Chapter 497: Night Chaos (Part 4)
To say that just three or two thieves sneaking in could turn the Rongguo Mansion into a dangerous place is naturally an exaggeration.
But there is always a saying that a thief can steal for a thousand days, but you can never be on guard against thieves for a thousand days. Especially since there are so many young women in the Grand View Garden, it is really not convenient to arrange too many men to be on guard and patrol for a long time.
Therefore, the best solution is to catch the thieves in one fell swoop.
However, apart from what he told Jia Baoyu, Sun Shaozong had only one uncertain inference in his mind. If the thief disappeared from then on, it would be impossible to investigate. Therefore, he did not dare to take responsibility for everything, but only told Jia Baoyu that he would do his best.
As they were talking, the team had already arrived in front of Qinfang Bridge. Jia Baoyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, turned around to look at the twinkling lights hidden in the mountains and forests, and suddenly suggested: "Second brother, do you want to leave some people behind to guard the doors of each house to prevent those thieves from taking advantage of the situation and breaking in?"
"No thanks!"
Before Sun Shaozong could respond, Lin Daiyu said disdainfully, "The servants in this mansion are all being humiliated for no reason, and you actually want them to open the door to thieves? I don't care what others do, but my Xiaoxiang Pavilion can't afford it anyway!"
When Jia Baoyu heard her belittling his own servants, he wanted to say something in response, but when he thought about the shocking cases of corruption and malpractice that he had discovered when he checked the accounts, he suddenly lost his confidence and had to shut his mouth in embarrassment.
Sun Shaozong couldn't help but smile knowingly as he listened to the quarrel between the two children. In fact, he knew very well that if everyone in the yard was evacuated, thieves might take advantage of the opportunity to break in.
But given the tradition of the Rongguo Mansion, who can guarantee that after the servants are sent there, they won't commit embezzlement?
Naturally, he would not take the initiative to take on such a dilemma.
No conversation along the way.
When the hustle and bustle left the garden, the originally quiet team suddenly became noisy, causing the front of the gate to be filled with noise.
"What are you arguing about?! If you disturb the ancestors and the master and his wife, who can bear the consequences?! "
At this moment, a delicate shout was heard from the side, and Wang Xifeng, dressed in jewels and gems, appeared with lanterns on both sides making way. She swept the place with a fierce look in her pretty eyes, and the noisy sound from near to far suddenly disappeared.
After all the noises had been suppressed, Wang Xifeng pointed behind her and continued, "I have already arranged the whereabouts of each family. You just need to look for Musk Moon and Qiu Wen to investigate. If anyone on the road dares to make a noise again, I will not say anything to her and will punish her according to the family rules!"
As he spoke, his voice and eyes softened, and he said, "Sisters-in-law and sisters, follow me to the Second Madam's room first. Baoyu will follow too. Madam, however..."
"Sister-in-law, just take the sisters over there."
Jia Baoyu was unwilling to give in, and he puffed out his chest and said, "I still have to discuss catching the thief with Brother Sun, and it won't be too late to pay my respects to the lady later."
Seeing that he was determined to do so, Wang Xifeng did not force him. She said a few words to Jia Lian beside her, and glanced at Sun Shaozong as if nothing had happened. There was a flash of eagerness in her eyes, but she immediately restrained it. She stepped forward, took Jia Yingchun's arm, called Li Wan and the sisters, and went to Mrs. Wang to report safety.
As for the maids and servants, under the guidance of the servants in Yihong Courtyard, they went to their temporary residence to clean and tidy up.
When most of the women had left, Jia Baoyu immediately went to Sun Shaozong and Jia Lian, stared at Sun Shaozong with burning eyes and asked, "Second Brother Sun, where do you think we should start our investigation?"
“Nowhere.”
Sun Shaozong yawned and said lazily, "It's such a big garden, why are you checking it in the dark? Let's send someone in to check it again tomorrow morning."
Jia Lian, who was standing by, also echoed the sentiments, saying that as long as the person was fine, it was good that they were safe, and there was no need to rush to catch the thief. He also used some excuses like "a son of a wealthy family should not sit in the hall" and "one should respond without delay when his parents call" to send Jia Baoyu to see Mrs. Wang.
Turning back, he smiled at Sun Shaozong and said, "Thank you for your help, Erlang. The food and wine have already been prepared. You and I can..."
Seeing that he was still persevering and wanted to host a banquet to entertain him, Sun Shaozong quickly said, "Second brother, such a big thing has happened in the mansion. You should at least take Brother Bao with you to report to your uncle so that we can discuss a plan for dealing with it. As for drinking and other things, you and I still have a long time to live together. Why rush?"
This makes sense. If Jia Lian doesn't do as he is told, it would seem like he has other intentions.
Therefore, he smacked his lips and had to give up his original plan, and said, "In that case, I won't disturb Erlang's good deeds. Brother really wants to apologize to you, so please don't let me down."
As he said this, he gave him a charming look, then hurried over a few steps and followed Jia Baoyu.
Good thing?
Sun Shaozong looked at his receding back, his expression changing constantly, not knowing whether to be happy or sad.
After a long while, he finally walked towards Rong Xi Tang.
Just after walking about thirty to fifty steps, he suddenly saw four servants carrying out a sturdy man from a small courtyard. The man was lying on a stretcher, with the steward's unique black robe rolled up to his waist, and his buttocks were covered in blood from being beaten.
