A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 42 Avoiding the Edge

While Wang Qing's side proceeded smoothly, the Rongguo Mansion was in complete chaos.

It wasn't just the Xue family members who were arrested; the servants of the Rong Mansion were also among them. Most of them were influential figures in the mansion and served Jia Lian closely.

Jia Lian, however, was eager to make a big scene so that Lady Wang would think that Wang Qing was deliberately giving her a hard time.

Not only did he shirk his responsibilities, but he also encouraged these families to report the matter to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang.

On the contrary, the shopkeeper and employees of the Xue family who were not involved were at a loss and it took them a long time to remember to go to the Xue family to report the news.

When Aunt Xue heard that her son had been arrested, she practically stumbled and crawled to Rongxi Hall.

Xue Baochai was also worried, so she had to go along.

Upon entering Rongxi Hall, Aunt Xue, disregarding all formalities, burst into tears, crying out, "Sister! It's bad enough that Qing-ge'er wouldn't make an exception, but why did he arrest Wenlong?"

Madam Wang never expected that such a misunderstanding would occur in less than half a day.

Although this was in line with her original intention, she still felt somewhat guilty.

In addition, having just dismissed two groups of servants who pleaded for leniency, and knowing that Jia Lian was also stirring up trouble, she was worried that Jia Zheng would find out and take his anger out on her, so she couldn't help but think of shifting the blame.

He then said, "This is all a misunderstanding. Qing-ge'er is a man of principle. Yesterday, Master praised him for his steady work and told everyone in the manor to cooperate and not cause him any trouble. I even reminded Feng-ya this morning, but I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. It's all Lian-er's doing instigating this!"

Then he called out to the outside, "Quick! Go and call Feng'er here!"

As soon as Aunt Xue heard Madam Wang mention Jia Zheng, she realized that her family had run into a brick wall.

Little did she know that Wang Xifeng had not informed Jia Lian, and assumed that the couple had deliberately set a trap for their family. She glanced at her daughter, hesitant to speak.

Xue Baochai quickly said, "Mother, don't worry. Since Aunt said she told Sister Feng this morning, it's possible that Second Brother Lian went out early this morning and couldn't find her."

"Yes, yes, yes! Bao'er is right." Madam Wang quickly agreed.

After offering a few more words of comfort, Wang Xifeng rushed over upon hearing the news.

Madam Wang immediately put on airs and scolded, "I repeatedly told you this morning to cooperate fully and not to cause trouble for Qing-ge. It would be fine if Lian-er didn't stop Wen-long, but why is he stirring things up?"

Previously, she was so focused on shifting the blame that she neglected to consider the bigger picture and overlooked the fact that she had visited Wang Qing's yard that morning.

She traveled lightly and simply, which might have fooled the Xue family next door, but it might not have fooled Wang Xifeng, who was in charge of the household.

I'm worried she might blurt something out.

Therefore, despite the scolding, he didn't forget to reveal crucial information and gave Wang Xifeng a cryptic look.

Wang Xifeng said with a wronged expression, "Lian Er left early this morning, and I don't know where my niece is either..."

Because Lady Wang and Jia Zheng's behavior was too abnormal, Wang Xifeng sent someone out to inquire, and they happened to see Xue Pan and his party being taken away by Wang Qing.

Although unlike Jia Lian's fearlessness, Wang Xifeng also chose to fuel the flames.

On the one hand, she was very clear about the root of the problem. The couple had just begun to reconcile, and if she intervened to mediate at this moment, Jia Lian would probably misunderstand again.

On the other hand, she also wanted to take this opportunity to gauge Wang Qing's true worth by observing Madam Wang's attitude.

In any case, when Lady Wang sent someone to inform him, Jia Lian had already left, so there was no need to even inform him.

However, while he told the truth verbally, he became increasingly confused inside.

If Madam Wang hadn't given her a meaningful look, Wang Xifeng might have thought she had simply forgotten to inform the Xue family. But now, she suspected that Madam Wang had done it on purpose.

Although the reason is unclear, it is all the more intriguing.

Madam Wang, unaware that her niece had seen through her guilty conscience, exclaimed with delight, "See? I told you it was a misunderstanding!"

Since it was a face-to-face inquiry and there was no way to communicate with them, the Xue mother and daughter had no suspicions and felt much more at ease.

Just then, a voice came from outside: "Madam, Second Madam, the Old Madam requests your presence!"

Although the Xue family was not mentioned, Aunt Xue was extremely anxious. Considering that Wang Qing was, after all, Grandmother Jia's maternal grandson, she took Baochai with her and followed.

The group stepped into Rongqing Hall.

But Jia Lian was seen kneeling on the ground, unwilling to accept his fate.

Madam Wang and Aunt Xue were alright, but Wang Xifeng was terrified.

Grandmother Jia knew all too well how Wang Qing treated her, and her attitude towards the Xue family was merely superficially polite.

Even if Jia Lian instigated it, it would still be dogs fighting...

Who knows, we might even get to watch the excitement.

She grew increasingly suspicious and dared not utter any more flattering words. After bowing, she stood aside with her head bowed.

Grandmother Jia was surprised that the Xue family had come with the two of them. She paused for a moment, then looked at Madam Wang and said, "Yesterday, Second Master came to my place and praised Qing-ge'er highly, asking the family to help him out more. Didn't he tell you?"

