Chapter 302 Preparing Birthday Gifts
"What is Tanlang thinking about?"
On the second floor of Yunshui Pavilion, at a dining table by the window, Li Fusu put down his wine cup, his face flushed and slightly tipsy, and looked at his friend with a curious tone.
"fine."
Ouyang Rong snapped out of his reverie, turned his gaze away from the twin peaks in the distance outside the window, shook his head, and continued eating.
Yan Liulang hissed and slurped from the spiciness of the food, without looking up, and explained intermittently: "The...the Prefect is busy...busy with a big matter, which is related to the livelihood of Xunyang. He is not idle even on his holiday."
"I see."
Li Fusu nodded. Ouyang Rong didn't say much, nor did he ask any further questions. If it involved matters of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, his friend would certainly tell him.
Li Fusu laughed and said, "Sixth Brother, eat slowly. These spicy dishes were ordered for Tanlang. Didn't I order non-spicy dishes for you? Why are you putting all your chopsticks on Tanlang's side?"
"Hehe." Yan Liulang scratched his head:
"Isn't it because you're afraid to eat when you see the magistrate? Maybe you're also afraid of these spicy dishes. I'll try some too. I don't believe I can't handle spicy food."
Li Fusu smiled helplessly. Today, taking advantage of Ouyang Rong's holiday, he finally managed to get together for a meal. How come one of them stared out the window the whole time, lost in thought; while the other overestimated his ability to eat spicy food, showing his rebellious side.
Ouyang Rong suddenly looked up and asked in surprise, "Is this spicy?"
He paused, then picked up a few more bites of the food in front of him. "It's not spicy. Or is it only slightly spicy?"
Yan Liulang, covered in sweat: "..."
Li Fusu sighed, "My love, these are the spiciest dishes we have here." After thinking for a moment, he explained, "Maybe this place isn't as good as the one at Yunshui Pavilion in Longcheng."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but recall the quiet figure of a pretty mute girl.
He pursed his lips and glanced around at the relatively quiet second floor.
There is also a Yunshui Pavilion in Xunyang City, which should be owned by the same chain store as the one in Longcheng County.
Today, Ouyang was planning to sleep in, but Li Fusu and Yan Liulang arrived early and dragged him out for a stroll and a meal.
Having not seen each other for a long time, Ouyang Rong had no choice but to agree.
Sometimes, a holiday is just a different way of being busy.
The Spring Festival in this era was called "Yuanzheng," which was the grandest and most solemn day for the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
All officials at the central and local levels of the Great Zhou Dynasty were given a seven-day holiday.
As the saying goes, after ten years of celebrating the New Year, our joy has only deepened.
It was like a golden week for this era. The entire city of Xunyang was immersed in the joy of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, and it was several times more lively than usual.
Xunyang City was not the capital Luoyang. There were no civil and military officials coming to court to pay homage, nor were there any grand court assemblies or elaborate displays.
As a local official, Ouyang Rong, as the chief secretary, should have had a lot of free time, since the entire Jiangzhou government was on holiday and shut down.
However, on the first day of the holiday, Ouyang Rong was dragged by his junior sister to go shopping all day.
As we all know, women don't have a stamina bar when shopping, but men have a stamina bar, and it's like double speed.
Ouyang Rong was naturally exhausted, but he didn't show it at all in front of his bright-eyed junior sister.
Fortunately, the next day, Wang Caozhi brought good news about the progress of the cooperation on Xunyang Grottoes. Ouyang Rong found an excuse to temporarily get rid of his clingy junior sister and go to attend to official business.
However, this busyness is just like when I didn't have a holiday. I'm destined to be a workaholic.
After finally finalizing the fundraising arrangements with Wang Caozhi and the others, Ouyang Rong was dragged out for a meal by his two friends today.
He shook his head and picked up a bite of food.
Ouyang Rong turned his head and inquired about the affairs of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion. He was slightly relieved to learn that everything was still calm there.
The three chatted and laughed for a while, then Li Fusu suddenly asked:
"By the way, does Tanlang know that Miss Xie's birthday is coming up soon?"
Ouyang Rong immediately replied, "I know, the day after tomorrow."
