Chapter 303 Another Lady
The colorful ribbon departed.
Ouyang Rong put away the invitation and gift box.
Holding an oil-paper umbrella.
He turned around and went back to his residence.
In the long corridor, by the light of the sparse lamps shining through the surrounding courtyards, he looked down and flipped through the invitations, glancing at their general contents.
Junior Sister's birthday banquet will be held tomorrow night.
The location was Xunyang Tower, a place he was familiar with.
Ouyang Rong will be very busy during the day tomorrow, but he will be free in the evening, so there will be no conflict and he can attend the banquet.
However, before that, when Junior Sister's relatives from the Xie clan of Chenjun had not yet arrived.
Ouyang Rong originally planned to invite his junior sister's eldest brother, sixth brother, and Li Xiaoniangzi, among others, to have a small gathering and cook a meal to celebrate her birthday.
For now, it's definitely over.
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly.
Back at Yinbingzhai, he casually placed the handmade oil-paper umbrella, the gold-embossed invitation, and the unopened gift box given to him by his junior sister on the cabinet.
She turned around and went behind the flower and bird screen to take a bath and wash up.
The sound of a door opening came from outside; it was the familiar footsteps of a silver-haired girl.
Holding a stack of clothes, Ye Weilai blushed and walked behind the flower and bird screen.
"My love, I've placed the clothes on the rack."
"good."
Ouyang Rong rested the back of his head on the jade pillow on the edge of the bathtub, a hot towel covering his face, and responded with a sound.
The atmosphere in front of the bathtub was tranquil, with only a light mist permeating the air.
After putting the clothes down, Ye Weilai silently walked forward, untied the skirt ribbon with her fingers, slightly hunched her shoulders, revealing her fair collarbone, and the skirt slid down to her ankles like a slide.
Ye Weilai stepped forward, dipped her fingers in the water to test the temperature, nodded gently, grabbed a hot towel, her cheeks flushed, and carefully wiped her beloved's body, scrubbing him with soap.
The man, whose skin was rubbed with a towel, had a healthy tan with a slight reddish tinge.
As she bent over, the girl's long, snow-white hair, which was draped over her shoulders, became damp with the steam rising from the bathtub.
At a certain moment, a slender, snake-like hand prepared to quietly slide down from the chest of the man with his head tilted back and eyes closed.
In the next instant, she felt her small hand being held down by a large hand, the fingers tightly gripping her heart, preventing her from sliding down.
Ye Weilai turned her head and looked.
Ouyang Rong tilted his head back, closed his eyes, covered his face with a hot towel, and breathed evenly, as if he was about to fall asleep.
I feel a bit tired and exhausted.
Thinking of how busy Tanlang had been these past few days, not even taking a break during his holidays, Ye Wei felt a pang of tenderness and affection in her eyes, and stopped her foolish antics.
The master and servant held hands for a while.
Once she was sure Tanlang was asleep, Ye Weilai turned around, wiped her wet hands, and tiptoed out from behind the screen.
When Ouyang Rong woke up, the water was a little cool.
"Why are you asleep?"
He rubbed his face, got up from the tub, wiped himself clean, put on his new clothes, and stepped out from behind the screen.
"Tanlang, you're awake?"
"Hmm." Ouyang Rong asked casually, "What are you doing?"
Ye Weilai rested her chin on her hands, leaned against the cabinet, and smiled as she pointed to the gold-embossed invitations and other items in front of her:
"Is tomorrow Miss Xie's birthday banquet?"
"Um."
Ouyang Rong dried his long hair as he walked to his desk.
"My lord, what's in this gift box? It's beautifully packaged. Is it a gift for Miss Xie?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "I don't know, can you open it for me and take a look?"
"good."
As Ye Wei opened the gift box, she asked curiously:
"Is this the same handmade umbrella that Tanlang is going to give to Miss Xie? Hmm, why is there a... painting of a lady on it now?"
"Hmm." Ouyang Rong nodded. "It was drawn by a friend. Is it nice?"
"It's quite beautiful, Miss Xie should like it, but..."
"But what?"
Ye Wei hesitated, her face showing a hint of reluctance. "The word 'umbrella' sounds like 'scatter,' so isn't 'sending an umbrella' a way of saying 'sending away separation'?"
