Chapter 481 The Empress's Compromise
As expected of my father-in-law, he speaks with such artistry.
No, how can you recommend or introduce someone for this? What kind of pyramid scheme guru are you, trying to recruit others...?
As Ouyang Rong muttered to himself, the people around him glanced at him discreetly.
Li Guo'er couldn't help but glance at a certain handsome chief secretary.
"What...are you expecting?" Ouyang Rong asked.
Li Guo'er and Shun Bo quickly looked away to admire the flowers in the vase and drink tea, returning to what they had been doing just a moment ago.
Ouyang Rong acknowledged that, in some respects, Khufu was indeed ahead of his time.
But this doesn't mean that Ouyang Rong wants to surpass him in this respect.
Ouyang Rong shook his head:
"There might have been a chance before, but now..."
Under Khufu's cautiously inquiring gaze and Li Guo'er's rather strange glance, he smiled at Khufu and said calmly:
"I don't have that blessing."
Ouyang Rong did not give a firm refusal, nor did he show any disgust or aversion to the matter.
Khufu was right next to them.
To put it more tactfully, he doesn't have that kind of great fortune.
"Well, that's a pity. Besides, Chief Secretary Ouyang should have a bright future ahead of him. What we were just joking about was not meant to hinder Chief Secretary Ouyang's ambitions. Please don't take offense."
Khufu smiled nonchalantly, seemingly unconcerned, and patted him on the shoulder.
Ouyang Rong immediately sighed:
"What lofty ambitions? In the end, this Chief Secretary of Jiangzhou is nothing more than a third-rate cook who works hard all day but whose cooking doesn't even suit His Majesty's taste. He can't compare to Brother Hu's glorious and carefree life."
“Chief Secretary Ouyang is too kind. Aren’t we servants and officials all working for His Majesty?”
Khufu bowed to the north, saying, "Your Majesty is wise."
Ouyang Rong clasped his hands in a fist salute and calmly replied, "Absolutely."
After a short while, Ouyang Rong and Hu Fu discussed some serious matters.
Khufu revealed some details about the upcoming inspection process.
Ouyang Rong, who came tonight to use connections, didn't stand on ceremony and silently noted everything down, having roughly figured out how to deal with it.
"Oh, right."
Khufu seemed to remember something and asked curiously:
"I saw you and Rongzhen getting quite close today. Chief Secretary Ouyang was even chatting and laughing with her. Are you quite familiar with Rongzhen?"
Ouyang Rong said calmly:
"My colleague, I've been assisting Lady Historian in investigating cases for some time now, so we're quite familiar with each other... I guess."
"Why is Envoy Hu asking this? Is there some taboo surrounding it? I hope you can enlighten me."
"It's not exactly a taboo, but..."
Khufu glanced at Li Guo'er, who was looking at him with curiosity, hesitated for a moment, and then revealed a little bit:
"Although my family is from the Inner Palace Service, we have heard of her... This Lady Rongzhen holds a rather special and extraordinary position in the Imperial Observatory. Unlike ordinary female officials, she is more favored by His Majesty and the Grand Master of Fate. It's not just her talent, but perhaps... her background. There are some interesting details involved."
"What's your background? What are your customs?" Ouyang Rong asked curiously, frowning.
Khufu glanced at his expression and shook his head:
"I don't know about that, I've only heard about it. And I've also noticed that His Majesty shows some extra care and attention to this Lady Rongzhen, almost as if he owes her something. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's definitely something that's rare."
"Understood."
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips and asked again:
"How does it compare to Lin Cheng, who has a deputy superintendent teacher?"
Khufu smiled slightly:
"Is there any need to compare the importance of the poor and the noble? There are also those who are favored by the emperor and those who are not."
“It’s not like Chief Secretary Ouyang doesn’t know the situation of our Great Zhou Dynasty.”
"Actually, you can tell by looking at their styles of conduct, and see who is more respectful and who is more composed."
"Understood." Ouyang Rong nodded with a smile.
Khufu realized what was happening and quickly waved his hand:
"I wasn't talking about Chief Secretary Ouyang just now, I was just stating the facts. Please don't take offense, Chief Secretary Ouyang is different..."
“It’s nothing.” Ouyang Rong calmly pressed down on his arm.
Khufu said with emotion:
"Anyway, Chief Secretary Ouyang should be careful when dealing with this Rong Zhenzhen; in any case, he should not offend her."
"I don't think I've offended anyone... Okay, thank you for your advice, Envoy Hu."
Ouyang Rong nodded, his expression thoughtful.
Previously, when the little guy [Craftsmanship] snatched back her washed-white purple bellyband, Ouyang Rong had already noticed something amiss. This woman was definitely from a wealthy and noble family, similar to his junior sister. Perhaps she was from the top aristocratic circles of the two capitals? Was she a noble lady from a high-ranking family?
Now, with Khufu's reminder, this is even more evident.
Khufu suddenly said:
"By the way, regarding the matter of the Donglin Buddha's postponement reported by Chief Clerk Ouyang, from what I've seen and heard, apart from the impartial words of the Master, if it weren't for Rong Zhen's intervention, His Majesty might have issued an edict in a fit of rage the night he received the news... In that case, it wouldn't just be me and the envoy from the Imperial Observatory who were sent here now..."