Li Fusu asked curiously, "Did Miss Xie say that herself when we were shopping the other day?"
"No, my mentor mentioned it briefly in a letter before, and I've never forgotten it."
"Does Miss Xie know that Tanlang knows her birthday?"
Ouyang Rong thought for a moment and replied, "She probably doesn't know. She hasn't mentioned it to me these past few days."
Li Fusu pressed further, "Has my beloved prepared a gift?"
Ouyang Rong smiled, picked up a piece of food, and didn't answer.
Li Fusu suddenly realized: "I understand, Tanlang is planning to wait until that day to tell her... he wants to give her a surprise?"
Ouyang Rong glanced at his serious-looking friend, chewed some food, and mumbled:
"It's just a birthday celebration. Junior Sister isn't the type to make a big fuss. Eldest Brother, you and your uncle and aunt don't need to make it too grand on that day."
"It's enough that everyone has put their heart into it. Sending a small gift as a token of goodwill and a bowl of longevity noodles will be just fine. She'll definitely be happy."
Ouyang Rong spoke earnestly.
He smiled as he recalled his junior sister, who had been as lively and energetic as a little girl, grumbling about wanting to change back into men's clothes to go out and have fun, when they were shopping not long ago.
How could he not know what kind of person his junior sister was?
Is it better to just take it directly?
However, recently, for some reason, my junior sister seems to be acting out of character, sometimes getting close to him and sometimes keeping her distance. I don't know if she's doing it on purpose.
Anyway, these days, Ouyang Rong often wanted to take the initiative to find her, but recently, he was discussing with wealthy merchants such as Wang Caozhi about the preparation for the excavation and construction of the Xunyang Grottoes at Shuangfengjian.
Busy as he was, Ouyang Rong managed to suppress this impulse.
Are you kidding me? Doesn't the senior brother care about his reputation?
Ouyang Rong nodded.
"That was also what my father and mother meant. Tanlang had also told us to keep a low profile."
Li Fusu nodded, but a troubled look appeared on his face:
"However, recently, some of Miss Xie's relatives, who seem to be her aunts or other elders, came to celebrate her birthday. These past two days, Miss Xie has been accompanying them to tour Xunyang City."
"Is that so?"
Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow slightly. No wonder his junior sister hadn't come to see him these past two days. It seemed that not only was he busy, but his junior sister was also tied up.
"Did my mentor return to Xunyang?"
Li Fusu shook his head: "Mr. Xie wrote to my father, saying that he seems to be busy with important matters and is in Luoyang, so he couldn't come back. Therefore, he specially asked some relatives from the clan to come and celebrate Junior Sister's birthday with her."
"I see."
Ouyang Rong nodded: "I'll see you when I have the chance."
Li Fusu: "I estimate we'll see her the day after tomorrow. I heard from my sister that Miss Xie's aunt is planning a birthday banquet for her, which may be quite grand."
He paused, then emphasized somewhat strangely:
"Anyway, invitations will definitely be sent out in the next couple of days. Tanlang is Mr. Xie's top student and Miss Xie's senior brother, so they certainly won't miss him."
"Oh." Ouyang Rong glanced at him and responded.
"I think Tanlang will be there then, right?"
"If I am invited and there is nothing else important, I will certainly not spoil the fun." After thinking for a moment, Ouyang Rong added, "Although I don't really want to disturb the aunt and niece's intimate moment, if I have some free time, I would like to make a bowl of longevity noodles for my junior sister."
"I'm getting a little embarrassed eating my junior sister's noodles all the time," Ouyang Rong said with a smile. "Let her try my cooking."
Li Fusu glanced at his friend, who seemed rather nonchalant, his expression hesitant to speak.
Ouyang Rong turned around: "What does Dalang want to say?"
Li Fusu spoke with a slightly reminding tone:
"My lord, although Miss Xie is approachable, beautiful, kind-hearted, and down-to-earth, and has a good relationship with us, no matter what..."
"She comes from one of the top aristocratic families in Jiangzuo, and is one of the few direct descendants of the younger generation of the Xie family of Chenjun. She is also outstanding and is a well-known woman from one of the five prominent families in the eyes of the gentry and commoners of the world..."
