Chapter Thirty-Two: The Lie

  In the teahouse, Cao Gong and his sister Cao Jia talked for a while about trivial matters.

  As they still had to go to the Marquis's residence for a banquet, it wouldn't be good if they went too late. Cao Guang took out his pocket watch and looked at the time, which was almost right, so he told his sister the reason and wanted to bid farewell and leave, saying they would come again next time to pay their respects.

  Cao Jia heard that she was going to Ma Lian's house for a banquet and refused to let her go. She asked Tingqin to send two people to Ma's house to convey the message, saying that the Duke's Mansion would keep the guest and change the day when she would take her brother over to visit again.

  Cao Gong smiled wryly, isn't this somewhat relying on power to bully others? Cao Jia saw what her brother was thinking and smiled with pursed lips: "In the past, Ma Lian's family often came to pay their respects, but they didn't hide their intention of forming an alliance through marriage. If it weren't for these two years of mourning, I'm afraid they would have long since come to our house to finalize things. Does brother not want to accompany sister and instead is in a hurry to go pay his respects to father-in-law?"

  Cao Cao saw Cao Jie's narrow-mindedness and couldn't agree or disagree, so he just smiled and remained silent.

  The sound of footsteps came from afar, and soon someone asked in a crisp voice, "Is the aunt entertaining guests here?" A maid responded softly afterwards.

  Cao Jia heard this in the room, and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She whispered to Cao Kun: "The one who came is the younger sister of Wang Ye, with a slightly spoiled temper, but a kind heart."

  Just as Cao Jia finished speaking, a soft voice came from outside: "Sister, Bao Ya has arrived!"

  Cao Yun slightly raised an eyebrow, looking towards the door, a delicate figure walked in with the sound of footsteps. Wearing a yellow flag dress, her skin was as white as snow, and her big eyes were full of vitality.

  Cao Guang was slightly surprised in his heart. The angel-like lovely little girl in front of him was completely different from the imagined rude and unreasonable Manchu girl. No matter what he thought, he still stood up. Although he knew that according to the rules, he should say something like "Slave Cao Guang has seen the princess" or "Slave Cao Guang greets the princess", but the words were stuck in his mouth and he was not used to speaking for a while.

  Bao Ya didn't know that Cao Guang was in a difficult situation, and she walked three steps forward, her big eyes full of curiosity as she sized him up nonstop.

  Cao Gong felt a bit uneasy being stared at like this, even with his thick skin, and lightly coughed twice to remind the little girl to restrain herself.

  Bao Ya's eyes widened and she raised her hand to touch Cao Guang's forehead: "Are you sick? Why are you coughing!"

  Cao Wei slightly turned his head and dodged Bao Ya's small hand. He was speechless, this little girl was too unpredictable.

  Bao Ya put down her hand and blinked her big eyes: "You look really good, even better than Liu Zidan in San Xi class!"

  Cao Gong initially came to the capital city and didn't know who Liu Ziduan was, but Cao Jia knew and looked somewhat embarrassed.

  As soon as Bao Ya spoke, she knew she had misspoken. Even if it was to praise someone, she shouldn't have compared him to an actor like Liu Xianglian. Her face red, she ran over to Cao Jia's side and pulled on her sleeve, saying: "Sister, don't be angry, I was the one who misspoke! How could that Liu actor compare to Brother Cao?"

  Cao Jia knew the little girl's temper, having a big mouth but being careless, why bother to calculate so much. Although Cao Yun was indeed older than Bao Ya in age, this title of "older brother" couldn't be used. In the future, Cao Yun would have to work in the capital, and Bao Ya didn't know how to gauge the situation, if she were to call out in someone else's home, it would only invite criticism of the Cao family. Therefore, Cao Jia pulled Bao Ya along and said: "You two are about the same age, being older or younger doesn't make a difference, why not just call each other by name and be friends?"

  Bao Ya's status was noble and dignified, and she had very few friends who came to visit her regularly. She was a lively person and couldn't get along with the daughters of the inner chambers. Those young masters under the banner, due to their difference in status, all tried to curry favor with her, who dared to befriend her? Therefore, after hearing Cao Jia's words, Bao Ya nodded repeatedly: "Good, being friends is even better!"

