Chapter 288 Senior Brother Has a Strange Quirk?
"When did Wanwan learn this skill?"
At the Huaiye Lane residence, Ouyang Rong had just returned from his shift when Xie Lingjiang arrived shortly after.
Before coming here, she seemed to have taken a bath and used incense. Her face was as red as an apple. Now, in early winter, there were small water droplets hanging on her white forehead under her bangs. They were the fragrant sweat from the hot steam of the bath.
Just as it was time for dinner, Xie Lingjiang ran to the kitchen without saying a word, made a bowl of longevity noodles for Aunt Zhen, and served it on the table to welcome her back.
At that moment, Zhen Shuyuan took a bite of noodles with her red lips, her eyes lit up, and she asked her with curiosity.
Xie Lingjiang rested her chin on the back of her hand, watching everyone taste the noodles, her eyes curving into crescents.
She tried hard to suppress the upward curve of her lips:
"It was back in Longcheng. Aunt Zhen and the others weren't around, and Meilu Garden was empty without a cook or anything."
“Every time I’m busy with official business with my senior brother, I forget to eat. When I come back late, my stomach is empty.”
She glanced at someone, her tone slightly resentful:
"My eldest brother cooks slowly, and I don't know why he always thinks about the leftovers from yesterday. He won't cook anything new until they're all gone."
"Hey, by the time he brings the dishes up, the daylily will probably be cold."
"So I had to do it myself, and before I knew it, my cooking skills had improved a little."
Xie Lingjiang sighed in a serious tone.
Ouyang Rong, who was engrossed in eating, couldn't help but look up and interject:
"Where am I slow? My junior sister is sitting there waiting to be fed, she must think it's too slow."
"Besides, all you know how to do is cook noodles, that's all... no, that's all you know how to do."
Ouyang Rong defended himself briefly, shook his head, and reached for noodles with his chopsticks.
But with a "whoosh," the large bowl in front of him disappeared, and his chopsticks left empty air.
"Hmph, then senior brother shouldn't eat it."
Xie Lingjiang pushed the bowl in front of Zhen Shuyuan, protecting the noodles with her delicate hand, her pretty face tense:
"This is for Aunt Zhen. A single axe blow wouldn't be enough to satisfy Senior Brother."
"Well, after thinking about it carefully, my junior sister is actually quite skilled; her talent for making noodles is already quite impressive."
"Senior brother, you're too kind. From now on, junior sister, you mustn't eat noodles."
Ouyang Rong blinked. "Then don't expect me to cook anymore."
Xie Lingjiang tilted her head: "Do it or don't, it's up to you."
Ouyang Rong nodded decisively: "Do it."
Xie Lingjiang was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at her seemingly harmless senior brother. Not realizing she'd been taken advantage of, she gave a light snort and turned away.
"I won't eat it even if you make it."
Ouyang Rong secretly thought he had committed a sin.
However, noticing his aunt's scrutinizing gaze, he stopped teasing his junior sister and took a bite of the "slightly spicy" hometown dish, which was made by the silver-haired girl beside him.
Ouyang Rong turned his head and smiled at Ye Wei, who seemed to have quieted down considerably.
Seeing the two bickering, Zhen Shuyuan was both amused and exasperated, but a thought stirred within her as she glanced at Xie Lingjiang, who was squinting warily, wary of her senior brother getting his hands on her.
It seems that Wanwan and Tanlang's relationship has changed a lot since they last met half a year ago. In the past, Wanwan was very serious and proper when eating. Coupled with the family tradition and upbringing of the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families, she would never joke with "outsiders" like Tanlang at the dinner table. She was quite serious and boring.
It seems like I've been influenced by Tanlang to become a bit unserious. Is being unserious contagious?
The perceptive woman in the silk skirt began to have some doubts.
Tonight, only four people are at the dinner table in the flower hall: Ouyang Rong, Xie Lingjiang, Zhen Shuyuan, and Ye Weilai.
The other maids, including Banxi, served at the table, occasionally laughing along with Madam Zhen as she chatted and joked. Out of the corner of their eyes, they would glance at a young man in official robes who was engrossed in eating.
