Chapter 944 Oh no, it's really become her confessional.

"...Liu Qing is actually a proud and independent person, but these people, probably because they dislike me, find Liu Qing pleasing to the eye no matter what. Sometimes when they praise Liu Qing, it's not really from the heart, but just to annoy me."

"Sometimes people live in a daze, not knowing what they like, but they can definitely feel what they hate. The latter is more real than the former."

Inside the pavilion, Chen Jiaxin's tone was as calm as still water.

He couldn't discern the young woman's likes or dislikes.

In addition, after so much contact, I've come to realize that this young lady from the Chen family is inherently somewhat capricious.

Ouyang Rong did not reply rashly, for fear of provoking her to go crazy again.

Chen Jiaxin turned around, tilted her head, and asked the dull-looking young man behind her:

"Isn't this the kind of show that Song Zhian, Yu Mili, and those other young ladies outside want to see?"

Chen Jiaxin's expression was ambiguous, neither truly smiling nor frowning. It was unclear whether she was genuinely asking Ouyang Rong or simply talking to herself; she merely treated him as a temporary confidant.

“As my grandfather once said, people always like to laugh at the second place, but they don’t realize that the second place is far better than them. But as long as there is a first place, people will think, what’s so great about the second place? Aren’t they just like themselves, being suppressed by the first place? Everyone is prone to this kind of petty thinking.”

"Human nature is evil to such an extent. A Confucian sage often said that human nature is inherently evil and gave many examples to prove it. When I was a child, I read this in a book and never believed it. How could a newborn child be evil when he was ignorant and naive? But now that I have seen more of the world, I find it very difficult to believe."

"This kind of subtle thought of strengthening the first and weakening or even pitying the second, so unified, is not something that comes from later generations. It is something that everyone is born with, it is their nature."

"You ask me how I know? It's because I've asked myself and I would do the same thing. So I know exactly what they're thinking and what their little schemes are, but I'm just too lazy to say it."

Chen Jiaxin noticed that Ouyang Rong seemed to be deep in thought. After a moment of silence, he looked up with a questioning expression.

“Miss is wise and makes sense. But Ah Liang doesn’t understand. What do other people’s thoughts have to do with us? They can think whatever they want, how can it affect us? We are not Buddha, and even Buddha cannot control other people’s thoughts of good or evil.”

Even if they gossip about it in private, it's just idle talk, like whispers in the wind, and it won't make Miss's cultivation speed any faster or slower.

"The only thing that can affect cultivation or doing things is your own heart, Miss. If your heart is affected by their words, then it is a real loss, and it is not worth it. But isn't this your own business? Why should you care about or even scrutinize the opinions of outsiders?"

"It won't help you in the slightest; on the contrary, it will make you unhappy. But this is something you can ignore like the wind in your ear."

Chen Jiaxin was initially listening absentmindedly, but as she listened, she became somewhat stunned.

He stared intently at Ouyang Rong for a while.

After he finished speaking, Chen Jiaxin slowly nodded:

“Liu Aliang, do you know that your blunt and crude words are pointing directly to the most difficult thing in cultivation: cultivating the mind?”

She looked at Ouyang Rong with some surprise, thought for a moment, a smile playing on her lips, and uttered a Zen-like remark:

"If I had perfected my cultivation and achieved a high level of self-cultivation, I would naturally not care about what others think or say. But it is precisely because I still care about what others think or say that I have not yet perfected my cultivation or achieved a high level of self-cultivation. And because I have not perfected my cultivation and have not broken through to the next level as early as Liu Qing, and have been unstoppable, I am still stuck in second place, which has attracted more and more gossip from the outside world."

Chen Jiaxin raised her chin and said confidently:

"Liu Aliang, your crude words contain great wisdom, but my calculations are also a way of actively entering the game. Being influenced by the gossip of outsiders is a process of self-cultivation, and I insist on taking this path and insist on being serious about this truth."

Ouyang Rong remained silent, but was somewhat surprised by Chen Jiaxin's lively ideas.

Chen Jiaxin's chest heaved slightly as she wore her white dress, seemingly relieved to have said those words to someone, and she let out a long sigh.

She glanced again at the taciturn young man in front of her who had provoked her to speak her mind.

Thinking that his silence was due to awkwardness or fear of speaking, Chen Jiaxin softened her tone slightly and chuckled softly:

“Liu Aliang, it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand. You just need to know one thing: the reason you have this idea is because your temperament is indeed different from theirs, which is why you don’t understand.”

