The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion

Chapter 576 - Wielding a Sword in the Waist [2 in 1]

In addition to the two leading figures, Tanchun and Xiren, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and Jia Xichun were also surrounding the uneasy Ping’er.

Seeing this scene, Sun Shaozong couldn't help but stand still, but before he could think more, he heard a soft cry coming from not far in front of him.

"Ah~!"

Sun Shaozong quickly moved the implement from the mountaintop back to his front and saw a small person covering her cherry mouth with a handkerchief, looking at him in surprise.

Although Sun Shaozong had not seen this young girl seriously a few times, he also knew that she was Lady Shi Xiangyun of the Shi family.

Great~

The hostesses of this provincial courtyard, aside from Li Wan, who was a widow, had all gathered, but he didn't know why they were here today.

Sun Shaozong's heart was filled with suspicion, and Shi Xiangyun, across from him, finally regained her composure. She quickly twisted the handkerchief onto her finger and said casually, "Xiangyun has seen the Second Brother of the Sun family."

But the next second, she straightened up with full energy and said playfully, "The first time I've been so close to you, Second Brother Sun, you really scared me just now."

With these words, she pointed the green onion with the handkerchief on it to the top of the mountain and said in a crisp voice, "Brother Sun, come with me quickly, sisters are waiting on it."

This girl didn’t wait for an answer. She climbed a few steps and then turned around, silently urging with her bright, big eyes.

Although Sun Shaozong still had some doubts in his heart, he was not afraid of a few young girls.

Besides, there was also Ping’er among them. Based on their current relationship, if there was anything wrong, she should have found a way to warn him earlier.

Therefore, under the urging of Shi Xiangyun, Sun Shaozong followed her up the stairs and arrived at the small pavilion on the mountaintop.

The women in the pavilion, he had also seen them from above. Jia Tanchun took a few steps back and retreated into the pavilion, while Xiren greeted him with a dignified expression, honoring him with the title of "Lord Sun."

Before Sun Shaozong could respond, all the women in the pavilion also gave a distant salute, all of whom verbally referred to him as "the second brother of the Sun family."

In that pavilion, the sound of beauties could not stop for a moment. The young voice was delicate, the body was soft, and the mature and warm person was charming. The shouting of "brother" one by one was impressive…

No wonder Jia Baoyu couldn't calm down and focus on studying. He spent his days soaking in such a pile of cosmetics that even if it was him, he was afraid he might not be able to control it.

Imagining Jia Baoyu's daily life, Sun Shaozong didn't know whether he was feeling pity or jealousy, but on his face, he smiled and clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "You sisters borrowed Ping'er's name to lure me here. Do you need any guidance?"

As he spoke, his gaze crossed over Tanchun and Yingchun in front of him and landed on Ping'er.

He saw Ping'er holding her handkerchief with a blush on her face, feeling even more uneasy, but without any signs of anxiety. Instead, there was a hint of anticipation.

It didn’t seem like a bad thing.

With such thoughts in mind, Sun Shaozong became more and more relaxed, and from left to right, he captured the expressions of the women one by one.

Shi Xiangyun and Jia Yingchun were eager to give it a try, while Xue Baochai felt a little helpless. Jia Xichun widened her eyes as if hoping for something, but more often played the role of passerby.

The most special one was Lin Daiyu, whose pair of water pupils seemed to be able to speak, exuding the words "dilemma," but she didn't know what she was trying to do.

Unexpectedly, the first person to speak was not Shi Xiangyun, but Jia Tanchun. She straightened her waist and said in a crisp voice, "We invited you to come today mainly to discuss about Sister Ping’er!"

"What about Ping'er?"

"That's right."

Shi Xiangyun followed closely and said, "Second Brother Sun also comes and goes frequently. Sister Ping'er has good character, so we don't have to say much about her. If she weren't for having a heart for someone and being extremely disappointed with Second Brother Lian, she would never..."

"Lady Yun!"

Hearing that she didn't have a door for her mouth, talking about Jia Lian. Xue Baochai quickly stopped her and said, "We've been with Sister Ping’er since we were young. We are not biological sisters but are better than sisters. Naturally, we hope she can have a good home."

"That’s right."

Jia Tanchun added, "So we sisters, after discussing in private, wanted to ask you for help for Sister Pinger."

"It's not a heartless invitation either."

Shi Xiangyun was scolded by Baochai, and after being honest for a while, she couldn't help but raise her head and say, "With the character and appearance of Sister Ping'er, can't she receive the dowry from you, Second Brother Sun?"

