Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 353 One mind and two worries

This kind of group activity has many restrictions, and no one dares to take risks.

Besides, apart from Mrs. Wang, who had various communication channels, Lai Shangrong was also busy with social activities, so this day was a bit dull.

After dinner, when Lai Shangrong saw off the guests in the front yard, the female family members of the Rong Mansion went back to the mansion again through the back door.

Hengwuyuan was closest to the back door, and Xue Baochai and Shi Xiangyun arrived first.

Looking at Xue Baochai who was absent-minded, Shi Xiangyun asked with concern: "Sister Bao, you were fine when you went out this morning. Why did you lose your mind when you arrived at Lai's house?"

She didn't say it was okay, but when she did, Xue Baochai stood up suddenly.

"I have something to do at home. I need to go to my mother to discuss it. My sister should go to bed early. I won't be back tonight."

In fact, when she was at the back garden gate, she had thought about going home with Aunt Xue, but Mrs. Wang and Lin Daiyu were watching eagerly. In order to avoid unnecessary suspicion, she could only stop her activities.

But when she arrived at Hengwuyuan, the fire in her heart intensified. At this moment, Shi Xiangyun mentioned the Lai family again, and she could no longer suppress the emotions in her heart.

Hurrying all the way, panting, we arrived at the small courtyard in the northeast corner. Aunt Xue was about to arrive home. She had just stripped off her delicate, plump and attractive body, and was wiping sweat around with a handkerchief.

She was already fat and timid, and she couldn't stop sweating while sitting at home on this hot day.

When she went to Lai's house today, she was afraid that Xia Shang's thin clothes would attract Lai Shangrong's coveted eyes, so she wrapped them more tightly than usual.

It's just that I never expected that I didn't even see Lai Shangrong's shadow today. His good intentions turned out to be the wrong expression.

When we were at Lai's house, we didn't feel it was obvious. After all, Xu wanted to show off. Whether it was the reception hall or the flower hall for dining, ice cubes to relieve the heat were laid out as if they were free.

It's like staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time in the summer. When you go out, it feels like you've been in a steamer. Your body is wet and sticky and there is no use for it.

Although there was only a wall between Lai's house and Rong's house, it took two or three miles of twists and turns to go back and forth. It's no wonder that she was completely peeled off as soon as she came back.

Xue Baochai didn't expect to see such a scene when he broke in.

Looking at the skin that was moistened by sweat and becoming more and more radiant and white, I actually felt a bit envious.

I don’t know if I can take care of myself as well as my mother at her age.

The mother and daughter had nothing to avoid. They put away their thoughts and complained: "How can I wipe my sweat by myself? I don't even ask a maid to help."

When she said this, Aunt Xue suddenly blushed.

Since the last time she hosted a banquet for Lai Shangrong, the two maids scrubbing up and down in the bathroom aroused thoughts that shouldn't arise, so she tried her best to avoid making the same mistake again.

Seeing Xue Baochai step forward, he reached out to grab the handkerchief in his hand, retracted his hand without any trace, picked up a nightgown from the hanger, and wrapped it around himself.

"Okay! Everything is wiped! Why are you here?"

Xue Baochai did not doubt it, but asked without answering: "Didn't Mom hear it? Who are the people congratulating you today?"

Aunt Xue didn't need to hear anything. She was at the same table with Mrs. Xu. When King Zhongshun, Uncle Tian Guo and others sang their names, Mrs. Xu was afraid that others wouldn't hear, so she started to explain.

It's nothing more than Versailles. I didn't want to make such a big fuss, but the prince and uncle had to come to congratulate him in person, so he could only post a post.

Her daughter came without touching the ground, obviously wanting to bring up the past, but Lai Shangrong only had evil thoughts towards himself, not his daughter.

While pretending to be calm and sitting cross-legged on the kang, he pretended to be confused and said: "There is so much noise in the hall, how can you hear clearly!"

Xue Baochai, however, seemed to have discovered a new world. He leaned on the Kang table with his elbows, leaned sideways and lowered his voice: "My daughter finally knows why her aunt is accompanying Xiao Xing, and she hastened to deliver gifts to his home. Not only is the prince here today, but also Uncle Youguo is here!"

As if afraid that Aunt Xue would not understand the meaning, she continued to explain: "The Queen is in charge of the Sixth Palace. Doesn't the Imperial Concubine have to look up to the Queen to breathe? Just looking at the posture today, Brother Lai has a close relationship with the Queen's family. I’m afraid it’s not just business dealings!”

"This is natural, otherwise your aunt would still have to be careful everywhere?"

In Aunt Xue's opinion, this was obvious and she had no way to refute it.

Moreover, she knew very well that Xue Baochai was very intelligent, and trying to cover up such an obvious matter would only arouse her suspicion.

"Since Mom knows, what else do we have to worry about? As long as we hide the matter before Brother Lai comes to the house, once Brother Lai comes, even if Auntie guesses our intentions, will she still dare to come and cause trouble?"

It can be said that she was only one step away from success last time. She was very sure that as long as there was no interference, she would be able to win Lai Shangrong in one fell swoop.

