The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion

Chapter 418: The Night in the Rongguo Mansion [(1)]

When the evening lights were lit, Wang Xifeng came out of the bathtub, wrapped her delicate body in a dark purple robe, and was carried by Ping’er to the outer room. She lazily leaned back on the bed, and immediately a maid brought several dry towels to dry her beautiful hair carefully.

Another maid came forward and picked up two long legs that looked like towering white jade pillars, waiting to be carefully kneaded.

“Enough.”

However, Wang Xifeng shrank her legs into her robe, leaving only two tender lotus root-like feet exposed outside. She casually ordered, "You guys, go down first and wait.”

Four maids and two nannies immediately bowed outside the door.

When there was no one, Wang Xifeng changed her color again. Ping’er immediately came forward and closed the door, then came back and asked in a low voice, "Madam, what private matter do you want me to do?”

“It's not a big deal either.”

Wang Xifeng sighed and said helplessly, "The Old Eldest Master let out some hint at noon, saying that he would beg his wife for Yuanyang as a Concubine in a few days but I knew that she was a proud Master, so I'm afraid he may not be willing to follow this. At that time, there will be another uproar…”

Ping’er and Yuanyang were best friends. She once heard that she thought Jia She was inferior to the pig and dog, so she became nervous and asked, "What do you mean, Madam?"

Wang Xifeng lowered her voice and said, "You go tell Yuanyang that if she is willing to obey, then forget it. But if she is not willing, quickly find a suitable owner and seek favor from the Old Lady to get married. Otherwise, when the Old Elder Master discovers this matter, she won't be able to get away so easily.”

If it were a servant girl next to her, it might still be difficult to ask the Master for a marriage, but Yuanyang was the most favored one in front of the Old Lady. In terms of speaking, she might be even closer than the granddaughters like Yingchun and Tanchun, who were born from concubines.

Therefore, as long as Yuanyang made up her mind, it was not difficult to ask Old Lady Jia for a marriage.

Upon hearing this, Ping’er hurriedly prepared to seek information from Yuanyang.

“Come back.”

But Wang Xifeng stopped her again and ordered, "Take out one of the chiffon gauzes that the Empress gave you two days ago and take it with you.”

However, Ping’er was somewhat puzzled. The silk gauze, also known as the dragon gauze, was a tribute from the South China Sea and was the most precious, costing over a hundred taels of silver per piece.

If it weren't for the few horses bestowed by the Imperial Concubine Xiande two days ago, even families like Rongguo Mansion might not have been able to obtain them.

Since it was awarded by Imperial Concubine Xiande, the Old Lady naturally had the first share, so there was no reason to send it to her again.

It could be said that it was given to Yuanyang.

How could she afford this precious item of a hundred taels of silver, which was for the maid, Yuanyang?

“It is not a reward for Yuanyang.”

Wang Xifeng noticed Ping’er's hesitation before frowning and saying, "It's been more than half a month since Wang Nan went south, but there hasn't even been a single word back. Coincidentally, the Second Master Bao is going to entertain Sun Erlang today. You bring the gauze over and say you entrust him to bring it to the Second Lady. By the way, you can also ask about the situation in the south.”

“This…”

Although Ping’er was eager to meet Sun Shaozong, Jia Lian had repeatedly played around with sourness and jealousy. As his ”person,” how could she openly associate herself with Sun Shaozong again?

“What are you afraid of?”

Upon seeing Ping'er's hesitation, Wang Xifeng immediately straightened up her delicate figure, disregarding the trembling spring light in her robe. She angrily scolded, "If he dares to act recklessly, I will stay in the ancestral hall and see how he will explain to the Old Lady then.”

Ping'er saw that she was angry, so she didn’t dare to say anything further. She quickly took a piece of silk gauze from her private warehouse and went outside to have the little maid help hold it, hurriedly heading to the outside of the courtyard.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she left, she collided head-on with Jia Lian.

Just as Ping’er was about to bow, Jia Lian lowered his face and angrily scolded, "Where do you want to hang out on this big night?”

Since the last time Ping’er started singing against him in front of everyone, Jia Lian's attitude towards Ping’er has plummeted.

“Replying to the Second Master.”

Ping’er calmly pointed behind her and said, "It was the Second Madam who asked me to send something to the Old Lady.”

Where did Jia Lian know anything about ”silk gauze?”

Seeing that the little maid was holding a piece of silk, he didn't pay much attention to it. He just sneered and said, "You are really attentive. Now, I'm afraid there's only Second Madam in your eyes, and there's no Second Master like me. Anyway, when someone steps on you one day, don't blame Second Master for not remembering old relationships.”

As he spoke, he swung his sleeve and went to the outside study without entering.

Watching Jia Lian walk away, Ping'er silently pondered for a while and secretly said that if he meant something, could it be that some maid in the courtyard, quietly climbed the high branch?

The reason why she suspected was that there were servant girls inside, rather than Jia Lian trying to ”introduce” some new people from outside, because if a Concubine was hired from outside, she would naturally be more expensive than a maid in the same room, and there was no need to use the word ”stepping from the bottom.”

Since these words were used, it was obvious that the person referred to in Jia Lian's words had a lower identity than ordinary people.

After thinking through this section, Ping’er had the intention to report back but was afraid of delaying her meeting with Sun Shaozong.

