Chapter 308 Taking Away
Xunyang Tower.
The lobby on the first floor was booked out tonight.
A bamboo umbrella painted with a picture of a lady was auctioned for six thousand two days.
Prices are still rising.
Currently, only the wealthy salt merchant Pei Shisan Niang and the renowned monk Master Si Hui from Kuanglu are engaged in a fierce bidding war.
The exorbitant price deterred other prominent figures from Xunyang who had risen to bid, their faces showing hesitation. After all, while these prominent figures may spend money lavishly, there is a limit.
“Amitabha, this humble monk is willing to contribute six thousand two hundred taels.”
Master Sihui gritted his teeth.
Without saying a word, Pei Shisan Niang replied, "Six thousand five hundred taels."
As soon as the price was quoted, seeing that Master Sihui was about to speak, Pei Shisan Niang immediately made a decisive statement:
"Seven thousand taels!"
The entire room fell silent; no one spoke for a moment.
Pei Shisan Niang slightly raised her chin, and unseen by others, a clenched fist was covered in sweat in her sleeve.
Her expression was calm and composed. She glanced around the silent hall, gave the guests a faint smile, and her attitude was one of certainty. However, she kept a close eye on Master Sihui's hesitant expression, never letting her guard down.
"this……"
The group of prominent figures from Xunyang who were seated at the same table with Master Sihui, who had not participated in the bidding, were somewhat puzzled. They glanced at Master Sihui, whose expression showed struggle and hesitation, and their curiosity grew even stronger.
"Master Jiang, why is Master Sihui so insistent on buying the umbrella? You were just doing the same thing..."
A scholar lowered his voice and asked the Taoist priest surnamed Jiang, who had previously given him the flute, with a puzzled expression.
Master Jiang, having failed in his bid and voluntarily withdrawing, shook his head with a wry smile.
"this……"
He glanced at Wang Lengran, whose face was ashen, not far from his deskmate, paused, and then cautiously lowered his voice to point out:
"The painting on this umbrella depicts a lady with flowers in her hair. The brushstrokes are rounded and the ribbons of her skirts flutter as if in the wind. It is the 'Wu style of painting clothing with flowing lines' and the orchid leaf painting technique of that old Taoist priest in Chang'an. It cannot be imitated."
"I wasn't quite sure before, but now, judging from Master Sihui's demeanor, it seems certain. Master Sihui has a better understanding of the paintings of deities in both Buddhism and Taoism, and the legendary old Taoist priest is the most skilled at creating such murals..."
"Hiss, is Master Jiang referring to that painting master who once wandered Dongluo?"
A gasp escaped their lips, and the eyes of the group of renowned scholars from Lushan snapped open. Some turned their heads, looking in astonishment at the handmade umbrella in the arms of the clever maid.
Back when the Great Gan Dynasty was still in power, there was an ordinary old Taoist priest who wandered around Luoyang, painting murals in many temples and Taoist monasteries. People were amazed by his talent, and eventually his work caught the attention of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wei, who were in charge of the government during the Shangtong era.
The two emperors summoned him to the capital Chang'an, where he was enshrined and ordered that he "must not paint without an imperial edict." During his temporary stay in the palace, the old Taoist left behind a great many works, and his name as the Sage of Painting became famous throughout the world.
Unfortunately, this extraordinary person soon disappeared into obscurity, and most of his works were collected by the imperial court. Very few of his paintings survived outside the palace, except for the murals in Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries in Chang'an and Luoyang, which were carefully protected and restricted from public viewing.
"That's right."
Master Jiang, who was "short of money," nodded helplessly and sighed.
"Even if this painting on the umbrella wasn't done by the master painter himself, it was done by his disciple or someone with a deep connection to the painting. They share the same roots and origins, making it no different from the master painter's own work. If one could collect one of these paintings..."
Master Jiang gave a meaningful look to the group of famous scholars and his companions at the same table.
The latter looked at each other in disbelief, and one of them exclaimed in surprise, "Seven thousand taels isn't expensive at all!"
Soon, the prominent figures of Xunyang at the table became anxious. For a moment, they ignored the increasingly ashen-faced Governor Wang at the same table and began whispering among themselves, discussing whether to pool their money to bid for a painting by the Sage of Painting.
