The Red Mansion Big Liar

But now, I am overwhelmed.

He has no hobby of sharing with others and is even more averse to this kind of gathering.

However, Prince Zhongshun also meant well, and refusing verbally would inevitably be embarrassing.

So he smiled and said, "I'm afraid I'll disappoint Your Majesty. In this regard, I always like to eat for free and never exchange with others!"

Speak differently to different people than to different people. If he pretends to be a moral gentleman after receiving such an invitation from King Zhongshun, he will definitely be disliked, so he does not hesitate to expose his shortcomings.

I thought there was no reason to force someone to do something like this, but unexpectedly, Zhao Lianggong shook his head and said, "Your Excellency has misunderstood. You don't know that the exchange meeting was just a cover-up, and it was mainly to provide advice for His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin!"

Zhang Yunyi was stunned for a moment, then he laughed out loud: "Hahaha! So that's what's going on!"

Zhao Lianggong hesitated for a moment, as if he was afraid of causing misunderstanding, and added: "Of course, do the whole show..."

Even if it was just a show, Zhang Yun逸 was unwilling to participate, let alone make it real?

It's not that he cares about his reputation. Having a concubine means sharing the joys and sorrows. For the nobles and officials in ancient times, giving or exchanging concubines was not a big deal.

Attending such a party would only ruin the image that he had worked so hard to build in front of Jinchai.

Although there is a difference between a good concubine and a lowly concubine, they will make the maids and concubines in the family feel insecure.

Moreover, once this rumor spread, even if the Rong Mansion was under his control, it would be impossible for them to give the girl to him as a concubine.

But since the matter involved the King of Qin, he could not refuse.

Just as he was in a dilemma, thinking about whether to buy two concubines for the two rooms, he heard Zhao Lianggong whispered: "Are you trying to protect your reputation, sir?"

Zhang Yunyi was startled and asked quickly, "How could it be? If I can serve His Highness, why would I care about a little reputation?"

Serving the king is like serving a tiger. Once the King of Qin has a misunderstanding, the consequences will be unpredictable.

While Zhang Yunyi expressed his loyalty, he also explained: "You may not know, Chief Historian, it was not easy for me to get those concubines. I had promised them long ago, and two of them are my sister-in-law's sisters. I just heard about it and was worried about what to say. However, since it is for His Highness, I don't care too much. I will buy two more later..."

The emperor's favor is the foundation of his existence. If his loyalty is not absolute, it is equal to absolute disloyalty. He is not so lustful as to make the King of Qin doubt his loyalty just for the sake of taking Yuanchun and several other concubines.

All I could do was buy two pink heads and skinny horses to deal with it.

I thought the matter was over, but unexpectedly Zhao Lianggong said with a smile: "It turns out that you are a sentimental person. Since you don't care about your reputation, I can't embarrass you!"

Hearing the hidden meaning in his words, Zhang Yunyi asked tentatively: "What do you mean?"

"Your Excellency just go to the meeting alone. The prince can make arrangements for you when the time comes. But if you do this, you might be branded as someone who only comes in but never leaves..."

He didn't have the nerve to say it was for free, so he gave Zhang Yun逸 some face.

It cannot be blamed that Zhao Lianggong did not propose this idea at the beginning. Due to the prevailing customs, it was not uncommon for nobles and officials to treat guests with concubines and exchange concubines.

Even stories like exchanging horses for concubines can be passed down as allusions to romanticism and boldness.

People like Zhang Yun逸 are indeed too petty, do not conform to the current mainstream values, and are easily despised by others.

If he had not said frankly before that he liked to eat and eat for free, Zhao Lianggong would not have made this suggestion.

Between two evils, he chose the lesser one, even though his reputation would be affected and he would even be overshadowed by Jia Lian.

Mr. Lian never got the reputation of being a freeloader, and he had heard it many times in his previous life.

But in the end, he preserved his affectionate image in front of Jinchai, and also retained the possibility of the girls of the Naja family becoming his concubines.

In addition, if she refused now, it would obviously be inconsistent with her previous solemn promise that she would do anything for the King of Qin.

Therefore, he immediately said with a face full of gratitude: "Thank you very much, Mr. Zhao! I will remember this favor!"

Although King Zhongshun might not care about these details, Zhao Lianggong would most likely say that it was his own initiative to ask for it.

But even so, it was considered an overstepping of authority for him, and he certainly couldn't help in vain.

Zhang Yun逸 knew this very well.

"Your Excellency is too kind! It's just a small favor!"

As the chief historian of Prince Zhongshun's palace, Zhao Lianggong was naturally very good at dealing with people. He did not rush to make any requests and enthusiastically sent him to the carriage.

