unconsciously let down their guard. Only Shi Xiangyun sneered.

She glanced at Xue Baoqin, then at Zhang Yunyi, and asked with a smile, "Oh, by the way, I've always forgotten about the pair of shoes that my sister made for Brother Yi last time. Do they fit well?"

Xue Baochai, who has always behaved in a generous and decent manner, could actually recommend herself behind the bed, not to mention Xue Baoqin, who is always casual and doesn't care about those things?
After all, the matter of being a concubine had long been made public, and her words were somewhat demonstrative.

"It fits perfectly. It's what you wear!"

Zhang Yunyi, realizing that something was wrong, lifted the front of his robe slightly, pretended to lower his head to show his boots, and took the opportunity to glance at Madam Xing who was standing next to Lady Jia.

But suddenly she noticed Jia Baoyu standing beside her, his face flushed and his eyes wandering around his sisters.

Zhang Yunyi suddenly felt unhappy and his eyes moved between Lady Xing and Lady Jia. After Lady Xing confirmed his gaze, he withdrew his gaze and secretly gave Tanchun a wink.

And he secretly thought about how to teach Jia Baoyu a lesson.

Before he could think of a plan, Mrs. Xing coughed and smiled at Grandmother Jia: "Baoyu's wedding is coming soon, and it's time to put his two sisters' important events on the agenda..."

As soon as these words were spoken, not only did the atmosphere on Grandmother Jia's side become stagnant, but even the group of golden hairpins all looked over there.

Yuanchun and Yingchun, who were mentioned about their lifelong events, were the first to be touched and their faces immediately blushed.

The rest of them were all preoccupied with their own thoughts and had not yet come to their senses.

Tanchun was sympathetic and said, "It's March, it's not fun to stay here. Why don't you go outside and walk around to help digest your food?"

……

(End of this chapter)