  Cao Cong glanced at his sister, and suddenly arranged a playdate for himself. Was he thinking of making himself a part-time nanny? Just now, when his sister said something spoiled, he thought this young lady had a big temper, but now he finally understands that she is just innocent and childish.

  Bao Ya thought of her duel with Menggu Gege again and became depressed. Looking at Cao Yun, an idea suddenly popped into his mind, and he immediately asked: "Cao Yun, can you shoot arrows?"

  Cao Jia knew about Bao Ya's duel and didn't want his brother to get into trouble, so before Cao Yun could respond, he said: "Yun'er has been weak since childhood, and archery is just a mere formality for him. Why don't you ask the king for help instead? Choose some good marksmen from the barracks under the flag, and there will definitely be some."

  Bao Ya's face was smiling, her eyes darting back and forth: "It doesn't matter if we lose this round, there are other ways to win!"

  At the second watch, Prince Pingjun Nuer still hadn't returned to the mansion. He sent someone back to say that he was being held up by miscellaneous affairs and wouldn't be able to return until after dinner, telling Madame Fu to go ahead and have her meal, so as not to wait for him and miss dinner.

  Cao Jia heard this and said to Cao Gong with a hint of guilt: "The king doesn't know you came to the capital today, it seems that we won't be able to meet today!"

  Cao Gong didn't take it to heart and jokingly said that the prince's sister-in-law was a bit late in seeing him, but as long as his nephew wasn't late, it was fine.

  Cao Jia sent someone to call Nai Mama to bring Da Beile Fupeng over, and ordered people to set up the banquet in the tea room on this side.

  Fu Peng was ten months old, white and chubby, with a pair of big eyes open, looking very cute. Cao Gun looked at his nephew and couldn't help but think of his younger brother Cao Shun.

  After the mourning period at Qingliang Temple, Cao Gong returned home to find that Cao Shun was already three and a half years old, sturdy and strong, with a robust physique. Cao Gong remembered the history of his past life and had no confidence in his heart whether Cao Shun could avoid the fate of dying young.

  To give Cao Yin a preventive shot, so that he wouldn't be heartbroken due to the pain of losing his son, Cao Kun spread a half-true and half-false lie before leaving Jiangning. He claimed that he had a dream in which he saw the person who would inherit his father's legacy after a hundred years, and it was neither himself nor his younger brother Cao Shun, but rather Cao Yi, the cousin of the Western Mansion's second uncle.

  Although Cao Yin said that dreams are not to be taken seriously, his eyes revealed a hint of sadness. Cao Yun only hoped that if he and Cao Shun were unfortunate, Cao Yin would remember today's words and attribute everything to the will of heaven, avoiding death from heartbreak.

  Thinking of this, Cao Kun's mood became somewhat heavy. If he couldn't change history, not only would Xiao Cao Shun die, but he himself could only live until the 53rd or 54th year of Kangxi. Five or six years' time, it was neither short nor long. Would he just walk towards the countdown to death day by day? But can history be changed so easily?

  The maid had already laid out the dishes, and Cao Jia invited Cao Gong and Bao Ya to take their seats.

  Cao Gong saw several dishes on the table that he was familiar with, and knew that his sister had specially ordered them. He felt a warmth in his heart. This little girl not only made a qualified daughter-in-law and mother, but also a qualified older sister.

  After finishing the meal, Cao Kun stood up and bid farewell. Cao Jia knew that he had to go on an errand tomorrow and there were many things to prepare, so she didn't keep him long, only asking him to make arrangements before coming back. Bao Ya, on the other hand, was reluctant to part with him, repeatedly saying things like "come back soon".

  *

  Out of Ping Jun Wang Fu, Cao Huan thought about tomorrow's affairs, and went to the Shih Wei Ying to report. After receiving his waist card, he became a regular sixth-grade blue feather guard.

  Xiao Man saw Liguang Wangfu's gate far away and reined in his horse to get closer to Cao Guang: "Sir, something is strange!"