With the male head of the household at home, it's like having a pillar of support. From Madam Zhen down to the little maid serving tea, everyone unconsciously smiles more. The large mansion becomes more vibrant and warm, and less cold and empty.
This was the norm for every family under the social customs of that era, requiring a man to be the pillar of the family.
Zhen Shuyuan turned down other delicious dishes and ate only the longevity noodles made by Xie Lingjiang, praising them highly.
Well, the two women, one big and one small, tacitly ignored Ouyang Rong, who had just spoiled the mood.
The reunion after a long separation certainly sparked a lot of conversation.
Zhen Shuyuan put down her chopsticks, took Xie Lingjiang's delicate hand and stroked it, and began to exchange pleasantries. First, she criticized Ouyang Rong on Xie Lingjiang's behalf. Anyone who didn't know better would think that Xie Lingjiang was the real niece and that Ouyang Rong was just a freeloader.
Surprisingly, Xie Lingjiang did not reject the intimate and caring words from the woman in the silk skirt and chatted with her.
Judging from her bright eyes and attentive listening expression, she seemed genuinely patient.
Just six months ago, a certain noblewoman from the Xie family was quite annoyed by this kind of mundane social interaction among women.
Xie Lingjiang came today wearing a dress, a high-waisted tulip pleated skirt.
The waistline was raised to below her breasts, which made her already slender and voluptuous figure appear even more light and graceful.
The hem of the pale yellow blouse was tucked into the high waist of the skirt, raising the waistline, and paired with the flowing crimson shawl, it made her figure look even more slender and graceful.
She resembled a female immortal banished to the mortal realm.
However, this high-waisted pleated skirt has a small drawback, or rather, a drawback unique to the junior sister, and it's quite significant... it makes a certain part look a bit bulky.
It requires enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens.
However, who knows whether this is a major drawback or a major advantage?
Xie Lingjiang and the Zhen family chatted enthusiastically about everyday matters.
At the other end of the table, Ouyang Rong picked up some food and ate his rice, only interjecting a few words to defend himself when his aunt was about to reveal his dark past.
However, her junior sister, bursting with curiosity, dug up everything.
He was teased by the two women.
Ouyang Rong chuckled and shook his head, silently eating his rice.
At one point, he glanced around the bustling flower hall, the clear, bell-like laughter of the women around the dining table ringing in his ears.
A slight warmth filled my heart, and my expression remained calm.
On the day he recovered from his illness and descended the mountain, after climbing out of the underground palace again, he silently bowed his head and put on the mask that belonged to his identity in this life.
I'll never avoid these things again.
A small pair of chopsticks reached out and placed a piece of fresh fish into Ouyang Rong's bowl.
The dazed look in his eyes faded, and he turned his head to look, meeting Ye Weilai's sapphire blue eyes.
The silver-haired girl smiled gently at Ouyang Rong, buried her face in the bowl, and obediently ate her rice.
Unlike Banxi, who could only stand by with envy in her eyes, Ye Weilai was able to sit at the table and eat.
She is now Ouyang Rong's concubine, a position that Zhen Shuyuan and even Xie Lingjiang have tacitly acknowledged.
Because of Ouyang Rong's previous arrangements, Ye Weilai had already returned to her ancestral home in Nanlong to pay respects to her ancestors and burn incense, which meant she had been formally accepted by the Ouyang family of Nanlong.
Even though many clan elders had previously disagreed with allowing a woman from a foreign barbarian tribe to join their family.
But since Ouyang Rong and Zhen Shuyuan had already agreed, they naturally couldn't interfere and had no choice but to acquiesce.
Although she was allowed to sit at the table for dinner, Ye Weilai remained unusually quiet during the banquet.
She sat to Ouyang Rong's left, with only half of her bottom touching the chair. The silver-haired girl would occasionally stand up to serve Ouyang Rong food.
Furthermore, he showed exceptional respect to Xie Lingjiang, who was sitting opposite him, and made no attempt to interrupt the conversation or steal his attention.
