Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 329 Suspicion (two in one)

After a lot of open-ended and easy-to-understand exchanges.

Lai Shangrong and Mrs. Wang in the side hall finally stopped talking to each other. After feeling relaxed, they took two symbolic bites of food.

After Mrs. Wang calmed down, Lai Shangrong led her to the front yard and arranged a carriage to take Mrs. Wang back home.

Yes, although the two mansions are only a hundred meters apart, a carriage still needs to be arranged.

After seeing off Mrs. Wang, Lai Shangrong couldn't help but think about the message revealed in Mrs. Wang's words.

However, after less than a month of shutting up and thinking about it, in Lai Shangrong's view, three drinks as a penalty was not considered.

Is it Yuanchun's own honor or favor, or is it to appease himself?
These two possibilities lead to completely different results, so Lai Shangrong has to be cautious.

The more Yuanchun was favored, the more the emperor couldn't tolerate it, even if it was just an accident, that his own privacy was peeped by others.

If you want to appease yourself by lifting the ban on Yuanchun, then at least there will be no danger for the time being.

This may also be the emperor's response to the recent impeachment of himself.

He did not originally connect these impeachments with Yuanchun's punishment. Many times, as a party involved, his perspective on the issue was inevitably not comprehensive enough.

It was Chen Yiwen who passed on the analysis through his son Chen Jie.

As a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the information he possesses and the angle from which he looks at problems are clearer than his own.

Coupled with Mei Gong's rumors, many things were only known to himself and the emperor. The two parties involved, it is reasonable to cause such misunderstandings.

Perhaps, because he saw the context of the matter clearly, Chen Yiwen was sure that he would not be affected by this impeachment, so he revealed this information through his son.

From the perspective of personal interests, he is more willing to believe in the latter.

"Shang Rong! The second wife is gone?"

As I was walking towards the backyard, thinking about what was there, I suddenly heard Youshi's voice.

"Yeah! I just asked the front yard dispatcher to deliver it!"

Lai Shangrong stopped thinking, and then said to Youshi: "I'm going to Keqing's place to have a rest tonight. I won't go there. You can tell them later."

In addition to Youshi, they also include Second Sister You and Third Sister You.

Although Second Sister You is pregnant now, Third Sister You and Youshi live in the same courtyard, so they pack a lot.

It is said that women are made of water, but the flood is also water.

Although Mrs. Wang is not a savage beast, she is as old as a wolf and a tiger, and she has been around for a long time.

Although he is not without a surplus of food, the direction of the wind is unclear recently and there are many affairs in the yamen, so it is better to try to save some surplus.

"Hey! Shang Rong, you go first. I'll clean up. I'll tell the second and third sisters later."

You agreed and called a few maids to go to the side hall.

When she came to the side hall and looked at the table full of food with only a few chopsticks left, You couldn't help but fell into deep thought.

I don't know how important the Xue family's request is, but for most of an hour, they didn't even touch the food.

Although I don't know what exactly they are talking about, the greater the Xue family's request, the greater the chance of Aunt Xue's submission. Just read the post back to the Xue family and it's not difficult to see the clues about Lai Shangrong's attitude.

Thinking of this, I can't help but wonder. The Xue family seems to have not posted for half a month. Could it be that there are too many rejections, so they are waiting for Mrs. Wang to come to talk about it before making a decision?
Aunt Xue was also worried about this matter at this time.

Being a thief inevitably leads to a guilty conscience.

On the night when Mrs. Wang entertained Lai Shangrong at a banquet, her strange behavior of leaving the banquet and never returning made her suspicious.

But she also had the idea of ​​​​secretly plotting against Chen Cang, and wanted to replace Xue Baochai and seek the position of Lai Shangrong's wife.

Although he knew about the conspiracy with his daughter and there was no possibility of the secret being leaked, he was worried that Mrs. Wang would find out the clues.

