Chapter 468 I'm Really Not a Scumbag (Seeking Monthly Tickets at the Beginning of the Month!)
"Everything is fine, fine, fine, yes, yes, isn't this just being a tough nut to crack?"
Ouyang Rong asked in a serious tone.
Yan Liulang and Li Dalang exchanged a glance while drinking tea. Yan Liulang lowered his head and continued to drink his tea obediently, while Li Dalang replied sincerely:
"Then tell us, Tanlang, we're listening."
"But you wouldn't believe me even if I told you."
"It's not that I don't believe in you, it's that I don't believe any woman can resist your looks. Anyway, I'm sure I'll be attracted to you when I see you. Every time we come for tea, the tea ceremony ladies always choose you without any apparent competition."
Just a moment ago, Ouyang Rong was annoyed and somewhat indignant, but suddenly stopped moving, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face:
"That's true. It's not their fault. I am indeed quite handsome, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and extremely good-looking. In addition, I possess an aura of righteousness that repels all evil, making me dignified and imposing. It's really not their fault..."
"..." Li Dalang and Yan Liulang.
Yan Liulang couldn't help but put down his teacup and said:
"Next time you want to be praised, just say so. Don't be shy. We'll just cooperate honestly. There's no need to beat around the bush."
“That’s right, that’s right.” Li Dalang nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
Ouyang Rong clenched his fist, covered his mouth, and coughed.
"Anyway, this is all baseless, so don't gossip about it. I don't care, I'll stick to being upright and honest. But if Lady Rong hears about it... then I won't plead for you to atone for your sins."
"Don't worry, Your Excellency. No one dares to say that in front of Lady Rongzhen. It's not like they're an old man who would drink poison or have a death wish."
"Moreover, these rumors and gossips are mostly for fun, circulating privately in the Jiangzhou Hall. Not many people really believe them, after all, she is a female official in colorful robes, who will return to the Luoyang Palace to serve His Majesty in the future."
"However, everyone can see that Lady Rongzhen and Prefect Ming are on good terms now. I imagine that a certain Prefect will be having a hard time sleeping and eating these days."
Yan Liulang comforted Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong sighed: "It's enough that you understand."
Then he changed the subject and asked Li Dalang:
"Wasn't it too obvious that I helped you shake off Qin Xiaoniangzi just now? If Qin Xiaoniangzi notices, she will definitely be unhappy."
“You didn’t realize it this time, but if it happens a lot, she’s not stupid, she’ll naturally know what you’re thinking. When the time comes… Dalang, you should prepare how to explain this to your uncle and aunt. This can’t go on like this, you need to give them an explanation.”
Li Dalang lowered his head to drink his tea. Hearing his friend's advice, he stared at the surface of the water in his cup, which was swaying slightly in his palm, for a while, then slowly shook his head and said:
"knew."
"Good to know. I believe you can handle this matter properly, but if there's anything we need to discuss, don't hold back. You can speak up. Aren't friends there to share the blame? Don't you think so, Liu Lang?"
"Hey, everyone always eats and drinks at your expense, it's really embarrassing. But if anything happens, we'll give you advice, Da Lang, no need to be so polite..."
Ouyang Rong said to Li Dalang with a heroic and righteous tone, while patting Yan Liulang's shoulder, whose body was frozen in place.
“Tanlang, I mean, she knows.”
Ouyang Rong paused, frowning as he looked at him:
"She knows? She knows you're making excuses to run away? How did you know? Did she tell you?"
Li Dalang pursed his lips:
"Because they are all the same kind of people and none of them want to marry, they naturally have a tacit understanding and even tacit consent in a certain sense."
"What's the meaning?"
Li Dalang looked at his puzzled friend and sighed softly:
“I’m not her type either. She should know about my parents’ intention to arrange a marriage, and she also knows about my sister and Miss Xie’s deliberate matchmaking, but she’s not necessarily very enthusiastic about it.”
"I think it's possible that General Qin gave her some instructions, which is why she stayed in Xunyang City and patiently got to know me, or perhaps..."
"Is there something else interesting that made her stay? Her meeting with me was just a side thing, and also to fulfill the instructions of her elders at home."
Ouyang Rong had already put down his teacup, placed his hands on his knees, straightened his back, leaned slightly forward, and listened attentively. After hearing what Li Dalang said, he frowned slightly.
"Did Miss Qin tell you this?"
"No, but the two of them have spent quite a bit of time together. Do some things even need to be said?"
"Uh, is that so mysterious? You can communicate with each other in spirit or something?" Ouyang Rong was filled with respect.
"I wouldn't say we're kindred spirits, but... my love, although there are many things I don't know as well as you do, you probably don't have as much experience as I do when it comes to arranged marriages." Li Dalang's expression was extremely serious.
“That’s true, I don’t need to arrange a marriage,” Ouyang Rong admitted with a smile.
Li Dalang's lips twitched slightly.
Yan Liulang interjected, "Are there any other people or things that interest you in Xunyang City? Who is this young lady Qin interested in, and what is she interested in?"