Wang Lengran was somewhat uneasy, even though most of the attention in the room was focused on the bidding Pei Shisan Niang, Master Si Hui, and that oil-paper umbrella.
But he always felt that there were mocking and amusement in his eyes from somewhere.
It felt like being publicly humiliated.
Taking advantage of Master Sihui's hesitation, Pei Shisan Niang immediately turned around and spoke earnestly and loudly to Xie Xue'e, her voice strong enough for the young man in the white fox fur coat who had already reached the gate behind her to hear:
"Madam Xie, could you grant me this small wish?"
"Seven thousand taels, I'll part with them for you, my beloved concubine."
Xie Xue'e remained silent for a moment, while Pei Shisan Niang smiled and was about to speak again.
"Eight thousand taels."
A faint, old man's voice rang out.
Xie Xue'e, Pei Shisan Niang and the others were taken aback and turned to look at the location from which the voice of the stranger who had interfered came.
At the table closest to Master Jiang and other prominent figures from Xunyang, a tall, meticulously combed elderly man with silver hair smiled slightly and raised his glass to the crowd:
"Young Master Ouyang, I am also very interested in this umbrella. Madam Pei, would you be willing to give it to me?"
Although it was a question, the tall old man spoke calmly, as if he were determined to succeed.
He even kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, without looking at Pei Shisan Niang.
The contempt of the old nobles for the wealthy merchants and their wives was palpable.
Xie Xue'e could no longer remain silent and couldn't help but say, "Uncle Qin, why are you getting involved too..."
"Thank you, young lady." The tall, elderly man of considerable seniority shook his head, his smile slightly apologetic, and uttered something cryptic:
"I have no intention of disturbing Madam Xie's arrangements tonight; I am merely giving it a try... If Madam decides to part with it, please consider me; price is by no means an issue."
Qin Bo raised his cup and toasted Xie Xue'e and everyone else in the room.
Pei Shisan Niang, who had been ignored and robbed, seemed to recognize the tall old man's identity and fell silent, no longer daring to compete.
Master Sihui was the same; he let out a long breath, his face showing undisguised pain.
Xie Xue'e did not wait for the crowd any longer.
"Lord Qin, and all of you."
She said with a hint of apology, "This umbrella is special; it was a gift from a guest, so how can I sell it so easily..."
"Madam Xie."
Yan Liulang, who had followed Ouyang Rong to the door, suddenly turned back and interrupted loudly:
Give me the umbrella!
Xie Xue'e's eyebrows shot up: "What nonsense are you spouting, you brat!"
Yan Liulang struggled to break free from Ouyang Rong's large hand that was pulling him away from behind, and raised his chin high in front of everyone, saying:
"This is what Madam herself said, that if it is a generous gift, Xie will not accept it! I am confused, may I ask Madam, is this umbrella made by the magistrate a generous gift or a light one?"
The noble lady with the hairpin choked, her words caught in her throat.
Yan Liulang casually stretched out his hand, looking completely nonchalant:
"Give it to me. An umbrella worth eight thousand taels of silver. Surely Madam Xie and her wife won't refuse to accept it?"
"You!" Xie Xue'e blushed with slight anger.
Yan Liulang, with his neck stiff, said, "Then return the umbrella to Magistrate Ming."
Xie Xue'e turned her head, suppressing her anger, and asked seriously:
"Young Master Ouyang, is this what you mean? You want to take the umbrella and leave?"
Ouyang Rong, who had been standing aside, slowly turned around, looked around the room, and then his gaze fell on the oil-paper umbrella in the arms of the clever maid.
He hadn't really expected that giving away the umbrella would cause such a big stir.
I only wanted to leave quietly.
Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and pursed his lips:
"Okay, stop fooling around."
It seemed to be addressed to Yan Liulang, but it also seemed to be addressed to Wang Caozhi, Pei Shisan Niang, Qin Xiao Niangzi, and others who helped out that night.
Ouyang Rong said softly, "Tonight is Junior Sister's birthday banquet, don't make things unhappy."
Upon hearing this, Xie Xue'e's expression softened slightly, and she suppressed some of her temper, her harsh tone becoming gentler: "Young Master Ouyang..."
Ouyang Rong suddenly turned around and walked towards the door without looking back:
"Let's go, Liu Lang, don't disturb the banquet any further."
