The Red Mansion Big Liar

"What bookstore?" Aunt Zhao asked puzzledly.

She wanted to give Aunt Zhao more confidence so that she would work harder, so she told her about Zhang Yunyi and others' partnership in opening a bookstore.

"Now, I have made a name for myself in Brother Yi's heart. If you have the time to wander around, you might as well pay more attention to the master."

"Where have I been hanging out? I just came back from the master's place!"

"Oh? What did the aunt say? What was the master's attitude?"

Aunt Zhao wanted to tell Tanchun that in order to help her, she was willing to act as a matchmaker for Jia Zheng.

But she was also worried that she would take this matter to Mrs. Wang to seek credit.

He could only say angrily: "The master is a stubborn person, how can it be that simple?"

Although Tanchun knew that she was too anxious, she couldn't help feeling a little disappointed after hearing what Aunt Zhao said.

"Forget it! I'm just here to call you aunt, you should just pay more attention to me!"

As she spoke, she stood up to leave.

Aunt Zhao stopped her and said, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I have to talk to you."

Jinchuan has already given a heads-up, and we don't know when we'll get a result.

She was worried that once Tanchun knew about it, she would doubt that she had fallen out of favor and thus lost her value.

Now, she was counting on Tanchun to climb up the social ladder and escape from her helpless situation.

The mother and daughter disliked each other. If she failed to help, even if Tanchun married Zhang Yunyi, he might not remember her kindness.

So, I am willing to help and give advice.

However, Tanchun was a person of her own opinion. She ignored him and advised him, "Auntie, just do your own thing!"

"What do you know? How can you, a girl, have such experience? Besides, what will you do if the master still refuses to give in?"

"You didn't go to the master and you're trying to put me off with something, right?"

"How could that be? For such a good thing, even if I don't consider you, I have to consider Huan'er. How could I not do my best?"

In order to gain Tanchun's trust, Aunt Zhao also opened her heart to her.

Tanchun thought about it and realized that this was indeed the case. In order to reassure her, she calmed down and sat back down.

"Although it's easy for a girl to chase a boy, this window paper has to be broken. Not to mention that Master Yi is several years older than you, there is also a second girl who is more suitable in age. Even if there is no such girl, with Master's attitude, I'm afraid he will be disappointed after a long time."

Her words hit Tanchun's soft spot.

Zhang Yun逸 was not young anymore, and even though he still had to observe mourning, he had only been mourning for three years for his mother and only two and a half years for his father.

Now, more than half of the time has passed. When the mourning period is over, I will not yet reach the age of marriage, while Yingchun will have just reached the age of marriage. This alone gives me a natural advantage.

Not to mention that Yingchun will not slack off either, just look at the completely opposite attitudes of Jia She and Jia Zheng, Zhang Yun逸 may not necessarily be inclined to one.

Seeing that Aunt Zhao pointed out the key point, she put away her contempt.

Humility said: "Then what should we do according to what Auntie said?"

Aunt Zhao smiled and said, "Of course we have to break this window paper! You also said that you have a place in Master Yi's heart. You are not much younger than the Second Miss. As long as he knows it, does he care about waiting for a year or two?"

"This..." Tanchun was in a dilemma.

This was tantamount to a secret affair, and she was unable to make a decision for a moment.

Aunt Zhao saw this and said in a gentle and persuasive way, "There is another benefit to this. You know, Master Yi has made great efforts in the eldest girl's marriage. If he goes directly to the old lady, she will have no reason to object. Even if the master still has objections, it is not good to oppose this marriage! To be honest, I know the master's temper best. I am afraid it will be difficult for him to change his mind for a while."

How could Tanchun not know what Aunt Zhao was talking about?

What she cared about was how to break through that layer of window paper. After all, she was still an unmarried girl and was inevitably embarrassed to speak up.

Seeing that Aunt Zhao still couldn't get the point, she could only try to be tactful and said, "Aunt, why don't you tell me how to get Brother Yi to propose marriage!"

"Need I say that? Of course someone reminded him! Otherwise, how long would it take for you to keep half-hiding it?"

She patted her chest and said, "Although I am not as suitable as the wife, I am still your mother after all, so it is most appropriate for me to take action."

"Aunt, please don't make things worse. I'll be very lucky if you don't make things worse!"

Although Aunt Zhao is Tanchun's biological mother, she has no right to interfere in such a major matter as marriage. Tanchun was too embarrassed to bring up her status as a concubine, so she could only make excuses.

Aunt Zhao was able to say that she was not as suitable as the Madam, so she naturally understood the reason.

