The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion

Chapter 474: Blinded

The rain and fog that lasted for a day not only did not stop the next day but instead gradually merged into a rain curtain.

Sun Shaozong finished handling many trivial matters in the early morning and carried his dedicated coir raincoat to the corner gate of the front yard. He was about to hang the coir raincoat on the strap behind the carriage so that Zhang Cheng could use it at any time.

Unexpectedly, just at this moment, a group of people suddenly came meandering along. Xiuju holding flower umbrellas led the way in front, followed by Yuanyang and Caixia, left and right, embracing Li Wan’s mother and son, and then followed by Su Yun and other maids and nannies from Rongguo Mansion.

Seeing that it was too late to avoid suspicion, Sun Shaozong threw the coir raincoat at Zhang Cheng's disposal and greeted it with great fanfare. Without waiting for Li Wan to approach, he bowed and said, "It's not easy for you to come, sister-in-law. Why don't you stay for a few more days?”

Seeing his majestic figure from afar, Li Wan’s heart was already restless, as if carrying a furnace of steel making charcoal fire. She wished she could immediately melt the crude iron billet into her cavity and perform a spicy ritual.

When Sun Shaozong shouted out ”sister-in-law,” Li Wan couldn't help but think of the old song from the past. For a moment, her delicate body, which tasted the essence of food, immediately ”moistened” to her bones.

Fortunately, she was still holding Jia Lan's small hand at this moment, with her son's sea-calming needle pressing down so as not to let out the surging spring spirit.

Just taking a few steps forward, she forced a nonchalant return and said, "To be honest, Master Yu assigned a lot of homework yesterday, and I didn't have all the books involved at home. So I wanted to buy them early to avoid delaying Lan’er's homework.”

At this moment, Jia Lan also obediently stepped forward and respectfully said, "Lan’er has seen the Teaching Master.”

He saw the bright color on Li Wan’s face just now. He was afraid that if he provoked her a few words casually, she would accidentally show flaws. So he bent down and smiled, "What did you learn yesterday, Lan’er?”

“Replying to the Teaching Master's words, yesterday the Master mainly talked about the principles of understanding and gradual progress in reading. He also pointed out several beginner's books and asked me to go back and study them in order.”

After replying like a young adult, Jia Lan suddenly looked up and smiled, "Although my Master taught me the teachings of sages, I will not ease to practice martial arts, and I will not fall behind. Because in the future, I will become a good official who is both civil and military, like you.”

This child was really a clever one!

Sun Shaozong chuckled and rubbed his small head with his hand, saying, "In two days, your Second Uncle will invite me to be a guest. How about teaching you some other martial arts skills then?”

Jia Lan obediently responded, and Li Wan beside him was even more dazzled. She couldn't help but blurt out, "Then in a few days, I will confine Lan’er at home and wait for Erlang to come.”

This…

Did she misunderstand something?

Forget it; it was not the right time to explain now.

With such thoughts in mind, Sun Shaozong followed the rules of etiquette and sent the mother and son out of the door. Turning around, he was about to take a carriage to go out, but he saw a person kneeling in front of the carriage, stunned.

Sun Shaozong frowned and looked over, but saw that the woman was not someone else. It was Caixia, the big maid next to Old Madam Wang. He heard that ever since she had come to the Sun family, she had always been cautious in her words and actions. She was neither as distant as Qingwen nor as inclusive as Yuanyang. What was the trouble today?

“Caixia, what are you doing?”

Yuanyang next to her was also taken aback at the sight and approached to help Caixia up. However, Caixia forcefully threw her away and knocked her head into the shallow water, causing splashes of water.

When she lifted her head again, her forehead was already bruised and swollen.

Caixia disregarded it and looked up and begged, "Please be kind to me, Second Master. Please take me to see Second Master Bao together.”

Tch!

Sun Shaozong's brow furrowed even tighter; he knew about Qingwen’s relationship long before. But didn't Caixia promise her heart to Third Brother Huan? Why was she thinking about going to see Jia Baoyu?

Did she suddenly change her taste and stop being childish?

Besides, didn't Jia Baoyu come here a few days ago? She stayed in Jia Yingchun's house for half a day. What was there that she couldn't say in one breath and insisted on seeking to plead after the fact?

However, these were not important. What was important was that Caixia's actions had already exceeded the duty of servants and violated the rules of the mansion!

Therefore, Sun Shaozong lowered his face and sneered, "I don't want to know why you want to see Baoyu. I only ask you, are you a member of our Sun family or a servant of Rongguo Mansion now?! Do you think that after serving Old Madam Wang for a few days, you can be so reckless in my house?!”

