The Red Mansion Big Liar

"I'm not here often enough. There's a lot going on over there, and it won't work without me."

She spoke frankly in front of Jia Rong, but when she met Qin Keqing, she never mentioned moving to Tianxiang Tower.

"The more capable you are, the more work you have to do. I am a hero among women, and women are no less capable than men, so naturally I have to shoulder more responsibilities."

The two of them were of similar age and got along well, so after exchanging greetings, they held hands and sat on the kang.

After conveying the concerns of Lady Jia and Lady Wang, and chatting about the gossip of girls for a while, Wang Xifeng calmly said, "Yesterday, I heard from Madam that there is another young cousin here. Have you heard of him?"

Because he was worried that Jia Rong was exaggerating, he planned to get some words from Qin Keqing.

"Yes! That's true. He was taken into the mansion by Grandpa just before the New Year."

"How long ago did it happen? Why didn't I hear about it last time?"

"He said he was sent by the emperor a while ago, and he has been staying indoors ever since. He started making sugar in the garden after the Lantern Festival."

"Could it be that he was the one who caused the black smoke over here a while ago?" Wang Xifeng suddenly realized, "No wonder I sent someone over here to warn them, but they came back and said that there was a fire over here."

"Well! I worked on it for ten days straight." Qin Keqing said absentmindedly, "It's quite strange. The white sugar I made is actually three times whiter than snow. I asked the maid who helped me, but she couldn't explain why."

"Is there still this?"

Wang Xifeng was skeptical about Jia Rong's words, but she believed Qin Keqing's words without a doubt.

"Isn't it? I went to the Emperor the other day to make a contribution and was rewarded. When I came back, my wife drank some wine with me to celebrate."

This was exactly what worried her. She had originally planned to ask Youshi for help the day before, but before she could go, she saw Youshi serving wine and food, and then the two of them closed the door and drank for an unknown amount of time.

Although she had heard Jia Zhen's instructions, alcohol was a matchmaker, and a man and a woman were alone in the same room...

She was already worried about getting into trouble, so she hesitated whether she should get involved in this mess.

"That's it. I was wondering why the lady asked about it all of a sudden. I guess she heard it from the master."

At this point, Wang Xifeng wondered, "Since you are an imperial envoy, you should be more cautious. Why don't you just find a place to do it instead of doing it in the garden?"

"Uh..." Qin Keqing was speechless for a moment, but she realized that the truth would come out eventually, so she pointed to the opposite side and said, "Uncle lives in Dengxian Pavilion, so he must be close, right?"

"Ah?" Wang Xifeng was secretly shocked.

Earlier, she told Jia Rong that good things should be kept within the family just to ridicule him, but at this moment her mind was full of prophecies.

Not to mention whether Jia Rong has the courage to make such an arrangement, even if he does, he has to consider Jia Zhen's attitude.

Besides, if it was really his arrangement, why would he look for me again?

However, although he was confused and uncertain, he was concerned about Qin Keqing's face and could not show it. He quickly changed the subject and said, "I heard that he also wants to make glass. Have you heard about it?"

"Really?" Qin Keqing asked doubtfully, "He seldom goes out. Apart from the day I saw him when he entered the mansion, I have never seen him, and I have never heard of him. But the lady comes here often. If you want to know, you might as well go and ask her."

She has always been thoughtful. Although Wang Xifeng did not say it explicitly, except for the greetings, every sentence she spoke was about Zhang Yunyi, and she knew more about him than Wang Xifeng did. It was obvious that she was not asking casually.

"Never mind! I'm just curious and just asking."

Wang Xifeng had no idea that her thoughts had been seen through. She had always looked down on Youshi. Moreover, Mrs. Wang had not even told her the reason, obviously not wanting everyone to know.

But the more he thought about it, the more curious he became, so he asked indirectly, "Does Sister-in-law Zhen come here often?"

"This……"

Qin Keqing secretly complained. Yu Shi not only came often, but also served tea and water every morning and evening, never failing to come. However, if she told Wang Xifeng, it would seem that she was gossiping about her mother-in-law behind her back. She could only try her best to cover it up and said, "The master originally wanted to send two maids to serve him, but he was busy with the emperor's errands and refused to accept them. The master had no choice but to let Madam take care of them more."

Her original intention was to cover up for Youshi to prevent any more rumors from spreading.

But when Wang Xifeng heard these words, they had the opposite effect.

He had said before that Youshi accompanied him to drink and celebrate the day before yesterday, but now he said that there was no maid in the room. In addition, Jia Rong came to him with a flattering face, so everything seemed to be complicated.

I used to wonder why Mrs. Wang asked me to come here to inquire about this poor relative, but now I think it makes sense.

If Mrs. Wang was just curious, she could have asked Jia Zhen directly. There was no reason for her to ask in secret.