"Then, who else will be sent?" Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.
Khufu sighed, stopping short of saying anything more:
"The Prince of Wei was the chief person in charge of the Songde Tianshu project. After news of the delay of the Donglin Buddha statue reached Luoyang, he and the Prince of Liang immediately submitted a memorial to His Majesty the next day, requesting that the supervising official in Jiangzhou be replaced and that a capable official be selected to take over the project..."
"However, His Majesty did not agree at the time. The next day, he compromised and agreed to postpone the trip in principle. At the same time, he ordered that I and a Xia Guan Lingtai Lang be sent here to inspect the area, actually to verify the reasons for the postponement..."
"I see, I understand now. Thank you, Envoy Hu."
Ouyang Rong clasped his hands in a fist salute again, nodded to himself, and muttered to himself with his eyes lowered:
"Is the one upstairs already getting a little displeased and impatient...?"
Seeing this, Khufu whispered:
“Chief Secretary Ouyang, His Majesty and the court also have their difficulties. The war in the southwest is still ongoing. Although there are many good news, there is no end in sight. Right now, everyone from top to bottom is actually feeling bad.”
“Chief Secretary Ouyang should be understanding of His Majesty.”
Ouyang Rong smiled.
"good."
He nodded:
"However, Hu Zhongshi is right about one thing: everyone is actually feeling bad."
Li Guo'er turned her head and glanced at Ouyang Rong.
Hu Fu, who didn't know much about Ouyang Rong, didn't know the difference between the "big guys" that Ouyang Rong used and the "big guys" he used.
Khufu then instructed:
“You must not spread these things that were discussed in private, Chief Secretary Ouyang.”
"That's natural."
Ouyang Rong, Li Guo'er, and Shunbo nodded in unison.
After chatting for a while longer, Ouyang Rong and his two companions prepared to take their leave.
Before being seen off by Khufu, Ouyang Rong took off his sword, turned around, and slapped it back into the stunned Khufu's palm.
He said calmly:
"Envoy Hu, I later learned about how you single-handedly persuaded the returning soldiers to surrender."
"The rebellion of Cai Qinjun is not your fault. You have done your duty and acted with great courage. A fine sword is worthy of a hero. Please accept this, Envoy Hu."
The tall, bearded eunuch looked down at the heavy military sword in his hand, remained silent for a moment, and then clasped his hands in a deep fist salute:
“Prefect Ouyang, a young scholar in his early twenties, speaks out for the people with courage and ambition, no less than the heroes of our time. I admire him from the bottom of my heart!”
...
In the quiet alley late at night.
From the back gate of Tingzhuxuan, a carriage parked in the shadows slowly moved forward and drove away from the alley.
Inside the carriage, Shunbo looked hesitant.
Li Guo'er lowered her eyes and said, "Uncle Shun, please speak."
Uncle Shun sighed and slapped his thigh heavily:
"It's been so many years. I never imagined my godson would go down such a crooked path. It's truly... truly..."
Ouyang Rong and Li Guo'er offered words of comfort.
Uncle Shun glanced at them, seemingly calmed down a bit, then sighed and said:
"That's true. Hey, the guy with the mustache must have been forced into this situation."
"Back then, when this old servant followed the prince from Luoyang, we drifted to this remote Jiangzhou. The little mustache lost his backer and had no one to rely on. In the palace, he could only take a new path..."
"It is already a blessing that he has survived the Wei family's purge or his colleagues' sabotage and has managed to get to where he is today. Of course, he has his own ways of surviving, which this old servant cannot criticize."
"After all, the competition in the palace is fierce. You have to find your own place, or you will be cruelly replaced... It's all difficult."
Ouyang Rong and Li Guo'er exchanged a glance.
Li Guo'er looked away without speaking, and Ouyang Rong nodded earnestly:
"I understand, and I don't mean to look down on you."
Uncle Shun breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the haggard, white-haired old eunuch.
To be honest, this Lord Shun was no ordinary man. If he hadn't left Luoyang with the Xunyang Prince's family, he would probably be a highly respected eunuch in the palace now, perhaps even in charge of the Inner Palace Attendants Bureau.
Thinking about it carefully, it becomes clear that Li Xian was the last crown prince appointed by Emperor Gaozong. According to the custom of godfathers and godsons in the palace, the fact that Shunbo was able to become Li Xian's personal eunuch meant that his godfather was likely a high-ranking eunuch during the reigns of Emperor Gaozong and Emperor Taizong, a position on par with the Director of the Imperial Observatory...
It was all inherited from the same lineage, so Shunbo naturally had a deep network of connections and seniority. His godson, Hufu, has now become a favorite minister of the Empress...
Khufu treated him with utmost respect, perhaps not only out of gratitude and a sense of loyalty, but also because he wanted to inherit the mantle and claim legitimacy.
Clearly, Shunbo was also quite satisfied with Hufu.
Over the years, his loyalty has been proven by his wanderings with the deposed crown prince Li Xian and his family.