Ouyang Rong immediately replied, "Can't it be 'goodness'? Sending 'goodness'?"
"That's fine too." Ye Weilai pouted slightly: "Just don't let Miss Xie misunderstand."
Ouyang Rong shook his head, looked out the window, and said softly:
"Jiangnan is rainy and also has many beautiful women. In the alleys with green tiles, in the rain and snow, there are beautiful women with lilacs... Only when you meet an oil-paper umbrella can you say that you have truly arrived in Jiangnan."
Ye Weilai was slightly taken aback: "There's such a custom? My lord, where did you hear that?"
"I made that up."
"..."
Ouyang Rong sat down at his desk, stretched, and said with a smile:
"I've always felt that umbrellas cultivate tranquility. When a woman holds an umbrella, she appears serene and elegant, like a virgin. In this respect, Junior Sister still needs to learn from Lady Li, to be less fierce and more composed."
Ye Weilai nodded in realization, "I see. I thought that when Tanlang gave me the umbrella, he meant that he wanted to shelter Miss Xie from the wind and rain."
Ouyang Rong smiled.
"Look, my love!"
At this moment, Ye Weilai opened the precious gift box and took out a jade disc of extraordinary quality.
"It looks like a jade disc with a dragon and cloud pattern. Oh, my love, this looks very valuable. It could buy the house we live in. Who gave it to you?"
The silver-haired girl's face first lit up with surprise, then turned to her with concern as she asked:
"Should we return it? What if it's a bribe?"
At the desk, Ouyang Rong looked up at the expensive jade disc in her hand and pursed his lips slightly: "She's not an outsider. Let's put it away for now."
"Yes, Tanlang."
Ye Weilai was very obedient and did not ask any questions. She put the jade disc with cloud and dragon patterns back into the gift box untouched and placed it back in its original position.
"Wei Lai, you go to sleep first, I might be a little late."
Ouyang Rong lowered his head and said.
Ye Weilai looked back and saw that Tanlang was once again skillfully fiddling with that strange thing called an abacus on the table.
This was made of bamboo by Tanlang a few days ago. He sent some out and also sent another pair to Luoyang.
He kept two copies for himself, one at home and the other in the main hall of Jiangzhou.
Lately, Tanlang has been staying up late every night, working on this abacus, buried in books under the lamp, as if he were doing accounts.
Sometimes when Ye Weilai woke up in the middle of the night to pee, she could vaguely see Tanlang pacing back and forth in front of the desk.
Tanlang must be doing something very important and complicated.
The girl felt sorry for him, but there was nothing she could do to help, so she could only leave him alone.
Tonight is no different.
"Alright, Tanlang, you should get some rest. You have to attend Miss Xie's birthday banquet tomorrow."
"good."
...
Ouyang Rong got up early today.
Before dawn, he got up, put on his clothes, and quickly washed up.
Behind him, in the inner room, on the bed, lay a girl with her tuft of hair sticking up, her head still sleepy and filled with a sense of hopelessness.
He pushed open the door and left the mansion in Huaiye Lane.
Winter days are short and nights are long, and dawn comes very slowly.
The wharf at Xunyang Ferry was already bustling with activity. The more hardworking peddlers and laborers had already set up their loads and were taking advantage of the rare sunny day in winter to hawk their wares.
Therefore, Ouyang Rong didn't get up too early, but it was probably considered very early in Huaiye Lane, where there were many wealthy and powerful people.
But he knew very well that in Xunyang City, especially in Xingzifang, there were many people who were more hardworking than him due to the pressures of life.
Even if he is the Prefect of Jiangzhou, so what?
In this day and age, the only people who can sleep in every day, besides the powerful and wealthy, are probably lazybones.
Of course, Yuan Huaimin is an exception.
Xunyang Ferry is located on the riverbank. In the early morning, the river breeze is quite biting and icy, creeping into the back of people's necks.
Ouyang Rong clasped his hands together to his mouth and exhaled several puffs of white mist.
It's kind of him to wear a snow-white fox fur shawl when he went out this morning. The large tuft of white fur on the shawl was quite warm, but it made him yawn easily.
Ouyang Rong stood outside the Xunyang Ferry Trade Office for a while, then turned to look at the increasingly bustling dock behind him.
