The Red Mansion Big Liar

After Zhang Yunyi took his seat, he sighed, "It's a pity that the old lady sent someone to pass on the message yesterday. I don't know if Uncle Yi is free today, otherwise he would have made good preparations."

As he was talking, Jia Zhen stepped in and said with a smile, "That's true. Yun Yi, you don't know that among the people in the capital, Wenlong can be considered the best when it comes to having fun. It's a pity that he didn't prepare anything today."

When Jia Rong saw Jia Zhen coming in, he quickly followed Zhang Yunyi's example and gave Jia Zhen another set of tricks, echoing: "That's right! But why has Uncle Xue also started to cultivate his character recently?"

At this point, he said with a lewd look on his face: "Yun'er from Jinxiang Courtyard has been talking about Uncle Xue for many times."

Xue Pan scratched his ear when he heard this and said innocently, "I am really frustrated, but I have been talking about Xiangling for a long time, and my mother has been holding back and refusing to give her to me. This time she finally agreed. As long as I can be quiet for a while, she will take her in as my concubine."

Jia Zhen glanced sideways and asked, "Oh? Someone was beaten to death because of her?"

"It wasn't me who did it, but he got hit a few times by the servants, so it's his fault for not taking the beating."

"In that case, I can't delay you. I'll invite you over for a drink after you take her to my room. Then, we can have a good time together with Yun Yi."

Since he said three people, Jia Rong was not included. He ignored his son's resentful expression and said obscenely, "Brother, please invite a good troupe from outside. After watching the good show, we can go to Jinxiang Courtyard to have some fun and take my brother to broaden his horizons."

He asked Zhang Yunyi to accompany him, on the one hand because he didn't want him to show up in front of everyone in Rong Mansion, and on the other hand he wanted to take the opportunity to lead Zhang Yunyi astray.

"That's just a matter of words!" Xue Pan waved his hands, patted his chest loudly, and said, "Don't rush to pay the bill with your brother!"

"Okay! Okay!" Jia Zhen looked evil. He turned around and saw Zhang Yunyi was silent. He poked him with his arm and said, "It's rare that Wenlong is so thoughtful. Cousin, please don't spoil his fun!"

"Ah?" Zhang Yunyi came back to his senses after being prodded by Jia Zhen. "What did my cousin say?"

He didn't hear any of the conversation between Jia Zhen and Xue Pan. Ever since he heard that Xue Pan wanted to take Xiangling as his concubine, his mind was full of thoughts about how to save her.

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 34 Running in both directions

Zhang Yunyi in the front hall was absent-minded, and so was Wang Xifeng in Huifang Garden.

Ever since she entered the garden, she had been looking in the direction of the Ascension Pavilion intentionally or unintentionally.

Not to mention that Zhang Yunyi fell in love at first sight and was completely bewildered. Half a day passed and there was no sign of him.

The most annoying thing is Jia Rong, who knew he had arrived but didn't come to inform him.

Just as she was feeling angry, Li Wan brought up something irrelevant and said to her with a smile, "Our Second Madam is dressed up in all her splendor today. Could it be that Second Lian is coming back?"

This undoubtedly stirred up a hornet's nest. Wang Xifeng sneered, "Oh! I'm not like my elder sister-in-law who only knows how to take care of Lan. We are here to accompany our ancestor. If we don't dress nicely, won't it embarrass her?"

Wang Xifeng's words seemed to be an explanation, but they pointed out that Li Wan was a widow and unemployed and could only live with Jia Lan.

As the eldest daughter-in-law of the Rong family, the job of housekeeper should have fallen on her shoulders. However, Wang Xifeng showed up unexpectedly and not only snatched her power as housekeeper, but also verbally bullied her and mocked her for only being able to take care of her son.

However, she had never been liked by her mother-in-law, and she knew she could not argue with Wang Xifeng, so she could only remain silent.

