The Red Mansion Big Liar

She immediately said sarcastically, "How can you say it's a bother, sister? Brother Yi has always taken good care of us sisters, and it's our duty to share his worries. Besides, we can't sleep even if we want to rest during the rehearsal at night, right? Why don't you come and lend a hand?"

Although she was older than her sisters, she came alone and did not call them sisters.

In addition, Yuanchun couldn't help but frowning when she heard the bad tone, so she tried to test it out: "Sister, you are right. It was my fault for not thinking carefully and disturbing the sisters. I will ask them to keep their voices down during the rehearsal in the evening!"

Although she could understand Tanchun and was attracted to Zhang Yunyi, they were half sisters after all.

If there were to be a situation where two women were fighting over a husband or if there was a quarrel between the sisters, it would be really difficult to resolve.

However, since it concerns a girl's reputation, we cannot just believe everything we hear but need to distinguish carefully.

Therefore, instead of giving up, she deliberately provoked Tanchun.

But before Tanchun could say anything, Yingchun came over and said, "Sister, don't worry about me. You work so hard, how can I be lazy?"

Yingchun seldom participated in making plans because of her inferiority complex and her inferior literary talent compared to her sisters.

However, in the evening, Mrs. Xing suddenly came to Zhuijin Tower and told her bluntly that Grandmother Jia planned to let Yuanchun replace her as Zhang Yunyi's wife, and she could only be a concubine as a dowry.

Although she felt sad, Zhang Yunyi had laid the groundwork before, and she was used to being submissive. Even though Siqi kept complaining, she still tried to keep the peace and even stopped Siqi from asking Zhang Yunyi.

It would have been fine if she had not participated in the past, but now that she had decided to become a concubine, and seeing that Yuanchun, the "legal wife" and the eldest sister, was working day and night, she did not dare to be lazy. When she heard the noise, she hurried over.

However, Zilingzhou was not as close as Qiushuangzhai, so she arrived a little later than Tanchun.

"Second sister is here!" Tanchun smiled sweetly when she saw Yingchun, and immediately went forward to hold Yingchun's arm.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Although I was worried about Yingchun before, I now hope to help each other.

Yuanchun didn't understand what was going on. When she saw Yingchun, who usually didn't come forward, made an exception and came, and also saw Tanchun greeting her warmly, she thought it was Tanchun who conveyed the message, and her doubts were slightly dispelled.

Just as she was greeting Yingchun and Tanchun, Lin Daiyu, Baochai and Xiangyun also arrived.

She just thought that they were all invited by Tanchun, and she couldn't help feeling ashamed and guilty, thinking that she was overthinking.

Xue Baochai went up the stairs and saw that there were only the three sisters in the Grand View Tower. A flash of disappointment flashed across her face.

Although she was not like Tanchun and Yingchun, she knew some inside information from Zhang Yun逸 and Mrs. Xing.

However, by combining the attitudes of Mrs. Wang and Lady Jia, we can also get some clues.

Although his family's affairs were settled thanks to Lady Wang and Yuanchun's help, it is better to rely on oneself than on others, and he cannot stay out of it.

Knowing that Zhang Yunyi was returning today, she just thought that Yuanchun was rehearsing all night to let Zhang Yunyi inspect the results.

So he dragged Shi Xiangyun here, hoping to win some favor.

Compared to her, Shi Xiangyun seemed a little shy.

Originally, Grandmother Jia did not reject the request of her two aunts. She was quite enthusiastic about writing and rehearsing the script.

But when Yuanchun returned home and noticed Lady Jia's attitude, she couldn't help feeling disheartened.

If Xue Baochai hadn't forced her to come, and if she hadn't had some hidden expectations in her heart, she might not have dared to come.

As for Lin Daiyu, she could not bear Zijuan's nagging, and Zhang Yunyi had always taken good care of her, so she felt it was not right or right to fall behind, so she followed.

Seeing all the sisters rushing over, Yuanchun said a little embarrassedly: "I have been away from the palace for so many years, and it is a rare opportunity to be so presumptuous. I didn't expect that I would disturb the rest of the sisters. Come and sit down!"

"Sister, that's not right! We are all restless people. We have nothing to do, so we might as well get together and chat by candlelight at night, which is lively and exciting!"

"Being able to put the script on stage is not only a pastime, but also our honor."

"It's just that if we make such a fuss, my sister-in-law will probably tell the old lady and the madam about us tomorrow. If the old lady and the madam blame us, my sister will have to help us take the blame!"

"This was my idea in the first place, so I don't want to implicate you."

As they all had their own thoughts, the sisters tacitly agreed not to mention anyone and instead began to discuss the details of the rehearsal. Everyone expressed their own views and although there were occasional disagreements, they were all in harmony.