Considering the New Year's Eve visits, the Ning Mansion had not introduced him, and I'm afraid they were intentionally concealing his existence.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that there was something fishy going on here. Otherwise, why would the two governments be so calculating?

Knowing that he could not get any useful information from Qin Keqing, he stood up and said, "You should rest more. There is still a lot of things to do at home. I should go back as well."

"Auntie, walk slowly!"

Qin Keqing stood up and walked her all the way to the Tianxiang Tower, intending to walk her all the way to the second gate.

Unexpectedly, Wang Xifeng turned around, took her hand, and said considerately: "You are just getting better, so you should stay out of the wind. It's not like I don't know the way."

Qin Keqing pushed again, but seeing that Wang Xifeng didn't seem to be being polite, she stopped insisting.

When she returned to Tianxiang Tower, she instructed the two maids, "Pay more attention later. If the Madam comes, please ask her to come over."

Before, she was indeed worried about being in a difficult situation and was hesitant, but after listening to Wang Xifeng's words, she changed her mind.

She knew Wang Xifeng's character very well. Although she was outspoken, she was not a casual person. Today, she tried to inquire about Zhang Yunyi's situation in a roundabout way. It was obvious that this uncle was of great importance, and even the Rong Mansion was alarmed.

In the past, she thought that Jia Jing and Jia Zhen only looked at her differently, but now, she thought that they were probably worshipping this uncle as a Buddha.

This can also explain why Jia Zhen ordered Youshi to get up early and work late without any hesitation.

If Ruizhu could be sent there, even if it would be difficult to ask him for help, as long as she could arrive in time, even if she was just borrowing the power of another, it would make Jia Zhen hesitate.

Although it may cause gossip, it is better than actually encountering misfortune.

This is also the reason why she deliberately mentioned to Wang Xifeng that Jia Jing wanted to send a maid.

Because he saw through Baozhu's thoughts and felt that they were not very reliable, he automatically ignored them.

But Baozhu thought the opportunity had come, and said excitedly, "Grandma has finally figured it out. I will definitely keep a close eye on her."

Looking at Baozhu who was unable to conceal her excitement, Qin Keqing could only sigh. Although she felt sorry for her, she could only express her disappointment.

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 27 Everyone has their own plans

But Wang Xifeng walked out of the alley of Tianxiang Tower, went out of the Neiyi Gate along the corridor, but did not go to the Yimen Gate. Instead, she entered the hall and hurried towards Jia Rong's courtyard.

"Grandma, what's this?"

Facing Ping'er's confusion, Wang Xifeng explained, "I see that Qin is in good spirits, so I have to give Rong'er a few words of advice."

She hadn't taken it seriously before and had even forgotten to ask Zhang Yunyi's name. She only heard Jia Rong call him Uncle Yi.

How can I ask Qin Keqing about this when I have never seen her before?

But there was no problem with Jia Rong rushing to find him to conspire.

The situation was out of the ordinary, and she was also worried about unnecessary gossip, so she simply asked Jia Rong to see her out.

On the way, he found out Zhang Yunyi's name. When he got in the car, he could not wait to tell Ping'er, "When we get back, ask Wang'er to go outside and find out the details of this Zhang Yunyi."

"Don't be confused, grandma."

Although Ping'er had no idea what Wang Xifeng was up to, she heard her asking Qin Keqing.

Receiving this order again at this time, I couldn't help but feel suspicious.

"You little slut, what are you thinking about?" Wang Xifeng scolded, "The lady told me to come here today to inquire about this. I can't just listen to Qin's one-sided story, can I?"

Ping'er felt relieved when she heard that it was Mrs. Wang's order.

She had served Wang Xifeng since she was young, and even knew about Jia Rui's affairs. Naturally, she was different from other maids. Seeing Wang Xifeng angry, she was not afraid at all. Instead, she smiled and said, "Isn't this servant worried about Grandma?"

"Humph! Worrying about me? If you have the time, you should worry more about your Second Master! Now that he is free from restraint in the south, I'm afraid he will hook up with some bastard wife again!"

After hearing this, Ping'er said with resentment, "It is not my turn to worry about this."

"You little slut, are you blaming me for not letting you serve the Second Master? Just wait and see how I'll deal with you when I get home tonight!"

"How dare I?"

The two of them were talking in the car, completely forgetting that Jia Rong was bowing to see them off outside.

Seeing the carriage slowly moving, Wang Xifeng still didn't move, so she had to take the initiative to say, "Nephew respectfully escorts Aunt back home!"

Wang Xifeng then remembered, lifted the carriage curtain, waved her hand impatiently and said, "Okay, you can go back too, and say hello to Brother Zhen and Sister Zhen for me."

"Eh!"