Since he became a Governor and began questioning in court, Sun Shaozong's official power and evil spirit have been increasing day by day. At this moment, a thunderous outburst erupted, instantly causing Caixia's face to turn pale with fear.

Putong!

Yuanyang on the side also quickly knelt and said urgently, "She was just lost in phlegm for a moment. She is not a person who is crazy and rude normally. Please take her to see the Eldest Madam and handle it according to family law.”

Although she and Caixia have a general relationship, they both come out of Rongguo Mansion together and serve in Jia Yingchun's house, making it difficult to stand idly by.

However, while pleading for mercy, she couldn't help but secretly slander herself. This Caixia had once braved her big words in the Rongguo Mansion and secretly sent a message to Concubine Zhao on behalf of Jia Huan. How could she still be stubborn after being sent to the Sun Mansion?

She then saw Sun Shaozong shaking his head and saying, "There's no need to disturb the Elder Madam. Let her go and find Zhao Zhongji, and take the punishment of ten whips under the Family Law on her own, and temporarily transfer her to the outer yard.”

The whip was alright. But being transferred from the Elder Madam’s side to the outside, it was a difference between heaven and earth.

Moreover, according to the rules of ordinary families, Sun Shaozong, as the brother-in-law, directly dealt with the maids in his sister-in-law's house, which seemed somewhat unreasonable.

Therefore, Yuanyang's throat twitched slightly, and she was determined to speak for Caixia. Unexpectedly, Caixia then kowtowed her head to the ground and said in a mournful voice, "I know my mistake. You can punish me as much as I want! But please be kind to me, and I must advise Second Brother Bao. After all, he and Third Master are brothers; breaking bones and even cutting off tendons are unnecessary.”

So the person she loved was still for the sake of Third Brother Huan!

Sun Shaozong couldn't help but feel speechless. It seemed that pedophilia was indeed incurable.

He was too lazy to talk nonsense about Caixia anymore and gave a glance to the servants and maids who came to see off the guests. He ordered, "Take her down to take on the family punishment.”

Xiuju immediately led the person forward and pressed down Caixia with her shoulders.

It wasn't until Caixia and others disappeared behind the screen wall that Sun Shaozong's gaze fell on Yuanyang. "Tell me, what kind of madness is she going through?”

“Report to Second Master.”

Yuanyang knew that Caixia was in danger this time, but she still tried her best to make amends for her and said, "Actually, she is also a loyal person…”

“Speak to the point!”

Unexpectedly, as soon as she started, she was rudely interrupted by Sun Shaozong.

Yuanyang hesitated slightly, looking at Sun Shaozong's sincere expression, and considering his recent reputation in the mansion, she felt a bit aggrieved. However, since Sun Shaozong asked about it, she had to explain the cause and effect of the matter in detail.

It turned out that this matter was still the root that Ping’er casually planted when she came over to deliver things that day.

At that time, she and Sun Shaozong had a great ”battle” on the swing frame. It was just when they were both physically and mentally exhausted that Caixia happened to take a look and ask about the recent situation in Rongguo Mansion. Without much thought, she poured beans out of the bamboo tube and revealed them thoroughly.

Of course, it was inevitable to mention Third Brother Huan, whom Caixia cared most about.

Although Concubine Zhao followed Jia Zheng and went to Jiangnan happily, her two children stayed in the Capital. Jia Tanchun was fine. Her eyebrows and eyes were transparent, and Jia Baoyu was always there to protect her.

However, Third Brother Huan completely lost his protection.

Although Old Madam Wang was not yet capable of killing a concubine to vent her anger, what was the difficulty in ruining her children’s future?

Every day, he indulged himself in reckless activities, and within a few days, he became a regular gambler. It was said that he even went to the brothel.

Caixia received this news and was worried and restless all day, which was why today's event happened.

“Great, she even pleaded to me for such matters.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Shaozong became even more disdainful. Although Old Madam Wang's methods of house fighting were somewhat inferior, they were much more compassionate than Concubine Zhao's methods of poisoning and harming others.

Of course, with Jia Baoyu's soft and gentle temperament, if one knew what was going on, one might not agree with Old Madam Wang's actions. However, Sun Shaozong was not lost in phlegm, so how could he try to offend Old Madam Wang and expose this matter to Jia Baoyu?

With a disdainful snort, Sun Shaozong saw Yuanyang still kneeling in the stagnant water, and her skirt was soaked to pieces. Sun Shaozong then ordered, "Get up; this matter has nothing to do with you. If the Elder Madam asks, just tell the truth.”

Yuanyang obediently responded and then got up from the ground.

