Chapter 445 Borrow a pair of eyes
Seeing Rongzhen gathered in her courtyard with a group of unfamiliar Qi cultivators from the Imperial Observatory, Miaosi, caught off guard, felt a sudden jolt in her heart and her expression froze.
How did the "Fairy with a Debt Face" find Huang Xuan's place?
Did they find something?
Her first thought was, could it be that this "debt-faced fairy" had found out that Chief Secretary Ouyang had done Huang Xuan a favor, and indirectly done her a favor as well, since she had just been clueless in the inner storeroom? So she deduced something and came to investigate.
Feeling guilty, Miao Si suddenly felt a sense of despair.
"A fairy... why has a fairy come?"
She tilted her head back and forced a smile at Rongzhen and the others.
Rong Zhen glanced at her, remained calm and didn't answer, then turned to look at Huang Xuan. This action caused Miao Si's still hopeful heart to plummet.
But just then, Huang Xuan left Rong Zhen's side and went to the kitchen to pour tea, saying in a light tone:
"Miaosi, are these women your new friends? Why didn't you mention it before? Where did you go just now? These women have been waiting for you for a long time this early in the morning, saying they came to find you."
“Uh…” Miao Si got stuck.
He couldn't help but glance at Rong Zhen and the other eight Qi cultivators from the Imperial Observatory, and found that they looked normal. Rong Zhen looked around the courtyard and saw that there was no hostile atmosphere.
"No need to pour tea." Rong Zhen spoke towards the kitchen, then turned to look at Miao Si, glancing at the bowl in her hand: "Are you full?"
Miao Si nodded cautiously.
Although Rongzhen said no, Huang Xuan still insisted on serving tea to everyone in the courtyard.
As she passed Miaosi, the little girl in the red coat lowered her voice and asked curiously:
"Miaosi, isn't this the Qi cultivator you mentioned? He looks so ethereal."
Huang Xuan glanced at the most beautiful girl in the cold palace dress and felt that she was like a high moon on a branch in late autumn, aloof and unapproachable.
Miao Si nodded reluctantly.
Huang Xuan's eyes revealed a hint of awe.
Rong Zhen suddenly spoke up: "Is she the Huang Xuan you mentioned?"
Huang Xuan couldn't help but turn her head, looking at Miao Si with a surprised expression, as if asking: You mentioned me?
Miao Si certainly wouldn't dare say that it was mentioned when she first started impersonating someone else. She forced herself to remain calm and tried to sound as indifferent as possible:
"Well, this girl is an ink craftswoman from Hanlei Ink Studio. She served me quite well before. After I leave, I plan to reward her with some literary talent, so she can become a talented woman of Xunyang or something. It's a case of a family that has suffered so much, but now things are finally looking up..."
She paused, then changed the subject, smiling slightly as she said:
“Fairy, let’s go inside and talk. This little girl is really getting in the way by asking all these questions. She’s so inconsiderate. Fairy, please don’t take it to heart. She’s going to work at the Ink Studio anyway.”
Rong Zhen glanced at the little Mo Jing who was behaving like a spoiled old man in front of Huang Xuan, and said nothing.
Instead, Huang Xuan shook her head and spoke:
"There's no rush at Mozhai. It's more important to entertain your friends. It's rare to see you bring friends. Have they had breakfast? There's still some porridge in the kitchen. I'll cook some more if it's not enough..."
"Shut up, who gives you the right to speak here?"
Miao Si suddenly shouted.
Huang Xuan froze as she poured the tea.
Rong Zhen and the others, who had been watching coldly, turned their heads and saw that the young female official in Confucian robes, who had been so respectful and obsequious to them, was not giving the little girl in the red jacket a friendly look. She pointed to the door and spoke with great impatience:
"Stop babbling and meddling. How dare you call a fairy 's sister'? Even I, a fairy maiden, wouldn't dare to get close to you."
"Go back to your work. If you say another word, your family won't get a single benefit after I leave."