"I told you, I told you, this morning my wife had Feng'er give us an extra ten percent for cleaning and sweeping..."

While hurriedly explaining, Madam Wang gave Wang Xifeng a wink.

The latter quickly repeated what he had said earlier.

Grandmother Jia originally thought that Lady Wang hadn't taken Jia Zheng's words seriously, which led to this situation. Upon hearing this, her expression softened considerably.

Jia Lian was caught off guard and immediately deflated like a frostbitten eggplant.

Aunt Xue and Baochai, standing to the side, looked even more displeased.

The Rongguo Mansion was willing to pay more money to support Wang Qing, which was clearly inappropriate for them.

More importantly, there's Grandmother Jia's attitude. She even made Jia Lian kneel as punishment. If she favored Wang Qing, what right did she have to get him out of trouble?

Thinking of this, Aunt Xue, flustered by concern, hurriedly said, "It's a misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding, Madam! Wenlong has always been idle and never gets involved in business matters. How could he suddenly have a dispute with Qing'er?"

Although she didn't say it explicitly, her eyes kept glancing at Jia Lian, and her meaning couldn't be clearer.

Grandmother Jia had already learned from the servants that Jia Lian was implicated, and she couldn't pretend not to hear, so she scolded, "You wretched child! Look at the mess you've made! Go and explain to your second uncle yourself!"

Since it was all done under the guise of Jia Zheng, Grandmother Jia was worried about the secret being revealed, so she had no choice but to put on an act.

But Lady Wang, fearing that this would reach Jia Zheng, quickly distanced herself, saying, "I made it perfectly clear to Feng'er yesterday that I asked you to greet Qing'er. Even if I didn't have time to inform him, it shouldn't have caused such a misunderstanding, right?"

"This..." Jia Lian was speechless upon hearing this.

His hostility towards Wang Qing stemmed solely from a few words from Wang Xifeng, which made him jealous.

But even if Grandmother Jia and the others believed it, it would be embarrassing for me to say it.

Moreover, if Wang Xifeng is accused, there's no guarantee she won't turn around and accuse him of falsifying financial statements.

But seeing his stammering, Aunt Xue's doubts resurfaced, and she pressed him further, saying, "Wenlong has been arrested, could it be... could it be... there's something else you can't say?"

After all, she was living under someone else's roof, and Aunt Xue hesitated again and again before finally refraining from expressing her suspicions.

However, the unspoken meaning was already evident in his words.

Seeing that Aunt Xue was relentless, Jia Lian also lost his temper and said angrily, "It's not just me who can't stand him!"

Between two evils, choose the lesser. Since unfounded jealousy cannot be spoken of, and Aunt Xue insists on getting to the bottom of it, the only explanation is the conflict from last night.

Although Wang Xifeng would surely make a scene if she found out about his philandering, it was as obvious as a lice on a bald man's head if he went out last night.

Jia Lian, having nothing better to do, recounted the events at Jinxiang Courtyard in a simplified manner, concluding with indignation, "The old lady kindly took us in, yet he knew Wenlong and I were drinking inside, and still didn't give us any face! He wouldn't even spare us money for sex, how could Second Uncle..."

"Shut up!" Before he could finish speaking, Grandmother Jia interrupted him sharply, "It's his duty, he's just doing his job, and you all, instead of helping him, are holding a grudge!"

The word "you" sealed the deal.

Aunt Xue looked embarrassed. She had been wondering why Xue Pan had come home early last night, and now she was even more convinced of his suspicions.

Grandmother Jia, being a dignified person, smiled and said, "Auntie, don't worry. Children are bound to quarrel. As the saying goes, 'No fight, no friendship.' Once you talk things out, everything will be fine."

She paused and then added, "In the end, they were both at fault first, so the concubine will have to make Wenlong apologize to him."

As long as it saves her son, she wouldn't refuse to apologize to Wang Qing, let alone Xue Pan apologize.

Aunt Xue nodded hurriedly, "Of course! Of course!"

Grandmother Jia then instructed someone to invite Wang Qing, and looked at Jia Lian, saying, "Don't think you're out of this. When Qing-ge arrives later, you'll have to apologize to him too!"

Making Jia Lian bow down to Wang Qing is worse than killing him.

He immediately twisted his neck and shouted, "Why?!"

Just then, a servant announced from outside: "Grandma, Grandma, the young master has sent a letter!"

Grandmother Jia hurriedly sent someone to deliver the letter. After reading it, she looked at Jia Lian, who had a stubborn expression, and pondered for a moment before saying, "Your uncle is seriously ill and sent a letter asking your sister Lin to go back. Go back and pack your things now, and send her back to Yangzhou first thing tomorrow morning."

Traveling was difficult in ancient times, so even if Lin Ruhai was seriously ill, there was no need for him to be in such a hurry.

However, Jia Lian was clearly unwilling to bow down to Wang Qing, and Grandmother Jia was also worried that forcing a cow to drink water would backfire.

It's best to take this opportunity to get rid of them early, so they don't cause any trouble.

Seeing that Jia Lian was still somewhat dazed, Grandmother Jia waved her hand impatiently and urged, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go!"

……