Chapter 5 Good nephew, you don't want to be labeled as unfilial, do you?
"Your Excellency, I shall take my leave now."
"Alright, thank you for your hard work these past few days, Officer Yan."
"You're too kind, Your Excellency. You may call me Wuxu or Yan Liu, either is fine."
"Is Yan Liu the sixth child in his family?"
"Yes. I have five older sisters above me."
As Ouyang Rong was seeing Yan Wuxu off, he smiled and joked, "Then you'll be quite busy as an uncle from now on."
"Hehe." Yan Wuxu scratched his head.
“From now on, I’ll call you Liulang,” Ouyang Rong decided.
"Alright, Your Excellency!" Yan Wuxu immediately perked up as if he had been injected with chicken blood, and his address of Liulang was noticeably more affectionate.
However, Yan Wuxu, who was about to leave, turned his head halfway and then remembered something, so he hesitated and said, "Your Excellency, I was really flustered today and offended your aunt. Should I go in and offer her a cup of tea..."
“Auntie is not the kind of weak woman.” Ouyang Rong shook his head. “Besides, Auntie and I haven’t even had a chance to thank you, Liu Lang, for saving us from the water that day. The debt of saving our lives is obviously greater.”
Yan Wuxu quickly waved his hand, "No, no, it was Your Excellency's good fortune that brought me this. And I am truly ashamed, as I wasn't the only one who jumped into the water to save people that day..."
"At that time, the water level of Butterfly Creek rose sharply, and it was full of rapids and reefs. Even the most skilled fishermen found it difficult to swim. Mingfu was injured on the head by one of the reefs. However, there was a very brave man among the cooks who went into the water. He directly pulled Mingfu out of the rapids and whirlpools, but he seemed to have been injured as well."
Ouyang Rong lowered his head and thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "After I rest for two days and go down the mountain, I will definitely go and thank this hero properly."
He seemed to remember something, "Before you fell into the water, when we first met, didn't you ask me for a piece of calligraphy?"
"Yes, that is true, but I was ignorant at the time. Please don't take it to heart, Your Excellency. You are an important person and cannot be mentioned casually. My father also reprimanded me when I got back..." the latter quickly explained.
"Come pick it up tomorrow."
Yan Wuxu's face flushed red. He uttered a sound of surprise, hesitated, and finally couldn't help but say:
"My lord, in my life I have the two kinds of people I admire most: one is an honest official who speaks out for the people and punishes the lawless; the other is a chivalrous knight who roams the world, robbing the rich to help the poor. I was not good at studying since I was a child, and I am not as smart as my sisters. When I wake up from my dream, I can't be the former. As for the latter, my father would never allow it, and he even forbade me to join the army. He said that military households are lowly, and that it is a gambler's business to risk one's lowly life for fame. He only wants me to take over his job and live a life of idleness in this county government office."
"My lord, I heard that you spoke out for the people, angering a nobleman in Luoyang, and were thus demoted to Jiangzhou. The day you took office alone, leading a thin horse, you stood on the Dragon Head Bridge and declared to the public that during your four-year term, you would control the floods and restore justice to the six thousand households of Longcheng County. I, Yan Liu..."
The eight-foot-tall man choked up as he spoke.
Ouyang Rong suddenly asked, "Don't you suspect that I'm just putting on an act, shouting slogans, and then leaving four years later?"
Yan Wuxu shook his head: "Some colleagues said that in private, but I don't believe it, because I don't believe that someone who dares to speak the truth to the emperor in the Golden Palace would go to our poor, remote place to shout lies to a group of illiterate poor devils."
Ouyang Rong, whose mind was still somewhat preoccupied with the newly appeared thing, had a slight change in expression.
He looked up and chuckled, "So when the sun set that day, you jumped in without saying a word?"
"It's not me, it's us."
Ouyang Rong raised his hand and patted Yan Wuxu on the shoulder. "Sixth Brother, I understand."
Then, the constable in dark blue left the house.
As soon as the man left, a graceful woman slowly walked out from the inner room, came behind Ouyang Rong who was watching her leave, and gently draped a coat over his shoulders.
However, she said, "My dear, you're just a reckless lackey of the county government. You can't even hold a knife properly. What's the point of condescending to win him over? It's a waste of your time to listen to him so patiently. You're really naive."
Madam Zhen frowned and glanced at the door. "And doesn't he know that Tanlang is in poor health? How could he stand in the wind in front of the door for so long? He's so inconsiderate. By the way, Tanlang, the abbot just took your pulse and said that it's still not very stable. You'll need to take some medicine to regulate your body in the next few days. The medicine will be brought over later."
“Naive…” Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze and turned to ask, “Does Aunt think that… going into the water to save her nephew is what they should do?”
Zhen raised her round chin slightly, "Of course, Tanlang is a disciple of the Emperor, an official appointed by the court, and the head of a county. How can their lives be as precious as yours? Not even one ten-thousandth as precious. If you don't jump down to save him, are you planning to rebel? If anything were to happen to you, they would all be implicated!"