……

However, Zhang Yunyi, the fuse of all this, was immersed in the gentleness of life and had no idea what was happening in the Grand View Tower.

Qing plays Daiying, and Liu Wuer has the necessary figure, so they manage to play Lin Daiyu.

Although it cannot be compared with the original one, the double spelling has its own fun.

However, it must be said that the effect of learning opera is remarkable.

Although Liu Wu'er is still a little green, after learning, her body has become flexible and her voice has become melodious.

While Zhang Yunyi was quite surprised, he couldn't help but think of Lingguan, who was also quite similar to Lin Daiyu.

As the saying goes, one minute on stage is worth ten years off stage.

After all, Liu Wu'er has only been in this field for a short time, while Lingguan has been immersed in it for a long time.

In addition, she does not have the same physical weakness as Liu Wu'er, and learning opera is also beneficial to the body. Her physique and development are better than Liu Wu'er, so she is a good alternative.

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 360 Let’s talk business first

Even though the family lived in two different places, Zhang Yun逸 had no interest in celebrating the New Year. But without Youshi, Third Sister You and Xiangling were not the ones who could take care of things, so they had to ask his opinion on a lot of things like ancestor worship.

By the time all matters were arranged, it was already noon.

After lunch, Zhang Cheng, Zhang Dehui and Lai Sheng also came to the mansion.

The year-end summary report is essential. It is nothing more than reporting various expenses and revenues.

Instead, he focused on asking about the progress of Zhi Yanzhai's work.

Because the cost of Xuan paper was too high, when publishing the Legend of the White Snake, he considered making bamboo paper as a substitute, and ordered the purchase of several farms to grow bamboo.

Now that the bamboo is growing well, it is time to start the follow-up work.

"We don't have to be busy during the Chinese New Year. After the 15th, we will close the two papermaking workshops and polish the new process. Once the quality is guaranteed, we will start mass production."

"Yes, Boss!" Zhang Dehui agreed, then hesitated and said, "Our Legend of the White Snake has been copied by another bookstore recently. Should we inform Shuntian Prefecture?"

"No need, just copy them, let them copy as much as they want first, and when the bamboo paper is made, it will be difficult for them to come and find us if they copy us again."

"The boss is wise!" Zhang Dehui flattered him.

After explaining the papermaking, he turned to Zhang Cheng and said, "Remember to keep a close eye on what I told you last time. It's best to choose grafted fruits that can bear fruit in August."

The auspiciousness of the Longevity Festival is related to his divine favor and is of utmost importance.

"Don't worry, sir! I understand the importance of this matter. I have already grafted more than ten plants according to your instructions. I'm just afraid that something might go wrong."

"That's great!" Zhang Yunyi nodded and said, "However, after presenting them to the emperor on his birthday, remember to destroy all of these spare ones."

In fact, this kind of tree grows many kinds of fruits, which are good for appeasing the girls.

However, things are valuable because they are rare, and since it has been presented to the emperor, it cannot be used indiscriminately.

Besides, such flashy things have no reference value, so there is no need to keep them.

The instructions have been given and it is time to distribute the dividends.

At the beginning, in order to win people's hearts, he promised to give Zhang Cheng and Zhang Dehui a 10% bonus.

Although Zhang Dehui handed over the business for a period of time when the Xue family withdrew their shares, he still kept his promise.

Just made some adjustments in the distribution of dividends.

Zhang Cheng had spent the longest time with him and had learned the grafting technique, so he got half of the 10% bonus.

Zhang Dehui did not join the Xue family immediately when the family withdrew their shares. Later, Zhang Yun逸 handed the caustic soda work to Lai Sheng, so he took three points of the remaining half and Lai Sheng took two points.

Although the three of them shared 10% of the dividends, the pie was too big and even Lai Sheng got more than 2,000 taels.

Lai Sheng was fine, after all, he had been the steward of the Ning Mansion. But for Zhang Hua and Zhang Dehui, it was a considerable income, so they had to be grateful.

After sending the three away, Qingwen came to report, "The Second Madam is here!"

"Hmm!~ How is Wu'er?"

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and there are a lot of things waiting to be dealt with, so I didn't have time to take care of Liu Wu'er in the morning.

"As soon as she was able to get out of bed at noon, she insisted on moving next door." Qingwen curled her lips and added, "I think she is worried that she will suffer if she sleeps in the house at night..."

"Suffering?" Zhang Yunyi scratched her nose and said with a smile, "She doesn't understand the meaning of this. I see why you have never cried out that you are suffering."

Qingwen blushed and lowered her head, not daring to speak.

When he moved to Huifang Garden, he saw Wang Xifeng and Ping'er standing at the entrance of Tianxiang Tower. She winked at him and said, "The old lady asked me to ask when Brother Yi is free so that we can arrange it..."

