Chapter 604 The Little Junior Sister's Unique Troubles... [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]

A light rain falls on the street, as soft as butter; the grass appears green from afar but is barely visible up close.

The light rain and green grass in early spring are the most beautiful things in the spring. After the rain, the grass on the blue stone steps in the courtyard looks green from a distance, but not up close, creating a hazy scene.

Ouyang Rong tiptoed and closed the door.

After closing the door, he paused on the long corridor outside the embroiderer's bedroom, putting on a scholar's robe as he turned to look at the dark, hazy spring rain outside the eaves.

The sound of spring rain was rather noisy, especially in the distance where a rumble of spring thunder occasionally echoed through the dark clouds.

The embroiderer, however, was sleeping very soundly, her breathing soft.

It was probably the 900-mile-long Yunmeng Marshland, which is known for its frequent rainy seasons and is a truly water-rich region in Jiangnan. The embroiderer must have been used to the sound of rain.

Ouyang Rong suddenly thought of something.

From the bedroom behind them, a soft, melodious sound could be heard from time to time.

He had just flicked the pendant of the white jade hairpin on the table in the outer room, and after watching over the embroiderer until she fell asleep, he placed the white jade hairpin on the edge of the windowsill, with one end of the pendant hanging in the air, and at the same time opened the window.

Let the wind, carrying raindrops, blow in and make the pendant tinkle, like a rain doll hanging under the eaves.

Ouyang Rong also left behind the ice-white jade hairpin.

Just this evening, the embroiderer went out to find him with a lantern. She had applied some rouge and powder, but she wasn't wearing this icy white jade hairpin. Instead, she was still wearing the same jade hairpin with mandarin ducks that she had won while guessing riddles on the Lantern Festival.

The icy white jade hairpin was placed on the original stone table, the same spot where Ouyang Rong had left it last time.

The embroiderer acted as if she hadn't seen anything.

Yes, she really can't see.

Ouyang Rong remained silent.

However, he continued to use the "ice-white jade hairpin that the embroiderer pretended not to notice" to lull the embroiderer to sleep.

Ever since the last time the embroiderer woke up from her dream midway through her work, her tears staining her rouge, and the two of them embraced and whispered secrets to each other.

The relationship between Ouyang Rong and the embroiderer has subtly changed.

As if a broken window effect had occurred, physical contact began to occur more frequently. For example, just now, Ouyang Rong "disliked" that she was walking too slowly and carried her back to the courtyard.

A tacit and ambiguous atmosphere began to emerge between the two.

Seeing that the embroiderer never refused, Ouyang Rong became bolder, repeatedly pushing the boundaries, little by little, like water dripping on a stone...

Like boiling a frog in lukewarm water. Try to avoid making too big a leap at once, lest you scare away the embroiderers.

But in reality, Ouyang Rong mostly followed his heart, sometimes doing whatever came to mind without much thought.

Such random and uncertain impulses are relatively rare for Ouyang Rong, who is usually rational and calm.

But that's what makes it novel and interesting...

Braving the noisy spring night rain, Ouyang Rong returned to his residence in Huaiye Lane.

Before leaving, he took several boxes of Hanlei inksticks from Pei Shisan Niang and brought them back to Yinbingzhai.

Hanlei ink sticks are something Miaosi likes to eat.

This is a reward for her recent efforts in producing spiritual ink.

Although they cannot compare to mythical creatures, spirits and monsters are rare in the world, and the Ink Spirit is even more precious.

In the past, spiritual ink was monopolized by the ancestral halls of the Three Mountains of Talismans.

It was a rare stroke of luck for Ouyang Rong to encounter a wild little ink spirit like Miaosi. Of course, it was also important that he himself could provide a continuous stream of literary inspiration and poetry, otherwise it would all be in vain.

Judging from Miao Si's words, her friends in the Three Mountains of Talismans were all reluctantly accepting the incense offerings of the Daoist sects to produce spiritual ink. Compared to literary energy, the taste was like a hard steamed bun compared to a big fish and meat feast...