It's still the holiday before New Year's Day, and the streets and alleys are filled with the joyful festive atmosphere of the upcoming New Year.
However, Ouyang Rong came here early this morning not to buy New Year's goods for the holiday.
"Brother-in-law, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Wang Caozhi and other wealthy merchants arrived one after another, greeted each other, and exchanged pleasantries.
Ouyang Rong nodded, his gaze falling on the rather unfamiliar faces around Wang Caozhi and Manager Ma.
These were all wealthy businessmen introduced by Wang Caozhi and others.
A few days ago, after being introduced at the second gathering at Xunyang Tower, Ouyang Rong began to discuss the matter of investing and profit sharing with them.
The funding gap for the project to excavate Shuangfengjian and build Xunyang Grottoes has been filled, but the specific profit-sharing arrangements still need to be discussed in detail.
Ouyang Rong had originally planned to discuss these matters after the New Year.
However, the recent calm in Xunyang City has made Ouyang Rong somewhat wary, and he has decided to speed up his progress and seize this window of opportunity.
We aim to finalize everything before the end of the year so that we can start excavation at the beginning of next year.
It just so happens that Wang Caozhi, Manager Ma, and other wealthy business partners are also celebrating the festival in Xunyang City.
This is why Ouyang Rong was still busy even on the holiday, and had to take time out to have dinner with his friends, such as Dalang and Liulang.
Although they were business partners with whom there had been previous interactions.
But business is business.
Regarding the distribution of benefits, Ouyang Rong, as the Prefect of Jiangzhou, stood behind the main hall of Jiangzhou, representing the interests of the people of Xunyang City.
He naturally argued his case forcefully, refusing to budge an inch on certain matters of principle.
Wang Caozhi, Manager Ma, and other newly joined wealthy merchants were also vying for their own interests, proposing various conditions, although many of them were ruthlessly rejected by Ouyang Rong.
However, everyone was on the same page regarding the general direction.
These are just minor frictions and disagreements that need to be discussed carefully.
Today is the deadline for them to give their answer and finalize the plan.
A host of wealthy merchants and powerful figures arrived.
Ouyang Rong's scanning gaze lingered for a moment on the two people beside Wang Caozhi.
This is a tall, elderly shopkeeper and a young woman with almond-shaped eyes.
The woman with peach blossom eyes was quite young. She was wearing a dress that looked like a maid's skirt, her hair was styled in two sideburns, and she held her hands in front of her abdomen, standing with a dignified and polite posture.
It's obvious that he received strict etiquette training from a prominent family.
However, she showed her face in public to discuss business, without wearing a veil or anything to avoid suspicion.
When Ouyang Rong first saw her, he suspected that she might be a personal maidservant who had come to listen in as a proxy.
After getting to know her, it turned out to be true. She referred to herself as a servant girl, and according to Wang Caozhi, her name was something like 'Qingshu'.
The tall shopkeeper next to her was surnamed Guo.
Before Qing Shu, the old shopkeeper was obsequious and subservient, seemingly regarding her as his superior.
Qing Shu and Manager Guo were guests brought by Wang Caozhi to the second Xunyanglou banquet, taking up his recommendation spot.
Ouyang Rong granted permission for the business firm behind them to participate in the construction project.
Ouyang Rong was quite reassured about the friend recommended by Wang Caozhi, but he still asked about it.
Wang Caozhi revealed little, only saying with a wry smile that the owner behind this trading company was a lady from the wealthy Yangzhou region. She had some connections with his family, was interested in the Xunyang City plan, and greatly admired Ouyang Rong's deeds.
Wang Caozhi didn't want to refuse, so he recommended him.
However, the lady of the house was low-key and unwilling to reveal her name, so she only sent her maid Qingshu and Manager Guo to act on her behalf.
Ouyang Rong specifically asked whether the lady's money came from clean sources, and whether it was some kind of money laundering scheme. Wang Caozhi immediately patted his chest and guaranteed that it was definitely not some kind of shady business such as lending or tax evasion.
It was also mentioned that the lady's business was a coat shop.
Unlike ordinary clothing stores, this is a high-end shop that deals in formal wear for the wealthy and elite. It has been established for many years and is a well-established and reputable brand.