Xie Xue'e's previously softened expression flushed crimson in an instant, and she angrily flung her sleeves:
"Fine, fine, you're leaving after all, aren't you? You've got quite a temper. Wanqing, give the umbrella back! Our Xie family can't accept Young Master Ouyang's lavish hospitality."
Ouyang Rong's deep voice came: "Madam, please don't be angry. Please accept it. It's a gift for my junior sister, and I won't take it back."
"Okay, let's sell it then!"
Xie Xue'e said angrily:
"Wanqing, go and sell it to the distinguished guest. I want to see just how valuable this gift is. The distinguished guest can send the silver to Young Master Ouyang's residence himself. It has nothing to do with my Xie family."
The clever maid named Wanqing was taken aback, then nodded obediently, and carrying the oil-paper umbrella that was as heavy as a thousand pieces of gold, she walked towards the banquet.
"don't want!"
Just then, a woman's anxious and frightened voice cleared her throat throughout the hall.
As the focus of the entire evening, the noble lady Xie broke free from the grasp of the lady with the hairpin, grabbed the hem of her floor-length gown with both hands, and ran forward with all her might, like a fiery red butterfly breaking out of its thick cocoon.
Xie Lingjiang snatched the oil-paper umbrella that Wan Qing had been longing for all night from her hand, hugged it tightly to her chest, bit her lower lip, and declared to the bidding crowd:
"This is my umbrella, the umbrella my senior brother gave me, I'm not giving it to you!"
"Seventeenth Sister, come back!" Xie Xue'e said urgently, "What did you promise your aunt? Be good and come back!"
"I don't!"
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xie Lingjiang shook her head slightly, her tone stubborn:
"You didn't tell me you'd treat him this badly, even going so far as to give his umbrella to someone else. I'm not coming! The umbrella is mine, and I won't give it away!"
The air in the hall was unusually quiet. The words of the noble lady Xie echoed throughout the hall, and also reached the ears of someone at the door.
Ouyang Rong turned around in a daze, looking at the stubborn figure holding an umbrella with her back to him.
"You..." Feeling the gazes from all directions, Xie Xue'e's expression became slightly anxious, and she nodded helplessly:
"Alright, alright, the umbrella isn't a gift, it's yours. Come back quickly, you're the birthday person tonight. This behavior is unbecoming, so unladylike, come back quickly..."
Xie Lingjiang hugged her umbrella and lowered her head, avoiding countless gazes, and murmured, "If she continues to be so elegant and noble, people will run away."
The noblewoman Xie dared not turn around to see if the figure at the door was still there, nor did she dare to look at him.
"Seventeenth Sister, stop fooling around, come back." Xie Xue'e looked troubled.
"Auntie, please stop talking. I...I'm tired."
Xie Lingjiang raised her delicate hand and rubbed the back of her hand against her itchy, reddened eyes. Holding her oil-paper umbrella, she lowered her head and walked sadly toward the stairwell where she had come down earlier that day.
In the next instant, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that the gazes of the guests at the table in front of her were all passing over her and turning to the back.
Xie Lingjiang was slightly taken aback, then her delicate body trembled as if she sensed something, and she dared not turn around.
A young man dressed in plain clothes, wearing a white fox fur shawl and holding a sword at his waist, turned around from the doorway and strode over to her.
"No crying allowed," Ouyang Rong said seriously.
"I...I didn't cry." Xie Lingjiang tilted her head slightly, widened her eyes, and stammered as she answered.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips: "I'm worried that I might upset your family again, disrupt your birthday banquet, and make you unhappy. It's not that I'm leaving in a huff."
Xie Lingjiang's voice trembled: "I'm so happy you came, how could I not be happy? Then, why did you come back now?"
"Because I saw a coward, the coward who has been hiding from me all night."
Xie Lingjiang glared at him, but stubbornly replied, "I'm not a coward."
Ouyang Rong nodded: "What a coincidence, it's not me either, that's why I came back." He suddenly asked: "Were you hungry all night?"
Xie Lingjiang turned her pretty face away: "No, I didn't."
"Want some hot longevity noodles?"
"I won't eat."
"Then I'll make a bowl for Miss Li."
"I'll eat it! Don't make it for her!" Xie Lingjiang said urgently, then realized she'd been tricked. Not daring to look at Ouyang Rong's smile, she said in a frail voice, "But there are other guests..."
