A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 71 Each with their own ulterior motives

After accompanying Jia Zheng to see the guests off, Wang Qing, along with Jia She, Jia Zhen, and the Shi brothers, hurried to Rongqing Hall.

After the formalities were completed, Grandmother Jia said with a beaming smile, "There are no outsiders here today, and it's a rare double celebration. Qing'er, why don't you join me inside for a meal?"

"Thank you, ma'am!"

Wang Qing was enjoying himself among the flowers, but Jia Zheng seemed to be getting a little anxious.

Before he could say anything, he saw Grandmother Jia frowning and looking over, so he had to give up the idea.

He was seething with anger, and when he saw Baoyu nestled in Grandmother Jia's arms, he was instantly enraged. He shouted, "It's your father's birthday, and you don't even know how to entertain me! What are you still doing lounging around for? Get out here!"

Jia Baoyu looked at his grandmother with a wronged and helpless expression.

Instead, Grandmother Jia nudged her, saying, "It's your father's birthday today, go and have a couple of drinks with him!"

Grandmother Jia was well aware of Jia Zheng's eagerness, but it was precisely because she knew this that she deliberately kept Wang Qing behind.

No one knows a son better than his mother. She knew that Jia She was only interested in profit and that Jia Zheng was not very shrewd. She was worried that the two of them might ask something they shouldn't have while drunk, thus revealing their true colors in front of Jia Zhen and his two nephews.

The gentlemen went to the outer room, and the atmosphere became more lively.

Wang Xifeng teased first, "Grandma, I'm afraid Brother Qing has tasted the delicacies of the palace and won't be used to the simple meals at home!"

She used her household resources perfectly, and both Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang looked at Wang Qing.

Wang Qing protested, "Sister-in-law, please stop! Dining with His Majesty, how could I dare to eat as much as I would at home? There was a table full of delicacies, but I barely touched a few bites, and I still regret it!"

It was clearly Wang Xifeng who took the lead, but Wang Qing's approval made Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang even more pleased, and their smiles became even brighter.

Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "Then tell the servants to hurry up and serve the dishes, so that Qing-ge'er doesn't go hungry."

Wang Xifeng exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Look how much the old lady loves you! Your granddaughter-in-law will have all the good food brought out right away!"

Servants had already gone to give the order, so there was no need for Wang Xifeng to take action; she was merely cooperating with Grandmother Jia.

Madam Wang, however, fearing that Wang Xifeng would steal the credit, interjected, "Oh, right! Last time I asked you to ask Qing-ge what he likes to eat, so I'll just pick some of his favorites and send them over!"

So it was Madam Wang's order. Is she really that thoughtful?

Wang Qing involuntarily looked up and was met with Madam Wang's ingratiating smile.

Catching Wang Qing's gaze, she subconsciously straightened her back, which further accentuated the fullness of her back.

Wang Xifeng sensed something unusual in Madam Wang's words and thought to herself, "Could this be... her trying to curry favor?"

But he said, "Don't worry, Madam, we've prepared everything: braised ham hock, jujube and yam cake, and dried civet cat meat! We'll make sure Brother Qing is well-fed!"

As everyone chatted and laughed, the two ladies of the Shi family also spoke up, saying, "Qing-ge'er's visit last time was unfortunate. He should come visit us sometime."

Wang Qing gave a lukewarm response and said a few more polite words.

Before long, the food and wine were served. Madam Xing, who hadn't had a chance to speak until now, quickly nudged Yingchun beside her and said, "You're the eldest in the family, you should be more outgoing. Qing'er has been promoted, and you don't even know to go and offer him a toast!"

Yingchun quickly looked at Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, and only after they both nodded did she pick up her wine cup.

Unexpectedly, Madam Xing pushed her again, saying, "Why are you standing so far away? Hurry up and go over there!"

Yingchun was slightly taken aback. Without looking at Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang again, she quickly handed the wine cup to Siqi, gracefully left her seat, and came to Wang Qing. She bowed deeply and said in a soft voice, "Congratulations, Brother Qing!"

Having said that, he lowered his eyes and took the wine glass from Siqi's hand.

When Wang Qing returned the greeting, the two clinked glasses from a distance. Yingchun then raised her hand to cover her lips, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

After toasting, Yingchun didn't rush back. Instead, she raised her head slightly, and when their eyes met, she gave a deep bow.