Ouyang Rong chuckled: "If the emperor fell into the water like I did that day, should I jump in immediately to save him?"
Madam Zhen immediately replied, "You are not suitable."
"Isn't the life of the Emperor of the Great Zhou more valuable than that of a county magistrate like me?"
Zhen said shrewdly, "The current emperor of the Great Zhou is an empress. Men and women should not touch each other. It is the female officials in the palace who should jump down to save her. My lord, remember to stay away."
"What if it's a man?"
Madam Zhen was silent for a moment, glanced outside the door, and muttered with a pout, "You brat, you're not allowed to jump in like an idiot. You can't swim, so just pretend. There are plenty of loyal ministers out there, we don't need another one like you!"
Ouyang Rong glanced at Zhen Shi, but the latter remained calm and did not feel that she was contradicting herself. Instead, she became more and more certain, "Anyway, Tanlang is born into nobility. He might even be the reincarnation of a literary sage. He is just different from others. As for the specific reasons... I, a woman, cannot explain them clearly. But you should listen to your aunt. Would she harm you? If you don't listen... it would be unfilial!"
"Your nephew, renowned throughout the world for his loyalty and filial piety... You wouldn't want to be branded as unfilial, would you?" Madam Zhen said with a smile.
She led the helpless Ouyang Rong to the table and poured him a cup of hot tea to warm him up.
Holding a hot teacup, Ouyang Rong silently observed Zhen Shi, who was busy taking care of him, through the warm tea steam.
At this moment, she was wearing a light blue slanted collar blouse on the upper body and a pale yellow silk skirt on the lower body. However, the long skirt that trailed on the ground was tied at the calf for convenience when going out. She also wore an extra half-sleeved garment on her upper body. This was a style of dress that originated from the young ladies and women of noble families in Luoyang and was worn by noblewomen from official families.
Zhen was the daughter of a military household. Her nickname was Shuyuan. It was said that her father had served as a captain in a border army and possessed some family-inherited spear skills. However, her family later fell into decline, and she married into the Ouyang family. Unfortunately, Ouyang Rong's uncle died shortly after his marriage.
Zhen had the round face of a classical lady. In the words of the common people at the time, she had the demeanor of a dignified and capable woman. However, the light mole on the corner of her mouth added a touch of charm. Although she was middle-aged, she was still plump and radiant.
However, her bright phoenix eyes gave people a rather sharp and unapproachable feeling.
And that is indeed the case.
In my memory, this aunt was always quite feisty, with a touch of shrewdness and opportunism; she was the kind of person who would tear apart a family for half a stalk of rice in the countryside…
Indeed, after all the able-bodied men in the family had died young, the fact that she and Zhao had raised Ouyang Rong and provided him with an education suggests that, in addition to the appropriate care from the local clan, both women were naturally not to be trifled with.
In the last few years, Ouyang Rong proved himself capable, passing the imperial examinations in Luoyang and becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). His lineage immediately became the core branch of the Ouyang clan in Nanlong, bringing glory to the family. With her son's rise to prominence, no one dared to offend Zhen Shi anymore. She no longer lacked land or servants and no longer had to worry about petty gains. She was able to hold her head high among the women of the village.
Actually, the original owner of this body... or rather, the current owner of this body with the combined memories of two lifetimes, was a little afraid of Zhen Shi, because in his memories, his mother Zhao Shi usually played the good cop and Zhen Shi played the bad cop, taking turns disciplining the child.
Now, all that's left is the white face.
"Why is Tanlang staring at his aunt? Don't you recognize your aunt?"
"No, I'm looking at... a rather interesting tower."
"A pagoda?" Madam Zhen, who was bending down to pour tea, turned around and glanced at the door. "The pagoda in this temple is indeed quite tall. I wonder how much silver it cost. These temples are really rich."
She suddenly turned her head and asked, "Tanlang, why aren't you explaining Meng's reasoning to me after this argument?"
"What Meng what?"
“It’s that Min Gui… Jun Qing. In the past, you would have to teach your aunt every time.” Zhen looked at Ouyang Rong with some doubt.
Ouyang Rong put down his teacup and said calmly, "Because my nephew has grown up."
After hearing this, Madam Zhen put down the servant she was carrying, sat upright on the stool, looked at him in silence for a long while, and then sighed:
"He has indeed grown up. He just learned to put aside his talents and win over the servants. He didn't argue with his aunt about right and wrong... In this light, being demoted isn't such a bad deal. He's become more thoughtful. That's good. An official should be thoughtful so that his subordinates will respect him."
The woman in the silk skirt brushed her hair behind her ear with her little finger, then suddenly changed the subject: "Now that my lord has grown up, shouldn't you start thinking about marriage? You've already missed three years by observing mourning."
Ouyang Rong was somewhat weary. He didn't want to talk about these trivial matters right now; he just wanted to figure out what had suddenly appeared in his mind... or rather, what he had brought with him, and whether it might affect his chances of returning. As for the flood at the foot of the mountain, he was still hesitant. Just like what he had told the old Taoist in the crane-cloak before climbing out of the underground palace, he was not a saint, nor did he have the heart to be one; he was simply a person who had left his "hometown."
