Chapter 546 Rong Zhen: You are a gentleman, he is a lecherous thief (Seeking monthly votes!)
"In these past few days, while you were in charge of Jiangzhou, have you encountered anything you are dissatisfied with?"
"No. Everyone was very enthusiastic."
"Have I done anything wrong? I haven't contacted you as much these past few days, but I haven't slacked off or neglected you. I've been speaking up for you with Senior Song, offering advice and guidance..."
"Yes, I can feel it. Lady Rong is very cooperative with my work. Although I have always felt that Deputy Supervisor Song's side is a waste of time, I appreciate Lady Rong's kindness."
Outside Shen Bingqiang's mourning hall, Ouyang Rong passed by Rong Zhen and walked towards the door. Rong Zhen followed him.
The two walked one in front of the other, one tall and one short, talking all the way.
Rong Zhen, who usually maintains a cold and aloof demeanor in front of others, is unaware that she has subconsciously removed her "keep away" mask while standing next to Ouyang Rong.
Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her youthful, pretty face showed a hint of weariness and exhaustion. This was the only side of her she ever showed to him.
She asked, puzzled:
"Then why did you resign and leave?"
Ouyang Rong suddenly stopped, first glancing at the mourning hall. Seeing no one in white mourning clothes chasing after him to extort money, he turned back and said:
"Has Lady Rong forgotten the agreement I made that night when I agreed to help?"
"What agreement?" She pursed her lips and looked away slightly.
"My position is merely that of a minor Sima, and I will strictly follow the arrangements made by His Majesty and the other officials to ensure that I do not hinder the important matter of the imperial court's statue-making."
"I dare not forget this point. A few days ago, we could say that we acted expediently in an emergency, but now the situation in Xunyang City has stabilized and is clearly on the right track."
"The matters to come can be handled by Chief Secretary Yuan and Lady Rong; there is no need for me to continue."
"This was something we agreed upon back then."
Ouyang Rong spoke gently, without a hint of complaint or anger, as if he were chatting with Rong Zhen about everyday matters.
"Are you afraid that some ignorant person will say you're clinging to your position? That you feel your position is illegitimate? But right now, no one in the city disobeys you. If anyone objects, or if anything makes you uncomfortable, you can speak to me..."
Rongzhen asked in a serious tone.
"No, really. I haven't heard any objections, and I don't feel uncomfortable at all," he said helplessly.
She shook her head: "No."
"What do you mean, 'not allowed'?"
"You still have things to do, and according to the agreement, you can't leave yet."
"What haven't you finished?" Ouyang Rong asked curiously.
Rongzhen looked up at him and said softly, "The matter of the Donglin Buddha... isn't this what you've always wanted to do? Now you have the opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong seemed to seriously consider his words, and then said with a serious expression:
"If I remember correctly, this matter is under the jurisdiction of the deputy commissioners of the Jiangnan Construction Bureau, such as Deputy Right Commissioner Lin. I am just a Sima of Jiangzhou."
"To paraphrase those disgraced officials in Xunyang, this post is just a way to slack off... By imperial decree, one should travel and enjoy the scenery, preferably indulging in wine and song, and not getting involved in politics, lest one suffer for it. As the saying goes, one should not speak loudly, lest one disturb the heavenly beings... I think that makes sense."
"But the situation is different now, the circumstances are dire..."
"What's different? Isn't it great? His Majesty is wise and mighty, the wise princes assist in governing the country, and the ladies of the court are working diligently and wholeheartedly. Everyone is of one mind and works together for the sake of the nation... It's a thriving and vibrant scene."
"Where is the situation serious? Lady Historian, please don't speak carelessly. Besides, even if there is a slight problem, it's not a big deal. His Majesty and the gentlemen can handle it themselves."
"I am but a lowly Sima, so I should refrain from making irresponsible remarks about state affairs. These past few days, I have been fortunate to be temporarily appointed as the governor by Lady Rong and everyone else. However, the governor of Jiangzhou does not care about the Donglin Buddha, as it is not within his jurisdiction."
"So, according to the agreement, is there anything I haven't finished doing?"
Ouyang Rong asked for advice with a sincere expression.
Rongzhen was speechless.
She could only stare blankly at his expression.
Ouyang Rong spoke again:
"Actually, when Deputy Supervisor Song was complaining a few days ago, he made a point that I agree with: I really need to be clear about my position and not meddle in other people's business. There are some things I can't afford to take responsibility for."
Rongzhen was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:
"What if the imperial court reinstates you? Will you accept the imperial decree? Will you continue to be ordered to create statues?"
Ouyang Rong didn't answer, so she lowered her voice and told him:
“Ouyang Lianghan, the Xingzifang Buddha has now been destroyed by the rebels. After much thought, I believe the best strategy for the court right now is to reactivate the headless Buddha statue in Xunyang Grottoes that has been abandoned.”