After all, Mrs. Wang was also involved in the whole process of the concurrent marriage. She even only had a glimpse of all the information about Lai Shangrong, while Mrs. Wang would only know more comprehensively than she did.

Therefore, from her point of view, Mrs. Wang's various strange behaviors may not be because she has seen her own plans and deliberately took advantage of them.

As the saying goes, you have a good plan, and I have a wall ladder.

Although his family's plan was sound, if before that, it was reported that Lai Shangrong and himself, a man and a widow, were living together in the same room, how could Baochai be able to enter the Lai family?
Otherwise, how could he stop himself from adding more clothes?
Combined with Lai Shangrong's energetic performance when he poured herself a drink, Aunt Xue even suspected that Mrs. Wang saw something from Lai Shangrong's performance and deliberately set up this situation.

Therefore, even if you see something strange, you don't dare to delve into the doubts.

It was precisely because of these two speculations that even though Lai Shangrong had agreed to go to the appointment in person, she was still hesitant and did not dare to send another invitation.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that this was the case, and I couldn't help but secretly say, 'I was careless.' If Lai Shangrong had evil intentions, or even had the intention of getting himself drunk with evil intentions, the consequences would be really disastrous.

But then I thought about it, considering how full-blooded and ugly he was at that time, if he really did something evil, how could he treat his family badly in the future?
After all, if it really counts, Xue Pan can be said to be half of him...

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but sigh. I secretly spat and shook my head violently to get rid of those unwanted thoughts.

"What's wrong with mother?"

Hearing Xue Baochai's voice ringing in her ears, Aunt Xue felt as if she had been struck by thunder, and was so shocked that her whole body shook.

He hurriedly covered it up: "You...when did you come in? Why didn't you even make a sound? I was shocked!"

Xue Baochai doesn't doubt it, after all, she only thinks it's worrying.

"My daughter just came in. Seeing that her mother was thinking about something, she didn't bother her."

After a pause, he asked with concern: "Mother, are you worried because our family has been banned from doing business?"

Aunt Xue immediately followed Baochai's words and said: "Isn't it? Your brother doesn't think so. If he really becomes a white man and loses his property and just keeps these floating fortunes, let alone your side, even he will be hard to find in the future." How can I not worry about a good marriage?"

"Then why are you delaying? I'm about to see the guest list. My brother's birthday is tomorrow. It's such a good opportunity, why didn't you invite Brother Lai to come over?

I heard from my brother and Xue Biao that the state-owned company is now engaged in R&D investment and has opened more than ten R&D factories. If we don’t seize the opportunity this time, we don’t know when we will wait until the next time! "

She knew that Lai Shangrong rejected her post at home, but she didn't think Lai Shangrong was trying to shirk it.

She was in the Grand View Garden, and Lai Shangrong hadn't been to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion for more than a month. She didn't know, so she was sure that he was busy with government affairs.

I thought my mother would take advantage of brother Xue Pan's birthday to post an invitation, but I just looked through the guest list in Hengwu Garden and didn't find Lai Shangrong's name, so I hurried over to ask.

"This……"

Aunt Xue had trouble saying that when Mrs. Wang hosted a banquet to invite Lai Shangrong, she had no chance to tell Baochai because of time constraints.

And afterwards, because of a sudden glance at the banquet, he saw that Lai Shangrong was impulsive, and he was even more ashamed to say anything.

He could only cover up and say: "Isn't this a while ago, he invited you several times in a row and was pushed away by him? So... we have to wait a while before we talk about it!"

"Mom is confused! The more he shirks the invitation, the more we have to invite him three times and four times. He refuses too many invitations, and it's hard to save face."

Aunt Xue is also suffering, if she is only alone with Lai Shangrong and sees the unspeakable scene, she can still deceive herself, pretending that Lai Shangrong does not know what she saw, the abruptness.

But if Mrs. Wang's speculation is true, then if she acts rashly, the consequences may be unpredictable.

