A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 48 An After-Banquet Interlude

After seeing Wang Qing off, Wang Xifeng stamped her foot and said angrily, "That useless thing! He left me with such a mess!"

Ping'er asked, puzzled, "Why doesn't Grandma explain things clearly to Master?"

"Explain yourself?" Wang Xifeng said irritably. "Would he believe me? He'd probably only make things worse!"

"Since the old man came to see the old woman, he was obviously worried about causing a misunderstanding..."

Wang Xifeng said with a gloomy face, "Who knows what he's up to? What if he still holds a grudge against Second Master and is deliberately trying to trick me? Wouldn't that give others something to gossip about?"

"So what does Grandma plan to do?"

"Isn't it you I still have?"

Wang Xifeng said with a smile, "Just tell me that yesterday Second Master was sleeping with brothels, and I found out. I was angry with him, so he agreed to make a dollop of noodles as an apology. We only found out that Second Master had lied about the deficit after hearing what he said."

You already have some relationship with him, and the Second Master only started arguing these past few days. If you go and tell him, he'll be more likely to believe you.

"This servant understands!" Ping'er replied.

Wang Xifeng, however, pulled Ping'er close by the waist and whispered in her ear, "Go wash up first. I'll have someone keep an eye on him at Madam's place. When he comes out, you go back with him. Don't come back tonight. Give yourself to him..."

"Ah?!" Ping'er exclaimed in surprise, panicking, "Grandma, you wouldn't want to hurt me..."

Before Ping'er could finish speaking, Wang Xifeng interrupted, "What are you saying? I have no intention of fighting to the death with him! Judging from his tone just now, he seemed to harbor quite a grudge against the Second Master. You are the Second Master's concubine, and he has benefited from your service, so this is a way for him to get some revenge."

She paused, then explained, "He already suspected me of conspiring with the Second Master, and with this incident, he'll probably suspect me of the gambling den and the loan sharks as well. How can I feel at ease without finding something on him?"

"I...I..." Ping'er's voice trembled, her face flushed, and she couldn't utter a complete sentence.

Wang Xifeng's face darkened, and she said, "Didn't you say that you, this bone in my hand, are completely at my command, and I can discard you whenever I want, and to whom? Are you trying to deceive me?"

"This servant wouldn't dare!" Ping'er said carefully. "This servant is just worried that if we do this, the misunderstanding will only deepen."

Wang Xifeng scoffed, "Hmph! He made this mess himself, and we're just trying to clean it up for him. How can you blame us?"

As she spoke, she nudged Ping'er again, urging, "Hurry up and go wash!"

Only after Ping'er left did she raise the corners of her mouth, revealing a triumphant smile.

She sent people to inquire about Wang Qing's situation, and not only did they witness Heng Shudian's conflict, but they also learned about his background and some rumors circulating in the court.

Yesterday, I watched from the sidelines, hoping to take the opportunity to gauge the attitudes of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang.

Although Grandmother Jia did not force Jia Lian to bow down to Wang Qing, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but have some suspicions about how she hurriedly sent him away from the capital.

Unfortunately, Jia Lian not only incurred his wrath but was also caught red-handed for falsely reporting a deficit, and Jia Lian also had leverage over Jia Lian's own loan sharking activities.

Jia Lian and Xue Pan had already been rebuffed; if hard tactics didn't work, they had to resort to softer ones.

Furthermore, trying to extract wisdom patterns using the old methods is clearly impractical.

Having Ping'er secretly seduce him could not only ease the conflict and lure Wang Qing in, but might also give him the chance to willingly offer up Huiwen.

……

Meanwhile, Wang Qing left Wang Xifeng's courtyard, took the writing implements from the maid at the door, waved his hand, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

He chose to visit Jia Lian after he left the capital, not to force Wang Xifeng to admit to the conspiracy, but to put pressure on her.

Offering a price voluntarily not only gives the other party a handle to use against you, but also makes it easy for them to see your bottom line. Only by forcing the other party to make an offer can you wait for a better price to sell.

Wang Xifeng admitted to the conspiracy. Wang Qing could certainly press his advantage and even escalate the situation by bringing up the issue of usury. However, if the other party were to fight to the death, it would easily give him ammunition for criticism.

Therefore, he deliberately chose to come to see Wang Xifeng before attending the banquet, so as to give Wang Xifeng time to calmly think and weigh the pros and cons.

Although Wang Xifeng consistently distanced herself from the matter, Wang Qing believed that she would inevitably compromise rather than risk losing her power as the head of the household.

As for whether the price offered will meet one's expectations, that remains to be seen.

However, simply being willing to pay a price is itself a sign of yielding.

Lost in thought, he wandered around and eventually arrived at Madam Wang's courtyard.

Madam Wang was seen holding the arm of a middle-aged man in his forties, who was wearing a thick fur cloak over a scholar's robe, and who appeared somewhat wealthy and serious.

Wang Qing hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I am late, how dare you trouble Uncle and Madam to welcome me? It is too much of an honor for Wang Qing."

Jia Zheng smiled and said, "Don't be so polite. You've come from afar and are a guest. I haven't had time to see you for a while, so it's only right that I welcome you now."

Wang Qing handed over the set of writing implements, saying, "I've heard that you are a man of great literary talent, so I specially selected this set of writing implements. I wonder if it suits your taste."