Regardless, rare spirit ink is considered a core material for the Three Mountains of Talismans to cast talisman spells.

Now that we can use the power of ingenious ideas to produce spiritual ink, and with Ouyang Rong being able to use the purple mist of merit to activate the Three Pure Ones' ultimate techniques, we have broken the Three Pure Ones' monopoly on these three ultimate techniques...

Pei Shisan Niang noticed that Ouyang Rong often asked her to help buy "spiritual ink," so she casually bought the Hanlei Ink Studio.

Of course, Ouyang Rong couldn't tell Miao Si that he could draw unlimited amounts of Hanlei inkstones.

He could only bring back some ink sticks every now and then. Although it was a bit frequent, there were only three or two sticks each time, and he had to emphasize to Miaosi, "Even the landlord's family doesn't have surplus grain."

The initially suspicious Xiao Mo Jing was later coaxed into a very moved expression, and her opinion of Xiao Rong Zi changed drastically.

Taking this opportunity, Ouyang Rong suggested producing some more spirit ink and making an extra red and black talisman.

Miao Si counted on her fingers and immediately agreed.

This trend is called expectation management.

...

"Senior Brother, why does it seem so listless lately?"

Inside the Yilan Pavilion of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, Xie Lingjiang asked curiously.

She glanced at Miaosi, who was sitting on the steps, chin in hand.

The little guy didn't even bother chasing after a group of snow-white geese pacing back and forth by the pond in the courtyard to pluck their feathers; his little face was gloomy.

When Ouyang Rong brought her here, he also noticed this and felt that Miao Si was a good match for You Zhong next door.

In the arms of that little princess, there was a sense of utter despair.

"have no idea."

Ouyang Rong shook his head.

Miao Si didn't bother to look at Ouyang Rong, mainly because he had been gagged with several ink sticks before she arrived.

Unexpectedly, Xie Lingjiang, looking worried, pulled Ouyang Rong aside and whispered:

"Senior Brother, could it be that the Ink Spirit, like a human, also has those few days every month, like a concubine...?"

Ingenious idea: ...

...

Li Dalang hasn't returned yet; he's out on patrol.

The routine study meeting held at the Xunyang Prince's Mansion was also put on hold, mainly because there was nothing noteworthy to report at the moment.

However, there has been some progress in Ouyang Rong's request for Xunyang Wang Lixian to search for Tao Yuanming's authentic works.

It wasn't that they found the original work by Tao Yuanming, but rather that the Prince of Xiang heard in private about the search for the original work by the young master of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, and joined in to help with the search.

Ouyang Rong remained noncommittal about the Prince Xiang's unsolicited flattery.

The main reason is that he already has a genuine work by Tao Yuanming by his side.

He had already retrieved the original manuscript of "Qing Yu An: Lantern Festival" from Miao Si.

Today, I also brought the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, and wrote several more poems about the bright moon.

Before leaving after visiting his junior sister and the Queen of Xunyang, Ouyang Rong regularly visited Meiyingzhai, intending to exchange the original manuscript of "Qingyu'an: Yuanxi" for the genuine copy of "Peach Blossom Spring".

Of course, I informed my junior sister about this beforehand.

"Senior Brother, you go ahead. I won't go to Sister Guo'er's courtyard. Besides, why would you report such important matters to me?"

Xie Lingjiang gently shook her head, refusing to go with him.

Ouyang Rong asked curiously, "Why is that? Don't you two visit each other often?"

"I haven't been visiting as much lately. Hmm, my little sister Guo'er insists on keeping that lame tabby cat in the yard now. Before, she thought it was too noisy and left it with Aunt Wei. But I heard that the cat seems to have changed its name recently and has become much more well-behaved. She brought it back to keep it close to her. I wonder why it changed its nature..."

Ouyang Rong covered his mouth and coughed, without responding.

For a moment, they overlooked Xie Lingjiang's cheeks, which had inexplicably flushed slightly.

