A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 67 Served

"Ping'er, your kindness is truly rewarded!"

"Absolutely! Judging from the way he's acting, he might just take her over as a concubine someday."

"Isn't it better to have the master remembering her kindness than to follow Master Lian and suffer the mistress's temper?"

In wealthy families, it was common for them to exchange concubines, especially since Ping'er was just a maidservant.

On the first day Wang Qing checked in, Ping'er came to deliver meals and even specially increased the expenses for the courtyard.

Wang Qing always called Ping'er "Sister Ping'er," and the servants assumed he was just being grateful, believing that Ping'er's kindness had been rewarded.

This is also the effect that Wang Qing hoped to achieve.

I often walk by the river, so how can I not wet my shoes?

Hiding things only makes people think you're guilty; it's better to be open and honest.

Given the attitude shown by the Rongguo Mansion, even if the matter is exposed, it is unlikely that they would turn against each other for a concubine maid. They would most likely send Ping'er to quell the rumors.

Even if they really fall out, Wang Qing is not worried.

He had no intention of keeping his promises; at worst, he would sell Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng, and conveniently pin a label on the Rongguo Mansion—a deliberate scheme to smear him.

Then, by connecting his conflict with Jia Lian and his act of impersonating a thief, he would surely win over Grandmother Jia.

In addition, this opportunity can be used to test people's reactions and gradually raise their psychological threshold.

Of course, the hospitality wasn't just empty talk.

As soon as he led Ping'er into the study, Wang Qing grabbed her slender waist and leaned her against the door.

When Ping'er fell into his arms, he lowered his head, wrapped his arm around her long neck, and silenced her astonished mouth with a kiss. His large hands also roamed restlessly up and down her body.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Ping'er offered no resistance and instantly succumbed to Wang Qing's clutches.

For a long time, the lips are divided.

Wang Qing wiped the saliva from his lips, tightened his arms around himself, and said with a sigh, "I've had braised ham and pork knuckle twice since then, but neither tasted as good as the one my sister sent."

These days, which capable man doesn't have three wives and four concubines?

Ping'er is neither Wang Xifeng nor does she have the status of Wang Xifeng's legitimate daughter and wife. Whether Xiangling accepts her as a concubine or not is not something that needs to be explained to her at all.

However, Wang Qing was used to being considerate and tender, and used the ham hock to warm Ping'er's heart.

Upon hearing this, Ping'er felt ashamed and said in a trembling voice, "This servant...this servant...this servant will bring it to you again next time, as long as you like it."

She originally intended to truthfully report that she had been ordered to deliver the meal, but she changed her mind before she could finish speaking.

Just then, they heard Sister Liu's loud warning from outside: "Slow down, slow down, be careful not to spill the soup!"

Ping'er was startled and hurriedly broke free from Wang Qing's embrace, stumbling and sitting down on the side of the table, in the nearest chair.

Wang Qing calmly straightened his clothes and sat down at the table.

Once the food and wine were served, Sister Liu led the servants away. Ping'er quickly picked up the wine pot, stood up, and said, "This servant is useless and cannot serve the master. Today, let this servant do her duty and serve the master his meal!"

"Hey!" Wang Qing reached out and gently tugged at Ping'er, letting her fall onto his lap before saying meaningfully, "You should sit down and fill your stomach first, so you'll have the energy to sit at the table and do your duty properly!"

Having learned from her previous experience, Ping'er clearly understood the difference between sitting at the table and sitting at the table.

Wang Qing simply hugged Ping'er tightly and wouldn't let go, accepting her feeding him while occasionally urging her to take a bite herself, quite content with himself.

After downing two cups of wine, Wang Qing pondered for a moment and said, "Sister, if you come here again in the future, you might get caught by someone. I'm thinking of getting the indentures of all the people in the courtyard, and you can tell your second sister-in-law about it later."

Although Ping'er lied that she was caught by Sister Liu and dragged her into the mess, she managed to get the indenture from the Liu family, and everything fell into place.

