Chapter 482 Ling Tai Lang
"Does Chief Secretary Ouyang like the breakfast here?"
"I'm a regular customer."
"Are you a regular customer who comes here often?"
"almost."
Ouyang Rong really wanted to say that Rong Zhen often bought sesame cakes from this shop, and that he himself didn't come here very often.
However, one cannot say such a thing in front of this newly arrived Xia Guan Lingtai Lang.
Lin Cheng put down his bowl.
"Does Chief Clerk Ouyang frequently visit Lady Rongzhen at the Censorate?"
Ouyang Rong nodded.
"Yes. Before, it was because of the Butterfly Love Flower owner's case, and recently it's because of the Donglin Buddha. I come here often."
"I see."
Lin Cheng smiled:
"This is my first time here. Shouldn't Chief Secretary Ouyang, a long-time guest, treat me to a meal?"
Ouyang Rong shrugged: "I didn't bring any money."
He paused, then sighed:
"Besides, Brother Lin has come all the way from Luoyang as an imperial envoy. If I were to pay for his hospitality, wouldn't that be bribing the imperial envoy? That wouldn't do. Hey, Brother Lin, please do the treating."
At this moment, the breakfast stall owner served up the spicy soup and sesame seed cakes.
Ouyang Rong took out an empty bowl, tilted it with one hand, broke off half, pushed it in front of Lin Cheng, and gestured for him to taste it.
After finishing his spicy soup, Lin Cheng wiped his mouth, waved his finger, and said slowly and deliberately:
"According to Article 21 of Chapter 8 of the Zhou Code, gifts for entertaining guests with a value of less than one hundred coins are not considered bribes. So let Chief Secretary Ouyang do his best to be a good host."
"Besides, isn't Chief Secretary Ouyang's carriage right next to us? I can wait while Chief Secretary Ouyang goes to get the silver."
"The driver is even poorer than me, how could I possibly ask him for money? Never mind, next time, next time."
"However, Brother Lin seems to have memorized the law quite well."
Ouyang Rong said shamelessly.
Lin Cheng thought for a moment, nodded, and offered his suggestion:
"Then before I leave, Prefect Ouyang must treat me to a meal to make up for it."
"Brother Lin really doesn't suffer any loss."
"We Yin-Yang School practitioners emphasize the balance of Yin and Yang. This applies to inviting guests to dinner as well."
“That makes sense. Okay, I'll treat you to a meal before you leave next time.”
The two of them talked back and forth, and seriously settled the matter of paying for the meal.
"Is Chief Secretary Ouyang here to see Lady Rongzhen?"
"Um."
"Let's go, I happen to be there too."
Lin Cheng got up, paid the bill, and walked into the Supervisory Council with Ouyang Rong.
Soon, they met Rongzhen in the lobby.
A girl dressed in cold, aloof palace attire sat on a chair, her eyes lowered as she perused a letter in her hand.
On the table next to it was a familiar green bamboo cane.
Rongzhen's injuries have healed now, and she hasn't used it for a long time.
Noticing the arrival of Ouyang Rong and Lin Cheng, Rong Zhen folded the letter and quickly stuffed it into her sleeve. Without saying anything, she glanced at the two men.
"Good morning, Lady Rongzhen," Lin Cheng said with a smile.
Rong Zhen nodded, but her gaze fell on Ouyang Rong, who was wearing a lotus-white sachet behind her.
Ouyang Rong said, "Has Lady Rong eaten yet? I just had some breakfast with Brother Lin outside..."
Rong Zhen said expressionlessly:
"You ate it, there's no need to report it to me. In the future, don't bring up irrelevant topics when you come in the morning. This isn't a restaurant."
Ouyang Rong was immediately speechless.
I was worried that she had bought sesame cakes again and that I wouldn't be able to eat them, but judging from her expression and tone now... I guess she has nothing left.
"Did Lady Rongzhen have any urgent business regarding that letter you just received?"
Lin Cheng asked curiously.
