A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 82 Accident

Because it concerned his own career, Jia Zheng devoted himself to studying at home for a whole day. He not only memorized the text compiled by Wang Qing, but also repeatedly familiarized himself with the operation procedures of the coal stove.

Despite being thoroughly humiliated, he refused to rest and busied himself copying memorials into the night.

Historically, it's not that no one has considered replacing charcoal with coal.

However, it could not solve problems such as excessive smoke and incomplete combustion, which is why it was not widely adopted and was mostly used in smelting.

It was the dead of winter, and there was a huge shortage of charcoal. With the encouragement of the emperor and Vice Minister Zhou, Jia Zheng's memorial was put to court discussion the very next day.

Jia Zheng was also summoned to the palace and, in front of all the civil and military officials, demonstrated the operation.

Although I stumbled a bit during the process because I was so excited, the effect was obvious.

A good-for-nothing who entered officialdom through hereditary privilege, lived a life of idleness and mediocrity, was able to achieve remarkable success and amaze the entire court.

The emperor immediately announced that Jia Zheng would be appointed as the Director of the Imperial Household Department and would personally be in charge of related matters.

Although he was only promoted from a junior fifth-rank official to a senior fifth-rank official, the shackles that he had been bound by for many years were finally loosened. Jia Zheng seemed to have been reborn, and his back straightened unconsciously.

However, he couldn't straighten his back for long. Upon hearing that the emperor wanted him to stay behind alone, Jia Zheng was so excited that he immediately prostrated himself on the ground like a quail.

……

Wang Qing was not qualified to participate in the court council.

However, he still received the news immediately.

However, it wasn't the emperor who sent the message; rather, he learned it from Sister Liu when he returned home after his official duties.

His brother had difficulty entering and leaving the inner courtyard. Jia Zheng was summoned to the palace. Such an important matter naturally required reporting to Lady Wang. The fact that he was being watched was actually conveyed through Sister Liu, so there was no need to trouble two people with the same task.

For Wang Qing, it was an unexpected bonus that Madam Wang arranged for Sister Liu's brother to keep watch.

Not only did she gain an extra spy around Jia Zheng, but her strategy also proved effective, creating a rift between Lady Wang and Jia Zheng.

After reporting the situation to Jia Zheng, Sister Liu's expression became ambiguous as she lowered her voice and said, "That Madam Zhen is here again, waiting for you in the back, sir!"

Nothing new happens in the grand mansion. Ever since Wang Qing moved into the Rongguo Mansion, Madam You has been the most frequent visitor.

In the past, they would wait ten days or half a month, but since Wang Qing entertained them alone in the backyard last time, they rushed over in just a few days.

Others might think that Wang Qing's promotion was due to the emperor's favor.

But Sister Liu, having already tasted the sweetness, knew all too well that her master's skills were extraordinary. In addition, since Madam You had deliberately added makeup today, she couldn't help but project her own experience onto others.

However, although she felt that things were somewhat dangerous, due to her own and Ping'er's circumstances, her threshold for such matters was relatively high.

"Oh?"

Wang Qing muttered to himself, it had only been four or five days since the last time, it seemed that Madam You couldn't wait to finish the formality of three refusals and three concessions.

He was too lazy to put on airs with Sister-in-law Liu, and simply said, "Go prepare the food and drinks; I want Sister-in-law to stay for dinner!"

Sister Liu said sullenly, "Everything is ready, we're just waiting for Master to come back!"

Wang Qing has been busy with official business lately, so he returns home relatively late.

However, Madam You lingered, so Sister Liu had to make some preparations.

Wang Qing nodded and strode into the main room, where he was immediately struck by a bright light.

Compared to the past, Ms. You was clearly wearing makeup today, which added a touch of glamour to her mature charm.

He didn't mince words and said directly, "I feel bad for keeping you waiting, sister-in-law. I've already had someone prepare food and wine so that I can do my best to be a good host."