"Alright, I got it." Ouyang Rong couldn't help but chuckle. He glanced around, not seeing his junior sister checking up on him, and then smiled at his friend.
"She's not here, so praising her like that won't do any good. Hmm, it's okay, I'll tell her next time that Dalang praised her a lot behind her back, and that'll make her kick the bucket."
Li Fusu chuckled to himself.
At this moment, Yan Liulang, who had been engrossed in challenging the "slightly spicy" dish in Ouyang Rong's mouth, hurriedly put down his chopsticks, gasped for breath, tilted his head back and gulped down several mouthfuls of cold water, then leaned back in his chair.
Letting out a long breath, Yan Liulang finally caught his breath. He turned weakly and echoed Li Fusu's suggestion:
"Mr. Ming, if you have some free time, go and look for Miss Xie more often. Maybe just one visit will make her happy for a long time."
Ouyang Rong glanced at him and hummed in response.
Li Fusu asked with concern, "Has Tanlang prepared a gift yet? It's best to prepare a thoughtful gift. Would you like me and Amei to help you prepare a nice one?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "No need for your trouble."
"Brother, please prepare one for me." Yan Liulang rubbed his hands together.
"Although I don't know if Miss Xie will invite me to her birthday banquet, it's just in case."
Without batting an eye, he said dreamily, "I, Yan Liu, have never attended a birthday banquet of such a powerful family as the Five Clans before."
Li Fusu didn't mind and nodded, "Okay, I'll prepare one for you too."
Before long, Li Fusu and Yan Liulang began discussing the gift-giving arrangements, while Ouyang Rong ate alone on the side, not joining them.
He glanced occasionally toward the twin peaks, his brows furrowed slightly as if deep in thought about official business.
He would occasionally glance at his chat friends and shake his head slightly.
...
After lunch.
In the afternoon, Ouyang Rong did not accompany Li Fusu and Yan Liulang to stroll around Chaisangfang.
They returned to their residence in Huaiye Lane early.
He walked straight through the bamboo grove, returned to Yinbingzhai, and entered the west wing where miscellaneous items were stored.
Ouyang Rong took out a pile of bamboo items and placed them in the courtyard.
Taking advantage of the rare sunny winter day, Ouyang Rong sat on a small stool in the courtyard, continuing to whittle bamboo and skillfully weave bamboo strips.
The bamboo craft he was weaving in his hands could be vaguely seen, resembling the ribs of an open umbrella.
"Didn't Tanlang make several items called abacuses? Why are you still busy with these lately?"
Ye Weilai carried a plate of fruit and walked into the bamboo grove courtyard. She saw Ouyang Rong, who was focused on his handiwork, and asked him a question out of curiosity.
Without looking up, Ouyang Rong said, "Now that the abacus is finished, make an oiled paper umbrella."
"An oil-paper umbrella?"
"Yes, it's a gift."
"Is this for Miss Xie?"
"Um."
The silver-haired girl with blue eyes said enviously, "You're so thoughtful, my love."
Ouyang Rong shook his head, "My skills aren't very good, it's a bit slow."
Ye Weilai said softly, "It's a small gift but a big sentiment."
She went over and wiped the sweat from Ouyang Rong's forehead.
Ouyang Rong had been working on this oiled paper umbrella on and off for ten days. It was something he did as a side project after finishing the abacus.
These days, after finishing his official duties at the Jiangzhou Hall and his collaboration with Wang Caozhi and others, he would devote all his free time to this project, completing a little bit each day, slowly and steadily.
The next day, in the afternoon.
In the courtyard, on a bench nestled among bamboo strips, Ouyang Rong suddenly leaned back and let out a long sigh.
In my hand, a brand-new oil-paper umbrella is finally finished.
He opened the oil-paper umbrella, tested it back and forth, and after a moment, nodded with considerable satisfaction.
"I think he'll like it," he muttered to himself.
...It's best to prepare a thoughtful gift for your beloved...
Ouyang Rong could vaguely hear Li Dalang's instructions from noon.
"The white paper on the umbrella is too plain. How about adding some calligraphy on it? It would make it look more elegant and refined."