  "What?" asked Cao Gong.

  "When the person sent back by the Duke of Jing just entered the mansion, a doorman asked him where he came from. At first, he said he was coming back from Liu Fang Hutong and also mentioned something about 'Haitang Pavilion'. Seeing that there were outsiders present, he later changed his words to say it was the barracks. Those few doormen didn't find it strange, seemingly they all knew what was going on." answered Xiao Man.

  Cao Yun narrowed his eyes, his face sank, and he looked suspicious, probably not a good thing. With just this one sister, she can't be bullied by anyone, this matter needs to be thoroughly investigated. If that Nuer Su has any grievances against her sister, then the old play of the younger brother-in-law beating up the elder brother-in-law will have to be performed.

  The Cao Mansion and the Pingjun Wang Mansion are both in the Western City. After turning over two big streets, you will arrive.

  *

  As soon as he arrived at the gate of Cao's mansion, someone came to report that two guests were waiting in the hall and had been there for a while. The visitors were Yongqing and Ma Jun, good friends of Cao Guangyao from his days in Jiangning. Cao Guangyao was delighted. One of them worked in the imperial palace, and the other was taking an examination in the capital. Originally, he had planned to arrange matters tomorrow before contacting the two men, but they had already received news.

  It's been a long time, and friends naturally have a lot to talk about. Yongqing is already married and will become a father in a few months; Ma Jun's father has been promoted to the position of Dao Tai, and this time he will try to pass the imperial examination, let's see how he ranks in the April palace exam. Ning Chun, the fat boy from back then, although not currently in Beijing, is said to be getting married in September after returning to the capital.

  Cao Gong thought of the matter at the Duke's mansion just now, and because two friends were more familiar with the capital than himself, he asked: "Have you two heard of 'Haitang Pavilion'?"

  Yongqing and Ma Jun were taken aback, looking at Cao Kun's expression with some weirdness. Ma Jun was okay, leaving a few points of elegance. Yongqing sneered: "Little guy, not old yet, already thinking about women!"

  It's really a brothel. Although I had some idea in my mind, Cao Guang was still very disappointed after confirming it. Originally, he still had some expectations for his unseen brother-in-law.

  Ma Jun shook his head: "This 'Haitang' is taken from the phrase 'a branch of pear blossoms presses down the Haitang', and inside are actually some 12 to 14 or 15 year old Qing dynasty palace maids. In recent years, it has become fashionable for high-ranking officials in the capital to give away a 'Haitang flower' as a gift."

  "Is 'Haitang Pavilion' in Liu Fang Hutong?" Cao Yun asked again.

  "Liufang Hutong is in Xicheng, 'Haitang Ge' is in Chongwen, several miles apart!" Yongqing replied, as if remembering something, and asked back: "You came back from the Duke's mansion? Do you know about the Duke keeping a concubine?"

  Ma Jun couldn't help but give Yongqing a white eye, this guy spoke without thinking, even if he didn't know before, after hearing his words everyone understood; looking at Cao Yun again, his face remained unchanged, but his eyes became even more profound.

  *

  Ping County Wangfu, inner courtyard main hall.

  Nuer Su returned with a strong smell of wine, it was already late at night. Cao Jia followed the servant girl to help her husband change clothes, and said with a hint of resentment: "Why did you have to be busy today? Yuan'er arrived in Beijing this morning and came to our house this afternoon!"

  "I don't know, I really owe him an apology, I'll invite him properly tomorrow!" Nuer Su lay on the bed, closed his eyes and said: "This afternoon, I went to Liu Fang Hutong and drank Mr. Xi's wedding wine!"

  "Master has finally accepted Lu's daughter, it wasn't in vain that Lu's daughter devotedly waited and endured hardship, nor was it in vain that Wang Ye bore the blame for him for half a year!" Cao Jia said with a smile as she sat beside her husband on the bed, massaging his temples.

  Nuer Su suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and shuddered.

  "Where does the king feel uncomfortable?" asked Cao Jia.

  Nuer Su opened her eyes: "Something's off, my right eyelid keeps twitching, I hope it's not a bad omen!"