Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 384 Aftermath
The butt determines the head, and the Rong Mansion had different reactions to the emperor's marriage grant.

The happiest thing is exploring spring.

She tried every means to interfere with Xue Baochai's plan, but she always got it wrong.

Unexpectedly, Xue Baochai's thorough handling left no trace, but Mrs. Wang valued her and asked Yuanchun to ask the emperor for marriage.

Yes, from her point of view, the emperor's grant of marriage was due to Yuanchun's request.

This judgment made her sigh that things in the world are unpredictable. Flowers planted with intention will not bloom, but willows planted with no intention will create shade.

She was even glad that her method did not work. Otherwise, once Mrs. Wang knew Xue Baochai's true identity, how could she have promised her to her brother Jia Baoyu.

Although she lacked the sense of accomplishment of her own plan, the ease with which her rival had gone was enough to make her ecstatic.

He took out a bracelet from the dowry box and walked briskly to Aunt Zhao's east courtyard.

He dismissed the maid in the room and said with a smile: "Sister Bao was given to the second brother by the emperor. Brother Lai has no intention of marrying a girl from the Zhen family, so he asked his aunt to help his daughter with her plans."

"Uncle Lai said he would consider it. Just wait for the letter, but don't have any wrong ideas."

Once Aunt Zhao was bitten by a snake, she was afraid that Tanchun would have some evil thoughts again.

"Look, what my aunt said is just to remind my aunt that the day is getting warmer, and it's time to look for Brother Lai, lest he forgets my aunt as time goes by."

After a pause, he continued: "At that time, please ask my aunt to help my daughter to ask."

With that said, he handed the bracelet to Aunt Zhao who was sitting cross-legged on the Kang.

"You still have some conscience." Aunt Zhao took the bracelet, rubbed it twice, and said with a smile: "But don't think that I have taken advantage of you. Uncle Lai is here. I will work hard. The emperor is not hungry yet." Where are the soldiers!"

"It would be great if my aunt is willing to help. If my daughter can have a second wife, she may be able to ask Brother Lai for help in the future and give Brother Huan a marriage!"

When she said this, Aunt Zhao also became jealous.

Unlike Jia Lan, Jia Huan is a scholar and only knows how to play around. Even if he wants to ask Shangrong to help arrange an errand, it may not be possible.

Now Tanchun's words have opened up an idea for her.

It's just that although Tanchun's words were good, Shangrong still had to be willing to let her have sex with her. He only asked himself to delay Tanchun, but he never expressed his intention to have sex with her.

Although Tanchun was born by herself, she had been raised by Mrs. Wang's side. Instead of learning her own ability to confuse men, she had learned all about Mrs. Wang's upright attitude.

Even if she marries into the Lai family, how can she please Uncle Lai if she behaves strictly?

"It's difficult to remember your brother, but the way you act like this may not please Uncle Lai!"

It’s not her fault, after all, she has never seen Mrs. Wang keep herself low and act like a child.

In ancient times, wives and concubines had different divisions of labor. Concubines only served people with sex, while wives had to act like a lady.

Therefore, even if Mrs. Wang humbles herself in front of Lai Shangrong, she will still show off her posture in front of Jia Zheng.

Hearing what Aunt Zhao said so straightforwardly, Tanchun couldn't help but blush and said, "What are you talking about, Auntie? Marrying a wife should be a virtuous one. There is no way to please your husband."

"Bah!" Aunt Zhao spat softly: "What do you know? If Uncle Lai is so pedantic, and...what's the matter with your mother and me?"

"This..." Tanchun was speechless.

Indeed, if Lai Shangrong was like Jia Zheng, how could he be unclear with Aunt Zhao?
Seeing that she was persuaded by her, Aunt Zhao said: "If you don't have the ability to please men, how can you stand out in the Lai family like the Wang family in the future? Don't blame me for not reminding you, that little lady of the Qin family, But he is a master who confuses all sentient beings. His every frown and smile, his frown and his lowered head, can scratch the tip of a man's heart.

Even the three sisters of the You family are excellent at pleasing men. Otherwise, how long had Jia Zhen been dead?Can You be pregnant twice? "

"Then...Auntie is going to teach me?"