She flicked her slender, raised finger and pointed at him leisurely, saying:

"You may have great foolishness, but they must have small cleverness."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong's face showed some confusion, as if he was becoming more and more puzzled the more he listened.

Chen Jiaxin laughed it off, but lost interest in continuing the conversation.

During our conversation just now, there was indeed a fleeting feeling of reuniting with a long-lost friend.

But she also knew in her heart that it was unintentional.

This Liu Aliang was perhaps a bit dull and simple-minded, which did suit her taste. So, as they chatted, they would occasionally find themselves agreeing with each other.

But he was also unaware of it, or perhaps he was wise in his own way. In reality, the young man didn't truly understand her thoughts and the wit in her words. Ultimately, he wasn't as intelligent as her, so they couldn't have a long conversation, and in the end, it would still be a disappointment...

Chen Jiaxin, with a clear mind, changed the subject and casually asked:

"Liu Aliang, have you seen Liu Qing?"

Ouyang Rong nodded immediately.

Chen Jiaxin then asked:

"when?"

"A few days ago."

Chen Jiaxin didn't ask for details, and chuckled lightly:

"Didn't you expect that such a thin and frail young lady would be so powerful and become the champion of this year's Yue Maiden competition?"

"Um."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"I really never would have imagined this before."

Chen Jiaxin shared the same sentiment, saying:

"I never expected this when I first met him. You can't judge a book by its cover."

She paused, then chuckled softly:

"Like you, Liu Aliang. Although you can't enter the Bamboo Hall and can't cultivate, according to what I've heard and my recent observations, you're a capable person who can excel in anything. It's somewhat surprising compared to when we first met. I admire capable people, and no matter what kind of ability they have, they deserve my respect."

"In my grandfather's words, if you want to accomplish great things, you need to associate with people like this more often, and you'll achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"The old man is impressive. Miss, you flatter me. It's just a small skill."

Chen Jiaxin also praised it:

“Your mother is a wise woman. The reasoning she gave you and your sister is very correct, and you should have taken it to heart. You have also put it into practice.”

Just as Ouyang Rong was about to say something modest, Chen Jiaxin suddenly said:

"You say slow is fast, and tell me to take it slow, but have you ever thought that Liu Qing is also a very slow girl, a bit like you, taking one step at a time, steadily and surely?"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong nodded in agreement.

Nonsense, don't you even know whose sister she is?

Chen Jiaxin, unaware of his inner thoughts, gave a seemingly sarcastic, light smile:

"So sometimes the most difficult thing is not how much ahead your opponent is, but that your opponent understands some profound truths better than you, while you are still slow to realize them."

Ouyang Rong said, "What Miss says is true."

Chen Jiaxin suddenly waved her hand and said:

"Liu Aliang, you should go back first. I want to be alone for a while."

Ouyang Rong didn't stand on ceremony; he immediately picked up the food box, turned around, and prepared to leave.

Just as I was about to leave the pavilion, Chen Jiaxin's voice came from behind me:

"Liu Aliang".

He stopped. "Hmm? What are your orders, Miss?"

After a moment of silence, Chen Jiaxin said:

"Thank you. I've remembered your words, 'slow and steady wins the race.' Also, tonight's meal was very good; thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Ouyang Rong shook his head: "You're welcome, Miss."

Unexpectedly, just as the atmosphere had eased, she suddenly spoke again, her tone becoming stern:

"But remember this: from now on, you are not allowed to cook for Song Zhian and Yu Mili. You are now my woman and you are taking my money, so this is my order and you must obey it unconditionally."

Ouyang Rong was taken aback.

I never expected Chen Jiaxin to make such a strange request.

She gave a mocking laugh:

"What, are you reluctant to part with your two close female friends?"

"without."

Ouyang Rong shook his head: "Actually, I haven't cooked for them much."

He paused, then nodded again:

"I don't know if the large pot meals I made at the Qingliang Valley Dining Hall before count, but even if they do, I will be working the night shift from now on, and I will only be making vegetarian meals for Qingliang Valley at night, so I will no longer have the chance to make large pot meals for them."

"Yes, yes, I'm glad you understand."

Chen Jiaxin chuckled:

"I didn't mean anything by it, I just found it very interesting."

Ouyang Rong calmly replied, "I understand."

Chen Jiaxin, who had finally managed to muster some teasing thoughts, looked at his dull and honest face and his reply, and suddenly felt a little bored.

"You can leave now."

She pouted and waved her hand.

Ouyang Rong left in a daze.