The cultivators from the Imperial Observatory glanced at the courtyard, some calmly, some coldly, and some just watching the spectacle.
Huang Xuan closed her lips, which seemed to be about to speak, and lowered her head.
She went to pour tea for the last lady in white, then returned to the kitchen with her face down, put the teapot away, and prepared to leave.
Among the eight white-clad Qi cultivators brought by Rong Zhen, the leader, a woman and a man, both had red hair and painted clothes, and a red mole between their eyebrows.
"Oh."
Unlike Rong Zhen and the female historian with the mole on her eyebrow who were observing coldly, the male historian with the mole on his eyebrow chuckled.
The laughter sounded somewhat jarring in the desolate courtyard.
The man with the mole on his eyebrow lowered his eyes, sniffed the tea, then blew on it, took a sip, and said leisurely:
"You little ink spirit are so arrogant and domineering in the common people's homes, living a carefree life."
Miao Si immediately and smoothly changed her expression, her tone becoming pitiful:
"I apologize for the empress and fairy, but these poor girls are so ill-mannered. They take advantage of any kindness they receive and like to push their luck."
The man with the mole on his eyebrow chuckled and was about to speak when Rongzhen and the woman with the mole on their eyebrow turned to look at him.
The man with the mole on his eyebrow lowered his eyes and said no more.
On the other side, Rongzhen and the lady with the mole on her eyebrow exchanged a glance.
"Is that the one?"
Rongzhen asked softly.
The woman with the mole on her eyebrow nodded, looked the little girl in the red jacket up and down in the kitchen, and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:
"Yes, those eyes are truly beautiful, and most importantly, they possess such a rich spiritual quality."
Miao Si, who had been eavesdropping, immediately tensed up and quickly chimed in:
"Madam, let's go inside and talk. Speaking of which, I've thought of a possible clue..."
Rongzhen and the woman with the mole on her eyebrow didn't really pay attention to Miaosi's attempts to start a conversation. The woman with the mole on her eyebrow walked to the door, blocking Huang Xuan who was about to leave, and asked kindly:
"Does the young lady know what a Qi cultivator is?"
Huang Xuan was stunned for a moment, wanting to glance at Miao Si, but the previous scolding made her hold back, and she nodded:
“Miaosi has already talked about it.”
"Did she say that you are very suitable for practicing Qi cultivation?"
Huang Xuan asked timidly, "Really? I thought you were just trying to fool me."
The lady with the mole on her eyebrow shook her head and smiled as she spoke:
"No, you are a promising talent. You come from a poor background, but you should not be reduced to the common people, causing your talent to be tarnished. Speaking of which, I was similar to you when I was young, and I feel great sympathy and understanding for you."
"Fortunately, the current emperor is wise and treats the people well, and the world is peaceful and prosperous. The Imperial Observatory respectfully follows His Majesty's teachings, accepts the unpolished gems of the people, and does not allow any bright pearl to be tarnished. You are the same, Xiao Xuan, right? Would you like to come back with us and enter the Imperial Observatory to cultivate?"
"From now on, you will not only have no worries about food and clothing, but you will also have the opportunity to see the emperor's face and bring glory to your family. Those officials you used to look up to will now have to bow down to you with respect, and your family will be able to live a wealthy life because of you... This is not a dream, you can achieve it with just a nod."
The woman with the mole on her eyebrow replaced Rongzhen, who wasn't very good at persuading or coaxing people. She spoke in a kind and gentle tone, and most importantly, she didn't use words of coercion, but rather appealed to people's emotions and offered them benefits.
Miao Si, who was standing to the side, felt a chill run down her spine; her plan to get rid of the person had failed.
Originally, her deliberate harshness towards Huang Xuan was a clever trick, both to clear herself of suspicion that she had helped Ouyang Changshi conceal the truth for Huang Xuan's sake.
Although judging from Rongzhen and the others' reactions, it doesn't seem like they've suspected that way, it doesn't stop her from taking precautions.