But she has been kneeling for a long time, and those legs are a bit numb. There was still water on the green stone slab, which was really slippery.

Therefore, when Yuanyang got up, she couldn't stand firm and instead slipped under her feet. ”Ouch,” she exclaimed and fell forward, bumping her head into Sun Shaozong's arms.

“Be careful.”

Sun Shaozong reached out and wrapped his hand around her waist, righting her delicate body again. Without looking at her rosy face, he got into the carriage and ordered Zhang Cheng to whip the horse and leave.

Yuanyang watched the carriage go away and then saw no one peeping around. Suddenly, she spat with a blushing face and whispered, "Pretending to be a gentleman. He still secretly takes advantage of me.”

As she spoke, her small white hands instinctively protected her buttocks.

But the shame in the curse was more than the annoyance, all like the inexplicable smell of anger when Jia She harassed her at the beginning.

Sun Shaozong was twirling his fingers in the car, savoring the touch he had just had, secretly praising that although Yuanyang was born fair, her skin and flesh were tight and sturdy, not like a pampered woman. It must be…

Along the way, pondering many lustful thoughts and fantasies, Sun Shaozong had to calm down for a while before getting off the carriage as if he had nothing wrong.

“Second Brother.”

Liu Xianglian had already arrived, but he had made an appointment to meet Sun Shaozong at the Xue family's door. Only then did he have the patience to pass the time in the tea shop across the street. Seeing Sun Shaozong get off the carriage, he immediately flew up close and said eagerly, "Let's hurry; let's also see what that big dung beetle looks like.”

This gloating-like expression.

Sun Shaozong gave him a silent look and scolded, "Later when you see him. Don't keep making fun of him. Don't forget that you are getting married in a few days; Brother Xue will be there. At that time, there will be revenge and resentment.”

Liu Xianglian restrained a lot.

When the two of them arrived at the door side by side, the steward of the mansion had already received news and hurriedly welcomed them out. Knowing Xue Pan's relationship with the two of them, he didn't even take them to the front hall and directly led them to the back house.

At this time, the pavilions that were ravaged by elephants were naturally renovated, and the golden and magnificent places were even more magnificent than before. Especially when moistened by the rain, they became increasingly rich and imposing.

However, according to Sun Shaozong's knowledge, the sales of the Xue family have gradually declined in recent years, and they have borrowed from the Rongguo Mansion for hundreds of thousands of taels of Capital. Although it might not be considered a hollow mansion at the moment, their finances were also becoming increasingly limited.

For today's plan, they should first open up resources, reduce expenses, and revitalize the family business. However, the Xue family has instead invested their silver in such a face-saving project. Looking back at the young man they met in Jinmen Mansion a few days ago, this comparison was truly a world of clouds and mud.

When he saw Xue Pan's small courtyard not far ahead, Sun Shaozong suddenly let out a ”Eh” and frowned and stopped walking.

“What's the matter?”

Liu Xianglian said strangely, "Why don't you walk forward, Brother?”

Sun Shaozong ignored him and instead approached the steward of the Xue family, saying, "Is it true that Brother Xue has contracted some kind of epidemic? Otherwise, with his temperament, he would have welcomed us out long ago.”

Liu Xianglian suddenly realized that when the two of them entered the door just now, there was already a doorman rushing in to report. According to Xue Pan's temperament, when he learned that Second Brother Sun and himself were coming, he should have been out by now. How could they arrive at the door without any movement?

So he also hurriedly inquired about Xue Pan's condition.

The steward smiled bitterly and said, "You’re right. After being assassinated that day, our Master came back with intestinal disease and couldn't stop for several days. If it weren't for the improvement now, I wouldn't dare to take you two over to meet.”

The so-called intestinal disease, diarrhea, was also considered a type of plague in ancient times. Therefore, if it had not improved, one would not dare to see outsiders indiscriminately.

Upon hearing that Xue Pan had improved, Liu Xianglian finally calmed down and couldn't help but joke, "This Old Xue really has an inexplicable bond with the restroom.”

Sun Shaozong gave him a sideways glance, then he bowed his head and entered the small courtyard.

“Yo~ It turns out that Lord Sun and Young Master Liu have arrived. I wondered why the magpies were chirping so loudly today?”

As soon as they entered the door, they saw Wang-Shi welcoming them with a pair of big, watery eyes, greeting Liu Xianglian directly.

This woman was really...

Sun Shaozong didn't know what to say about her, so he heard Xue Pan in the room scolding and saying, "Are you selling coquettishness? Why don't you quickly invite the Second Brother and Brother Liu in?”

Wang curled her mouth and then twisted her water snake waist to lead the two people in.