Chapter 323 Life is Like a Play
He looked at Xie Lingjiang, who was intimately linking her arm around his shoulder.
Ouyang Rong suddenly understood why Li Guo'er was pretending to be stupid.
Indeed, only women truly understand women.
Especially since she is an outstanding woman who is equally aloof and proud.
However, there was one thing Ouyang Rong couldn't understand.
Why did Li Guo'er suddenly help him out of his predicament?
She could have easily played the victim, shifted all the blame onto him, and calmly watched the show unfold.
Ouyang Rong belatedly recalled the series of shameful reactions he had when Li Guo'er opened the door and he barged in not long ago.
So, what did she misunderstand back then? Did she think that the love umbrella, the bellyband, and the underpants were all gifts from him?
Xie Lingjiang, who was standing nearby, turned to look at Ouyang Rong, who was frowning in thought. After a while, she quietly asked:
"What is Senior Brother thinking about?"
Ouyang Rong snapped out of his reverie and gave a standard answer: "Thinking of you."
"Liar." Xie Lingjiang rolled her eyes cutely and pouted, "I bet you're thinking about some beauty."
Ouyang Rong's eyes widened slightly. Did his junior sister have mind-reading abilities?
“So, Senior Brother’s idea is really ‘wonderful’.” She nodded and added.
Seeing Xie Lingjiang's willow-leaf eyes blink mischievously, Ouyang Rong realized what was happening.
He sighed, "Wanwan guessed right."
Xie Lingjiang suddenly tilted her head to look at him: "Senior Brother, why did you seem a little flustered just now? Tell me, who was that beauty?"
Ouyang Rong turned his head, his eyes full of confusion: "Ah, there's someone more beautiful than Wanwan?"
The two stared at each other for a long while.
Xie Lingjiang, her cheeks slightly flushed, looked away and said with a pout:
"You're just trying to fool me. But to be honest, isn't Guo'er pretty?"
Ouyang Rong looked around, pretending not to hear.
LOL, only a clueless straight man would actually tell the truth when a woman is earnestly asking him to.
This is what someone determined to distance themselves from straight men thought to themselves.
Ouyang Rong didn't answer, and Xie Lingjiang didn't dwell on it either. Sure enough, women's emotions are fickle, and they quickly moved on from the topic.
Remembering something, Ouyang Rong asked, "Why has someone changed their form of address again?"
Xie Lingjiang said shyly, "I'm used to calling him that, it just sounds right. Maybe I'll see how it goes. If I'm shy in front of others, I won't call him Tanlang."
"Okay, whatever you want."
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly and asked, "Then why didn't you change your address just now in the next courtyard?"
Xie Lingjiang said with a serious face, "Calling someone that way will sound more intimate to an outsider."
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, as if asking, "Is it necessary?"
"Should I call my junior sister back too?"
"No, just call me Wanwan."
Before Ouyang Rong could ask why, Xie Lingjiang said matter-of-factly, "I'm not young."
"Am I older than you, senior brother?"
"Get lost."
The two flirted and teased each other before returning to the boudoir next door where orchids were grown.
Xie Lingjiang couldn't wait and opened the three new umbrellas one by one.
A graceful figure draped in a white fox fur coat stood in the courtyard, holding an umbrella under the moonlight, her head slightly raised, as she read the three love poems inscribed on the umbrella.
Ouyang Rong glanced at him sideways.
A beautiful woman looked up, her willow-leaf eyebrows parted in a smile, her dimples shimmering with a rosy glow.
It far surpasses the moon in the sky.
Ouyang Rong was lost in thought.
Xie Lingjiang opened the new umbrella, and after reading the love words on it each time, she nervously closed the umbrella ribs the next moment.
She held the umbrella in her arms, her head slightly lowered, shy and silent.
Three umbrellas, each one just like that.
After reading it all, Xie Ling and Jiang Furong blushed deeply, staring at the toes of the embroidered shoes.
Ouyang Rong asked directly, "Which line do you like?"
I won't tell you.