Halfway there, Chen Jiaxin's voice came from behind again:

"etc."

"Um?"

Ouyang Rong turned around and waited for a while.

Chen Jiaxin did not speak immediately.

Through the curtain, he could see the young woman's solitary figure standing by the railing, looking somewhat lonely in the night wind.

Chen Jiaxin inside paused for a moment before speaking:

"Although you are dull, you can be a good conversationalist at times. However, in future conversations, don't agree with me too much, and you don't need any empty praise. I don't like hypocritical people. Just say what you mean and keep your simple and honest nature."

Ouyang Rong thought for a moment, then, imitating Sha Ergou, scratched his head and replied:

"Okay, if you need anything to talk to me about in the future, Miss, you can come to me anytime."

"Um."

Inside the pavilion, a young woman responded calmly, though it was unclear whether she took it seriously or not.

She waved her hand dismissively:

"Go back now. I'll be going back soon too. I might be going into seclusion for a few days. Go back and wait patiently. The food delivery won't be done anytime soon. If anything happens later, go find Madam Chen first."

"Understood, Miss."

Ouyang Rong carried the food box and obediently walked out of the pavilion.

Not far from the pavilion, Madam Chen waited quietly. When she saw him come out, she immediately went to greet him.

The two worked in perfect harmony, descending the mountain under the stars and moon.

On the way down the mountain, Ouyang Rong was somewhat distracted the whole time. Madam Chen, who was in front, was busy leading the way. The mountain road was difficult to walk at night, so she didn't ask Ouyang Rong any questions.

As the two returned along the same route and walked out of Qingliang Valley, Ouyang Rong suddenly turned around, glanced at the dark mountains behind him, and looked somewhat puzzled.

A guess arose in his mind, but he wasn't quite sure yet.

...

It was almost midnight when I got back to my own courtyard.

Logically speaking, at this hour, a laborer like Ouyang Rong should not be wandering around the Sword Marsh.

Fortunately, there was Madam Chen, who had many connections and escorted Ouyang Rong all the way back to the island.

After closing the door, Ouyang Rong immediately sat down at the table, closed his eyes, and entered the Merit Pagoda.

Arriving in a pure white space, Ouyang Rong ignored the little wooden fish and flew straight to the Blessing Bell.

He reached out and gently stroked it.

The bronze bell was cold to the touch, yet remained completely still, as if it were a dead object.

The last time the blessing clock made a sound was for that two-colored blessing.

A month has passed since the exchange began.

A lot has happened recently, and most of it can be confirmed that it's not related to this double-color blessing, but today's incident...

Ouyang Rong looked thoughtful.

So, is it possible that the opportunity Chen Jiaxin created for him to enter the water dungeon and find Master Sun is the fulfillment of that double-colored blessing worth 1,500 merits?

Although it's unclear what Chen Jiaxin wanted to do by contacting Master Sun, or whether it was related to her grandfather's illness—Ouyang Rong had overheard a few words while lurking in the warehouse, so this was just a reasonable guess.

However, finding Master Sun was also very important to Ouyang Rong.

Ouyang Rong had previously speculated about the water dungeon in Qingliang Valley.

I wonder if the embroiderer was imprisoned inside by her senior sisters, and guarded by the Fifth Lady Jun Yun Xiangyi.

Looking back now, whether this conjecture is true or not is debatable, but one thing is almost certain.

That means that after Zhi Shuang and the others brought the unconscious embroiderer back to Jianze, they must have asked Old Master Sun for help in examining her condition.

Therefore, Master Sun must know some inside information.

Even if he didn't know that the embroiderer had taken it out, he could still use the excuse of seeing a doctor as a breakthrough.

Therefore, finding him first and then subtly inquiring about the details from him is definitely the right approach...

Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes slightly.

I wonder what kind of expression Old Master Sun would have if he saw him?

Ouyang Rong's gaze swept over the direction where Chen Jiaxin and Tingzi were.

Looking at it this way, it's like a pillow being delivered to him just when he was about to fall asleep.

This is not double-color blessing. What is double-color blessing?

However, after careful consideration, Ouyang Rong did not dare to be certain too early.

Before finding Master Sun and achieving tangible progress and benefits, anything is possible, or new directions may unfold.

Ouyang Rong didn't dare to confirm it too early, as too much speculation could easily lead to trouble.

This is a profound lesson learned from the previous incident involving Li Shu; some things must be carefully considered.

Ouyang Rong let out a long sigh of relief...

(End of this chapter)