Madam Xing's straightforwardness was evident to the young ladies and maids, who were inexperienced in the ways of the world, but the madam and grandmother could all see something amiss.

Grandmother Jia frowned inwardly, while Lady Wang gave Tan Chun a look.

Tan Chun quickly stood up and pulled Xi Chun along, saying, "Fourth Sister, let's also go and toast Brother Qing!"

Yingchun was about to turn back to her seat when she suddenly heard this sentence. She immediately stopped and assumed a posture of waiting for her younger sisters.

After Tan Chun and Xi Chun stepped forward to offer their toasts, he nodded to Wang Qing again before following Tan Chun and Xi Chun back to their respective seats.

Before the three springs could even settle in, Baochai quickly got up.

Unlike Yingchun, who hesitated before and after, or Tanchun, who wanted to drag someone down with her, she stepped forward gracefully and said with a smile, "I should have offered my thanks to Brother Qing first, but my three younger sisters beat me to it. I have learned my lesson and have grown a lot since then. I have not yet had the chance to thank Brother Qing!"

"Let me take this opportunity, thanks to the old lady, to offer a toast to Brother Qing. I hope that another day, Brother Qing will do me the honor of giving me a chance to thank you in person!"

"He who has received a gift is bound to feel obligated," Wang Qing laughed, "Of course! Of course! As long as Auntie and Sister Xue don't blame me for meddling!"

Aunt Xue quickly chimed in, laughing, "Wenlong has never been afraid of anything, and now that he finally has someone he truly respects, we'd be more than happy if Qing-ge could help discipline him!"

Wang Xifeng, fearing that Jia Lian would be dragged into this again, quickly changed the subject, saying, "Oh dear! His Majesty just promoted Brother Qing, and he still has a lot of things to do. Even if Aunt wants to trouble him, she'll have to wait until he's finished and has some free time, won't she?"

Aunt Xue was immediately embarrassed.

Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang said in unison, "Feng'er is right!"

Grandmother Jia looked at Wang Qing and said, "This old woman's hearing isn't good, I didn't hear clearly, what position did His Majesty promote you to?"

The emperor issued an imperial edict and bestowed a meal, making such a grand spectacle that it would be suspicious if no one questioned it.

In addition, Grandmother Jia was indeed curious about the rank of the merged Five City Garrison Command.

Wang Qing did not hide anything and explained the ranks of the Five Cities Military Command and the vacancy of the Commander position. He concluded by saying, "I have only been an official for a short time, and my fifth-rank military position is already an exceptional promotion."

Considering that Jia Zheng was only a fifth-rank official, Wang Qing deliberately added the words "military officer" after the rank to avoid making Jia Zheng feel sensitive and alienating him, which would affect subsequent plans.

Although he was merely stating the facts, he did not mention the promise that the emperor was undoubtedly his.

With the position of Commander vacant, who wouldn't understand the Emperor's intentions?

Grandmother Jia immediately adopted the demeanor of an elder and led Wang Qing and the others to raise their cups in gratitude for the Emperor's great favor.

Singing praises and extolling virtues was a regular activity in the residences of meritorious ministers.

Even Lin Daiyu, when writing a poem for Jia Baoyu, had to add a line: "In a prosperous age, there is no hunger or cold; why bother with farming and weaving?"

Not to mention someone as worldly-wise as Grandmother Jia?

As the atmosphere grew more lively, Wang Xifeng looked at the somewhat sullen You Shi and teased, "Sister-in-law, why are you acting like a silent gourd today? My sister-in-law and I are waiting for you to drink with Brother Qing first before we go to drink with him!"

Wang Xifeng was certainly not as virtuous and respectable as she claimed.

She was very good at reading people and had long wanted to get involved with Wang Qing.

But the thought that one day Ping'er might also rise in status made her feelings complicated.

She always felt that Jia Zhen had ill intentions towards Wang Qing.

Seeing that Lady You's attitude was unusual, he naturally assumed that something unpleasant had happened when Jia Zhen invited Wang Qing to his residence.

Seeing Wang Qing's promotion and the emperor's favor, he remained silent and anxious.

They pulled Li Wan into the scheme and instigated You Shi.

Not only could it please the attitudes of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, but it could also prevent damage to one's self-esteem, and take the opportunity to sow discord between Jia Zhen and Lady You, so that Jia Lian would not stand out so much. It was a win-win situation.

……