Chapter 642 Women's Intuition [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]

Ouyang Rong returned to his residence in Huaiye Lane at noon.

They took Yuan Huaimin back with them.

After leaving the quiet courtyard in the morning, he went to find Yuan Huaimin first.

The first phase of the Qingyang Hengjie project has just been completed, and there are still many things that need to be handed over and coordinated by Jiangzhou Hall.

Ouyang Rong took Yuan Huaimin there for another walk in the morning.

I'll take this guy back for lunch.

Yuan Huaimin would come to the Huaiye Lane residence for a meal every three days, which was his old tradition of getting free meals from Lianghan.

Upon returning to the mansion in Huaiye Lane, Zhen Shuyuan, along with Wei Lai, Ban Xi, and a group of other maids, surrounded her.

"Where did Tanlang rest last night? In the courtyard of Chief Secretary Yuan?"

Zhen Shuyuan took Ouyang Rong's coat, hung it on the hanger, sniffed it discreetly, and asked with a smile.

Ouyang Rong had someone inform Zhen Shuyuan in advance yesterday that she might not be coming back to rest.

The reason given was that attending the celebratory banquet hosted by Pei Shisan Niang and other Yangzhou merchants might involve drinking until very late, and if they got drunk, they might as well spend the night in Xingzifang. Therefore, they were notifying the guests in advance so that they wouldn't have to wait.

This was one of the very few nights he didn't go home to rest.

No matter how late he was busy before, Ouyang Rong would always return to his residence in Huaiye Lane, rain or shine.

Zhen Shuyuan and the other women were already used to this, but now that the reason was so straightforward and he had informed them in advance, even though the women were not used to it, they couldn't say anything.

Because by universal standards, when it comes to going home for the night, my husband is indeed a good man that makes both men and women envious.

There were always people offering their opinions and concerns.

It can only be said that mature women have quite sharp intuition.

"No, Brother Huaimin's courtyard is a bit cramped, and he has guests staying there. I'm staying in a courtyard arranged by Sister Pei Shisan, which isn't far from Chengtian Temple."

Ouyang Rong said softly.

Zhen Shuyuan added, "I thought Tanlang was staying at another friend's house."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Huaimin, who had already sat down to wait for the meal, turned his head curiously and glanced at Ouyang Rong.

The latter didn't reply, but asked with a smile:

"Did you hear fireworks last night, Aunt?"

"Over at Xingzifang? It's been coming in waves, quite lively."

"Those fireworks were set off at the banquet hosted by Pei Shisan Niang and the others. I also thought they were a bit too noisy..."

Ouyang Rong took the lead, and the group chatted about everyday things for a while.

Zhen Shuyuan pointed to the scholar's robe hanging on the coat rack by the door and asked:

"Whose clothes are these, Tanlang?"

Ouyang Rong nodded: "Brother Huaimin, your hangover is all about the smell of alcohol."

Yuan Huaimin, engrossed in his meal, nodded in agreement upon hearing this, serving as his witness.

These clothes are indeed his. When Ouyang Rong came to see him early in the morning, he borrowed his bathroom to take a shower and then borrowed his clothes to wear.

Zhen Shuyuan glanced at Yuan Huaimin, the heartless and useless tool, and asked:

"That Pei Shisan Niang, you've arranged everything in the courtyard, but didn't you prepare any new clothes for your drunken lover?"

Ouyang Rong said helplessly, "No one outside is as considerate as you, Aunt. You're overthinking it."

Zhen Shuyuan pursed her red lips, took a few small bites of food, and then slowly said:

"That's not necessarily true. What if there's something even more considerate?"

Ouyang Rong kept his eyes down, his mind focused, and did not respond.

After lunch, Yuan Huaimin, having eaten and drunk his fill, left satisfied.

Ouyang Rong wanted to stay at the Huaiye Lane residence for a midday rest, so he didn't go with him, but only saw him off.

At the main gate, Zhen Shuyuan, accompanied by her maids, saw the guests off and returned Ouyang Rong's coat to Yuan Huaimin.

Watching the latter walk away, Zhen Shuyuan turned back, her smile fading, and said to Ouyang Rong, who was preparing to slip back to Yinbingzhai:

"Tanlang, let's not wear other people's clothes next time. It's never good to owe someone a favor."

"Auntie is right, I have learned something."

After giving a verbal reply, Ouyang Rong turned to leave without making a sound.

"etc."

Zhen Shuyuan, who had been watching him with calm eyes, suddenly called out to him.

"What's wrong, Auntie?"

"You mentioned last time that you wanted to bring that friend to my birthday celebration. Don't forget to tell Wanwan in advance. After all, she's the one who will make the arrangements. If you forget to tell her and Wanwan hasn't prepared any bowls and chopsticks beforehand, and then the guest arrives and there are no seats available, it wouldn't be good to neglect them."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"Thanks to my aunt for reminding me, I've been so busy lately that I almost forgot. But my aunt is still quite concerned about this matter."