Ouyang Rong nodded curiously as well: "Yes, what is she interested in?"
Li Dalang remained silent, his eyes fixed on a certain friend.
Yan Liulang, who was pretending to listen attentively, glanced sideways and also looked at a certain magistrate.
"What are you looking at me for?"
Ouyang Rong frowned.
"Wait, I understand."
He suddenly said in a daze:
"It's about the Xunyang Grottoes. The Qin family donated money for the statues. Their statues are right next to the Donglin Buddha, a prime location. They specifically gave it to the Qin family. Miss Qin has been staying in Xunyang City recently and comes to see me every few days, bringing the manager of the Qin family's business to inquire about the progress of the Xunyang Grottoes statues. Hmm, no wonder this Miss Qin is so concerned..."
Ouyang Rong paused, because Yan Liulang and Li Dalang were still looking at him with strange expressions, without saying a word.
"Is there something on my face?" Ouyang Rong touched his face.
"It's nothing," Li Dalang waved his hand.
Yan Liulang sighed with admiration, "Truly worthy of being called the Prefect."
Li Dalang couldn't help but praise, "Liulang, what you just said was absolutely right."
"What are you saying?" Ouyang Rong said displeasedly, "Can you two stop acting like this? Just speak your mind, stop playing riddles."
Seeing his two friends drinking tea in a melancholy and dejected manner, Ouyang Rong had no choice but to change the subject and liven up the atmosphere:
"By the way, Liulang, didn't you say that your mother brought your sisters to Xunyang City to visit you these past two days? Where are they? Have they arrived yet? If they have, I'll take some time to visit them."
Upon hearing the words "to visit," Yan Liulang's expression changed slightly. Under Li Dalang's somewhat gloating gaze, he scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Your Excellency, um...um...my older sisters are all married, the youngest of whom is three years older than me. Perhaps you should just forget about it and not go to see them."
Ouyang Rong: "?"
This tea is undrinkable; everyone's treating him like a scumbag and on guard...
Before long, after finishing their tea, the three said their goodbyes and parted ways.
Two more days passed, and news from Luoyang was still delayed.
Although, according to the travel schedule between the two places, the memorials from Ouyang Rong, Li Xian, Rong Zhen, and others requesting postponement should have only reached Luoyang yesterday, it will take time for the situation to develop and for the subsequent ripples and reactions to rebound to take several days.
Even so, many people in Xunyang City still found it difficult to eat or sleep, and their hearts were on edge.
Ouyang Rong remained calm, continuing his shifts as usual. Rong Zhen still frequently came to see him on official business, practically calling him Ouyang Lianghan by the name. However, in the Jiangzhou main hall, only she could openly call him that... The two would visit the Xunyang Grottoes every other day to keep a close eye on the progress of the statue construction.
That afternoon, Ouyang Rong finished his business and, seeing that there was nothing else to do, prepared to return to his residence in Huaiye Lane ahead of time. However, just as he stepped out, he received a message from the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.
"What? Junior Sister is in seclusion? Could it be... the second time she's turning the pages of the book?"
Ouyang Rong seemed to be deep in thought, put away the small note, and lifted the carriage curtain, saying:
"Go to Jingyiting."
"yes."
Soon, Ouyang Rong arrived at Jingyiting.
Also taken off the carriage was a long, lyre-shaped wooden box.
Ouyang Rong carried the box into the house and encountered Qin Xiaoniangzi, who had been waiting for him, in the main hall.
"Young Lady Qin, how is Wanwan?"
Inside the hall, a slightly plump female Taoist priest in a dark blue robe stood up. She first observed Ouyang Rong's concerned expression before speaking:
"There was a grand poetry gathering at the foot of the waterfall at Mount Lu in the morning, hosted by the little princess. After Sister Xie and I attended, on the way back in the carriage, Sister Xie suddenly... seemed to have entered some kind of sleepwalking state, and we couldn't wake her up no matter what we did."
"Then we didn't go to the Prince's Mansion, but returned to Jingyi Courtyard. As soon as Sister Xie came back, she went back to her courtyard, locked the door and didn't come out, as if she had gone into seclusion."
Ouyang Rong listened attentively and breathed a slight sigh of relief:
"It's probably just another book flipping, it's alright, Miss Qin, please don't worry."
"Flip through the book?" she asked curiously.
"Well, how should I put it, it's... it's some kind of cultivation state. Anyway, I'm free, I'll go take a look. Thank you for your trouble, Miss Qin."
"It was just a small favor."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Qin Xiaoniangzi, Ouyang Rong, carrying his zither case, immediately headed to his junior sister's elegant boudoir.
The courtyard was completely silent. She raised her hand and pushed open the gate.
"Halt! This road is mine, and these trees are mine. If you want to pass, leave some money to buy ink!"
A familiar, carefree female voice rang out.
Ouyang Rong's raised foot paused in mid-air.
The main house door was locked, and there was no one in the courtyard in his field of vision.
Ouyang Rong looked down.