Even the foreshadowing from last time was not needed.

But Aunt Xue had already misunderstood, and she was secretly complaining.

Xue Baochai thought that her mother was still hesitating, and continued to persuade: "Mom, look at Xue Biao, Girl Qin is just a concubine. Before she gets married, Brother Lai has handed over all the business in Beijing to Xue Biao. If my daughter can As a second wife, could he still treat his brother badly?"

Aunt Xue knew that her daughter had always been very independent and was afraid of being rejected outright, so she made plans in private.

However, he couldn't think of a good way for a while, so he could only delay: "Having said that, have you forgotten the last time? Although your aunt dare not come to disturb the situation, Girl Lin may not have that worry."

"This……"

Xue Baochai was speechless immediately. Indeed, as Aunt Xue said, judging from various signs, Mrs. Wang should not have noticed the clues, otherwise she would have been knocking on her own house, and she would not be allowed to be in charge of the access control.

On the contrary, Lin Daiyu's attitude was quite strange. Last time at the Lai family, Xue Baoqin happened to point out the Lai Sheng family. Although Xue Baoqin's reaction did not seem to be Lin Daiyu's instruction.

But the two things before and after are too coincidental.

Seeing that her daughter was a little shaken, Aunt Xue continued: "You still have to be more cautious about this matter, because I'm afraid that Miss Lin will come to disrupt the situation again and be discovered by your aunt. If the two of them join forces, we will never have a chance again.

You are both young at heart. Once you get along well with each other, you won't be able to save face and make trouble. Don't stop with those supplements. I will buy some for you after they are delivered. "

"How long do we have to wait for this? Last time at Lai's house, Girl Qin mentioned that Lai Sheng's family, the second sister, the third sister and Xiangyun sister were all there. Others were not afraid. The third sister has always been smart, so she was afraid that she had already guessed it. What.

She was raised by her aunt. If she asked her aunt for help in proposing marriage, it would be too late. "

"The more this happens, the more careful you have to be. Now your aunt doesn't know our plan. If she knew, would she still use San Yatou to carry it out?"

Although she was unwilling to do so, Aunt Xue said it was indeed the truth, and Xue Baochai could only act on her impulse.

And Tanchun, who she was worried about, did think of having a second wife because of Xue Baoqin's words.

However, as Xue Baochai guessed, he did not go to Mrs. Wang for help, but came to the East Xiaoyuan.

First of all, how can any girl in the boudoir take the initiative to recommend herself for marriage?

Secondly, she didn't know about Mrs. Wang's friendship with Lai Shangrong. On the contrary, her own mother, Aunt Zhao, had a deep connection with them, so why bother looking far away?
Seeing Tan Chun enter the room, Aunt Zhao on the couch raised her eyelids and let out a muffled snort from her nose.

Continue to smear it on those tender, white, garlic-like toes.Tanchun walked to the couch and sat down, looking at Aunt Zhao who was wearing heavy makeup, and asked tentatively: "Auntie, it's late at night and she's dressed up like this. Could it be that Brother Lai is coming tonight?"

"What does it have to do with you whether the uncle is here? Don't try to get anything out of me!"

"How could it be? We are mother and daughter after all. We are both prosperous and prosperous. It's too late for me to cover it up for you!"

Aunt Zhao sneered and said: "Ha! Now I am thinking of mother and daughter. You have been in charge of the family for so long and you have not thought about taking care of me and your brothers. I am afraid that you will not go to the Three Treasures Palace for nothing!"

"My wife calls me the head of the house because she values ​​me. I am very cautious myself, for fear of making a mistake. I haven't achieved anything yet, but instead I am helping this person to help that one. If my wife knows about it and exempts me from doing the job, my aunt will not be ashamed." Isn’t it light?”

"To put it bluntly, you don't just care about yourself. Since you think about your wife in everything, why do you come to me again?"

"After all, I am a girl who has not left the court. It is not easy for me to help my aunt at home, but when I get married, I don't have to worry about it. If my aunt is willing to help me, I will benefit from you in the future."

Tanchun has always been well aware of the habits of his biological mother, and knows that it is better to lure her with affection than to lure her, so he no longer hides it.

"Oh?" Aunt Zhao stopped what she was doing and said doubtfully, "They have the final say in your marriage. How can I help you?"

Her mentality has changed now, and she doesn't even bother to call her "Master" or "Mrs."

When Tanchun saw that she was really attracted, he ignored her title and hurriedly flattered her: "My aunt may not be able to help with other matters, but when it comes to Brother Lai, only my aunt can speak!"

"Bah!" When Aunt Zhao heard that it was about Lai Shangrong, she spat: "You still haven't given up. Do you think you didn't hurt me badly enough last time? Is the uncle so easy to control? I won't be fooled by you this time. !”

Tan Chun hurriedly explained: "Auntie! Last time we had a bad idea and had to force him to withdraw the engagement. This time my daughter thought of a way without those involvements."

"Huh?" Aunt Zhao asked doubtfully, "Are you tempted when you see Girl Qin going to be a concubine?"