Wang Xifeng was always unyielding. Seeing Li Wan back down, she did not stop but said, "However, I would like to ask you, sister-in-law, when did Lian Er say he would come back? You know something that I don't know. Could it be that the servant who delivered the message doesn't even recognize his own door?"

"You..." Li Wan said in shame and indignation, "When did I ever say that?"

Although it is said that a person of integrity has nothing to fear from his own shadow, there are many rumors surrounding a widow. If the rumors are spread by someone with ulterior motives, there is no guarantee that Lady Jia and Mrs. Wang will not become suspicious.

The two were not talking in whispers. Although Baochai and Sanchun were far away, Jia's mother and Wang Fu-ren only used the excuse of visiting the garden, but they heard everything clearly.

"She's a widow and unemployed, stop making fun of her."

If it were only our family, it would be fine, but Aunt Xue, Youshi, and Qin Keqing were also there. Grandmother Jia hurriedly half-jokingly and half-explained, "This is my fault. I shouldn't have asked him to accompany Lin girl back. Maybe he blames me too. But Lian Er has indeed not sent a message back for some time. Tomorrow I will send someone to the south to tell him to come back as early as possible."

"Look at what the ancestor said, how dare the granddaughter-in-law!" Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Being able to share the worries of the ancestor is something we and my wife have been looking forward to for a long time. Everyone in the mansion knows that the ancestor has always been generous. Before he left, I told him that it would be a good idea to stay out for a while. Maybe the ancestor will feel sorry for him and give him some money, which will be enough for us to eat for ten or eight years."

Grandmother Jia always liked to entertain her parents with colorful clothes. Although she knew that Wang Xifeng was joking, she was still quite happy and said with a smile: "You are a girl with many tricks. But now that I know it, don't think about it anymore."

"Oh! Look at me, I am so straightforward that I even forgot to hide it from the old lady." Wang Xifeng hurriedly beat her chest and stamped her feet.

Her acting was so realistic that Grandmother Jia was naturally happy, and everyone laughed along with her.

Wang Xifeng made Jia's mother happy and suggested, "Granddaughter-in-law, you have been walking around for quite a while. Why don't we go to Rong's daughter-in-law's room to rest?"

It's probably no use just waiting for Zhang Yunyi to come to you. Instead of wasting time like this, it's better to create an opportunity.

Besides, Tianxiang Tower and Dengxian Pavilion are opposite each other. Since Mrs. Wang has specifically inquired about it, she doesn't believe that she will be able to hold back and not ask a question once she is in front of them.

This was exactly what Grandmother Jia wanted, so she said hurriedly, "You must be tired after walking around for half a day. Let's go sit in Rong's wife's room."

Youshi and Qin Keqing had no objection and quickly ordered their servants to make arrangements. Then they all went to Tianxiang Tower in a mighty procession.

When they arrived at Tianxiang Tower, Grandmother Jia sat in the main seat, Wang Xifeng served her at her side, Lady Wang and Aunt Xue sat on both sides, and the rest sat according to age.

Xue Baochai pointed at the busy maids outside the Dengxian Pavilion across the street and asked, "Are there people living there now?"

After hearing this, Wang Xifeng immediately turned her head and looked at Mrs. Wang.

She originally thought that after bringing people to Tianxiang Tower, Mrs. Wang would definitely lead the topic to Zhang Yunyi, but she didn't expect that these words came from Xue Baochai's mouth.

Thinking of the recent rumors in the mansion, she suddenly felt mixed emotions.

She didn't believe that Xue Baochai was just asking casually. Although aunt and niece are closer than aunt and niece, she was the daughter-in-law of the eldest wife after all. If the rumor was true, she would not be as important as Baochai in Mrs. Wang's heart.

Although Jia Zhen had warned Jia's mother not to mention Zhang Yunyi before she entered the garden, Youshi could only say, "The old master passed away at the end of the year, and after the funeral, the master brought Master Yi back."

When Zhang Yunyi was mentioned, Xue Baochai, as a girl, was reluctant to say much. Mrs. Wang was afraid of missing this opportunity, so she quickly winked at Aunt Xue.