Sure enough, there was a young female Taoist priestess in Confucian robes at her feet. The little Mo Jing, whom she hadn't seen for many days, was sitting on the threshold, swinging her legs and reaching out her hand in a gesture of begging.
Ouyang Rong thought for a moment, then grabbed her by the back of her collar and walked into the courtyard without looking to the side.
"Oh dear, let go of this fairy maiden! You're about to tear my Taoist robe off! You're so rude... Ah, this is indecent assault! Ouyang Lianghan, how dare you! And this is right outside Xie's room! Everyone else quietly closes their doors, but your good looks are useless! Waaah..."
Ouyang Rong placed the struggling little girl, who was determined to die, on the stone table, straightened her posture, pointed to the main house, and asked in a low voice:
"What's the situation inside?"
Miao Si raised her hand to straighten her disheveled collar. With Ouyang Rong's face close to hers, she crossed her arms, leaned back, and looked wary. Then she turned her back and straightened her wrinkled clothes, looking like a delicate young lady who had been sexually assaulted.
Upon seeing this, Ouyang Rong's lips twitched slightly.
Just then, he happened to catch a glimpse of a zither stand in a corner of the boudoir, so he immediately picked up the zither case and went over there.
He put down the long, lyre-shaped wooden box, stroked it with his palm, and sat down.
And so, a man with a sword stood quietly outside the room where Xie Lingjiang was "in seclusion, reading books."
A moment later, his gaze fell once again on the young woman in Confucian robes who had straightened her clothes and turned around.
"What are you looking at?"
"I'm asking you a question. How is Junior Sister doing now?"
"Who are you? I don't know you at all. Look at my memory, oh dear, my head hurts so much, I feel like I've forgotten everything."
Miao Si tilted his head and said.
She was clearly resentful of someone's attitude of leaving her to fend for herself at Xie Lingjiang's place and ignoring her for days.
Ouyang Rong smiled, nodded, and said "Okay." Then he took out a Hanlei ink stick from his sleeve and placed it on the zither stand.
"What are you doing? Humph, don't even think about bribing this immortal lady!"
Ouyang Rong shook his finger:
"No, no, no, it's not for the fairy. I found it in the corner of a cabinet in my study. It's not mine, and I don't know who dropped it. If the fairy recognizes it or remembers anything, please let me know. After all, we uphold the principle of returning lost property to its rightful owner."
Miao Si's expression changed slightly. She turned around in place with her hands behind her back, then walked over silently, glancing around as she went. She came to the piano stand with a shy, girlish manner.
Finally, with a "whoosh".
The zither stand before Ouyang Rong was now empty.
A young female Taoist priest in Confucian robes, carrying a Hanlei inkstone, ran off with her short legs:
"I remember now, we know each other well, this fairy will pass it on to her for you."
Unfortunately, the next second, a clear blue arc appeared in front of her.
They blocked the way.
Holding the ink stick as tall as itself, its small body stood frozen in place, unable to move an inch.
Ouyang Rong strolled over leisurely, grabbed him, and placed him and the inkstone back on the zither stand in front of him.
The two, one big and one small, began to stare at each other.
Before Ouyang Rong could ask any more questions, Miao Si shrank back, muttered under her breath, and confessed everything:
“Ouyang Lianghan, Xie is fine. She just had a stroke of luck and was flipping through books in the room. If nothing unexpected happens, there’s a very good chance she’ll advance to the sixth rank of Sage. This Confucian realm is quite interesting…”
Ouyang Rong raised his eyebrows, about to speak.
Just then, the door to the main house was pushed open from the inside.
Ouyang Rong and Miao Si immediately looked up.
From inside the main house, a beautiful young woman in a red dress walked out, carrying a scroll in her hand and with her hands behind her back.
Her expression was calm:
"Senior Brother."
Ouyang Rong rubbed his eyes and suddenly felt that the figure in red was both familiar and... somewhat unfamiliar.
It felt familiar because Mingming looked exactly the same as when we met the day before yesterday.
The unfamiliarity was in those calm, still eyes, and in the neat, clean hem of her skirt, unmoved by even the slightest breeze.
If one had to describe this feeling of familiarity yet strangeness, it would be like the first time the two met at Donglin Temple on Dagu Mountain.
Moreover, Ouyang Rong noticed that although his junior sister was wearing a bright red dress, she gave off a sense of calm, with all her aura contained and as deep as an abyss.
If my junior sister used to be like a fiery red peony, then now she is a quiet and elegant lotus.
It can be admired from afar, but not touched.
It subtly exudes an aura of nobility and purity.
"Junior Sister...?"
The woman in red took a few graceful steps and casually tossed the scroll in her hand. The scroll was as light as a feather and was lifted up by a gentle breeze that rose from the ground, landing right in Ouyang Rong's arms.
Ouyang Rong caught it with lightning speed.
There was a rustling sound as the pages of the book were turned.
At the same time, amidst the rustling of pages in the quiet courtyard, a soft female voice rang out:
"Senior Brother, I will never flip through books again."
"What is the explanation?"
"Do before you know; knowing is difficult, doing is easy."
"good."
(End of this chapter)
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