However, she said indifferently: "What do you know? Although I am only a concubine, mothers are honored by their sons, and your brother has caught the eye of Master Yi."

She told Tanchun what Zhang Yunyi had said praising Jia Huan, and concealed only her own contribution. She also changed her request to Zhang Yunyi taking the initiative.

The lesser of two evils.

Although there is a risk of leakage, it is better than sitting and waiting for death.

Moreover, ever since she conspired with Ma Dao Po, she had been in a state of panic and was anxious to get accurate information from Zhang Yun逸.

However, she was Jia Zheng's concubine after all, and Zhang Yunyi was like the moon surrounded by stars when he came to the mansion. Even if she wanted to, it would be difficult for her to have the chance to get close to him.

The only chance is to ask Tanchun to help cover up.

Tanchun half-believed and half-doubted, "Why haven't I heard you say that before?"

"Isn't this because of you? You've always been around the Madam, so I naturally didn't dare to tell you! Now that you've seen clearly that the Madam won't help you, what else should I hide?"

She pursed her dry lips and said earnestly, "How can I harm you for such a great cause? Besides, even the master has been coaxed around by me for so many years, how can I not convince him, a young boy? Don't worry, I will certainly not let anyone catch me. Just say that I mentioned this matter to you, and he will naturally pay attention to your attitude in the future. I can also pass messages between you two."

"But……"

"What else is good?"

Aunt Zhao urged, "If you hesitate any longer and give the opportunity to others, you will regret it. It is settled now. Didn't you say that he would go to the garden and tell you that stupid story? When he comes again, you can send someone to take me to the garden. I will take care of the rest. You don't have to worry about it."

Tanchun pondered for a long time before she said in a deep voice, "Okay! Then Auntie, don't run around after dinner, or you won't be able to find me when the time comes."

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 232 There is no escape from the crime

dusk.

As May approaches, the days begin to grow longer.

A faint afterglow dyed the entire sky golden.

Tanchun and her servants in Qiushuangzhai had dinner early.

The secretary looked at Tanchun, who was sitting on the couch in deep thought, with some doubt, and urged, "Miss! It's getting late. Master Yi is about to come. I just saw that the second lady and Miss Bao have already left. Let's go to Miss Lin as soon as possible!"

Tanchun nodded, got up from the couch, and took out two ingots of silver from the cabinet in front of the bed, handed them to the secretary, and said, "I promised Auntie that as long as she helps persuade the master, I will take her to the garden for a stroll. Now that everyone has gone to Sister Lin's place, you can bring her in and let her walk around by herself."

Even if Tanchun trusted the secretary, she did not dare to tell her and arranged for Aunt Zhao to meet Zhang Yun逸.

In particular, when Zhang Yun逸 finished telling the story, it was almost dark.

However, even so, the secretary was still worried: "Miss! What if the wife finds out..."

"It's alright!" Tanchun waved her hands. "As long as the gatekeepers took the money, how could they dare to spread the news and let her into the garden? Now that the sisters are all in Xiaoxiang Pavilion, tell her to walk to the east as much as possible to avoid some people, and no one will bump into her."

She always planned before taking action. After observing twice and knowing that Zhang Yunyi came alone each time, she made up her mind.

Seeing that Tanchun had made up her mind, the secretary said no more, and the two parted in front of Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Needless to say, the secretary left the Grand View Garden and went to Aunt Zhao's courtyard.

When Tanchun entered the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, the sisters were chatting.

When Baochai saw her, she smiled and said, "Normally, Third Sister is always the first to come. Why are you so late today?"

She is the oldest among all the sisters. Although Tanchun tried her best to conceal it, Baochai still saw some clues.

Last time, his proposal to help publish a book was rejected by Tanchun. Now that he had the chance, he teased her.

"When we were having dinner, I suddenly thought of a plot that would be perfect for the Legend of the White Snake, so I pondered it for a while. Because I was worried that I would be late, I asked the secretary to stay and sketch out a rough outline first, so that I wouldn't forget it when I go back."

Tanchun had a plan in place and responded without leaving any trace, and she also made up for the loophole of the maid not accompanying her.

Because he was worried that he would have to ask the secretary about the relevant details later, he spoke out the speech he had prepared in advance and discussed it with everyone.

Just after we finished discussing the relevant plot, Zhang Yunyi arrived late.

After the ceremony, I was ready to listen attentively.

Zhang Yunyi smiled and said, "I have already bought the shop, which is on Zhuque Street. I have already hired most of the bookshop's craftsmen, and we will be able to start work soon."