Jia Rong raised his head and watched the car go out of the corner gate. The smile on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a gloomy face. He spat fiercely at the corner gate and said, "Bah! Why are you pretending to be virtuous? You are just thinking about Uncle Yi's benefits!"

Wang Xifeng went to Tianxiang Tower and came back to ask me about Zhang Yunyi's name, it was obvious that she was interested in him.

However, no matter how much he said nice things to her, she still didn't really give in. It was obvious that she had received information that she didn't know.

He was intimidated by Jia Zhen's tyranny and could not help but judge others by himself. He firmly believed that Qin Keqing must have surrendered to Jia Zhen long ago.

It is only natural to know the inside story that you are not aware of.

This made Jia Zhen willingly send his stepmother to him, and made his aunt Wang Xifeng eager to change her ways.

I guess there must be a lot of tricks involved here.

If he had planned to conspire with Wang Xifeng to plot against Zhang Yun逸 before, he would not dare to do so now even if he had a hundred courage.

Jia Zhen used Youshi as bait, and he must have gotten a lot of benefits from Zhang Yunyi. If he conspired with Wang Xifeng to snatch his share, he would be guilty of treason and would be punished with death.

However, he did not give up the idea, but he had to change his method.

Since Zhang Yun逸 has already taken Youshi in his arms, he must be a knowledgeable and interesting person. This aunt is even better than his stepmother in terms of appearance and figure, and she came to him on her own initiative. How could he not be moved?

Of course, it was a bit spicy, but the more aggressive the horse, the stronger it is when trained, and Uncle Yi didn't know her temperament, so when he found out afterwards, he would only have endless aftertaste.

As long as I make my position clear in time and help him accomplish this good thing, why worry that he won't praise me?

With the master's tacit approval, Wang Xifeng had no way to threaten her stepmother, but she dared not tell Jia Lian and could only swallow this loss in silence.

At that time, not only can I please Uncle Yi, but I can also get hold of something that may be used against my aunt, so there may be opportunities to get involved.

……

Not to mention how hard Jia Rong thought about it, he wanted to persuade Wang Xifeng to take the risk and make good things happen.

But Wang Xifeng returned to Rong Mansion and immediately rushed to Rong Xi Tang.

Informing him of Qin Keqing's recent situation, she said with a smile, "Brother Rong's daughter-in-law thanks the old lady and the madam for their concern."

When Mrs. Wang saw that she had finished speaking, she remained silent. She thought to herself that her niece was always smart, but why didn't she grasp the point this time? She could only say nonchalantly, "Brother Jing's nephew was really resurrected by the late emperor?"

"Oh! If Madam hadn't told me, I would have forgotten about it." Wang Xifeng said as if she had just woken up from a dream, "It is true. He now lives in the Dengxian Pavilion in the East Palace. The black smoke in the garden a while ago was caused by him!"

Then, he told Qin Keqing everything he had heard from her, but concealed the information about the glass.

Of course she didn't really forget, she was just testing Mrs. Wang's reaction.

Money can move people's hearts, and it can make Mrs. Wang go to such great lengths to inquire about it. The benefits here are obviously not small.

She didn't know that Jia Rong had already planned to sell her out, and she was still thinking that what he said made sense. As long as she treated her like Jia Rui, there would be no loss. On the contrary, the huge amount of silver was a real benefit.

The more I thought about it, the warmer I felt. It was a rare experience that I used to enjoy sitting in the porch, but now I felt as if I was being pricked by needles.

Lunch felt tasteless.

Finally, it was almost dusk when Ping'er came in with Laiwang. She hurriedly asked, "Tell me quickly, what did you find out?"

At this moment, a household servant naturally did not have much useful information.

Not only did they not hear any news about glass, there wasn't even any news about white sugar. Instead, the news that the late emperor had returned to life was widely circulated.

But the more this happened, the more Wang Xifeng felt it was natural. Mrs. Wang had kept it a secret even from her, and if everyone in the city knew about it, it would arouse suspicion.

He secretly speculated in his heart that Jia Rong was as cunning as a devil, and although he provided the most information, it might not be all.

Even Jia Rong might not have seen the whole picture.

At this moment, she actually hoped that Zhang Tianxiang would be like Jia Tianxiang, who would be unable to walk when he saw her.

However, how could a person who could make Mrs. Wang so cautious allow himself to be manipulated like Jia Rui without any concrete evidence?

If the situation gets out of hand and Jia Rong can no longer withstand the pressure and sells himself out, he will at most be punished, but his reputation will be ruined.

Although, as the old saying goes, one cannot gain a tiger cub without risking its den, and she loved money very much, she was unwilling to feed the tiger with her own body in exchange for the leverage to hold over Zhang Yunyi.

After thinking about it, his gaze turned to Ping'er beside him.

Although he could not take the risk, he could use someone else's trick. It was pitch dark and he had not measured the depth or size.