The Red Mansion Big Liar

As soon as Lady Jia and Mrs. Wang started talking, Wang Xifeng was at a loss for words and could only look at Zhang Yun逸, hoping that he would come forward.

She only thought that Zhang Yunyi asked to stay overnight just because of her, and she hoped to eat alone. Little did she know how many emotional debts Zhang Yunyi had to bear, and she still expected him to treat her equally. How could he be willing to waste his time on her alone?

He could only ignore Wang Xifeng's gaze and said, "Madam is right. I do have a lot of official business to attend to, and it is indeed more convenient to live in the study."

At this point, he changed the subject and said, "However, I cannot refuse Second Brother Lian's kindness. I will trouble Second Brother Lian tonight, and we can have a drink and chat happily then."

Wang Xifeng, who was originally quite disappointed, heard this and her dissatisfaction immediately disappeared. She smiled and said, "Then Brother Yi, you must not come back until you are drunk!"

Zhang Yunyi half-jokingly said, "If I get drunk, I'll just stay at Second Brother Lian's place for the whole night. Anyway, we're all in the mansion, and there's no official business to attend to today!"

Wang Xifeng was very satisfied with this answer and glanced at him secretly.

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 330 The troops are divided into two groups

Wang Xifeng threw the embroidered handkerchief in her hand, secretly pursed her lips towards Zhang Yunyi, and said with a smile: "Brother Yi has been talking for a long time, I am afraid he must be thirsty, let's go to the old lady to have some tea!"

As she spoke, she turned her back to the crowd, pursed her lips and smiled sweetly at Zhang Yunyi.

Zhang Yunyi couldn't help licking his upper teeth and said with a smile: "It's a good opportunity to tell my sisters about my ideas."

Grandmother Jia slapped her forehead and said with a smile: "Look at me, I am getting old and confused, but Feng girl is still thoughtful!"

As he said this, he supported Jia Baoyu and led the way.

A group of people surrounded Zhang Yunyi like stars surrounding the moon, and did not notice Tanchun who was at the end. She whispered a few words to the secretary, passed the Xiangnan Hall, and then separated from the main group, went straight through the Neiyi Gate and went to the backyard.

After entering Rongqing Hall, Zhang Yunyi took the tea served by Yuanyang and touched Yuanyang's hand with his fingertips.

Yuanyang was so embarrassed that her hands trembled and she almost spilled the tea.

Zhang Yunyi quickly picked up the tea bowl and took a sip of tea, taking the opportunity to hide his embarrassment.

"Brother Yi, please tell me how you plan to rehearse?"

"Hey! Where's the third sister?" Xue Baochai looked around and asked, "In the past, she was the most enthusiastic when it came to telling stories. What happened today?"

The sisters asked Zhang Yun逸 how he was going to rehearse, and then they realized that Tanchun had disappeared without a trace.

Lin Daiyu pondered and said, "Third sister is the most attentive. She always takes notes of every story that Brother Yi tells. Maybe she went back to get the manuscript. Who knows?"

Shi Xiangyun said, "Since it is a birthday celebration for the Emperor, many plots will probably be different, especially the part about the prince's rebellion. I'm afraid it will be difficult to put it on stage. I'm sure there will be many changes. Why put the cart before the horse and rush to get the original manuscript?"

"Sister Xiangyun is right. Why not change this plot to one of political enemies attacking us?"

Zhang Yunyi pondered for a moment and said with a smile: "Since Tang Bohu will have a fight later, why not change the identity of Grand Tutor Hua and turn it into a provocation between nobles."

"Brother Yi is very thoughtful!"

Jia Baoyu, who was sitting next to Grandmother Jia, looked at everyone talking at once, and regretted that he could not get a word in.

He comforted himself in his heart that although Zhang Yunyi had stolen the limelight, he was ultimately just an outsider and could only live in the backyard, unlike himself who could live in the garden with his sisters.

Lin Daiyu suddenly suggested, "We still have to wait for Third Sister. In order to prevent her from complaining that we didn't wait for her, why don't we send the young actors here first? While we're all here, we can select a few important roles first so that they can get familiar with their lines as quickly as possible. What do you think?"

"Sister Lin, this is a good suggestion!"

Zhang Yunyi immediately clapped his hands and said to Wang Xifeng, "Sister-in-law, please send someone to Lixiangyuan."

Yuanyang said quickly: "It would be troublesome for the Second Madam to send someone over, so I'd better go instead!"

When Lady Xing asked her to follow Yingchun, Lady Jia rejected her request. She thought she would have to marry into the palace with Yuanchun, so she gave up the idea.

Just now, Zhang Yunyi teased her, which made her upset and at the same time aroused her long-buried thoughts.

He used the excuse of going out for some fresh air and also took the opportunity to help Zhang Yun逸 and do his part.