After getting on the carriage, Zhang Yunyi stopped smiling.

Not that he was worried about the subsequent impact.

However, this so-called exchange meeting was obviously a meeting of important figures from the Qin King's faction. He had served the Qin King for more than a year and a half, but he was not invited to join until now. I'm afraid the Qin King still had some reservations about him before.

Moreover, the timing is also worth pondering.

Although he still held a nominal position in the Imperial Observatory and did not need to observe mourning, he had not yet completed the mourning period for his father. If he had simply married and taken concubines, it would not have been a big problem. However, participating in such gatherings could be a big deal.

And the King of Qin chose to invite him to join at this time. If you say there is no hidden meaning in it, Zhang Yunyi would not believe it even if he were beaten to death.

It’s not all bad news, though.

It is more reassuring to use it when the leader has the leverage.

This was particularly evident in ancient times, where many people in high positions corrupted themselves.

As an emperor, what he feared least were officials with problems, those who had high reputations but were difficult to deal with.

If he were to command a large army, he would be dead soon.

Fortunately, he has no worries in this regard. No matter how serious his personal moral problems are, they will not cost him his life.

After figuring this out, he put his worries aside and began to consider who in the court were from the Qin dynasty.

At present, the only person of importance he knows is King Zhongshun.

……

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 373 Self-knowledge

While Zhang Yun逸 was visiting Prince Zhongshun's mansion, the historians and their entourage arrived at Rongqing Hall.

After some greetings, I waited for the younger generations to leave.

The two aunts of the Shi family looked at each other, and finally it was Madam Shi Nai who spoke up: "What I talked about with the old lady in the East Mansion last time, you see..."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang immediately looked at Lady Jia.

"How dare you think!"

But Grandmother Jia slapped the armrest of the Luohan bed and said with displeasure: "Times have changed. When he was in the East Palace, Brother Yi was only a third-class general, but now he is a viscount. Although Yun girl was born in the Shi family, she is not a proper daughter of a marquisate, and she has lost her parents. How can I still ask for this?"

At the beginning, Grandmother Jia only hoped to use historians to pressure Jia She, but now there is no need for this anymore.

However, after all, he had verbally agreed to it, and it would be difficult to say that he would arrange for his own granddaughter, so he could only use Zhang Yunyi's identity as an excuse.

The two ladies of the Shi family looked at each other, and Mrs. Shi Ding smiled and said, "What the old lady said is absolutely right! How could we not know this?"

When they were arranging a marriage for Shi Xiangyun, it was still during the time when Jia Jing and Jia Zhen were in mourning. Unexpectedly, within less than two months, Zhang Yun逸 had been promoted several levels. This is why they have never been able to bring up the past again.

"Then what are you guys talking about?"

Grandmother Jia glanced at the two of them and couldn't help but blame them for not knowing the difference between a frown and a glance.

The two historians looked at each other, then at Madam Xing and Madam Wang.

Seeing that the two of them didn't move, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and said, "Old Madam, we can understand clearly that we don't dare to hope for a wife, but if Yun girl becomes a concubine, you can't say that we are dreaming, right?"

"This……"

Without waiting for Lady Jia to speak, Mrs. Wang hurriedly said, "How can this be possible? Yun girl is from a famous family after all, how can she be a concubine?"

Mrs. Wang still hopes that the historian can convince Lady Jia, but Mrs. Xing hopes to cover up the influence of Yingchun's mistress.

She curled her lips and said disdainfully, "What's wrong with that? With Yun Yi's ability, let alone the fact that she has lost her parents and cannot be considered a proper young lady of a marquisate, even if she were a proper young lady, as long as she is not the legitimate daughter, being a concubine would not be considered an injustice to her!"

The two wives of the Shi family were originally worried that they would be laughed at by Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang, but when they saw that someone else was joining in, they hurriedly said, "What the eldest wife said is absolutely right. We are not wronged, not wronged!"

"Yes! He is young, handsome, and has a bright future. What do you think, old lady?"

In fact, there is no need to trouble Lady Jia for something like becoming a concubine.

However, when Jia Jing and Jia Zhen were alive, they could still establish some friendship with them, but now, they can only hope to rely on Grandmother Jia's relationship.

Seeing this, Jia's mother did not rush to express her opinion. Instead, she pursed her lips at Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang and said, "You two should go back first!"

Although they were reluctant, they had no choice but to get up and leave.

After all, Zhang Yun逸 married Yuanchun out of helplessness and there was not much friendship between them.