As she spoke, she suddenly glanced at Lin Daiyu from behind and chuckled, "Sister Lin, do you think this is the right thing to do?"

Now Sun Shaozong finally knew why Lin Daiyu was in a dilemma. She had been with Ping'er since childhood, but she also recognized Ruan Rong as her godsister. Wasn’t this a dilemma for Lin Daiyu?

However, at this moment, when she heard Shi Xiangyun using words to pinpoint her, he had to agree, saying, "Of course she deserves it!"

Besides that, there was nothing else to say.

As mentioned earlier, during these years, concubines were also divided into three, six, or nine classes. The highest was a good concubine who was openly married, the second was a lowly concubine who was not hired by any matchmaker, and the worst was famous and indiscriminate courtesans and warm-foot maids.

Although the status of a concubine after entering the door always depended on whether she was favored or not, having a good concubine who would hire a matchmaker would ultimately make her stronger.

That was why today, the women wanted to ask for a dowry on behalf of Ping'er.

At this moment, Sun Shaozong couldn't help but burst into laughter as he saw all the women staring intently, looking forward to his response.

He casually took out an object from his sleeve and showed it to the crowd, saying, "Fortunately, I had prepared the token long ago. Otherwise, it would have been as if I didn't mean it and would have been pressured by you."

The women saw something shiny and golden in his hand, but couldn't see it very clearly. Just as they were about to ask for a clear understanding, Shi Xiangyun grabbed it in her hand and played with it carefully for a moment. Suddenly, they were surprised and said, "Ah, this looks like Sister Ping’er!"

The women behind her were startled and couldn't help but stretch their necks. Xue Baochai even laughed and cursed, "You only care about what's rare for yourself, and not give it to Ping'er!"

Shi Xiangyun suddenly realized it and quickly turned back to the pavilion, stuffing the thing into Ping'er's hand and jokingly saying, "Ping'er, please take it carefully and don't let anyone snatch it."

Ping'er had already realized that the object was exactly the pocket watch that Sun Shaozong had specially made for her, but when it was held by Shi Xiangyun, the heavy touch still weighed heavily on her breathing.

Trembling, the pure gold shell was lifted open, and the clicking hands and lifelike relief of the head on the inside immediately caught the eyes of the women.

Everyone couldn't help but marvel at it, especially Jia Yingchun, who had been daydreaming all the time. She wished he could put her small head into the watch and take a closer look.

With a murmur in her mouth, she said, "This embroidered image is truly unique. I don't know which craftsman's work it is."

"I personally painted it."

Sun Shaozong spread his hands and said, "Otherwise, the craftsman had never seen Ping'er before. How could he have portrayed her so vividly?"

"Surprisingly..."

"Alright!"

Xichun was waiting to ask again, but was cut off by Shi Xiangyun earlier and jokingly said, "We've been worrying about something for nothing, but we are still being a lightbulb here?"

As she spoke, she pulled Xi Chun and headed down the mountain.

Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, Tanchun, and Xiren all followed closely behind.

When Lin Daiyu passed by Sun Shaozong's side, she hesitated to speak, probably angry with his fickleness and wanting to defend Ruan Rong.

But due to Ping’er being on the side, she couldn't say anything and only bit her cherry lips and hung her head.

Xue Baochai apologized and pleaded guilty, and then walked away hand in hand with Xiren.

Inside and outside the small pavilion on the mountaintop, in an instant, only Sun Shaozong and Ping'er were left facing each other from afar.

Sun Shaozong grinned and opened his two thick arms. Ping'er hesitated for a while in embarrassment, and then took a few steps forward, but was already embraced by him.

Two flowers bloom, each representing one branch.

When the women chattered and arrived at the foot of the mountain, two people suddenly flashed out of the slanted slope and rushed forward to urge, "How is it up there? Did Sun Erlang ever respond?"

Xue Baochai said, "My sister-in-law is worried for nothing this time. Lord Sun is indeed someone who knows how to cherish people, and he has already prepared a token."

It turned out that it was none other than Li Wan and Su Yun's master and servants who welcomed them.

The reason why the women took the initiative this time to help Ping'er seek employment was also Li Wan's idea. However, as a widow, she was not convenient to appear with the women.

At this moment, she listened to Xue Baochai, and she explained what had happened on the mountaintop clearly and carefully, asking about the appearance of the pocket watch.

Li Wan instinctively looked up at the mountaintop. Although she had not seen anything, she refused to take her gaze away for a long time.

Although none of the women were foolish, they were still young and had only a partial understanding of the relationship between men and women.