Xie Lingjiang, who was chatting, also glanced at Ye Weilai, telling her to try the noodles too, and just not to give them to the senior brother.
Ye Weilai stood up and poured a bowl of milky white fish soup for Zhen Shuyuan and Xie Lingjiang in turn, and then served a bowl to Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong came to his senses.
At that moment, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that there was an extra word on the table beside him.
It was Ye Weilai's delicate handwriting, written with water stains, and it was still faintly visible:
install.
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but chuckle.
A family with a daughter is a place of peace, right?
He casually stretched out his finger, dipped it in water, and added another character inside the character "安".
Ye Weilai, who was eating from her bowl, noticed Tanlang's actions.
He paused for a moment, holding his chopsticks, then looked down and stared intently...
A short while later.
The silver-haired girl buried her face in her chest, a faint blush rising around her ears and neck that lingered.
A small, white hand reached out and hurriedly wiped away a water stain on the character "宴" (banquet) on the table with its palm.
Although she was embarrassed by Tanlang's inappropriate behavior, a warm feeling flowed through Ye Weilai's heart.
This can be considered a tacit understanding unique to the master and servant from back then.
Tanlang has not forgotten.
"Hey, who would have thought that the Su family next door are actually relatives of the Li clan?"
Zhen Shuyuan and Xie Lingjiang were chatting about old stories of Longcheng when the woman in the silk skirt put down her chopsticks, sighed for a while, and then asked about the current situation of the old people of Longcheng.
Upon hearing about Liu Ashan, Zhen Shuyuan immediately turned and asked:
"My love, where are Aqing and Aunt Liu now? How are they doing?"
Her face showed regret, and she solemnly instructed Ouyang Rong:
“This family are all good people, and Ashan is especially loyal and virtuous. You must take good care of him, do you hear me… Hey, I shouldn’t have ordered Ashan around like that before. Honest people shouldn’t be treated like that… As for Aqing and Aunt Liu, you should take care of them.”
Ouyang Rong nodded and ate in silence.
Xie Lingjiang spoke on his behalf:
"Don't worry, Aunt Zhen. Senior Brother knows what he's doing. He's already made arrangements for the aftermath in Longcheng."
"That's good." Zhen Shuyuan nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, as if remembering something, she asked again:
"By the way, where is Master Shandao? He went to Luoyang and hasn't returned yet."
"Speaking of which, the incense at Donglin Temple is quite effective. I must find an opportunity to go and fulfill my vow. My beloved was cured of his injuries and illnesses twice and was eventually promoted safely."
"When I first went there, I made many prayers and wishes. Perhaps there really is a kind bodhisattva protecting me."
Zhen Shuyuan was terrified when she heard about what happened in Longcheng. She patted her chest lightly, still feeling lingering fear.
"Master Shandao?"
Xie Lingjiang seemed to remember something and said with a smile:
"He's doing very well. Last month, he escorted Shenyu Xiangrui to the capital, bringing along the Lotus Sect and Donglin Temple, making quite a splash."
"I heard that even the Empress Wei personally received him once in the Great Buddha Hall of Shangyang Palace and inquired about Mahayana Buddhism."
"I don't know how Master Shandao answered, but the Empress was overjoyed, as if she had received the Buddha's teachings and returned home with a full heart."
"Master Shandao was also presented with a yellow and purple kasaya. Although he did not serve as the national preceptor or anything like that, such an honor was still..."
"Looking across the Buddhist community and among the thousands of monks, those who can wear yellow and purple robes are no more than a handful."
"Yes, now he is a highly respected monk who protects the country."
Xie Lingjiang turned her face and joked:
“Senior Brother, from now on we can’t speak to Master Shandao so casually. We have to be more polite. He is a great monk who protects the country.”
"A venerable monk who protects the nation." Ouyang Rong nodded, following his junior sister. "Impressive."
Xie Lingjiang smiled:
"By the way, Senior Brother, a few days ago, when Xiufa sent you a letter and exchanged pleasantries, she mentioned it from time to time."
