A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 62 is straightforward.

lobby.

Wang Qing strode back.

Madam Xing quickly rose, her slender waist swaying gracefully, and hurried forward, smiling obsequiously, "It's all my fault that Qing-ge'er and Master had such a big misunderstanding. When I got home yesterday, Master gave me a good scolding and made me come to apologize to Qing-ge'er!"

She thought it was just a polite remark, but to her surprise, she actually lowered herself and bowed gracefully to Wang Qingying.

Wang Qing quickly stepped aside, saying, "What do you mean by this, Madam? Please don't be so rude!"

As he turned to the side, his eyes lit up, and he gave Madam Xing's exaggerated waistline a deep look.

Although her hips were not as voluptuous as Madam Wang's, they were exceptionally perky. Her slender, supple waist was incredibly flexible, with an exaggerated curve. The moon-white silk skirt outlined a deep indentation, giving her a resemblance to a gymnast from later generations.

However, Madam Xing did not notice Wang Qing's gaze. Instead, she decided that it was better to be polite than not to, and hurriedly turned to Wang Qing.

As she turned, her waist and hips complemented each other, and the faint folds of her clothing rippled around her waist, adding a touch of softness and dynamism to her alluring figure.

If they had greeted each other directly, they wouldn't have seen such a sight. Wang Qing had no choice but to patiently accompany Madam Xing, taking her around in circles several times.

When Madam Xing finally stopped, feeling dizzy and disoriented, and pressed her hands to her temples, Wang Qingfang withdrew his gaze and said, "Madam, if you have something to say, please speak frankly!"

Madam Xing was already dizzy and confused. Upon hearing this, she blurted out subconsciously, "Master wants to give Second Sister to you in marriage."

Wang Qingyuan thought that Madam Xing had come to plead for mercy because she couldn't resist Wang Shanbao's family's persistent pleas, but she received such a reply.

Madam Xing was also taken aback. She had been thinking about how to be tactful, but she didn't expect that he would say it so directly.

However, once the hardest things to say have been said, they are no longer difficult to say.

He hurriedly replied with a smile, "To be honest, when the master learned that you had arranged for people to sweep and clean outside the mansion, he praised you to me quite a bit!"

Although what she said was true, how could Wang Qing believe it?

He thought to himself, "Is it because he learned the inside story from the old lady that he was so arrogant at first and then so obsequious?"

He replied, "It's all part of my job; I don't deserve your praise, sir!"

"We deserve it! We deserve it!"

Madam Xing quickly smiled and said, "I heard a few days ago that you and Lian Er had a falling out, and Master wanted to avenge you. Yesterday he even said that if he doesn't repent when he comes back, you don't need to bother the old lady anymore; Master will break his legs!"

If her third leg is broken, wouldn't Wang Xifeng be rendered useless?

Wang Qing inwardly grumbled, but said aloud, "Second Brother Lian is, after all, the eldest son of the master. If I were to take such a ruthless action because of me, wouldn't Second Brother Lian hate me to death?"

"He wouldn't dare! Although he's the master's son, you married Er Yatou, so you're not an outsider anymore. Both are flesh and blood, so naturally, whoever makes the mistake should be punished!"

Madam Xing spoke with absolute certainty, her words implying that the marriage was already a done deal.

Although Yingchun was the oldest of the three, and her age was more suitable, Wang Qing also wanted to take her as his wife to prevent her from being abused by Sun Shaozu.

But hasty action doesn't guarantee a good deal. Since Jia She and Madam Xing are in such a hurry, he naturally has to wait for the right price.

Moreover, he didn't want to end up with a father-in-law like Jia She just for Yingchun's sake.

She only wanted to wait for the Jia family to fall into ruin, then spend some money to take them in as concubines.

So he demurred, saying, "Marriage is a serious matter, not something to be taken lightly. The second young lady's reputation is of utmost importance, so I hope the eldest madam will be careful with her words!"

"Since ancient times, marriage has been a major event, decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. My husband and I have no objections, so what is there to avoid?"

Madam Xing disagreed, saying, "Since your parents aren't here, you can make your own decision. Master said that if you just give three or five thousand taels, the matter will be settled."

Old man! He's so eager to marry off his daughter, yet he doesn't forget to make a quick buck.