Therefore, after a slight hesitation, she temporarily suppressed the matter in her heart and picked up a lantern to hurriedly go to the Old Lady's place.

When it came to the Old Lady's courtyard, Ping’er entrusted someone to call for Yuanyang, recounting Wang Xifeng's words one by one, and then expressed concern, "This matter can’t be delayed. Where should you go? You must make up your mind quickly.”

“What else is there to make up your mind about?”

Upon hearing this news, Yuanyang was already so angry that she bit her lower lip swollen. At this moment, she said decisively, "Even if I shave my hair to become a nun, I will never be his Concubine.”

“What's the use of being ruthless now?”

Ping'er gave her a shove and said angrily, "Quickly think about which one you like, and seek the grace of the Old Lady before it's too late. That's the right thing.”

When it came to ”liking” and ”grace,” Yuanyang's face suddenly blushed, pinching her handkerchief in anticipation of love, and she no longer looked as cheerful as before.

It took a long time to see her put a name on her lips.

But Ping'er said first, "This is not possible! Don't forget that he has just been taught a lesson by the Old Second Master, and even the Old Lady will find it hard to stuff women into his room.”

Originally, it was Jia Baoyu, a popular lover in the Rongguo Mansion, who was almost revealed by Yuanyang in her mouth.

But after being denied by Ping’er, how would Yuanyang admit it?

“What nonsense are you talking about? Second Master Bao is three years younger than me; how could I think of him?”

That was what she said, but thinking that what Ping’er said was reasonable, her face couldn't help but show a bit of disappointment.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly shook her head and said, "It's not that I'm pretending to be noble, but I can't find anyone in this mansion who can catch my eye.”

In the past, Ping’er might not agree with her statement, but if Sun Shaozong was used as a measure, this statement was true.

“Then choose someone outside.”

Without hesitation, Ping’er urged, "Choose a poor scholar with good character and good knowledge. First, become a scholar's wife. With the dowry you have accumulated over the years, you may be able to contribute to an Imperial Candidate in a few years.”

After a pause, she said again, "But you must choose someone tough. The Old Elder Master's reckless nature may not be willing to give up just because you have married someone. In time, he may even come to the door to intimidate and lure.”

“You said it lightly…”

Upon hearing this, Yuanyang couldn't help but smile bitterly and say, "We sit in this deep courtyard all day long and observe the sky. Where can we find any scholar master with good knowledge, good character, and tough bones? Besides, if there is such a person, I'm afraid they've already decided on someone else. How could it be my turn?”

Ping'er thought about it the same way. If it weren't for being constantly influenced by the crooked melons and split dates in this mansion, how could the maids treat Jia Baoyu like a heavenly being?

So they didn't know what to do for a moment.

The two of them looked at each other in silence for a while, and Ping’er looked back thoughtfully. Her gaze swept over the silk gauze held by the maid, and she suddenly exclaimed with joy, "Yes, I have a way here. I can ensure that you will find the right husband.”

As she spoke, she whispered a few words in the ear of Yuanyang.

Just as Ping’er was whispering to Yuanyang, in the study outside, Jia Lian was drinking alone, looking at the silver pot on the table, which was already empty.

“Zhao'er? Zhao'er?”

Jia Lian shouted twice but didn't see the close servant Zhao’er come in. He immediately became angry and thought to himself that these slaves were becoming more and more disrespectful. Previously, Xing’er had been punished, and now, Zhao’er had just taken the position, he was slacking off!

“An inconspicuous dog.”

He cursed and was about to go out and shout, calling Zhao'er back to scold. When he saw the curtain of the door lift and a person sneaked in from outside, he smiled and said, "Second Uncle, don't blame him. I coaxed him to another place.”

As he spoke, he placed two small wine jars on the table and exaggerated his patting on one of the jars, saying, "Authentic tribute wine was just given to me by my Godfather. But what is my position and how can I afford to enjoy such precious items? After thinking about it, I came to send it to you, and is not considered a waste.”

Upon hearing what he said was pleasing, Jia Lian pointed out his finger and cursed with a smile, "You are indeed a good worker. No wonder everyone in the kitchen praises you.”

Immediately, he straightened his spine and said sternly, "Come on, what do you want to ask me to help you with?”

“Don’t put it this way.”

Jia Yun raised his eyebrows and angrily said, "It seems like I have some thoughts…”

As he spoke, he gritted his teeth and politely sat across from him. His face was gloomy and he said, "To be honest with Second Uncle, I empathize with you, and that's why I want to be closer to you.”

“Empathy? What empathy?”

Jia Lian was somewhat puzzled.

But seeing Jia Yun pull the empty sleeve again, he gritted his teeth and said, "Uncle, think about it. If it weren't for the Sun who casually injured Jia Qin's arm back then, how could I have done this for nothing? Now even the woman I love is rushing to surrender to someone else.”

Jia Yun's pursuit of Xiao Hong was all about acting in secret, and after Xiao Hong colluded with Jia Lian, he naturally wouldn't reveal this matter.

Therefore, Jia Lian didn’t doubt at all and immediately cursed in unison, "Isn't that right! There weren't such bad things in our mansion earlier; it was all instigated by that surnamed Sun.”

“That's right, that person surnamed Sun is really not a thing!”

Jia Yun agreed and slapped open the seal of the tribute wine, giving Jia Lian a full one while he drank another jar himself.