Rong Zhen shook her head: "No, Lin Cheng, let's talk business."
"good."
Lin Cheng nodded, glancing at Ouyang Rong with some hesitation.
However, seeing that Rong Zhen did not react, he said nothing and slowly said:
"Besides accompanying Envoy Hu on his trip to Xunyang and inspecting the Donglin Buddha, I was also given a task by the prison: to assist Lady Rongzhen in investigating the matter of the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower that you reported back."
"This is a completely unfamiliar swordsman who has not been recorded in the past ten years, and the cauldron sword he wields is also very strange and novel. The High Priest is very interested in this person..."
His expression was serious.
Rongzhen nodded:
"Upon closer reflection, it is quite strange for a swordsman to act alone."
Ouyang Rong sat to the side, quietly drinking tea and listening attentively.
"Lady Rongzhen, what does that sword look like?" Lin Cheng asked.
Rongzhen frowned:
"It resembles a crescent moon but is not a crescent moon, it resembles a scimitar but is not a scimitar, it is more like a sharp arc formed by the bending of a slender sword, hovering in the air, killing people like flies, taking heads as easily as taking something out of a bag..."
As she spoke, she slowly closed her eyes, as if recalling something:
"It is known that the supernatural power he possesses should be the legendary sword and cauldron supernatural power of the [Humble Scholar], Return to the Homeland."
“When I set up the formation, I specifically targeted this point… but now it seems that he likely possesses at least one other Cauldron Sword Divine Power, which is why he was able to break the formation, and this Cauldron Sword Divine Power is quite strange…”
Lin Cheng said thoughtfully:
"Could it be a new Ding Sword...?"
The group chatted for a while, mainly about the cause and effect of the accident in the old courtyard.
Lin Cheng also asked Ouyang Rong about the first time he met the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower outside the courtyard.
Ouyang Rong gave a general account, which was the same as what he had said to Rong Zhen.
Immediately afterwards, Lin Cheng suddenly suggested that they go to check the ruins of the old courtyard.
Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen are both acceptable.
The three of them went out and left the Supervisory Council. Soon, they arrived at Huang Xuan's former residence in Xingzifang.
The old courtyard is now a ruin.
Lin Cheng was the first to enter the courtyard.
Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen lagged behind, walking side by side.
Ouyang Rong glanced at Fang Lincheng's retreating figure, who was looking around, and asked in a low voice with curiosity:
"Brother Lin seems quite interested."
Rongzhen kept her eyes straight ahead.
At first, I didn't answer.
From the moment they met in the morning, Rong Zhen had maintained this indifferent attitude, as if she were not familiar with Ouyang Rong at all.
Only now, under Ouyang Rong's gaze, did she purse her lips:
"This Xia Guan Lingtai Lang used to work in Luoyang, where he helped Dali Temple solve many cases. He is meticulous and is considered one of the most experienced criminal investigators in the Sitianjian. The Dasi Ming and the Deputy Director sent him here this time, probably to assist in the investigation."
"Why does Lady Rong look unhappy?"
"You're really concerned about this?"
"No."
"Then ask less."
"good."
Before long, Lin Cheng returned, interrupting Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen's private conversation.
"Lin Cheng, have you discovered anything?" Rong Zhen asked.
"Too much time has passed, and some traces have faded, making them inconvenient to find," Lin Cheng sighed.
Rong Zhen's expression didn't show much disappointment, as if she had expected it and hadn't held out much hope in the first place.
"Any other specific details?" Lin Cheng asked again.
She nodded slightly and gestured to Ouyang Rong with her chin:
“Chief Secretary Ouyang has been assisting me and knows a lot. Let him tell you. You can also consult him first if you have any problems recently.”
Rong Zhen paused for a moment, then continued:
"Lin Cheng, these next two days, Chief Secretary Ouyang will accompany you and Envoy Hu to inspect the Donglin Buddha. I have some matters to attend to."
"good."
