Chapter 489 Who is the marriage partner?

"Senior Brother, how is the situation?"

Ouyang Rong, with a pale yellow sachet hanging from his waist, entered the carriage, sat down, and turned to look at Xie Lingjiang, who was looking at him with curiosity.

Something's not right.

"What's wrong?" she asked with concern.

At the same time, she glanced at the sachet on his waist and pursed her lips.

Ouyang Rong reached out and took the zither case off her lap, placed it back in the space under the table and chair, and then took out the pill box from his pocket and put it in as well.

He lowered his head and said:

"Regarding the Dingjian sword, the third young master of the Wei Prince's mansion told me, Rongzhen, and Lin Cheng about the craftsmanship."

Xie Lingjiang asked, "Because of Rongzhen, does he trust his senior brother?"

Ouyang Rong shook his head:

No, it's not a little white flower.

"There are only two possibilities for such openness: either they consider each other as one of their own, or they are acting with ulterior motives."

"Clearly, I am not the former."

"What is the purpose of that?"

Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment:

"Testing the waters."

"Testing?"

"Yes, regarding Wei Shaoxuan's matter, the Wei Prince's Mansion may still have some suspicions about the Xunyang Prince's Mansion."

"Then what should we do?"

"Nothing to do, don't move for now, just do what you need to do. Even if you have doubts, so what? What can they do to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion now? The current Xunyang City is not ruled by the Wei family alone."

"Don't let them throw us into disarray as soon as they arrive. Let's proceed as usual. That's how I'll conduct this meeting today—let's say whatever comes to mind."

"Understood, Senior Brother."

Xie Lingjiang then asked, "What about Rong Zhen and Lin Cheng? Are they members of the Wei family, or are they deliberately spreading rumors?"

Ouyang Rong pondered for a long time, then looked up and said:

"Reversal of the verdict."

"The Wei family wants to overturn the case. This should be one of Wei Shaoqi's objectives for this trip. Rong Zhen and Lin Cheng are the chief investigators, and the final investigation results can influence His Majesty's attitude."

"This is what the Wei family needs most right now."

After listening, Xie Lingjiang's eyes seemed to be deep in thought.

Inside the carriage, Ouyang Rong, who was sitting opposite Xie Lingjiang, changed his posture, lay back on the seat, closed his eyes to rest, and took off the sachet and placed it between his eyebrows.

The nose seemed to be gently inhaling the calming ambergris fragrance, which was as valuable as gold.

Xie Lingjiang leaned forward and raised her hand to rub his forehead.

After lying there for a while, as if sensing something, Ouyang Rong grabbed her slightly bulging sleeve.

What is this?

"A letter. Uncle Li just sent it."

Xie Lingjiang took out a letter and handed it over.

"What letter?" Ouyang Rong asked curiously, taking the letter and opening it for a closer look.

She explained:

“Sent by the Shangqing Sect, from Yuan Xuanzi.”

"Yuan Xuanzi?"

Ouyang Rong muttered something.

"Yes, this is Xiaoxuan's signature." Xie Lingjiang nodded: "It was sent to her father, so you can pass it on."

"good."

Ouyang Rong took the somewhat bulging envelope and casually stuffed it into his sleeve.

At this moment, the carriage that was about to arrive at the main hall of Jiangzhou was stopped.

“Tanlang, it’s Military Advisor Yan,” the groom Ali whispered as he turned around.

"Let him up."

A moment later, Yan Liulang climbed into the carriage, his expression somewhat strange, and whispered a few words in Ouyang Rong's ear.

Xie Lingjiang also overheard a few words and glanced sideways:

"Distribute porridge?"

She nodded: "The last time I saw people generously distributing porridge was by those great philanthropists from the Liu family."

After Yan Liulang finished his report, he clasped his hands in a fist salute and left.

Ouyang Rong watched his disappearing figure, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Princess An Hui..."

...

"My Lord Chief Secretary, Xiao Xuan wrote to say that she is doing very well at the Shangqing Sect and that we should not worry. She also sent some crabapple blossoms, saying that the Taoist temple there is full of blooming crabapple blossoms."

"Xiao Xuan also said that there were few people at the Shangqing Sect Taoist temple on the mountaintop, but everyone there was very kind and friendly to her, except for one grumpy old Taoist priest who was in charge of burning incense at the gate of a hall on the mountaintop..."

She also said that the hall, which was filled with memorial tablets, was where she had performed the kneeling ceremony to enter the temple. At that time, some senior disciples from Yuqing and Taiqing came to watch the ceremony and gave her some small gifts.

"She said she was a little embarrassed and quietly asked Senior Brother Yuan Yazi if it was valuable and important, and whether she should return it. Yuan Yazi told her to keep it safe..."

In a bustling market town in Xingzifang, a long queue of people waiting to receive porridge and clothing was filled with the chatter of a bearded man and his young companion wearing a felt hat.

"By the way, Chief Secretary, Xiao Xuan also mentioned in her letter that she has finished reading all the books Sister Xie gave her and is currently reading them for the second time. She wanted to ask you if you have any other book recommendations..."