Last year, he was just a guest here, and his interactions with the Rong Mansion were just following the flow of the Ning Mansion. But this year, he is the real master, so he has to coordinate the schedule.

Things are different now. He is in charge of Tiangong Academy and Xianxue, as well as Prince Zhongshun and officials from Shuntian Prefecture, so he needs to move around a lot.

The timing was indeed difficult to grasp, so I simply said, "When the old ladies come, you decide. I'll do the same as last year. We'll have a lively day during the Lantern Festival."

Even if someone came to visit from the Rong Mansion, he would be able to take time out to receive them.

: But if I go to Rong Mansion, there will be no one to receive me.

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "That's great!"

After she finished speaking, she looked at Qingwen who was following behind her, and pointed inside the house, saying, "Why hasn't Qin come back yet? I brought something for her. Come in and take a look. Don't forget to tell her later!"

Zhang Yunyi knew that she was not interested in drinking, so he said to Qingwen, "I'm going to have a chat with the Second Madam. You go and see Wu'er."

After Qingwen turned to leave, he stepped over the threshold of Tianxiang Tower, put his arms around Wang Xifeng's slender waist, and brought her into the house, where he hugged Wang Xifeng with her back against the wall beside the door.

He touched her all over and said, "Second Madam was able to let go in front of Lian Er, why can't she let go now?"

Wang Xifeng didn't know whether she was embarrassed by his words or by being kneaded, but her cheeks flushed.

"Bah!" She spat, but her body was honestly pressed against his, her arms hooked around his neck, twisting uneasily, and breathing sweetly, "It's all because of you, my enemy, who keeps thinking of those crooked ways. You got the advantage and now you're slandering me!"

Wang Xifeng didn't know whether it was intentional or not, but this coy talk happened to be a chance to speculate in the shares. Zhang Yunyi couldn't help but be fascinated. He straightened his back and said with a sly smile: "Hehehe! Then let's not take the crooked path today!"

After saying this, he turned his head and moved close to Wang Xifeng's neck, arching all the way down along her fair neck.

Wang Xifeng was a little intoxicated at first, but when she felt the cold wind blowing into her collar, she slapped him and shouted, "You want to die! In broad daylight!"

"What's wrong with broad daylight? Brother Lian still has to beg me! Besides, doesn't sister-in-law always complain that I only give a little bit of money every time, isn't it enough?"

Wang Xifeng had been with him for a long time and had long understood the hidden meaning of his double entendres.

She pushed him and said unhappily, "You just like to play tricks on me!"

Ping'er, who was standing by, covered her mouth and laughed, "Master! Grandma, no relatives have come this month, so I'm afraid she won't be able to use your kindness for the time being."

"Not sure yet! You little slut, you're just a mouthfull!"

"Why? Didn't you call a doctor?"

"Isn't this something that just happened? And the New Year is coming soon, so I plan to wait until I'm done with this busy period before watching it."

When Wang Xifeng didn't have a child, she wanted to have one. But after she had a child, she was worried that she would lose her power as the housekeeper if she took care of the pregnancy. She was a little hesitant for a while.

"It's not up to you. I'll ask Mr. Zhen to take a look at it for you later!"

Wang Xifeng nodded and did not refuse. This was also one of the purposes of her trip.

Although she was worried about the power falling into the hands of others, she was also concerned about whether she was pregnant. If she invited a doctor to Rong Mansion, it might not be possible to hide the news. But if she asked Zhen Shiyin to take her pulse, she would not have to worry about it being leaked.

In ancient times, people were very concerned about offspring, and sexual intercourse was not allowed when a woman was pregnant. Zhang Yunyi had already experienced this with Xiangling and Youshi.

It was just that they had just been provoked by Wang Xifeng and even though they had changed the subject, they were still hugging each other.

He hooked her chin, wiped her lips and said, "Didn't sister-in-law say that I was always looking for crooked ways? Let's not take the right path today..."

"Bah!" Wang Xifeng pushed him and said unhappily, "I have something serious to tell you!"

Zhang Yunyi held her waist tightly with his other hand, not letting her break free, and said with a smile: "Then let's talk business first, so that my sister-in-law won't be so unhappy!"

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 361 Asking for Remuneration

Wang Xifeng symbolically hesitated for a few times, then leaned on his arms and said, "What's going on with the old lady? She suddenly came to me last night and asked me to embezzle 60,000 taels of silver from the government, and also took some things and asked me to go out and sell them."

If she didn't know what was going on, she wouldn't have come to ask Zhang Yunyi, she just came to him for confirmation.

As if she was worried that Zhang Yunyi would not tell her the truth, Wang Xifeng quietly clamped her legs together, moved coyly a few times as if to please him, and looked at him eagerly.