Sun Shaozong paused and raised his eyebrows, "What is this?"
The four servants who were carrying the man just stopped walking and did not answer Sun Shaozong's question. Instead, the man raised his head and forced out a twisted smile, and replied: "In reply to Lord Sun, I am the guard in charge of the Grand View Garden. I was punished by the Second Mistress for dereliction of duty."
No wonder Wang Xifeng was full of murderous aura when she first appeared.
In fact, this man was really wronged. After all, the Grand View Garden covers a very large area, and the only thing they can do is patrol from outside through the walls. If they really encounter a determined thief, these guards will be almost useless.
However, this was the family affair of the Rongguo Mansion, and Sun Shaozong would not interfere. Therefore, he turned his body to the side, signaled the four servants to carry the man away, and continued to rush back.
When we arrived at the courtyard, we saw that the hall was brightly lit, but not a single word was heard.
Sun Shaozong slowed down his pace, walked forward and gently lifted the door curtain. As expected, he saw Ping'er and Lin Hongyu, two girls, facing each other indifferently across a table full of food and wine.
Tsk~
This is really...
Sun Shaozong smacked his lips subconsciously. This tiny movement made the two women stand up at the same time and turn around to look at him.
"Lord Sun!"
Lin Hongyu was pleasantly surprised. She excitedly left her seat and came forward. She looked Sun Shaozong up and down, making sure that his arms and legs were intact. Then she patted her loose collar and said, "You are finally back. I was really worried to death just now."
From her behavior and words, it seemed as if she had admired Sun Shaozong for a long time and was obsessed with him.
However, in Sun Shaozong's eyes, her singing, reciting, acting and fighting were too exaggerated, as they were full of flaws, especially the look in her eyes when she looked up and down, which was far less honest than the white thing under her lapel.
In contrast, although Ping'er did not move after she stood up and tried her best to appear distant, the concern and attachment in her eyes were a thousand times greater than that of Lin Hongyu.
It was this sharp contrasting scene that made Sun Shaozong make his decision.
Walking around Lin Hongyu, Sun Shaozong looked at the table full of delicacies from land and sea, and murmured, "Second Brother Lian is really willing to give it up. If I insist on refusing this wild game right next to my mouth, wouldn't it seem hypocritical?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a delicate and innocent body coming up from behind, trying its best to match the youthful and energetic body with Sun Shaozong's.
Lin Hongyu entwined her white hands tightly on Sun Shaozong's belly and murmured, "My lord, you are not being pretentious, but you are a gentleman. We, the humble servants, are blessed to serve a gentleman like you.
Feeling the electric current on his back, Sun Shaozong couldn't help but feel dry in the mouth. He swallowed hard to suppress the dryness in his chest. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Ping'er bowing and saying, "Ping'er doesn't dare to disturb your pleasure. I'll take my leave first."
Having said that, he walked out without looking around.
Seeing this, Lin Hongyu was secretly cursing the bitch for being pretentious, while secretly rejoicing that she could get the benefit alone, when she was caught off guard by the body in her arms suddenly exerting force, and the bulging muscles between the waist and abdomen actually bounced her away.
Lin Hongyu staggered back two steps, looked up in horror, and saw Ping'er being hooked by Sun Shaozong's waist and being roughly pulled into his arms.
"ah!"
Ping'er screamed and struggled with the medicine, but Sun Shaozong had already bent down and kissed her, seducing her so much that she lost her mind.
It was not until their lips parted for a long while, leaving a silver thread, that Ping'er regained some composure and panted, "You... You can't do that!"
Sun Shaozong smiled behind Lin Hongyu's back and whispered in her ear, "Even if Jia Lian has something fishy going on, you won't harm me, right?"
Ping'er shook her head without hesitation, but she still felt a little uneasy in her heart. Just as she was about to persuade Sun Shaozong a few more words, she suddenly saw Lin Hongyu gritting her teeth, unwilling to accept and pestering her again.
Ping'er secretly pinched Sun Shaozong, indicating that he must not reveal his true identity in front of Lin Hongyu.
Sun Shaozong turned around with Ping'er in his arms, and first used his eyes to force Lin Hongyu to retreat two steps, then smiled and said, "From what I heard from Second Brother Lian before, it seems that he admires you very much."
Are old prostitutes respected?
It's clearly a humiliation, okay?!
Lin Hongyu was embarrassed and annoyed, but she didn't dare to show it in front of Sun Shaozong. Instead, she smiled coquettishly and said, "What I heard is just scratching the surface. Sir Sun, just give it a try and you will know the truth."
As he spoke, he swayed forward and took a place in Sun Shaozong's arms.
"Wait a minute."
Sun Shaozong reached out his hand to stop her, and said righteously: "Since you said I am a gentleman, then you should know that a gentleman does not take away what others like - I have accepted the kindness of Second Brother Lian, and I must not take away what he likes!"
"You go back, and just leave Ping'er here."
Lin Hongyu's charm froze on her face for a moment. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and then the stiffness turned into shame and anger.
But just when Sun Shaozong thought she would leave in anger, Lin Hongyu suddenly knelt down in front of Sun Shaozong and begged with tears in her voice: "Please have mercy on me, sir. I dare not do what the Second Master said..."
"Uncle, is Uncle in there?"
At this moment, someone outside the door raised his voice to inquire, and from the voice, it was Jia Yun, who had been madly in love with Lin Hongyu!