Ouyang Rong's gaze shifted from a luxurious sedan chair next to the soup kitchen at the front of the queue.

"good."

He raised his hand to adjust his felt hat, looked at Huang Feihong's expectant eyes, and smiled:

"I'll go back to my study tonight to tidy up some things, and I'll give them to you when I go to Xunyang Grottoes tomorrow."

"Thank you, Chief Secretary."

"No need for all that calling, just call me by my real name."

Huang Feihong scratched his head: "Let's just call him Young Master Ouyang. I'm not used to calling him by his name."

"Alright."

Just then, the two of them lined up and moved to the front of the line.

Ouyang Rong lowered his felt hat and turned around to collect the porridge.

"Give."

A woman's hand reached out; the hand was fair and a little chubby.

"Thank you, Lady Bodhisattva."

"And don't forget the clothes... Eat slowly..."

He and Huang Feihong, whose eyes were filled with curiosity, each received a bowl of hot porridge and some warm clothes at the bustling porridge stall before turning to leave.

Before leaving, Ouyang Rong took a close look at the woman in the porridge stall, who wore a veil and had a gentle demeanor.

The latter was speaking softly, handing porridge and clothes to the people behind him.

However, around the woman in the flowing skirt whose face could not be seen, there was a circle of fierce-looking Xianbei guards, their eyes looking impatiently at the poor crowd queuing to approach their young lady.

"Does Young Master Ouyang know this lady? I heard she's a noblewoman from the capital, and apparently a favored princess of the imperial family. She's been frequently distributing porridge and clothes around Xingzifang lately."

"I don't know him."

"oh."

"We know each other now."

Huang Feihong was taken aback, then followed Ouyang Rong to look around the soup kitchen. He muttered curiously:

"Her face is covered, so I don't know if she looks good. By the way, are you the Chief Secretary, young master? Have you seen what this princess looks like?"

"No, but even if she has an ordinary appearance, she still has a superior temperament and makes men feel comfortable when they are with her."

“I think so too.” Huang Feihong nodded, agreeing earnestly.

"She really is a kind-hearted woman."

Ouyang Rong shifted his gaze and looked at the flag hanging above the soup kitchen.

He sighed softly:

"It's a pity his surname is Wei."

...

That night, the moonlight was as clear as water.

Inside a study in the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

A group of figures were gathering.

Li Xian's family, along with Ouyang Rong, Xie Lingjiang, and others, were either standing or sitting beside the desk.

Everyone listened quietly to Ouyang Rong's words.

After he finished recounting the day's events, Li Xian, Li Guo'er, and the others either remained silent to process what had happened or exchanged glances.

For a moment, there was silence around the desk.

Ouyang Rong looked around and took the initiative to speak:

"Something's wrong with the Donglin Buddha. There's something fishy about the golden Buddha head that was transported from Luoyang."

Li Guo'er nodded slightly:

"I think so too. Rong Zhen and Lin Cheng of the Imperial Observatory were probably not just doing this for my grandmother's sake, or just for show."

Ouyang Rong frowned:

"That's right. If it's just a vanity project, for the sake of the so-called sage's face and the prosperity of the country, then Li Zhengyan has no need to spare any manpower to infiltrate Xunyang City and cause trouble. Victory on the main battlefield is the key."

"Ke Rongzhen and Wei Shaoqi were worried about this point, and directly suspected that the so-called owner of the Butterfly Love Flower was hiding in Xunyang City to sabotage the Buddha, especially the golden Buddha head."

"From this, we can see that the purpose of the Donglin Buddha, or rather the golden Buddha head, is definitely not what we imagine."

“That makes sense.” Li Dalang nodded. “If it’s related to the Imperial Observatory, could it involve some kind of Yin-Yang Qi Refining Technique?”

The people in the study fell into deep thought.

Li Xian asked:

“Wei Shaoqi came here this time with the identity of the Prefect of Hongzhou, but he stayed in Jiangzhou for so long. Even if he wanted to report the case to the Supervisory Commission, the reason is not reasonable.”

"He was sent by the King of Wei to exonerate the Wei family?"

Li Guo'er nodded:

"The case of Zhu Lingxu and his son is very important. Zhu Lingxu and his son were recommended to my grandmother by Wei Jisi, which is also the reason why my grandmother was most angry."

"The defection of Zhu Lingxu and his son made my grandmother seriously doubt the abilities of the Wei princes, almost to the point of being comparable to the last Yingzhou Rebellion."

"Although the case of Zhu Lingxu and his son is now an ironclad case, even if there is shocking evidence to reverse the verdict, it is impossible to overturn the case in public and reverse the decision."

"However, if it can be proven that Zhu Lingxu and his son's defection was not their own doing, but rather driven by... certain external factors, then even if the case remains unsolved, the impression of Prince Wei in his grandmother's heart can be salvaged."

"This should also be the main task that Wei Shaoqi was sent here for."

"However, after thinking about it, I think Wei Shaoqi probably came to Jiangzhou for more than just this matter; there may be other things involved."

"What is it?" Li Xian and the others couldn't help but ask.

