The Red Mansion Big Liar

Unlike Mrs. Xing who was anxious, Shi Xiangyun felt a little ashamed of herself.

Nowadays, it is very rare for men and women to have the idea of ​​falling in love.

The most important thing in marriage is family background. It is a blessing to be able to meet each other before getting married and to respect each other after marriage.

Although she had never thought of this possibility before, ever since the two wives of the Shi family mentioned the marriage in front of Lady Jia, she had considered it consciously or unconsciously.

Originally, although she knew that Zhang Yun逸 was quite trusted by the emperor, she had no real feeling after all. In addition, she was open-minded by nature, and Zhang Yun逸's official position and title were not high, so she did not consider his family background.

Now, having seen him advance several levels in a row, I have to consider the difference in status.

Although she was a daughter of a marquis, the Shi family was no longer as prosperous as before. Her parents had both passed away and she was left without a caregiver. She was just an orphan who was fostered in her uncle's home.

Originally, because of the marriage proposal between her two aunts last time, she had been a little taciturn when she saw Zhang Yunyi. Now, she lowered her head and said nothing.

Zhang Yunyi noticed her abnormality and asked, "What happened to Sister Xiangyun today? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere? Why don't you ask Mr. Zhen to feel your pulse?"

"She! She is..."

Lin Daiyu wanted to add fuel to the fire, but before she could say the word "shy", she saw Shi Xiangyun's pleading eyes and quickly changed her words: "You are missing home!"

"Missing home?" Zhang Yunyi couldn't help but wonder.

But before he could continue, Tanchun stood up and changed the subject, "Brother Yi! How is the progress of our Zhiyanzhai?"

If Lin Daiyu was focused, Xue Baochai had mixed feelings, Yingchun and Shi Xiangyun felt ashamed of themselves.

Tanchun was excited and eager to try.

On the one hand, I am proud of my vision of people; on the other hand, it makes me more determined in my thoughts.

She was convinced that she was not wrong. With Zhang Yunyi's ability and foresight, although he had to consider his family background, his ability was his first priority.

Having said that, although she is confident that her ability as a housekeeper is no worse than others, she does not have much opportunity to display her abilities.

If her opponent was her second sister Yingchun, she wouldn't care so much.

But if it were Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai and Shi Xiangyun, she would not be sure of winning.

I don't want to create any unnecessary trouble and give him a preconceived impression.

However, even though she had always been strong-minded, she still couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed when she saw Shi Xiangyun's grateful look.

"The decoration has been completed, and the Legend of the White Snake is now being printed. We plan to open the store on a good day next month."

Zhang Yun逸 had only mentioned it casually, so it would be inappropriate for him to dig into his daughter's private affairs.

After being interrupted by Tanchun, he turned around and told everyone about Zhi Yanzhai's preparations.

As he spoke, he raised his glass to the ladies and said, "Then let me wish our business to prosper, and that all the ladies' talents will spread far and wide!"

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 272: Secretly Fighting for the Wind

Because Zhang Yun逸 was the focus of attention, Li Wan did not see any chance until the banquet was over.

Although the ownership of the Ning Mansion has now been settled, she is not worried about not having opportunities in the future. She also knows that with Madam Wang accompanying her, the chances are slim.

But I couldn't even touch the edge, and I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

He was absent-mindedly following the crowd to the front yard, preparing to say goodbye.

Suddenly, Zhang Yunyi's voice came to my ears: "Today is just a simple meal. Starting tomorrow, there will be a three-day banquet in the mansion. If the ladies have something to do, it's fine. My sisters, please come and enjoy the meal!"

Her heart moved, and she subconsciously raised her head to look at Zhang Yunyi. She met his meaningful eyes and her heart trembled.

Just as he was trying to find an excuse to come along, he saw Zhang Yunyi laughing and saying, "Kid Lan didn't come today, so my sister-in-law will bring him here tomorrow. I saw that the emperor gave him a few jade pendants today, so I'll pick one for him later."

"Huh!~"

Li Wan even forgot to give Mrs. Wang a consulting look and hurriedly agreed.

She was a little excited, her voice trembling, and she realized something was wrong after she spoke, and quickly added: "How can this child be worthy of the gift from the emperor? I only hope that Brother Yi can give him more advice in the future, and I, as a mother, will be satisfied!"

She has always had her son in her heart, and these words were a patch up for her previous mood.

No one else doubted it, except Wang Xifeng, whose pair of phoenix eyes moved between the two men's faces and she frowned slightly.