"With the Buddha head at the Xingzi Lake construction site, which is damaged and under repair, we can restart the project quickly... I have already reported this plan to the Emperor."
"Ms. Rong's idea is quite good."
Ouyang Rong smiled and glanced at the snow-covered landscape:
"It's great. If it were before, I would definitely be full of passion, but now I'm used to being idle..."
"Let's wait until after winter. It's freezing cold and snowy, so let's not talk about anything else. Besides, His Majesty and the others may not even use the Buddha statue from Xunyang Grottoes. After all, it's something that was delayed, and they just threw it away like that before." He shook his head.
"Besides, even if they do appoint me, they might not choose me. In the eyes of some people in the court, I am just a stubborn and unpleasant rock, not likable at all. There are plenty of people in the court who are more obedient than me. Why not have another Lin Cheng? Let's see if he can come up with another excellent idea similar to the Xingzifang statue to share His Majesty's burdens."
Rongzhen's beautiful eyebrows gathered in one place:
"No one knows the Xunyang Grottoes better than you now. As for other ideas, there's no time to think about them. Even a god couldn't come up with a better solution than the Xunyang Grottoes. I have already reported the situation truthfully..."
Ouyang chuckled, shook his head, and walked forward.
"So, you're saying that I'm the only one who can do this? Anyone who didn't know better would think I'd benefited the most. Luckily, I was indulging in a drunken stupor at Xunyang Tower that morning, otherwise I would have ended up in this mess. Heh, even so, I can't help it. I've been getting a lot of whispers in your ear lately, Ms. Rong."
"Ouyang Lianghan, what do you mean?"
Rong Zhen's expression immediately turned displeased. She stopped and asked in an unusually cold tone:
"Do you think that I suspect you, and that asking you to stay and help is a test? If you accept, I'll become even more suspicious of you?"
"No, it was just a joke."
"Don't make jokes like that again."
Rong Zhen's breasts heaved for a while before she calmed down slightly and said softly:
"I admit that the master of Butterfly Love Flower may be a legendary swordsman in the making, a once-in-a-century talent, but his actions still make him a despicable, shameless, and lecherous thief."
“Ouyang Lianghan, you are different from him. You are a gentleman. You would not associate with such a despicable and shameless person, nor would you tolerate him, let alone him.”
Ouyang Rong muttered to himself, "Despicable, shameless, and lecherous..."
Rong Zhen's voice suddenly calmed down, and she fiddled with the sachet at her waist with her right hand, whispering:
"Regarding the matter of the undergarment... you know a little about it. I was indirectly tainted. That day in Huang Xuan's courtyard, he publicly displayed the undergarment, doing everything in his disgusting way to humiliate me... Although those who witnessed it are all dead now, but..."
The girl in palace attire spoke with a wistful tone, while her dark eyes remained fixed on the white-robed youth's face as he listened attentively, as if worried that some subtle expression on his face might cause her distress.
Ouyang Rong's expression remained unchanged; he merely coughed. "I do know a little, but later, I picked up this item and touched it. Wasn't that inappropriate...?"
“It’s different. You are a gentleman. Not only did you hand it over to the women immediately, but you also returned it without even looking at it closely… It’s shameful to talk about, and I don’t want to discuss the private undergarment. It’s a painful memory for me… But it’s true. I’m very grateful for your gentlemanly actions that day, especially compared to that lecherous scoundrel, it’s like comparing heaven and earth, further highlighting your nobility.”
Her usually steady voice wavered slightly, whether from shame, anger, or both, it was hard to tell. Her once icy cheeks were now flushed red.
Ouyang Rong hesitated, wanting to ask, "How are you so sure I didn't see it?" Although he truly hadn't.
Rongzhen suddenly asked, "Ouyang Lianghan, have you been looking down on me because of the Butterfly Love Flower Master's matter?"
"Ah, no...no, that's not true."
"Does your junior sister know about this?"
"have no idea."
"Very well, you must keep this a secret from me."
"Definitely."
She pressed further, "Then do you hate the owner of the Butterfly Loves Flowers?"
"Hate...hate."
"Fine, I will kill this thief. If you are angry, you should help me even more. Why did you resign and leave? Don't you care?"
Ouyang Rong had no choice but to think for a moment before speaking:
"Alright, you can discuss the investigation with me again, but let's not talk about this appointment. I was only temporarily put in this position, so there's no reason for me to keep delaying. Let's wait for the court's arrangements."
"Alright, then wait for the imperial decree and rest for a few more days." Rong Zhen breathed a sigh of relief.
"Xie Rongnu Shi understands."
Having finally calmed the persistent Rongzhen, he changed the subject:
"We still have time today, let's get down to business. By the way, where is Lin Cheng's mourning hall set up? Are any family members here? Should we go and offer our condolences?"