"Then please ask Sister Yuanyang to stop by Qiu Shuang Zhai and urge Third Sister!"

……

Tanchun, whom everyone was thinking about, did not return to Qiu Shuang Zhai, but was in Aunt Zhao's room.

"Aunt! Brother Yi will come over to give Huan'er some advice later. You must remember to ask him to go to the garden tomorrow night..."

Aunt Zhao said unhappily, "If you want to arrange a meeting with him, just tell him yourself. Why do you need me to pass on the message?"

Tanchun shook her head and said helplessly, "How can I have the chance to say this to him in front of everyone?"

At this point, she paused for a moment and asked, "Where did you meet Brother Yi last time?"

"You...why are you asking this?" Aunt Zhao felt a little guilty.

Tanchun patiently explained, "Brother Yi has to go to the government office tomorrow. The weather is short now, and I'm afraid it will be dark when he returns. It would be inconvenient for him to come to my room."

Aunt Zhao was unmoved and said, "Then just tell me a place and I'll pass the message on to you. Why do you have to ask me this?"

"I was meeting a man in the dead of night. If someone saw me, how could I face people? Even if you don't tell me, I know it's either the Qingtang thatched cottage or the Jade Emperor Temple. What do you think?"

"If you know, why bother asking me?" Aunt Zhao said unhappily.

"That's the only way for Brother Yi to return home. I think the place where Auntie has been is always safer, but I just want to confirm it with you!"

Tanchun paused, then continued, "Don't worry, Auntie. If I can fulfill my long-cherished wish, I will never forget you and Brother Huan."

Aunt Zhao hesitated for a moment and said, "It's in the Qingtang cottage."

Before leaving, Tanchun reminded him, "I'm leaving first, Auntie, please don't forget me!"

Before this, Aunt Zhao mentioned that Zhang Yun逸 looked at Jia Huan differently, but she did not take it seriously and thought that Zhang Yun逸 was just saying a few polite words for Jia Zheng's sake.

Today, seeing that he refuted Mrs. Wang in public and wanted to allow Jia Huan to enter the school, he couldn't help but believe it a little.

At the same time, I became more confident about my plans.

However, having said that, Zhang Yunyi did not avoid Yuanchun as she expected, which made her a little confused.

In order to be safe, he took the opportunity to slip away and asked Aunt Zhao to help pass the message.

It wasn't that she couldn't even whisper.

However, Lady Jia was very clear about her feelings for Yuanchun. Since she intended to match Yuanchun up, if she could tell her thoughts, she would be warned just like Yingchun.

It would be more convenient to pretend nothing happened and act first and report later.

After leaving Aunt Zhao's courtyard, she did not go to Rongqing Hall, but went straight to the main gate of Grand View Garden.

She always planned before taking action, and knew that if she suddenly wandered off, she would be questioned when she returned, so she had already found an excuse.

After separating from the crowd, he split up with the secretary and asked her to go back and get the manuscript that recorded the story of Tang Bohu and Autumn Fragrance, while he went to look for Aunt Zhao.

When they arrived at the garden gate, they saw Shishu coming towards them in a hurry, with his head lowered and taking two steps at a time, as if he were a thief.

Tanchun could not help but frown, and was about to complain that she was trying to cover up something that only made it more obvious, when she heard Yuanyang calling from a distance: "Shishu! Shishu! Wait for me! Where is the third lady? Why isn't she with you?"

Tanchun was startled when she heard the voice. She took a half step back, but then suddenly stopped, took a deep breath, and walked to the garden gate.

After giving Shishu a look, Fang smiled at Yuanyang who was following Shishu and said, "Sister Yuanyang, do you have something to ask me?"

"Why is the young lady here?" Yuanyang asked in confusion, pointing at the little actor behind her, and explained, "Master Yi and the young ladies asked me to take the little actors over so that they could decide on roles, and asked me to go to Qiu Shuang Zhai to invite the young lady over. Fortunately, I saw the secretary coming out from a distance, otherwise it would have been a wasted trip."

She looked at the secretary and said, "Are you deaf? I called you so many times, but you didn't hear me?"

Tanchun stepped forward and said, "Sister Yuanyang misunderstood! I was in a hurry and told her not to delay on the way. I guess she was afraid that I would wait for a long time and didn't pay attention to you."

"Why didn't the girl go back with her?"

"I was going to go back with her, but halfway..." She hesitated, leaned close to Yuanyang's ear, bit her ear and said, "I had a stomachache halfway, so I let her go back alone..."

Yuanyang suddenly realized what was going on and said in relief, "I was wondering why I didn't see the girl and she was so anxious."

Tanchun blushed and said tactfully, "Brother Yi is still with the old lady. Sister, you have to keep it a secret for me. Don't embarrass me."