"I'll be right back, it should take about fifteen minutes, not long."

"Oh." Under Xie Lingjiang's calm and indifferent gaze, Ouyang Rong went out and headed to the Meiyingzhai next door, knocking on the door to enter.

As soon as Cai Shou opened the courtyard gate, a fluffy, snow-white shadow darted to his side and rubbed its little face against his trouser leg.

Ouyang Rong squatted down, smiled, and patted the little guy's head. Then he stood up and walked towards Li Guo'er's red building.

"Meow~" There was a kind of persistence, and she followed behind him with a limp.

This made Cai Shou a little anxious:

"Come here if you dare... Don't bother the guests... You've got guts, why don't you listen to me..."

Unfortunately, some people didn't pay much attention to her and followed in Ouyang Rong's footsteps.

As Li Guo'er descended the red tower to greet Ouyang Rong, she seemed to see her nemesis and, with a "meow," turned and fled.

Li Guo'er ignored the little guy, taking it for granted. Her clear gaze fell on Ouyang Rong, and after sizing him up, she spoke with a hint of surprise:

"You actually came. I thought it was just a whim of Young Master Ouyang last time."

"How could that be? A promise is a promise."

The two walked up the stairs to the second-floor reception room. As they talked, they heard the hurried footsteps of a chubby-faced maid chasing after someone in the courtyard below. Ouyang Rong glanced downstairs and twitched his lips.

In the living room, Li Guo'er took the original manuscript of "Qing Yu An: Lantern Festival" from Ouyang Rong, checked it, and then went back to the top floor. A little while later, she retrieved the original manuscript of "Peach Blossom Spring" and handed it to Ouyang Rong.

The two switched back... Ouyang Rong then took out several poems and essays rich in the keyword "bright moon" and handed them to Li Guo'er.

The latter looked curious, but still recited it once. Ouyang Rong kept his hands in his sleeves, observing silently, but in the end he still didn't find anything...

When she had a moment to herself, Li Guo'er turned and glanced behind Ouyang Rong, asking with a half-smile:

"Why isn't Sister Xie here?"

She said she was tired and needed to rest.

"Is it because you're afraid of cats?"

"What's the meaning?"

Li Guo'er smiled but remained silent.

Ouyang Rong glanced at the courtyard downstairs.

Cai Shou was seen chasing "You Zhong" to a tree. The latter leaped onto the trunk, trying to use it to climb to the second floor where Ouyang Rong was. However, it walked along the trunk with cat-like steps, tilting its head slightly, quietly observing the dangerous female master Li Guo'er beside Ouyang Rong.

Cai Shou looked up anxiously and called out, but it didn't even look at him.

"You silly maid, why do you look so clumsy..."

Ouyang Rong turned around, somewhat speechless.

Li Guo'er shrugged: "This princess is sleepy and is going to rest. You can go back first if you have nothing else to do, otherwise Sister Xie will worry and check up on you again. If you have any other clues about 'Mingyue' later, remember to bring them to this princess as soon as possible."

"What do you mean by checking up on someone? What nonsense are you spouting..."

Before the stern-faced Ouyang Rong could finish speaking, a door suddenly opened in the courtyard below.

"Senior Brother, is Sister Guo'er out? Strange, why hasn't she come out yet? Wasn't she supposed to be out in a quarter of an hour...?"

The two people upstairs heard a tentative call, and then Xie Lingjiang poked her head into the courtyard first. After that, she carefully walked in and looked around.

Li Guo'er looked at Ouyang Rong with a half-smile.

Before Ouyang Rong could speak, someone darted to the door with a "whoosh," leaping like a white shooting star into Xie Lingjiang's arms.

As Xie Lingjiang looked on in surprise, the snow-white cat raised its two paws and began to stomp on her bulging chest, making purring sounds as it stomped its paws with great seriousness.

The courtyard was completely silent.

The kitten's curiosity was piqued by the good rebound of the dent, and it moved even faster. Cai Shou, her face flushed with embarrassment, rushed forward in a panic, apologizing and offering help.

