The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion
Ch. 488 - Consolation

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After more than half an hour, Jia Baoyu reappeared in front of Sun Shaozong, with no more of the "come and go" arrogance on his face, only a tangled mess.

"What's going on?"

Sun Shaozong had seen Xiren search for him in the water pavilion before and naturally knew why he was conflicted. However, he didn’t point it out and only smiled and asked, "Has this small arson case made it difficult for you, Detective Jia?"

"This..."

Jia Baoyu gave a teasing smile and reluctantly found a reason to evade, saying, "My mother is really being careless. This fire was accidentally set on fire, so there's nothing strange about it."

Fearing that Sun Shaozong might ask further questions, he quickly waved his hand and said, "Let's go for a walk. It's getting late too. Second Brother, come with me for a drink, and then you will naturally know why I'm looking for you."

Seeing that he didn't want to do much about it, Sun Shaozong naturally followed suit and returned to the Grand View Garden with Jia Baoyu.

Entering from the winding and secluded path, passing through the emerald green weeping willow path, he saw a white stone railing with a pavilion in the middle called the Qinfang Bridge. Suddenly, he saw Miaoyu sitting diagonally on a large stone on the opposite bank, holding a book in her mind. Beside her was a spotted deer running back and forth in search of food, even seeing her as if she was invisible.

Jia Baoyu stretched his neck and stared at the other side for a while before suddenly stomping his foot and saying, "Unfortunately, Fourth Sister is not here, otherwise there will definitely be a masterpiece!"

As he walked a few steps up the bridge, it seemed like he was about to cross the bridge and talk to Miaoyu. However, as soon as he arrived at the Zhongfang Pavilion, he stopped and hesitated for a while before turning to Sun Shaozong and saying, "Don't offend her. Let me take you to take a detour from somewhere else."

This literary spirit…

Even if he didn’t want to disturb Miaoyu, he could just quietly cross the bridge, why did he need a detour?

However, Sun Shaozong didn't care about taking a few more steps, so he followed him.

But as he walked out along the murmuring stream and continued down for a while, he couldn't see Miaoyu reading anymore. Jia Baoyu then spoke up again, "Seeing Miaoyu's white dress, I remember Grandma Liu's story. Did you listen to the rest of this story later, Brother?"

"After you left, I went to the water pavilion."

Sun Shaozong smiled as he saw Jia Baoyu's face full of regret and said, "Even if I'm still inside, the fire that broke out at your house, and she naturally needed to change her story."

Jia Baoyu thought about it too, especially when Old Lady Jia believed in ghosts and gods, she avoided such things the most.

So he said somewhat regretfully, "Unfortunately, although that Grandma is vulgar and unbearable, the story she told is also interesting."

"She may not be as vulgar as usual."

Sun Shaozong smiled and said, "I'm afraid it's only when I come to this wealthy family and meet you idle people who love to see people and make jokes that I have to try my best to become vulgar and interesting."

At first, Jia Baoyu felt a bit puzzled upon hearing this, but after all, he had made some progress in the past year. Soon, he suddenly said, "Second Brother, is she deliberately making a fool of herself?"

Without waiting for Sun Shaozong to respond, he shook his head and said, "It's really disappointing! If I had known that, I would never have gone to see that rural woman."

Here, it seemed like the people of the countryside were all foolish like how others thought so.

Sun Shaozong couldn't help but sarcastically say, "With your temperament and the inability to shoulder or lift, if you're down and out, you may not be able to catch up with her."

"If you can't make it, then you can't make it."

Jia Baoyu was not angry either. He spread his hands and said, "If there really comes a day, I hope you can help me save face. Don't let anyone pull me to a wealthy family to be a monkey."

"Although they have performed monkey operas, somehow they can support their children and grandchildren at home." Sun Shaozong snorted. "You have a face, but what about your sisters? Can they look at your face and resist the cold?"

Jia Baoyu remained silent and smiled bitterly for a moment, saying, "With all this, this filthy wealth and status can’t be lost."

The murky wealth and status…

Sun Shaozong rolled his eyes, too lazy to pay any more attention to him, and turned his head to pretend to be greedy for the scenery in two miles.

To be honest, the scenery in this garden could truly be called a fairyland on earth, and it was not in vain to spend over a million taels of silver smashing it inside.

Of course, from the perspective of an observer, if Sun Shaozong were to repair such a thing at home, he would probably have to suffer a lot.

As they approached a left turn, they saw a person standing in front of the corridor with hands tied. From a distance, the person arched his hands and said, "Erlang, I have been here for a long time!"

That voice had a hint of sharpness, but who else could it be if it wasn't Jia Lian?

Sun Shaozong paused in his footsteps, but he didn't feel that it was too unexpected. In fact, he had speculated before that this might be a matchmaking, after all, when Ping'er gave the "Golden Bell Glass Pagoda" last time, there was a matter of Jia Lian's intention to reconcile.

However…

He couldn't figure out whether this thought was true or false.

With a hint of caution, Sun Shaozong leaned forward and asked, "After hearing about what happened earlier, Second Brother no longer blames me, right?"

"This is just my little belly and chicken intestines, what's so strange about it?"

Jia Lian stared straight at Sun Shaozong, wishing he could pull his burning thoughts out of his throat and dissect them clearly in front of Erlang.

But he also knew that Sun Shaozong had always kept a respectful distance from gays. If he had confessed his feelings at this moment, he might have scared him away.

