Wanjin Lady

Chapter 429 Muddy Waters
In a moment, the entire courtyard was completely ablaze. As thick smoke billowed, all the members of the tribute wine delegation were awakened. They heard someone shouting, "There's a fire! Hurry!"

In an instant, the entire courtyard was in chaos. Soon, patrolling soldiers arrived to put out the fire. Wei Zheng rode his horse directly into the courtyard, grabbed Liu Dajian and rushed out of the fire. Liu Dajian was worried about his colleagues and kept urging them to put out the fire, "Hurry, hurry! Lord Liu is drunk and I'm afraid he's already fallen asleep! Save him first!"

Wei Zheng laid Liu Dajian flat on a flat surface. The sleeves of Liu Dajian's official robes were burned by the fire. He brushed his sleeves and looked up to see Wei Zheng: "Wei... Marquis Wei?"

Wei Zheng grew up in the palace, so Eunuch Liu naturally recognized him.

According to the rules, he should have gone to visit Wei Zheng when entering the city today, but unfortunately Wei Zheng was busy with official duties and they had not met all day.

I never thought we would meet in such a chaotic time!
"Don't panic." Wei Zheng sat on his horse, his face calm, which made Liu Dajian feel much more at ease. "I was patrolling here and saw the flames rising from the sky. I immediately rushed to help. The arsonist has been caught and the fire is under control."

Liu Dajian burst into tears of gratitude: "Thank you, my Lord, for saving my life!"

As he spoke, Zhao Heng arrived, escorting a woman forward. When Supervisor Liu saw her, he was horrified. "This... this is the attire of a Red Mansion maid! Is Shopkeeper Wen trying to harm me?"

Liu Dajian shook his head again, "No! Manager Wen and I have no grudges against each other, why would she want to harm me?"

The female worker was caught red-handed and was already terrified. She knelt before Wei Zheng and begged for mercy, "Sir, please spare my life! I was sent by Madam Jia, the third wife of the Yuan family. She said she would give me one hundred taels of silver if I set fire here. It was Madam Jia who said... if they could convince the envoys that Miss Wen was responsible for tonight's disaster, they would definitely not give the tribute wine quota to the Wen family winery! My mother is seriously ill and urgently needs money to save her life! Sir, I was confused for a moment. Please spare my life!"

Wei Zheng thought that this woman had arrived just in time, and that his waiting so late at night was worth it. If this woman hadn't come, he would have been tempted to find someone else to mess things up.

"Nonsense!" Wei Zheng refused to buy it. "Since you claim to belong to the Jia family, why are you wearing the uniform of a Red Mansion maid?"

"Yes... yes... it was Madam Jia who told me to dress like this! She said that my identity wouldn't be discovered. Even if someone saw me, they would just think it was someone from the Red Mansion who set the fire!" The woman trembled. "If you don't believe me, sir, I can tell you who my contact is! I even have a twenty-liang silver deposit in my room from Madam Jia!"

Liu Dajian was furious. "What a vicious heart! Jia Shi had such audacity that she actually set fire and killed the Imperial Wine Envoy! I will definitely report this to the Imperial Court and make sure that Jia Shi and the entire Yuan family will be punished!"

Wei Zheng was satisfied and thought that Junior Sister Wen would be able to sleep well after tonight.

He sheathed his sword and perfunctorily consoled Liu Dajian: "This courtyard is no longer habitable. Let's find a place to settle down first, and we'll see tomorrow..."

He tilted his head to look at Liu Dajian, "Will the delegation still have to take the test tomorrow?"

Liu Dajian was furious. Upon hearing this, he waved his sleeves and said, "Assessment? The Cheng family is so unscrupulous in their pursuit of a place in the imperial winery. Such a winery... absolutely cannot be selected! I will write a memorial to the Ministry of Rites tonight and directly disqualify the Cheng family from competing for the imperial winery!"

night, deeper.