"Teaching by words and deeds is indispensable for this kind of thing. I can only teach you some superficial skills at the moment, and I will demonstrate it to you personally later." After saying that, he patted his chest and said smugly: "Mom, you can learn some of my skills! "

Tanchun promised to help Jia Huan, which really impressed her, but this daughter had never been close to her, and she had seen Tanchun burn bridges, so there was no basis for trust between the two.

He was afraid that if she married into the Lai family, he would cross the river and burn the bridge, so he used words and deeds to hang Tanchun.

Tanchun had never heard of such filthy words before, his head turned red and he suddenly said, "How... how can this be possible? I have no choice but to acquiesce to you, but you actually..."

"Bah!" Aunt Zhao spat: "You are the one who urged me to invite the uncle, and now you are here to pretend to be aloof with my mother, teaching apprentices to starve to death master, love to learn but not to learn, my mother is not willing to teach."

Tanchun hesitated for a long time, and finally let out a "hmm" sound like a mosquito.

…………

Tanchun's plot has not yet been revealed.

And as Lai Shangrong's official wives and concubines, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baoqin in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion are also discussing today's bestowal of marriage.

Xue Baoqin started from a young age, and for her, as long as Xue Baochai didn't marry into Lai's family, she would be fine.

In addition, the emperor bestowed a marriage that seemed to be beautiful, but she also saw Jia Baoyu's failure. Recently, she was frightened into a frenzy, and she didn't know when it would be better. It was hard to say whether it was a blessing.

However, Lin Daiyu looked at the overall situation and focused on the candidate for the second house. Although the absence of Xue Baochai, who was a troublemaker, was indeed a good thing.

But it also gave Tanchun a powerful enemy, and there would be no one to check and balance him in the future.

Thinking of this, he asked doubtfully: "Why didn't Brother Lai come over today?"

Xue Baoqin said thoughtfully: "I heard that he went to see the second wife after entering the house. There must be something important."

As he spoke, he smiled and said: "Brother Lai went to find the second wife as soon as he came to the house today. Maybe he heard the news in advance and reported to the second wife."

After listening to Xue Baoqin's words, Lin Daiyu fell into deep thought.

She thought more about it than Xue Baoqin. Last year during the Dragon Boat Festival, Lai Shangrong reminded her that she had to keep a distance from the Xue family because she was short of hands. Naturally, she meant to alienate the Xue family's big family.

And Xue Baochai shaved his head and picked up a hot temper, which may not show traces of seeking to have both sexes in front of Lai Shangrong.

And he just got stuck at the stall where the decree was delivered today, and came to find Mrs. Wang. I'm afraid it may not be just to report the news, maybe the marriage is also his handwriting.

Regarding Lai Shangrong's reaction, she was happy but also worried.

Since the emperor can grant a marriage to Jia Baoyu, he may not grant a marriage to Lai Shangrong. At that time, it will be difficult to violate the holy order. Even if he is unwilling to do both, he will have to obey the holy order.

And once a marriage is granted, it is difficult to say who is the master and who is the concubine.

Perhaps, only by closing this gap can we really prevent others from coveting him.

Although it is difficult to violate the sacred order, no emperor would force someone to stop his wife and remarry. Even if there is only a marriage contract, it is enough for Lai Shangrong to argue with reason.

It seems that we have to find an opportunity to talk to Brother Lai. If we can arrange a second house for the Spring Festival, why worry about the stability of the back house in the future?
…………

Inside Zhujin Building.

Yingchun seemed a little uneasy.

Two days ago, Si Qi came back from 'home' and took Lin Zhixiao's family with him to apologize, which really made her feel proud.

She has always been transparent, even ordinary servants may not take her seriously, let alone a housekeeper like Lin Zhixiao's family.

Due to Lai Shangrong's instructions, Si Qi did not tell her the truth. He only said that he came to the door and asked Lai Shangrong to help because of the engagement.

This reminded her of the Pu Suanzi song from the year before last.

I couldn't help but secretly think that, as expected, Lai Shangrong had her in mind.While I feel warm in my heart, I can't help but feel a little regretful for not following Siqi's advice.