Wang Qing cursed inwardly, but said aloud, "Three or five thousand taels is nothing, but Second Brother Lian has quite a few complaints about me. He is, after all, Second Miss's brother, and I'm afraid we will have difficulty getting along in the future. It's better to wait until he comes back before we discuss it."

If we refuse outright, we risk dashing Jia She's hopes.

Anyway, Jia Lian won't be able to return to the capital for another year, so he can be used as a shield.

At that time, his official position could be promoted again, and he would have more room to bargain. Even if it was not enough to take Yingchun as a concubine, as long as Jia She thought that he could sell Yingchun for more than five thousand taels, he could not only keep him hooked, but also gain the upper hand.

Madam Xing hadn't expected him to be so agreeable, and her envy grew even stronger. She pouted and said, "Since the master didn't say a word, what right does he have to object?"

"Hey! Harmony in the family brings prosperity in everything!"

"With the master and me here, how dare he rebel against Heaven?"

"The master is getting on in years; surely he can't stop seeing his uncle after he has children?"

Madam Xing kept trying to persuade him, but Wang Qing always managed to find an excuse to shirk responsibility.

Seeing his resolute attitude, Madam Xing thought that this reply would be enough to satisfy her, so she got up to take her leave and went back to report to Jia She.

……

backyard.

After settling Xiangling in, Granny Liu led her to the main room and said, "My granddaughter was the only one in the master's room before. She wasn't feeling well, so the master told her to rest. Once she's feeling better tomorrow, you can ask her anything you don't understand!"

Liu Wu'er has recovered to about 70-80%. Originally, in order to make things easier for her daughter-in-law, Granny Liu was not in a hurry to let her into the room to serve her.

Now, a girl named Xiangling has arrived. She is not only beautiful and virtuous, but also possesses some of the qualities of the eldest mistress of the East Mansion, Rong.

If one's own wife is a flirtatious woman on the surface, then Xiangling is a seductive woman who is deeply ingrained.

Although it couldn't compare to the captivating beauty of Grandma Rong, it was enough to move Granny Liu.

Even though they each had their own unique characteristics, and she still had some confidence in her own daughter-in-law, Granny Liu had to admit that apart from her height and build, her sister-in-law was somewhat inferior in terms of skin, appearance, age, figure, and even the charm in her eyes.

Moreover, as soon as he entered the door, he was summoned into the house by Grandpa Qing to serve him.

Anyway, Grandpa Qing was never idle while eating or reading, and he never lacked opportunities for his wife to curry favor.

With Xiangling inside, it's actually harder to go any further in. It would be better to let Liu Wu'er come in as soon as possible.

Firstly, it would establish the order of precedence since Xiangling was new to the city, and secondly, it would allow them to seize opportunities to divide the emperor's affections among themselves.

When Xiangling heard that there were other people inside, she was not at all bothered by the fact that no one had gotten there first; on the contrary, she was quite delighted and quickly asked, "How old is this lady? When will she be back?"

Granny Liu said without batting an eye, "She's about your age, but she was sick a while ago and is a bit weak, so she hasn't grown as much as you. She should be fully recovered in a day or two."

Just then, Wang Qing strode in with his head held high.

Granny Liu hurriedly stepped forward: "Uncle Qi, everything is settled!"

Wang Qing waved his hand dismissively and said, "Alright, you can go now! Tell your wife to prepare an extra portion of dinner, and have Xiangling eat with me later!"

"Yes!" Granny Liu quickly bowed her head in agreement.

After Granny Liu left, Wang Qing sat down on the chair next to Xiang Ling and immediately pulled her into his arms.

Xiangling felt a sudden dizziness, and just as she subconsciously opened her lips to let out a soft moan, she felt a heat on her lips.

She froze instantly, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet. She felt a tightness in her chest and shortness of breath, wanting to breathe deeply, but her mouth was blocked by a hot, wet, slippery object, leaving her no choice but to struggle desperately.

But as Wang Qing pressed closer, she felt an inexplicable strangeness, and her hands, which had nowhere to go, unconsciously clung to him.

Xiangling was abducted as a child and changed hands several times, leaving her with a lack of security. Rather than slowly resolving her inner conflicts, it would be better to be direct and use overwhelming desire to overwhelm her unease.

……