Neither Ouyang Rong nor Lin Cheng asked any further questions about what Rong Zhen needed to do.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the cuff where she had tucked away the letter not long ago.
A moment later, Rong Zhen left with a slight frown, her steps swift.
Ouyang Rong didn't stand on ceremony and turned to lead Lin Cheng on a tour of Xunyang City.
The next day, in the morning.
Ouyang Rong then formally invited Hu Zhongshi to go to Xunyang Grottoes together.
Xunyang Wang Lixian was the Jiangnan supervisor in charge of the construction of the Donglin Buddha, but everyone knew that the person in charge of the whole matter was Ouyang Lianghan, the governor of Jiangzhou.
At present, it is certainly not appropriate to let Prince Li of Xunyang personally lead Hu Fu and Lin Cheng to visit the Donglin Buddha.
Therefore, the task fell to the person in charge of the statue-making.
On the first day, the three, accompanied by a group of officials from the Jiangzhou government, left the city and headed to Shuangfengjian.
Ouyang Rong accompanied and explained the entire process.
As Khufu revealed that night, there were only two key figures who came to inspect the area.
One was Khufu himself, representing the Ministry of the Interior.
Another one is Lin Cheng, the Xia Guan Lingtai Lang, who represents the Si Tian Jian (Imperial Observatory).
After their inspection and assessment, the two men would return to Luoyang to report back, submitting a brief memorial outlining the findings and opinions of their inspection.
Therefore, the attitudes of these two individuals are quite important.
Right now, there's not much to worry about with Khufu; the only one left is Lin Cheng, the Xia Guan Lingtai Lang.
Ouyang Rong could tell he was a smart man from the moment they met at the dock.
A smart person is also someone who is not easily fooled.
Therefore, Ouyang Rong chose to treat Rong Zhen with sincerity, just as he had treated Rong Zhen when he first brought up the matter of postponement.
They did not use any bribery with valuables or to cultivate personal connections.
Fortunately, after these two days of getting to know each other, Lin Cheng's attitude was friendly. After the first day when he invited them to breakfast and tested the waters, the two got along quite well.
Just like when he took Rong Zhen on a tour, Ouyang Rong led Hu Fu and Lin Cheng to visit places like the Xunyang Grottoes.
Hu Fu only followed Ouyang Rong on the first day for a proper tour, and then simply made excuses not to come back, as if he had finished his inspection and gone back to write a memorial.
The attitude conveyed was very clear in front of Lin Cheng.
However, after Hu Fu made his statement, Lin Cheng's attitude remained ambiguous. He looked around all the way, seemingly interested in everything.
Ouyang Rong patiently explained everything to him, like a tour guide, covering all aspects of the construction of the Xunyang Grottoes.
During this time, Wang Lengran was nowhere to be seen; only Ouyang Rong entertained him, because this was not his responsibility and he would not take the blame.
Although Governor Wang Lengran did not come, Ouyang Rong and Lin Cheng, who had just returned to Xunyang City from Shuangfengjian that afternoon, encountered another person waiting at the west gate.
Prince of Xunyang, Prince of Jiangzhou, and Prefect of Jiangzhou, left Fusu.
"Dalang... don't drive, sir."
At the bustling city gate, Ouyang Rong changed his address and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting.
Lin Cheng also clasped his hands in a salute:
"Greetings, Your Excellency."
Li Dalang seemed to have been waiting at the city gate for a long time. He stepped down from a carriage and greeted them with a smile.
"Please rise, Tanlang, Lin Lingtai Lang, don't be so polite."
Ouyang Rong asked:
"May I ask what brings you here, Your Excellency?"
Li Dalang seemed not to notice the questioning look that Ouyang Rong was giving him.
He turned to look at Lin Cheng, whose expression remained calm, and said seriously:
"It's like this, I originally came to have tea with Tanlang, but coincidentally, Lin Lingtai was also there."
"I have long admired the name of Lin Lingtai Lang, and today I finally get to meet him. He is indeed a dashing and heroic figure."