She had long had doubts about the relationship between Zhang Yun逸 and Youshi, and now she had personal experience of it.

It is inevitable to suspect that Zhang Yun逸 is in favor of Cao thief.

If someone shows his affection for no reason, he is either a traitor or a thief. She didn't know that Li Wan had already fallen for her just like she did.

But Zhang Yun逸 only treated Jia Lan differently, so he couldn't help but suspect that he had ulterior motives.

She was a jealous person to begin with, but due to her embarrassing status, she couldn't bear to be jealous of Zhang Yunyi's wives, concubines, and maids.

But people in the same profession are enemies, so it’s okay for Youshi, after all, it’s a matter of first come first served.

Li Wan, the eldest sister-in-law who usually has little presence, also wanted to share the profits, but it touched her muscle memory.

In his heart, he cursed Zhang Yunyi for being greedy and always thinking about what was in the pot while eating from the bowl, while his eyes drifted towards Youshi.

Although he was indignant, he still knew the importance of the matter. He knew that the first rafter to stick out would rot first, so he hoped that Youshi would be able to respond.

However, Youshi remained indifferent, so she had to bite the bullet and said, "Brother Yi has just taken over the mansion, and there is a lot of work to be done. Sister Zhen may not be able to handle it alone, so why don't I take some time to come and help."

She had already made up her mind, since she couldn't stop him openly, she might as well find a roundabout way to save Yi.

In front of Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang, she didn't dare to say that she wanted to move in.

Fortunately, Li Wan was a widow and it was impossible for her to stay out all night. She just needed to kill time for Zhang Yun逸 and prevent him from taking a break from his busy schedule.

However, because Youshi was indifferent just now, she couldn't help feeling dissatisfied. She was deliberately trying to disgust her and emphasized the words "Sister-in-law Zhen".

Although Youshi didn't understand her true intention, Wang Xifeng was used to bullying people.

Now, not only is Jia Zhen dead, but Ningguo Mansion has also become Zhang Yunyi's residence. Yet Wang Xifeng still brings up things that are irrelevant. She has to bring up Jia Zhen's identity as a widow. How could she not hear the hidden meaning?

"I really couldn't ask for more help from Feng girl! I am from a small family, how can I know how to treat guests? Last time, it was all thanks to your willingness to help. I think you should not go back tomorrow, just stay for two days. You have always been close to Qin, why don't you keep her company, and we can discuss it later in the evening!"

She had a beautiful smile on her face, but she was secretly complaining in her heart, "I'd like to see if you, the aggressive Second Madam Lian, will still have the nerve to talk to me again after I catch you in her act."

Wang Xifeng had no idea that Youshi was plotting something. She knew very well the true relationship between Youshi and Zhang Yunyi. It might have been revealed in the rockery before, but after they lived in Linshui Pavilion for a few days, it was impossible to hide it from Youshi.

She just thought that Youshi was used to being submissive. Although she knew Zhang Yunyi's intentions, she was used to being a punching bag and dared not speak out, so she went with the flow and wanted to push herself out.

Although she was very disdainful of Youshi's timidity, after all, they were in the same boat, and she had no intention of shirking her responsibility.

Moreover, since she was the one who took the initiative to settle this matter, Youshi would naturally be inferior to her in the future.

However, last time it was Jia Lian who took the initiative to bring her to live in Ning Mansion. This time Ning Mansion has changed its ownership again. Faced with Youshi's invitation, she was not sure what to say.

On the seventh day after the death of Jia Jing and Jia Zhen, Qin Keqing was eager to try in Tianxiang Tower and proposed to compete with Wang Xifeng on the same stage. As soon as Youshi opened her mouth, Zhang Yun逸 understood her plan.

He would be very happy to see this happen, but there has never been a suitable opportunity.

Now that the opportunity is in front of me, I naturally won’t let it go.

Knowing what Wang Xifeng was worried about, she gave Jia Lian a look.

Jia Lian saw the look Zhang Yunyi gave him, and the corners of his mouth twitched twice, but he did not dare to hesitate: "Since the eldest sister-in-law wants you to stay, you can stay for two days with peace of mind."

As if she felt that she hadn't done it yet, she added, "I think you shouldn't go back today. We're going to have a banquet tomorrow. It's a good opportunity to discuss with your sister-in-law tonight what else needs to be prepared tomorrow, so that you won't be in a rush when the time comes!"

Seeing that Jia Lian was so shameless, Wang Xifeng not only offered to stay there herself, but also moved up the date.

I had a better grasp of his bottom line, so I gave in half-heartedly.

Since the main person has spoken, only Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang can refute it.