"He said that he and his master were about to return from the capital and would choose a site in Xunyang City to build a new Donglin Temple."
"It was also said that, by imperial decree, the tallest Amitabha Buddha statue in the world would be built in the new Buddhist temple to protect the Great Zhou dynasty."
Yes, that's true.
Ouyang Rong wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and turned to look at the night outside.
The Chief Secretary of Jiangzhou, who had been slacking off for most of the past two weeks, narrowed his eyes slightly:
"Building a giant Buddha statue, how interesting..." he murmured.
"That's really impressive."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Shuyuan, who was standing to the side, also frowned and looked north.
Her eyes were filled with admiration:
"I was right before. Master Shandao is indeed a man of great talent. Although the incense fee is a bit expensive, he always tries to get me to draw lots in a roundabout way."
"But it's normal for masters and highly skilled people to have a few quirks, just like Tanlang likes bondage..."
Noticing the gazes rushing towards her, Zhen Shuyuan, who had inadvertently let slip, quickly shut up.
Xie Lingjiang's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her delicate body tensing a bit: "Tie...tied up?"
Ye Weilai stammered, "Tan...Tanlang also has quirks?"
As someone who was partly involved, Banxi lowered her head and blushed.
Ouyang Rong, who was deep in thought, almost spat out his fish soup. He quickly put down the bowl, wiped his mouth, and looked helpless and speechless.
"Auntie, what nonsense are you talking about? Don't spread rumors."
Zhen Shuyuan waved her hand: "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. It's... it's that brat Banxi who's making wild guesses and talking nonsense to me."
Half-fine: "..."
With a serious expression, Zhen Shuyuan took Xie Lingjiang's hand and said, "Wanwan, don't take this seriously."
Xie Lingjiang: "..."
Noticing the strange look his junior sister was giving him, Ouyang Rong's lips twitched violently. Why did it feel like the more he explained, the worse it got?
“Auntie,” Ouyang Rong said sternly, “your nephew’s reputation and integrity will one day be ruined by your mouth.”
"Hey, Tanlang, you're talking nonsense. It's not that serious..."
The woman in the silk skirt tried to be defiant, but she was still a little guilty, so she waved her hand:
"Alright, alright, that's enough, Auntie's not joking anymore."
After Zhen Shuyuan explained, the other women stopped asking questions and the matter was dropped.
Ouyang Rong remained expressionless.
Dinner ended shortly afterward.
"Auntie, I'll go see my junior sister off."
Ouyang Rong didn't turn his head.
He and Xie Lingjiang walked out of the dining hall together, along the long corridor, and headed outside.
This mansion in Huaiye Lane originally belonged to the Xie family of Chenjun. Xie Lingjiang had a beautiful courtyard in the southeast corner of the mansion.
It wasn't far from Ouyang Rong's bamboo grove courtyard.
However, in the nearby Xunyang Prince's Mansion, she also had a courtyard carefully prepared by Wei Mei and Li Guo'er, which she used as her boudoir.
Two places to stay, depending on the situation, whichever is more convenient.
However, for the past two weeks, she has spent most of her time staying at the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, as it is her duty to protect them.
Today's bathing and incense-scenting were also done in the boudoir over there, since there were more maids serving at the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.
Although Xie Lingjiang has recently started trying to learn cooking, her habits as a wealthy and noble lady are still quite difficult to change in a short time...
Tonight, Xie Lingjiang will also return there to keep watch.
The two walked side by side, silent.
Ouyang Rong suddenly caught a whiff of a delicate fragrance and turned to look.
It looks like the tulip pleated skirt that my junior sister is wearing.
This is a pale yellow dress dyed with turmeric, its color vibrant and it faintly exudes the fragrance of turmeric.
After arriving in Jiangzhou City, she dressed as a man less often...
Xie Lingjiang suddenly turned around.
Ouyang Rong quickly glanced at the scenery outside the corridor.
"Is it beautiful, Senior Brother?"
"..."
Thank you so much for the generous donation, Brother Chaoyun! I love you all, sob sob sob!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