Ouyang Rong looked at her miserly appearance, clutching the three love umbrellas tightly, and shook his head:
"No one's going to take it from you, I'll keep making it for you."
Xie Ling and Jiang Dan smiled and said, "Anyway, they're all mine, so it's none of your business."
She paused, raised her eyebrows, and whispered her accusation:
"Eldest brother, remember to bring these poems into the courtyard from now on. Don't just leave them at the gate. It's so embarrassing to write these shameful verses for people and have them seen. It's so embarrassing!"
"And this too."
Xie Lingjiang took the small bundle containing light clothing from Ouyang Rong, blushed, hid it in her bosom, and gave him a reproachful look.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong momentarily forgot to admire the beauty's blushing face and asked curiously:
"But didn't His Highness next door just say that he hadn't opened it to look at it?"
You believe what she says?
Xie Lingjiang shook her head with absolute certainty:
"Sister Guo'er must have seen it, and she's probably still secretly laughing right now. Senior Brother, from now on, you can only believe half of what she says, understand?"
She nodded in conclusion: "It's never wrong to believe half of it."
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat:
"Wanwan, you two were chatting just now, and you seemed to be getting along quite well. How come there are so many twists and turns..."
He paused mid-sentence, because Xie Lingjiang, who was standing in front of him, was squinting at him with slightly bony protuberances.
Her little expression seemed to say, "Men, I advise you not to ask so many questions. Why do you need to figure out so much about what your best friends are going through? It's like starting a rebellion."
Ouyang Rong immediately began practicing silent meditation.
After a short while, Ouyang Rong glanced at the slightly dark sky and went to the kitchen to cook the noodles himself.
Xie Lingjiang, carrying the love umbrella and her small bundle, happily returned to her boudoir.
Half an hour later, in the flower hall on the first floor, Ouyang Rong came from the kitchen, brought out a bowl of noodles, and fed it to his junior sister.
But Xie Lingjiang was sitting upright on the stool, the new umbrella in her arms was gone, but she was still holding that small bundle.
Seeing him come in, she immediately looked up and asked softly:
"My love, have these two undergarments been washed?"
Ouyang Rong nodded calmly: "It was washed clean before it was delivered."
"oh."
Xie Lingjiang nodded slightly, and in the next instant, she pointed to the small bundle on her lap and asked:
“There is long hair on the clothes here.”
Ouyang Rong's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the bowl.
"Oh, is that so?"
He walked over and put down the bowl, looking dazed, and immediately thought of Li Guo'er.
Goodness, you actually tried it on?
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but complain.
Just as he was racking his brains for an explanation, Xie Lingjiang nodded calmly:
"Yes, there are two."
He asked seriously, "Aren't these two strands of hair... tied up?"
Xie Lingjiang shook her head: "The colors are all wrong."
Oh no, I'm doomed... Wait, how come you women are so meticulous?
Ouyang Rong was speechless, and suddenly felt that the mud on his crotch was something else entirely.
He sat down at the table, his face serious.
"Wanwan, it seems you're right. The prince next door did indeed open it and look at it. She must have accidentally left it there. I really didn't know about this, otherwise I wouldn't have dared to return it to you."
Xie Lingjiang shook her head: "It's definitely not this."
Ouyang Rong's heart skipped a beat.
She bit her lip and stared intently at Ouyang Rong: "Senior Brother, confess honestly, what bad things have you done?"
"Wh...what bad things?"
Xie Lingjiang nodded slightly, gesturing to the small bundle on her lap, "With her."
Ouyang Rong was silent for a while:
“I have missed Wanwan every day since she left. Just like I wrote for you, I think of you whether I am walking or sitting. I have not done anything wrong, and I have a clear conscience.”
Xie Lingjiang's eyebrows softened slightly, and she said softly:
"Why are you so serious, Senior Brother? Even if you did something bad with her, it doesn't matter. I didn't say it wasn't allowed."
Ouyang Rong frowned: "Junior Sister, stop joking. There was no such bad thing."
"real?"
“Hmm.” Ouyang Rong put on a stern face and raised his hand: “I can swear.”