Jia Zheng reached out and took it, stroking his beard with obvious satisfaction and saying with a smile, "A little bit of empty fame, it's an exaggeration!"

He glanced at Wang Qing's clothing, frowned, and said, "It's freezing cold, why are you dressed so lightly?"

Wang Qing quickly explained, "I have martial arts skills and am not afraid of the cold..."

"Hey! If you don't keep warm when you're young, you'll suffer when you're old! Don't take your youth for granted and squander your health!"

Jia Zheng adopted a posture of instructing a junior, and handed the writing implements to Madam Wang, then gestured with his lip and said, "Go and pick out some fine furs for my nephew, and take them back to him later."

"I cannot refuse a gift from an elder," Wang Qing said hurriedly, bowing slightly to Madam Wang before entering the warm pavilion at Jia Zheng's invitation.

It's inevitable that there will be some awkwardness when we first meet.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, and once the food and wine were served, and after a couple of cups of wine, Jia Zheng gradually began to talk.

However, he seemed to be bad at socializing, and he kept praising Wang Qing, saying things like he had done a good job in preventing thieves and that he was steady in his actions.

He would occasionally adopt the demeanor of an elder, offering unsolicited advice and occasionally throwing out opinions he was proud of, though they weren't particularly insightful.

After a while, Wang Qing got a feel for his frustrated yet ambitious mindset.

On the one hand, he applauded Jia Zheng's views, and on the other hand, he pretended to admire his knowledge and literary talent.

It's true that Jia Zheng was a bit of a connoisseur of refined tastes, but he preferred others to admire his elegance, which is why he was so keen on associating with scholars and patrons.

Before long, Wang Qing amused him greatly, and he lamented that they had met too late.

Jia Zheng was so flattered by him that he became dizzy, and the effects of the alcohol gradually took hold, so he kept talking to Wang Qingdi.

Fearing he would miss important business, and seeing no way to escape, Wang Qingsheng had no choice but to keep pouring him drinks.

Before long, Jia Zheng's head lolled to the side and he collapsed onto the table.

"Uncle! Uncle?"

He nudged Jia Zheng and called out twice, but when he didn't respond, he got up and left his seat.

Just as he was about to tell the servants to inform Madam Wang and take his leave, he pushed open the door and saw Madam Wang coming towards him.

Wang Qing quickly took the opportunity to say goodbye: "Madam, you've come at the right time. It's getting late, and Uncle Zheng is drunk again, so I'll head back now."

Just as he was about to slip away, Madam Wang called out to him, "Qing-ge'er, wait a moment! The raw materials Master ordered are still at the back; I'll have someone fetch them right away!"

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Wang Qing had no choice but to wait as instructed.

Lady Wang ordered someone to fetch some raw materials. After glancing at Jia Zheng, who was lying face down, she called in several maids to try to help him up.

But once a person is drunk, they become exceptionally heavy. Jia Zheng was also quite wealthy, and even after several maids struggled for a long time, they couldn't move him an inch.

"Madam, the fabric for Master Qing has arrived!"

Madam Wang was pacing anxiously when she heard this, and her eyes lit up. She quickly turned to look at Wang Qing: "Qing-ge'er, you're very strong..."

Without hesitation, Wang Qingyi stepped forward and easily hoisted Jia Zheng onto his back.

"Quickly! Go fetch water for the master!"

Lady Wang was overjoyed. While instructing the maids, she led the way, saying, "Here...here...Qing-ge'er, slow down!"

Ok?

Something about this sounds off.

"Don't worry, ma'am, I'll be gentle!"

While responding politely, Wang Qing glanced at Madam Wang with a strange expression.

In the past, when Madam Wang walked, her head did not sway and her shoulders did not shake; her demeanor was dignified.

Today, because she had to lead the way for Wang Qing, she couldn't care less about her demeanor, constantly turning her head back, causing her body to tremble and making her appear even more soft and voluptuous.

Wang Qing carried Jia Zheng on his back and silently followed behind him. He was led all the way to the bedside, but when he saw Madam Wang in front of him, he suddenly trembled.

Immediately, it seemed as if it grabbed something from the bed.

Wang Qing assumed it was something personal and didn't pay much attention. But after he laid Jia Zheng down on the bed and turned around, he realized that what Madam Wang was holding was actually a monk's robe.

Noticing his gaze, Madam Wang seemed somewhat embarrassed. She covered herself with her robe and pretended to step forward, saying as if trying to cover up her embarrassment, "This is the monk's robe I wear when I'm fasting and chanting Buddhist prayers. I forgot to put it away."

Originally, Wang Qing hadn't thought much of it, but now he was starting to realize something.

These words seemed to have triggered something, and Jia Zheng on the bed suddenly slammed his fist on the bed board, muttering, "Quick! Hurry up and change into the monk's robe!"

Madam Wang was immediately filled with shame, her face burning red with embarrassment.

It was clearly Jia Zheng and Lady Wang who had blasphemed against the gods and Buddhas, yet Wang Qing acted as if he were a child who had done something wrong, hurriedly lowering his head and saying, "Madam, please wait!"

After saying that, he turned and left without looking up.

He muttered to himself: "Tsk tsk tsk! That old guy's got some tricks up his sleeve!"

The more he acted this way, the more ashamed Madam Wang felt.

……