However, Wang Xifeng was unlikely to easily give up this pawn she had planted by her side, and her purpose in demanding the indenture of the Liu family alone was too obvious. Wang Qing decided to pretend to be confused and test Wang Xifeng's reaction.

Sure enough, Ping'er frowned slightly and hesitated, saying, "Others are fine, but the Liu family..."

"What happened to the Liu family?"

"The Liu family will probably have to ask Madam first!"

Lady Wang?

Wang Qing assumed Ping'er was deliberately using Madam Wang as a shield, and feigned doubt, asking, "Could it be that the Liu family are the Second Madam's maids?"

"No, that's not it..."

Ping'er hesitated for a moment before telling Wang Qing about Wang Xifeng's suspicions. She added, "If Madam gives the person to Master in private, it might be difficult to explain to Madam. Master, you might as well pretend you don't know and go directly to Madam."

If he hadn't added that sentence, Wang Qing might still have doubts. But after hearing her offer him advice, Wang Qing couldn't help but waver.

He was no stranger to Madam Wang's practice of planting spies.

Although he was not Jia Baoyu, he was still a rare commodity. It was not surprising that he took the opportunity of seeking medical treatment for Liu Wu'er to win over the Liu family and look for clues about his contact with the Emperor Emeritus.

So he nodded and said, "In that case, don't tell your sister-in-law about this. I'll go see the second wife directly tomorrow."

He paused, then half-probingly, half-jokingly asked, "Since Second Madam is able to win over the Liu family, hasn't Second Sister-in-law Lian ever thought of planting a pawn by my side as well?"

The speaker has no intention, the listener has the heart.

Ping'er froze, quickly dropped her chopsticks, slid off Wang Qing's lap, knelt down, and said in a choked voice, "Grandma has no ill intentions towards Master, she's just quite curious about Huiwen..."

She recounted her mission to approach Wang Xifeng, downplaying the important points, and then added, "Originally, I was acting under orders, but Master has shown me deep affection and loyalty, and now that I am one of your people, I dare not deceive you any longer..."

Did Wang Xifeng set her sights on Huiwen?

This is indeed in line with her personality, and it wouldn't sound good if word got out that she was eyeing the Huiwen in her possession. If Ping'er were on Wang Xifeng's side, she wouldn't have made up such a story.

Wang Qing had been playing along with Ping'er all along, so he didn't feel deceived.

He hooked Ping'er's chin and comforted her, "Since ancient times, everyone has served their own master. Why blame yourself? As long as you treat me wholeheartedly from now on, I will naturally treat you sincerely in return!"

Ping'er quickly pointed to the sky and swore, "This servant belongs to you in life and in death..."

Before the word "ghost" could be uttered, Wang Qing reached out and pressed his finger against Ping'er's lips.

Wang Qingfang gently stroked Ping'er's lips with his fingertips for a while, then slowly pressed down on the back of her head, saying slowly and deliberately, "Since that's the case, let me first see how many secrets you're hiding in your mouth!"

"What does Master wish to ask? This servant will answer to the best of her knowledge... Waaah... Waaah..."

……

More than half an hour later.

Ping'er's muffled groan, which she tried her best to suppress, came from the study.

Ping'er, who had returned to the table, took a breath and was about to struggle to get off.

But then Liu's voice rang out from outside the door: "Master, I've brought some hot water..."

Even though they had fought side by side, Ping'er was still unable to suppress her shyness.

Wang Qing had already opened the door and let Sister Liu in.

After Ping'er finished tidying up, Sister Liu also wiped away the marks on the table.

Wang Qingfang said in a deep voice, "See Ping'er off for me, and while you're at it, have someone come in and tidy things up."

"Yes!" Sister Liu replied somewhat forlornly.

But then Wang Qing said, "I have something else to ask you. Remember to come over after you're done delivering."

She came in to help clean up the mess, but she also hoped to hitch a ride with Ping'er and take the opportunity to share in the profits.

Originally, I thought that Wang Qing had no such intention, which was why he sent me away. Who would have thought that things would take a turn for the better and that good things were yet to come.

"Yes! Yes!" Sister Liu's worry turned to joy, and she hurriedly agreed.

……