Mrs. Xing would never care about the couple's affairs, let alone work for Zhang Yun逸. How could she risk offending him and obstruct them?

Her mind was now filled with reporting today's situation to Jia She so that they could discuss a countermeasure.

Although Mrs. Wang felt it was inappropriate, there had been precedents before. Although she was Wang Xifeng's aunt, she was not as powerful as Mrs. Xing and Jia Lian in such matters.

Besides, his brother Wang Ziteng had just been promoted because of Zhang Yunyi, and his daughter was counting on him for help, so he acquiesced.

Li Wan, who was standing by, was filled with envy when she saw Wang Xifeng staying so openly.

But on second thought, I felt that she was squandering a gift from God. It was a complete waste to give her this opportunity that she had been asking for so long.

Zhang Yunyi never thought that such a good thing would happen.

He held a grand banquet, but it wasn't entirely for Li Wan.

Ancient times are different from modern times.

The so-called thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all grace from the emperor. Regardless of reward or punishment, we should show an attitude of being happy to accept it.

If we just brush aside the generous reward the emperor has given us today, people will inevitably talk about whether we are being arrogant because of the emperor's favor or are dissatisfied with the reward.

That's why he decided to hold a three-day banquet.

Of course, it would serve both public and private interests. While showing his gratitude to the emperor, he could also appease Li Wan. It was a two-birds-at-one thing, and there was no reason for him not to do it.

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 273 Grabbing food

When the Rongfu group got on the car, Zhang Yunyi deliberately took advantage of the fact that they hadn't left yet and said, "Sister-in-law, please tell Sister-in-law Lian, I'll go to Xiangling's room to see the child!"

He was not just putting on an act in front of the Rong family.

Firstly, if Wang Xifeng was informed of this matter in advance, she would inevitably feel embarrassed and make excuses.

It would be better to act first and report later, and then slowly appease the person after the matter has been settled.

Secondly, he really wanted to see Xiangling and the child. Although someone had already gone to the back to announce the good news, it was still not as good as telling her in person the good news that her son had been conferred a title.

However, before that, he went to the warehouse first.

Even though he was only using Jia Lan's name to hook up with Li Wan, he had to play the whole show, so he would definitely be busy tonight.

Although the emperor had allowed him to return to the palace to express his gratitude when he was free, delaying for one day today could be considered as complying with the emperor's wishes, but he could not delay tomorrow.

What if I forget by then, won’t I be exposed?

Before this, he had not had time to take a closer look, but since he had arrived at the warehouse, he had to count the emperor's rewards.

There is no need to look closely at gold and silver. One thousand taels of gold, converted into ten thousand taels of silver, is just a routine reward.

Shu brocade, Suzhou embroidery, kesi silk, and all kinds of silk brocades filled up half of the room.

There were also two sets of dragon robes and jade belts, two crane cloaks and two bear skin cloaks.

The rest include pens, ink, paper, inkstones, sachets, purses, folding fans, round fans, jade articles, ginseng, deer antlers, etc.

Qingwen could arrange the silk and brocade, and the round fan that Third Sister You had always dreamed of was finally found.

He made some arrangements secretly. On the antique cabinet, there were two exquisite brocade boxes that caught his attention. When he opened them, he found that they were two pieces of raw jadeite.

Although he was not a connoisseur of the goods, he could tell that it was of extraordinary quality.

One piece is emerald green, the other is pink and charming, both are the size of a fist.

He couldn't help feeling malicious, and secretly planned in his heart that he would ask Youshi to take them out and make some fans, pendants, pearl hairpins, etc.

Add a touch of green to the wives and grandmothers, and make the girls and young ladies look pink and tender.

After looking at all the rewards, he picked out a nine-dragon pendant from the jade artifacts.

Although the dragon represents the royal family, there are many types of dragons.

There are several kinds of claws alone, and the five-clawed dragon is divided into coiled dragon and ascending dragon. Only the emperor can wear clothes with ascending dragon patterns.

Although this Nine-Dragon Pendant is noble, it is not considered to be beyond the standard.

Although he was not very clear about the market situation, leaving aside the mansion, official position and title, the money in the warehouse alone was roughly estimated to be no less than 50,000 taels.

If he is not in his position, he will not seek his government.

He didn't know what the national treasury was like, but from the rewards, it was not difficult to see that with the increase in income from the Tiangong Academy, the emperor was not short of money now.

It is no longer like before, when money had to be taken from the national treasury to repair palaces and Taoist temples.

He was very proud of himself, thinking where else could he find an official like him.