It is easier to get things done if you have money. In addition, he is familiar with Shuntian Prefecture. All the pawnbrokers in the capital are under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture, so he dare not slack off.

In just ten days or so, most of the things had been done.

Hearing that the shop was located on Zhuque Street, the most prosperous street in the capital, everyone couldn't help but talk about it.

Compared with her liveliness in the past, Tanchun seemed to talk less today.

Zhang Yunyi also noticed this and said with a smile, "Since this is our own shop, there is no need to ask outsiders to write the inscription for the plaque. Third sister's handwriting is beautiful, and it was you who came up with the idea. I am sorry to bother you."

As she was speaking, the secretary came in and nodded slightly to Tanchun calmly.

She took a deep breath and said with a smile, "Then I will show you how ugly I am!"

At this point, Xiangyun suddenly laughed and said, "Speaking of inscriptions, I remember that year my second brother also inscribed a nickname for the house called 'Jiangyunxuan'. He always loved to join in the fun, so why hasn't he come for a few days?"

Although she seemed to be asking everyone, her eyes were looking at Daiyu intentionally or unintentionally.

When she asked this, everyone looked over.

I have to say that Zhang Yunyi’s idea of ​​finding something for them to do was not a bad one.

Recently, all the sisters were busy polishing the Legend of the White Snake and for a while they overlooked this person.

When Lin Daiyu heard Jia Baoyu mentioned, she couldn't help but think of the scene that day. She glanced at Zhang Yunyi guiltily and then lowered her head.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Baochai nudged Xiangyun in the waist with her elbow and said, "We live far away, so maybe you can come in. It's okay if you don't see it."

Speaking of living close to home, Xiaoxiang Pavilion is the closest. Lin Daiyu was sensitive by nature, and she felt a little indignant: "He can come or not, do we have to revolve around him? If he doesn't come, do we have to invite him again and again?"

Baochai smiled and said, "It's not necessary to invite him three or four times, but if he knew that we did this funny thing without telling him, I'm afraid he would complain."

Daiyu curled her lips and said, "Why bother with him! He will be fine after a while."

Tanchun has always been cautious when it comes to Jia Baoyu.

Seeing that the topic was going off topic, and fearing that it would be delayed for too long, Aunt Zhao was getting impatient and changed the subject quickly, saying, "Let's listen to Brother Yi's story!"

After she said this, everyone decided not to dwell on Jia Baoyu's affairs anymore.

Only then did Zhang Yunyi finish telling everyone the story of A Chinese Ghost Story, which he had just finished telling last time.

Because I had been chatting about trivial things for a long time, it was already dark when I went out.

When everyone left Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Yingchun, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up: "It's getting late, and there's no moon today. I'm close, so why not ask Siqi to see Brother Yi off..."

It has been almost a month since Zhang Yun逸 moved into the Grand View Garden. Although he often goes into the garden, he always goes with everyone else.

And she had no say in the polishing of the story.

In addition, Mrs. Xing was urging her to do so, and she didn't care about being shy. So she took the excuse of walking at night and suggested that Siqi give him a ride.

Tanchun thought to herself that it was not good, and hurriedly said, "If you say it's close, I'm not far away. Besides, it's not that there is no light. It's not the first time that Brother Yi has come back. There are main roads when he goes back. But Second Sister's place is surrounded by water on three sides. How can we feel at ease without Siqi accompanying us at this late hour?"

Yingchun had mustered up the courage to speak, but after hearing what Tanchun said, she immediately stopped talking.

However, as one problem is solved, another one pops up. Yingchun no longer insists.

Unexpectedly, Baochai said, "Sister Yun and I are glad to have Cuilu accompany us. Why not let Ying'er see Brother Yi off?"

Now Tanchun had no reason to stop them. Thinking that Aunt Zhao was still in the garden, she turned pale if she acted rashly.

Just when he was at a loss of what to do, he heard Zhang Yunyi say, "No need! Hengwu Garden is too far away, and it won't be safe for Ying'er to go back alone later."

During this period, he could more or less see that Tanchun was trying to please him and was showing off in front of him.

It would have been fine if he had stopped Siqi today, but he didn't take the opportunity to ask Shishu to see her off. It was really strange.

He had always intended to steal her away, and thought she was waiting for an opportunity to meet him in private, so he deliberately created the opportunity.

With this in mind, he deliberately slowed down his pace on the way back and looked back every three steps.

Unexpectedly, when I walked all the way to Qinfang Gate Bridge, I still didn't see anyone chasing me.