He didn't care to look at Tanchun's expression and said to himself: "Your idea is not bad. Before Girl Qin comes in, his brother has taken over the uncle's business. If you can help your brother, in a while I’ll go ask!”

She didn't care about her hips. She had repeatedly told Tanchun not to try to get anything out of her, but now she took the initiative to explain it.

Although Lai Shangrong has many concubines, most of them have recently given up on avoiding war.

Except for Qingwen and Xiangling, the other maids around her all have people they want to serve.

It just so happened that the two maids were not in a safe period these days, and Sister You was here again. In addition, Mrs. Xing often came to the house recently, so he thought of Aunt Zhao, who was more skilled, and made an appointment two days ago to come and hunt for wild food.

Tanchun first heard that Aunt Zhao had misunderstood that she was a concubine. He had just straightened his face. When he heard that she had revealed her words, he immediately put away his dissatisfaction and said as pleasantly as possible: "What did Auntie say? After all, I am also a young lady from the Duke's mansion. How can I follow her?" Comparing Sister Qin, although Brother Lai is engaged to Sister Lin, his uncle's family has lost his wife. If he can have a second wife, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds?"

"No, no, no! If the uncle had the idea of ​​doing both, why didn't you tell him last time? Those methods of yours can't be used again, otherwise don't blame me for telling the uncle!"

She was bitten by a snake once and was afraid of well ropes for ten years.

Lai Shangrong never mentioned the idea of ​​having both sexes. She was afraid that Tanchun would use some tricks, so she quickly backed away.

"What did my aunt say? I never wanted to use any method. I just wanted you to talk to him and help him say something nice!"

"Really just talking about it?"

Aunt Zhao was also a little interested. Besides, since Tanchun showed signs of this, she had to inform Lai Shangrong in advance even if it was just to clear up the relationship.

"Auntie has agreed?" Tan Chun said happily: "If my daughter can marry into the Lai family, she should remember her kindness!"

Aunt Zhao finally came to her senses at this time. Tan Chun saw the clues and felt that it was too easy to agree.

Reluctantly said: "There is no good person in your Jia family. It sounds nice now. Who knows if you will still be able to think of me when you get married."

Tan Chun didn't think he was dissatisfied and said: "Look at what my aunt said, if my daughter had been married, would you still be trapped in the house like this? Don't say you want to see me, just live there if you want to see the sky. , who can talk about this?"

Tanchun knows very well that Aunt Zhao may not be able to appreciate her little monthly payment due to Lai Shangrong's subsidy. Judging from her claiming to be the master and being stingy with Jia Zheng even when she is stingy with the master, she is afraid that she is devoted to Lai Shangrong with all her heart. On my body.

Therefore, impress her with this convenience that she can see and touch.

Sure enough, after hearing what he said, Aunt Zhao immediately brightened up and acted like a young woman.

He smiled and said, "It's getting late. Auntie, you'd better clean up quickly and don't make Brother Lai wait in a hurry."

After saying that, he turned around and walked towards the door. When he reached the door, he turned around and warned, "Auntie, don't mention this matter as soon as you come up. First, calm down Brother Lai's anger, and then you can get twice the result with half the effort!"

"Bah! This old lady wants you to teach me!" Aunt Zhao said disdainfully.

Then he ignored Tanchun and hurriedly lowered his head and applied it. After all ten toenails were gone through, he hugged his calf, hunched his back, and blew a few breaths on the toes.

After swinging her calves on the edge of the kang for a few more times, she put on her shoes, twisted her waist, and sneaked towards the big flower hall.

…………

About half an hour later, several heavy breathing sounds came from the large flower hall of Rong Mansion.

Then there were whispers: "Uncle! Just now the three girls came to see the slave family."

"Huh? Is she trying to do something else?"

"This time she didn't dare to use any tricks, but she wanted me to test the uncle's tone and see if he had the idea of ​​having a second wife."

Aunt Zhao had sold Tanchun completely, but Tanchun never thought that she would hide it for herself.

After all, he already knew full well that he coveted the position of Lai Shangrong's first wife last time, and he had nothing to be embarrassed about.

"Oh? She is quite clever and came up with this roundabout way."

Aunt Zhao heard from Lai Shangrong's tone that he was not angry, and said boldly: "Third girl said that if she can do both, it will be more convenient for the slave family to serve the uncle in the future."

"Look back and say that I haven't thought about it, but you might as well think about it."

From the performance of Xue Baochai and Tan Chun, it is not difficult to see that the position of wife and concubine has become a hot commodity, so it is not difficult to agree to it easily.

Adhering to the strategy of casting a wide net and catching more fish, he has long regarded the golden hairpin in Rong Mansion as his own fish pond.

Although Tanchun was quite scheming and had no intention of letting him become his second wife, the fish had already bitten the hook, so naturally they couldn't unhook him, but had to catch him first.

As long as you have a good grasp of the scale and hold on vaguely, there will always be times when you are unable to advance or retreat.

By then, there may be opportunities to fish in troubled waters.

(End of this chapter)