Besides, she also wanted to get Huang Xuan away, afraid that the Qi cultivators from the Imperial Observatory would discover her secrets.
But what I feared most came to pass.
"I...can I think about it..." Huang Xuan answered weakly at this moment.
The woman with the mole on her eyebrow frowned slightly, then relaxed, her smile remaining unchanged. She patted the girl's head and sighed.
"Oh, what's there to consider? Poverty or wealth, isn't it easy to choose? Is there some difficulty you're facing, or perhaps..."
"Who threatened you? Who doesn't want you to go? It's alright, you can tell me. I and Lady Rongzhen will stand up for you and uphold justice..."
The woman with the mole on her eyebrow patiently persuaded Huang Xuan, who, while hesitating, couldn't help but glance at Miao Si.
The female historian with the mole on her eyebrow immediately turned her head, the smile on her lips vanishing, and together with the male historian with the mole on his eyebrow, she looked coldly at the young female Taoist priest in Confucian robes.
Miao Si immediately put on an innocent, harmless expression and blinked her eyes, as if trying to charm everyone.
The woman with the mole on her eyebrow wasn't buying it. She poked Miaosi with her index finger and asked with narrowed eyes:
"Xiao Xuan, is this little ink spirit threatening you, or... has it said something bad about the Sage and the Imperial Observatory in private?"
"No." Huang Xuan immediately shook her head for him.
Well, except for the statement "Luoyang was not in a golden age".
"Why is that?" The lady with the mole on her eyebrow frowned.
Huang Xuan hesitated, but ultimately didn't say anything.
What she really meant was that she had never picked up a penny while walking around since she was a child, let alone such a huge windfall.
In the past, whenever Huang Xuan encountered a big windfall, it was either because someone wanted to coax her into selling herself into a brothel, or because they wanted to use her influence to drag a certain benefactor into their schemes.
Rongzhen suddenly asked:
"Did Ouyang Lianghan help you?"
Huang Xuan didn't answer, but glanced at the taciturn, cold-looking girl in palace attire.
Rong Zhen's voice softened a bit, unusually not so cold:
"I inquired about this matter briefly when I came, and it seems to have happened a few days ago."
She nodded slightly:
"You don't need to be on guard. I have no enmity with Ouyang Lianghan. On the contrary, I am quite familiar with him and we often deal with each other. It seems that we are destined to meet."
Huang Xuan pursed her lips and asked softly:
"Is my sister really on good terms with Chief Secretary?"
Rongzhen nodded slightly:
"To be honest, we're not exactly close, but we do have official business dealings. And I quite admire his style of doing things."
"I have been to Longcheng. Although I don't usually talk to him much outside of official business, I have some respect for him. He is a down-to-earth and good official who does practical things for the people. I don't have much personal motive for him."
Upon hearing this, Huang Xuan's usually stern face, though she tried hard to hold back, still blossomed like a flower.
Hearing that even the seemingly cold and aloof palace-dressed girl, who appeared to be the leader of the group, praised him, and judging from the sidelong glances of the female and male officials with moles around him, it seemed to be a very rare and high evaluation.
Huang Xuan rarely showed such a lively expression, and happily said:
"When you see someone virtuous, you should think of emulating them. Sister, you can see this, so you are equally capable and a good person."
A good person? Miao Si opened her mouth slightly.
Rongzhen raised an eyebrow.
She didn't mind the little girl in the red coat's frank and bold words, and nodded in suggestion:
"Should I summon him? You can also express your gratitude."
Huang Xuan looked away shyly: "No need to call me benefactor. I believe you; my sister's eyes don't lie."
Rong Zhen's lips softened slightly: "Okay, let's not call him yet."
Upon hearing this, the woman with the mole on her eyebrow's eyes lit up. She looked Huang Xuan up and down, her bright, star-like, and jet-black eyes gazing at her as if she were admiring a rare work of art.
She asked somewhat impatiently:
"Now that you know we're not bad people, Xiaoxuan, are you willing to come with us?"