But Yingchun is a submissive person, and Yuanchun has taken away her position as the wife, so it is not certain that they will support each other in the future.

Shi Xiangyun came from a family of historians, and was a great help to Yuanchun.

She had originally intended to pave the way for Jia Baoyu by arranging this marriage. If Yuanchun had just sat there doing nothing and was just a wife in name only, wouldn't it be a waste of time for her to get something for nothing?

The two sides have different positions.

Zhang Yunyi intends to avoid the Rongguo Mansion from gaining power in his own backyard, but Grandmother Jia tries to let Yuanchun take control of the Zhang family's backyard so that Jia Baoyu can be protected.

Since she could use Aunt Zhao to check and balance Madam Wang, how could she not consider this aspect?

Although Zhang Yun逸 has not married yet, he already has many concubines in his mansion.

Putting Xiangling aside, the You sisters and Qin Keqing are not only beautiful and charming, but also have close relations with Youshi, making them natural allies.

This can be seen from the fact that when You Erjie was pregnant, both Youshi and Qin Keqing stayed outside the city to take care of her.

But Zhang Yunyi was a man who valued friendship and loyalty, and was very nostalgic. In order to prevent Yuanchun from being alone, she had to consider adding some helpers to her.

Moreover, Mrs. Xing's words also served as a reminder to Lady Jia that if Shi Xiangyun took the lead, it could indeed cover up the embarrassment of Yingchun being a concubine.

However, she was worried that the eldest daughter-in-law would leak the inside story and bring shame to her family.

So when Madams Xing and Wang left, she was no longer as cold and indifferent as before, but smiled and praised them: "It's hard for you to have such good judgment. To be honest, the emperor brought a message, and he must be given the title of Duke!"

These words were said when the imperial edict was conveyed from the East Palace. Lady Jia only learned about them later, but the two ladies of the Shi family were hearing them for the first time.

She couldn't help but feel surprised and happy and said, "Look, old lady, we said that he has a promising future, and it's not an insult to Yun girl."

The Shi family was different from the Jia family in that they had a large family, with eighteen branches in the capital alone.

When there are too many people, the family property will inevitably be diluted.

It is also unlike the Jia family, which has two dukes and a wealthy family background. However, they have been unable to survive over the years.

Originally, they made Shi Xiangyun a concubine out of helplessness, but more importantly, they were impressed by Zhang Yunyi's ability to turn stone into gold.

I hope to use this relationship to create another source of income for historians.

After all, abandoning an orphan girl can solve the family's livelihood, which is a sure win no matter how you look at it.

Now, after hearing these words, his heart became even hotter and he looked at Lady Jia eagerly.

This is what Grandmother Jia was waiting for. She immediately took the responsibility and said, "I have watched Yun grow up, so I naturally hope that she can have a good home. I will take care of this matter."

At this point, she paused and said calmly: "In the future, her sister will help take care of her, so there is no need to worry about being wronged!"

At first, Grandmother Jia thought that Shi Jia was still eyeing the position of the main wife and was embarrassed to tell her about Yuanchun.

Now that the historians had taken the initiative to retreat, she tried to give Yuanchun some support and no longer hid her secrets.

The two Shi family members looked at each other and asked tentatively, "The old lady is talking about... the eldest girl?"

Since the emperor wanted to build momentum, why would he limit it to Zhang Yun逸’s journey to pick up Yuanchun?

It was because the historian heard the rumor that he made up his mind to settle for the next best option.

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Yes! This is also what the emperor meant. Otherwise, why would he specially arrange for Brother Yi to go and pick up the eldest girl?"

After all, I had promised to mediate on behalf of Shi Xiangyun before, so the emperor's intention was the best reason.

It can also help Xiangyun get closer to Yuanchun.

The two Shi family members also understood what you meant and quickly flattered you, "That's really great news! With the help of the young lady, we can rest assured!"

"Just keep this to yourself, don't spread it around! The eldest girl is helping Brother Yi prepare for the birthday celebration. Go tell Miss Yun and ask her to lend a hand to her eldest sister!"

Being a concubine is not a pleasant thing after all, so it is better for these two nephews' wives to play the role of the evildoer.

"Hey! Hey! It's our duty, it's our duty!" The two historians responded in unison.

Grandmother Jia thought for a moment and said, "Now that things have been settled, I think Yun girl should settle down here and wait for her elder sister to get married, and she will be taken as a dowry and move in with them. I think there is no need for her to live with Bao girl anymore, so let her move to Tuobi Villa!"

After that, Jia's mother shouted outside, "Yuanyang! Go and call Yun, and take the two ladies to wait next door."

……