In the past few days, I have been polishing the jewelry that Si Qi brought back over and over again, wishing I could get a layer of patina on the gold jewelry.

Originally, she was still looking forward to Lai Shangrong arranging for Xue Baochai to apologize. Unexpectedly, before Xue Baochai arrived, she got the marriage conferment from the emperor today.

Xue Baochai was originally Mrs. Wang's niece, and now she was even more closely related to her. He was not pleased by Jia She and Mrs. Xing.

If she offends her second wife again, her situation will be even more worrying in the future. How can she not worry?
Thinking of this, he said timidly: "Either you go to Lai's house again and tell Brother Lai that we won't live up to this, so we better not bother him."

Si Qi stamped his foot and said angrily: "Miss! Uncle Lai doesn't mind it, what are you afraid of?"

"Then...can it be the same? If he can help this time, he can help next time, and he can help us for the rest of his life?"

Talking about a lifetime, I couldn't help but look in love. I looked inside the house warily and saw that there was no one else. I didn't listen, so I breathed a sigh of relief and said: "After all, we are not from this place. How can we find the owner?" The reason. Besides, Brother Lai is an outsider after all, so there is no reason for him to stand up for us. If anyone knows..."

Si Qi angrily said, "What are you afraid of? How do you know, Miss? Uncle Lai can't control us forever!"

"You..." Yingchun looked outside the room warily again and scolded: "Aren't you afraid of being overheard?"

"What do we have to be afraid of! Miss, I'm afraid you don't know yet, right? The elder has sold you to Uncle Lai as a concubine a long time ago!"

Siqi saw that Yingchun was cautious and resentful, but he regretted it when he said it. He was afraid that Yingchun would resist and ruin Lai Shangrong's good deed, so he secretly looked at Yingchun's reaction.

Her worries were obviously overblown. Yingchun had a submissive character, and she regretted that she had not listened to the advice and missed the opportunity.

In addition, I thought that Lai Shangrong's Pu Suanzi was written for her, so I secretly fell in love with him. Although I was a concubine, I had Xing Xiuyan as a proofreader, but I didn't find it difficult to accept.

Just hearing the news suddenly made me feel uneasy and worried about gains and losses.

Seeing the uncertainty on her face, Si Qi hurriedly added: "Uncle Lai is deeply in love with the young lady, so that's why he made this decision. From now on, we will live behind closed doors, why not see how he treats the young lady? Otherwise, even if he becomes a wife, it will be nothing. Get angry somewhere else.

Besides, you still don’t know what the eldest man’s temperament is?If I can sell you to Uncle Lai this time, I can sell you to someone else next time. Miss, please don’t make the mistake! "

She was worried that something big might be ruined, and she couldn't help but break out of her voice in the end.

When Yingchun saw this, she was also worried that she had conveyed the wrong message. She mustered up her courage and said shyly, "I...I don't have to!"

Siqi has followed her for so many years, so he is naturally familiar with her disposition, and knows that although her mouth is ambiguous, she is very willing in her heart.

A stone in my heart also fell to the ground.

"Hey! As long as the young lady knows, I will go and report the good news to Uncle Lai when I get back!"

Yingchun said timidly: "Still...don't tell him..."

Si Qi was not willing to give up and said with a smile: "How can it be done? If he doesn't know what the young lady wants, how can Mr. Lai dare to act rashly? How long will it take?"

This hit the soft spot of Yingchun. Although the garden was nice, she was in a worrying situation. It would undoubtedly be best if she could go to Lai's house as soon as possible.

Just be silent.

…………

"boom!"

"Bang!"

"Crash!"

When Wang Xifeng returned to the courtyard, she could no longer hide her depression and threw everything in the hall that could be beaten on the floor.

Looking at the mess all over the ground, Ping'er couldn't help but console him: "Grandma! Be careful if you get angry. Sooner or later, Baoyu will marry a wife. This place must be handed over after all. Giving birth to a son for the uncle is the top priority now. You have the strength." , it’s better to work hard and use it in front of the uncle.”