Before long, the modestly luxurious carriage arrived at the Huaiye Lane residence and dropped Shunbo off.
A curfew was imposed in Xunyang City, and people were not allowed to move openly between the neighborhoods at night.
Tingzhuxuan is located in Xunyangfang. Since Li Guo'er and Shunbo cannot return, Shunbo will stay temporarily at Ouyang Rong's place tonight.
As for Li Guo'er, she has a private residence in Xunyangfang, where she used to stay when she returned late from poetry gatherings and parties.
After Shunbo alighted from the carriage, the modestly luxurious carriage continued on its way.
Ouyang Rong did not get out of the carriage, but personally escorted Li Guo'er back to her private residence.
Inside the carriage, no lights were on, and Ouyang Rong and Li Guo'er sat facing each other.
One person lifted the carriage curtain to gaze at the starry sky outside.
One of them lowered his eyelids, as if lost in thought.
The scattered lights from outside cast shadows into the car, occasionally brushing across Ouyang Rong and Li Guo'er's faces, their expressions indistinct.
"Thank you for your hard work tonight."
"polite."
Li Guo'er lowered the carriage curtain, turned around, and said again:
"Grandmother is definitely unhappy about the delay, and the two Wei kings are stirring things up... You need to be careful. Hu Fu and that Xia Guan Lingtai Lang, deal with them well. There must be no mishaps at the Shuangfengjian Grottoes."
"Understood." Ouyang Rong listened attentively.
"Forget it, you definitely know better than me what to do. After all, it's your business. Sister Xie will remind you too. I was just worrying unnecessarily and being nosy."
She turned her head and said.
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "No. Thank you."
At this moment, the carriage stopped in front of a private residence.
"We've arrived, let's go."
Li Guo'er rose lightly.
Before getting out of the car, she suddenly turned her head and, using the dim light from outside, examined Ouyang Rong's face.
"From this angle, he is indeed quite suitable to be a gigolo. He is handsome but not a pretty boy, and he has a heroic air about him," she muttered to herself.
Other angles don't work?
Ouyang Rong really wanted to ask this question.
He said unhappily:
"What are you looking at? Are you really choosing a concubine for your grandmother?"
"Tell me if you're not tempted, it's like a meteoric rise to the top."
"Thank you so much."
Ouyang Rong nodded.
Li Guo'er chuckled softly and said no more.
She nimbly jumped off the carriage shaft, wearing a pearl-embroidered pear blossom tassel hat, and walked gracefully into the house with her hands behind her back...
The next day, early in the morning.
Ouyang Rong carried a newly made oiled paper umbrella to the main hall of Jiangzhou.
During the break, I used the love umbrella to soothe my junior sister a little.
Immediately afterwards, he dutifully asked her for instructions and made his schedule to go to the Supervisory Commission at 2:45 AM to report the new information to Rong Zhen.
Xie Lingjiang remained noncommittal, fiddled with the oil-paper umbrella for a moment, and then said:
"Where's the sachet I gave you for the Cold Clothes Festival?"
"In the car."
"Put it on, don't take it off."
"good."
Ouyang Rong nodded honestly.
Xie Lingjiang snorted, turned around, picked up her umbrella, took his arm, and silently saw him out the door.
"Since she deserves some credit for the Empress Wei's attitude and the court's stance this time, we should express our gratitude openly and honestly, without hiding it. We are not ungrateful or ignorant people."
She gave him instructions on the way.
"good."
Ouyang Rong nodded, and couldn't help but take another look at his junior sister.
"What are you staring at? Did you hear what I said?" Xie Lingjiang wrinkled her little nose.
"I heard you."
Ouyang Rong nodded and said with a smile, "So cute."
"What?" she asked.
"I said, my junior sister is so cute. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Even when she's jealous, she's still very reasonable."
"...?"
Before Xie Lingjiang could jump onto the carriage and beat him up, Ouyang Rong hurriedly made his escape.
In the car, he closed his eyes and sighed.
Last night, Ouyang Rong listened to Zhu Xuan and Hu Fu's conversation, and this morning he truthfully recounted it to Xie Lingjiang.
Therefore, Xie Lingjiang did not object too much to maintaining contact with Rongzhen's side.
"Junior sister is still reasonable," he muttered.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the Censorate.
Ouyang Rong habitually lifted the carriage curtain and glanced at the bustling street outside.
"Wait, stop for a moment."
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a rather familiar figure.
Ali quickly stopped the carriage.
Ouyang Rong jumped out of the car and went straight to a roadside breakfast stall not far from the procuratorate.
He walked to the empty seat opposite a slightly overweight young man, sat down, and turned to greet him with practiced ease:
"Boss, another bowl of spicy soup and two sesame seed cakes for this table."
"Alright, sir!"
Lin Cheng, who was engrossed in eating his noodles, rolled his eyes slightly upwards.
Under his gaze, Ouyang Rong turned around, revealing two rows of white teeth in a smile:
"Brother Lin, you also like this place's breakfast? What a coincidence, I do too. What a coincidence... Brother Lin, you'll pay later."
"..."
(End of this chapter)
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