She was very aware of her sister's behavior. I was afraid that setting up that banquet might not have the intention of putting herself in Lai Shangrong's mouth.But no matter whether the speculation was true or not, it was not easy for her to talk nonsense with her daughter.

"It's just that I didn't think about it carefully. It's just that the matter has come to this point. I don't think he has any intention of being invited. Why don't we..."

After all, she was still afraid of Mrs. Wang, and it was better to make private calculations. Once the horse and horse were really revealed, she still had concerns.

After all, the Rong Mansion didn't dare to be honest with Lai Shangrong, but it was easy to deal with his own family, especially Xue Pan was still a poor man.

Xue Baochai also heard Aunt Xue's retreat, and wondered: "What's wrong with mother? Didn't we discuss it, so why did we decide to give up after being rejected several times?"

As he spoke, he leaned towards Aunt Xue, leaning on the Kang table with his elbows and puffing out his chest.

He whispered: "Mom, do you know where my aunt went when she came back from the palace today?"

Aunt Xue was confused about this sudden turn of events.

Turning around to face Xue Baochai, he asked doubtfully: "Where have you gone?"

"Went to the next door!" Xue Baochai said mysteriously: "The old lady and her aunt came back from the palace and rummaged through the warehouse. It took more than an hour to pick out all kinds of gifts that seven or eight people could carry. My aunt even took her to Lai's house herself."

What Xue Baochai said seemed to have nothing to do with the two people's plans, but if you think about it carefully, it is not unrelated.

They didn't know that Yuanchun was punished, and they knew nothing about the inside story. However, when they came back from the palace, they hurriedly came to deliver gifts in person, and they did so solemnly.

You don't need to think about it to know that it must have been ordered by Yuanchun.

For Jia Yuanchun, the imperial concubine, to pay so much attention to her work and even go so far as to make such a big show of it makes Lai Shangrong even more extraordinary.

Combining Mrs. Wang's various attitudes and various conjectures together, I am afraid that Lai Shangrong's power is even greater than the previous guesses.

Thinking of this, Aunt Xue couldn't help but feel her blood rising, and her breathing became quickened.

The saying goes, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. She, who has business experience, naturally knows it very well.

As long as he acted fast enough and Mrs. Wang couldn't react in time, even if he found out afterwards, he would only be able to knock out his teeth and swallow his blood.

Even if someone is invited to the house, Mrs. Wang will know immediately. How dare she come to disrupt the situation?

It's just that in this way, it must be hit in one blow, and we can no longer follow the original, step-by-step, seemingly proper arrangement.

Although it was unavoidable that the situation happened for the first time, it was too coincidental, but there was no room for further foreshadowing.

But if you proceed step by step, you can slowly find the right opportunity, but if you act vigorously and resolutely, you must create opportunities.

But is this sacrifice too great?Once things are exposed, your reputation will be ruined.

Thinking of this, he looked at Xue Baochai beside him with doubts.

Looking at her bulging, plump and voluptuous daughter, Aunt Xue couldn't help but feel a little more confident.

I thought to myself, I only had a few drinks that day, but I had such a big reaction. If I drank more... half drunk and half awake...

He gritted his teeth and said, "I've been invited many times before, I'm afraid your aunt has been alarmed, and I have covered up my probing words last time. If I continue to look forward and backward and use the previous method, I'm afraid she will notice it!"

"Ah!~" Xue Baochai exclaimed softly, and then she realized why her mother had not moved recently.

"What does mother mean?"

"It has to be a hit. In a few days, I will invite him to come over and ask your brother to drink two more drinks with him. After three rounds of drinking, I will send your brother away, and you can go in in the name of toasting. This way ...Like this...as long as he has any cheating behavior, no matter what the result is, it will be settled!"

"What!" Xue Baochai exclaimed after hearing Aunt Xue's plan, and hurriedly covered her mouth and said: "This...if this is seen by others, my daughter..."