"Does Lin Lingtai have anything to do this evening? Where is Tanlang? There's a nice teahouse nearby, how about we go have some tea?"
"Lin Lingtai Lang has come from Luoyang. Could you tell me about the sights and sounds of the capital? I have been away for many years and miss it dearly."
Want some tea?
Ouyang Rong and Lin Cheng exchanged a glance.
Lin Cheng carefully observed Ouyang Rong's subtle expressions, trying to find some clues.
Unfortunately, Ouyang Rong was equally puzzled, his brow furrowed.
Lin Cheng's tone was somewhat troubled:
"My lord, I have come to Xunyang on a mission, and such a banquet is perhaps inappropriate. Let's postpone it until after the inspection is complete..."
"What's the big deal? Besides, we're not booking out the whole place for a banquet and wasting money."
Li Dalang shook his head:
"A few days ago, Governor Wang hosted a banquet to welcome him back, and Lin Lingtai and Hu Zhongshi also attended."
"Besides, we just had a pleasant conversation and sat down for tea at a roadside teahouse. There's nothing to hide."
Lin Cheng hesitated, glancing at Ouyang Rong and Li Dalang, just as he was about to refuse.
"Young Master Ouyang."
Just then, a familiar female voice rang out from the carriage behind Dalang.
Looking over, Qin Ying stepped out of the car, dressed in a dark blue Taoist robe from Zhongnan Mountain, and greeted Ouyang Rong in a generous manner.
She turned to look at Lin Cheng, sized him up, and exchanged a few pleasantries with a smile.
"And who is this young lady?" Lin Cheng asked curiously.
"Miss Qin is the granddaughter of General Qin."
Li Dalang introduced with a smile.
"General Qin?"
"That's General Qin, who is currently serving as the Grand Commander of the Jiangnan Road Army on the front lines in Hongzhou."
Li Dalang patiently explained while secretly observing Lin Cheng's expression.
Upon hearing this, Lin Cheng's calm expression immediately turned serious. He bowed to Qin Ying again and solemnly praised Qin Jingzhen a few times.
The Qin family is currently very popular among the gentry in both capitals.
General Qin, who is leading troops at the front, is now the focus of attention for the princes and officials of the court.
Faced with Lin Cheng's sudden change in attitude, Qin Ying smiled without saying a word, then turned to exchange a few pleasantries with Ouyang Rong, showing great familiarity and concern.
Lin Cheng, of course, saw it all.
The two distinguished guests arrived "appropriately," and everyone knew what their intentions were.
Li Dalang greeted him:
"The teahouse next door called Yunshuige has some good health tea. Qin Xiaoniangzi and I have already booked a private room, which is perfect for a heart-to-heart talk. Let's go have a drink. You two have been busy all day."
This time, faced with the enthusiastic invitation from the heir of the Prince of Xunyang and the eldest granddaughter of General Qin, Lin Cheng only hesitated slightly before nodding.
Li Dalang and Qin Ying exchanged a quick glance and both smiled.
Ouyang Rong couldn't stand it anymore. He pulled Li Dalang aside and asked in a low voice:
"Why are you drinking tea all of a sudden, sir? What brings you and Lady Qin here all of a sudden? Besides, this is my business, you two shouldn't..."
Li Dalang interrupted:
"Alright, Tanlang, let's go, let's go, don't ask anymore."
He gently pushed Ouyang Rong aside, smiled and greeted everyone, then led Lin Cheng towards Yunshui Pavilion, chatting and laughing.
Seeing his friend's enthusiastic back, Ouyang Rong knew perfectly well the meaning behind his and Qin Ying's show of support.
But some words that were about to come out were swallowed back down.
My heart is warmed.
I recommend a friend's new book, "I Am an Immortal of Heaven and Earth." Synopsis: I am an immortal of heaven and earth, carrying a sword and traversing mountains and rivers.
(End of this chapter)
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