Therefore, not only did he not dare to show his admiration, but he tried his best to put on a masculine aura and waved his hand, saying, "As the ancient saying goes, ”My Sister-in-law drowned and the uncle helped.” That woman came out of the water, wouldn't it be normal for her to be seen by you? Even the ancient people didn't care about these things. If I continue to take this into account, wouldn't it be worse than a beast?"

There seemed to be some logical issues with the rest of the conversation, but Jia Lian really put on a magnanimous attitude, however, his gaze was not quite right. Was it because he was showcasing his acting skills?

But Sun Shaozong was clear about his acting skills. Let alone the old fox like Jia Yucun. He was afraid he was inferior to an old dandy like Jia She.

Or, has he really figured it out?

Sun Shaozong was half believing and half doubting, and couldn't help but continue to probe, saying, "At that time, I was also in a hurry to take power. In fact, if I calm down, there may not be a better way."

"Hey!"

Jia Lian once again arrogantly said, "Since ancient times, it has been said that ”Women are like clothes, and brothers are like siblings.” Not to mention you even saved her. Even if you happen to come across something that shouldn't be seen, it's not enough to affect our brotherly affection!"

"Let's walk, let's go inside and have a few toasts, which can be considered compensation," he said as he moved in.

Seizing the opportunity, he grabbed Sun Shaozong's wrist and pulled it inside.

This person…

Was he really the Jia Lian who indulged in promiscuity and loved to be sour and jealous the most?

How was this the act of him figuring it out here and there, it was clear that he entirely changed!

Sun Shaozong instinctively followed him a few steps inside, feeling puzzled in his heart. He couldn't help but sneak a glance at Jia Lian's expression, only to see his eyes and eyebrows filled with uncontrollable joy.

Not right!

This guy must have some conspiracy!

Sun Shaozong hurriedly shook off Jia Lian and turned to greet Jia Baoyu, saying, "Brother Bao, if you don't go in as a landlord, we won't be able to manipulate your inner thoughts."

He was eager to greet Jia Baoyu, thinking that Jia Lian would use a mouse as a deterrent. If there were any mechanisms, he wouldn't dare to even harm Jia Baoyu.

Just this time he turned around, he couldn't see Jia Lian's face showing a sense of disappointment as if he was a resentful woman. It was only after he finally took control, how could he be dumped?

It seemed that Sun Erlang was not accustomed to being too close to men, so he still needed to find a way to do it step by step.

The three of them each entered with their own thoughts in mind. Xiren and other maids quickly took out warm wine and fragrant pancakes and served the three of them clean. The women over there took advantage of the situation and put all the prepared delicacies on the table.

The three of them sat with horns, and Jia Baoyu rushed to help them fill the wine. Before he could even pour it for himself, he saw Jia Lian standing up with a wine cup and saying, "Erlang, it used to be my fault, but now it's nothing. I'll do it as a gesture of respect!"

Then he looked up and gulped down his drink.

Was this just to intoxicate oneself and then…

Just Jia Lian's alcohol tolerance, unless he has drugged himself in the wine, he was not his match at all.

But here, even if they were enchanted together with Jia Baoyu, they would never let Jia Lian come around.

Sun Shaozong pondered for a moment and felt that there shouldn't be any problems with the wine. He then raised his wine bowl and said, "Just like you said, nothing's wrong. It's all in the wine!"

So, he also drank the wine in one gulp.

His actions were much more natural and free-spirited than Jia Lian's forced display of boldness.

It was none other than Jia Lian's dazzling and mesmerizing gaze across from him, and Jia Baoyu also became interested. He raised his bowl and insisted on joining in the fun.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Sheyue suddenly poked her head outside the door and looked around, her expression hesitant.

Jia Baoyu was stirred up and immediately slammed the wine glass onto the table in frustration, saying, "What is this? Are there still any rules in the family?"

Sheyue was startled and hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

Xiren, who was responsible for serving beside him, quickly went over and whispered a few questions, then returned with a strange expression and leaned toward Baoyu's ear.

Jia Baoyu was pretending to be bold there. He couldn't stand this sneaky move. He immediately turned his head and ordered, "The two brothers are not outsiders. What's wrong with them?"

Xiren had no choice but to say, "There is news from Prince Beijing's Residence that Qiulian, the beloved Concubine of Prince Beijing, has fallen seriously ill. I'm afraid she can’t survive longer. I want to go see her too."

"What?!"

As soon as Jia Baoyu jumped up from the chair, he said with great enthusiasm, "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?! Hurry, hurry, get ready for the carriage..."

"Master!"

Xiren quickly grabbed him and said angrily, "Don't forget that Lord Sun is still here. How could there be a reason to pay a visit in the afternoon?"

Upon reflection, Baoyu realized the same truth. Although his relationship with Qiulian was extraordinary, he couldn’t be considered a relative of her family. This taboo still needed to be discussed.

So he quickly changed his mind and planned to visit the Prince Beijing's Residence early tomorrow morning.

After he regained his restless seat, he reluctantly explained to Sun Shaozong, "Sister Qiulian treats people extremely well. When I went to the Prince Beijing's Residence, she took care of me, but unexpectedly contracted a bad illness..."

"Just taking care of you?"

Jia Lian asked a rhetorical question on the side and explained to Sun Shaozong, "After hearing that Prince Beijing married a legal Princess Consort, he lost interest in the Concubines he had previously taken in, and he didn't want them to stay alone in the empty chamber. Therefore, when they met a young man they liked, he would help match them, which can be considered as finding some comfort for those Concubines."

Tch!

The private affairs inside this residence were really overwhelming!

Sun Shaozong was speechless, but Jia Lian smiled and said, "I have recently quit being a lesbian. There are a few idle people in the room. How about Erlang also help to comfort?"

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