The magpie girl from the Yuan family sneaked to the outside of Concubine Chun's yard at night. The lights in Concubine Chun's room were still on, and she was obviously waiting for the magpie to report the news. "Concubine! It's done! I just saw Chen Si enter the mistress's yard! She will definitely make a move tonight!"

Concubine Chun took out a bulging purse and stuffed it into Xi Que's hand, her tone more gentle than ever before: "Good boy! I remember all the things you did for me. As soon as this is over, I will immediately tell the master to transfer you to my courtyard to work. You are so young now, it's not good for you to be kept in this old witch's courtyard waiting to die of old age. When the time comes, I will arrange a happy marriage for you, and I guarantee that both you and your parents will be satisfied!"

The magpie blushed slightly and didn't notice the green-faced and fang-toothed Concubine Chun under the lamp opposite.

Since Jia has discovered that she and Wen Wan have joined forces, the two no longer need to maintain superficial peace.

Wen Wan was already lying in wait, waiting for Jia Shi to make a move tonight. If Jia Shi made a move, the Yuan family's reputation for imperial wine would surely crumble, and Jia Shi would become the target of everyone's anger. The master would definitely seize the opportunity to divorce Jia Shi!
At that time, it will be Aunt Chun's turn to take the throne!
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Everyone in the Wen family had gone to bed, except for the light in Wen Wan's study which was still on.

Hongmei stayed with him for a while, her eyes throbbing. Unable to bear it any longer, she ran over to ask, "Miss, are you going to stay up all night? If... Jia doesn't make a move tonight... wouldn't that be a waste of time?"

Wen Wan was holding a book called "Salt and Iron Theory" in her hand and reading it intently. Her legs were leisurely resting on the table, and her other hand was holding a pastry. She did not look like a lady at all.

All the members of the Wen family took turns to help, but they were unable to change the girl's bad habit of reading with her legs crossed.

Hearing this, Wen Wan smiled gently and said confidently, "The Jia family's people will come."

Hongmei was unsure.

"Jia is eager for revenge, and tonight is her last chance."

"I've already cast all the bait, she's bound to bite."

Hongmei felt it was dangerous, but she felt softer in her heart. Girl... could never get over Lu Ping. She was bitten by Jia in order to avenge Lu Ping, but looking at the girl, it seemed that she never regretted it.

instead……

Since the day Yuanqi died, the girl slept better.

Wen Wan patted Hongmei's head, as if coaxing little Zhaozhao, "You don't have to accompany me, go to sleep."

Hongmei shook her head. "If the girl can endure it, I can endure it too. I'll accompany her."

Wen Wan smiled at her, "You haven't neglected the work in the Red Mansion or at home, and I can't treat you like a cow. There have been a lot of disputes recently, and the family dares not hire anyone easily. When this period is over, I will choose two maids to help you share the work."

"Girl, I'm not tired at all." Hongmei smiled, "I'm helping Luping do her part! I'm very happy."

When Lu Ping was mentioned, both of them fell silent.

Fortunately, there were footsteps outside the door. Wen Wan guessed that the matter of tonight had come to an end, and immediately urged Hongmei to open the door, but she never expected to hear Wei Zheng's voice.

Wen Wan quickly got up, casually put on a coat and walked out. Sure enough, she saw Wei Zheng standing at the door talking to Hongmei.

Under the gentle and dim moonlight, the young lady had her long hair loose, wearing a nightgown inside and a coat outside. Her hairpins and rings were gone, and her little face was indescribably charming.

Wei Zheng could clearly hear his own heartbeat.

There was a hint of nervousness as she spoke. "Jia sent someone dressed as a Red Mansion maid to set fire to the courtyard where the tribute wine delegation was staying. They were caught in the act. They have now been handed over to the government. Liu Dajian is writing a letter overnight to sue the Yuan family winery. Once this letter is sent, the third branch of the Yuan family will be killed."