“You’re the birthday celebrant, the most important person tonight, who dares to object?” Ouyang Rong smiled broadly and reached out his hand: “Come on, I’ll make you some noodles.”
"Huh?" Xie Ling and Jiang Fei glanced around, a little embarrassed. "Now?"
The next second, she suddenly felt a tightness in her left hand, a warm embrace.
Ouyang Rong took Xie Lingjiang's soft hand in his, and walked forward without looking to the side.
Xie Lingjiang's pretty face instantly flushed red, as if she had applied the most vibrant rouge. She experienced a brief ringing in her ears. The hall was filled with a deafening noise, and Xie Lingjiang couldn't hear a word. She stared blankly at the two hands clasped together, and was led away by him in a daze.
After the usual commotion following Ouyang Rong's sudden action, the hall fell silent. Time seemed to stand still, and everyone stood there dumbfounded.
Holding Xie Lingjiang's hand, who was celebrating her birthday that night, Ouyang Rong walked straight past Xie Xue'e, whose beautiful eyes were wide open, past Li Yi, Wang Hengzhi and other young talents with stiff faces, and past the dining table of Wang Lengran, Master Sihui and others who were dumbfounded, before walking out the door without looking back.
The two left hand in hand.
He abandoned all the guests.
The entire Xunyang Tower fell into a brief silence.
Xie Xue'e kept her head turned away, looking at the audacious man and woman with disbelief.
Wang Lengran was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. This Ouyang Rong was truly audacious, showing no respect for Xie Xue'e and the Xie family of Chenjun. He had practically torn off all pretense of civility and publicly humiliated them.
He looked at Xie Xue'e with great interest, wanting to see her angry reaction.
"Hehe." Uncle Qin suddenly clapped his hands and laughed in front of Xie Xue'e:
"Miss Xie, the new sons-in-law of your Xie family are quite arrogant. How do they compare to your husband back then?"
"I still remember that your husband was once completely suppressed by your elder brother and mother. After all these years, he has become the governor of Yangzhou, but I heard that he has never taken a concubine after marriage. He listens to you, Miss Xie, and follows your lead."
"But the new son-in-law's aura tonight, tsk tsk, it seems you, as his aunt, can't control him. What will Seventeenth Sister do in the future? Hahaha, interesting."
New son-in-law?
What the heck?
Wang Lengran was taken aback.
"Hahaha." On the field, the other guests from the noble and aristocratic families with a solid foundation let out a tacit and good-natured laugh, somewhat amused by a certain custom of the Xie family of Chenjun.
Li Yi, Wang Hengzhi, and other young talents specially invited by Xie Xue'e were all looking lost and dejected, especially Li Yi, who looked completely disoriented.
It seemed that a beautiful image of a young girl from her youth had completely faded away, shattered by the hands of a young man in a white fox fur coat... The shy, head-down, delicate young lady just now was actually the usually serious and strong-willed Sister Xie?
Only guests like Master Sihui, who were quite far removed from the elite circles, were completely baffled, just as bewildered as Wang Lengran.
“It’s not that I can’t control her, it’s that Seventeenth Sister is too soft-hearted and really stupid. If this continues, she’ll be bullied to death in the future… And my brother is the same. He insisted on making me sing the bad cop role, and now look what’s happened.”
Xie Xue'e frowned and gritted her teeth, standing still with her hands folded. She looked at the empty doorway and took a breath.
Finally, seemingly calmed down a bit, she turned back helplessly.
"His son has run off with him, isn't Madam going to chase after him and bring him back?" a nobleman joked.
Xie Xue'e sneered: "Can he beat Seventeenth Sister?"
Qin Bo joked, "I'm just afraid that the young lady won't be able to bear to hit her, and will instead be bullied by her husband."
Xie Xue'e was immediately annoyed.
After a moment, she suddenly calmed down, narrowed her eyes slightly, and turned to look at the Yan-surname boy who had just been so arrogant and defiant towards her at the door, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Just moments ago, when Qin Bo was laughing at her, this kid was still lingering at the door... He slipped away pretty quickly.
Xie Xue'e snorted coldly, then tilted her head, her cold eyes slowly turning to the Jiangzhou governor whom she had never looked at properly that night, like a lioness raising her head.
Wang Lengran suddenly shivered.
P.S.: Junzi has a group of the best readers.
(End of this chapter)
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