Ouyang Rong saw his junior sister's helpless and embarrassed expression as the kitten kneaded her. She was leaning back, probably wanting to throw it away but afraid of hurting it. She was conflicted and hesitant, looking somewhat troubled.

Ouyang Rong's lips twitched slightly.

At the window of the red building, Li Guo'er also pursed her lips, snorted softly, and gestured to Ouyang Rong with her eyes, as if to say... You see, Sister Xie is just afraid of cats. She's like this every time she comes. But even if she's afraid of kittens kneading her, she can't stop checking up on you.

Li Guo'er, whose eyes were filled with a teasing smile, did not expect that Ouyang Rong's face would show a thoughtful expression. His gaze seemed to look at Xie Lingjiang, who seemed to be having some troubles, and then turned back... to her arms.

Li Guo'er was taken aback at first, then her pretty face flushed red.

"What are you thinking about, Ouyang Lianghan!" she said irritably.

Ouyang Rong, as if nothing had happened, looked away and went downstairs to help his junior sister. A moment later, his stern voice echoed from downstairs: "Hey, you, come here! You've got guts! You really have guts..."

"Meow?"

...

On the river, a torrential downpour was in full swing.

This major river is located at the border of Jiangzhou and Hongzhou.

There were few boats on the river, and a merchant ship bearing the flag of Taoshouzhai was slowly sailing along.

Inside the cabin, on a table in the center of a large hall, a pot of milky-white sturgeon soup was simmering slowly over a low flame, its delicious aroma filling the hall.

A tall, blonde oriental woman sat at the table, her eyes closed as if waiting for something.

At the table, a little girl with a snotty nose and a topknot was standing on tiptoe, poking her lips with her index finger, staring longingly at the delicious white sturgeon soup on the table.

The candle in the snow remained motionless, its eyes closed.

Seeing her senior uncle sitting quietly without touching his chopsticks, Li Shu sniffled and held back her tears.

These two Yangtze River sturgeon were caught on the boat by the flying "insect girl" a long time ago. Li Shu usually helps to raise them in a large water tank, and over time, she has almost developed some affection for them.

Originally, she was a little reluctant to let one of them be caught and made into soup today, but when it was mealtime and she smelled the delicious fish soup, Li Shu suddenly understood and felt that having a bowl would be a small tribute.

I remember when my master was going to take one fish this morning, he gave her two choices. Li Shu reluctantly chose the smallest one, but now that she looks back, even the small one smells so good, how much better the big one must be?

Thinking of this, Li Shu's small face became solemn with respect.

Unfortunately, today she was at a table with other children—no, she was the only child there—so there was no table for her. She had to stand there with her bowl and couldn't start eating before the other guests.

Master said that today her eldest uncle is going to entertain a group of very important guests who have come from afar. She has to be as aloof as her fellow Yue maidens and not cause trouble for her eldest uncle, otherwise he'll be in trouble again. Besides, since Insect Maiden isn't around recently, there's no one to catch her right away this time...

Just as Li Shu was secretly observing Xue Zhongzhu's seemingly asleep face with his eyes closed, she slowly extended her index finger, which had been poking her lips.

Squeak—! Boom—!

The cabin door was pushed open from the outside, and the river wind mixed with raindrops flew into the hall. Three figures appeared at the entrance where the sky was filled with thunder and lightning.

A gentle lady in flowing white robes led the way with a smile; it was Yu Nianyuan. She led two men in straw raincoats and bamboo hats, who looked travel-worn, into the hall.

The latter's gaze was immediately drawn to the pot of milky white and delicious white sturgeon soup on the table... and to the little girl with her hair in a topknot who was reaching out her finger to "dab" the soup. Under everyone's watchful eyes, the little girl quickly turned away and sucked her finger.

At the table, Xuezhongzhu suddenly opened its eyes.

Li Shu had her hands behind her back, her face innocent and well-behaved.

——————

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(End of this chapter)