Among them, there were only Xue Baochai and Xiren, who vaguely guessed that she was pushing people and herself, placing her longing for a better home on Ping'er.

Xue Baochai was afraid that if she stayed longer, it would cause unnecessary associations with others. She quickly approached her and pretended to laugh and tease her, saying, "We made a fool of ourselves in front of others, but we can't just calculate. Tonight, you need to host the poetry club!"

Li Wan suddenly snapped out of her senses and was satisfied with her words. So, a group of beauties went to Daoxiang Village, leaving only Xiren and Suyun to guard the foot of the mountain, so that they could send Sun Shaozong out on behalf of Ping'er.

It was not a big deal for Xiren. The matter of Ping’er has been settled. Baoyu was out in the wilderness again today; she could be idle anywhere.

Suyun was somewhat restless, constantly looking up at the mountaintop.

But for safety reasons, a half-person-high stone wall was built at the top of the mountain, and at the foot of the mountain, except for the red square roof, there was nothing else visible.

Suyun couldn't help but turn back to Xiren and say, "Sister, how long do you think we should wait here?"

Seeing her appearance, Xiren couldn't help but chuckle, saying, "Look at your impatience, it seems like you're going to marry someone."

Suyun really wished for this, but unfortunately, she didn't have this opportunity.

Due to being stabbed in a painful spot in her heart, Suyun felt distressed and sarcastically said, "Sister, you are experienced, who knows everything about this matter. Naturally, you are not in a hurry, but I once knew how long it would take for a man and woman to be together."

"Ah!"

Xiren's face immediately turned red, and he reached out to strike, saying, "You're good little hoof. How could you say such shameless words?"

Suyun also knew she had broken her rules, so she quickly changed her smile and dodged backward to beg for mercy.

The two of them were laughing and frolicking here when they suddenly saw a graceful nun wearing patchwork clothes, swinging her big sleeves.

The two of them didn't hesitate and quickly approached Miaoyu to greet her.

Just as Miaoyu clasped her hands together and said, "Have you ever seen Lord Sun? I heard he was taken to this area by someone."

Looking for Lord Sun?

Xiren and Suyun exchanged glances, both feeling a bit puzzled, but Miaoyu was only staying in the mansion, and it was not something they could ask after all.

So she had no choice but to briefly explain the inconvenience that Sun Shaozong was currently meeting with Ping'er at the mountaintop.

Miaoyu was not in a hurry and immediately said, "I see, I'll just wait here."

Speaking, she stood silently by the roadside.

Miaoyu was silent, making the mischievous Xiren and Suyun quiet.

So the three of them, like wooden stakes, poked about two sticks of incense at the foot of the mountain before seeing Sun Shaozong coming down from the mountain without seeing any trace of Ping'er. It seemed that either she was shy or it was inconvenient to see people.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Miaoyu proclaimed the Buddha's name and quickly welcomed him, but Sun Shaozong was taken aback. He thought to himself that he had not yet come up with a foolproof plan, so why did this nun come to his door first?

"Lord Sun."

Just as Miaoyu said solemnly, "In the past, you used to say you wanted to avoid suspicion, so you couldn't intervene in the case of Assistant Magistrate Wei. But now that you are about to hand over the task of the Central Judicial Office, naturally..."

"Wait, wait!"

This nun was really persistent. Even now, she still remembered helping Wei Ruolan get rid of his injustice.

Sun Shaozong said speechlessly, "Although I am going to hand over the task of managing the Central Judicial Office, I am about to leave the Capital to quell the rebellion. How will I have time to avenge Wei Ruolan?"

"It's not necessary to investigate in detail, you may as well visit Young Master Wei first and listen to him explain in detail..."

"I don't think it's necessary anymore."

Sun Shaozong interrupted her and said, "I have some skills in solving cases. In just a moment, I can still catch up with the months of hard work of the adults of Dali Temple?"

Before Miaoyu could say anything more, he couldn't help but question, "Didn't you say last time that you didn't have that much thought for Wei Ruolan? But how could you be so..."

"Young Master Wei is kind to me."

Miaoyu's statement was resolute, and then she added, "If one day, you are imprisoned, I will also do my best to run for you."

"It's better not to have that day."

Sun Shaozong muttered, "I am really powerless to help with this matter. Lady Miaoyu, why don't you invite someone else?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Suyun, gesturing for her to stop Miaoyu, and then hastily bowed before flying away.

Previously, the beauty of Miaoyu was somewhat tempting to Sun Shaozong, but now…

Under her patchwork clothes, there really was a “sharp sword” that could make a fool's head fall!