Fortunately, at that moment a small, bald man with a bright smile appeared in the courtyard outside, carrying a plate inside.
"It's time for your medicine, benefactor."
Ouyang Rong immediately went to meet him, ignoring the fact that it was too hot to drink, and finished it in one gulp, almost clinking glasses with Xiu Fa's little head.
"Good medicine," he praised, then turned to his aunt and said, "Aunt, I'm feeling a bit dizzy again. This medicine is a bit strong. I'm going to lie down for a while. You've been traveling all day, so you should also settle down and get some rest."
Madam Zhen glanced at him, nodded, gave him a few more instructions, and then got up and left.
But before leaving, she left without looking back, saying:
"My dear son, don't forget, your mother had two wishes for you before she died: first, that you pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi; second, that you marry a woman from one of the five most prestigious families!"
Even after the woman left, the last four words still lingered in the air.
Even the short-haired, even more short-sighted, Xiu Fa glanced speechlessly at the calm-faced Ouyang Rong.
Good heavens, the county magistrate wants to marry a woman from one of the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families? That must be even harder than marrying a princess from the Li or Wei clans, right? Sometimes, the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families even disdain marrying their daughters to the royal family…
Xiufa was about to pick up the medicine bowl and slip away when Ouyang Rong suddenly called out to her, "By the way, Xiufa, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"You're too kind, magistrate. Please feel free to ask me for any help I may provide."
Ouyang Rong lowered his head and thought for a moment.
“That night I fell into the underground palace… Besides your senior brother Xiuzhen, there was an old man covered in sores and a mute girl with a missing little finger. They were quite pitiful. Could you ask the Beitian Temple to take good care of them, especially the old man, since he has sores all over his body and see if they can be treated?”
"No problem. Beitian Temple was originally funded by the county government. Your Excellency can rest assured. I will go and talk to the senior monk in charge of the temple. He will take care of it for you."
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
"You're too kind."
Ouyang Rong smiled and watched the rather bold and enthusiastic young novice monk leave.
With this matter settled, he closed the door and lay down on the bed fully clothed.
As soon as I closed my eyes, auspicious clouds and mist, and distant, layered mountains came into view. At the edge of my vision stood a very familiar pagoda of merit, its doors already open...
...
After leaving Sanhuiyuan, Xiufa returned the bowls and plates to the kitchen.
I first went to the chanting hall and did the afternoon class with the fellow practitioners, chanting scriptures and offering incense.
After class, he turned left as he left the house, passed through several solemn halls with Buddha statues, and found the master who was receiving worshippers. He served tea and water and accompanied the master to interpret the fortunes and dreams of the more distinguished worshippers.
As evening approached and the number of visitors dwindled, the host finished his work perfectly. Xiufa went out to eat vegetarian food, but suddenly remembered something on the way and turned back to Beitian Temple.
On the night road, the young novice muttered to himself, imitating his master's demeanor and tone from the afternoon. When he read a certain passage, he suddenly let out a soft "hmm."
“Amitabha, female benefactor… wait, why did you call the county magistrate’s aunt ‘female bodhisattva’ this morning, but the pockmarked woman who was earnestly praying this afternoon ‘female benefactor’? Strange, strange, very strange. Is there some kind of custom?”
Xiufa lowered her head and pondered for a while, then shook her head sadly, "Buddhist principles are too profound and difficult to understand... Never mind, I'll ask my master for guidance tomorrow."
Before long, the young novice monk, who never forgot to study his master's 'profound Buddhist teachings' even while walking, arrived at the Compassionate Nursing Home, where no one was on duty.
"Senior Brother Xiudu?" He called out four or five times before someone finally answered.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes.” A middle-aged monk staggered out of a room, his face flushed in the darkness.
"Huh, what's that smell?"
Xiufa sniffed the air and pointed at Xiudu, saying, "Why does it smell so sour?"
"It's so stuffy inside the enclosure, I'm covered in sweat."
"Oh, senior brother, don't catch a cold from sweating." Xiufa nodded, not suspecting anything.
Then the young novice monk carefully repeated what Ouyang Rong had told him, repeatedly emphasizing that it was an order from the county magistrate and that he should carry it out properly.
Xiu Du let out a burp, readily agreeing, finally getting rid of his junior brother. After the man was out of sight, he patted his alcohol-smelling face and sighed, "This is truly the last sip."
After saying that, he was about to go back inside to get the wine when he suddenly stopped halfway there.
“There are two old people with boils, and one mute woman, but the one covered in boils and the one with a missing little finger… Do we have these two people in our Beitian Temple? And they fell into the well a couple of days ago, just like the county magistrate? How come I didn’t know?” Xiu Du scratched his head in confusion.
"I went to take a look a couple of days ago, and there was only Senior Brother Xiuzhen down there. How strange..."
Finally, the monk who had been shaking his head muttered something as he went back into his room.
"The magistrate's illness is getting worse and worse... hiccup~ one more bite."
...
I promised two updates a day, and I'll do it! This chapter is 4,000 words long~
(End of this chapter)
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