Huang Xuan wanted to ask Miao Si one last question, but she was a little conflicted.
Rong Zhen suddenly said:
"Whether or not you join the Imperial Observatory is something you can consider for a few more days, but today, we have an urgent matter that requires your help."
Huang Xuan was taken aback: "What kind of help... can I help?"
Rong Zhen lowered her eyes:
“There is a case that requires us to track down the thief… This case is also of concern to your respected Chief Secretary Ouyang. He is also assisting me in the investigation. If the thief can be found, he will also be credited and will surely be pleased.”
Before Huang Xuan could reply, Miao Si couldn't help but interject, "Fairy, she's still young and her body is too weak for her..."
The next moment, she stammered, because both the lady with the mole on her eyebrow cast cold glances at her, and Miaosi could only lower her head and stammer.
Huang Xuan, puzzled, asked earnestly:
"If it can help with the investigation, I would certainly do my best... May I ask what needs to be done?"
Rongzhen walked up to the little girl in the red coat and bent down to be at the same height as her.
Rong Zhen stared directly into Huang Xuan's dark eyes, eyes that could see through illusions, and whispered:
"I need... your eyes to catch this thief... Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
Huang Xuan's expression grew increasingly curious.
Miao Si seemed to understand something, and her eyes immediately became anxious. Unfortunately, with the man with the mole on his eyebrow watching her, she couldn't go and give him a hint.
Rongzhen turned her head and whispered in Huang Xuan's ear.
We've only been talking for a little while.
"Knock knock knock".
Suddenly, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.
Everyone in the courtyard turned around instantly.
...
After bidding farewell to his junior sister in the Jiangzhou lobby, Ouyang Rong went straight to Xingzifang.
He took Yan Liulang with him, and following the address, they walked through the streets and alleys until they found an old courtyard.
Ouyang Rong looked around the dilapidated courtyard. If the address information was correct, then the Huang family father and daughter were living here now. He just didn't know if anyone was here this morning.
Ouyang Rong, carrying a long, narrow cloth bundle, vaguely heard voices coming from inside the door, so he knocked on the door himself.
"Knock knock knock".
The conversation inside the courtyard gate abruptly stopped.
Before he could ask any more questions, the courtyard gate suddenly opened from the inside, revealing a female official in white robes from the Imperial Observatory.
Ouyang Rong's expression remained unchanged as he glanced over the white-clad female official's shoulder and surveyed the scene in the courtyard.
"Oh, what's Lady Historian doing here?" he asked curiously.
In the courtyard, he saw the little girl in the red jacket he had seen several times, and the girl in the cold palace attire he knew all too well.
At this moment, Rongzhen stood beside Huang Xuan, seemingly whispering something.
Ouyang Rong's arrival brought their conversation to an end.
Huang Xuan, who had been listening attentively with a serious expression, suddenly turned around, somewhat surprised.
Rongzhen also looked at him.
"You're here to investigate a case. Why is Chief Clerk Ouyang here too?" she asked, squinting.
As she spoke, Rongzhen's gaze slowly moved down and landed on the long cloth bundle in Ouyang Rong's arms.
"Investigating a case?"
Ouyang Rong explained calmly:
"I was originally planning to go and exchange musical skills with Yuan Sima. He happens to live nearby. I heard that the Huang family father and daughter live here, so I came here to visit them."
At this point, he suddenly turned and gave the order:
"Liu Lang, please put the zither back in the carriage. I'll go inside and sit for a while, and then I'll go find Yuan Sima later."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Those in the courtyard saw Ouyang Rong hand the long cloth bundle in his arms to Yan Liulang.
Then Yan Liulang carried the plain-looking, long cloth bag that resembled a zither case out of the courtyard gate and placed it inside the carriage at the gate.
Ouyang Rong turned around, smiled at everyone, patted his sleeves, and walked into the courtyard under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
At the same time, he also subtly glanced around the room...
(End of this chapter)
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