"don't want."
Xie Lingjiang suddenly stood up and walked to Ouyang Rong.
She stared at him intently for a while with her bright eyes.
Ouyang Rong suddenly felt a fragrant breeze on his face, and his arms and thighs felt heavy and soft.
Her delicate body filled my arms.
The beautiful woman's pink buttocks landed, and she turned sideways to sit in his lap.
Xie Lingjiang opened her arms and gently embraced Ouyang Rong:
"My love is so kind. I feel ashamed."
Ouyang Rong also put his arm around her, frowning in confusion: "What are you ashamed of?"
"I am ashamed that I have not been by your side these days. My aunt took me back to Jinling and I have not been able to stay with you."
Xie Lingjiang lowered her head, revealing a section of her neck as white as fine porcelain, her delicate brows furrowed in a charmingly pitiful manner.
"We had just poured out our hearts to each other and held hands for a short time, but we were forced to separate for more than half a month. We are suffering from lovesickness."
"Besides, you are only twenty-one years old, a time when you are full of vigor and vitality. You clearly have beautiful concubines and maids in your house, yet you still want to remain chaste for me."
The more Ouyang Rong listened, the more he felt something was wrong. His junior sister's moved expression was completely different from the reaction he had imagined.
"It's alright. When I miss someone, I make an umbrella," he said calmly.
Xie Lingjiang lowered her head, then quietly raised her hand, gesturing towards him with two long, delicate white hairs that she was lightly twirling between her fingertips.
"Actually, it's fine if you let her wear it occasionally and pretend for a while, as long as it's washed properly..."
When Ouyang Rong saw the two familiar white hairs, the corner of his mouth twitched violently: "You mean, Ye Weilai?"
"Mmm." Xie Lingjiang nodded shyly, then, noticing Ouyang Rong's glare, she asked, slightly taken aback, "What else?"
"It's nothing!" With the soft, fragrant jade in his arms, Ouyang Rong sat upright, his expression serious as he offered his criticism:
"This naughty girl is always rummaging through your underwear and messing up your hair. She won't listen to anything I say."
Xie Lingjiang raised her hand, exhaled a fragrant breath, and gently blew away two strands of silver hair between her fingers.
Feeling the warmth of the man's chest against hers, she embraced Ouyang Rong, her beautiful profile resting on his shoulder. A hint of reminiscence flickered in her slightly narrowed, clear eyes as she whispered:
“I remember last year in Longcheng, one night, I was on guard on the roof of Yilan Pavilion when I heard a noise coming from your room. I went to check and found it was Miss Ye moving around, while you were fast asleep…”
"Back then, I heard from Miss Ye that when you were with her, you liked to call my name..."
Ouyang Rong: "..."
"Wait, back in Dragon City? Did...did that really happen?" He looked doubtful.
The main reason is that he clearly remembers not doing that.
Xie Lingjiang nodded vigorously: "Yes! I can't forget this. At the time, my senior brother was fast asleep and didn't know I was here."
After thinking it over, Ouyang Rong could only nod like a chicken pecking at rice:
"Alright, alright, so that's why you left my clothes for me to dry that night."
Xie Lingjiang shyly lowered her head:
"I didn't mean to, but during the New Year's Eve banquet in Jinling, I couldn't help but miss my senior brother. I wondered what he was doing at that time, and my thoughts wandered, leading me to this matter. The feeling was indescribable..."
"But senior brother, don't you...don't you like this kind of thing?"
Her voice was soft and sweet, like a feather tickling her earlobe.
"I……"
Ouyang Rong rubbed his brow with his fingertips, unsure how to defend himself.
Why did even his junior sister misunderstand his sexual fetish? And his aunts and the others too? Is it really that hard to just be a decent gentleman?
So, who exactly started this rumor?
Ye Weilai is definitely one of them.
They'll have to question them later.
His reputation as a virtuous gentleman is almost completely ruined by the women he is close to.
I hope that one day, his uncle and eldest son won't wink at him and say something like that...
Someone sighed.
Before long, the two finished their sweet talk, and it was almost dawn.