This scene was seen by Wang Xifeng, which further confirmed her speculation.

She had gone to great lengths to help gather information, but in the end not only was she treated as an outsider, but Xue Baochai was the one who reaped the benefits. How could she be willing to accept this?

"Oh?" Aunt Xue took over the conversation at this time, "There was a rumor outside a while ago that the head of the Tiangong Institute in the inner palace is a relative of the mansion. Could it be this Mr. Yi?"

Speaking of Zhang Yunyi, You Shi couldn't help but feel proud of him and said with a smile: "That's right!"

"Oh! I thought it was just a rumor outside, but I didn't expect it to be a relative of yours. I wonder if he is in your house?"

"He's drinking with my aunt's cousin in the front yard!"

Hearing this, Mrs. Wang smiled knowingly, because she had long guessed that the Ning Mansion was deliberately concealing the truth, so she specially asked Aunt Xue to bring Xue Pan along to block both ends.

Aunt Xue originally thought that Zhang Yunyi would not come back until the court was over, and was afraid that Lady Jia would go back after getting tired of playing, so she planned to leave an introduction in advance and then ask Ning Mansion to introduce him later. Unexpectedly, he was actually in the mansion.

He looked at Grandmother Jia and said, "I have heard that there is a new Tiangong Court in the inner palace, but I have no one to recommend it. Today, it happens that the old lady is here. I wonder if I can borrow the old lady's face..."

"What's the point of introducing him? We are all relatives. You are too polite." Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "It just so happens that I haven't seen this child for a few years. Why not ask him to come over and talk to me."

"Yes!" Yu Shi agreed and immediately got up and went to the front yard to invite Zhang Yunyi.

Aunt Xue flattered, "If the old lady wasn't here, we wouldn't be able to get in even if we wanted to."

Li Wan, Sanchun and others were confused. Although they knew that there was such a relative in the Ning Mansion, they remembered that they had not visited him for many years. They couldn't help but be curious as to why he suddenly became so popular.

Wang Xifeng, who was standing behind Lady Jia with her head down, was more convinced that it was Lady Wang who instructed her to do so when she saw Aunt Xue and her daughter singing the same tune.

He then secretly pondered how he could attract Zhang Yunyi's attention in public without making any noise.

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 35: Using both threats and tricks to win over Xiangling (Part )

The women in Tianxiang Tower were waiting for Zhang Yunyi.

Zhang Yun逸 was also thinking hard about how he could meet everyone.

It can be said to be a two-way journey.

However, at the moment he could not care about Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and the other three girls. He mainly wanted to see Aunt Xue.

It wasn't because he wanted to raise his seniority, but because of Xiangling.

He has always taken it as his responsibility to collect... no, to save the golden hairpin.

It would be fine if she didn't know that Xiangling was not abused by Xue Pan, but now that she knew, how could she just sit there and do nothing?

However, although the maid could wait to be sent, looking at Xue Pan's attitude towards Xiangling, she was afraid that even if she asked for it, she might not agree. What's more, it was the first time they met, so there was no reason for her to ask for it.

After much thought, the only place to start is with Aunt Xue.

He remembered that the Xue family was in charge of the imperial merchants, and he happened to be working in the inner court. As long as he made good use of it, he might be able to force them to submit.

Of course, in order to avoid exposing his true nature in the Ning and Rong mansions, this kind of thing can only be done in secret.

As for Xue Baochai...there is always a second chance for everything. As long as she has a successful career, as the daughter of an imperial merchant, she will surely be able to judge the situation.

However, although he and Xue Pan were already acquainted, even if he went to his house, there was no reason for him to go to his widowed mother right away.

But Xiangling couldn't delay any longer. Who knew how long Xue Pan meant by "a while"?

Just as he was planning to slip away on the pretext of feeling unwell and look for another opportunity in the garden, he saw Youshi walk in.

"The old lady wants to see Yun Yi."

Jia Zhen couldn't help but frown. He knew that the truth would come out sooner or later. As Zhang Yunyi's fame grew, it would be impossible to keep it secret forever.