Ouyang Rong closed his umbrella, stood up instantly, and went out with it.
He went straight to Xingzifang and, following the address in his memory, found Yuan Huaimin lying on a bamboo chair, basking in the sun.
"Last time I saw you, your painting skills were quite good. Could you help me add a painting to this umbrella?"
Ouyang Rong succinctly handed over an oil-paper umbrella.
Yuan Huaimin, who was dozing off on a bamboo chair in the courtyard, suddenly woke up:
What painting?
"Paintings suitable as gifts, well, poems and the like are also fine."
Ouyang Rong laughed and said, "Isn't Brother Huaimin a great poet?"
"Don't even think about poetry. I don't write poetry easily; it might frighten the ghosts and gods. Alright, I'll give you a good picture to write about."
Yuan Huaimin was full of pride and spoke with righteous indignation.
Ouyang Rong's lips twitched slightly: "That works too."
"Oh, right."
Yuan Huaimin turned around: "Brother Lianghan, I spent some time with Dongmei the other day and had some inspiration, how about..."
Ouyang Rong casually asked, "What inspiration? The inspiration that got kicked by it?"
Yuan Huaimin was somewhat embarrassed and waved his hand, saying:
"No, it's a painting of horses emerging from a bath. How about I add winter plum blossoms to it?"
"no."
Ouyang Rong said sternly, "Can you stop thinking about that bathing picture of yours? If it's for a woman, be more reliable."
Yuan Huaimin looked regretful and spoke with a tone of remorse:
"What a waste of my unparalleled talent. Alright, I'll paint a picture of ladies wearing flowers in their hair. Women will definitely like it. I know a little about it."
Ouyang Rong suggested, "Don't just know a little bit, come up with something you're good at."
"Hey, saying you know a little is just being modest. Don't you understand the meaning of modesty?"
Ouyang Rong said nonchalantly, "Do as you please, just don't scribble anything."
"no problem."
Yuan Huaimin solemnly accepted the oil-paper umbrella and turned to walk towards the bathroom.
Ouyang Rong was taken aback: "Why are you waiting for me?"
"I have just finished bathing... no... I need to bathe and change clothes before I can paint."
"..." Ouyang Rong was speechless, and waved his hand dismissively: "Okay, okay, hurry up."
"Okay."
For some unknown reason, Yuan Huaimin solemnly bathed and perfumed himself before entering his study and painting behind closed doors.
Ouyang Rong remained in the courtyard.
An hour passed, and the door remained closed.
"Are you done yet?"
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but step forward and bang on the door, urging Yuan Huaimin to hurry up. Only then did Yuan Huaimin reluctantly hand in his manuscript.
Ouyang Rong opened the umbrella and looked inside. He found no scribbles or mistakes, and breathed a slight sigh of relief.
As for how well they were painted, in Ouyang Rong's eyes, who had seen many meticulously edited color paintings from his previous life, these ladies adorned with flowers in their hair were definitely not as beautiful as the real people.
He just thought it looked alright.
Without lingering to listen to Yuan Huaimin's self-aggrandizing, Ouyang Rong folded up his oil-paper umbrella, turned around, and left.
As the sun set, Ouyang Rong returned to Huaiye Lane, where a chubby-faced maid was waiting outside the door.
She was Li Guo'er's personal maid, Cai Shou.
"Young master, this is an invitation to Miss Xie's birthday banquet tomorrow. Please accept it. Oh, and..."
Besides the gold-embossed invitation, she tilted her head and handed over another item:
"Miss Xie came to see you this afternoon and asked her to deliver a gift to you."
"You're giving me a gift?"
Ouyang Rong was puzzled: "Isn't this her birthday gift? Why are you giving me a gift?"
Cai Shou shook her head: "Anyway, it was Miss Xie who asked my young lady to hand it over. She's been a bit busy lately. Miss Xie said you should keep it safe, it can be... kept as a backup."
"As a backup?" Ouyang Rong asked curiously, taking the jade in his hand and weighing it in his hand. It seemed to be jade, very valuable.
Watching Cai Shou's lively figure disappear into the distance, he stroked his chin:
"Why make such a mysterious birthday celebration..."
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