"Bah!" Wang Xifeng spat: "You little rascal, now you just follow the uncle, but you help your master and exploit me. I can do this by myself? How long has he not been here? Borrowing seeds and borrowing seeds are about to give birth, so what excuse is there for borrowing?”

"That's just an excuse. The uncle holds Jia Lian's documents in his hand, how can he turn the world upside down?

Besides, didn’t Xiaohong say that she was coming back?The eldest man had already sold the second young lady to the eldest man, and the two parties obviously had a close relationship. Maybe this was the eldest man's back-up plan, and he planned to provide the eldest man with money, so that he could check and balance Jia Lian in the future.

The old man only cares about money. It’s not like you don’t know that he spends a lot of money for you. "

Wang Xifeng said angrily: "He just didn't take my matter to heart. Now it's good, the emperor has granted me marriage, I'm afraid I have some rest!"

Ping'er said: "Last year, you were injured during your confinement. I was also worried that you would be pregnant and overworked. This is not for your own good."

Wang Xifeng was just complaining, how could he dare to get angry with Lai Shangrong? After hearing Ping'er's words, he hurriedly borrowed the donkey from the slope and said: "How could I not know? I just feel unhappy!"

Ping'er teased and said: "How about I send a message to the uncle and ask him to take time to come over and clear the way for grandma?"

"Bah! I'm afraid it's your little rascal who wants to be cleared by the uncle?"

Ping'er's words reminded Wang Xifeng that Ping'er and Lai Shangrong were still before him, but now they were just on his side.

For fear that his previous extreme behavior would reach Lai Shangrong's ears, he quickly added: "Who cares about this hard work? Now that Shangrong has opened up the relationship there, at worst I will go back to the big house to be the housekeeper.

To be honest, Bao Yatou just stole the job from my sister-in-law. She is not in a hurry. Why should I be in a hurry? "

…………

Although Li Wan was not calm, he had no time to care about anything else.

If there is a place in her heart, Jia Lan will undoubtedly be ranked first.

This year coincides with the start of the government examinations, and the county examinations will begin in February. Her first priority is to supervise her son to prepare for the examinations.

In recent months, not only has Lai Shangrong not been obsessed with him, but even the responsibilities of the housekeeper have been delegated to Tan Chun and Xue Baochai, supervising Jia Lan without any distractions.

Seeing that the emperor actually granted marriage to Jia Baoyu, he couldn't help but worry more about his son's future situation, and unconsciously treated Jia Lan more harshly.

Jia Lan said impatiently: "Mom! The master said that my son is more solid than his senior brother. If he can't even pass the child examination, all these years of learning will really be in vain!"

Li Wan, however, disagreed and said: "There is no end to learning. Are you satisfied just by passing the Tongsheng Examination? Can you guarantee the future autumn and spring? If you don't pass the Jinshi examination, how can you make a difference!"

Jia Lan said angrily: "Who said you have to take the imperial examination? Isn't the master just a scholar?"

"Bang!" Li Wan waved the ruler in his hand and hit Jia Lan's hand.

He scolded: "How many people in the Great Xia Dynasty can be like your master?"

Jia Lan said stubbornly: "Where there is a teacher, there must be an apprentice. My son has learned some real things from his master. Why does he have to be a Jinshi to get a family background?"

"Shut up!" Li Wan suddenly shouted.

She and Jia Lan argued endlessly about Lai Shangrong, and they couldn't help but be fascinated. In a daze, they mistakenly heard Jia Lan's words, like father, like son.

But he couldn't explain it to his son, so he could only make mistakes and say: "Your master, is this what everyone can learn?"

Speaking of this, I can't help but think of Wang Xifeng's saying that dragons are born from dragons and phoenixes are born from phoenixes.

It's just that she is a widow after all, Wang Xifeng can cover it up as long as Jia Lian is willing to be a coward, but she doesn't even have a cover up.

Recently, she had been focusing on supervising her son and not thinking about those miscellaneous things, but today she was reminded of the bone-gnawing feeling.

He said in a trembling voice: "Write down everything you don't understand. In the evening, mother will accompany you to find your master, and then ask him to give you a few questions to test your homework!"

(End of this chapter)