As the saying goes, caring too much will lead to confusion. He and Jia Jing were secretly planning to get married, so he couldn't help but judge others by himself.

Although his younger sister Xichun is much younger than him, the Rong family does not have this worry.

Moreover, during the New Year's Eve visit, Xifu mentioned Yuanchun's departure from the palace intentionally or unintentionally, so how could he not think too much about it.

"Since the old lady wants to see him, I will go with her!" With this in mind, he tried to observe the attitude of the West Mansion, so he told Jia Rong, "You stay and accompany your uncle Xue."

After leaving the front hall, Jia Zhen wanted to ask the reason, but he was worried that if he said too much, he would make mistakes.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yunyi asked, "Why did the old lady want to see me?"

Youshi hurriedly told Jia Zhen the whole story. When Jia Zhen heard that it was Aunt Xue who instigated the incident, he felt much more relieved.

But Zhang Yun逸 was overjoyed.

Although he had been working in the inner court for only a month, during which time he was busy making sugar. In addition, he had not expected this to happen and had not inquired about the Xue family's affairs.

I heard that Aunt Xue took the lead and seemed to have something to ask for, so it would be more likely that I could ask for Xiangling.

"Yun Yi greets the old lady, the madam, the sisters-in-law, and the sisters."

Although he had not been out and about for many years, among the people present, only Wang Xifeng and the mother and daughter of the Xue family had not been seen before. The rest could be roughly identified based on their age, personality, and the description in the book.

However, they were just children at that time, so except for Lady Jia and Mrs. Wang, the rest were just referred to as general terms.

"Good child, your mother is only a few years older than Min'er. She used to stay with me for some time. I didn't expect that you are so tall now. It shows that I am really old." Grandmother Jia smiled and waved her hand, "Come closer and let me see."

Before Zhang Yunyi could come forward, Wang Xifeng, who was standing behind Jia's mother, said with a smile, "Grandfather, you are not old, but blessed with longevity. Isn't it that you have a promising grandson?"

As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Yunyi with a smile.

She was used to flattering Lady Jia, and no one else paid attention to it. Even Zhang Yunyi would not think that she was doing this to attract his attention.

Without looking away, he came to Lady Jia and said, "When my mother was alive, she often mentioned it. I'm grateful to the old lady for her care."

Grandmother Jia took his hand, looked him over, and turned to Mrs. Wang and said, "You have seen the madam."

Zhang Yun逸 hurriedly saluted again.

"Good boy, we are all family, don't be alienated."

As the saying goes, the more the mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the happier she is. Although Mrs. Wang only regarded him as a backup candidate, she was quite satisfied with him.

Although Zhang Yun逸 lacked some of the temperament of a scholar, he had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and was strong and vigorous.

As someone who had been through it, she knew that a weak scholar was useless and might even die young, so she had to choose someone like Zhang Yunyi as her son-in-law.

Because of this thought, his eyes revealed some of it. Although others did not notice it, Jia Zhen saw it and was worried.

"This is Madam's sister, you can also call her Aunt."

Zhang Yunyi looked in the direction that Lady Jia pointed and was greatly surprised for a moment.

Since she came here with a purpose, Aunt Xue didn't want to be looked down upon by Zhang Yun逸, so she dressed very elegantly.

The lilac-colored long coat was pink with purple, which made her already snow-white skin look even more rosy, making her skin look even smoother than before.

Because of the sitting position, the long coat was stretched full and round.

The most valuable part is the waist. Although it is not a narrow jacket with a waist, the goose yellow satin ribbon around the waist creates a charming look, making the waist and hips look even more slim.

Although the body of a young girl in her twenties is as soft as a butterfly, Aunt Xue is not inferior at all, and such a mature woman is the best at quenching thirst.

I didn't expect that the fat and big-eared Xue Pan would have such a mother.

"It turned out that it was the concubine who met Wenlong in the front hall and was just saying that she would visit her aunt when she had time."