Li Guo'er glanced at Ouyang Rong, who was deep in thought with his eyes down.

The latter also glanced at her.

"A marriage alliance." The two spoke almost simultaneously.

Li Guo'er nodded:

“Wei Shaoqi did not come alone. He also brought the daughter of the Liang Prince’s Mansion, Princess Anhui. Bringing the Wei family women all the way to the front line is definitely not for sightseeing or experiencing life.”

"Moreover, I inquired about this Princess Anhui, and she is still unmarried. Countless sycophantic young men from powerful families in the capital are vying for her hand in marriage, but the Liang Prince's Mansion is keeping her firmly in check. Ha."

Li Guo'er's words were brief and to the point.

Wei Mei said thoughtfully, "Guo'er means..."

Xie Lingjiang said softly, "A marriage alliance."

"A marriage alliance? With which family?" Li Dalang asked curiously.

Ouyang Rong and Li Guo'er looked at Li Dalang in tacit agreement.

Xie Lingjiang and Li Xian also slowly looked over.

"What are you looking at me for..." Li Dalang asked, puzzled.

Li Guo'er said softly, "The Qin family. A marriage alliance with the Qin family."

Li Dalang fell silent immediately.

Ouyang Rong looked around and said seriously:

"From this perspective, the purpose of the Wei family sending people is quite clear."

"Back then, the King of Wei and the King of Liang forced the Great Zhou Songde Tianshu to please His Majesty, hoping to regain some ground, and at the same time use the Emperor's favor to strike at the conservative faction who dared to speak out against the emperor's dissent."

"The subsequent uprising of the Kuangfu Army, vying for the position of the Grand Commander of the Jiangzhou Road Army, was also for the sake of great military merit, to turn the tide, and win the struggle for Liwei."

"But the matter of Zhu Lingxu and his son became a turning point, causing the Wei family to lose the opportunity to gain military merits."

"They brought a woman from the Wei family with them this time, so they're probably here for the Qin family. That shows they're very sincere."

"What should we do now?" Xie Lingjiang frowned.

Li Guo'er also said with concern:

"I had the same idea as you. I knew it. Qin Jingzhen's position as the Grand General of the Jiangnan Road Army was too important. Everyone was watching him. Right now, the Qin family was at the height of their power. How could the Wei family not want to form a marriage alliance?"

"We weren't quick enough, and our relationship with the Qin family might not be close enough yet..."

"It's pointless to say these things now."

Ouyang Rong shook his head and calmly gave the instructions:

"First, we need to find out how things are going between the Prince of Wei's Mansion and Elder Qin, and what Elder Qin's current attitude is."

How can I find out?

Ouyang Rong turned his gaze to someone and patted him on the shoulder:

"Eldest brother, I'll have to trouble you with this matter. These next few days, put in some effort with your junior sister to subtly inquire with Miss Qin and see if there are any important young men in the Qin family who are ready to marry, as well as Old Master Qin's attitude. We need to find out these things before we can make any plans."

"All right."

Li Dalang nodded.

Wei Mei frowned:

"Why is it taking so long? There's still no progress on your end. Da Lang, can't you just stand up for yourself?"

The Princess of Xunyang was somewhat dissatisfied:

"If you had half the silver tongue your father had back then, you'd probably already be engaged..."

"Cough cough cough."

Li Xian quickly interjected:

"Eldest son, you should learn from Tanlang and ask him for advice more often. Don't just sit in your study all day reading books. You're so old already, and we still have to teach you these things. We've put you in a position as the Prefect of Jiangzhou, but we never see you go to the main hall of Jiangzhou. You're always holed up in your residence..."

Ouyang Rong's eyes widened as he looked at his uncle who had betrayed him. Just as he was about to speak, Xie Lingjiang, standing beside him, nodded in agreement for him.

"Indeed, the eldest brother is quite capable. Let him teach us; the eldest brother should be able to listen."

“…” Ouyang Rong.

Li Dalang, who had attracted all the attention, hesitated to speak, but after looking at Li Xian and Wei Mei who were trying to persuade him, he obediently shut up.

It was clear that the Li Xian couple had started their child-training routine.

Ouyang Rong had no choice but to shut up.

But I felt a little sorry for my friend.

Back in Longcheng, it was Li Xian and his wife who told him to focus on his studies and not to think about matters between men and women.

Now that he's in Jiangzhou, they're urging him to go on blind dates and talk nonsense every day.

To be honest, even Ouyang Rong, who usually kept a low profile, couldn't stand it anymore.

"Alright, Father and Mother, let Dalang do it himself. Men will eventually understand. Besides, your brother is all grown up. You can just explain the reasoning to him. There's no need to say too much, or he'll get annoyed."

Li Guo'er spoke up, saying a fair word for her brother.

"bother?"

Wei Mei's eyebrows shot up immediately as she looked at her eldest son:

"Does Dalang find his mother annoying? He's only doing this for your own good. If you don't want to hear it, then don't say it anymore..."

"No, it's nothing, go ahead."

Li Dalang waved his hand, lowered his head, and sighed:

"I understand, Father, Mother, Sister, I will definitely try my best."

(End of this chapter)