"I only care about your mother's hairpin; I don't care about anything else."

Zhen Shuyuan went over and, while straightening Ouyang Rong's clothes, lowered her eyes and muttered in a woman's characteristic nagging voice:

“You men are generous when giving gifts, but you are too embarrassed to ask for them back afterwards. But I am a woman, and as your sages would say, I am difficult to please. So let me do it myself.”

“Other things, Tanlang can give as gifts, but this hairpin is too special. It belongs to your mother’s clan, and even Wanwan is not someone you can really give it to…”

Ouyang Rong suddenly interrupted:

"What if it really suits someone else?"

"What do you mean?" Zhen Shuyuan asked, puzzled.

Ouyang Rong yawned, turned around, and left.

"I feel tired after eating a full meal. I didn't sleep well last night, so my nephew went back to catch up on his sleep."

Zhen Shu frowned, watching her somewhat strange nephew walk away. She stood there for a long time, muttering to herself:

"What exactly is this kid up to..."

Yinbingzhai, the study.

Ouyang Rong closed the door, walked to the desk, and let out a soft sigh.

My aunt's skills are too advanced.

For a mature woman like this, doubting something doesn't need a reason; intuition is the best proof.

Those words just now were full of warnings and provocations.

Ouyang Rong shook his head.

He first carefully put away the Mo family sword box, bronze mask, and other items he had brought back, and then went to put them in the wardrobe.

Why are you back?

When he opened the wardrobe door, he discovered Xiao Mo's ingenious idea.

The little guy was sitting on the ground, head down, counting a stack of slips of paper. No one knew where they came from, but he had so many.

When Ouyang Rong opened the wardrobe, she quickly put them away, turned her back, and gave him a disapproving look.

"Not knocking is the most rude thing you can do, bar none."

Ouyang Rong glanced back at the room:

"This is my room."

Then she asked, "Why are you back? Your junior sister brought you back this morning."

"Do you think everyone is as irresponsible as you?"

Miaosi crossed her arms and hummed softly.

Ouyang Rong smiled and decided not to argue with her.

I took the [Night-Shining Pearl] out of the sword box and went back to try it out as usual.

Unable to get anywhere, they put it back.

Before leaving the bookshelf, his palm touched the square seal again.

Ouyang Rong frowned.

This is a relic of Master Zhongma given to me by Master Shandao when I returned from Donglin Temple last time. I don't know what its purpose is.

After examining it for a while, I put it back.

He looked up and found that Miaosi was gone from the wardrobe.

Turning his head, he saw that the little guy wasn't at the desk either. Ouyang Rong looked around curiously and finally went into the bedroom before he saw the little guy.

She had jumped onto the clothes rack without him noticing, burying her face in the clothes he had taken off after coming in, sniffing them left and right with a suspicious look on her face.

Ouyang Rong grabbed her by the back of her collar and lifted her up.

"What are you smelling?" he asked sternly.

Miao Si's eyes lit up:

"Smell if you've secretly hidden any ink sticks."

"Who are you checking up on for?" Ouyang Rong asked, tilting his head.

"No, I didn't."

Miao Si panicked a little and, in a moment of quick thinking, shouted:

"Are you hiding something? Why won't you let this fairy smell it?"

Ouyang Rong recalled the hidden painting of "The Peach Blossom Spring," coughed, put her down, and said casually:

“Indeed, there are other little ink spirits hiding outside. Pack your things and move them out another day to make room.”

Miao Si immediately panicked.

"You dare, Little Rongzi! I'll bite you to death, you little fairy..."

...

Two days later.

Ouyang Rong was still worried about Chengtian Temple.

They tried again at dawn, but both attempts were unsuccessful.

After much deliberation, Ouyang Rong didn't make Yan Liulang wait any longer. He led his soldiers directly there and, on the pretext that someone had reported him for secretly keeping the Yunmeng Yue Maiden and the Yunmeng Token, led a large-scale search of Chengtian Temple.

Nothing unexpected happened along the way, and of course, the Yunmeng Token was not found.

Having alerted the enemy, it's highly likely that the young woman from Yue is no longer in this temple. Even if she is nearby, she will probably move away upon hearing the news...

That afternoon, in the main hall of the governor's mansion, Ouyang Rong was handling official business and giving instructions to his subordinates when Rong Zhen suddenly rushed over and called him out.

"Ouyang Lianghan, come out for a moment."

The subordinate officials, including Yan Liulang and Chen You, who were listening to the prefect's instructions, couldn't help but exchange glances, some chuckling and others staring straight ahead.

Right now, within Xunyang City, it's estimated that only this Lady Historian dares to order Ouyang Rong around.

Although, in terms of job rank, the current Lady Historian is not qualified.

But everyone was used to it. Back when Ouyang Rong was the Prefect of Jiangzhou, the Lady Prefect would call out like that, and it became a popular topic of gossip in the Jiangzhou Hall.