They monopolized the Chinese clothing business in more than a dozen states in Jiangnan Province... They were extremely wealthy and had extensive connections.
This lady could be considered a wealthy merchant from Yangzhou.
Yangzhou is a leading and wealthy city in the Jianghuai region, with thriving commerce and numerous wealthy merchants. However, those who can be called great merchants are few and far between.
The other day, while shopping, Ouyang Rong inquired with his junior sister and found out that the coat shop was indeed very famous and the owner was indeed a low-key lady, which was consistent with what Wang Caozhi had said.
He was finally relieved.
At the entrance of the Municipal Trade Bureau, seemingly noticing Ouyang Rong's scrutinizing gaze, Qing Shu turned her head, her eyes curving into crescent moons, and gave Ouyang Rong a gentle smile as a greeting.
Qingshu treated this young official with great respect, seemingly because her wife admired him.
These days, when everyone is discussing and talking in detail, she speaks very little, mainly letting Manager Guo handle the talks.
Most of the time, Qing Shu silently observed those around her, seemingly recording something.
She and Manager Guo had the fewest objections to Ouyang Rong's plan and were quite cooperative with him.
Ouyang Rong had a very good impression of them.
In response to Qing Shu's gentle smile, Ouyang Rong returned the smile and turned his head:
"Is everyone here? Let's go, it's cold outside, let's go inside and talk."
He gave a greeting and led Wang Caozhi, Qingshu, Manager Guo, and others into a reception room of the Municipal Trade Bureau.
The door slowly closed.
A new day begins, and the final discussion commences...
This round of negotiations lasted from morning until afternoon.
The first quarter of the hour of Wei (1-3 PM).
Finally, the door to the reception room was opened from the inside.
Ouyang Rong and Wang Caozhi, along with other merchants, emerged.
The expressions on everyone's faces were all different.
Ouyang Rong's expression was relatively calm, his brows relaxed, as if he had finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Wang Caozhi, Manager Ma, Manager Guo, and others followed behind, shaking their heads with wry smiles.
Their gazes as they looked at Ouyang Rong's retreating figure ahead held a hint of helplessness.
Qing Shu seemed completely unconcerned about the newly finalized profit-sharing plan, her beautiful eyes darting around as she glanced at Ouyang Rong.
"Lord Ouyang's terms are too harsh. He doesn't allow this or that. Moreover, this gives the Jiangzhou government too much control."
The wealthy businessmen, forced to accept the terms, spoke with a helpless tone:
"If we concede a few more terms, we can offer more money and have more cooperation, right?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head slightly, his tone resolute: "Gentlemen, not every business can be done. You must abide by the rules I have set."
He paused, then gave a relaxed smile:
"Now that everything has been settled, let's go. I'll take you all for a stroll around Twin Peaks."
"Let's go and take a look at the location of the big event we're about to do that will change the landscape of Xunyang City."
The crowd was not opposed to it and readily agreed.
Ouyang Rong led them to Shuangfengjian outside the city and toured the area with ease.
During their rest by a spring, Qing Shu suddenly approached and asked, glancing sideways:
"My lord, there is something I don't understand. There are clearly some more profitable business opportunities that we could cooperate on, which would be a win-win situation for both of us. Why did you refuse so decisively and set so many conditions for everyone?"
Ouyang Rong turned his head and glanced at the curious expression on the maid's face with peach blossom eyes:
"How can all the benefits in the world be taken for granted? There is no shortage of smart people in the world, but if all the profitable businesses are done by the smart people, what will the common people do? This business will not last long. Leave some for others. Only by leaving some for others can things last."
She pursed her lips:
"Wealthy merchants must not plunder the people."
Seeing the extremely serious expression on the young man in the white fox fur coat before her, Qing Shu smiled, nodded slightly, and agreed:
"The Chief Secretary has a long-term vision."
Ouyang Rong didn't mind the praise and just said a few polite words.
Before long, the merchants finished their tour, said their goodbyes, and most of them left with satisfied expressions.
Ouyang Rong patted his sleeves, glanced at the approaching dusk, and turned to attend his birthday banquet.
Just then, they discovered that Wang Caozhi was also attending the banquet.
The two traveled together in a carriage, slowly making their way back to Xunyang City.
(End of this chapter)
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