"Yes! Yes!" Madam You hurriedly agreed, as if afraid that any hesitation would lead to failure.

Having agreed, Fang looked embarrassed and said, "I'm bothering Brother Qing again!"

Unlike last time, this time she took full initiative and came without waiting for Jia Zhen to urge her.

Seeing this, Wang Qing became even more certain that good things were about to happen, and said with a smile, "What are you saying! I couldn't be happier if my sister-in-law could come!"

He glanced towards the inner room and deliberately asked, "Where's Silver Butterfly?"

Upon hearing this, Madam You paused, then remembered Yin Die. Glancing guiltily towards the inner room, she said, "She...she's inside talking to Xiangling and the others!"

Just then, Sister Liu came in carrying a tray of food.

Xiangling and the others also rushed over to serve the dishes. Once the food and wine were on the table, Wang Qingfang instructed Xiangling and Liu Wu'er to go to the front to serve Yindie the meal.

Once only the two of them were left in the room, Wang Qingfang poured himself and Madam You a cup and said with a smile, "Why don't we eat quickly?"

Unlike last time, Wang Qing wanted to finish eating as soon as possible so that they could get things done sooner.

Thinking it over, since Lady You insisted on making such a show of declining three times, there was no need to waste time on such formalities and arouse Jia Zhen's suspicion.

But Lady You thought he was implying something to her.

Although their guesses were completely opposite to the last time, the results were surprisingly consistent and in sync.

The meal was eaten peacefully and uneventfully.

When the wine in the pot was empty, Madam You slowly stood up.

Wang Qing quickly got up and was about to see her out.

However, Madam You did not move. Instead, just like last time, she gripped the armrest of the chair with one hand and pressed her forehead with the other, pretending to be unable to hold her liquor.

Despite having learned from the previous experience, Wang Qing still managed to grasp the differences when the same scene occurred again.

Does this mean we should proceed step by step?

In these kinds of situations, you always need to be bold, careful, and thick-skinned. At most, it'll just be like last time—a perfunctory apology.

Wang Qing muttered to himself, but his actions showed no hesitation. He quickly stepped forward, wrapped his arms around You Shi from behind, and said, "Sister-in-law, hold on tight!"

When he hugged her from behind, Madam You immediately went limp, as if all her strength had left her, and pressed herself tightly into Wang Qing's arms, her body involuntarily sliding down.

Noticing You Shi's unusual behavior, Wang Qing held her tightly to prevent her from sliding down, and tentatively suggested, "How about I accompany you inside to rest for a while before leaving?"

Upon hearing this, Madam You felt her throat go dry and unconsciously swallowed.

Before she could even offer any resistance, a loud shout suddenly came from outside: "Master! The Second Master has sent someone to invite you!"

This sound was like a bolt from the blue. Madam You was startled and hurriedly mustered her remaining strength to struggle and slide off Wang Qing's arms onto the chair beside her.

Her mind was in turmoil; she was panicked, secretly relieved, and also felt a little regretful.

Wang Qing firmly believed that this was just You Shi's gradual approach. He had only asked for an exorbitant price earlier to test her reaction. Although he felt somewhat disappointed, he did not feel as complicated as You Shi did.

He knew that Jia Zheng's visit at this moment must be about matters concerning honeycomb briquettes, which was his top priority.

As for the You family, it's only a matter of time.

He could tell that Madam You was quite frightened, so he quickly comforted her, saying, "Second Master has something to discuss with me. I apologize for the poor hospitality today. Please wait a while before you leave, and come again another day. I will certainly prepare a warm welcome for you!"

Having said that, he stepped out of the main room, blocking Sister Liu, who had come to deliver the news, at the door.

When Madam You saw Wang Qing blocking the person at the door, she felt a sense of relief, as if her spine had been removed. She slumped into the chair, her hands hanging limply on the armrests, and gasped for breath.

Gradually, the fear and disappointment in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a deep sense of hope.

……