The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion

Two days later, on June 15th, the people in the Old Lady courtyard were complete, as it was a solemn day of incense and fasting. Madam Xing, Old Madam Wang, Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and others were present, including Jia Baoyu, Xue Baochai, and Lin Daiyu.

The older ones were telling Buddhist stories in the main hall, while the younger ones were all getting into the blue gauze cabinet, chattering about poetry and songs.

When everyone was chatting, they suddenly saw Hupo, the maid, come in from outside and report, "Old Lady, Sister Ping’er is in the courtyard and said she wants to report something to the Elder Madam and Second Madam.”

If Ping'er only reported to Wang Xifeng, it wouldn't be a strange thing. However, along with the Elder Madam, Xing-Shi puzzled Old Lady. So she asked casually, "What's so serious that she needs to report to them?”

Hupo hurriedly said, "I heard the Second Lady has sent a message and wants to exchange some effective maids and servants with us in our mansion.”

This sounded fresh again. Since Jia Yingchun's family was at the Rongguo Mansion, it was reasonable for her to ask for one or two servant girls.

But what did this ”exchange” meant?

Old Lady Jia became even more curious but it was about her granddaughter, and there were no outsiders present. Therefore, she ordered, "Go and call Ping'er in, I want to hear what kind of ”exchange” she wants.”

Hupo was ordered out and soon led Ping’er in.

After seeing Ping'er, Old Lady Jia curiously inquired, "What words did the Second Lady sent back? Why do you say you want to ”exchange” some maids and servants with the family?”

“Returning to the words of the Old Lady.”

Ping'er respectfully said, "As the Second Lady suggested, the Sun family didn’t originally have a serious hostess, so there were not many maids and nannies who could be used. During the flood last year, she bought a batch of twelve or thirteen-year-old maids back.”

“Recently, due to Lord Sun finding a profitable business, he has sent more than a dozen family members to the south to keep an eye on it. As a result, even the servants and strong men in the mansion are feeling a bit worn out.”

“Catching up with the Central Judicial Office for verifying the origin of the domestic slaves, and the Second Master of the Sun family is working in the government office, it's even worse to hire people to fill it up recklessly.”

“Therefore, the Second Lady discussed this with her husband and wanted to use the newly bought little maids to exchange for some useful family members from our mansion.”

After hearing these words, everyone suddenly realized.

“This is really a good deal.”

Wang Xifeng immediately clapped her hands and smiled. "Last year, my Second Brother-in-Law was ordered to guard the refugee camp outside the city. His little maids were all chosen by a thousand, and they were as fresh and innocent as scallions. Although it's not helpful at the moment, as long as the good student has been trained for two years, they will be designated as the leaders of our mansion.”

Old Madam Wang also nodded and said, "At present, there are many servant girls in our mansion who are almost at the age of being released for marriage. They have also caught up with the strict investigation nowadays. It is not easy to buy the people from outside again. If we can exchange a few hearty ones from the Sun Mansion, we can save a lot of trouble.”

Seeing that two generations of Madam in this mansion have already recognized this matter, others naturally wouldn’t have any objections.

Old Lady Jia pondered for a moment on the Kang and nodded. "It's okay with our mansion. The Second Lady has just become pregnant and there is no serious nanny at home to take care of her. It's worth finding a few left and right arms to help her share the housework, so as not to overwork and hurt her body.”

After a pause, she ordered Wang Xifeng to say, "Since it's a combination of two good things, as a Sister-in-law, you should worry more and find some stable and steadfast people who are willing to work in that mansion.”

Just as Wang Xifeng was about to nod, a cold person flashed out from around Old Lady Jia and knelt with a loud thud, saying in a crisp voice, "Old Lady, I am willing to go and serve the Second Lady.”

When it became clear that this person was Yuanyang, there was an uproar in the hall.

As someone else went to Sun Mansion, they had to take a step up, but Yuanyang was now a leading servant in the Rongguo Mansion. Even in front of the Old Madam and Madam, she was still a respectable figure.

After arriving at Jia Yingchun's side, even if she was to be trusted again, how could she reach the position of the chief maid of Rongguo Mansion?

Old Lady Jia couldn't help but change her color on top. She couldn't believe it and took out her tortoiseshell glasses. After carefully staring at Yuanyang for a while, she suddenly raised her voice and ordered, "I'm a bit tired. You guys should all step back first.”

Everyone knew that she had something to say privately and wanted to share it with Yuanyang, so they quickly bowed down and retreated. Even Jia Baoyu and others were notified and hurriedly left the Old Lady Jia's yard.

When there were only Old Lady Jia and Yuanyang left in the room, the Old Lady came down from the Kang and gave Yuanyang a hand. She kindly said, "Get up first, what are the wrongs and grievances? You can just tell me, how come you have to start such a mischief?”

Hearing her words was like an Old Grandmother trying to coax a disobedient grandchildren. Yuanyang's eyes immediately turned red, and she looked up at the Old Lady reluctantly, almost changing her mind.

However, considering that she would continue to stay in the Rongguo Mansion, it was highly likely that she would fall into the hands of Jia She. However, Sun Shaozong promised to allow herself to slowly find the right husband, and Yuanyang's heart turned hard and choked, saying, "I don't dare to deceive the Old Lady. The Old Elder Master has stopped me several times and teased me. The other day, he even announced that he wants me to be the seventh concubine…”

“He also said that if I were not willing, he would call my father from Jinling and force me to marry him.”

As she spoke, she knocked her head on the ground and said decisively, "This matter is something that I absolutely refuse to comply with, but I don't want it to cause you and the Elder Master to be separated. When I was in a dilemma, this happened to be the reason.”

“Old Lady, please be kind and allow me to serve at the Second Lady's house.”

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Jia trembled with anger all over her body and muttered, "I have only such a reliable person left, and that unfilial son even dares to calculate.”

She then pulled Yuanyang and said, "Get up now; I'll take care of this for you. Why do you need to hide at the Second Lady's house?”

Yuanyang refused to get up and only kept kowtowing, saying that she didn’t dare to break the mother-son relationship.

Seeing that she was very determined, Old Lady Jia thought about going to Jia Yingchun's place. When Jia She eased his idea about Yuanyang, she might not be able to get her back.

Therefore, with a long sigh, she shook her head and said, "Well, since you are determined to serve the Second Lady, then you can help her manage her family and not lose the face of our Rongguo Mansion.”

Upon hearing Old Lady Jia's permission, Yuanyang was both pleasantly surprised and reluctant to part ways. She quickly kowtowed a few times and cried uncontrollably, "I thank the Old Lady for your grace. If there is an afterlife, I will be a cow and a horse, and I will also serve the Old Lady again.”