The fact that the two are still maintaining this normal relationship suggests that they have a close relationship and don't need to worry about the formalities after the promotion.

In the workplace, they don't address each other by their official titles, but by their first names. Anyone who has been involved in officialdom knows what a special relationship this is.

Yes, it's "special" because it's no longer a question of whether the relationship is "good" or "bad." It's definitely good, but even if the relationship is very good, people might still publicly call for avoidance of conflicts of interest due to their positions.

The fact that someone dares to call another person by their name so directly, without any attempt to avoid it, means that at least one of them holds a position of such high and special status that they don't need to care about this and are not afraid of being criticized...

And that is indeed the case.

Of course, there is another possibility, which is favoritism among relatives or spouses... but no one dares to think that way, and even if they did, they wouldn't dare to say it...

After witnessing it for a long time, many officials in Jiangzhou couldn't help but feel envious.

This Lady Rongzhen was once a lady-in-waiting who served Her Majesty the Empress closely. She had the power to draft imperial edicts with her own vermilion brush. Now she has been transferred to Jiangzhou, which is obviously to gain experience. Even though she is thousands of miles away from the capital, her words can still reach the ears of the Emperor.

It is well known that the closer one is to the center of power, the greater the power, whether overt or covert.

Ouyang Sima was able to be exceptionally admitted to the academy and promoted to the rank of Scholar of Literature, while also serving as the Prefect of Jiangzhou. It is possible that this lady historian also played a significant role in his promotion.

Sometimes, there's no need for deliberate flattery. When the position of prefect of Jiangzhou is vacant and His Majesty inquires about suitable candidates, simply mentioning "Ouyang Lianghan is acceptable" is sufficient.

This Lady Rongzhen is currently the head of all active female officials in Jiangnan Province. She has tasks such as supervising the Donglin Buddha and apprehending rebels in the Jiangnan region. All the supervisory offices in Jiangnan Province have also been assigned to her.

The system of female officials in this dynasty is very complex. In short, they are His Majesty's eyes and ears. Rongzhen is currently the head of the eyes and ears of Jiangnan Circuit, and she has the power to supervise the princes and officials in various parts of Jiangnan Circuit. As for the Deputy Director Song, he only manages the Qi Refining Team of the Astronomical Bureau and guards the Xunyang Grottoes. He does not care about these "minor official matters". He and Rongzhen are in a parallel relationship.

After the Wei clan, led by Wang Lengran, "died in the line of duty" in Jiangzhou, the Xunyang Prince's Mansion has been able to live so comfortably so far, which is also related to the close relationship between its representative, Ouyang Lianghan, and Lady Rongzhen. So far, the latter has not deliberately made things difficult for the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

Most officials in the Jiangnan bureaucracy could see this trend. In a sense, the stability of the situation in Jiangzhou and the rapid progress of the Xunyang Grottoes were all thanks to the stable relationship between Lady Rongzhen and Governor Ouyang.

Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen did not completely escape the sight of the officials of the governor's mansion, and stopped in front of a waterside pavilion with a wide view in the back garden.

Rong Zhen turned around, glanced at Ouyang Rong, and was about to look away to continue the conversation when she suddenly stopped.

He glanced at it again and spoke:

"Ouyang Lianghan, you seem a little different?"

"What's different?"

Ouyang Rong, who had visited the quiet courtyard for two consecutive days, touched his face and asked sincerely.

After not seeing her for many days, Rong Zhen was still the same—cold and aloof, with a face that looked like she owed money. She stared at Ouyang Rong and suddenly said:

"You seem a bit different, more refreshed. Have you done something that will make you feel better both physically and mentally lately?"

“Yes.” Ouyang Rong nodded, then continued, “The first phase of the affordable housing project in Xingzifang has been completed. After working on it for so long, I’ve personally sorted out the procedures there. We can proceed step by step from now on, completing each phase one by one…”

Rong Zhen frowned and looked at him for a while, then relaxed her brows and nodded slightly: "I see. It's really thanks to you over there that the mess was cleared up so quickly. The mess and negative impact left by Lin Cheng and Wang Lengran have finally been eliminated..."

"No destruction, no construction." Ouyang Rong waved his hand and shook his head modestly: "But the damage caused by the Xingzi Lake Buddha will not be so easy to eliminate in the short term. It can only be said that the current situation is good in the long run, but the price is still borne by some people."

Seeing the slight melancholy in his tone, Rongzhen's eyes softened, and she immediately changed the subject, "Let's go, time is short, let's talk on the way, come with me."

She tucked her hands into her sleeves, turned around, and walked away.

"What is it?" Ouyang Rong asked curiously, and followed after them.

The lady-in-waiting, dressed in an unremarkable pale purple palace gown, said without turning her head:

"We have received news from the imperial court regarding the request for assistance."

Ouyang Rong's expression turned serious.

...

——————

(PS: Today I'm not facing fate, just spending time with my good brothers. "The Dark Room: Writing" is starting! or 2)

(End of this chapter)