Having experienced the events surrounding Li Guo'er tonight, Ouyang Rong was somewhat exhausted and in no mood to do anything excessive.
Finally, the senior brother and junior sister temporarily ended their relationship with a fulfilling, magnificent, beautiful, crowded, and abundant hug.
A reluctant farewell.
Before he left, his junior sister tried to give him a bulging new bundle, but no one knew what was inside.
Ouyang Rong's eyelids twitched, and he refused with a righteous expression.
The worried junior sister was left standing at the door, biting her lip and frowning, gazing into the distance.
In short, the sweet and playful interactions between these couples in love did indeed make Ouyang Rong linger.
However, he recovered after a good night's sleep.
Early in the morning, I went to my shift with a calm and carefree attitude.
His relationship with his junior sister brought him a heavy sense of responsibility.
From the information I received from my junior sister's return, I know that people in Wuyi Lane in Jinling generally accept his status as a poor scholar's son-in-law.
However, after the birthday banquet, there was no further news from Xie Xue'e and the Xie family of Chenjun.
Ouyang Rong also tacitly refrained from hiring a matchmaker to visit the bride's family, inquire about their birth dates and times, and get engaged.
He understood the cautious attitude of the Xie family of Chenjun.
Before the truth about the matter at the Prince of Xunyang's residence is revealed, it is not advisable to make any arrangements for this matter in advance.
Before the Lunar New Year, Xie Xue'e's presence on behalf of the Xie family, extending invitations to prominent figures from Jiangnan to support her eldest daughter and future son-in-law, was already beyond expectations.
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly.
In the morning, upon arriving at the main hall of Jiangzhou, Ouyang Rong received an official document from the Ministry of Rites in Luoyang.
After reading it, I burst into laughter.
A highly respected monk with the Dharma name "Shandao" is on his way and is expected to arrive in Xunyang City within three days.
The Ministry of Personnel notified the local officials, including those in Jiangzhou, to extend a warm welcome.
"What a patriotic monk! I wonder how Master Shandao and Xiufa are doing in Luoyang. They must have swindled enough money from the incense offerings by now..."
Ouyang Rong got up and went to distribute the official documents.
The following night, Ouyang Rong once again went out at night and sneaked into the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.
In the study, he informed everyone about Master Shandao.
Li Xian and the others beamed with joy.
The monks from Donglin Temple, including Shandao and Xiufa, were old friends from Longcheng. Naturally, they were filled with emotion upon their reunion.
Ouyang Rong turned his head and admonished Uncle Li Xian that they must make preparations for the upcoming prayer ceremony for the Buddha statue.
After the meeting ended, taking advantage of the fact that his junior sister had been called away by Wei Mei, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but say to Li Guo'er:
"Your Highness, please wait."
The little princess with plum blossom makeup, who had remained indifferent throughout the entire night meeting, stopped in her tracks and asked without turning her head:
"What brings you here, young master?"
Ouyang Rong lowered his voice and said, "Thank you."
"Why are you thanking me?" Li Guo'er asked, her voice full of confusion.
"What happened that day."
"Young Master Ouyang, don't try to get close to me unnecessarily. Nothing happened that day."
Li Guo'er shook her head and walked out the door.
Watching that indifferent figure walk away, Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.
He immediately turned around and went to find his junior sister.
The night is deep.
A certain boudoir.
In the third-floor room, a young woman in a flowing white dress with a plum blossom dot on her forehead rose in the night and silently walked to the window.
She stretched out her little hand, as if to catch the moonlight from the window.
A moment later, a crumpled red slip of paper silently unfolded in her delicate white palm.
Moonlight fell upon the ink characters on the paper.
Before the window, a beautiful woman stands alone under the moon, her head bowed.
She was somewhat dazed, and murmured to herself:
"Green are your robes, deep is my longing. For your sake, I have hesitated until now... The deer cry out, eating the wild apples. I have guests, let us play the zither and the flute..."
"The moon shines brightly, but when can it be grasped? Sorrow arises from within, and cannot be stopped."
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