"Only Senior Song is here."
"Then forget it, I won't go."
Rong Zhen glanced at him, her tone somewhat enigmatic: "Lin Cheng's father was an old friend of Senior Song. Senior Song had always treated him like a nephew, so he took extra care of him. This time, it's like a white-haired man sending off a black-haired man."
"I see. But I am not able to comfort you. I shall leave it to Lady Rong."
"If you agree to hold the seal for a few more days, I can make an exception and introduce you to an old musician..."
"We'll talk about it later. Goodbye."
Where are you going?
Ouyang Rong took out a pair of door god couplets from his sleeve, raised his hand, waved them, and walked into the snow without turning his head, saying:
"Let's go put up the door gods. Grandpa Qin painted them himself. When we get back, I'll take my aunt and Wei Lai to put them up on the door together... How about it, aren't you envious?"
Rongzhen remained silent, watching the figure who "left without a trace after accomplishing his task, concealing his merits and fame" disappear into the distance.
After a moment, she answered softly, "I envy...they."
...
A desolate and quiet mourning hall stands on the Xingzi Lake construction site.
Rongzhen entered the mourning hall and saw an old woman with white eyes standing alone inside, with Lin Cheng's memorial tablet in front of her.
She returned looking dazed, and Granny Song immediately turned around and asked:
"See? I told you Ouyang Lianghan was just putting on an act. If you're going to leave, then leave. Why linger on for another day? I heard he even went to comfort the families of the victims. He doesn't seem like he's going to resign and leave at all. Isn't he just waiting for us to persuade him to stay? So he can take the opportunity to keep the governor's seal? Only you, girl, actually believed it and rushed over there in a hurry."
Rong Zhen remained silent, took out a small seal from her sleeve, and tossed it onto the table. The seal made a "clunk" sound as it hit the table.
Granny Song's voice abruptly stopped. She glanced sideways at the seal, her expression still somewhat disbelieving, and said:
"This kid is quite the actor..."
Rong Zhen coldly interrupted her: "Now it's all over, he really resigned, and now there's absolutely no one to handle the Buddha statue matter... Even at this point, Senior Song is still slandering Ouyang Lianghan in front of the younger generation. Looking at him, he hasn't said a single bad word about Senior Song. In some things, the difference in their abilities is immediately apparent..."
"Senior Song, you can explain things to His Majesty yourself."
Rongzhen uttered a single sentence, then turned and left.
Only Granny Song was left standing alone in front of the memorial tablet, her face extremely pale.
...
After bidding farewell to Rongzhen, Ouyang Rong, carrying the door gods and couplets, did not immediately return to his residence in Huaiye Lane.
He walked around a street and turned into an alley where a luxurious carriage was parked. Ouyang Rong got into the carriage, where Xie Lingjiang and Yan Liulang were waiting quietly.
"Senior Brother, is today truly the last day?" Xie Lingjiang asked with concern.
Ouyang Rong did not answer, but turned to Yan Liulang and instructed him to consult with Chief Secretary Yuan in a few days to have the west gate repaired again...
Xie Lingjiang looked thoughtfully at him, who had seemingly left without an official seal but had meticulously made arrangements.
Having finished his explanation, Ouyang Rong, now enjoying a leisurely life as the Jiangzhou Sima, dusted off his hands, turned around, and asked softly:
"Junior Sister, is that official seal important?"
"The governor of Jiangzhou is considered a high-ranking official. My eldest brother is almost on par with Uncle Su's governor of Yangzhou. He should be the youngest governor in this dynasty. I wonder what Aunt would think if she knew." A smile appeared on her lips, and she looked forward to the scene.
Ouyang Rong, however, remained calm, turned his head to look north towards Luoyang, and said softly:
"No, you didn't understand what I meant. Having witnessed Lin Cheng's actions and knowing that this sage can win the hearts of millions with just one person's heart, haven't you realized it yet, Junior Sister?"
"The rank of your official position is not important at all. With such a saint above you, you can be demoted to the lowest rank even if you are as lowly as a beggar yesterday. And if she needs you, you can be promoted to the highest rank today even if you were as lowly as a beggar yesterday..."
"This sage deeply understood how power operates and firmly grasped the highest authority. After the change from Gan to Zhou, the old system collapsed, and the entire system of the new dynasty was actually built around her."
"So in the Great Zhou Dynasty, is official position important? No, what's important... is that she needs it."
Xie Lingjiang and Yan Liulang couldn't help but glance at him, noticing that the young man in white had a rather profound look in his eyes.
Time flies, and just as everyone in Jiangzhou was reluctant to part with someone who had resigned from his post and retired gracefully.
Thousands of miles away, over Luoyang, the capital city, a dark cloud drifting from the direction of Beiman Mountain was slowly pressing down on the imperial city.
(End of this chapter)
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