Having said this, he paused and said, "But if he didn't do anything extraordinary..."

"How do you, a kid, know this? You still don't know if your mother is from here? He is young and full of blood, and he drank again."

Speaking of this, he paused and said: "If he senses something wrong and wants to leave, you should pretend to stay..."

"What if he doesn't do what we thought...doesn't it mean that his daughter is behaving frivolously?"

"You are just trying to save me, how can you say you are frivolous?"

Aunt Xue was quite confident about this, if he hadn't been unable to hold on that day, why did he have to make an excuse to leave?

After a slight pause, he continued: "I'm not worried about Shang Rong. I'm just worried that Lin Yatou will get in the way. Although she is a hundred times better off with Shang Rong than Baoyu, she has secretly competed with you."

"Uh……"

Aunt Xue's words reminded Baochai that although she didn't see any grudge from Lin Daiyu, there was still no conflict. If she knew that she was going to marry into the Lai family, there would be no guarantee that there would be a recurrence.

After pondering for a moment, he said: "Do you still have bird's nests at home? I will take some to Xiaoxiang Pavilion!"

Although it was a little improvised, it was still better than nothing. Aunt Xue immediately took a few taels of bird's nests and brought them to Xue Baochai.

All the way to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baoqin were chatting around the table.

"Sister Bao, cousin, why are you here!"

"Sister Qin is causing you trouble by living here. As a sister, I can't take care of you, so I have to express my heart."

Baochai smiled and said: "Although your health is much better than in previous years, you are still a little uncomfortable every spring and summer. My sister has always been afraid of troublesome people. Brother Lai has not been here for more than a month. Today I am here." I turned some bird's nests at home, although they are not as good as Brother Lai's blood bird's nests, they can nourish my spirit and blood."

While talking, he placed the bird's nest on the table and sat down next to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu is no longer in the Rong Mansion now, even if there is no Lai Shangrong, there are Wang Xifeng and Li Wan to take care of her, not to mention that there is no unscrupulous servant who dares to force her with wind, knife, frost and sword to make her angry.

The so-called broad-minded and fat body, and relying on the cakes prepared by Shang Rong as snacks, are no longer as weak as before.

Besides, although Lai Shangrong didn't come and Xing Xiuyan couldn't go out, Qingwen Xiangling still came over from time to time.

Although there is no shortage of bird's nests, Lin Daiyu can't stretch out her hand to hit the smiling person. Xue Baochai brought them in the middle of the night, which is also a sign of friendship.

Yingying smiled and said, "Thank you so much, Sister Bao. I can't blame Yun Yatou for saying good things to you!"

Xue Baochai quickly helped her sit down again and said with a smile: "As for my sister, Brother Lai must be busy at the office these days. My brother has invited him several times, but he doesn't have time!"

Xue Baoqin was thoughtful on the side. She had doubts about Aunt Xue's purpose of promising herself to Lai Shangrong as a concubine.

At this moment, her cousin used her to live here and sent bird's nests, but never left Lai Shangrong. It was difficult for her not to suspect that she was using herself as a cover, but in fact she was trying to please Lin Daiyu and Lai Shangrong behind her.

After all, all this is just my guess, and I still need to test it out.

Then he smiled and said: "Cousin, thank you for your trouble! Brother Lai just sent someone to pass the message yesterday, and he will come over to see Sister Lin during the Dragon Boat Festival!"

Xue Baochai was secretly happy when she heard that, and said calmly: "That's good, it seems that I have done too much! Brother Lai must have prepared more properly. These days, my sister will eat first."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said: "Anyway, you always treat people very well. My parents passed away early and I have no sisters or brothers. It's hard for my sister to still remember me!"

The three of them chatted for a while, and then Xue Baochai slowly stood up.

He warned: "During the season change, my sister should rest early. Girl Qin, you should also pay more attention. Don't be too gentle or too serious to disturb my sister's rest!"

(End of this chapter)