Yuanyang understood and said, "Don't worry! How can I say these things in front of Master Yi? I will just say that I saw you halfway."

After saying this, he turned around and told the little actor to keep the secret.

Then he and Tanchun hurried to Rongqingtang.

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 331 Digging a hole

"Third sister has indeed gone back to get the manuscript!" Seeing Tanchun coming back, Xue Baochai laughed first.

Tanchun quickly interrupted, "I just thought about it. This prince is plotting a rebellion. I'm afraid it's not a good show to perform at the emperor's birthday party. Why not change someone else..."

"Eh!" Xue Baochai said with a smile, "Third sister and elder brother Yi have the same idea."

Tanchun was delighted, but lowered her head and said inconspicuously, "I was just daydreaming. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Brother Yi!"

Zhang Yunyi quickly retracted his glance at the little actor and said with a smile, "Third sister, if you have any other ideas, you might as well tell me."

In front of Lady Jia and Lady Wang, Tanchun restrained herself and said hurriedly, "Sister, you are stupid. It's not easy for you to think of this. How can you have any other ideas?"

She quickly changed the subject and asked, "I just heard Sister Yuanyang say that you want to draft roles for the little actors?"

Zhang Yunyi nodded, then looked at the little actor openly and said in a pretentious manner: "My master wants you to go to the palace to present gifts on the birthday of the emperor. If anyone is afraid, you can say it now, but don't be nervous and ruin things."

For actors, performing on stage is a compulsory skill. The only difference is that the stage is moved to the palace and the performance is performed in front of the emperor.

However, this kind of opportunity is something they can only encounter once in a while.

In fact, if you act well, you may have a chance to escape citizenship.

In addition, they were originally worried about being kicked out of the house, so they turned to Liu Wu'er for help. When they learned from Yuanyang that Zhang Yunyi had arranged this for them, how could they not know that it was Liu Wu'er who helped them plead for mercy?

They were grateful in their hearts and immediately said in unison, "Don't worry, sir, we will definitely not embarrass you."

Although Jia's mother agreed to keep the little actors, she couldn't help but think of Yuanchun's marriage when she saw them. She still felt uncomfortable and said, "I'm a little tired too. I'll go back to the room to rest. You guys can play here!"

Having said that, she got up and went back to the house.

Mrs. Wang and Li Wan wanted to stay, but when they saw Zhang Yunyi chatting and laughing with the group of golden hairpins, they felt upset and couldn't interrupt, so they simply left together to avoid exposing themselves.

Aunt Xue and Madam Xing saw that they had followed suit and stood up as well.

After seeing off Lady Jia, Lady Wang and others, Zhang Yun逸 asked the young actors to introduce themselves one by one.

He paid special attention to Fangguan and Lingguan, the two with the most outstanding looks.

Fang Guan's cheeks were as red as rouge, and her eyebrows and eyes were fuller and more charming, making her stand out among the other actors.

Lingguan's appearance was exactly the same, except that there was a hint of sadness between her brows. She was indeed 60% similar to Lin Daiyu.

He had prepared a plan in his mind, and he pointed out the roles, saying, "Tang Bohu is a romantic and suave man. I think Fang Guan is suitable for the role, but you are originally a Zhengdan, so maybe you can play it well?"

The only male roles played by the little opera troupe are Wenguan, Ouguan and Baoguan. Even if the unnecessary roles are removed, it is obvious that the arrangements cannot be made.

In addition, she and Lingguan were the most outstanding in appearance, and she had the deepest friendship with Liu Wuer, so no one thought it was inappropriate.

Fang Guan was not a timid person, and she immediately showed her joy and said, "Don't worry, sir! We will occasionally perform together."

Zhang Yunyi nodded approvingly and said, "As for Qiuxiang..."

He hesitated for a moment, pretending to think for a moment, and then said to Lin Daiyu and others, "Let Lingguan perform. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but look at Lingguan.

Although she didn't hear the whole story, she had a general idea of ​​it when Yuanyang went to tell the little actor and everyone talked about the adaptation of the story.

He raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "This child looks exactly like the same person, you can't tell the difference."

Baochai knew it in her heart, but she just smiled and refused to say anything.

Baoyu also guessed, but dared not say anything.

Shi Xiangyun said frankly, "She looks more like Miss Lin."

Everyone couldn't help but smile knowingly when they heard this.

Only Jia Baoyu glanced at Xiangyun and winked at her.

Zhang Yunyi keenly noticed that Lin Daiyu and Shi Xiangyun were both unhappy, so he started to set a trap for Jia Baoyu and asked, "Brother Bao, what do you mean by this?"

"What's wrong with me?" Jia Baoyu stammered.

"I just saw you winking at Sister Xiangyun. Maybe you have some idea? Why not tell us all about it!"